On This Day of Thanksgiving, I Would Like To Give Thanks To 4 Industries

On this day of thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to 4 industries that don't get much thankfulness. 1 in particular that some of you don't think deserve any respect on thanksgiving. These industries are of course our military - they fight for our freedoms everyday and can't be with family on thanksgiving; Health care workers - where are you going to go if you got sick or hurt on thanksgiving if not one hospital or health care provider were open on thanksgiving? Restaurants - where would people go for thanksgiving dinner if they are not able to cook? And yes, retailers. Yes, you heard me correctly. I said retailers. Some of you think it's stupid how retailers can't have thanksgiving because of the black friday events, and want to boycott retailers for not letting their families stay home for thanksgiving. Look at it from this angle: do you like our economy? do you like to keep it growing? Our economy is just as important as our military and our health care workers. Without the economy how are we able to keep our bills paid and provide for our families or help those less fortunate? If it weren't for the retailers and business, we really wouldn't have much of an economy now would we? Now I know what you are thinking: "forget the retailers and business, they are greedy." - but if you really honestly sit and think about it, they aren't really necessarily greedy. just trying to make a profit to stay out of bankruptcy. wouldn't you like to make enough money to stay away from bankruptcy? Black Friday is called "black" friday for a reason - it's the only day of the whole year that retailers get there profits out of the red and into the black in order to stay afloat. if they were to lose money and go bankrupt than it hurts our economy. Am i for the black friday sale items? not necessarily. most are junk items that retailers are able to get cheap for a reason - they are the lowest grade items from a manufacturer but hey - the junk items bring the customers in because they think it's a great deal. This is what the retailers need to stay afloat, and if they stay afloat so than does our economy. So instead of being hateful of Walmart, JC Penny, Target, or other stores that participate in black friday, because your family members have to work, be thankful for them as well. It's them that keep our economy going, even during rough times.

I Have A Love Hate Relationship With Computer Technology

If you hate computer technology at times, raise your hands. I’m sure that each one of you who comes across this article will believe me when I say that computers can be very evil. When they do what you want it’s great, but you just want to smash it when it doesn’t do exactly what you want, lol.

I recently tried to install the new Office 365 on my computer, but was told to uninstall my Norton for Office to install, but that still wouldn’t work. I than decided to reformat my computer and just start from scratch, Office installed than, however I now have a few other new issues come up that didn’t occur before my pc reformat. My lock screen settings don’t show up right, and my windows 8.1 photos app don’t work correctly. Looks like I’ll be starting from scratch yet again sometime soon. Fun Fun, lol.

Death Row Jesus

Please watch this very amazing and powerful video!

Quote of the Day, August 26, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.
--Julie Andrews

Verse of the Day - August 26, 2014

Isaiah 26:3“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Ice Bucket Challenge

Echo360

This is currently my 3^rd year at North Arkansas College, and one thing I have noticed in my time attending there is that I'm not a big fan of the lecture videos teachers give on the Echo360 system. Yes they explain things well in them, but with me being such a visual hands on learner, I need more than just these videos sometimes, lol.

Final Year At North Arkansas College

This begins my final year at North Arkansas College.  When I graduate in May 2015 I will have both my AAS in Information Technology with Emphasis in Digital Media degree and my small business management certificate.  I am looking forward to this year, and looking forward to graduating, and looking forward to see what opportunities God has in store for me after I graduate.

I am hoping to someday go back and get my bachelor’s degree as well, but that’s all in the future.  I would like to someday down the road minor in marketing, because I think it might help me in the future as well.

RIP Robin Williams

I remember growing up and watching any movie with Robin Williams. If it had Robin Williams in it, I just had to see it. Up to this very day, his movies are ones I have to see. He had such an impact on my life. One of my first interests as a kid growing up was acting, and Robin Williams was one of the many reasons why. he was extremely talented and could play anybody or anything. He had terrific acting skills, comedic skills, and even mime skills.
I didn’t even know he battled depression, that’s sad to hear. I fight depression from time to time, as do a lot of us. I battled it even more when I was younger. Some say it’s caused by a chemical imbalance, but I think one’s situations they are dealing with also cause it. In my early 20s I battled it because I felt alone. These days I still battle it, but luckily I found God and so prayer helps me get through it along with really close Christian friends.
Life is too short, and you will run through some tough times. You may as well make the best of it as best that you can.

Why Aren’t More Americans Atheists? - Nick Spencer - POLITICO Magazine

Difficult to tell if  this article is promoting christianity or atheism.  if it's promoting atheism, I think it's one of the dumbest articles I ever read because I think atheists are delusional.



