Ghosts And Goblins

On October 31, 2016October 31, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life3 Comments

Image result for people scare me

This didn’t turn out like I wanted but you can get the drift.

Ghosts and goblins don’t scare me.

Werewolves? Nah.

Vampires don’t either.

What about bears and lions you ask? Not in the least. Most of the time if they attack they are only protecting their territory or their young. Now I must say I have never been in front of a ten foot tall, mad mama bear but sitting here in the comfort of my home I am not afraid.

What about snakes? I will admit they get my heart going but not really afraid of them. Again, I have never come face to face with a black mamba or a king cobra but, for now, I can say I am not afraid.

Spiders? Not at all.

Most animals are the same. They wake up, they search for food and water, they sleep. Add breeding when it’s that time.

Monsters don’t scare me either. I mean if you can’t outrun Frankenstein or the Blob then shame on you. Yes, I know there are faster monsters out there but I am not scared.

You want to know what really scares me?

People.

People scare me more than anything else in this world.

They are unpredictable.

They can look you in the eye and lie to you.

They can say they will never let you down and two seconds later they let you down.

They can be your best friend one minute and your worst enemy the next.

They can take you for granted.

They can say they will love you til death parts you and then leave for someone else six months later.

They can do unimaginable things when they feel desperate. Back then into a corner and they can be worse than a king cobra.

They can hate you for no other reason than the way you look.

Yes people scare me more than ghosts and goblins. Yes they scare me more than any other thing in this world. But I have seen some hope.

I have seen people jump in front of a bullet to save a total stranger.

I have seen people spend hours in a hospital room holding a loved ones hand.

I have seen people give so much of their time to help the least of them.

People scare me. But I have hope. I have a dream that people will love more than they hate. That they will stand by their word. That when they commit they understand what that truly means.

People can be more unpredictable than any animal I know. But, unlike animals they can also do more good than they can imagine.

Image result for people do good

People Are People by Depeche Mode –

Who Am I by Michael Sweet –

People Are Crazy by Billy Currington –

People Change by For King & Country –

The People I Know by Eric Hutchinson –

People Loving People by Garth Brooks –

Hermie The Hermit Crab

“Come on in friend. I was just reminiscing on my younger days. Looking at all these old pictures brings back memories.”

“Take a look at this one. I was just a baby. My first shell.”

“I still relied on my parents a lot. They taught me what was going to happen as I got older. They taught me how to be polite and how to treat my friends, as well as strangers. One of my favorite things my parents taught me was to be kind to everyone. Treat others as you would want them to treat you. You never know when you are going to need someone to help you and they won’t if you are mean all the time.”

“Oops. You weren’t supposed to see that one. My mom took it in between shells. She embarrassed me so many times by showing that one to my friends. Moooommmmm!!!!!!”

“Here is me as a teenager. That shell was a little too small for me. I thought I knew it all then. I forgot how my parents told me how important it was to get the right shell. Too small and I will have to move again soon. Too big and I would have to carry that weight around until I could fill it.”

“That didn’t keep me from getting this shell as a young adult. Look how big it is.”

” I got it shortly after I left the care of my parents. I was going to take on the world. I didn’t need anything or anyone except me. I was growing so fast I was constantly changing shells. I was invincible. I ran over anyone who stood in my way.”

“Then I needed someone. Everyone just walked around me. That’s when I remembered what my parents had taught me. I was being terribly mean to everyone around me. It’s no excuse but it wasn’t easy for me to change shells. Every time I got comfortable and things were going my way I would grow a little more and have to leave my comfortable home. ”

“All I wanted was to have things stay the same. I liked many a shell and had to leave them. Some of my friends didn’t grow like I did and were able to settle into their shells for far longer times. Some even stayed in the same shell their entire lives. They were too scared to leave and to grow into a new shell. Can you believe that? ”

“I, however, changed each time I changed my shell. Not all of those changes were good but, looking back, I can see how they all helped me become who I am today. I have become wiser , kinder, and more giving. You see , as I moved out of a shell that left a shell for someone else to move into. A younger version of me if you think about it. I could mentor them and teach them what I have been taught.”

