Today I came across a very interesting headline in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Pastor told to deliver 'nondenominational' prayer in state House". Last month Rev. Gerry Stoltzfoos prayed before the state Senate, and provoked legislators when he closed with "We pray, in Jesus name, amen". House officials asked Rev. Stoltzfoos to use a 'non-denominational' prayer, eliminating the use of 'Jesus', well, like any Christian would, Stoltzfoos opted out of praying at all, causing an uproar in the wonderful world of cyberspace. Stoltzfoos questioned Senate officials about a policy with these limitations even existing, he was told that the Senate has a more diverse approach to opening prayers, but wasn't told that there is a policy which limits prayers. Rev. Stoltzfoos gave his prayer again yesterday, with a few modifications, one being a preamble; 

"I am painfully aware that there are many here today who have embraced belief systems other than mine. I am not here to say that everyone ought to believe as I do. But I can only pray to my God. If you believe in some other power, I invite you to address yours as I address mine".

During his prayer, he used the words God and Lord, not Jesus. Stoltzfoos closed the prayer with "For those of you who are Christians, we pray in Jesus' name". Reverend Stoltzfoos took the stand we must continue to take as Christians. God is calling us to do more, to be more, to give more, and yes, to make a stand…more.

I am almost positive Senate officials and legislators thought about what Stoltzfoos did, just a thought about Christ can make a difference in somebody. What stand have you taken for Christ? Would you have done the same as Rev. Stolzfoos? Or would you end the prayer in a way that’s correct to the world but completely wrong biblically? Today I charge you to stand for Christ because a very long time ago Christ stood for us.

Man, the last couple of days have had a few shots of frustration in it. Nothing major just a lot of little things. Let me list and exploit my meandering problems to you.

1.) The D-backs are having a miserable season fighting for last last place. blah.

2.) I'm Painting my house and no matter how good i think i taped off the edges paint always finds a way to leak through

3.) Painting frustration #2 ended up with me spilling alot of paint all over my bed ruining my sheets and comfoter

4.) The garbage men took my entire garbage can with them when they collected the trash. Thanks City of Jeannette you're awesome =)

5.) I went to charge my phone the other night that I use as an alarm in the morning but apparently it wasn't completely plugged in and didn't charge but instead died making me a couple hours late getting to the office.

6.) ive forgotten my lunch every day this week. Granted it's only Tuesday but it seems far more dramatic and exaggerated to say "all week"

7.) I had a horrible evening on the basketcourt Sunday. Playing for 3 straight hours you would think I'd come out with one game I felt good about

As I am sure you have thought and said to yourself by the end of reading my frustration situation #1 , "Who freaking cares". Or as Darryl Worley would sing, "Sounds Like Life To Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFVo02K_CAc

You're right Darryl! Those are problems in life that come along to all of us. My mediocre problems aren't much of a concern to you or others. I'm cool with that. Problems are like butts, we've all got one. Usually I'll tell these frustrations to friends and family to get a laugh at it. Some one once said that true comedy is acknowledging the tragedy belonging to some one else. So every one thinks its hilarious that my team I love passionatly is in dead last, I spilled half a gallon of paint on my bed, the garbage men jacked my garbage can etc... it's cool, I relish in it. When life hands you lemons make lemonade right? The way we handle those issues define us, not our personality but our charector. Knowing most people don't care about my small tidbit problems with in a serious forum, I do know some one who does. I think you know where I'm going with this, because the line, "I know some one who does" is the #1 most over used segue from the pulpit into this jesus charector who loves you.

I have just contributed to keeping that phrase #1.

your welcome phrase.

oh.... back to this deep teaching I was working on...... The Lord cares about what you've got going in your life. He does. He cares about the little things that most people not named mom don't care about. Well actually, he cares about things even your mamma doesn't care about. The bible says the Lord has counted every strand of hair on my head (Luke 12:7). Even I don't care how many strands of hair are there. I just care that I have hair up there that I can transform into my faux hawk that screams hey I'm cool and young because I have a faux hawk. I am pretty sure if he is interested in the hairs on your head; he is bouncing off the walls THRILLED to hear about whats gone on in your day whether that being extreme frustrations, minor ones or joys and celebrations. I'm not classifying Jesus as a creeper here, rather, I am extending my knowledge he has placed in the bible to show us the depths he loves you and I. The guy cares more about you than you care about you. As you are driving or walking or any place you are alone for a short yet significant time, cast your burdons on the Lord. Confess them and acknowledge them, with confession comes freedom. Just get it off your chest. You don't have anything to lose. Remember to call us any time day or night for prayer for the little things or the big things and anything inbetween. We have prayer partners standing by waiting to pray with you specifically and want to hear from you. 1-888-665-4483

My rant is over. If you are at this part I assume you have read it all and I thank you. Give me feedback on what you think? I'm lookin forward to hearing back from you.