Why Aren’t More Americans Atheists? - Nick Spencer - POLITICO Magazine:



'via Blog this'

Whether You Like It Or Not, God Is Real and Evolution Theory Is A Joke

I feel convicted to start making more posts that explains why a belief in God is perfectly healthy and ok. 
You have some people these days who promote this “new-atheism” way of thinking: that Christians are delusional and a belief in God is unhealthy.  People like Richard Dawkins make me sick, especially when they really push down our throats how God is not real. and I pray for people like him everyday.  I read a biography about him yesterday, and when he was a kid he was Christian, so what happened to him?
How am I delusional, when I take a look around and I notice that it is pretty obvious God exists?  when I pray and prayers get answered?  How am I delusional?  and so you basically trying to tell me we are here by some chance? prayers are answered by chance?  really?  that the world is just accidently perfect for us to live and breathe on?  that child prodigies are just accidently gifted?  that is just obvious ignorance that makes no sense.
I think atheists just want a way to just do whatever they want and not feel convicted to do the right thing.  that’s why they denounce a higher power.  you all want proof of God’s existence, just wake up and take a look around.  the proof is in the trees, the gifts we have, the air we breathe.  And I give you even more proof: if you put parts of a watch in a bag and shake it up will a watch come from it? no.  Someone put it together.  the innovations we have did not create themselves, and couldn’t create themselves.  it comes from SOMEONE who came up with it.  Which makes it much more clearer that God exists.  If it is anyone who is delusional, it’s an atheist that tells me there is no proof of God’s existence and tells me having a belief in God is unhealthy.

Verse of The Day - July 18, 2014

Psalm 119:7“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day - July 18, 2014

Quote of the Day:
A civilization is built on what is required of men, not on that which is provided for them.
--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Life Is Too Short

Life is so very short.  You can be down here on God’s beautiful green earth one second, and poof - gone from this earth and with Him in heaven the next second, and if they are going to heaven, we merely just say “Goodnight,” because we know we’ll see them again someday.

Do you know where you’re going when you pass away?  Have you admitted to Jesus that you’re a sinner, and asked him to come into your life and be your savior?  After doing so, have you truly repented and left the world’s ways behind and started living for God?  If so, you will be going to heaven.

I went to a funeral today, and I haven’t been to very many funerals.  I’m thankful to know that who passed away was a Christian and followed God, and even though I didn’t know him very well, I’m thankful to know that I will see him again someday.

A funeral tends to make a person wonder about their own life at times.  Am I spending my time here on earth as well as God intended me to?  I’m a Christian, and I started following God about 10 months ago, but I’m still not as close to Him as I should be.  I’m still a terrible sinner.  I never will claim to be perfect, but I pray for forgiveness each day, and thankful that each day I wake up on earth is another chance to try and do things right.  I probably fail more than I should, but I am glad each day is another chance to not fail.

I’m also thankful to know when God calls me away, I will have a guaranteed spot in heaven.  In the meantime, the time we have down here we should make the best of it.  Quit the fussing, fighting, bickering, bitterness, hatefulness, controlling each other and running everybody’s lives.  We should be practicing a more loving lifestyle.  be helpful to one another, and be as forgiving as God is to us.  And if you do not know God or Jesus, I hope and pray that you will find him and ask him into your life.  It will be the best decision you will ever make.  I still have my struggles and faults, but my life is so much better after I decided to follow Jesus.  He helped me have a more positive attitude toward life, he helped me kick alcoholism, and has helped me see that life is more meaningful despite my constant day-to-day issues.  If you ask him into your life, you won’t regret it.

July 4th Painting

This painting I just finished painting last Wednesday just in time for July 4th.

Alpena First Baptist Church Logo Design

I have been working on a logo for my church.  These are concepts I have come up with.  The one with the “Experience God’s Love” slogan is the best one I think.

 

             

EShip University Logo

For our final project in Adobe Illustrator class we were asked to create a logo for a local Entrepreneurship Seminar program called “EShip University.”  What do you all think of my concept?

“If Loving God Was A Crime”

When I first got saved in the summer of 1996, there was a Christian band around at the time called Big Tent Revival that I got turned on to and liked. I think they broke up a few years ago. I started listening to them again about 9 months ago when I decided to put God first in my life. One song that really strikes a meaning for me is "If Loving God Was A Crime". it came out in 1997 but it's very relevant today as it was than.

"If Loving God Was A Crime"
by Big Tent Revival

If loving God was a crime, I'd be an outlaw.
I would join the fight.
They could not shut me down. I would stand tall.
What I know is right.
Would you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Would you be ashamed, of Jesus name?
If loving God was a crime.

