Nine Lives and Counting: A Bounty Hunter’s Journey to Faith, Hope, and Redemption by Duane “Dog” Chapman Book Review

 

In Nine Lives and Counting, Duane Chapman has written a brand-new book about his life and his experiences in being a reality TV star and how he discovered Christ. He was the star on Dog the Bounty Hunter and Dog and Beth: On the Hunt. In the book, he shared about meeting his wife, Beth. He explained what he went through when he lost her to cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 2 throat cancer. He admitted to how he refused to believe anything negative regarding the diagnose. He believes in the power of life and death is found in the tongue so he would watch his words. He shared how he even would make minister change his vows and take out til death do us part because he didn’t want to speak death at all. She was given the cancer free clear when only a year later it returned to stage 4 and spread to her lungs. She fought until the end. He admitted to how after her death he considered ending his life to join her in Heaven but God instructed him not to end the life that He gave him. In the book, he explained how he met his new wife Francie who also lost her own spouse. He also covered his past relationships and marriages and kids. 

 

 

He revealed how he come to know Christ and was reborn and how it excites him to witness people lives being changed. He grew up as a Christian kid in the Assemblies of God and he grew up Pentecostal church. He accepted Jesus as his savior when he was around 5 years old. He revealed his take on demon possession and how very real this is. He witnessed people being delivered and in turn has seen it firsthand through his encounters with criminals and addicts. Satan is the author of the oppression and confusion and he tempts to torment people. He explained how he studied the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. He was gifted with the gift of knowledge and God would assist him in his quests in his bounty hunting. He shared a few examples of this throughout the book. 

 

 

One of my favorite parts of the book was about him being warned about how he didn’t need to go out one night. He refused to listen and proceed to go out with his friends. They went coyote hunting. One of them wanted to go get a joint before going. They decided to go see their other friend, Jerry Lee who would have a stash. The other friend shot Jerry Lee in the shoulder. Later it was confirmed that Jerry Lee was killed and they arrested Dog. He clarified how Texas law found him guilty just because he was present at the time. He was sentenced to five years. He opened up about his different experiences he went through during this time. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book about the life of Dog and his faith in Christ. It was very eye opening to read about his experiences and how he was at time rough around the edges and God was able to reach down and change his life. It’s interesting to read about how he was in a motorcycle gang, to being sentenced in prison to, being a bounty hunter on TV. I haven’t watched a lot of his TV series but I was curious to learn about him and reading about his faith was inspiring and to see how it has changed his entire life. 

 

 

 

 

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Lives-Counting-Hunters-Redemption/dp/1400239273/

Finding Grace: The Inspiring True Story of Therapy Dogs Bringing Comfort, Hope, and Love to a Hurting World by Larry Randolph and Jennifer Marshall Bleakley Book Review

 

In Finding Grace, Larry Randolph tells the story of how he founded Canines for Christ. Him and his wife, Susan was already at retirement age and doing so much to help the community around them. He recalls how God spoke to him and told him he needed to invest in therapy dogs. He didn’t even have a dog at the time. He remembered how he has a special dog, Gus before when he was in desperate need of a best friend. The economy had just fell and real estate experienced a downturn. He had to file for bankruptcy. His family gifted him Gus to keep him company during the day. The economy did recover but his marriage to Chris didn’t. They divorced and Gus helped him through all of the pain and all the difference in the world. Eventually, Gus did pass away and he hasn’t had a dog since. He shared how he felt led to again get another dog and start his foundation. He had their logo embroidered in gold lettering and this represented the gospel and the blood of Christ. They grew it to over twenty teams and they travel all of over to homes, hospitals, care facilities, and schools to provide comfort and to display God’s love to them. In the book, they shared some of the people they were blessed to meet and help change their lives. 

 

 

One of these touching stories was about Laura and Carl. Laura met them at a drug store. She wanted to meet later on with them and tell them her story. She explained how she was hit by an 18-year-old driver going 50 mph in a 35 mph. She was driving home from a meeting when she was hit and it just so happened that an off-duty fireman heard the crash. He thought she was dead but he was able to revive her. She was given a 2 % chance of surviving. She shared how God spoke to her and told her that this wasn’t her time to go. She had to leave her job and she spends her day with her own dog, Chloe. They became a part of their ministry. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book on how this ministry has been able to make so much of a difference in people’s lives. This book is a wonderful example of sharing God’s love to a hurting world. It was inspiring to read the different stories and how they helped others. It was also touching to read about how Grace helped Larry when Susan faced health challenges. This book is a delightful read for any dog lovers with a mixture of positive lessons we can learn from dogs. 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from Tyndale Momentum for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Grace-Inspiring-Therapy-Bringing/dp/1496473604/

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska By Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss Book Review

 

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska is about the journey of a famous singer, Ginny Marshall. Ginny is pursuing her singing career full speed in Los Angeles, California. Music producer, Danny Kingston decided to surprise her with a new recording contract from a label to record a new album. Ginny is torn on if she should accept or not so she decided to travel to Alaska to meet an old lover. She fell in love with Brett Miller and got engaged but she broke it off. She chose to follow her dream of a recording career and move to LA. She hasn’t spoken or seen him since the break up and she mailed back his engagement ring.

