Philipians 4:13 Graphic

These are a couple graphics I recently designed in Adobe Illustrator featuring my favorite bible verse.

    

We Overconsume Way Too Much

I believe the economy is important. Without the economy we would have no jobs to go to which help pay the bills and allows us to have a roof over our head. Remember the great depression and how people lived because of no economy? However that was caused because of the overconsumption lifestyle we lived during the roaring 1920s. There are pros and cons to the economy of course, but I still feel it’s very important. However, we as Americans do consume way too much stuff. We are running out of resources too quickly. I agree with what Annie Leonard had to say in the “Story of Stuff” video entirely (Leonard, 2007). She makes a lot of good points. We need to really reconsider our buying habits. We definitely overconsume, which takes away resources that our planet needs to survive and give us life. We should really rethink our strategy. I do believe those of the older generations were more concerned about the environment than we are today, and back in those days there weren’t any environmental agencies. According to a poll on MSNBC, 76% of millennials believe they care more about the environment than their parents. I tried to find articles referring to their grandparents, but couldn’t find any. I personally believe people were more concerned about the environment during our grandparents days though compared to now. They reused everything and stocked up on things and didn’t overconsume. Yes, Watching so much television because we are tired is bad for us. It causes us to overconsume because we see things on the tv we want, but don’t necessarily need. Which causes to work more than we should in order to pay for the junk we don’t need. Yes, the government may be for the people and by the people, but should we really expect them to make laws forcing us to not over consume, protect our environment, and recycle? No. Forcing people to do the right thing makes them not want to even more. But if you give them a choice, most people will do the right thing. This video hit home for me. When I worked a regular job, I was very depressed. I felt like my life had no meaning. I wasn’t happy with my job, only making minimum wage and working part time and not having much to show for it. I was also in my 20s and early 30s holding jobs that I had no chance of a real career in. I felt like a failure to the world, and that I wasn’t even important. I felt like another waste on society. All I would do is go home and work, and I couldn’t do much else to better myself because of that work. A tornado destroyed a grocery store I was working at which allowed me to go back to school in 2012, and ever since I’ve been a part of things. I’m more involved in actitvities going on in my community. I feel much happier as a person, and not like a failure anymore. Having money and overconsuming isn’t important; however being able to be with your family, and friends, and helping out where you can in your community is. I don’t believe or agree with this overconsumption mentality. We need to recycle as much as we can and even re-sell or donate things we don’t use or need anymore, and I do this as much as I can. As far as television goes, I do like to watch it as well, however get rid of anything that shows these ads. I do not subscribe to cable or satellite for shows, therefore I get none of these ads. As a business person, and capitalist though I also understand the business man’s point of view as well. They have to market themself in order to sell their products, or else they go bankrupt and out of business, causing them to not have a job and be homeless. Which is why economy is important. So we need marketing, but we don’t need overconsumption, but than the marketing leads to overconsumption because it causes you to buy buy buy. Maybe if that marketing presented something telling people to re-sell or donate their old item when they buy a new one? Maybe if that marketing even presented something telling people to buy only when absolutely necessary. But will that keep a business in business very long? Remember the old maytag commercials with the bored maytag man? He was bored because nobody bought new washers and dryers because they lasted a long time. I don’t have the answers. I don’t know what will work. I do believe we should rethink our habits, but not cause people to lose their jobs over it as well. References: Leonard, A., Fox, L., & Sachs, J. (2007). The Story of Stuff. Retrieved from http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/ Timm, J. C. (2014, March 03). Millenials: We Care More About The Environment. MSNBC.COM. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/millennials-environment-climate-change

Don’t Recognize Myself These Days

I do not know what to say or think on things currently.  I do not know how to take my success I have been given.  There are so many emotional thoughts going on through my brain.  Growing up, I was never a part of anything.  I was always bullied, and the last one chosen for anything.  Lots of times I even sat out during PE class and read a book because of constant harassment.  I was a very quiet, shy, and introverted person.  And when people in high school would pick on me just for fun, I wouldn’t know it because of how bullied I was when I was younger.  Yes, I felt like a total loser growing up.  I didn’t even go to my own prom.  I graduated high school in 1999 toward the bottom of my class, and then went straight to work after graduation.  Working a dead end grocery store job that barely paid for anything, and then going on to a dead end night shift job at Walmart where it felt like the movie “Groundhog Day.”  Other jobs I would have would have the same effect.  I would go to work, and then come home, and the next day do it over again.  Nothing very exciting.  I was constantly depressed because I felt there was something more to life than just that.  I had desires of running my own business and doing media work but didn’t see any way or chance how.  I just felt lousy as a human being.  I just felt like a lonely retail stocker that wasn’t important.

My life has been changing these past couple of years (especially this last year) and I just don’t know what to think about it or how to handle it.  What my life is like now is not the Mike Irvan I know, and don’t get me wrong – I am 100% proud of myself for what I have accomplished in my life the last couple years.  I just don’t know how to deal with it or take it.  For the first time in my life I feel successful and for the first time in my life my dad told me he’s proud of me.  My last semester at Northark College I made the Dean’s list, I took a test one of my teachers suggested I should take and ended up 2^nd place in the state of Arkansas for that test, which allowed me to go to the National PBL Conference in Chicago this last week.  I didn’t even go to any of the PBL meetings so didn’t consider myself a member, and I was shocked I got 2^nd place in the state competition.  I don’t win at anything.  So I was able to go to a major competition event for the first time in my life, and felt like I was a part of something.  I felt accepted as part of their team.  It was an amazing experience.  I even got a chance to go on the stage to sub for somebody else which was pretty cool, and I also got to finally go into the Sears tower, and walked onto the ledge – which was intense!  It was amazing!

