TWENTY

Country Empire

September 15, 2008

I’ve been reading my Bible, so during this chapter if I come-on a little too strong just remember my intentions are good. Let’s first continue by discussing possible job opportunities you might consider when released this December. Catering, Construction, or any another field you have interest in, when you keep “Your Faith,” you will then be given Favor by God. He will bless you and make things go your way.

Although we’ve both had “Good Opportunities” in the past, I believe there’s still a special one right around the corner. You’ve had so many “Friends” started their own Businesses from scratch. They worked hard to be successful, so why can’t we do the same?

You’ve met many people traveling through your “Trails and Tribulations,” and I know for a fact most of them really took a shine to you. No doubt they still care about you very much. Ask yourself a simple question like, “Have they been there for me in the past?” But to succeed in any business you first need a plan. And in your life, you must have “Inspiration” to keep you going.

Traveling down “My Road” I’ve encountered many people who know we’re “Blood Brothers.” They never hesitate to stop, and ask me question like, “How’s your brother doing? Have you heard from him lately?” If you just happen to call our parents while I’m visiting, it’s nice to hear your voice if only for a few quick minutes. I might share what you always tell me that “I’m doing good as can be under these circumstances.”

If I bump into your “Closer Friends,” I’ll share good news you might have shared. Those are the only type of friends I’ve told we’ve been actually writing each other. Whether it’s at the Local Post Office, Grocery Store, or in the “Same Circles” you and I always roam, I hear the same warm salutations. Before they leave they say, “Tell him I said ‘Hi,’ and that they’re praying for you.

I believe these “Chance Encounters” are not coincidences at all. This is the same sort of “Holly Intervention” I’ve felt in the past through my “Athletic Years.” These are all the same sort of people who are always ready to support. Friends who’ve visited you, and written while on “Vacation.” Just remember what’s in the Bible, “Through God all things are possible.”

While trying to encourage you I still won’t lie. I’ll never lie to you. So I have to share that times are hard out here for lots of people right. We have this “Bad Economy” to deal with, and a “Slumping Housing Market” that doesn’t seem to rebound any time soon. So it’s probably a good idea to take advantage as much as you can with any “Job Placement Opportunities” available to you. You’ve already studied and received “Certifications of Completion” in a few different areas.

Just try to keep Jesus in your heart because you know we’ve both been through some Hard Times” in the past and survived. I believe we’re going to get through these just the same. You and I are both “Survivors,” but there’s still so much growth we can make in the future. We can never stop learning new things as long as we are “Willing.”

Continue reading your Bible because from the letters, I can tell that your “Spirt” has begun changing for the better. You’ve become “Positive” because you know like I do with Jesus on our side no enemy can defeat us. Compared to when we first started writing each other, I can easily see this difference in you for the better. It’s just gives me such a good feeling to Witness.

I hope you’ve found other “Inspiring Scriptures” like the ones I’ve sent you at the end of my letters. Know that I’m doing this because “I believe” they’re going to help support you through your most “Trying Times.” They’ve sure helped me through my difficult times when I felt like I didn’t know where to turn.

It’s great that we’ve now finally reached this “Spiritual Point” in our lives where we can share scriptures and support each other. Know that you can share your thoughts and beliefs about anything that might be on your mind. I can always find the answers to any questions you might have and I don’t know the answer. Let me share a little of what I’ve found.

In The New Testament (under Galatians 5:19-21) the scripture says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like, of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Some of these “Definitions” you may already know. I thought it would be a good idea to now go over some of them with you. Take a seat and try to open your mind to some definitions I found in the Bible.

Adultery – the unfaithfulness and a failure to honor commitments in your marriage.

Fornication – is to be prostituted or to be involved in prostitution. This also includes incest which is sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry legally.

Uncleanness - means to have impure thoughts of the heart and dwell on or worry too much about anything.

Lewdness – means to lead a loose sexual life or any vices that involve the abuse of your body like abusing yourself by taking drugs, alcohol, or even an excess of inappropriate foods.

Idolatry – occurs when something becomes more important to an individual that God and when they let their attention be consumed by anything else other than Him. This is why I’ve tried telling you that it’s important that remember to keep God first in your life and try and have a positive attitude no matter where you might presently be.

Soccery – means craving to taking any pharmaceuticals or substances that create a euphoric high. This includes pain pills and sleeping pills because there are “Natural Alternatives” which aid in the same fashion and have been around for centuries.

Hatred – is any hostility against man or woman that includes strife & disputes.

Jealousy – of course means envying whatever another person already has. God wants us rather to be happy for another person’s prosperity.

Wrath – occurs when a person expresses an intense anger, rage or fury.

