what's keith READING?

LIFE. . . . . Psalm 39:4 Life is short no matter how long we live.  If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day.  Ask yourself, "If I had only six months to live, what would I do?"  Tell someone that you love him or her?  Deal with an undisciplined area in your life?  Tell someone about Jesus?  Life is short--don't neglect what is truly important. 

what does keith RECITE EVERY SINGLE DAY?

what's keith READING?

REVENGE. . . . . Psalm 7:1-6 Have you ever been falsely accused or badly hurt and wanted revenge?  David wrote this psalm in response to the slanderous accusations of those who claimed he was trying to kill King Saul and seize the throne (1 Samuel 24:9-11).  Instead of seeking revenge, David cried out to God for justice.  The proper response to slander is prayer, not revenge.  God says, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it" (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35-36).  Instead of striking back, ask God to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation.

what's keith's GO TO STORE?

Since I had my run in at Walgreen's and Target, I've had to shop at other stores.  I now frequent CVS on 31 Light Street for my every day needs from CVS-brand disposable enemas and twin blade razors to Q-tips adn Essence of Beauty body sponges.  I just wish I had come across this store sooner.  CVS is the home of all of my prescriptions and I'm always greeted with great customer service at the pharmacy counter.  I also have a CVS ExtraCare card and use it every time I check out.  Being an ExtraCare card owner, I always receive great discounts and offers on my receipt.  CVS also sends me great offers via email and get this--I can send those offers straight to my card, so there's no need to print any coupons.  Plus I can't forget to mention the ExtraCare Beauty Club.  For every $50 I spend in beauty products, I get $5 in ExtraCare bucks.  In other words, I get $5 to use in their store on whatever I want.  I have to say that the only downside to the Light Street location is that they seem to always run out of shopping bags plus they don't seem to always have the products I need.  Sometimes I have to walk to the CVS East Harbor location on 630 Exeter Street to avoid those problems. 

what's keith READING?

ARGUING WITH GOD. . . . . Job 40:2-5 In what ways do you argue with the Almighty?  Do you demand answers when things don't go your way, when you get cut from a team, when someone close to you is ill or dies, when money is tight, when you fail, or when unexpected changes occur?  The next time you are tempted to complain to God, consider how much he loves you and remember Job's reaction when he had his chance to speak.  Are you worse off than Job, or more righteous?  Give God a chance to reveal his greater purposes for you, but remember that they may unfold over the course of your life and not at any given moment. 

what's keith READING?

COVER UP. . . . . Job 31:33-34  Job declared that he did not try to hide his sin as people normally do.  The fear that our sins will be discovered leads us to patterns of deception.  We cover up the lies so that we will appear good to others.  But we cannot hide from God.  Do you try to keep people from seeing the real you?  Acknowledge your sins and free yourself to receive forgiveness and a new life.

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

"I'm me and that's all I can be."

what's keith READING?

Job  The first question most children learn to ask is why.  It doesn't take long for kids to notice that things don't just happen.  There's a system.  The system is called cause and effect.  When kids ask why, they are trying to figure out the system.

Sometimes, though, we don't know why.  We think that good things should happen to people who do good things, and that bad things should happen to people who do bad things.  It often works out that way--but not always.  Job was a man who did many good things and had many terrible things happen to him.  His life can teach us what God wants us to do when we don't understand what is happening to us.

When the question why becomes important, we can use the letters of that word to remind us of Job's lessons.  We need to wait, hope, and yield. 

Waiting is hard.  Our "instant" age has taught us to expect answers and help fast.  Job wanted to know why.  When God finally spoke, he didn't offer Job an answer.  he showed Job that it is better to know God than to know answers.

That's why hope is important.  When we remember that God loves us, that he has good plans for us, and that he is more powerful than any situation we might encounter, we have hope.  Hope means we trust God even if we never find out why something happened.

Yielding means wanting to do whatever God wants.  It means praying like this: "God, I'm willing to wait and hope, because you are my God."  Are there some areas in your life that need this prayer?

what's keith READING?

SHOWERED. . . . . Nehemiah 9:35-36 Sometimes the very blessings God has showered on us make us forget him.  We often are tempted to rely on money for security rather than on God.  As you see what happened to the Israelites, look at your own life.  Do your blessings make you thankful to God and draw you closer to him or do they make you feel independent and forgetful of God?

what's keith WATCHING ON TRUTV?

how are keith's RELATIONS?

