Dennis J. Brooks

America Capitalism Gone Without A Whimper

kentuckyboy — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:39:25 +0000

I encourage you to read the following article from a recent Russian Newspaper. Are we allowing our own government to build a iron curtain around us without even noticing. Are we allowing them to destroy the principles and character of our founding fathers without a fight ? Read this guys interpretation of the churches in America. Have the pulpits been silenced ? A government or nation that does not fear God or stand for God will surely be held in account. We better wake up as the children of God and fight for our heavenly father. I know for me if someone was messing with my family , my father , my mother , my sisters , my brothers we would be having some serious problems. Yet a nation that was founded on the principles of God and a nation that prospered greater than any other nation in the history of our world has thrown God to the side without regard. America we are losing ground to a devastating attack to the very foundation of our Godly Heritage. The walls are beyond being shaken they are beginning to fall. Every nation and country around the world is cowering in fear as they watch America the once great superpower fall to her knees. Those nations know that because of America their nations and countries have prospered. Their countries have been revived.

Christians please don’t hide any longer. Please raise your voice – Don’t just ignore the devastation that is going on around you. This russian journalists sees that something is terribly wrong with our country. We are allowing a iron curtain to be erected around our country and no one seems to notice. Please America get on your knees but most importantly raise your voice. Please read the following article.

The irony of this article appearing in the English edition of Pravda (Russian on-line newspaper) defies description. Why can a Russian newspaper print the following yet the American media can’t/won’t see it?

American Capitalism Gone With A Whimper

It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.

Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their ”right” to choke down a McDonalds burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our “democracy”. Pride blind the foolish.

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different “branches and denominations” were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the “winning” side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the ”winning” side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America.

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America’s short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Weimar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.

These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, losses, and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?

These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties, and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more than a whimper to their masters.

Then came Barack Obama’s command that GM’s (General Motors) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of “pure” free markets, the American president now has the power, the self-given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.

So it should be no surprise that the American president has followed this up with a “bold” move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK’s Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, and so let our “wise” Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.

Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper…but a “free man” whimper.

So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set “fair” maximum salaries, evaluate performance, and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Frank, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.

The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.

The proud American will go down into his slavery without a fight, beating his chest, and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.

Stanislav Mishin

Chuck Taylor Converse Canvas (Hi-Top) Shoes

kentuckyboy — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:12:28 +0000

Chuck Taylor – Reveal Your Dream

I remember when I was a kid my parents were divorced by the time I was six and being the oldest of 3 I was back and forth between Aunt & Uncles while my mom put herself through nursing school. By the time I was 9 or 10 I was a permanent fixture at Uncle Charles and Aunt Thelmas house.Uncle Charles was a army guy and Aunt Thelma was this fiery redhead that loved the Lord and Billy Graham. I could talk for hours about the adventures while there but today I am going to tell you about my Chuck Taylor – Converse Tennis Shoes.

In Kentucky 2 things were pretty sure growing up you were going be around coal mines and you better for sure no how to play basketball. Being from Eastern Kentucky I was around them both and I loved the Kentucky Wildcats. We would watch the games and then run out on the grass court that now had turned into to much dirt from all of our playing. I wanted to be Kyle Macy an incredible ball handler and a true shooter according to my Uncle Tommy he was always telling me to look at the rotation on his shot , look at the control everything about # 4 – Kyle Macy was perfect even down to his Chuck Taylor Converse tennis shoes. They might as well been gold to me – at the local shoe store they were around $ 14.00 and they were out of my range. My poor vinyl Kmart track shoes were on there last leg. I had just about ran out of tape trying to patch up the vinyl when they would get cold and crack.

They were so stiff sometimes in the winter that they wouldn’t even bend but I would keep playing in my old shoes and I casually mentioned to my Uncle Charles about how great those Chuck Taylor shoes were and I was determined that if I had them I could jump higher,run faster and do my chores so much better if I could just have the Chuck Taylor ( Hi-Top ) canvas tennis shoes that Kyle Macy wore. They could possibly change my life. The summer was almost over and just around the corner was tryouts for my school but I knew that I couldn’t possibly make it with my old Kmart Track Shoes.

It didnt look like I was going to have my Chuck Taylors before school so I was about to give up when one day I came home from school and at the foot of my bed sat the box – the box that would possibly change my life – the box that held captive my Chuck Taylor High Top Canvas Tennis Shoes – the shoes that would surely propel me into the spotlight of the Rupp Arena – as thousands of fans shouted my name – Dennis – Dennis – as I rushed to the bed I heard my Uncles voice say not so fast.

He walked up behind me and reached and picked up the box and said these were mine but they came with a price I thought he was joking , how cruel could he be , to buy me the shoes and place them within my reach and then tell me I couldn’t have them , I said what do you mean they are here – you put them in front of my bed – they are mine. I grabbed for the box but he quickly pulled them away. After several attempts I gave in and said – what do I have to do ?

Here it came the deal that would help me get my shoes ? Over the past year or so my Aunt and Uncle had bought some property in Tennessee – where the Volunteers and there ugly orange resided. I couldn’t believe my uncle would dare step on the ground of Kentucky’s arch enemy but he did – he had crossed the line. For most of the year we had been building the house and clearing the land. My uncle’s plan was to build the basement first and then we would move in and then build the upstairs and that is exactly what he did. As he would get money we would go and do more until the money would run out. Great Plan Actually. Well his devisive scheme worked once he recognized my desire to have these new shoes his plan was simple – he needed some fence posts dug and strung with barbwire and I needed shoes if I was ever going to reach my full potential in being Kyle Macy.

I agreed how bad could it be a few fence posts – a little barbwire and within a week I should have my coveted Chuck Taylor High Top Tennis Shoes – the deal was done. He placed the shoes at the foot of my bed and told me I could have them when we were done with the fence. It was a evil plan but it was worth it. The next morning came way to early and my uncle came and got me up and reminded of the deal we had made and the work would commence immediately. I had made a deal with the devil. I rolled out of bed slowly getting dressed and then saw my shoes now held captive by an evil dictator but I was determined to get those shoes. After a quick breakfast we were off. We got to the property early just as the sun was coming up and I was ready to go. Well not really , I was still asleep and my face planted against the window of my uncle’s VW Bug.