Selfish Ambition – a person’s confusion and every evil work

Dissension – refers to those people who cause or provoke a division between two people whether they are just friends, engaged, or married.

Heresy – is a religious belief opposed to the orthodox doctrines of the church.

Murder – while we already know this is the taking of another person’s life, it also means ruining a person’s reputation.

Drunkenness - is anytime a person is intoxicated.

Revelry – is when a person is acting in a wild manner.

All of these things are considered “Desires” or “Appetites of the Flesh” resulting from lack of self-control. In the letters I’ve written I must admit to many of the definitions above explain how my life got “Totally Out of Control.” If you’ve made mistakes in the past, it’s time to “Forgive Yourself.” Yes, we’re not perfect, but we can try to improve ourselves as we not move forward.

Let me share what I’ve found in the Bible about “Self-control.” Self –control is the fruit of the Spirit. In (Galatians 5:22 -23) the Bible says, “But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long Suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Against such there is no law.” Make sense?

Reading the “Good Book” is also going to help us from “Falling-back” on old habits, and move forward with the rest of our lives. I know you still have this “Inner Power” inside of you, Big Brother, that’s going to lead you towards the destiny you desire. But first, we must leave those “Bad Habits” far behind before you set “One Foot” out here. No one can take this “Initiative” for you. I also believe you already know exactly what you have to do.

Right now you may be thinking everything I’ve just shared are the same things you’ve already heard before. I just ask that you “Still try and keep an open mind.” The difference from what you might have heard compared to what you’re hearing now is the fact that “I’m your “Little Brother” who loves you and I have to take the chance you’re “Now More Willing” to listen this time around.

Remember the relationship you have with Jesus Christ is yours and yours alone. It’s entirely up to whether you want to have a “Close Relationship,” or just celebrate Him at Easter time as I mistakenly did back in the day. I’ve also realized that “Giving the Gift of Time” to a person in need is much more valuable than any gift a person could ever buy.

I started developing my independence somewhere around my Junior and Senior Years. Now looking back this was about the same time we started hanging around the “Wrong People,” and making “Bad Decisions” that played a part in where we are today. Do you remember around this time feeling as if no one could tell us what to do or when to do it other than our parents?

Do you still remember feeling overwhelmed when you got married your Senior Year? But I must admit, you soon became a “Very Responsible Father” after Misti was born. The only thing was with all of your new responsibilities, our close relationship as “Brothers” slowly began to change. As a matter of fact, all of our lives changed. But I understood that just the way things go.

When my eyes first fell upon my niece when she entered this world, I remember thinking she was the most Beautiful Baby I’d ever seen. She had this Light Colored Complexion which really made her Rosy Cheeks standout. Those Round Dark Brown Eyes seemed to already be so alert. Misti had Natural Curly Medium-brown Hair the same as yours, and “Little Dimples” just like her mother Martha’s.

I still remember the first time Misty got her Ears Pierced while only just a few months old. Those “Darling Babe Pictures” she took with those “Baby Diamond Earrings” you’d especially purchased for her “First Christmas” is still clearly imprinted deep in my mind. Pictures like that are meant to cherish because our children just seem to growing-up so fast, even if we’re not ready.

Misty has now reached her “Mid-Twenties,” but I’ll still always remember that “Pouting Look” in those baby pictures. To me it suggested she didn’t appreciate be fussed with so much. And if it’d been her choice, she’d rather had gone shopping at Baby’s “R” Us.

Looking back, have you realized that I wasn’t trying to get into any of your “Private Affairs,” and only wanted to see my niece when dropping by unannounced? When you’d suddenly get all pushed out of shape I’d wonder “Who is this Stranger that’s taken over my Brother’s Body and Soul?” I didn’t enjoy witnessing your “Dark Metamorphosis” happen before “My Very Eyes!”

While on “Your Path” I still remember the loud “Expressive Outbursts” Misty would suddenly share. Like you, I was also there to witness her “First Baby Steps” and “First Words” when she said “Da Da.” Sorry Martha. But if you claim Misti first word were “Momma” that’s perfectly alright with me. All I know for sure is she still calls me “Uncle Mike” to this very day which I still love to hear from all of my nieces and nephew.

I only now bring-up all of these things to remind you “It’s time to let go of the past” because we’ve already been forgiven for “Past Mistakes” after the time you prayed and asked God for forgiveness. We’ve all “Run Astray” at some point in our lives and no one is “Perfect” although some humans came to be. I think if we try to improve ourselves while taking it day by day and with Jesus in our hearts, I still believe there will be a “Country Empire” up to heaven awaiting the both of us when all is said and done.

“All we like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; And the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:6 KJV

Next Chapter: Chapter#19