Simplicity

As I was working at Cool Beans today I saw a familiar face from Passport who I havent seen for a while. We stopped to chat a little bit..laughed a lil bit and out of the blue...she touched my arm and said in the most genuine way possible..."Stay Strong." 2 words. That was all I need.

Its funny how I was thinking about her the other day and the words she said to me in the summer that broke me into tears. Such a wonderful person. And how blessed am I to have positive people around me.

Stay Strong.

- Courage Man

Current Song: Jesus Culture = All I need is You

3 days into the semester and you did nothing but blessed me with familiar faces and also new ones.
I admit I was not very proud of myself getting caught taking forks from the Student Center...a little embarrassing...and I left there with only 2 forks...and 2 yogurts. Smh.

Keep moving forward. Don't stop.

- Courage Man

Starting to really like tumblr...

Finding really interesting posts.

What Men Really Want

There was once a time that I considered myself a true gentleman. Not only that, but I thought I was a pretty damn good Christian too. I went to church, and I thought Jesus was a pretty stand-up guy. I knew how to hold the door open for a lady, when to tell her she was beautiful, and when to spend an evening cuddling instead of seeing Die Hard 4.

But something wasn’t right. Women weren’t responding to my chivalry and respect, or my new-found belief system. In fact, they even got a little offended if we’d been seeing each other for a few months and “…you haven’t even tried to grab my ass, not once,” as one woman so delicately put it.

I didn’t want to grab her ass. I mean, I did. I certainly did. Don’t get me wrong. But not under the circumstances of 2 a.m., slurred words, and one foot off the front porch and through the front door. I didn’t understand. What crime had I committed? That next weekend I dutifully did as instructed. And I may have liked it. But I didn’t want it. Not like that.

Rewind to an evening with a few drinks and a pretty girl I’d met earlier that day. At the end of the night, last call, she asks, “So are we going back to your place or mine?” I didn’t want that. I mean, I did. I did want to take her back to my place. But not right then. Not swimming in a few beers, and a developing problem where I thought I was going to explode if I didn’t take a piss every seven-and-a-half minutes.

Other men want this sort of offer from a woman, right?

Why didn’t I?

I wanted sex. But not like that. So why did she think I wanted it?

Because I am a man.

And the truth is we want to have sex.

But damn it, we want so. much. more.

Hollywood has lied to us.

And we are very pissed off about it.

Because the lie is good and easy to believe, and no man likes to be taken advantage of. So we turn to pornography and strip clubs and Maxim magazine because it’s easier that way.

And the women around us, they start to believe that the only way they can get attention from men is to wear a little less and give a little more.

Pornography and magazines and movies have taught us as men that sex is what women are good for. And women know this. Instead of protecting themselves, women give themselves away. Because they think it’s what men want. It’s believed that sex is what keeps a man interested and around.

Too often I see women ending up trapped in relationships they don’t really want to be in because sex was introduced too soon. Every time you have sex, you give a piece of yourself away. You know this. You can feel it happening. So we stick around and continue to date people we shouldn’t be dating. We keep going back to them because we think we can get back what has been taken. And we keep going back until there is nothing left.

Real men do not want this. We want it. But not like that.

So what do men want? I can’t necessarily speak for men everywhere because so many of us are complete tools. I can’t speak for those men. But I can tell you to approach them with caution. Can’t tell a tool from a gentleman? Does he drink from a funnel? Is he wearing anything by Ed Hardy?

The women in Hollywood only exist in Hollywood. We want the real women in our lives. The ones with real personalities and real curves and real hearts. The ones who live for the weekend – living in mini skirts, high heels, and make up – these women often set men off on a path of destruction. These women mimic the lie Hollywood feeds. As a woman, you cannot tell me the desires of your heart is to drink every weekend and sleep with the man who pays you the most attention simply because it feels good, and everyone is doing it.

And men, you cannot tell me that all you want is sex.

Women, you need to know that you are beautiful just the way God created you. Your heart should be desired more than your body. And your body is not the way to a man’s heart. Giving all of yourself to a man before you are ready isn’t going to make him love you any more.

And men, if she is not your wife, she does not belong to you. She is not yours to take from.

Men want someone they can share their life with. I know the common man today is thought to be consumed with Xbox and fantasy football, and all the locations of Megan Fox’s tattoos. There are more desires on our hearts than that. (If you’re reading this, bro, and I just listed your life’s resume of hobbies, interests, and pastimes, then pick up a book or take a hike. Literally. Just walk outside.) Only a special breed of women have been programmed by God to share that life with her man. And God Bless those women everywhere.

Men love to bond. The very same woman we can’t stop thinking about in her underwear, we want to go see midnight showings of Harry Potter with. Men want to go rock climbing with you. We want to ride bikes with you. We want to play games with you. If we are history buffs, we want to tell you about the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, and have you ask questions. Does this mean you have to come to our reenactments? No. But give us a hand putting on that 300 lb wool coat, and tell us Brad Pitt couldn’t wear that jacket any better. We’re putty in your hands.