 

When she arrived in Alaska, Brett is off on a wildlife adventure to clear his head. Ginny meets Brett’s Grandma, Ethel and stays at her house until Brett comes back. Grandma Ethel reveals and tells Ginny to read these love letters. These letters contain a written love story between Ellie and Clay. Ellie became Clay’s children governess and she watched over the children daily. Love and friendship eventually begin to develop between Ellie and Clay but the trials and conflicts of life initiate to come against them. You will have to read the book to see if Ellie and Clay fall in love.

 

Brett returns from his trip and they have a choice to make will they heal and let forgiveness happen or will they go their separate ways.

 

I would recommend this breathtaking fiction novel to anyone who enjoys romance and the thrill of falling in love. The novel was very descriptive in displaying how Alaska looked and the community that existed in the rural area. I immensely enjoyed how this one book had two different stories tried together to convey that love still exists and is possible to find. No matter how far or how long the expedition to love may take for someone to find their true love, it’s viral to keep believing. The novel was a true complexion of forgiveness and having the courage to mend and move forward despite your heart from being broken. I especially loved how the story had a major decision to be made. Would Ginny choose a career or love? I believe everyone at some point has to choose which one they care more about. This story will inspire you to give love another chance and to never give up on finding it!

 

Summerside Press has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for being a part of Tricia Goyer 2013 Launch Team.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Finds-You-Glacier-Alaska/dp/1609365690/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Check out the behind the scenes trip to Glacier Bay:

http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/09/research-writing-trips-buds-car-rental.html

 

Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay Recipe: Halibut Caddy Ganty

 

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ListingRecipes.aspx?inn=215887&recipe=29483

Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer Book Review

In Mere Churchianity, Michael shared a story about a letter he received from an atheist. The atheist was a worker at Dairy Queen. She wrote to Michael, who was the youth minister, and she told him that his youth group wasn’t very nice to the workers at Dairy Queen. His youth group made a mess with a saltshaker and left it to be cleaned by someone else. She didn’t like Christians but could you blame her for the way that the “youth group” acted. The youth group had a chance to influence non-believers for the better and they failed.

Michael wrote this book for leavers of the church. He believed that most Christians who have left the church are leaving because of some of the legalism rules we have placed on the church. He doesn’t think they are leaving because they don’t believe in God. It is because they are looking for the real Jesus and some churches aren’t showing and teaching about Jesus. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus and we are supposed to help one another.

“Many leave the church because their aloneness is never recognized by others, and others in the church never realize their own sin in isolating the people in their midst. So those who don’t conform and thus fail to fit in, for whatever reason, are left alone to be alone.” (180)

My thoughts on this book are that as a church we all need to do better than we are currently doing. We shouldn’t have our youth groups or adults groups making messes for other people to clean up and insulting workers. We are called to be the church and we are called to be like Jesus. Jesus served the homeless, the out casted, and anyone who needed his help, which we all need, his help. Non-believers are watching Christians to see if we are living out what we are teaching. I understand why some people leave the church now. But we have to live out what we say we believe. I wonder how many youth groups and adults have done something similar to this story. I agree with Mere Churchianity and that we are called to be disciples of Jesus and we need to serve one another. We have to live out what we believe and mean it!

I would recommend this book to any church member and any member that has left the church. We can all grow to understand why some people leave the church. We can all also learn to reach out to church members and non-believers and show them the real Jesus! We have to always remember that actions speak louder than words! We can’t forget who Jesus is and what his word teaches us to do.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Mere Churchianity, check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307459179/ref=cm_rdp_product

Check out Chapter One:

http://multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/pdf/SneakPeek_Mere%20Churchianity.pdf



If you would like to rate my review click the link below:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/6383

The Cause within You by Matthew Barnett Book Review

Matthew Barnett is one of the founders of the Dream Center in Los Angeles. His father, Tommy Barnett also helped his son start the Dream Center. Matthew first started preaching at the early age of twenty years old at Bethel Temple in Los Angeles. When the church began to dwindle from thirty nine people to zero, Matthew cried out to God asking him why members of the church were leaving. He eventually found out his answer from God. God was calling him to lead and assist the homeless, broken, and hurting people in Los Angeles. The Dream Center believes in loving people and serving people. They hope hurting people will come to know that Christ loves them completely. The Dream Center helps drug addicts to recover, prostitution victims, human trafficking victims, homeless families, and anyone who is hurting to make a better life for themselves. In “The Cause within You”, Matthew shared his whole story about how God provided the money to start the Dream Center. The Dream Center has helped a great number of people who were hurting and broken and changed their lives around for the better. God has used the Dream Center to start a new different kind of church to reach out and bless others who are hurting.


I liked that the book shared an enormous number of stories about people being changed by another person’s love. This book encouraged me to never give up and to always give God the credit for my cause. I would recommend this book to teenagers, college students, and adults. Everyone needs to find the special cause that God has for them. This book will help guide you on how to find out what your cause is. Most importantly is to remember that God will lead you to where you need to be at the exact time. If you fail from time to time just remember to never give up on your cause! God will always show up when you need Him. All you have to do is to seek God and he will provide.

