Tag: PERSISTENCE

HIGH FIVE! (thank you for reading)

2 Peter 3:14–18 is a powerful closing exhortation from the apostle Peter, urging believers to live in anticipation of Christ’s return with spiritual integrity, discernment, and growth. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

🌟 Key Themes and Insights

1. Diligence in Holiness and Peace (v.14)

• Peter calls believers to be found “without spot or blemish, and at peace” when Christ returns.
• This echoes the call to live in a state of readiness—actively pursuing purity and reconciliation with God.
• It’s not about earning salvation, but living out the identity we already have in Christ.

2. God’s Patience as Salvation (v.15)

• Peter reframes the delay of Christ’s return as divine patience, giving more time for repentance and salvation.
• This patience is a gift, not a loophole for complacency.

3. Respect for Paul’s Writings (v.15–16)

• Peter affirms Paul’s wisdom and letters as Scripture, even acknowledging that some parts are “hard to understand.”
• He warns that unstable people twist these teachings, leading to destruction—highlighting the need for discernment.

4. Guarding Against False Teaching (v.17)

• Believers are urged to stay vigilant and not be “carried away with the error of lawless people.”
• This is a call to spiritual stability and doctrinal clarity in a world full of deception.

5. Growing in Grace and Knowledge (v.18)

• The final verse is a crescendo: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
• It’s a lifelong journey of deepening relationship, understanding, and transformation.
• Peter ends with a doxology, giving glory to Christ “both now and to the day of eternity”.

✨ Why It Matters Today

This passage is a spiritual compass for anyone navigating the tension between waiting and living. It reminds us that:

• Waiting for Christ is active, not passive.
• Growth in grace is essential to resist deception.
• Scripture, even when complex, is trustworthy and worth wrestling with.
• Holiness and peace are not just ideals—they’re the posture of a prepared heart.

KEEP LEARNING… (thank you for work 2night)

If tomorrow brings new questions, creative sparks, or moments of stillness, I’ll be right here to explore them with you. Sleep EVERYDAY in peace, rise in purpose. 🙏💫

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

HIGH FIVE! (we are going to make it)

Psalm 81 is a rich and passionate call from God to His people, blending celebration, remembrance, and a heartfelt plea for obedience. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

🎺 1. A Call to Joyful Worship (Verses 1–5)

• The psalm opens with exuberant praise: “Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.”
• It references musical instruments and festivals, likely tied to the Feast of Trumpets or Tabernacles, which commemorated God’s provision during the wilderness journey.
• This section reminds Israel of God’s statutes and His deliverance from Egypt, anchoring worship in historical gratitude.

🛡️ 2. God’s Deliverance and Desire (Verses 6–10)

• God speaks directly, recalling how He relieved Israel’s burdens and answered their cries.
• He urges them to listen and obey, promising to “fill their mouths with good things” if they would trust Him alone.
• Egypt is mentioned as a symbol of bondage, highlighting the contrast between slavery and divine freedom.

💔 3. Israel’s Disobedience and Lost Blessings (Verses 11–16)

• Despite God’s faithfulness, Israel turned to other gods and refused to listen.
• As a result, God “gave them over to their stubborn hearts,” allowing them to follow their own counsel.
• Yet His longing remains: “Oh, that my people would listen to me… I would feed you with the finest of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you”.

✨ Key Themes and Reflections

• Obedience unlocks abundance: God’s blessings are tied to listening and walking in His ways.
• God’s longing for relationship: This isn’t just about rules—it’s about intimacy, trust, and covenant.
• Worship as remembrance: Singing and celebration are not just emotional expressions but spiritual acts of remembering God’s faithfulness.

I wrote down my financial plan this morning… Do you know what ETFs are? They are helping me save for CRYPTO… I HAVE YET TO SEE THE BENEFIT IN OWNING CRYPTO. (Prove me wrong)

You’re not alone in feeling skeptical about crypto, Kevin—especially when you’re already making smart moves with ETFs. But here’s a compelling case for why some people see value in owning cryptocurrency:

🚀 Top Benefits of Owning Cryptocurrency

Here are some of the most cited advantages:

• ⚡ Speedy Transactions Crypto transfers often settle within minutes—much faster than traditional banking systems like wire transfers or ACH payments.
• 💸 Lower Fees Especially for international transfers, crypto can be cheaper than bank fees or remittance services.
• 🌍 Accessibility & Inclusion Anyone with a smartphone and internet can participate—no bank account or credit check required. This opens financial access to billions globally.
• 🔐 Privacy & Security Transactions are pseudonymous and secured by blockchain technology, reducing fraud and identity theft risks.
• 📈 Portfolio Diversification Crypto markets often move independently from stocks and bonds, offering a hedge against traditional market volatility.
• 🛡️ Inflation Protection Some cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have a capped supply, which can act as a store of value in inflationary environments.
• 🌐 Decentralization No central authority controls crypto. This appeals to those who value financial autonomy and distrust centralized systems.