The school room I hear, teaches choices,
to kids who cannot pray.
And the unborn I fear, they have no voice,
in politics today.

Would you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Would you be ashamed of Jesus name?
If loving God was a crime.

Take a look around.
What will tomorrow hold?
It's time to stand our ground.
We must be bold, we must be bold.

If loving God was a crime, I'd be an outlaw.
I would join the fight.
Will you stand with me, for the world to see,
when all is on the line?
Will you be ashamed, of Jesus name,
when loving God is a crime?

When loving God is a crime...

God's Not Dead

God's Not Dead!

“At Church” Song

I was listening to 60s on 6 on XM radio the other day and one of my favorite classics came on: "Downtown" by Petula Clark. Some new words started coming into my mind. I know sometimes it's difficult to know when God is calling you to do things, but the new words wouldn't leave me and I felt called to re-write the lyrics to express the warmth, peace, and direction one can get when they are at church. I called it "At Church" and here are the new lyrics:

“AT CHURCH”
TO THE TUNE OF “DOWNTOWN” BY PETULA CLARK
NEW WORDS BY MIKE IRVAN
When you’re alone and life is making you hurting
You can always go to church
When you’ve got worries, all the praise and the worship
Seems to help, I know, at church

Just listen to the music of the praise band on the stage
Sitting on the pew seats with your bible at the ready
How can you lose?
The days are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your pain

So go to church
Days will be great when you’re at church
No finer place to be, at church
Jesus is calling for you

Don’t let Satan’s ways or your problems consume you
You can fight it all at church
Maybe you know some others to invite too
Who needs him too (invite them) to church

Just listen to the preaching of the gentle preacher sir
You’ll say amen with him too before service is over
Happy always
The days are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your pain

So go to church
Where all the days are bright, at church
Waiting for you alright, at church
You’re gonna be alright now, at church

At church
At church

And you will find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs uplifting too
Guide them along
So maybe I’ll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our pain

So go to church
Things will be great when you’re at church
Let’s get in the car (and) head to church
Jesus is waiting for you at church

At church (at church)
At church (at church)
At church (at church)
At church (at church)

T-N-T Group Lock-In

I had the awesome opportunity last night to help out at the lock-in for the Awanas T-N-T group for my church last night.  I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have Alpena First Baptist Church as my church family.  They are an amazing bunch of people and kids there. 
Got to hear several testimonies and see several kids accept Jesus Christ as their personal lord and saviour last night.  And that’s really what it’s all about.
A couple weeks ago I was helping at the sparkies lock-in and after talking with one of the other leaders I felt convicted to be a better leader and help direct these kids more toward God.  I’m not a great leader or teacher at all.  I’m a quiet person who keeps to myself mostly. I often don’t even have a clue when to step up and tell kids when to be quiet and behave etc, but it’s one thing I do pray to God for guidance for.  In a world that’s so corrupt and immoral anymore, we as adults need to step up and try to guide and direct the younger generations to live better and morrally straight lives.  I don’t have much experience with kids besides being a part of my step children’s live since they were 9 and 10, so I feel God has placed me in that church and to help out with Awanas for a reason. And I feel blessed to be a part of those kids lives - even if I’m just a small part.
It was pretty much an all nighter last night, but it was definitely will worth it.  some of the other leaders stayed up all night, and so did some of the kids.  I however couldn’t stay up all night so I got probably 2 1/2 hours of sleep or so - and I am about ready for bed now, lol.

Powerpoint for Strawberry Lane Media Design

This is the powerpoint I created to help sell my business to clients.  What do you guys think?  https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=C3885789881F156C%21734

Team Japan Powerpoint

Powerpoint I created for a report I had to do with a group in my Business Communications class. https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=C3885789881F156C%21732

Technology and the Cloud

It’s amazing how advanced technology is getting.  Some of it is good and some of it is obviously scary and I don’t want to be a part of the scary stuff, lol - but this idea of the “Cloud” is very cool! 

I recently bought and installed Quicken since Microsoft is no longer updating Microsoft Money, and it’s amazing what I can do with it!  What transactions I input into the program on my computer is automatically uploaded to “the cloud” and I can view it on my app on my Samsung Galaxy S III smart phone.  and whatever transactions I input in that app will automatically download to the program on my computer.  very cool way to keep updated on my finances no matter where I am at.  I don’t have to write down what I have left on my credit before going to best buy or target anymore! lol.

With Microsoft OneDrive I can upload files I want to share with others and than send them the link to it, or even view it on my phone.