Near the end of the book, Matthew also included some Bible scripture passages to meditate on and encourage you on your journey to fulfilling your cause.

One of my favorite scriptures, Matthew included was:

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

If you would like to purchase a copy of “The Cause within You” it is available on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Cause-within-You-Finding-Created/dp/1414348460/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top



Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Cyber Bullying Leading Factor to Our Children’s Deaths

Cyber bulling, for example, is leading many children, teenagers and young adults to an endless pit of depression. Most teens are falling victim to bullies online, and they have no idea what to do about the harassment. We are in unremitting cycle of watching what our friends are doing online and what they are saying on popular social media sites. You can get a text message or check your social media account during class or at home from your cell phone. The cyber bullies can start groups or fan pages about the person to make fun of another person. Bullies can also post hate messages and sexual comments about someone else. Peers can sometimes gang up on a person online and they make the person feel like are worth nothing. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube have a hard time monitoring every single comment, group, fan page, or video that users create to share with one another. The website Formspring, for instance, permits users to create an account that allows users to ask any variety of questions anonymously. The questions are not censored so bullies can ask the victim anything they choose. The questions are not shown publicly unless the victim tries to answer the question. If the bully were to ask an inappropriate question, for example, “Why are you gay, weird, and stupid?” The victim could feel like they must answer the question. Failure to answer the question makes the bully think the questioned asked might be true. But the damage is already done when the victim reads the question; they are scared forever. The victims of cyber bulling are feeling like there is no hope out there for them. The teens feel that they are all alone in their battle against the bully. Technology has permitted the teenagers that get bullied in school to take the bullies home with them too! The problem is that most schools don’t even know how to handle cyber bulling because the bullying happens online. Schools can’t watch every student’s accounts on social media sites for cyber bulling or suicide threats. Cyber bulling is a leading cause of suicide deaths from teenagers and kids. Tyler Clementi, Phoebe Prince, Hope Whitsell, and Megan Meier committed suicide from being cyber bullied. Tougher laws will have to be in place in order to stop cyber bullying from happening to a countless number of our children, teens, and adults. We have the power to save lives and give these kids hope if we chose to.


So won’t you stand up and fight for change and for what is right. It only takes one to stand up and make a difference in someone else’s life. The question is will you be that one? Will you stand up? Would you stand up for someone else? Or will you join in with the bullies? It’s your decision.


Here is an inspiring video to encourage you to do just that “Stand Up”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARkxnRbyR1c



Some of the lyrics of Sugarland – “Stand Up” are:

“All the lonely people cryin’ It could change if we just get started Life the darkness, light a fire For the silent and the broken hearted Won’t you stand up Stand Up Stand Up Won’t you stand up you girls and boys? Won’t you stand up Stand Up Stand Up Won’t you stand up and use your voice?”

Forgiveness and Letting Go

Day 3 – Sunday, May 30


Don’t you see Satan has stopped people from connecting to one another? He has spread strife everywhere. We who are Christians have to grow up and help each other. I have got to reach out to the loners, angry controlled, sad, hurting, fakers, and EVERYONE. How are we going to reach people if they hear and see us acting bad? I have a hard time faking a smile. I wear my life. But this past week in writing about my days and journey in my run. I felt the need to cover this. I felt like it was time to let it all go. I don’t need to be anger, selfish, bitter, sad, and a never happy Christian. I need to have joy, peace, kindness, love, and all the fruits of the spirit. I know I’m not going to be perfect, but I have to keep growing and learning. If we are judging and rejecting people who are different from us and our friends. We aren’t going to show them love. We have got to try and show them love and what it means to be a Christian.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-24&version=KJV

I heard this song called, “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum. One of the verses says, “Get caught in the race Of this crazy life Tryin' to be everything can make you lose your mind I just wanna go back in time”. That line in the song is about the truth. It can make you lose your mind. I have had a lot of people trying to tell me how to be and who to be. I need to be more in shape, more manly, write neater, walk better, speak more, and talk better. This is who I am. I guess I don’t fit the mold and the stereotype. But you can’t please everyone. You can change yourself and lose who you are on the inside, but you won’t be you then. You were created to be you and only one! If you needed to be that other person God would have made you like them. Be yourself!

In Natalie Grant’s book called, “The Real Me”, she shared her story about trying to deal with looking her best. If you have struggled or are struggling with an eating disorder this book is for you. She struggled with an eating disorder in her life. She is trying to help others see that you need to be the real you.

Natalie Grant says, “Sometimes I feel like the world is made up of two kinds of people: people pleasers (those who so need to be loved and accepted that they go to great lengths to be loved and yet never feel they deserve it), and people who are never pleased with anything (those from whom the pleasers try so desperately to get love and attention but who can’t seem to see beyond their own wants and needs).” Page 46

We all want to feel loved and loveable. But we all want to be accepted and included. I know it hurts who people rejected you and hurt you. We all say hurtful things to one another. So it’s important to forgive one another. I know it’s hard but its way harder not too. Carrying that hurt is very agonizing. It only hurts you. I know because this was me. I wasn’t enjoying my life. It doesn’t hurt the other person. The other person is living life and enjoying it and you’re not. You’re carrying around the pain and hurt. You have to let it go. It frees you to forgive one another. I know pain hurts a whole lot. But sometimes the person doesn’t even realize they hurt you. You have to forgive them anyway. This weekend was a forgiving weekend for me. And I had to let the comments go and stop letting them define and control me.