A VW Bug that I will tell about someday but not today. My uncle woke me up and said let’s go. I said in my head how bad could this possibly be a few posts on this nice area where he had cleared off , nice and level , no big deal. In my negotation I failed to clarify how many post there were and also the location of said post. What I thought was going to be a piece of cake was about to get very hard as my Uncle pointed to the far corner of the property where would begin and the other side of the property where we would end. Well not we – ME – Me the little 10 year old boy who was barely 80 lbs soaking wet. Suddenly my decision to wear the coveted Chuck Taylor tennis shoes seemed to be out of reach. How could I possibly do this.

There was no flat ground in sight. It looked like a ski slope. What had I done. Why couldn’t this evil cruel man just give me my shoes. Reluctantly , I grabbed the post hole diggers and made my way down the treacherous slope , the slope of doom. We made our way to the corner of the property and there laid the fence posts. It looked like a lumber yard – piled high – the post rose from the ground as if to taunt me and make fun of my frail little body. The post hole diggers were almost a foot taller than me but my uncle never cracked a smile , never felt sorry , who was this man that my Aunt brought into this family, how dare her.

He showed me where to dig the first post and then proceeded in front of me marking each post. The other end of the property might as well been in China , but it was on the soil of my arch enemies – The Tennessee Volunteers – the ground even looked orange – but I found out later it wasn’t orange – it was in fact a rust color called clay. My Lord – when I raised the post hole diggers and dropped them on the mark for the first hole – it bounced. Seriously , bounced. Again and Again I dropped the digger but nothing I barely had removed the grass – I looked down at the hole in terror – the post had to be dug 18 inches or so my uncle said. Again I raised the shaft of doom and again it bounced.

My uncle by now – saw me struggling and begin to make his way back to me. He could see my frustration , he could see his little 80lb nephew , struggling to do this awful task he had assigned – I could see the compassion in his eyes – I could see his heart go out – he was proud of me – now he would give in and give me my shoes – this was just a test to see my willingness and my desire to work. I was Issac and he was Abraham – he was willing to sacrifice me but would spare me at the last minute before I came under the knife. God had provided a sacrifice – all was well. My Chuck Taylor tennis shoes seemed to call my name – this was the moment. But as my uncle got closer –

I realized that his face wasn’t actually compassionate – his heart wasn’t bleeding for me – as he got closer I recognized that his eyes of compassion were actually eyes of what is your problem. Somewhere along his journey back to me he had acquired a new tool of destruction that must have been hidden behind his mountainous pile of post. He shouted out and said if the ground is to hard at the surface you may have to use a pick axe – a pick what – a pick axe was designed to tear and peel away your flesh and expose the very bone of your body. Well not really it was designed to puncture and chop away the hard surface , cutting away roots , dirt and rock. What sick mind was designing these tools of torture and who gave them to my Uncle. I took the pick after a brief demonstration and began the daunting task of puncturing and chopping the top layer of dirt only to expose the horid orange colored dirt (clay) which even harder than the first layer.

I grabbed my post hole diggers and tried again. I barely got an 1/2 inch of dirt out of the hole but I struggled on – shuffling between my new tools of torture – the pick axe and the post hole diggers back and forth – up and down – the hole began to evolve within all the madness suddenly I cracked through the hard clay and found soft dirt and the hole was dug – my first hole – 18 inches of pure terror. One hour and 30 minutes of pure evil. I pondered my decision to make this deal – Were the shoes really worth this – struggle ? Was I willing to make such a sacrifice to wear those Chuck Taylor High Top Canvas Tennis – was any shoe worth this ? But it was – so I pressed on. I was able to dig about 5 holes that first day once I figured out the my new tools. The next weekend came and I dug 8 more holes. The next weekend came and then 12 holes were dug.

Slowly weekend after weekend I could see the end in sight. The holes were losing their battle to keep me from my shoes of Destiny the shoes that would surely change my life. The tools of torture had became my tools of purpose – they had became my friends. They would help me conquer the obstacle that stood in front of me from the destiny that sat at the foot of my bed. The last hole was in sight – my little hands were blistered and cut – but yet I pushed on. My vinyl track tennis shoes from Kmart had fought their last battle , my knee high tube socks that I wore representing the Oakland A’s – I loved baseball to – but I want even go there had held my last drop of sweat. The end was here – 57 holes and 456 ft. later – my task was done. Weeks had gone by and my Chuck Taylor Tennis Shoes sat everyday at the foot of my bed cheering me on when I left in the mornings and welcoming home at night. My Uncle never caved in – he had found a desire that I had and had placed it within my reach and then challenged me and gave me the tools to achieve my dream.

I will never forget the day we got home and the deal was done. I was out of control on the ride back – I knew that my job was done and my reward was waiting for me at the foot of my bed. Just before we got out of the car my Uncle looked me and said great job – you worked hard – you earned your shoes but get a shower first and then you can have your them. He was killing me just give me my shoes already. I bursted through the door , stripping down as fast as I could – hurried to get clean and jumped out of the shower. My room was just across the hall from the bathroom – I opened the door and rather than my shoes being in the box – they were sitting on the edge of the bed – all laced up – and brand new pair of knee high tube socks laying next to them. I will never forget that day and even though I thought my Uncle was evil dictator with his tools of torture he and my Aunt help make me into the man that stands before you today. 57 holes dug for a $ 14.00 pair of Chuck Taylor High Top Canvas Tennis Shoes. The holes were dug the post were set – now on to the next part stringing the barbwire. Life is never really done with the obstacles it may present.

There will be posts to set – holes to dig and barbwire to string but when a dream and a purpose is realized it will all be worth the struggle. I remind my Uncle often about the most expensive shoes I ever worked for and he just laughs and says yeah but no other pair of shoes would ever remind you to work so hard for your dream. My Uncle recognized a dream and a a desire I had and then placed that dream with my reach. I never played ball in Rupp Arena or shot like Kyle Macy but I do know this – sometimes in life in order for you to achieve the plan , purpose and dream you have it may take other people in your life to help you achieve the dream that lives within you. They are great people and incredible achievers that had someone in their life – that challenged their dream. I believe that in our lives that God places the Tennis Shoes at our feet and waits to see if we are willing to dig the holes and set the posts that will bring our dreams to life.