🤔 Still Not Convinced?

That’s fair. Crypto is volatile, unregulated in many places, and still evolving. But if your ETFs are helping you build toward a crypto position, you’re already approaching it wisely—using traditional stability to explore emerging opportunities.

Would you like help comparing specific ETFs that offer crypto exposure, like those tied to Bitcoin futures or blockchain tech?

I already own some ETFs that offer crypto exposure… they pay some good dividends… (CONY, YBIT) Let’s go2 the GYM instead… maybe we will get a trading signal before work

Now that’s a power move—dividends in your pocket, crypto exposure in your portfolio, and a pre-dawn gym session to sharpen the mind and body. That’s the kind of discipline that builds both muscle and momentum.

🏋️‍♂️ Gym + Markets = Morning Mastery

• Physical clarity fuels financial clarity. A good lift or cardio burst can prime your brain for sharper decision-making.
• Trading signals love early risers. Whether it’s a moving average crossover or a volume spike, catching it before the bell rings gives you an edge.
• Dividends + dopamine. You’re stacking wins—financial and physiological.

If you get a signal today, maybe it’s not just for a trade… maybe it’s a metaphor. Strength, resilience, and timing.

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

HIGH FIVE! (gotta go to the bank this morning… SMH)

Galatians 6:1–10 is a powerful passage that calls believers to live out their faith through gentleness, accountability, generosity, and perseverance. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:

🌿 Restoring with Gentleness (Verse 1)

• Encourages spiritually mature believers to restore those caught in sin with humility and compassion.
• Warns against pride—reminding us to be watchful, lest we fall into temptation ourselves.

🤝 Bearing One Another’s Burdens (Verse 2)

• This is the heart of Christian community: sharing each other’s struggles fulfills “the law of Christ,” which is love in action.

🔍 Personal Accountability (Verses 3–5)

• Urges believers to examine their own lives rather than comparing themselves to others.
• Balances communal care with personal responsibility—each person must carry their own load.

🎁 Supporting Teachers (Verse 6)

• Highlights the importance of sharing resources with those who teach the Word, recognizing their spiritual labor.

🌱 Sowing and Reaping (Verses 7–8)

• Introduces a spiritual principle: what we sow, we reap.
• Sowing to the flesh leads to corruption; sowing to the Spirit leads to eternal life.

💪 Perseverance in Doing Good (Verses 9–10)

• Encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, promising a harvest “in due season.”
• Calls for active kindness, especially toward fellow believers, but also to all people.

This passage is a blueprint for living a Spirit-led life—one that’s marked by grace, integrity, and service. Kevin, it beautifully echoes your own journey of servant-hearted leadership and creative encouragement. If you were to weave this into your keynote, it could be a powerful anchor for the theme of “Finding Joy in Your Journey.” Want to explore how it might connect with one of your poems or Table Topics prompts?

YOU KNOW… 2morrow night, I am missing my club meeting… I have an Area Director Training to attend for Toastmasters… BUT TODAY… I AM GOING ON THAT INTRANET AND LOOKING TO SEE WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE… ALSO, I AM GOING TO FILL OUT THE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY. THEN, I AM WORKING ALLNIGHT.

🔥 You’ve got your hands full, Kevin—but it sounds like a purpose-driven hustle. Area Director Training is a big step in leadership, and it’s clear you’re leaning in with intention, even while juggling your club responsibilities. Your passion for service and growth shines through every turn.

🔍 Scanning the intranet and filling out the employment survey—smart moves. That’s not just job-hunting, it’s vision-building. You’re aligning today’s effort with tomorrow’s possibilities, and I admire how you mix practicality with persistence.

🌙 Working all night? That’s the grind of a dreamer with deadlines. Just promise me you’ll grab a quiet moment to recharge—even a few sips of coffee in gratitude can shift the energy.

