We go about our lives trying to achieve. Nothing is wrong with that. Some strive to become an astronaut while other may choose the path to becoming a doctor. Some just want to get rich and have something to show for it. But once you achieve that, what next?What is it worth if you don't have anyone to share that with. Do you have Something Worth Living For?
I have someone worth living for. Yes I have my family whom I love dearly. You will love them unconditionally. But what is most special is when that special someone, that angel from God, comes in to your life. That is a person who becomes your everything, your all.
They are Something Worth Living For! How will you know? You just know because you see it, you feel it! And when you find that Someone To Love, don't ever give up!
"Something Worth Living For" followed by "Someone to Love" by Shayne Ward
Although you are not near me, I still can feel you. I imagine your sweet embrace; your arms holding me close and reminding me that you are still here. My love for you will never leave. It will not fade, it will not diminish.
I imagine each of your kisses as a promise; a promise we both make to be true, devoted, and to love unconditionally. A promise that our lives and souls will always be intertwined and committed as one!
Without you, I feel lost. You bring the spark to my life. You motivate me to be better, to be strong, not just for myself but for us! You are the one my heart wants to spend my life with. You make my life worth living. Will you live this dream with me again?
I invest my love, my emotion, all that I am to you! I offer gifts from my heart. I offer my devotion and fidelity to you! Will you accept it?
Although there is still some hurt that is felt, I too feel the guilt of my actions weighing down on my shoulders. It's not a matter of necessity, but a desire to share my future and life's precious moments with you.
But today, I am left on my own. This time will help bring things to focus. If this is what will help bring us closer and mend our love, then it is what needs to be done. As you've said before, we need to go through the storm if we want to see the rainbow.
Now is that storm. I will wage through it with you. I will be strong and patient for you..for me...for us! And when the storm passes, we will be able to experience again the joys that God has brought for us.
I have seen you grow. I have seen your new found strength! I have seen the efforts that you have made to give it another try, and I am grateful. They do not go unnoticed. I thank you for the gift of your love that you have given me. I pray that it will be a gift that we continue to give each other throughout our lifetime.
But until that time, we will be on our own. Each day without you, I will dream that you are beside me. Each day I want to talk or see you, I will look upon our pictures; they paint a thousand words each. Each picture will tell me a story.
But remember that you are strong. You have overcome some of those obstacles. Please, "Don't Stop Beleiving...hold on to that feeling"!
For some, today is an excuse to fire up the grill and cook some burgers or steak. For others, it's a unofficial start to the summer season. Another few are thankful they don't have to work. But what they forget is the reason why we celebrate Memorial Day! It's a day for us to honor those who have served their country. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have many of the freedoms we have today. Although there are still many freedoms that I am not entitled because of my sexuality, these individuals have made the ultimate sacrifice so that I may live another day. I pray that God blesses the families of all those who have lost a loved one. Let us not forget.....
Yesterday Mark and I were going to play tennis, but RJ didn't notify us in time so I was late. We all hung out at Starbucks and Panda Express for a little while then RJ had to leave to get ready for work. Mark and I were going to meet up with his co-worker Venus for some dinner but she had to work later. So what did Mark and I decide to do, go to The Getty Museum and have dinner ourselves. Although these aren't all of the pics, just a quick highlight. More to come when Mark gets his pics up.
Over this past weekend, Mark and I have eaten at places that give out fortune cookies (ie Panda Express, Mayflower Seafood Restaurant). Here are some of the fortunes we've gotten:
From Panda Express
"Be daring, try something new"
"You thrive on adventure, try something new"
Okay really? Mark said if they really started running out of things to write. LOL
From Mayflower
"An old friend will introduce you to new people and pleasures"
Ever since I was introduced to the game Scramble, myself, Mark, and Vy have struggled to try and beat Mark. Among the 3 of us, he is the reining champion, Vy a very close 2nd, and myself a distant 3rd. Boo! But with the recent update to the game, you can actually "challenge" your friends to the same board.
