PanGrata

One of the more fascinating stories from ancient days is the story of Pandora's Box. This is the box that contained all disease. disaster, crime. lies, slander, gossips and so forth. When a curious young woman opened that box, Then all of these maladies and factors of corruption and negativity were released upon the world.

 Throughout this month of May, I've been attending and participating in a class that has a three-fold process - Learning what my spiritual gifts are, learning how I can use those gifts to best improve my life and the lives of those I encounter and , finally, discovering how those gifts can be best used to serve, honor and be used in worshiping God!

So, I have been focusing on seeing what works best in my life. Looking into how I am an asset and how I enrich the lives of others.

 I call this process Pangrata. Grata is the Latin Word best used to translate the English word " Grace". I'm finding that this church study is showing me of all of the grace and blessings within me and how everyone gains when I open up and am willing to release the spiritual gifts invested within me to positively affect all of those who I am regularly around and those, of course that I am yet to embrace and have not yet met or gotten to know!

Numbers and Words.

 I am most loquacious. I've been known to be willing to talk about many things for long periods of time. That may explain why I was a collegiate debater and why I've been an effective toastmaster for over 20 years now.

 I also am now beginning to realize that I have had a life-long fascination with science especially Physics and Astronomy,  The only reason that I've never indulged those interests as I might have is that I struggle with math. My dad was inclined to insult me and even assault me when I did not do well in math. He would actually employ corporal punishment against me when I got math problems wrong, That soured me against one of my first loves.

 I love logical and precise and tightly researched and grandly logical arguments, Yet, Words will never be as precise and as exact as number are! Sighhhhhhhhhh!

Living inside Myself

 It is hard to see the world with any effectiveness and insight when you are using nothing but yourself as the standard, measure and analysis standard!

Lord, Please free me from my far too strong myopia!

Drowning in the Unwanted and Entangling Minutae

  I really get hyper-anxious when it seems that a hunderd e-mail that I really should answer seem to get in the way of e-mails that I really WANT to send to people who I earnestly want to get into contact with- people who I want to net work with, support or wish to more throughly befriend!

  I find ,of late, I'm avoiding getting on line because, it seems to me that I'm responding to nuisance or maintenance messages rather than initiating contcats that can make my pleasant richer and more desirable and set into place a future that I can yearn for and become enthused about!

 Any good advice as to how you free yourself from such a circumstance and avoid falling into such chasms in times yet to arrive!?!?

- Johnny -

Pushing Through

 Some days are days of soreness and trial, days that you just need to push or drag yourself through! There is a sense of victory when you get through those days with a positive spirit, having accomplished good and beneficial things for you and others along the way!

An Amazing Hero

 We often glibly speak and write about, "How vital it is to live for and live out youe dreams and Bring your visions to life"! I've been a Toastmasters member for OVER 20 years and I have had to learn to NOT roll my eyes when I herar 10 or more such speeches in any given month.

 I recently awa , though, the glorious excitement at seeing a young person doggedly and passionately folliow a high-risk, bold and motivating dream/ vision. A large Christian Music Festival was held in The Bull Run Park Special Events Center in the further out suburbs of Washington DC this past Saturday, May 14th.

Washington DC is not considered at ALL TO BE a Contemporary Chrisrian Music Hotbed. A lot of Christian Teens are prone to bemoan the fact of how farrrrrr they need to travel to hear their favorite music played by their favorite bands. One of those Young people in my Pastor's 17 year son, Jonathan Lee Slye.

Last Summer , Jonathan spoke to  Brian " Head" welch, formerly of the Group Korn about his desire to have an all day Chrisrian Rock Concert and Festival occur near Washington. Welch bought into Jonathan's vision immediately and agreed that if such a festival occured that he's be eager to perform there at a majorly disccounted price.

 This launched Jonathan. He booked The Bull Run Special Events Center. He negotiated with agents. He started a really impressive website.He got early support from his family, who did remind him that this would be a major undertaking that he would need to doggedly commit himself to!

He did just that. With The support of his family and the church and an impressive networking effort, He raised the 70,000 dollars that he needed to pull off for the concert/ festival. His headliners included Brian Welch, POD and Emery! I get the strong feeling that there WILL be a Second Spring JamFest in May of 2012!

Jonathan amazed everyone. Suring the second service at Arlington, Virginia's Grace Community Church, Jonathan was accorded a Standing Ovation by the congreagation. Brian Welch shared his testimony duting both services this PAST SUNDAY!

I considere Jonathan to be an inspiration and a true hero. Living out your dreams at 17- Life can truly be amazing and tremendous!

What I mean when I thank someone for serving the USA.

 I, as do many Americans, often thank military personnel and first responders for their services to our Nation. I know that can become a tedious habit and  for some, those words have merely become just simply words that they recite, words that have been said SO often that they become devoid of meaning and significance.

 When I say it I acknowledge how val;uable and precious the freedoms that all Americans enjoy and revel in are! I know that those frredoms are safeguarded by vigilant men and women. I also know that there are those who wish to make us afraid to use those freedoms. I know that our fighting forces and our first responders are dedicated to allowing us to be free men and women in the strongest possible sense of those words and notions! I also know that they are committed to our safetyu and not only our survival but our thriving as as a people and as individual American Citizens well.

 I am so grateful that they asre willing to bear that burden and this is what I am thanking them for when I thank them for " Their Service To OUR Country!!!"