I met the woman I am dating. That was back in August. We met in person for the first time three months ago. I knew I loved her before we ever even occupied the same breathing space. Because we shared a love for reading and writing. We shared the same faith. Because I got to know her heart when knowing her body was not an option. The more we talked, the more attracted to her I became. The more we talked, the more I knew I didn’t want to live without her. She was confident, adventurous, and loved being a woman.

Men value a woman who values herself. Who is proud of the body God has given her. And knows what she wants do to with her life.

Women were meant to have curves. When a man touches you, he wants you to feel like a woman. Not like a fifteen-year-old boy with a smoking problem.

If you are dating a man you keep trying to fix or change to suit your individual needs and desires, then you’re dating the wrong man. You shouldn’t need him to get tattoos, change his hair, or squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans to be attracted to him.

Men do not want to change. We don’t want someone coming into our lives, telling us to pick our underwear up off the floor, and to get a haircut. We already lived with our mothers for eighteen years. And if we decide to change, we need that to be our decision. (But if you can surreptitiously guide us there, #win.)

We like to cuddle, but we also like some space on our side of the bed from time-to-time. If a man rolls away from you in the middle of the night, it doesn’t mean he stopped loving you.

Men want to impress women. This starts when we are in Kindergarten and it ends on our tombstones. Speak and respond to our masculinity. Let us impress you, and hand us that jar of pickles already. And whether we are the computer geek, the athlete, the writer and bookworm; the painter, the architect, or the stay-at-home-dad, men do not want to be changed. They want to be loved for who they are. Just like anyone else.

*If you’re thirty-five, jobless, still eating Doritos for breakfast, haven’t showered in three days, and can beat Halo blind-folded, this blog need-not-apply. I can’t help you. *And ladies, the man above is a lazy S.O.B. Not to be confused with a tool. Stay away from him too. If he hasn’t changed for you by now, it’s time to get out.

- Max Andrew Dubinsky

http://estherohx.tumblr.com/post/8144326603/what-men-really-want

-Courage Man

Spring Semester

I spent so much time analyzing and admiring other people skills, personalities, and their walk with you God.
This season/semester Lord..I don't have time for that. Each day I must rely on your strength and your guidance. I need your help daily. I don't have time to look and adore others. I need to receive it myself. I must receive your purpose...your deliverances...and your blessings.

Lord whatever your doing in this season, please don't do it without me.

God I love you so much. I'm not perfect but I'm constantly working at it...and trying. God you never left my side...you never forsaken me.
This semester I don't have time worrying about the mistakes I made...what steps should I take next. Who are my friends. Who is going to be next to me at the end of the day.

God remind me when I get lonely that you never left. Remind me when I want to give up...that it's not over yet. Remind me God that you still love me regardless of who I am. Remind me despite everything my past and my future to keep moving forward with you. Remind me that I have no time to look at others and judge others but I have to work on myself. God I know as I go into this spring semester...my life is in your hand. Help me to surrender everything to you this semester/season. Every frustration, tear, stress, confusion, disobedient, rebellion, doubt, lust, and everything that is not like you...give it to you...remind me of that song, "Let Jesus fix it for you...no matter what the problem is...let Jesus fix it for you." Let me exchange all my iniquities, pain, everything to you for something better.
And most importantly Lord..don't forget to remind me to LOVE and REJOICE at the end of day even when I don't want to...do it otherwise.
God...my hands are up in the air...and my arms are open wide...giving myself to you. I surrender my all.

God...if I have to be thrown, kick around, and humiliated this year to see your glory and your mercy..so be it. I know I'm stubborn..Lord do whatever it takes for me to see the truth about myself and to be transformed and changed by you God. Humble me. Help me to obey you.

And...To worship you in spirit and in truth. Never..never stop worshipping you Lord.
This is my prayer.
In Jesus Name...Amen <3.

Love Heals Your Heart - Third Day
When you think your life is shattered
And there's no way to be fixed again
Love heals your heart
At a time you least expected
You're alive like you have never been
Love heals your heart

Mountain of God - Third Day

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

- Courage Man

Oh my my my

Thursday - another Miracle Prayer Night.

Lord...entering your sanctuary...coming to this prayer night...I had expectations from you...I knew I will never be the same...you never cease to amaze me...I'm in awe.

Going to this Miracle Prayer Night...I learned a little bit more about myself. It reminded me how in our lives there are always going to be some blind spots. Coming to the miracle prayer tonight...I thought I knew what I needed to work on. I thought I knew what I needed to bind and lose. But God showed me there are still other things in ME that needs to be address.

