Forward to Happiness

I was sitting in a church pride LGBTQ service the other day, and they were singing appropriate and great worship songs.  Some spoke of God's ability to save and power.  However, most spoke of God's love, and that contrast was an important and helpful thing for me reflect on and write about. I've noted over the years the various trials that I've had to endure.  Over those years, I wondered why God didn't come to save me from them.  In some cases God did by literally removing me from them or driving me to remove myself from them.  However, the powerful arm of God to save is something I've not often seen.  Indeed, the Bible writers also didn't see it often, as the Psalm writers begged for it, and the New Testament writers would endure many hardships and death. However, God was present to care for them and me.  Even in my struggles... especially in them.. God's heart was very near to me.  That helped me remain steady and empower me over the years to k...

" You're the best, Devon! But when we're on the field, nobody hears you! They hear the band." Drumline I am not an authority on much by way of academics, and I will begin directing you to check out what I say with your sources.  However, I have lived a life that has given me much personal experience and observations, which I believe does have value for consideration.  So, I plan to begin to do my blogs with my reflections and ask you to consider it for yourself or research. One area of personal exploration over my life is the area of seeking to be independent minded and skilled at my own philosophy reasoning and writing.  I've often felt that my own experience not only gave me a good perspective but a responsibility to teach others, so they do not make the same mistakes that educated me.  At times, this has resulted in feeling ignored or to see others or society making the same mistakes, despite my warnings.  Or, I will make a very solid logical case for somethi...

Recently, I was inspired to read The Great Divorce from my love.  I had read other C.S. Lewis books, such as the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Mere Christianity.  However, I had not read that book.  It was a very enjoyable book for someone that likes to think things out, and I am sure that there is not enough space in a blog post to talk about all the different thoughts I had as I ventured through it.  However, I wanted to chronicle a few.  I will not get them in order.  However, that is not really important.  The story takes place from the perspective of someone that is riding the bus from the point of death through the lands of what could be described as hell, purgatory, paradise, and heaven, though those words would not do the concepts justice and does not necessarily hold from person to person.  On the way of the journey, he hears and sees many conversations of others.  I will describe a few of my own favorites and what I took awa...

I remember sitting in a work meeting, and a co worker was going over a list of things that wasn't working.  The thing that stood out to me was that the co worker refused to say this was a problem or even challenge.  She kept saying we have an "opportunity" in this place or that.  I feel that is an important way to approach things in our own life, as well, even if I fail sometimes at doing that.   For the most part, I do a good job at it. I've had to do that a lot in my life.  I have a plan, and I start down the path for that plan.  Then, this happens or that.  So, I adjust.  Move the date to this day.  Buy that grocery item, instead of this one.  Delay buying a car a few weeks to cover an expense.  Life happens, but it doesn't change the desire or the outcome.  It only changes how I execute it. This happens in many areas of my life. When it does, I try to approach it in the same way.  However, before you get to that p...

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign..." Matt 16:4 You have heard me at various time talk about the benefits of darkness or trials.  One of those benefits is in the area of revelation of truth.  I have had many bad and toxic relationships over time that I thought were good at the beginning.  However, it was in times when conflict or obstacles happened that the true nature was revealed.  I'm seeing that in much fashion on the positive side in my current relationship, and it is very healing.  However, it wasn't meant to be healing.  It is just truth being revealed in those moments.. truth that it is more than my fears and a wonderful good in my life that I didn't have to create.. worthy of honor and attention. I titled this blog with that name, because I think that it is in those moments that the truth is revealed to be one or the other.  Disagreements and differences are revealed, over time.  That is just the nature of being amo...

I've noted at times my hesitation in posting blog posts, because invariably I tend to face a challenge to what I say in my personal life.  However, I've noticed that the good in my life tends to be challenged, even if I don't post about it.  I've noted this at times in blog posts, as I reflect on it.  I noted how in a George Lopez episode the grandmother didn't want to acknowledge good too loud, because it would draw the evil eye to come and bring it down.  Many feel this about acknowledgement of good, actually.  They feel that they should not say good things, because there are so many that don't have those things.  Yet, there is no such restriction on saying bad things, so people have more examples of negativity in public upon which to base their expectations.  So, good IS important to note, as well... even if it draws the doubts of others or even those that would seek to undermine it. Any type of activity that would improve you is also subject to res...