Last of the month!

     Today is June 30th and this may be my last post for this month.  When this month started I decided I was going to try to write a post everyday concerning faith and/or sobriety.  I accomplished that although at times I felt I was stretching for material.

     I'm really learning how to write, and I'm sharing my experimentation's with you.  As you can tell, I write about things that are happening to me or around me daily.  I don't really touch on current events that much and that's on purpose.  This blog is really dedicated to showing the influence of Jesus Christ on my life.  I carefully choose my subjects and words with the intention of emphasizing how Jesus is working in me and how I recognize this and give praise for it.

     Anyways, I am open to any suggestions or inquiries.  If you have an idea for a subject you would like to see here or if you have any questions that you want my opinion on, feel free to post here by clicking on "comments", if you can, or you can e-mail me at littlecitynegro@yahoo.com or you can send me a message on Facebook.  I will respond to all inquiries in a timely manner.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Character builders/Relationship testers

      I recently had a revelation concerning relationships, mine in particular, while I was having a conversation with a friend.  We were talking about honesty and how it pertains to relationships and I commented that "as far as relationships are concerned, honesty and love are only required on my part". I went on to say that "I can't make my significant other be honest or love me and those qualities don't affect how I love that person".  In essence, I can express unconditional love when I don't hinder myself with other peoples traits, good or bad.  That may be a radical way to look at relationships but I tell you I haven't found any other way that doesn't include stress.

     Anyone that's been in a relationship for any amount of time knows that they can be stressful.  We all have wants and needs and we all carry around some kind of baggage.  Trying to get all the pieces of the puzzle together can be frustrating.  Lord knows I've pounded my head against the brick wall many times in frustration from the things people do.  Quite honestly, it's amazing I haven't killed myself or anybody else because of the stress of relationships.

     Anyways, I had a revelation that my significant other's lack of integrity and inability to tell the truth isn't a test of her character but rather it's a test of mine.  Ya, let that sink in for a minute.  What I'm going through with her is strengthening my character by testing my patience and tolerance and ability to forgive those that trespass against me.  Not only that, but when I look at the way she carries herself I see my own imperfections.  That's big.  I can't rightfully judge her or anybody else without first looking at myself.  Man, when you do that, it gives you a whole different perspective from which to go by.  Wooo, I'm on fire right now.  I mean, I can't easily chastise anyone when I first look at all the things that I've done over the years.

      It's by God's Grace that I am able to walk in The Anointing of The Holy Spirit and overcome these things that come against me.  If I had to deal with other peoples shortcomings and offenses against me in my natural self, I guarantee there would be a negative outcome.  There's no way I could tolerate anybody lying to my face and insulting my intelligence and disrespecting my manhood.  If I was operating in my own power, I would be fresh off of somebody's butt daily!  Thank you Father for showing me another way to live.  I love you!

Real Christians don't judge! We know better!

     Believe that!  Real Christian don't judge others.  It is not our place to do so.  We are to discern, which entails separating right from wrong.  We aren't to condemn anyone for anything.  We can offer our opinion, if it is asked for, but we aren't to force our opinions on anyone.

     As of late of I've been reading and hearing about a lot of people that are criticizing Christians for being intolerant of lifestyles that are outside of The Word of God.  I'm here to tell you that if you're a Christian and you are judging others for the things that they do or the way they live their lives, then you need to know that you will be judged with that same measure that you are judging.  And since we are all born into sin, there is nobody that is perfect.  That fact in itself should be enough to deter people from judging one another because there is no one that is sinless.  EVERYONE has some skeletons in their closet.  EVERYONE!!! 

     I don't judge anyone, specifically because God's Word tells us not to.  Lord knows I've committed more sin than a little bit.  Who am I to judge anyone for the things that they do?  I will tell you though, that I haven't met any of these "Christians" that are passing judgment on others.  I don't doubt that they are out there, I just haven't met any.  Sadly though, I haven't met that many Christians that are "on fire" with their faith and that walk in the Anointing of Jesus Christ and can profess their love for Jesus Christ with ease and confidence.  That's changing though and it starts with me.  I am so happy and so blessed.  I am growing and progressing in faith.  I can feel The Holy Spirit working on me and in me.  I can see The Anointing working in my life.  I am of sound mind and I walk in love and in power and it's all through Jesus Christ.  I am bold, and I have fire and I don't worry about anything because I believe The Word of Jesus Christ and I have seen it work and I know it's real.