And on top of that, a couple of great people from church hired me to do video work for their production company.  I am now accomplishing things I have always wanted to do, I just never saw how.  I can’t even recognize this new Mike Irvan.  I now feel like I’m apart of things that are important and not doing the same old depressing grind.

God got a hold of me a couple of years ago, and my life hasn’t been the same ever since.  I just wish certain people I’m close to in my life who I love dearly would be proud of me for the accomplishments I’ve made in my life instead of just ignoring me because of other mistakes I make in my life.

“I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” – Philipians 4:13

“Life Moves Pretty Fast. If you don’t stop to look around for a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

‘Handi-Capable’ talent contest to hold Arlington auditions | Star-Telegram.com

 

By Robert Philpot

dfw.com

Posted 3:13pm on Wednesday, May. 20, 2015

Ronnie Hurst likes to joke that the photo of him and Rachael Lynee Burns is the “beauty and the beast” photo, then cracks, “but she’s not that bad.”

But she is the beauty, with the pageant cred to back it up: She was crowned Miss Texas International 2014 on March 16, 2014, and she has earned several other Miss Texas International and Miss Texas Galaxy honors since 2010.

She’s also a ballet dancer. Hurst is her manager, a guy with more than two decades of management experience in the entertainment industry, including a stint in the ’90s managing Elvis tribute artist Michael Wroughton, producing dinner theater shows, and writing, directing and producing a show in Branson, Mo.

To read the rest of the article, please go to  Handi-Capable’ talent contest to hold Arlington auditions | Star-Telegram.com.

Handi-Capable

 

This is a new program that is great and needs to be out there!  It’s a talent show much like American Idol or America’s Got Talent but showcasing handicapped folks.  There are several folks out there who are talented and have disabilities and end up getting discriminated against in the entertainment world because of being handicapped.  This is wrong!  You don’t have to be perfect to be talented.  If you have a disability and have a talent, this show is for you!  For more details, please visit the show’s  facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Handi-Capable/1551772668408525?fref=ts or check out their website at http://handi-capable.us/ to see where they will be holding auditions at!  You can also view a short three minute clip explaining what this show is about by visiting https://youtu.be/STHl5XGCtok.  Please help spread the word about this amazing show!

“You Don’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Talented”

Very Excited!

Just got back home from our trip to Texas, and I have to say that I'm so excited to be on board with Magic Mirror Productions. I really love the concept for The Handi-Capable show and what it's about and I'm glad to be a part of it. These are dreams that just seemed unreachable to me only a few years ago. It's amazing what can happen to someone once God gets a hold of you! I don't recognize me nor my life these days. I just graduated college with my associate's degree in digital media, made the dean's list, and a fantastic christian couple willing to give me a chance to work in media production. I don't take any credit for any of this. I give God the glory for it all. Phillipians 4:13 and 4:19 "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” ; "But My God Shall Supply All Your Needs According To His Riches In Glory By Jesus Christ."

Made The Dean's List

I can't believe I made the dean's list this year! that's awesome! it's amazing what happens to your life when you choose to put God first. I feel so blessed. God is good! I need to make sure I do my best to not let all this go to my head to where I end up sounding like a braggart.  To view the complete list, visit http://www.northark.edu/news_events/default.aspx?id=339

God Deserves The Credit

I feel so blessed right now. I'm just an introverted person who kept to myself a lot. Just a simpleton who doesn't know too much. Sometimes I still feel like that. If you would have told me 3 or more years ago I would graduate with my associate's in digital media and with my small business management degree, I would have laughed. When I first signed up for college in 2012, I still wasn't sure what to think. However, because of certain circumstances that happened in spring 2013 I decided to get right with God come fall 2013. He's changed my life and blessed me in so many ways, and sometimes I wonder - where do I rate? what did I do to deserve this? I don't deserve any of what he's blessed me with. I still have my faults and struggles, but he's blessed me still and all my prayers aren't answered, but some have been. I'm blessed with a 2nd chance: I had an oppourtunity at 17 to work as an intern in media, but blew it - but he has put people in my life that are giving me that 2nd chance. I know I probably say too much about it at times, but I just feel so blessed right now and appreciate Wayne Hicks and Kathy Hicks to give me a chance. I also help out with activities in my community. I'm doing things now, I never thought I would ever do. Some may think I should take all the credit for accomplishments I made the last couple years, but I give all the glory to God. God is who changed my life. Philipians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I'm definitely looking forward to what He has in store for my future. Stay tuned for pictures from graduation, coming soon.

You Are Worth Something

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.

Death Row Jesus

Please watch this very amazing and powerful video!

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.

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.

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.

“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.

My Speeches On Video

I took speech this semester, and all semester long I was planning on getting on video me giving the speeches I had to present this semester.  A couple weeks ago I was snowed in, so I finally filmed them and uploaded them to Youtube.  There are 3 of them.  The 4th one I ended up not finishing because we got snowed in, however I hope to soon finish it and film it as well and post it on youtube whenever I have it ready.  I also plan on re-shooting these.  The quality on these videos is a bit poor in my opinion. Enjoy!

I’M A CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL

 

HOW TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE

 

THREE GOOD QUALITIES OF BEING LOYAL