I been reading the bible a little bit more lately...I started journaling lessons I learned...scriptures...and prayers. I thought I was growing and learning so much...in some ways I am. But all of those doings did not help me to see the sins that I was not aware of.
Tonight at prayers...we had to gather in a group of 5 or 6, each person gets in the middle of the circle and say their prayer request on what they want to bind and lose in their lives. Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit...the brother who was praying for me when I was in the middle bound somethings that I need which I didnt say in my prayer request...which I was grateful...cause if it wasn't for that...I wouldn't have saw what I needed to see. When we were done praying for one another...we worshipped. As I worshipped the Lord...I felt so convicted...so guilty...I..myself started to bind those things I was not aware of before...but I still felt heavy...in my mind I'm thinking, "How can I keep doing this to God..."...."I should have known...."
and in the midst of that...God said..."I love you." Even despite my mistakes and my sins...all my wrongdoing God loves me anyhow. I praised Him even louder because I remember that nothing can take me away from Him....and He will never forsake me. I cannot say that in an instant following right after prayer, everything went right. No. I'm going to have to keep working on it...going to have to keep praying...and improving. I must go through it. Like our church theme this year: break out and break through. God never left. Because He love me...He will help me along the way.

I learned that there is always always something to work on. And the truth hurts. But knowing the truth is when we're set free. I'm sure there are still many blind spots in my life that I can't see right now...but God will bring it up in due time.
Until then...I will keep pressing forward.

Prayers: Lord...thank you for loving a sinner like me. Thank you for dying on the cross that I may able to live and be in communion with you. God, thank you for your grace and mercy...each time I fall...and each time I sin...lead me to a repentance heart...cause God I can't do this by myself. I need you Lord to make it. Help me to accept the truth and let you have your way. Let your will be done in me today.
In Jesus Name.

Amen.

- Courage Man

Prayers make a difference

Found another awesome article that reminded me how much we need prayer:

Prayer not only makes a difference, but many differences. You pray, hoping for a certain outcome, but all kinds of changes go on within you when you have a conversation with God. You show him you want to connect with him. You become someone who asks, seeks, and knocks. You're not asking for more from yourself but from God. You're not seeking a great fortune, but you're seeking the One who loves us. You're not knocking on the door of opportunity, but gaining entrance to the Father's heart.

What you receive may not be the exact thing you asked for—it may be better. You long for a nicer home, but you gain satisfaction with the home you have. You long for a new friend, and while you wait, you learn a little more about being a friend of God. You long to walk through doors of greater achievement, but in the meantime, you shift your goals to God's purpose for your life.

Meanwhile, God is changing the hearts of others, too. To your surprise, other people may change their attitude toward you. They may offer you opportunities that surprise you. The people you've worked to know come instead to know you. Prayer really does make a difference. (See also 2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Jeremiah 21:1-10; Luke 18:1-8; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10.)

Good Words to Remember:

Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:8

Today's Challenge:

In what small or big ways has prayer made a difference in your life?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/questions/spirituallife/prayerdifference3.html

-Courage Man

Hello!

I know long time no see...so much missing chapters absent and not recorded on this blog.
Term ending, Christmas, New Year, Birthday...to summarize it all in a short post...it have been a learning experience with God.

2011..I didn't get everything I wanted but God provided me with everything I needed.

2011 was not a year where I could say went by like a breeze. I could remember so many tears, challenges, confusions, and stress. But through it all..I still made it. Pastor said 2011 was suppose to be the year where the world convinces us that there is no God. But I'm proud to say...despite everything that shouldve convinced me God wasnt there...God never gave up on me. I look back at every struggle in 2011 in the end I still found God...close.
In 2011: God have provided me with scholarships....He put new friends and people in my life...He showed me true happiness and joy...He gave me people that cares about me...He delivered me time after time....I'm so convince that He is real.
And I'm ready to enter this year, 2012 believing God. Not putting a cap on Him.

...I don't expect the road from here to get any easier. But He promised me victory. So I will continue to solely depend on Him. I'm so thankful for Him in my life...no matter what I go through, it can never be worse than a life without my God.

Whoever is reading, keep me in your prayers, for my strength and faith. <3

- Courage Man

P.S.
I promise to write again tomorrow! I will try to be more consistent in 2012 in my blogging!

TREASURE hunt!

A post I found on a blog:

Prayer alone is not enough. In fact Proverbs 28:9 state that our prayers are detestable by God if we reject the knowledge of our faith - the Holy Bible.

Almost anyone who went to Sunday School or grew up attending a children's ministry would have learnt that 'the Bible is your sword'. But it's only been in recent years that I've come to fully realise the truth of that phrase, and how reading the Bible can increase our relationship with God. As we read more of the Bible, we can start to understand what God requires of us and what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.

Some verses in the Bible that reinforce the power and vitality in God's Word include:

• "Put on the whole armour of God...which is the Word of God" - Ephesians 6:11-17
• "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" - Matthew 4:4
• "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope"- Romans 15:4

http://www.joshualee.com.au/life/being-refreshed-by-the-holy-spirit

- Courage Man