I know what it is like to hurt someone too. We are all fallible people and need to ask for forgiveness every day. We all make mistakes. I know I too have said and done things I shouldn’t have done. I am sorry for every single thing I have done to hurt someone in any way. Thank God his love never changes for us. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. God forgives us the first time, when we ask for forgiveness. So it is extremely important to forgive one another.

Most things we fight about and get upset about are so small in the scope of life.

I want to share this powerful life changing video with you. It gives me the chills.

Here are some of the lyrics to “So Small” By Carrie Underwood:

“What you got if you ain't got love The kind that you just want to give away It's ok to open up Go ahead and let the light shine through I know it's hard on a rainy day You wanna shut the world out and just be left alone But don't run out on your faith Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing Is just a grain of sand And what you've been out there searching for forever Is in your hands And when you figure out love is all that matters after all It sure makes everything else seem So Small”

Here is this impacting video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEQj6RrQbgA

This week, Joyce Meyer told us a secret on her show. “Want to know a secret? We will even tell the people watching by TV. Here’s the secret: The better you treat people, the happier you’re going to be.” The message is called, “Imitate God’s Giving”. Next Joyce said, “It’s like how many more times are we going to have to the bible study on forgiveness before we get around to realizing that when you forgive somebody, you’re going yourself a favor. Why should you waste your life being mad at someone that’s out having a good time and couldn’t care less if you’re upset? Come on, we got more smarts than that.”

“For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 (Amplified Bible)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%206:14&version=AMP
“And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (Amplified Bible)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esphesians%204:32&version=AMP

I went 1.61 miles on my running for St. Jude’s. I burned a total of 99 calories. I took 3413 steps. Any amounts of donations helps find the cure for the children.
“All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay.” From St. Jude Website

This is why it is important that we help raise money for the children. We could help save their life and countless others. It can only happen when we all come together.

If you could make a small donation visit the link below: Every little bit helps.
http://www.mystjudeheroes.org/hopenow

I also went swimming today for the first time in a while.

Day 4 – Monday, May 31

I went a total of 0.91 miles today. I burned a mass sum of 48 calories. I took 1923 steps. I also went swimming today. Anything to help me get stronger.
Day 5 – Tuesday, June 1

I went a full amount of 2.19 miles today. I flamed a total of 131 calories to the highway to health. I took a grand total of 4639 steps today.
Day 6 – Wednesday, June 2

I went an entirety of 3.38 miles in my journey of a 5K. I burned a mass total of 203 calories. I took 7145 steps in my run/walk.
Day 7 – Thursday, June 3

I smothered a total of 236 calories today. I went for a grand total of 3.85 miles today. I took 8136 steps.

I went swimming a few times this week. I am committed to getting stronger and healthier.

"Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world." "The daily operating cost for St. Jude is $1.5 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions." I got this from St. Jude.

If you can help in any way please do. Thank you for anyone who has donated and read this whole post. I hope it helped you in some way. Get out there and make a difference! 

Feel free to share this site with your friends.

In closing the post. Here some of the lyrics to “The Words I Would Say” by Sidewalk Prophets:

“Be strong in the Lord and, Never give up hope, You're going to do great things, I already know, God's got His hand on you so, Don't live life in fear, Forgive and forget, But don't forget why you're here, Take your time and pray, These are the words I would say.”

Here a video of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thLdWPr32yY

Sad Times But There's Still Hope

Day 4 – Monday, May 24

I went a total of 2.51 miles today. I burned a sum of 158 calories. I took a whole total of 5302 steps.

Day 5 – Tuesday, May 25

I had to go to a love ones funeral today. It was a very sad day. But she lived a long life. She was one of the nicest ladies you could ever meet. She always went to church and she helped spread the love. That is what church is all about. I know her family misses her very much. But she is in a place with no pain now. She is sitting up there with Jesus and dancing away. I got to see some of my family and her friends. It’s kind of sad you only see this many people when someone dies. We should always be this close, when we are alive. I know many people are busy making a living, but take some time to spend it well with people you love. Think of how many people we could reach out to, if we just would do it. I remember how she used to get me off the bus sometimes. I also remember hanging out with my cousins at her house many times. This song was a song I thought fit her life. She had a lot of love to go around. I wanted to put this song on a family slideshow we did for my whole family at Christmastime. But we found other ones to include on it instead. But my point is I had the honor and privilege to be a part of my family’s history. She sat near my dad at my family Christmas dinner. He had to tell her who most of the people were. But she knew some. Her memory has been going for a while. But I know now in Heaven she remembers everything. She knows her family. The song is called, “Some Things Never Change” by Sara Evans. I want to thank the pastors and the church members who helped provide food for her huge family and friends. They had two rows of maybe 6 tables. They had to add another row. We had that many people. I didn’t count the tables I am estimating. But anyone who came saw a lot of people. Thank you. Thank you to the pastors who said nice things about her. Thank you to the people who sung at the funeral. Thank you for your prayers and your condolences.