“Life isn’t always sunshine on a beach. Sometimes you get these big waves, and sometimes the small ones too, that knock you on your back. You have to fight to get back on your feet. Fight for what you believe in. Become a stronger, better crab.”

“Have you ever had someone be there for you every time you needed them? I didn’t think I did either but I did. And I do.”

“You see, one day I was just getting into a new shell when some humans were walking by. I heard them talking about God. How he made the sunrises and the sunsets I see every day. They were telling their children about how much he loved them. How he is always with them. When they are tired he can carry them. When they struggle he can help them overcome. They told them about his grace and how he forgives them for their mistakes. They even told them about who they are in him. That no matter what happens in this world, they are his children and they are loved and cherished by him. He even gave his one and only son to them and let him die on a cross to show how much he loved them. ”

“I wish I would’ve heard about God a lot sooner in my life. Maybe I wouldn’t have made a lot of the mistakes I did. I would’ve known that I didn’t have to live with those mistakes. I could live guilt and shame free and be forgiven.”

“I will also tell you God has a plan for me, and for you. Even in times of struggle, stay true to Him and His promises. Some of the hardest times in my life turned out to be blessings. I learned so much about who I am when I had to leave one shell for another. The moments when I was vulnerable and felt unprotected. The times when the shell didn’t fit just right but I had to hold on and wait for a better day. Those are the the times I remember the most.”

“Now that I have told you about what I know about God will you go tell your friends. Let’s learn more about Him together. Let’s go treat others like we want to be treated. It’ll be hard and some will reject what we have to say but we have to stay steadfast. Stay true my friend, stay true.”

Save Me by Jason Lancaster –

Everything Comes Alive by We Are The Messengers –

Say The Word by Hillsong United –

Thy Will by Hillary Scott –

Greater Is He by Blanca –

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson –

The God I Know by Love and the Outcome –

Live It Well by Switchfoot –

Blessings by Laura Story –

Adewemimo the White Throated Guenon

On July 5, 2016July 5, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Daughter of God, God, Grace Gardens, Missionaries, music3 Comments

“Hi there. I am glad you found me. I’m not as easy to find as I used to be. I know the Guinean Forests aren’t an easy place to get around. Trust me, I know. Living in trees when the trees disappear because of deforestation is hard. Luckily, my family and I are in a protected area now but I worry too much damage has been done. Did you know at one time we were considered extinct? Then someone found a few of us that remained and here we are.”

“What’s that? You like my fur. Thank you, but unfortunately so did many humans. That is another reason why we are almost extinct. People hunt us for our unique red belly and white front legs. I am hoping we can make a come back and be removed off the endangered species list.”

“Oh my dear, don’t cry. I feel more sorry for the female humans than I do for us. We are animals, but you are humans. I have seen some bad things from up in my tree. Things I would never want done to any of my species. I have also seen hope and grace.”

“I have seen young girls sell themselves to make money. I have seen women kidnapped and forced to marry men they don’t know. I have seen children born into the most terrible situations. I have seen many women crying and at the edge of desperation. They don’t know what I know but I am going to tell you. It’s something that has been told for thousands of years but not all are allowed to hear it.”

“How did I hear of this great news? One day I was foraging for fruit and this woman saw me. She said hello and I said hello back. She said her name was Missy and she was from this place called The United States. I told her my name is Adewemimo, which means the crown washed me clean. Missy said that was a beautiful name and started to tell me about this man named Jesus.”

“I wasn’t for sure I wanted to know since it was about a man and the only thing I knew about man was no good. They nearly killed all my kind and I have seen how they treat human women as possessions but I listened anyway.”

“This man wasn’t like any man I had known. Missy told me how compassionate and loving this man was. How much he loved me and everyone, especially you. She told me how gentle he was and how he died for us. His death covered our sins, washed them white as snow. ”

“Hey, I told her that’s like my name. The crown washed me clean. I really liked that.”