Today as I thought about some unexpected events that occured in my life this month I thought of this......

"When nobody else feels the pain you endure, and leaves you to die, its God that hears your cry, in Him is where your hope lies, so bless His name & lift Yeshua on high".- My Thoughts

Of course your probably thinking, geeze whats that about!!!???, or others may be thinking of dilemmas that have hit them in the past, or even now. Well, we all get hit with news we're not ready to swallow, our flesh often reacts before our spirit, sometimes we look to friends and spouses for support initially. I'm learning that looking to God first is the only sure way of gaining peace and hope to move forward. Growing up in a very rigid household with a deacon for a father tells you that looking to God first is something I always should've known to do when trials hit, well knowing something and acting on what you know to do are two completely different things, action is what we are expected to do when it comes to God's word. I see a very interesting commanality in the Christian community, we know so very much when it comes to the Bible and morals etc, but acting on what we know seems to be the challenge, we are human, we are not perfect, but through Christ living within our hearts we have strength to get through those unexpected events, whether it be your car breaking down, or even losing a loved one, or maybe something as simple as not being able to go on a vacation you planned because of an unexpected financial obligation. I didn't expect my first blog entry to be so deep, I am a fun person!! lol, but this is whats currently on my mind and I'm honored to have shared it with you.

As I close my entry for today, I leave you with this, when life throws you lemons, make lemondae out of them!!! and while your at it thank God for all He's blessed you with thus far, because that's the bigger picture.

We all know Brad Pitt as being the coolest guy any of us other guys could ever imagin being. He can't do any wrong on the silver screen and has been with some of the hottest girls in Hollywood. The dude is an absolute stud. Earlier he told Bild.com that he doesn't believe in God although he was raised as a Southern Baptist. "No, no, no!, I am probably 20% atheist and 80% agnostic. I don't think any one really knows. you'll either find out or not when you get there, until then theres no point in thinking about it". Man thats so sad. What Brad Pitt doesn't realize is that by his logic "finding out when you get there" it's too late. It's like my father used to tell me growing up that 5 minutes early is showing up on time and showing up on time is shoping up late. Accepting the Lord in your heart now is showing up to the meeting 5 minutes early, thats when it is time. The time is now! (telethon plug..? hardly) The Lambs book of Life has the names of every single person who has accepted Jesus into their hearts and having your name on that VIP list gets you your all access pass to kick it with JC up in heavan. It says clearly in Revelation that if your name is not on that list you will be told to go to hell, literally (rev. 20:15). There are no exceptions to cool guys like Brad Pitt. The dudes name isn't chisled at his arrival at the pearly gates. The decision needs to be made now.