If I had the money I’d even have cloud service for my music, lol.  but I have 162gb of music lol. but not to worry:  I bought a new laptop last week and this thing is the most efficient PC I ever owned.  talk about blazing fast!  to convert a 1 hour video took 2 minutes instead of the 2 hours I’m familiar with.  and it’s got a 1tb hard drive, and I thought what the heck am I going to do with that kind of space on an internal hard drive - but I thought I’d put my videos and music on it, so I’m currently using 382gb of it because of that lol.  I may even put my portfolio on it somewhere so that way I’m constantly carrying my portfolio with me - even though I have a copy of my portfolio on my smart phone as well.  Got to love how convenient technology allows us to be.

Quote of the Day - March 3, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Alcohol, if taken in sufficient quantities, produces all the effects of intoxication.
--Oscar Wilde

Verse of The Day - March 3, 2014

Isaiah 55:8-9““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

New Logo Contest for the Northark Pioneers athletic department

I am taking Adobe Illustrator in college this semester.  I currently am in my 4th semester and I have one more to go!  yay!!!
The college is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebration they are having a contest for the Northark Pioneers athletic department.  My teacher assigned us this project in hopes that one of us in our class will win.  Here are the 4 choices I created.  The top 2 are probably my favorite ones out of the 4 that seem more athletic type logos.  When I think of pioneer I think of “pioneering” - looking to the future.  so I thought of futuristic things and technology - hence the satellites and satellite dishes in these images and the futuristic “Northark Pioneers” text in the second logo.  The top 2 are what I have submitted to the committee, but  I also should have submitted the 4th one.  I like that one too for an athletic logo, but I couldn’t submit them all.  What do you guys think?

 

  

Quote of the Day - January 11, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Women like silent men. They think they're listening.
--Marcel Archard

Verse of the Day - January 11, 2014

Psalm 118:5-6“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

What Is The True Cause of Our Poor Economy

I was browsing online earlier on a couple of my favorite online shopping websites, and it dawned on me how if you are just browsing and not looking for anything in particular, online shopping isn’t the way to go.  However, these days when you go into a physical store and just want to browse there is nothing to really browse at.  CDs and blu-rays and DVDs are still being manufactured and sold, but lately when you go into walmart or best buy you don’t find much variety of them to choose from anymore, but you can find all sorts of them on their websites.  Unfortunately you have to know what you are looking for when shopping online.  The government is causing our economy to slowly collapse, yes - but I think this new trend of shopping online that started about 10 years ago is also causing the economy to eventually collapse as well.  When stores cut down on their variety to get browsers to buy, nobody buys anything.  they aren’t going to shop online because they don’t even have a clue what they are looking for, therefore aren’t going to buy anything at all causing their dollar not being spent anywhere that would help keep our economy moving.  I don’t buy very many CDs or movies anymore, and I think this is why.  If I don’t even know it’s there for me to look at and take an interest in it to buy it or even think about buying it, why would I even go online to try to find it?  something to think about.  I miss the days of the record shops.  I haven’t seen one in years!  they always got my money, lol.

Verse of the Day - January 5, 2014

Isaiah 1:16-17“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Quote of the Day - January 5, 2014

Quote of the Day:
If one synchronised swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?
--Steven Wright

Verse of The Day – January 3, 2014

Titus 2:11-12“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

No More Windows Live Writer?

I remember like it was yesterday being introduced to Windows Live Writer - A software bundled with 4 other apps called the “Windows live essentials” suite that you install on your computer.  Windows Live Writer was it’s application for blogging so you can easily update your blogs and not have to do it on the sluggish interfaces on your blog’s website, and can easily update 2 or more blogs.
I recently unfortunately learned that even though Windows Live Writer is the best desktop based blogging software, Microsoft is unfortunately trying to slowly get rid of it, which is quite unfortunate, plug-ins don’t even work on it hardly anymore either, lol.  2 plugins I liked using on windows live writer are a facebook and twitter plugin so that after I published a post it automatically posted the link to twitter and facebook, lol.  It won’t do that anymore unfortunately.  So now it’s time to start looking for new blogging programs.  What fun, lol.  In the end I may just do what I been doing the past few months - use windows live writer to create the post, but publish it to my blog as a draft.  than going to the blog’s site to officially post it - this way it will post the links to facebook and twitter. lol.

Quote of the Day - January 3, 2013

Quote of the Day:
It takes a steady hand to carry a full cup.
--Anonymous

Quote of The Day - January 2, 2014

Quote of the Day:
Your heart often knows things before your mind does.
--Polly (Pearl) Adler

Verse of the Day - January 2, 2014

Psalm 90:12“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.