It was a year ago that I first laid eyes on Richard "Rick" Hunt and we've come a pretty long way.  For the longest time, I really didn't know just what to write.  Like any relationships, ours come with its share of ups and downs, and like any human being, Rick has his flaws and all.  But for this post, I'm not going to focus on the negative.  If it wasn't for Rick I would still be residing at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Housing & Resource Center.  In fact, I haven't signed in for a bed there in over six months.  Rick has been so hospitable and generous to me and I can truly say that I've never been treated better.  He never asks me for a dime and is always willing to give when I ask him for anything.  In conclusion, all relationships are either for a season or for a lifetime.  This one is only temporary, a season if you will.  I really love him but I don't really see a future in our intimate relationship.  I will say that I know that God put him in my life for a reason and I'm pretty sure he will always be a part of my life no matter what.

Now let's talk about another kind of relationship, a friendship if you will.  I kind of cut things off with Charles "New York" Johnson.  I haven't had a conversation with him in about two months and have only seen him once since that time.  In fact, I thinks he has even gotten arrested since that time as well.  New York has been in and out of jail for almost half of his life and I highly believe that he will ultimately go back to jail for a reasonable amount of time within the next two years.  Just take a look at this Sex Offender Registry.  Now I'm quite sure he's not up to sexual offenses but he is up to some of the same habits that landed him in jail--drug possession with intent to sell.  Old habits die hard and he's simply hanging around the wrong people.  Now I'll close with the notion that he's only made one attempt to contact me in over two months, so I guess the feelings are mutual.  He manages his own Social Security income and he's got a new fiance, so I wish him all the best. 

what's keith WATCHING?

what's keith WATCHING ON ENCORE ON DEMAND?

4/5

It's no wonder why Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his performance in this film and it's no wonder why I love it so.  Tom Hanks plays Andrew Beckett, fighting for not only his life due to his AIDS diagnosis but also the injustice of his termination from a prestigious law firm due to his illness.  Powerful, thought-provoking, and tremendously insightful as to the prejudices and discrimination of not only individuals dying of AIDS at the time but also homosexuals.  As you know, I have the best of both worlds and it's unfortunate that this negative stigma still lies in society today.  Now I'm quite sure that this stigma will ultimately exist until a cure is found, yet it's films such as this one that gives us awareness of just how we treat those who are indifferent, disabled or terminally ill.

what's keith WATCHING ON SHOWTIME ON DEMAND?

what's keith READING?

ATTITUDE CHECK. . . . . 2 Chronicles 26:16  After God gave Uzziah great blessings and power, he became proud and corrupt.  It is true that "pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).  If God has given you money, influence, popularity, and power, be thankful and careful.  God hates pride.  Check your attitudes and remember to give God the credit for what you have.  Use your gifts in ways that please him.

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

who's calling keith LATE AT NIGHT?

Teon dropped a few text messages my way late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning of last week.  It was pretty much our usual conversation like "how are you doing, how's the family?"  That is until he asked if I was in a relationship.  I texted back, "No, I'm single." (Lie.)  So a minute later he actually gave my phone a ring.  This time I couldn't just send him to voicemail, so I answered his call.  We talked for a good 20 minutes teasing each other like we used to do about our TV show choices and the like.  He also asked me if I was working and I told him that I was working at Stop Shop & Save.  (Another lie.)  Before we ended our conversation, he proposed that we go out for lunch and I gladly agreed.  I still can't believe that I actually spoke to him.  As you know it has been almost a year and a half since I've done so.  But can someone answer this one question for me.  Why do I continue to lie?  I guess I'm trying to make myself look available so that he would have all the more reason to make advances at me.  Poor Rick.  He just doesn't know that I'm still not over Teon. 

what's keith READING?

ASK E. JEAN

*ALMOST AS GOOD AS IT GETS

DEAR E. JEAN:  I've met the man of my dreams.  He's incredibly gorgeous, and we have amazing, mind-blowing sex nightly--and usually daily as well.  He's kind, morally upstanding, open-minded, and accepting, without a cynical or jaded bone in his body.  He's a hard worker, generous (he paid my rent when I was in a car wreck and couldn't work), and is always there for my friends and family.  On top of everything, he's funny and fun to be with, and I have zero doubt he'll be nothing short of an amazing husband and father.  However, there's one problem: He's dumb.

He can hold a fairly intelligent conversation and reads good books, though how much he understands is up for debate.  My last boyfriend was supersmart, and I found him intellectually stimulating, yet he was a raging asshole with a huge ego and a penchant for screwing anything that moved (particularly 18-year-old women, even though he's 35!)  While my new boyfriend challenges me to be a better person, he doesn't challenge me intellectually the way my es did.  Should I hold out for someone wit more brains?

--Too Dense to Love

Sounds like someone I'm dating minus the "mind blowing sex". 