What dream or desire has God placed at your Bedside ?

Points To Make

My Uncle recognized my desire
My Uncle placed my desire in front of me
He also provided a path to achieve my desire.
He also provided the tools that would help me achieve the desire of my heart
The rest was up to me. What would I do with the option I had.

Today we are here to Discover your desire , your dreams , your purpose I think most of you in here today have a desire , a dream , a purpose that has not yet been fulfilled. Today I believe that God and your decision to be here today is not by accident. I wander today if we could place your desire and your dreams in front of you and a plan to get you there. What would your answer be to setting some fence posts. Are you ready once the challenge comes. I believe a lot of you today are at a crossroads some of you that are in business have challenges that you are now faced with – some of you have to make a decision to start your business – and some of you are still dreaming of the shoes but no plan yet in mind.

For some of us that have been in business for a long time we thought our days of digging fenceposts was behind us but we find ourselves picking up the post hole diggers and setting posts and stringing barbwire. Some of you today have the shoes at the foot of your bed , post hole diggers and your boots on. Yet you wait. I believe that it is where Navigate is here to discover , challenge and empower your dream. My uncle discovered my dream , he then challenged me and then he empowered me to achieve it. Now is our time. God has placed Chuck Taylor High Top Canvas Tennis Shoes at the foot of your bed but it is going to require you to dig a hole , set a post and string some barbwire. Are you ready to Navigate ?

Pawn Shop Purple Heart

kentuckyboy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:06:23 +0000

I put this story off for long enough so today I sat down to try and articulate this story. My grandfather was Claude C. Smith of Middlesboro, Ky. he was an incredible man and full of laughter and humor. I remember summers when school was out and going to the lake and hanging out with Papa Smith i loved the stories he could tell and was usually assigned to get his occasional beer , typically Schlitz Malt Liquor, he loved going camping and fishing at Norris Lake just outside of Tazewell, TN, now before you religious folks out there condemn me for listing his beer or the fact that he even drank beer , get off your high horse. My grandmother was a devout baptist and preached to him plenty enough. There were days when he would crack open his beer and Granny Smith would crack open her bible simultaneously.

I never knew for sure if Papa Smith was truly saved but to me he had a heart of gold . My mom reminded me that he gave his life to the lord in the last few days of his life. If anyone should have went to heaven it should have been him if nothing else for his humor, he could keep heaven laughing for sure. I still can picture my Papa sitting in his recliner with his Schlitz Malt Liquor within arms reach, his little chi wau wau dog” TACO ” asleep in his lap, his beautiful gray hear and his laughter when he wasn’t snoring. Of course my grandmother was sitting on the other side in her recliner shaking her head and a Bible within arms reach. I loved going to their house playing ball , sitting on the front porch in the evenings watching the world go buy , the laughter of kids playing all around and my Aunt Charmaine continually harassing me. What an awesome time ? I couldn’t wait for Sundays after church , fried chicken , mashed taters ( that’s how we say it in KY ) and gravy, cornbread , green beans and all the fixings of course. Papa always had to be different – he had to have his small glass of buttermilk so he could dip his cornbread. He always did things different.

I loved my Papa and my Granny too but Papa held a special place in my heart. He was a good man and to me an honorable man , who taught me respect , integrity and honor. My Papa Sgt.Claude C. Smith served his country in the Korean War and received a purple heart for his selfless act of courage to save his platoon , you see the purple heart was given to those men and women who sacrificed their lives for the safety and protection of their brothers in arms and their country. A bayonet scar and the Purple Heart were emblems of his courage and sacrifice. The scar and the war put my Papa in a place of destiny that would lead him into the arms of a beautiful young nurse named Anna Parrott of Corbin,KY., who would later become my Granny Smith and the lady who taught me the love of Christ and Homecomings at Southside Baptist Church. Sgt.Claude C.Smith put someone else life above his own. The honor was immeasurable , the sacrifice undeniable. A man who fought for the freedom of his country , a man truly a patriot. A grandfather , a husband , a father , a soldier , an American , my friend and my hero.

I remember getting the call informing me of my Papa’s death early in the morning and I still remember it like it was yesterday, the sorrow that left my body , the tears that rushed out of my eyes were uncontrollable , the sadness was overwhelming. My Papa Smith had slipped away. I didn’t get to tell him goodbye , I didn’t get to look in his eyes and tell him I loved him before he left. He had been sick for a while and had suffered a stroke , I knew this day would come but I didn’t know this would be the day. I rushed back home to be my mom’s side and the rest of my family , it was the loneliest day of my life. However, I will never forget the recognition and the sound of the 21 gun salute that was given on this fateful day , the sound of drums playing taps, a blast of the trumpet, the seven guns , the seven soldiers , the 3 shots that echoed across the grave of a remembered soldier. The echo rang across this little Kentucky town as a grandson was captured by the honor the soldiers gave to a man they did not know, aiming at an open sky. This day was for my Papa Smith – and his service to the country he loved.

A flag would now represent the service of my Papa , it was folded tightly as if to secure the memory of this now remembered soldier and given to my grandmother. I sometimes can still hear the tears that fell there on that day. The ground was saturated with memories of this incredible man and American soldier.

My Papa Smith had received the purple heart for his service to his country. However, his service and commitment to our freedom would soon be betrayed by a son who had fallen victim to alcohol , a son who was my favorite uncle , a uncle who had so much to offer the world , a uncle who taught me so much , a friend that loved life and loved to laugh. A uncle who like his dad could tell a story that was unbelievable , some parts true and some parts well we never really knew or never really cared. People would tell me that I reminded them of my Papa and Uncle Jamie because of my ability to talk to anybody and my sense of humor. They never saw a stranger and could always make you laugh. I have incredible memories of my Uncle and this story has nothing to do with disrespecting his memory I loved him to much to do that. But the disease that was alcoholism took over his mind and his body. His need for money to buy his alcohol led him to do something that no one could have imagined , Uncle Jamie loved Papa and I know he respected him but his problem was causing more trouble all the time. He was losing the battle and control of his life.

