Sewing into God's Kingdom

"A lot of people don't go to church because the church will take everything you have and when you need help, they'll tell you they don't have any money to help you. Where is the return on my investment?"

I heard this line during a trip to the barbershop this past Saturday. It's not a belief I prescribe to, but it's something that I believe Christians can't avoid in discussions with unbelievers and those that have had bad experiences with the church in this day and age.

I think what many people see are affluent pastors, laden with gold and accoutrements, luxurious church buildings and they don't see that transferring over into their own lives. There then comes a point of frustration and out of that a sense of jealousy.

It's during this time that the focus comes off God and is instead focused on the perceived shortcomings of the church and its leadership. Giving tithe has nothing to do with what you'll get back. It has everything to do about sewing a seed in God's kingdom.

If people don't trust giving tithe to the church, then perhaps they should find another church that they can support and get behind. At the end of the day, it's not going to matter what someone else did to you, but rather how you served God's kingdom.

A (Dance) Step in the Right Direction

 So Nancy Grace is going to be on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.

The star prosecutor and HLN host is going to try her hand at securing that sacred trophy. Let the O.A.W. 
Report go on record and say that it is in favor of this move.

We're not going to chastise Nancy, but rather we're going to support this move.

Nancy Grace deals with some of the sickest, darkest stories regarding victims imaginable and it's about time the media saw a lighter, softer side of her.

Those who live in the Buckhead area have already seen beneath her the stern facade she exudes during the media.There have been sightings of Nancy Grace in restaurants armed with a bundle of coloring books and crayons in hand ... ready to engage her children and spend time with them at the drop of a dime.

 Kudos to her and thanks once again to all involved for this decision.

Why I do, What I do.

Because I'm a slim guy, some friends and family members have often made snide comments about me working out.

The taunts I think spring from uneducated minds, because working out isn't about losing weight, so much as it is trying to stay healthy.

My family on my mother's side is predisposed to diabetes and hypertension - the latter of which I had during my 20s before I started my workout routine.

It's important for me to try and maintain my health, by running, lifting weights and keeping busy.

Things are a lot more difficult with Grace (my daughter) around, because now everything has to be tailored around her schedule.

But that by no way means that exercising must be cut out entirely. Now, I get up 4 a.m. and sneak away to a popular running trail while Grace is sleeping. For one hour I give it my all before I come back in to relieve my wife of her duties taking care of Grace.

It's a must. In this day and age where so much of our work is done sitting down using computers, and inside an office all day long, a regular work out routine is needed.

We have to keep fit. So to all of those who have made the beanpole comments and the toothpick comments, save them. I'm trying to see my daughter grow up, and I want to enjoy as much time with her as I can.