A little Psalm 33... for the road

I have been reading Psalms 33 everyday now for about a week because Mekenzie recommended it to me. I love it so much, I can't explain the feeling I got the first time I read "he made your heart" 

It really is amazing that we have a God that knows us that well, he understands what we go through. He gives us joy in our hearts, and the ability to feel His anguish for lost souls. Our God is a compassionate God that is concerned with matters of the heart. I want to live for He that is all the things in this verse. Every minute of everyday I want to be concerned with God things, because He is good, and true, and totally worth it!

Thanks Kenz for the verse, I wrote it below from the international children's bible NCV for those that would like to read it. It's just like a real bible only smaller...

Praise God Who Creates and Saves!

Sing to the Lord, you who do what is right.

Honest people should praise him.

Praise the Lord on the harp. 

Make music for him on the ten-stringed lyre.

Sing a new song to him.

Play well and joyfully.

God's word is true.

Everything he does is right.

He loves what is right and fair.

The Lord's love fills the earth.

The sky was made at the Lord's command. 

By the Breath from his mouth, he made all the stars.

He gathered the water in the sea into a heap.

He made the great ocean stay in its place.

All the earth should worship the Lord.

The whole world should fear him.

He spoke, and it happened.

He commanded, and it appeared.

The Lord upsets the plans of nations.

He ruins all their plans.

But the Lord's plans will stand forever.

His ideas will last from now on. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Happy are the people he chose for his very own. 

The Lord looks down from heaven.

He sees every person.

From his throne he watches everyone who lives on earth.

He made their hearts.

He understands everything they do.

No king is saved by his great army.

No warrior escapes by his great strength.

Horses can't bring victory.

They can't save by their strength.

But the Lord looks after those who fear him.

He watches over those who put their hope in his love.

He saves them from death.

He spares their lives in times of hunger.

Sour hope is in the Lord.

He is our help, our shield to protect us.

We rejoice in him.

We trust his holy name.

Lord, show your love to us as we put our hope in you.

 Just so you know this blog entry may be abrupt and in your face, but honestly it speaks of small things you can think about and maybe entrap into your personality or character in order to be a more conscious person. One that doesn't accidentally offend people due to ignorance and obliviousness. I'm not perfect at this, no one is, but I think it's good to try to be more aware of what is going on. To see how others are being affected by what you do or don't do and say or don't say. Thanks for reading this, I hope you enjoy this alternate writing style. Here are some things to think on. 

A number 1: Being late for things (events, social gatherings, picnics, rallies, meetings, not your job that doesn't count on this list, appointments, k that's good) is rude, and shows that you don't care.

I feel very passionate about that, and I know that everyone is late sometimes, that's fine... But don't you dare go being one o' them consistently late people! 

B number 2: When someone is taking the time to tell you something, it's usually important to them, and you should listen, make a comment that show's your listening and not just thinking up what the next thing is that you will say. Also, don't scan the room for someone cooler to talk to, actually, just don't scan the room at all when "engaged" in conversation with someone. Eye contact will take you places you never thought you would go. Also, try to use the person's name when appropriate, it shows respect.

C number 3: When you find yourself irritated or angry or even concerned with someone else follow these steps. 

First: Absolutely do not think that a small hint or riddle is a good way of informing someone that they are doing something wrong. Give me the truth! that's all I ask, and don't disguise it with cutting slander, or little tiny "jokes" that are meant to bring me down. If you are a hinter, there is a good chance that people may think everything you say is a judgment on them, and they will dislike you for that, I promise. 

Second: If you are capable of finding so much wrong with others, consider that you may be intruding on their life in order to pick at an open wound, thereby making yourself feel better about your own shortcomings. A great way to overcome this is to look for positive things in people and lift them up. Your positive reinforcement will really encourage them, and project back on you, making you feel great also.

Thirdly: Be slow to anger and irritability. You can't possibly understand where someone is coming from because you are not them. So recognize the moments when you start to get mad and put a little perspective in the mix. Ask yourself, "Are they really doing this to hurt or annoy me?" And remember, everyone gets boogers... just try not to look at it...

Please, dear friends, do not think that I have written this out of spite or anger for recent events. Rather, the fact that we are called to stand out, and be caring, compassionate, considerate people who look for opportunities to serve others and show them that we do care. Show them that we put them before our own self, just like Jesus Christ did for us when he laid down his life to save us.

Have a nice day!

Branden Thomas Carpenter 

Waiting and watching...

