How you bleed

“As the hard frosts in winter bring on the flowers in the spring, and as the night ushers in the morning-star, so the evils of affliction produce much good to those that love God.”
-Thomas Watson 

Much is said regarding affliction. Whether it be dealing with tragedy, death , disease, addiction..etc, most of what is said sounds something like this:

You can get out of this! 
Time will heal! 
Stay busy, to keep your mind off of it! 
Or my favorite, satan is attacking you, fight back! 

Not all of that is false, but it certainly isn’t all true either.

I do think it would be be to ask this question:

How do you bleed? 

Obviously I’m speaking in metaphorical terms, but hear me out. 

How do you bleed in times of hardship? 
Or better said...what do you bleed?
Is it via a choice drug or alcohol? Many see it as a “escape”. 

Maybe you bleed depression. Many tend to close everyone and everything out during difficult times.

Maybe you bleed anxieties. Difficult and tragic times can lead some to be anxious and worry about everything. 

Maybe you bleed anger. 

Maybe you bleed pleasure. 

Maybe you bleed “staying busy to keep my mind off things”

Maybe you bleed “fill in the blank”.


How do you deal with death? 
How do you deal with the pain and grief?
How do you handle it?


I know I have listed a plethora of questions. 
But the answer to these questions are extremely important. 

Whatever it is you are going through, maybe good or bad. 
When the evils of the life hit you like a ton of bricks. what are you going to do? 

I certainly don’t have all the answers to life’s difficult questions. 
 And I certainly don’t know all there is about pain and suffering. 

But there is only one way to make it through. 
Only by Gods grace. 
And providentially He has set forth help for us:

Bleed the Word
- God gave us a “survivor handbook” at our disposal.
Absorb it all like a sponge! 
Bleed Prayer
- We have access to God , you can talk to him anytime, He will come to your aid! 
-but also remember this:
Silence is not the absence of God.
Bleed fellowship
- if you think for one second you can through this alone you are fooling yourself! 
Bleed Praise
-sing to the Lord! Praise Him! Are you breathing? Who gave you that breathe? 
Bleed thanksgiving:
Don’t forget all the many things God has done for you 
Bleed the Gospel:
Preach the Gospel to yourself everyday
Remember constantly where you were (before Christ) and where you are (in Christ).
Bleed the attributes of God:
Study God’s character 
Why in the world would you not want to know God more? Especially during difficult times! 
Bleed the “old dead guys”:
Most of the best writings regarding our faith (outside of the Bible)
are largely from those who have already crossed the finish line.


I hope and pray this helps someone.
I’m no expert on affliction and tragic circumstances,
But I have been though it, and this helps me get through it.
I pray the same for you.

God’s grace is sufficient.

Soli deo Gloria 

The death it brings

A lot of people like summer
All the fun an all
Maybe it’s the sun on their skin.
With that blistering heat
I for one can’t stand it
I can barely breathe

I’ll take winter,
Without the death it brings
Yeah, I’ll take winter,
Without the death it brings

It took my momma , and my baby,
grandmother , and the man that raised me

Yeah I’ll take winter ,
Without the death it brings

Some of y’all like fall
The changin’ of the leaves
Pumpkins and Halloween
It’s alright to me

But I’ll take winter
Without the death it brings
Yeah I’ll take winter
Without the death it brings

It took my momma , and my baby,
grandmother, and the man that raised me

Yeah I’ll take winter,
Without the death it brings

Maybe yours is spring
 sand all in your feet
And my allergies go crazy,
insects invade the house
It just ain’t for me

I’ll take winter ,
without the death it brings
Yeah. I’ll take winter ,
without the death it brings

It took my momma, and my baby,
grandmother, and the man that raised me

Yeah I’ll take winter,
Without the death it brings

It’s the cracklin’ of the fire
Hot coffee in my hand
My wife holdin’ me
Maybe you understand

I’ll take winter,
Without the death it brings

Lessons from stupid men

 “ The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” Daniel 6:24

Many often read the story of “Daniel in the lions den”
And quickly scroll though the verses after it. 
I couldn’t tell you how many times I have, but,
For some reason, it hit me like a ton of bricks this time.