DENSE, DEAR MORON:  Wait.  Let Auntie Eeee get this straight: You think that a chap who's morally upstanding, open-minded, accepting, hardworking, funny, generous, uncynical, unjaded, loving to your friends, fun to be with, and pays your rent when you're in a car accident is. . . "dumb"?  And you're asking if you should "hold out" for "more brains"?

No.  What you need is a guide, Miss Dense.  Here are your 7 Rules for Picking a Smart Boyfriend:

1.  A "gorgeous" boyfriend is better than an ugly boyfriend.

2.  A "kind" boyfriend is better than a "raging asshole".

3.  A boyfriend who'll be an "amazing" father is better than a boyfriend with a "penchant for screwing" teenagers. 

4.  A boyfriend who likes life is better than a boyfriend who likes books.

5.  A boyfriend who makes you laugh is better than a boyfriend who make you cry.

6.  A boyfriend with a balanced ego is better than a boyfriend with a "huge ego".

7.  A boyfriend who bonks you nightly--and daily--with "mind blowing" mastery is. . . a genius.

Smarten up, Dense, old girl.  True love is worth all the brains in the world.

I'd also be a fool not to mention how great Selena Gomez looks in this issue of Elle.  Utter perfection.  I did not know Selena has attained so many accolades in such a short time.  Kudos to her from a new fan.  

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

what's keith EATING?



what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?



what's keith READING?

BATTLES . . . . . 2 Chronicles 20:15 As the enemy bore down on Judah, God spoke through Jahaziel: "Do not be afraid!  Don't be discouraged. . . for the battle is not yours but God's."  We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and "those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world"(Ephesians 6:12) who want us to rebel against God.  We must remember that, as believers, we have God's Spirit in us.  If we ask for God's help when we face struggles, he will fight for us.  And God always triumphs.

How do we let God fight for us?  (1)By realizing the battle is not ours, but God's; (2)by recognizing human limitations and allowing God's strength and power to work through our fears and weaknesses; (3)by making sure our battle is for God and not just our own selfish desires; and (4)by asking God for help.

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?

what's keith READING?

SPRING INTO WAR . . . . .
1 Chronicles 20:1 Why was spring the season when wars usually began?  During the winter, opposing kings plotted and planned future conquests.  Then, when the fair weather permitted it, their pent-up rage and energy broke forth into war.  Look for the "springs" in your life, the times when you are most sensitive to the conflicts around you.  Then determine to diffuse them by confessing your fear, bitterness, and anger to God, allowing him to heal them.

what's keith USING?

"Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner is the first acne toner designed to reduce breakouts in just hours, plus fade the look of post-acne marks for clearer, more even-toned skin.

The refreshingly clean formula dissolves away oil as Microclear technology speeds acne-fighting medicine deep into pores to reduce pimple size, swelling and redness in under 8 hours.  It speeds surface skin cell exfoliation to help fade the look of post-acne marks."

Why I Like It:  Because it not only removes any impurities from my skin but also fades post acne marks.  I've been using it for about three months applying it with a CVS cotton round and I have to say that I've noticed slightly a more even skin tone.  One caveat though--it can be quite drying to my skin at times.  However, a huge improvement from the  Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Gel. 

what's keith WATCHING ON HBO ON DEMAND?

4.5/5

In a world where it seems like the nice guys always finish last, I for one knows how hard it is to stay true to your own morals and provide a positive light for those around you.  Just Wright reinforces the notion that if I stick in there, good things will happen.  I've been with Rick for over a year now and to be honest, I don't think I've found Mr. Wright just yet.  He's more like Mr. Wright-Now.  And Rick just might be preparing me for him.  Now don't get me wrong, I love Rick and I'm not ruling him out of the equation just yet but I just know that Mr. Wright will only come when I truly get myself wright first.  And I don't think I'm there yet.  True talk. 

what's keith READING?

REPUTATION. . . . . 1 Chronicles 2:3  This long genealogy not only lists names, but also gives us insights into some of the people.  Here, almost as an epitaph, the genealogy states that Er "was a wicked man, so the Lord killed him."  Now, centuries later, this is all we know of the man.  Each of us is forging a reputation, developing personal qualities by which we will be remembered.  How would God summarize your life up to now?  Some defiantly claim that  how they live is their own business, but Scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God.  What you do now does matter.

How Will You Be Remembered by Mike Winans

what's keith WATCHING ON SHOWTIME ON DEMAND?



5/5

I won't deny that I've heard quite a bit about the thousands of female homicides in Ciudad Juarez but it didn't quite touch my heart until I saw this wonderful movie.  Jennifer Lopez gives an outstanding performance as she enlightens and educates the world about this problema.  A must see for anyone with blood flowing though his veins.  

what's on keith's MUSIC PLAYLIST?