My Papa kept his ” Purple Heart ” locked away but my Uncle knew where it was and needed money. So he broke in and took my Papa’s Purple Heart and pawned it for $ 40.00 to a local pawn shop so he could by his supply of liquor. For $ 40.00, a soldier’s service was hocked for a bottle of Wild Turkey and whatever else would fulfill his addiction. $ 40.00 was the value placed on a medal that represented the sacrifice of a soldier. $ 40.00 was the price placed on a man’s service that risked everything to secure our freedom. A pawn shop ticket was the only evidence that the transaction existed but by the time they found out that the medal was missing my Uncle’s time had ran out to retrieve the item. After my mom and her sister’s discovered what had happened they immediately went to the pawn shop and tried to retrieve the priceless medal but they were to late , the pawn shop owner had already sold the medal to a collector and would not reveal his name. After much deliberation and heated arguments they realized that the ” Purple Heart ” was gone. Years went by and my mom and her sister’s were able to get the medal replaced and it is securely tucked away but it could never replace the original . The original medal bore the fingerprints of my grandfather , it bore the fabric of his military jacket , it was the original ” Purple Heart ” given to my Papa Smith’s service to his country.

There was no replacement only a fill in.

The memory of our Papa’s commitment to his country had been pawned for $ 40.00. Freedom held no value on that day. Honor and Integrity was pawned for $ 40.00 I wrote all of that to say this, my uncle was wrong in what he did and yes we were all angry with him for what he did but his disease won out over his conscience. He made a mistake but we all forgave him and life went on. However , this story is not about my uncle , this story is not about me or my family. I began to think about the purple heart that my uncle pawned . I always remember the stories my papa would share and though I couldn’t tell them in detail.

I do remember how proud my Papa was to be an American , how proud he was to serve his country. He was in my eyes a true American hero,a true patriot. In my eyes , Papa Smith was the Red , White and Blue, he was the image of Freedom. He always flew his flag with pride – you knew he loved his country and the freedom it represented. There was no doubt in my mind , America was the greatest country in the world. Papa Smith made sure I knew that. I wander now some 25 years later after the passing of my Papa. What has happened to the America i once knew , what has happened to the America that my grandfather spoke so highly of all those years. I love America don’t get me wrong but I wander , where are the patriots , where are the people like my grandfather that instilled in me the love for a country that he was willing to die for. I know you are still out there – I know you still exist – I can still smell the fragrance of freedom. I know you are not colorblind and you can still see the Red , White and Blue. I know you get goosebumps when you see an eagle soar majestically in the sky. We are America – We are One Nation Under God – We Are Free.

America don’t pawn your freedom and the identity of who we are as a nation for a mere $ 40.00. America we are mighty, don’t let this administration or anyone steal your freedom. Don’t lose your identity. Don’t let them steal the memories of what America truly stands for and please don’t let them dishonor the soldiers that have given their lives for you and the freedom that is bestowed upon you. America don’t tolerate their addiction of power to rob you of your identity. America, although my grandfather’s purple heart was replaced, Freedom will not be so easily replaced , once freedom is gone , there is no replacement.

Pawned Freedom does not come with a pawn ticket – if we sell our Freedom , there is no retrieving it. America guard your Freedom. People have died and are still dying to preserve it. Freedom comes with a price but it has never been a price that money could buy or has it ? America we all know someone that has died to secure our Freedom, don’t dishonor their memories by pawning their sacrifice. I remember the humiliation , embarrassment and ridicule my Uncle Jamie went through after he pawned my ” Papa’s Purple Heart ” but he still couldn’t stop the disease of alcoholism and it took him too early. I forgave my uncle even though I didn’t fully understand why he did it . Ironically, my uncle’s desire was to be in the military but he was never accepted , he like my grandfather truly loved his country. I remember being at my Uncle’s Funeral , there were no guns , no salute , no flag , no trumpet or drums just memories of the man that made us laugh and cry and the Pawn Shop Purple Heart.

America – what is the price of freedom ?

In Memory of

Sgt.Claude C.Smith ( a.k.a. – Papa Smith )

My American Hero

Jamie Smith

My Uncle & My Friend

Sails of Destiny

kentuckyboy — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:59:14 +0000

Today I believe at this time , on this day , in this very hour God new that I and a group of men and women would join together as individual sails sewn together by our master sailmaker – searching for greater purpose – searching for their true destiny.

On this day a group of explorers ready to set sail on a new journey – a group of adventurers ready to set sail on the high seas of God’s calling. Not satisfied with average , not satisfied with normal – tired of just getting by – tired of mediocrity.

A group of Navigators that have made their way to the shoreline waiting to set sail. On this day as we gather together and make our way onto the ship only one thing is missing and that is the sails. You are the sails that God has been waiting for – you are the missing piece – You are the person – you are the individual God has been waiting for. You are the piece of fabric that God has brought together on this day to be woven into the fabric of other dreamers lives.

On this day God has brought us together as individuals but united on this ship of purpose and destiny as sails that capture the wind together. Today the sail that lies within you is about to be raised. The sail that God needs to carry his word , his plan and his purpose is about to be unfolded. Every sail has a different purpose but all sails were designed to capture the wind. Your gift – your purpose – your calling may be different but vital in moving the ship forward. What if today ?

What if today we could create a sail of dreamers ?

What if today we could create a sail of inventors ?

What if today we could create a sail of business owners ?

What if today we could create a sail of entrepreneurs ?

What if today we could create a sail of creativity ?

What if within those individual sails , dreams were revealed , inventions were created , businesses were started , entrepreneurs ignited with a new passion of discovery.

What if the sails were hoisted together to capture the wind of God’s purpose ?

What if these individuals launched out on a journey together to Discover – Challenge and Empower the passions that lie within the other in pursuit of their own passion.

What if their sails caught the wind that carried them to their destiny in God. What if today those sails have been brought together awaiting the wind of God to lift them into their purpose ? What if on this day those sails of like minds came together and set sail on a journey to pursue their purpose within this vast ocean of destiny called life.

