Ephesians 5:15-16 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

For the New Year of 2009, would you consider signing a “Mental Declaration of Independence” even though July the 4th is 7 months away!

For the sake of greater things that lie ahead, join me today and let’s place our names on the line, pledging ourselves with firm resolve to Independence from the Control and Manipulation of Human Mandates, much like those brave men did on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia when they signed the Declaration of Independence.

I am 32 years old. In January I will be 33. This is not a plug for gifts or recognition, but it is to make a point. In the three and a half years that my wife and I have been in Hawaii, we have seen God bless the church that we pastor. Legacy Church has grow from sixteen “members”, with an average attendance of twenty to thirty people, to a church of an average attendance of one hundred and fifty and just over 200 that consider Legacy their home church. This is not a testament to how wonderful we are, but a testimony of what God can do and will do.

While many of you who may read this article are dealing with snow, ice, and general cold, I am sitting in my office with the windows wide open. I am wearing light pants, short sleeves, and have no shoes on my feet.  Outside, I see the sun is shining and the sky is clear. I feel the soft wind blowing through the open window and I can hear the birds singing in the flowering trees and bushes that surround my home. This time of year many of the flowers are in bloom and some of the fruit trees are even producing.

The only negative that I know of is that while my fan is on, it is on it’s lowest setting because it is a little chilly today. Yes, 74 degrees is when we start wearing long sleeves, light jackets, or a hat. At night when it drops way down to 69 degrees my wife and I cover up with the down comforter and cuddle up, wishing we had a fireplace. Winter can be brutal here as my family and I are “living Aloha” on The Big Island of Hawaii.

A profile allows you the opportunity to identify what you like, and eliminate what you don't like (i.e.-internet groups)

Your profile determines other people's perception

Your ways determine your identity (What you do, determines how you are perceived)

“What would you do, if you could do anything you wanted to do...That's what you should be doing.”

A great thinker, through his prolific insights, sagaciously suggested, "For most people life is what happens while they are busy doing everything else."

[Andrew] first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). John 1:41

Just so you'll know ... my propensity to develop inspirational thoughts from songs I have heard is not limited to songs from Bon Jovi alone! Some time ago, I was listening to Country music artist Tim McGraw’s hit single “Live Like You Were Dying” - which was a number one hit in 2004. The song tells the story of a man faced with a terminal disease and how he chooses to spend his final days on earth: sky diving, bull riding, fishing, and mountain climbing. And then ... as many would do in the same situation ... he also begins to read the Bible, and release forgiveness to those who had wronged him.