Here is “Some Things Never Change”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkIWI1YH3nI

Another song that popped in my mind during these crazy times was a song by Mandisa. The song is called, “You Wouldn’t Cry (Andrew’s Song)”. The song is a about someone who is already in Heaven. He or she is telling that it is going to be okay. Jesus has them and you. Sometimes we get stuck in wanting to know why. I can’t answer that question. All I know is if I died I am going to Heaven. I know it’s hard when you lose someone you love. But we have to have hope that one day we will see them again someday. I know it hurts when someone leaves us on this earth. But if they knew Jesus and you do then you will see them again.

Listen to Mandisa’s “You Wouldn’t Cry (Andrew’s Song)”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFOdA52sjFA

Some of the lyrics are listed below:

“All you saw was pain All you saw was rain But you should see me now Moments filled with tears Lasted all those years disappeared somehow You never said goodbye On your knees you cry You’re still asking why, but Blue has never been bluer True has never been truer Honey never tasted so sweet There’s a song in the breeze A million voices in praise A rose has never smelled redder The sun has never been brighter If I could find the right words to say If you could look at my face If you could just see this place You wouldn’t cry for me today.”

If you like to see Andrew’s Story, check out the link below: Mandisa shares the message behind the song.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=980a2cb94bf283772d30

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 26

I went a grand total of 3.00 miles today. I smoked a total of 206 calories. 6347 steps were taken by me today.

Day 7 – Thursday, May 27

All I have today is a song to share.

Here is some of the lyrics of “You're Gonna Be” By Reba McEntire.

You're gonna fly with every dream you chase You're gonna cry, but know that that's okay Sometimes life's not fair, but if you hang in there You're gonna see that sometimes bad is good We just have to believe things work out like they should Life has no guarantees, but always loved by me You're gonna be

Here is the video for “You’re Gonna Be”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kLs4VdfFlQ

“‘Cause anything worth doing is worth doing all the way Just know you'll have to live with all the choices that you make So make sure you're always givin' way more than you're takin'”

So let’s listen to these lyrics! That is the truth.

You can be whoever you choose to be. You can choose to love or choose to hate. It’s all a decision.

Check out:

http://sites.google.com/site/theofficialandrewsmith/week6

Journey of My Run Week 4 : Day 3 - 7

Day 3 – Sunday, May 9

I went a total of 1.89 miles today. I burned a total of 114 calories. I also took a total of 4187 steps. I walked and ran four laps. I ran one complete lap.

Day 4 – Monday, May 10
I ran in the morning and at night today. I only went one lap at night though. I felt sick for some reason. But I went four laps in the morning time. I went for a sum of 2.74 miles including both times. I burned around 181 calories. I took a mass sum of 5804 steps today.

Day 5 – Tuesday, May 11

I went a total of 1.92 miles today. I burned 124 calories on my journey. I took a total of 4056 steps. I went a total of four laps around the track.

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 12

I went a total of 4 laps. Four is the always the lucky number. I went a total of 1.24 miles and I took a total of 2632 steps. I burned a whole 73 calories, which I guess is a start. I also lifted weights today. I am up to 40 pounds! I was doing 30 pounds. I am improving, which is a wonderful thing. I watched Joyce Meyer today like I do every day. I encourage you to watch this week on TV or the internet. This week is about “What the Devil Doesn’t Want You to Know”. Joyce Meyer said, “You may be sitting there and you’re 20. But someday, you’re going to be as old as me. You need to make a decision now what kind of condition you’re going to be in when you get there. Come on now, I’m talking to some people. Oh well, I’ll worry about that then. No, then it may be too late to worry about it.” I think someone was speaking to me. I don’t really care to exercise and work out, but I need to. I wasn’t ever an athletic person. I would prefer to just have a six pack abs and not do anything to get them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. And no, I don’t have anything near a six pack. I am going to get fit! Yes, I am the least bit person to run a 5K. But it’s for St. Jude’s Children! Even if I don’t run the whole 5K and I walk some of it. It will be okay. They still get the money. We need to give these children a hope. We can always have hope and faith that things will get better. I know you may be using the excuse times are hard. But the children still need donations and someone to believe in them. We all need someone to believe in us! We have got to bring back the love. Don’t make excuses on why you can’t do anything in life. Just get up and do them. If you make a mistake, repent and God will forgive you. Tell the person sorry if you can. But get back to living.