This post has the potential to be as {random, strange, queer} as my last one, if not a little more. Hopefully my thoughts will come together nicely, though, so not to distract the reader. Oh man! I can't believe I just wrote "the reader" I understand if that makes you stop reading, or best case, keep reading but stop paying attention. 

Anyway, I hope you had the chance to listen to Bo Stern speak last night. She was really great! I am thankful for leaders in our church that are so connected and wise, and thought provoking. Part of Bo's message regarding relationship with other humans was to pray, and watch and wait. I was thinking about that today and another thought came into my mind. This is it, not profound, at least not at first glimpse, but I think we are all affected by this statement. 

"Some of the best things in life are worth waiting for" 

I think some of you may disagree instantly, not because this is a horrible thought, but more because waiting seems so stagnant and inactive and shouldn't you be out there making things happen? Yes, of course, that's what I'm saying. See, check this definition of waiting out

Waiting: The action of staying where one is, or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens.

Waiting is very much an action, and a choice and it is wise, because you are considering your actions, planning and not just acting out of emotion or something as movable as that. In essence you are sifting through all of these stimulants and things that enter into your life and choosing the very best. The best! the same best that God wants for us because He wants to prospure us and not harm us. I'm convinced, I believe that God has good things, great things in store for us. Things that are worth waiting for, and praying for, and watching for the time when He whispers in our ears, "Ok, go!"

Thanks for reading, and thank you Bo for being a great leader and speaker and friend!

Branden Thomas Carpenter

don't read this, or do...

For some reason I keep opening my blog page with total and utter disappointment because it doesn't change from time to time. No new blogs, or comments... Then I realized, I have full control over this, and so, here I am with more things that I think about way to much. 

I was reading James because Corey P. (that's his rap alias) said that it contains gems that contain information on how to live well and follow God's plan. James says many delicious things, one I really liked is that the tongue is evil and whomever can control their tongue can control their body. That's great! (I've started saying things are "great!" lately because it is a step up from good and it makes me think about why the thing is great instead of just uttering a mechanical response.) He also says that the sins of prodigals will be forgiven when a believer helps them find their way back, that one made me cry.

The rich, it seems, will be devoured by their greed, both sad and refreshing...

I miss a lot of things right now it seems, it's worse at night when I think much too much. I wish my sister were here, she helps me in these times and I miss that. The thing that is great about her is... well, everything. She is fun and funny, mature and childish which is great, I think everyone should be childish sometimes, it keeps you from making non-serious matters into issues of the utmost importance, and then partaking in co-rumination, which, may lead to depression and, well, is just a big waist of time. So yes! childish... sometimes I spend weeks of my life being child like, it's great! My sister is also smart, very smart! She is so beautiful and I'm really glad she is my sister. I think my future wife will be too because she is often a voice of reason in my life. You're the best sister!

Fishing! I'm going fishing this weekend with some of the men in my family and my Nanny and my brothers wife Colleen, she rocks.(fishes, hunts, dances, raises Aiden, makes tasty dinners) Bytheway, why don't we use these {} instead of these() I would like to know. I like the first ones way more! 

Anyway, back to fishing, I really really like it! Just ask anyone! {see, there is a great example of me being childish, and not on purpose...} Time spent fishing is time will spent, plus, when the United states of Canamerico {get it? it's a conglomeration of Canada, America and Mexico(:} go plummeting to the ground, my family won't starve, but thrive on delicious rainbow trout.

Do you ever wonder who is reading your blog but not commenting? I do, and maybe no one is, who knows? I sure don't. It's great when people write on their blogs frequently! Because then I frequent their blogs, instead of my own, which like I said before doesn't change as much as I would like. 

Ok, here is a question I would like very much to ask: Have any of you ever held a baby while it falls asleep in your arms? Is that not the greatest, most surreal experience? I just love it! First of all, you are holding the essence of a human being, which seems like it should be way too heavy for a single person to hold. Sometimes their tiny fingers grip suddenly and tightly onto you, you are thier protector and you comfort them. Sometimes I don't even want to put them in their beds because it's such a crazy, awesome feeling holding a little person in your arms. Hearing their little breath squeeze through their little nostrils, seeing their tiny feet wiggle as their minds try to grasp all the new stimulants they procured that day. They are so so sweet!

Oh man, this blog is all over the place, but I kinda like it and I am really excited about sharing things right now. Well, I was excited, now I'm done though.

I hope work, school, parenting, and other things you do are going well for you!

Gosh you guys rock!

Sincerely,

Branden Thomas Carpenter