“Wait, hold on! Their wives and kids?” “Why?”
“What did they do to deserve that?” 
“What a tragedy!!”
So many thoughts rolling in until I was able to realize 
the truth behind this powerful, dark and horrifying verse. 

Husbands, walk carefully and think clearly.
Your actions either directly or indirectly effect your family,
For the good or bad.
Whether it’s “one more drink won’t hurt”
Or “hey kids let’s read the Word a few more minutes”.
You’re impacting your family everyday.
Every minute at work and every minute at home. 
It matters, every second matters. 

Don’t let up, stay sober minded 
One little unwise decision could end it all.

Do you think these men had any inkling that their 
Stupid decision would mean their wives and children dying a 
Horrific death? Of course not, no way.

So, husbands, wake up
Don’t take a second for granted.
Tend to your kids masterfully and 
Love your wives tenderly 

Learn from these stupid men
 ....and Don’t be stupid

You changed mine

You’re not a widely know gal
Born to a middle class family
In a middle class town

Your mom and dad,they
Worked hard every day
They had bills to pay
And two girls to raise

You were your daddy’s shadow
The standard he gave
Made the man who would
Hold your hand walk slow

That day you caught me eye
You didn’t change the world
But you changed mine

When I moved back
Hell was in my heart
Darkness in my tracks

When you came to me
Grace was in your heart
Your love touched softly

My love, You chased me down
A wedding and three boys later
You are still my crown

That day you caught my eye
You didn’t change the world
But you changed mine

Easier said than done

I hear “just let it go”
It keeps goin’ in my head
Then enters vertigo
It’s easier said than done

I hear “It’s no big deal”
But it is to me
Give me time to heal
It’s easier said than done

Like a gator’s back
I wanna be strong
I’m the fly
On a lizards tongue
As the wind blows, I’m thrown

I’m not the guy
Throwin’ stones
I hide behind
Broken bones
As the wind blows, I’m thrown

I hear “forget about it”
But I can’t
It runs through my veins a bit
It’s easier said than done

I hear “it’s time to move on”
If you knew her
You’d beg for the
Voicemail on my phone
It’s easier said than done

Like a gator’s back
I wanna be strong
I’m the fly
On a lizard’s tongue
As the wind blows, I’m thrown

I’m not the guy
Throwin’ stones
I hide behind
Broken bones
As the wind blows, I’m thrown

Man in ruin

^" For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all ^[a]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, ^[b]perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. " 1Tim.7-12

Worldviews collide at the Bible. What I mean by that is this;
when we who have been trained to believe money is the source of life and happiness read the Bible , consequently discover money is not the source.
It is only a resource.
The love and pursuit of money puts men into temptation and harmful desires.
-lust, drugs, leisure, pleasure, excuses

Which causes them to wander away from Christ.
You'll see what money has to offer and for a moment you'll like the offer.
Thus, wandering from Christ and joining hands with all sorts of evil.
Lord forgive us! That we would put a piece of paper over you!
This world is consumed by this.

The end result is grief. It always is.
It never ends well when you wander from Christ.


There has to be more. You can have all the money in the world, yet you'll still be unsatisfied.
It will never be enough. It'll plunge you down roads you don't want to travel down.

Christ is enough.
You were created to find your satisfaction in Him.
All the love , peace, rest , and satisfaction you could ever dream of ,
you'll find in Him.

Go to the Fountain, and your thirst will be quenched.


Christ is enough for me, Christ is enough for me


"Christ is my reward
and all of my devotion
Now there's nothing in this world
That could ever satisfy

Through every trial
My soul will sing
No turning back
I've been set free

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need

Christ my all in all
The joy of my salvation
And this hope will never fail
Heaven is our home

Through every storm
My soul will sing
Jesus is here
To God be the glory

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You, Everything I need"

She was

Persistent

Stubborn

Hard to handle 

She was

Incredible 

Insightful 

Resilient 

She was

Elegant 

Jaw dropping 

Beautiful 

She was

Leader

Selfless

Humble

She was

Mother

Mentor 

Best friend 

She was

Tears are shed

Hearts are broken 

Lives are shattered 

Because....

She was