I love Mary Mary’s song called, “Get Up”! Some of my lyrics are:

“Get up ‘Cause you can’t stop Get up Got a lot to do 24 hours Almost gone Get up

Don’t sit there Get up If you wanna get there Clocks don’t stop and Time won’t wait What are you afraid of? Don’t you know What you’re made of? One of God’s Greatest creations Take this invitation now”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgtMHdir_7A

It’s never too late to change and turn your life around. You can get fit if you want to bad enough. You can be happy or you can choose to be depressed. Don’t you dare listen to the lies of Satan! He will tell you its too late but it’s not. He will tell you negative things and he will try to stop you. You can be a positive person, change your words, and your mind. Read the word of God! God sent his only son for your sins.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” John 3:16 (The Message)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:16%20&version=MSG

Day 7 – Thursday, May 13

I am so excited! I ran two laps of my four laps today. I am getting better and better. I went for a total of 2.04 miles today. I burned a total of 143 calories. I took a total of 4327 steps today. I also continued to work out by lifting weights. I lifted 40 pounds again.

Jo Dee Messina has a song recorded called, “Was That My Life”. The lyrics are: “Yes I'll fall before I fly But no one can say I never tried Oh we just get one Ride around the sun In this dream of time It goes so fast That one day we look back And we ask Was that my life?”

I don’t want to look back and wonder what if. No one wants to do that. We need to love and help one another out more. We have got to do better. So many people are getting bullying and abused at school, work, and home. As a whole world, Satan tempts us with drugs, sex, money, things, our mind, our emotions, our mouth, reasoning, and other people’s approval. He has gotten so good at controlling and lying to people. He makes us be afraid to step out and reach out to one another. We hear in the media every single night, everyone is bad. We think, “You can’t trust anyone anymore.” When I die, I know where I am going. But do you? There are still some good people out there! We are all human. But God is always there for us. He never leaves us! Even when you think he isn’t listening, he is. We have got to reach out and love better than we are doing now. We only have one life to live. How do you why to be remembered? Do you want people to say, “______ was selfish, never willing to help anybody, life of the party (but they can’t remember half of their life), doesn’t say hello, wasted years, all talk-never show, living in the past, never laughed, depressed, rude, and critical. I know we all fail in some of these areas daily. I know because I struggle with this too. Everyone does. Not one person has it all together. But we can still try and reach out to each other. It doesn’t matter if you think that person is way different than you. So what! We need to stop judging and LOVE! I of all people know how hard it is. Satan tells us lies! He is a liar. You are never alone! You have not made the biggest mistake that you can’t repent and be forgiven. God will forgive you and come into your heart. He loves you.

Matthew West wrote a song called, "Life Inside You". The lyrics are: “There's a life inside you. There's a beating heart. There's a child of wonder, shining like a star. There's a life inside you.”

So please join with me and help the children of St. Jude’s Research Hospital. All the money goes directly to St. Jude’s and they help children with cancer. Any amount helps them!

http://www.mystjudeheroes.org/hopenow

My page name for St. Jude’s came from the song called, “Hope Now”. Addison Road recorded the song.

Listen to the song below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xboucW89gUU

The song lyrics are: “Everything rides on hope now Everything rides on faith somehow When the world has broken me down This love sets me free When my life is like a storm Rising waters all I want is the shore You say I’ll be ok and Make it through the rain You are my shelter from the storm I'm not my own I've been carried by you All my life”

All of the songs are on ITunes, Wal-Mart, Amazon, and other online retail places and they will inspire and encourage you. Or you can also go and pick up their CD’s.

I am also about to start reading a new book. There is also a movie out as well. The book and movie is called, “Letter’s to God”. They both look great and it will make people think. The storyline is about Tyler who is a kid going through cancer. He is writing letters to God and having hope!

Here is a sneak preview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBDK2LGn4p0

Check out the official website for the movie below:

http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/

Here is a clip that is very sad: He is afraid of what people will say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAGYTMmEcrA

Inspiring clip: Giving hope!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP8A8ydEdSs

Check out my Google Page Site:

http://sites.google.com/site/theofficialandrewsmith/

Journey of My Run Week 3 : Day 1-7

Week 3

Day 1 – Friday, April 30

I was busy working on homework and studying for finals for college. So you guessed it, I didn’t work out.

Day 2 – Saturday, May 1

I ran one lap then I walked the rest of the four laps. I went a total of 1.57 miles. I burned a total of 1573 calories so far. I went a total of 5173 steps so far.

Day 3 – Sunday, May 2

I worked out today now that is a good thing. I ran one lap and walked the rest of them. It is so hard to run solid straight. But I am going to be able to run 5 miles! I am declaring that. I will, “Never Give Up”! I went for a total of 1.42 miles today. I burned 86 calories. You are going to be happy with me. I finally figured out that to reset the pedometer you have to hit reset on all of the menu screens. I have only been hitting them on the miles one. Nice going, Andrew! I thought if you hit reset it resets the whole thing. Obviously, I was wrong.
Day 4 – Monday, May 3

Study day yet again!

Day 5 – Tuesday, May 4

I went a total of 2.01 miles and I burned a total of 127 calories. I walked 4249 steps today. I ran about a lap and a half. I went a total of four laps. On the Jo Dee Messina’s podcast today, she showed pictures of the town of Nashville. If you haven’t heard what happened to the state of Tennessee, just watch her podcast of Ustream to see some of the pictures. I will briefly explain. This week, Tennessee had a lot of rain and most of the town is flooded. The reports on CNN are saying that at least 20 are dead so far in TN. But the storms affected Kentucky too. They are saying at least 30 totals are dead from both of the storms.