“I asked her why she was here in Nigeria. She told me about this place her and her husband, John, started called Grace Gardens.”

At Grace Gardens the women are taught about God’s love and how valued they are. They are taught that they are not worthless and that they are loved so much by God. They are taught how God sent his son Jesus to die for us. That he forgives us for all our mistakes and sins and that they are not their past. They are treasured and are the daughter of the King.

(image credit David Bowman)

“I was mesmerized. I wanted to know more about this man. He was not like any other man I had known. Missy would visit me often and tell me more. When she wasn’t with me I would go to Grace Gardens and check it out myself. I was amazed at the difference in these women’s lives. The women I saw not too long ago in despair were now smiling and laughing. They were learning how to read and write and were being taught vocational skills. They were given advice and prayed for.”

“Unfortunately, not all women stay. Some leave because they do not think they can overcome the way they live. They can’t comprehend how much Jesus loves them.”

“Their situation, like mine and many other animals like us that are endangered , can be changed. Mine can be changed if people stop hunting us and see the value we have to the environment. If they give us a chance to live, we can rebound our population.”

“The women’s lives can be changed If they can learn about Jesus and believe in Jesus and his love for them and that they are a daughter of the King. If they give Jesus a chance and welcome him into their hearts they can see how valuable they are.”

“They can not do that if there are not people like Missy and John and their children that share the love of Jesus with these women. Missionaries are needed around the world. They need your help.”

“Will you help me spread the word about these women who are in need of God’s love? There are women like this all over the world, not just here in Nigeria. Will you help donate to Grace Gardens so they can purchase a bigger safe house for women to stay. The need is great and they want to accept everyone that comes to them.”

“Thank you for visiting me. Thank you for helping and remember God loves you.”

http://servinginnigeria.com/ email: johncamiola@gmail.com

Grace Gardens –

Nansik, Grace Gardens –

Call It Grace by Unspoken –

Grace Wins by Matthew West –

You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim –

Learning To Be Found by Jason Gray –

This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham –

Amazing Grace by Joey & Rory –

I Was Going To Change The World

On June 27, 2016June 24, 2016 By roberthansen1317In change the world, Christian life, My Posts8 Comments

I always thought I would change the world. Then I looked at the world and said good luck Rob.

When I look back on who I was and who I am I can honestly say I don’t think the world has changed me. At times it did. At times I was completely different than the person I knew was. I let external circumstances affect the internal me. If I were to count I would have to say those times I could count on one hand. God has changed me a lot more than this world ever could.

If you knew me when I was fifteen or now, at the ripe old age of forty five, I think you would say I am the same. Not all of that is good. I don’t talk much. I keep my thoughts to myself. Not much bothers me. Some would call it emotionally detached but I call it life goes on. Does that make me a bad person ? I don’t think so. Do people often think I don’t care or I am self centered ? I bet they do, but that’s not the case.

I don’t have a “Facebook ” life or a perfect marriage. It’s not all sunshine and roses. Sometimes it’s thunderstorms and thorns. I am being more vulnerable that I ever have and it’s scary. I know God is with me every step. It makes me braver. It doesn’t matter if people approve of me or what I write. I try to please one person only and since He gives me the words I only hope they come out as He intended. I honestly don’t know how or why some of the thoughts I get pop into my head, often at the weirdest times.

A little over a year ago I felt God push me to start this blog. After many no’s from me and many yes’s from God, I started to write. One thing that I found when I was looking how to get followers was to be consistent in your theme. Consistent is one thing my brain doesn’t follow. Yes, I talk about God , life and music – but I am all over the place.

Whatever God puts in my head or on my heart.

So maybe I haven’t changed the world. But I haven’t let the world change me either. Maybe, just maybe, God has taken these words and changed one of you. Made you see things differently. Made you think if God can do this for him then maybe He can do that for me.

If I helped change one person then that is enough. Because maybe that one person can change one person who can change one person and when it is all said and done,

WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD TOGETHER.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to keep this open in your browser all week so you don’t forget me. 🙂

I won’t be posting anything else this week to spend time with the family and disconnect from the world.