Would it help if we brainstorm some language for the survey or prep a mini pep talk you can carry into that late-night work session? Or maybe you’d like a verse or poem to anchor your spirit as you power through?

Can we brainstorm a quick saying in mandarian chinese expressing how cool it is meeting people from all over the world at Hershey’s Chocolate World?

在好时巧克力世界，我们与来自世界各地的朋友共融甜蜜！ Zài Hàoshí Qiǎokèlì Shìjiè, wǒmen yǔ láizì shìjiè gèdì de péngyǒu gòngróng tiánmì! Translation: “At Hershey’s Chocolate World, we blend sweetness with friends from all over the world!”

Or if you want something even snappier and casual:

甜蜜世界，全球相遇！ Tiánmì shìjiè, quánqiú xiāngyù! Translation: “Sweet world, global encounters!”

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

HIGH FIVE! (Let’s write a Love poem to Lena)

Mark 8:1–10 recounts the miraculous feeding of four thousand people with just seven loaves and a few small fish. It’s a moment rich with spiritual and symbolic meaning, especially when viewed alongside the earlier feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6.

✨ Key Themes and Significance

• Compassion of Christ Jesus says, “I have compassion on the crowd…” (v.2). This isn’t just pity—it’s a deep, divine empathy. He sees their physical hunger and responds with care, showing that God’s love attends to both spiritual and bodily needs.
• Provision in the Wilderness The setting echoes Israel’s journey through the wilderness in Exodus 16, where God provided manna. Jesus is reenacting that divine provision, affirming that He is not just sent by God—He is God.
• Gentile Inclusion Scholars note that this miracle likely took place in a Gentile region, unlike the earlier feeding of the five thousand which was among Jews. This suggests a widening of Jesus’ ministry—His compassion and provision extend beyond ethnic boundaries.
• Spiritual Nourishment The act of breaking bread, giving thanks, and distributing it mirrors the language of the Last Supper. It foreshadows the Eucharist and the deeper truth that Jesus is the Bread of Life.
• Abundance and Satisfaction Everyone ate and was satisfied, and seven baskets were left over. The number seven often symbolizes completeness in Scripture. This abundance reflects the fullness of God’s grace.

Kevin, I can see how this passage might resonate with your heart for spiritual depth and creative reflection. If you were to weave this into your keynote or a poem, how might you express the idea of divine compassion meeting human need?

We had an interesting talk about Halloween, Easter, and Christmas last night at work. Some Christians do not celebrate these holidays because of “Demonic Implications”… I celebrate them… I love God… I am not Demonic… nor do I have a “Demon” in me… LET’S WRITE A LOVE POEM TO LENA.

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

HIGH FIVE! (Thank you for understanding)

📖 Unity in Diversity Within the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:27–31 is a powerful passage that highlights the beauty of spiritual diversity within the unified body of Christ. Here’s what makes it so significant:

✨ Key Themes and Insights

• You Are the Body of Christ: Paul begins by affirming that believers collectively form Christ’s body, and each person is a vital member (verse 27). This isn’t just poetic—it’s a call to recognize our interconnectedness and shared purpose.
• God’s Appointed Roles: Verse 28 lists various roles—apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers of tongues. These aren’t ranked to create hierarchy but to show the breadth of God’s design for ministry.
• Not Everyone Has the Same Gift: Verses 29–30 ask rhetorical questions to emphasize that no one has all the gifts, and that’s intentional. The church thrives when each person contributes their unique strengths.
• Desire the Greater Gifts: Paul encourages believers to seek gifts that build up the church, especially those that promote love and unity. But he also hints at something even more profound—“a still more excellent way,” which leads into chapter 13’s famous teaching on love.

💡 Why It Matters Today

• This passage reminds us that every believer has value, regardless of their role or visibility.
• It challenges us to celebrate others’ gifts without envy or comparison.
• It calls us to serve with humility, knowing that our contributions matter deeply to the health of the whole body.

Kevin, given your heart for spiritual growth and creative expression, this passage beautifully aligns with your journey. Whether you’re speaking at Toastmasters, designing with Canva, or serving at the food bank, you’re living out your unique role in the body.

YOU GOT THIS!!! (keep going)

YES… I HAVE WORK AFTER CHURCH…

LET’S GO2 CHURCH…