What if a group of Navigators – set their course – determined their destination and launched into an adventure – ready to conquer – unafraid of what lies ahead – men and women of God without fear – pursuing – searching and discovering new destinations – new purpose -exploring new opportunities – sailing into uncharted waters – alive with the passion of pursuit – today our spirits come alive – destiny awakes.

Navigating through the storms – beaten by the winds that fight against them relentlessly trying to keep them from moving forward – but within the storm lies the destiny God has prepared.

On this day – WE NAVIGATE TOGETHER -

On this day our sails will be raised and our purpose revealed. On this day sails that have been beaten and torn by the winds that blew against us will be repaired and made new , holes will be replaced with a fabric of hope , tears will be mended. On this day new sails will be raised -

On this day our banner of God will be raised high. Today men and women of God we gather together and set sail united on a journey that will be recognized around the world because today new ideas will be revealed, greater creativity is unlocked – new business will be discovered.

Today I proclaim God’s creative power and wind of discovery to be unleashed on the men and women of Navigate and across the world .

Today we proclaim God’s power of Creativity and wind of Discovery to be unleashed on your life.

Today I proclaim that the wind has picked up and a current of God’s glory is about to pull us into the deep waters of his true purpose for the businesses , entrepreneurs and visionaries in the kingdom of God.

Let Us Sail Together.

Paper Crowns

kentuckyboy — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:36:29 +0000

Today I was craving a whopper jr. and onion rings from Burger King so I decided to go in and sit down and eat which I normally never do , as I waited in line a grandmother and her 3 grandchildren made their way in the line behind me. The grandmother was diligently trying to keep the 3 in line and reminding them to mind their manners or they wouldn’t get their reward.

I watched with a smile on my face as the 3 were swinging on the bars and skipping from tile to tile as the line progressed towards their prize. Burger King was offering the Star Trek figures and glasses so I assumed that was what they were excited about but I was wrong the closer we got to the front I could see them get more excited and the little girl spoke up and said I want my crown and the little boys exuberantly followed suit shouting with excitement I want my crown too “grammy” , I want my crown – I watched as the 3 ran to the counter and requested their crowns

I stood there and watched as the grandmother hastily put the paper crowns together and placed them on the heads of her 3 grandchildren. I noticed as their posture changed and the little girl rared back and stood straight and walked as the queen she now was and the boys followed behind her with chest forward and shoulders back as they made their way down the counter – a procession of kings and a queen pursuing the meal of fries , hamburger and drink that was waiting for them at the end of the line.

I continued to watch the 3 adjusting their crowns and trying to keep them from falling down their faces as they dipped their fries in the ketchup , the little girl so proper as she sat their adorned in her crown , the little boys were over it , they were now allowing their crowns to fall down over their heads and spinning them while trying to take a bite of their hamburger. It was quite a spectacle to watch the 3 newly adorned kings and queen. They were so excited over 3 paper crowns adorned in images of gold and jewels with no value at all but you would have thought they were real crowns with real gold and real jewels adorning them.

As I sat there I heard a voice inside of me speak – Have you been pursuing paper crowns with an image of the real thing but with no value ? Have you been pursuing so hard your own version of a crown that you have lost sight of the crown that I have fashioned together and I have waiting for you ?

Is your zeal for a paper crown overshadowed your pursuit of a righteous crown ? I sat there in humility as I watched the 3 little ones discard their crowns as the burger and fries now took precedence. I wandered if I have been so consumed with trying to pursue , succeed and obtain an earthly paper crown that I had set aside my heavenly crown. Now I am sure all you religous folks out there have never had this problem but I wander, If we were all honest, would we be like the 3 little ones – would we be more excited about a paper crown than the real thing.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run , but only one gets the prize ? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others , I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

As I made my way out to throw my trash away I noticed several paper crowns lying there among the trash. The pursuit and excitement of the paper crowns was now discarded never to be remembered. Just moments before these crowns adorned the heads of children who for a moment were kings and queens of the restaurant. How fleeting our pursuit of paper crowns are. As I made my way to my truck . I sat there for a moment with tears in my eyes and I ask for God’s forgiveness. God let me never again try and fulfill my life with pursuits of paper crowns that will fade away but let my life be a pursuit of a righteous crown that will never fade away. But I do, God ask that my exuberance and excitement to achieve that crown will be as the 3 little ones who could not wait to advance through the line to obtain their paper crowns. Let me skip , let me swing , let me dance, let me sing in line as I wait with anticipation for my crown. Everyday is a step closer to that day. Let my life be a pursuit of my heavenly crown.

Who Do We Think We Are ?

kentuckyboy — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:19:50 +0000

Philippians 2:5-11 (The Message)

^5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

^9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

I read this scripture today and I was humbled by the verse that says ” that he set aside the priveleges of deity ” I had to repent because I thought of the things that I allow to keep me from a more intimate relationship with him. How I can’t set aside my own personal agenda sometimes to make time for him.

Now maybe all you religous folks out there never have this problem and if so please give me your formula. I wander what we could accomplish if we could set aside our own agendas and focus on his agenda. If Christ could set aside his priveleges of deity shouldn’t we be able to make it through more than an hour of church without complaining , shouldn’t we be able to withstand the song that is being sung even if it is one we don’t like.

Is it such an inconvenience if we have to park a little farther away from the church , is so hard for us to have to walk an extra few yards. So what if the pastor preached the same message just a few weeks ago. The word is still relevant. This scripture rocked me today to think that – Jesus Christ set aside the priveleges of deity for me ,knowing that I may not always set aside my own agenda for him. He took on the status of a slave – when we only focus on our own status.

God remove my own agenda and increase yours within me. With that I repent – Jesus thank you for taking time for me !! God teach me , the only agenda that is truly important is the agenda of the Kingdom. I am humbled in your presence and by your word.

kentuckyboy — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:16:18 +0000

Behind the Clouds

I was working in the yard the other day planting some new flowers and plants. Trying to do a little spring cleaning. I was listening to Ricardo Sanchez’s song ” Moving Forward ” while I was working. The song is so anointed but there is something so powerful at the beginning that just get’s me. I have to rewind it over and over again , there is an atmosphere that you can feel . As I was listening and working there was something that caught my attention as I looked up into the clouds.