If you like to donate to the Red Cross to help TN out, check out the link below:

http://www.nashvilleredcross.org/

You can also donate by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10.00 to help TN.

If you would like to volunteer, check out Hands on Nashville to volunteer:

http://www.hon.org

Thank you for helping clean up any of the areas affected by the disastrous storm and for donating!

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 6

I had to study but it’s the last day of studying at least for this semester!

Day 7 – Thursday, May 7

All of my finals are officially done! Yay! My mom and I went to eat at a restaurant to celebrate. Our waiter was a very nice guy. He had great manners and an awesome personality. I need to change in some areas from watching him. He was kind. I can be kind of a bit rude and harsh. But over the summer, I have a goal to read God’s word, and heal from my wounds, and let the things I can’t change go. The difference between me and him is that he lives life and is very happy. I carry my life and I have for many years. But I am going to be free! I am going to love people for who they are. We need more love and less hate. I have met a few girls and guys that are truly nice and friendly most of the time. Now I get that we all have off days sometimes. But for the most part we need to be friendlier to one another. One guy, who I went to school with always, had a smile on his face. He went through a huge fight for his life way before I knew him. I have heard he got into a four-wheeler accident in his early teenage years. The four-wheeler flipped over and severely damaged him. He looks fine now but he had a few surgeries, I believe. Why, do I think he had love? He almost lost his life and he now lives every day happily. I only knew him for about two years in high school, and then I went back to public school. A few weeks ago, I ran into him at college. I haven’t seen him in a long time. You can just guess how we met. We met by me going to the bathroom in a hurry. My excuse was I had to go really bad. Well he was coming out of the bathroom, when I was coming in. I jumped because I didn’t expect to see someone standing when I pushed the door. He said, “Sorry”. You know what I said was his name only. I didn’t say sorry or anything. This was a very bad move on my part.

Just one example of how the pain of my past has controlled me. School has always been hard for me due to me being rejected by my peers. I have always felt a little outside of the crowd. No one knows how to connect with one another anymore. We are so caught so much in “OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD”. We have our cell phones and our World Wide Web world now. I am right there with you too. We don’t talk to one another anymore unless they are “cool” or in “our group”. It shouldn’t take a tragedy to bring us all together. Most of my college nights, I couldn’t even sleep well because my heart would just plain hurt nonstop. I was so nervous and so afraid of people. I had a deep shame base in me. No one’s opinion matters expect what God thinks. People don’t define you. Give your future and your past to the almighty God! He can change and heal you; but only if you let him.

In Joel Osteen’s book, It’s Your Time, he says, “One of the best things I’ve learned is that nothing happens to me; it happens for me. God would not have allowed me to go through difficult times if He didn’t have a purpose for them. He wouldn’t have allowed adversity to come if He didn’t already have a plan for good to come of it.” Page 166
So maybe you have been through things (who hasn’t) let God heal you. He might even let your pain and hurt be your message to reach out and help others.

I also went and helped my cousin fix her internet connection today. It would come off and on and it still does even after we called the company. I didn’t work out today. Her dad taught me how to play some more guitar chords. My fingers got real sore again, since you have to get used to playing. He wants me to learn the chords and move faster between the chords. I had fun that’s what matters.

Get out there and live! Make someone’s life better! Put a smile on their face and your face!

“It’s not happening to you. It’s happening for you.” Joel Osteen "It's Your Time" Page 171

Journey of My Run Week 2 : Day 2-7

Week 2


Day 2 - Saturday, April 24

I worked out in a different way today. I lifted weights using a Bow-Flex. I lifted about 30 pounds, since I haven’t lifted weights in a while. Also I was busy today and I had to go to a family graduation. So I didn’t make time for the running.

Day 3 - Sunday, April 25

I walked for 46536 steps so far. I also went for 2.25 miles! I burned a total of 1430 calories. I ran the first lap and I walked the rest of the four laps.

Day 4 – Monday, April 26, Day 5 – Tuesday, April 27, Day 6 – Wednesday, April 28

I didn’t work out during these days. It was the last two weeks of college. So that’s why the posts were delayed.

Day 7 – Thursday, April 29

I ran one lap around the track. I have gone for a total of 48222 steps so far. I only went for 0.79 mile, which is a little less than a mile- really. I burned a total of 1480 total. I only went one lap in order to make it back for the podcast.

Note: I am sorry for the delay again. College finals the last two weeks made me very busy!

Living as a Human

I was up late last night and I heard this new song. Natalie Grant and Jordin Sparks opened the 41st Annual Dove Awards with this song called, “Human”. The chorus of the song, “Human” is this, “We gotta to better than this! Cause we only got one chance. To make a difference. Gotta do better than this. Cause we only got one life that we been given. A little love a little kindness. A little light in this time of darkness. It will be what makes us different. It will be what makes us human.” Natalie Grant and Jordin Sparks




This song speaks to me in so many different ways. We have to make a difference in this life for other people. You might think you’re not ready to help people. But you could be more ready than you think. Love starts in small ways. You love by holding open a door for someone else, helping the homeless, using your gifts to help on another, or just by smiling. There really are so many ways to help one another. Listen to people tell you their stories. I know time is tough for everyone right now. There is not a single person not affected. Let’s not use the excuse and blame it on times are too hard to help. We only get one life to lend a helping hand to one another. God is bigger than the whole economy problem! He is bigger than any problem you’re going through!