     Wooo, I'm hot.  I love all of you.  Stay in The Word of God!

Power=The ability to get results

     I'm tellin' you, Creflo Dollar is a living example of walking in The Anointing!  This man is on fire and this mornings sermon was no different. I'm on fire because of his words.  He said, "God is looking for some people of faith that are willing to stay on His Word and know their authority so he can demonstrate to the world that "it came to pass"(1 kings 18:43).  He was saying that we need to rely on God's promises, operate by faith and not by sight, and take the blessings the Lord has provided for us, moving in Power and getting results.

     That's hot.  Creflo is like the greatest coach you've ever heard of and it's half-time and he's giving us the motivational speech of our lives to win this game.  I've got chills as a write this and I walk in strength and in power.  Everything I put my hand on will prosper, and it came to pass!  My family will prosper and multiply, and it came to pass!  I've been extremely blessed because I've begun to meet a lot of Christian brothers and sisters that are walking in power, and it came to pass!

     It's a wonderful feeling when you live your life according to the Word and then get confirmation that you're doing things right because you see other Christians with Power doing the same as you are.  Creflo has been touching on areas that I have already been through or are currently going through now and when I hear him give life to my experiences it confirms that I'm on the right path.  Thank you Father for sending your message through Creflo.  Continue to bless this man and his ministry! Amen.

Sobriety Tip #189

BE SELFLESS!

     Addiction of any sort is a selfish behavior.  Addictions override everything in your life to the point where you don't care about anything other than the addiction.  If you are going to be successful in breaking addiction you need to step outside of yourself and consider others first.  This process will allow you to focus on something other than yourself and your addiction.  You've got to break the chain of addiction and the way to take a link out of that chain is to do things for other people.  I tell you, you may not be able to put that pipe down or needle down or stop having multiple sex partners or drinking excessively at first, but if you start by thinking of other people and doing things for other people, it makes it easier to break the addiction!  You've got to give something in order to receive something!

Dearest Father,

Thank you Father for everything you’ve given me, and for everything you’ve done for me.  I cannot express in words how much I love you.  I want you to know how thankful I am for the life you’ve given me, for never leaving my side even when I left yours.  Thank you for getting my attention and stopping me from destroying my life.  Thank you for giving me your Word and guiding my path.  Thank you for giving me a beautiful family and protecting my family.  Thank you for covering me in your grace and giving my spirit peace and understanding.  Everyday I grow stronger in love and in faith and I am almost overwhelmed with happiness because I don’t see an end to your love.  I love you Father.  Thank you for your word, thank you for everything!

Love, your son

Gary Mason

Proverbs 18:21 Life and Death are in the power of the tongue

     You guys know I'm a big advocate of "think before you speak!"  I was considering changing my name to Gary "think before you speak" Mason.  I am often amazed and sometimes saddened by the things I hear people say.  Most of the time I don't understand the thoughtlessness behind the things people say.

     I learned through experience, a long time ago, that the things I say have an effect on myself and others.  I am careful about the things I say.  I know people are listening, even if they act like they aren't, so I give consideration to my words.  I've seen how my words have affected people after I've spoken them.  Sometimes I can see the wheels turning in peoples minds after they've heard something I've just said and sometimes I see people take actions after something I've said.  Both of those facts are miraculous and powerful, and because all of us wield that power, we need to be careful and considerate of the words we speak.

     I think part of the problem is people don't believe themselves to be powerful.  They don't realize that they can affect any situation in front of them or around them with a spoken word.  Here's an illustration of the power of words.  Do you ever recall a time when there was a person you really liked or admired that didn't know you existed and all you wished was they would look in your direction or "say" something to you?  Or, do you dread to be around someone because you know when you go around them they are going to "say" things that offend you?  Both of those situations give an idea of how powerful words can be.  From my own experience, I easily respond to people's words.  I think if a woman was sitting across the room and whispered in my direction, I could hear every word she was saying.  Why?  Because I am open to hearing peoples words and they have an effect on me.  I can tell my kids, all day, to clean up their room, quit fighting,  and be quiet, but they'll keep doing what they're doing.  But I can say, "let's go to McDonald's" and they hear every word I said.

     In close, think before you speak!  Say something uplifting when you talk!  Consider other people before letting loose of something ill-advised!  You have the power to make someones day or break it, choose life!