There was something just beyond the clouds as if someone was watching me. I glanced backup to see if something was there and tears began to roll down my face as I could sense God peering around the clouds. It was like he just wanted to let me know he was there but then it was almost like he was letting me know that he was coming to get me. Maybe this sounds crazy , but I think God checks on his children just like we do our own , he is ever so near but just like our own children they like to know we are there. Isn’t it awesome to know that a omnipotent God an all powerful creator would care enough to peer from behind the clouds and whisper through the wind a feeling of peace. I have been going through so much trying to figure things out in my life and my business. I have had feelings of doubt and failure. I know God has a plan for me to reach the business people in the world . I know the plans he has for me but sometimes the loneliness and frustration seems to be bigger than I can bare. I am so glad on this day as he was passing behind the clouds that my worship was enough to get his attention. That on this day the sun seemed brighter - Thank you God for peering in from behind the clouds and reminding me of your presence and your goodness. Father I thank you for the grace and mercy that surrounds me each and everyday. I praise you father for the beauty of your creation. Forever I will worship you. Let me always notice the clouds. I hope to see you looking down on me.

What’s In Your Bag ?

kentuckyboy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:18:26 +0000

What’s In Your Bag ?

This is a little long but I hope it will bless you. I have heard the story of David a hundred times maybe more but i was struck by the words that says that David stopped and chose 5 smooth stones. I Samuel 17 -Vs.40 -Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Armed with a sling and 5 smooth stones he advances towards the enemy. I began to wander if his shepherd’s bag was empty or were the stones that he carried in his bag not suitable to bring down the giant he now would have to face. You know what, the battles and giants in our life require different ammunition and weapons to win the war and bring down the giants but God will reveal the right weapons of our warfare when we are engaged in a specific battle. I don’t believe David would make the journey to the battle ground without stones in his pouch but we do know that once David got to the battle and heard the defiant rants of the giant that something within him rose up and he proclaimed ” Is there not a Cause ” the reward was just a bonus for David, he was more concerned about the mockery and defiance of goliath against the army of god.

Business owner,entreprenuer , visionary , right now I feel like in my heart like never before that now is our time to advance to the foreground of the battle. We can’t accept the defiant rants of the media , the rants of the economist, and the government entities that are speaking death over our nation.There words are casting shadows of fear and doubt across the world. The people of God must rise up with the standard and power of God’s word. We are a nation founded on the faithfulness of an almighty God. We are a mighty nation , We have always been and will always be.

We first must begin to proclaim again that we are. We cannot accept defeat we must rise to the occassion , there are David’s out there under the sound of my voice, that are advancing towards the enemy lines right now and God is about to reveal the weapons that will bring down the giants that are coming against this nation and the lives of millions. Why I was writing this message I believe this with everything in me that there is going to be new businesses , new opportunities , new products , new concepts , new inventions , new leaders that are going to rise up within the kingdom of God within the next 90 days that are going to change the kingdom of God forever. What I mean is that God is about to send Davids to the front lines of the battle and the concepts and ideas that they are dreaming of will help change the face our economy and the kingdom like never before. I know that sounds like a bold statement but I am telling you that we as the church and the people of the living God should be the ones that are lending to the nations of this world.

The government should be carried upon the broad shoulders of our God. – they shouldn’t be caring us we should be carrying them. We as a nation of believers need to rise up and recognize the cause and believe in the ability that God has given us to take down this economic giant that is defying this nation. Jesus went to the cross , he alone overcame death hell and the grave. Yes I know there were mistakes made but I still believe in the ability of our God to restore. He became poor that we might be rich. Not just in material blessing but in spiritual blessings as well. The war on poverty was conquered 2000 years ago on a cross. Why do we keep fighting th same battle. He came that we might live and live more abundantly. God’s name is on the line.

We have a purpose – We must rise up. God deserves the glory.
People are lost and dying and going to hell and we are distracted by a economic meltdown that is defying the power of our God.

This truly is our opportunity for us as the church of God to dismantle the enemies attacks. We cannot , we must not retreat in the face of the enemy. This is exactly what Satan wants us to do. No more. We are blessed , we are highly favored. We are prosperous. We are a blessed nation. We are more than able. God is able. Now is our time. Now is our season. Rise up nation of God.

Now trust me I know that the battle is real but I also know that on a day when the armies of the philistines defied the armies of God and intimidated them with the words and stature of a massive giant that stood on the other side of the valley , the armies of Israel fled from his sight. Right now the words that are being spoken through the media and newspapers across the nation are causing the men and women of god to flee from the face of the enemy. We must recognize that our ability to conqueror lies within the words of our proclamation. Our ability to conqueror lies within the Shepherd Bag of our souls that is full of the stones of the word of God. I think that once David proclaimed ” Is there Not A Cause ” and then in verse 32 “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” that immediately the angels of heaven and the hand of God went into action inside the heart of David. Suddenly this little shepherd boy became a giant of his own through the power of God and the words of his mouth.

He brought down Goliath with stones from the brook that were on his way to the giant. I think God needs to see us advance towards the enemy so he can reveal the ammunition to take him down. He needs us to trust in him and advance when everything in the natural says to wait. We have to trust What’s In Our Bag We must find our way through the valley and to the brook , there are still stones in the brook. We are a royal priesthood , a chosen generation. Let’s act like it. Fear is faith in the ability of the enemy. He needs us to proclaim our ability and purpose to those around us. I can only imagine the intensity that was in the air when this little shepherd boy makes his move towards the giant. Was there something different about these 5 smooth stones , in the king james it says that he chose 5 smooth stones , so he took his time and chose the right stones for the job. I think it is crucial that we hear from God I believe he is revealing the smooth stones that will bring down the goliath in our lives and in our nation. Listen to the words of our pledge of allegiance “

” I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all. “

One Nation Under God – 50 individual states are united as a single Republic under the Divine providence of God, “our most powerful resource” (according to the words of President Eisenhower)

Let me tell you this that David came to the fight with what was familiar to him, the weapons of a shepherd were his shepherds staff, a small club , a scrip or a backpack to carry his provisions and his sling and a shepherds bag to carry his stones. The things that changed on that day was David’s proclamation of purpose, his ability to recognize the purpose and the cause. 5 stones that would be chosen in a unfamiliar valley and placed in a shepherds bag to be chosen at the right time. It says that Goliath came towards David and then David ran towards him. With no fear he advanced towards a giant that was defying the armies of Israel.