What do you want to be remembered for?



1. Being stuck up and not talking to one another



2. Carrying around hurt and unforgiveness



3. Saying hurtful and negative things



4. Tearing people down to feel better about yourself



5. Prideful- I’m too good for you



6. Pity Party



7. Listening to people’s approval



8. Making excuses on why you can’t



9. Feeling like you can’t help



10. Don’t know how too



11. Why should I help? They don’t help me.



12. Too busy to slow down



13. Holding on to money- never giving

14. Fearful - maybe people scare you



If you turn on the TV, you hear a lot more negative stories than positive ones. Where have all the loving people gone? We have become selfish, never wanting to go out of our way for someone else. We have got to start loving people again. Don’t you dare sit there for a second and say, “I love everyone”? Cause, do you really. God knows your hearts are you being honest? We have to really love them not just say that we do. We have to show love!







“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].” Colossians 3:12-14 (Amplified Bible)







Now some people do really love their neighbors, friends, strangers, and family. Yes, we are human and we are fallible. But we have to start doing things for one another. Look at how older adults look at some teens. Most adults don’t believe that teenagers can make a difference. We think oh well, they don’t have my knowledge. I want you to just look at the movies, Hollywood makes for teenagers and college level adults. What are in most of them? If you watch one for long, you will hear a sexual joke or scene. How about the language? You don’t have to look just watch a movie there in a Reality TV Show too. What happened to the good people helping and loving? Teenagers are being stereotyped as a drinking, irresponsible, rebellious, sex controlled, and partying loving. Yes, it’s okay to party but now they think we have to have a keg party. I got news for you. You don’t have to drink to have a “good time”.



Next, I want you to look at some adults. Why do some get nicer with old age and some get plain mean? Maybe they went through things. But it’s not an excuse to stay bitter and angry at everyone. You have got to heal from the pain. God will love and accept you and help you. He has helped me.



We have got to rise up and change the way the world looks at us. Christians, the world is watching us. They are seeing how you react to certain situations. You can choose to change with God’s help or not. It’s your choice on what you want your life to be and what you want to be remembered for. No one else can tell you to love one another. Yes, God does say it in his word. But you can choose to act out of love or not too. You can choose to let go off the past and move into the future. It is never too late to start helping out each other. Even if you don’t know where to start, let the creator lead you. Start smiling more at each other! As the song, “Human” says, “We have gotta to do better than this.” Get out there and make someone’s life better!

Journey of My Run Week 1 : Day 6

Week 1


Day 6 - Wednesday, April 21

I didn’t work out today. Grasp. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, “Why didn’t I.” Well, today was my birthday, so I took the day off! I celebrated with my family. We all need love and I have not loved people for a long time. I would love them, until they said or did something I didn’t like. I was selfish and I still can be most of the time. But I believe, “I am changing with God’s help.” I had to heal and start loving people again. I am still learning how too. I didn’t really smile a lot in life. But I am determined, I will enjoy life. I will write more blogs about certain topics too. I could continue on about things, I truly believe in and I will. I enjoyed my birthday dinner. I didn’t really want a family dinner, at first, but then I kind of needed it and wanted it. My family is some of the best people in my life, who will stand beside me no matter what. Friends will come and go and most do. Some move away and some just get hurt and leave. I have made a lot of mistakes, but they are making me a better person. The only thing you can do is say, “You’re sorry and ask for forgiveness” from them and God. I will continue in this journey called “Life”.

Journey of My Run Week 1 : Day 4

Week 1


Day 4 - Monday, April 19

My journey in running a 5K event was a little strenuous today. Since, I didn’t sleep good last night I had trouble putting out all the energy to run completely and smoothly. I guess the award show got me too pumped up to sleep soundly. I am in love with music. Haha! I enjoyed Carrie Underwood’s and Miranda Lambert’s performance at the show the most. I also liked the new comer girl, Laura Bell Bundy that performance made her look like a country Britney Spears. I loved Reba McEntire’s jokes that she shared. I was a little disappointed that Sugarland didn’t perform and Jo Dee Messina wasn’t asked to perform. But we let some of the newer people with songs, I haven’t heard perform. Some of the performances were good and some were a little boring. Now back to the results, I ran the first lap again. The second I walked and the third I ran a part of it. The fourth I walked yet again. I went a total of 23228 steps in my voyage. I went a total of 1.86 miles, which was a little bit less than the day before. I blazed a total of 1169 calories, which is always a magnificent thing. I worked out for a total of 27 minutes and 13 seconds. I increased in a little bit of time for some reason. Oh, that’s right I had to move to make it back in time for the award ceremony. Well, until next time.