It's quite an interesting conundrum that I have bouncing around in my head right now. I have 2 specific bible verses that are initially contridicting each other to a degree. Lets see if we can work this out as i think and type at the same time. The first verse coming to my mind is located in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." So if Brad Pitt was really raised in a Godly home and accepted the Lord as his own personal savior I believe because of this verse that he will come back around full circle and become an increbile witness to the world about the fantastic news of Jesus Christ. The 2nd bible verse I have banging in my head is located in Matthew 19:24 in where Jesus says, "And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than, for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." What a conundrum huh? Now, first let me put this verse into context here. Jesus isn't literally saying that there is a specific pay grade to get to heaven. Jesus spoke and taught in word pictures quite frequently. What he was implying was a rich man that has it all has very little or no need for faith due to his wealth. They have no reason to rely on God because their money is taking care of everything meaning they have very few problems that they need to rely on a higher power for. I am going to tell you what I believe in this whole Brad Pitt situation. That is this, I believe that many of us go through periods and phases in life that we are disconecting our selves with God. We may not go the distance that Brad Pitt went and declare ourselves as an atheist but we may start drinkin, doin some partying, sleep around, smoke a "little" pot. what ever, I know Ive had my moments out of high school and did my fair share of disobediance. I know plenty more that have and still do the same thing. I believe with all my heart it is a phase for Brad Pitt because my bible tells me so, as i stated earlier what was said in Proverbs that if a child is raised up in the Lord he won't depart from it. He may have some phases to work out and work through but he will come back around. Thats what my bible is telling me. You might say, "Hey Chadillac, what about the rich man?". I believe that is all lumped in to the "phase". What if God gave Brad Pitt this platform to be his witness and instead Pitt has abused to privledge? Notice jesus never said the rich man CAN'T get to heaven. He never said it's impossible. He never said No way Jose. As a huge basketball fan I know I can make a half court shot. I know it's possible yet along with that I know it's not easy. That's no different than the rich man. He can get to heaven, it's just not as easy. Tell me what you think about with this whole Brad Pitt deal. Or comment me if you think I am a raging lunatic and you have a problem with anything I have said. I am all ears ready to listen to what you wanna throw at me. Let the comments BEGIN!!!

If you ask me I would feel that it is a fair comparison to say Carman is viewed as the "David Hasselhoff" of the Christian Music Industry. If you think differently then we will have to agree to disagree. This is basically an extention of what I blogged the other day about how I love awesomly horrible music. The 90's Christian "contemperary" music leads that parade. Who is the one conducting the parade? Our main man, Carman. Why am I thinking so heavily on Carman? Dude, I have no idea. Really I don't. Now I just wanna know what is your greatest "Carman" moment of the past so we can relish in his glory together. Did you do some human video's (of coarse you did), Do you know the answer when Carman asks "Who's In the House?, or do you go straight hood with Carman going A ta J? I'm curious to know what your comments are. Hit me up bloggin peeps!

things have been a little crazy around the office this week....its only TUESDAY!! i am sure that i am not alone in saying that some weeks just push you to the limit. well this might be one of those weeks. we have some guests coming in this week to tape some PITT STOP segments. thats a segment on our Focus 4 program that we do when guests come in town and are unable to be apart of our live program. so going back to my busy week i am finding time to produce the live shows as well as schedule and prepare for the PITT STOP segments. i know it will be worth it in the end because we are getting some great interviews that will hopefully challenge you in your every day life.

Its also dreary here in Pittsburgh the last couple of days and its amazing how the weather effects your mood...makes the day go longer when the weather is sub par. 

well this is my rant for the day and drop me a comment and let me know how your week has gone so far.

"Whistle while you work". Is such an important part of my day. Just as any other work place I hit low points and lulls of the day that just drag on and on.... But then I remember the old childrens jingle, whistle while you work. I then say how can I "whistle while I work"? I'll tell you how, I have dance breaks in the office and throw on some sweet Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch tunes or, what I was just jamming out to, George Harrision "Got My Mind Set on You". The most horribly awesome songs preferably from the 80's and 90's work the best in my opinion. You know, songs that are used in every movie during a fun child like music montage... i.e. Hall and Oats "You Make My Dreams Come True" or virtually any musical composition performed by every ones favorite human video singer/song writer, Carman. These sort of songs take me to my 7th heaven for roughly 5 minutes then I calmly sit down act profesional and continue with my e-mails or editing project. I'm just a kid playing grown up. Now go add these hott tracks to your itunes and dance as if your going to serve kevin bacon a hot plate of disproprtioned "I dont care I just know I'm awesome" dancing.

you just got served.

One of the greatest things about living in America is our justice system and the philosophy innocent until proven guilty. By now most of us (at least in Pittsburgh) have heard that Ben Roethlisberger the qb of the Pgh Steelers had allegedly assaulted a young woman in Neveda. Three points I’d like to state in regards to this case. First of all I’d like to point out that this "allegedly" happened over a year ago (convenient that he now holds 2 superbowl titles and rings). 2nd, "allegedly" in English translates into “rumor” or in other words not proven to be a fact. And 3^rd Kobe Bryant. Therefore, I am going to give Ben the benefit of the doubt that he's still innocent in my book.