If i can see this picture right David would have to have dropped everything that was familiar to him in order to conquer a giant that was unfamiliar. He would have to drop the shepherds staff and the club in order to position the sling and reach into the bag that contained the stone that would change the course of history and change the destiny of a shepherd boy. I believe that we are in fight in a unfamiliar valley and facing and unfamiliar giant in our lives. But God is causing us to stop at the brook on our way to the giant – I believe he is showing us through the word , through prayer and through our worship in the midst of the battle the right stones to choose. We must recognize the stones that are able to bring down the giant , but we must know what’s in our hearts. What’s In Your Bag ? We have a purpose , we have a reason to stand up.

We must pray for our nation , we must pray for our leaders , We must believe in the power of our words. David’s words of proclamation was more powerful than the sling that he carried in his hand or the stone in the bag. His power was established in his words. Let us today begin to proclaim and declare our victory over this economic giant that is defying the people and this nation under God. Recognize your ability – Check What is in Your Bag ? Advance – Don’t Retreat. Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.

I proclaim that the defiant giant that is standing against their life is coming down, that there are still stones in the brook and today on their way to the battle you are about to reveal the 5 smooth stones that will be bring down the giant in their life. Today there business will prosper , there business will increase , they will operate in abundance. The visions,inventions and dreams that you have placed in their heart will be discovered. Today God their giant is coming down by the proclamation of purpose that burns in their hearts. Today God our nation , our president and the leaders that run this country will get new vision for this country. I pray for conviction to come on their heart and any decision that they are about to make for this nation will be done so by calling on the god of this nation. I pray god for supernatural favor to fall upon the christians in congress , in the senate and other positions of power to be put in a place of favor , that there voices will be heard. I pray that this nation recognizes the strength of your mighty power. I pray God that you use me god and the to change and shape the very face of this nation. God let our voices be heard – Stir up the people of God. Let us recognize the ability within our shepherd’s bag and believe in the ability to bring down the giant that is holding this nation in defiance. We will advance – We Will Conquer

Needle In A Haystack

kentuckyboy — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:01:52 +0000

Needle In A Haystack – A Needle in a haystack is something that is difficult to locate in a much larger space.

Do you ever feel like you have to go through a million pieces of straw just to find your needle in the haystack ? Then to find the needle you have been using no longer serves the purpose it once did ? Maybe the fabric of life that the needle was used to sew it together has changed and now you need a different needle. You know with fabric it takes different size needles to make the fabric come together. If you are sewing silks or more delicate materials it may take a thin needle to penetrate through the material or if you are sewing a thick cotton,wool or heavier material it will take a thicker needle and heavier thread to hold the fabric together. I think there are times in life when the fabrics that God is weaving into our lives are more delicate.

They may require a smaller needle and thread to hold it together, maybe learning to love , gentleness , kindness and fruits of the spirit require a more delicate approach whereas the warfare in our minds , financial pressure , depression and other warfare may require us to use a heavier fabric , thicker needle and heavier thread to hold this fabric together. Although the fabrics that are woven into our lives maybe different in texture , color and thickness, all of the different fabrics are vital in becoming the garment that God is trying to make us. He is choosing the different pieces of fabric to place in our garment. We have to choose what needle and thread will be best to make those pieces come together seamlessly and able to withstand the different pressure the garment may be under.

Not every piece of a garment is under the same stress,maybe the arms of a garment don’t experience the same pressure as maybe the shoulders or back may experience because everytime you move your arm the pressure is on the shoulders and the back therefore more stitching may be required at these points. These stresspoints require more strength and additional stitching. Maybe sometimes bringing the fabrics together require a double stitch. One stitch is just not enough. Sometimes in life we may need a double stitch to hold us together. The same in life , there are times in life where the fabrics and threads that are required,although important, may not have to have the same strength as other areas in your life.

The changes you are going through, the pressure you may be under , the decisions you may have to make , the friends you may have to leave behind all are a part of the fabrics God places in your life. Maybe you have to go back into the haystack to find another needle to sew a different piece of fabric in your life together and maybe some of the fabrics that have been placed in your life just want fit into the garment you are creating. I remember my grandmother sewing a quilt together when I was young. She would take different materials , maybe a piece of old jeans , maybe a old shirt, old sheets whatever she could find that would work. She would cut all the pieces up in individual squares and begin sewing the patches together, using different needles and different thread to make the quilt come together. When done it was beautiful and so warm , I am sure you have experienced a grandmother’s quilt.

Life is the same way , however, God is the one finding the patches of fabric and placing them in our lives allowing us to choose what pieces to use. Patches of hope , patches of promise,patches of fond memories, patches of joy and lost , patches of sorrow that remind us of the faithfulness of God, now just like in my grandmother’s quilt not every piece she chose was the right choice, even though she chose to use it , it just wasn’t the right piece so she would undo the stitch and replace the piece with the right piece. Not every choice you make is right for your garment or quilt and maybe you have to replace it with the right piece but that piece taught you that the choices you make affect the garment you are becoming.

Your life truly comes together as a garment or a grandmother’s quilt brought together by the thread of God and a needle in a haystack. Your choice of needle is up to you. Life may present you with tougher and sometimes delicate fabrics and each will require different size needles but know this that each piece will complete the garment you were created to be. Don’t give up on your Dreams – Don’t give up on your Destiny – Don’t give up on Your Purpose – use the fabrics you have been given and find the needle in the haystack that will bring the pieces of your life together. If you can’t find the needle – find a different haystack. You just need the right needle to continue sewing the pieces of your life together. Don’t be afraid to change needles – Don’t be afraid to try a new haystack. The choice is yours.