Here are a few of my posts over the last year plus a month. If you are a new follower and missed the old posts, feel free to click on whatever catches your eye. Maybe some followers that have been with me for awhile would just like to revisit some that touched you before. This isn’t all my posts.

Have a good week. Will post again Friday with some new music.

I have had talks with God. God I am tired Thank You God God, We Need To Talk Dear God, Are You Hearing My Prayers? Dear God, We Are Worth Saving Thanks God, But No Thanks

I have talked about my life. I’m an introvert What I Learned Last Week The Older I Get Date Night Today Was A Good Day My Hometown Kayhla’s Wedding Kylie’s Baptism 23 Days Down, 59 Days To Go Happy 10 Year anniversary to my wife

I have talked about my dad and those that have passed before us. Memorial Day Happy Father’s Day In Memory of My Father – Two Years Today The Drummer For Those Of Us Left Behind

I have talked of the importance of being a good father and what a good father we have in God Move With Me Now- from the Loop Thank You Mo Willems I Am With You Daughter Daughters Date Night It’s All About Me – A Child’s Version Imperfect Father, Imperfect Daughter, Perfect Love

I have talked about running. My Running Steps of Faith The Ups and Downs of Training a 9/10 Year Old- and my spiritual life Learning From Disappointments Learning From Disappointments Part 2 – from my wife Kim, NYC Marathon runner The Boston Marathon- The Race Cap City Half Marathon – USA National Championships

I have tackled bullying and people with disabilities. Let Me Win, But If I Can’t Win Who You Are When You Look In The Mirror

I’ve beat on the government for the crap they allow in our foods and I’ve posted some fitness thoughts to combat the crap. My Interview With The FDA Where Are You? Temple Fit Tip of the Week 10/1 Temple Fit Tip Of The Week 10/8 Temple Fit Tip Of The Week 10/15 Temple Fit Tip Of The Week 10/28 Temple Fit Tip – Show Up Everyday Do You Stress About The Number On The Scale?

I have told stories. The Maze The Funhouse of Mirrors The Haunted House Ungrateful The Turkey The Story Of A Snowflake The Ornament The Christmas Tree The Widow The Pebble The First Bud Of Spring- A Love Story I Could Believe In God – A Story Rodney The Raccoon – Inside The Mask I Didn’t Like You Let Me Fail

I have wrote poems. When Words Fail I Am Only Words Now That I Know The Words Thunder In My Heart If It’s Only An Hour No Clue If I Were An Island I Can’t Even Put It In A Song Random Thoughts In A Poem Gave You My Heart Why Not Mine? Pen To Paper I Know What It’s Like What Version Of Me The Mask Standing In The Fire

I have wrote song lyrics, or maybe they are just poems. Some of them I can hear in my head. I can hear the music. God just didn’t give me the ability to get out what’s in my head to make it a reality. I believe in God and His plan and I believe one day He will have someone cross my path that will write the music. Maybe someone already has but they are too afraid to get the music out of their head. Don’t be afraid. This Disease Don’t Be Afraid I’m Not Superman Living In Sin This Chapter Graduation Song Hitchcock Movies Bruises And Scars Let Me See Her Patching Walls and Scrubbing Floors

I’ve had some just totally random thoughts and posts just to clear my head. Rants and Raves What Has Happened? Random Thoughts In A Poem I Was Thinking… The Music Never Dies Cinderella and Forgiveness I’m Getting A Divorce GPS Are You Ready For Some Football? Record Companies, The Voice, & American Idol

I have wrote about my every day life and how what I see can relate to God. What if it’s EVERYTHING What I Learned Last Week My Ride – It’s A Beautiful World Running With Sin I Have A Friend How Trees Are Like People Expecting A Harvest

I have written about the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful parts of being married or in a relationship. You can read all of those in the posts above and on other posts I have not listed if you check out my site.

I have tried to share the love of music each Friday. You can check all those posts out if you would like. I am sure there are a lot of musicians you have never heard of.