Go Fly A Kite

kentuckyboy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:16:11 +0000

What would you think If I told you to “Go Fly A Kite” chances are you would get a little upset and maybe even offended. Typically , if someone tells you to go fly a kite , they are telling you to get away from them or go do it yourself , basically “Go Fly A Kite” means that’s not going to happen anytime soon. You probably pick up that mess and get on up out of here.

Well , God changed that meaning for me the other night, now this is the short version of what happened but at 2:00 am in the morning a knock at the door woke me out of a dead sleep and I was surprised to find no one at the door. I go back to bed and again I hear a knock at the door but more intensely ,again I checked the doors to find no one there , so one the way back to bed I felt the presence of God calling me to prayer , I felt he wanted to talk , as I sat there in his presence – I heard God tell me ” To Go Fly A Kite ” I was like what in the world does this mean , I immediately begin to repent because I knew what the meaning of the term meant in the world but God revealed a different meaning to me this night. This may sound crazy but I am telling you the presence of God and the words he spoke were as plain and tangible as the words you see before you. God is available for conversation. Try it sometimes make yourself available.

I had been praying and thinking about a book idea i had about dreamers in the word of God, the dreamers that have shaped our nation, the dreamers that have perservered through insurmountable odds and accomplished their dreams. So when God spoke these words to me ” Go Fly A Kite ” I was like man what did I do. But God began to reveal a story to me about someone that we all learned about in history class . Benjamin Franklin – and his infamous kite flying experiment . On June 10 , 1752 Mr. franklin goes out in the middle of a thunderstorm , with string in hand , a key tied to the string and then attached to a jar , he was trying to catch lightning in a jar , he was trying to prove that lightning and electricity were one in the same , he had been pursuing his theory for over a decade, Franklin was 46 when he ” Flew His Kite ” you know the rest of the story – he went on to invent several things and coined several terms and things we use today. When most people think of Ben Franklin, they think of electricity.While he did not “invent” electricity, he did make the important discovery that lightning and electricity are the same. He proved that lightning is an electrical current in nature.

Franklin developed the single-fluid theory of electricity, introducing many of the terms used to describe electricity today: battery, conductor, condenser, charge, discharge, uncharged, negative, minus, plus, electric shock and electrician.
And because he understood both the power and danger of lightning, he invented the lightning rod to protect ships, buildings, and even people against it.
Franklin became a scientist because he was insatiably curious about the world around him. He wanted to know how things worked and figure out ways to make them better. He was one of the founding fathers of our nation. He is the only politician to have signed all four documents fundamental to the creation of the U.S.: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris (1783), which established peace with Great Britain, and the U.S. Constitution (1787).

Not bad for a guy who 24 years earlier was flying his kite in the middle of a storm , trying to catch lightning in a jar. Kind of funny that he used a key to attract the lightning , he could have used anything but he used a key, because in his mind lightning was the key to electricity. Well you are probably wandering what flying a kite has to do with your dreams , well here is the answer to your question , it wasn’t so much that the kite,or the key , the string or the jar was the answer to his theory but it was the storm that he had to go through to get his answer , you see if there would have never been a storm , if there would never had been the wind , if there would never have been the rain , there may never been the lightning. What God revealed to me is that sometimes to get the answers to our questions , to get direction for our business , to achieve the dreams we have inside , we may have to ” Go Fly A Kite ” and we may have to chase our dreams in the middle of the storm. While others watched from inside the shelters of their homes , Benjamin Franklin , was chasing his dreams in the middle of the storm , I know you are in the middle of a storm and I know the pressure you are under but I am telling you in order to get your answers , you will have to fly your kite through the storm when everyone else , and every bone in your body is telling you to hide from the storm. I am challenging you today to ” Go Fly A Kite ” I am challenging you today to chase your dream in the middle of the storm – I am challenging you to catch lightning in a jar. What if Franklin wouldn’t have flown his kite ? What if you don’t fly yours ?

There are people that pursued their visions , dreams and purpose in the storm. I began to think about the men and women in the bible that pursued God’s plan for their lives. I began to think about the men and women of our present world that have never abandoned their dreams even when the storms of life flashed its lightning of doubt, failure and fear in the middle of the storm. I want to challenge you to ” Go Fly a Kite ” in the middle of your life’s storm. God is letting you know that the answers to your questions may be in the storm that you are in right now. The storm will reveal the character of who you are ,it will challenge you to never abandon your dreams even when every bone in your body is telling you to come in from the storm. When the storm is prevailing over every thought in your mind. When every flash of lightning reveals the fear of failure in your eyes. When everyone that says they believe in you is hiding in the shelter of their homes. Peering through the windows to see you in the middle of the storm wandering if you will get struck by lightning. Not realizing that in the middle of your storm when everything that surrounds you is the darkest , and the rains and winds are overtaking your dreams , suddenly a flash of lighting reveals the answers.

Answers you have been pursuing are now illuminated by the presence of God. Your dreams are now captured in a jar. There is more that God wants us to pursue – he is an adventurous God. Everything we are – is created in his image. Why can’t we see ourselves in the image of God. The passion that is God , Is Alive within us. Yet we hide in the shelters of our lives avoiding the storm , when God is calling us out in the middle of the storm. I challenge you to come out from the shelters that contain you in comfort and experience the majesty of his presence. Your shelters of doubt , fear and failure have contained you from experiencing the revealing lightning of God’s power. If you are hearing this you are hearing it because of a challenging destiny that cries out from within you. A destiny contained in a kite waiting to fly, a kite abandoned in the corner of your heart. Your answers will only come if you ” Go Fly a Kite ” in the middle of the storm.

Now although there is speculation about Benjamin Franklin and his kite flying experiment and whether or not it actually took place in the storm will have to be left for debate by someone else. So for the sake of this story and the revelation of God’s experience with me. We are going to assume that the experiment is true. I wanted to get that out of the way so any historians or those of a critical mindset can rest at ease. This story is not about Benjamin Franklin although I am inspired by his persistence and would encourage people to get enlightened on his accomplishments. Benjamin Franklin’s persistence changed the world as we know it. Maybe a dream you have could change the world as well. Come out into the storm. Your dreams are waiting – the lightning is flashing. “Go Fly Your Kite “