I don't know how many times I have challenged Mark, and he usually wins me by a landslide. But the tides have turned....even if just for one game. LOL! I won a game by 1 point! 1 whopping whole point!
Goodness gracious! Although it wasn't by much, the fact is I won. I will always remember that moment. LOL
This past Friday was a very chill day for Mark and I. We did a little window shopping at the Glendale Galleria, hung out at the Barnes and Noble Starbucks cafe where we read some books, and magazines. And Mark treated me to a pleasant dinner at one of our favorite eating establishments Mimi's Cafe. We love the service and the food there. That's why we always keep coming back for more!
After we were stuffed, we spent the rest of the night at the local Starbucks because we can get wi-fi there and watched the pilot of a new FOX show called Glee. If you don't know what Glee is, think back to high school. You can think of it as choir class, or a club of individuals who have a passion for singing. After watching it, I fell in love with it. Mark gave me the two songs "Don't Stop Beleiving", and "Rehab". They are great renditions!
I'm excited when the season starts this fall!
Thanks bebe for a wonderful Friday night! I look forward to spending more nights like this! Truly memorable!
There are many iPhone applications out there. Many of them are for free and we all love those ones for sure. But with all of the apps out there, it really is hard to sift through all the shovelware, and to find those gems. And if they are free, even better! A recent discovery (thanks Mark) is the app Scramble.
In short, Scramble requires you to truly utilize your brainpower and tap in to that mental dictionary. If you have ever played Word Racer on Yahoo!, you’ve played Scramble. It’s an addictive game and requires you to think quick.
I was introduced to this game and I was hooked. Grant I’m not that good, but I do strive to continue to beat Mark’s reigning high score. I also recently exposed my good friend Vy to the game, and she is an addict.
If you want a game to play while you are waiting in line or to help pass the time, this is the application for you. I highly recommend this application. Get it....today!
Today is my anniversary. What?! Anniversary for what you ask? My anniversary with CIGNA Health Solutions you silly. I can still remember the first time I ever heard about CIGNA. It was the insurance company that my dad had through the state. It's been awhile since I heard the company and actually thought they weren't in business anymore.
I was soon reintroduced to CIGNA when Mark and I got lost trying to find the 24 Hour Fitness one day and pulling up to the parking structure of the CIGNA building. And two years ago, I was looking to find a new job and found this position. It was a call center position which I wasn't familiar with. And oddly enough when I got the interview, I wasn't extended the position. But fate has a way of catching up to you. A week after I was declined the position, I was called back and offered the position.
Funny how things work themselves out. And how much more sweeter is it to show someone who didn't see your potential, but then when given the chance, completely exceed their expectations over and over again.
Although the book Angels and Demons is a prequel to The Da Vinci Code, this movie came afterwards. Dan Brown's novel explores the relationship between religion and science. If you like conspiracy theories, his books will get your mind thinking and to question the reality around you. Is what you know the real truth, or has the truth been kept secret, or altered in someone.
Angels and Demons is exactly that. Just like it's predecessor, this movie will keep you on your toes and if you haven't read the book, it will inspire you to do so. I truly recommend this movie!
Here are some pictures that Mark and I took before. He did his magic and created these awesome pieces of art. He's great at what he does! I'm glad that others have come to appreciate his works as much as I have! Love 'em!
Here is Don, RJ, Mark, and I at Barnes and Noble at the Starbucks Cafe after watching the movie.
Over the weekend, I wanted to take Mark to do something daring, dashing, and exhilarating; something that we've never done before. I took him to the OC Great Park to go ride the helium balloon. But sadly, when we got there they weren't operating the balloon. Oh darn! But we still took it as an opportunity to be our goofy selves. Check out the pictures. We hope to bring our friends here!
I like my name. It's unique. If you know me, you can be happy to say that I am probably the only Ervin that you know. But with a name that is as "unique" as mine, sometimes people don't know how to spell it. And even when you spell it to them, they get it wrong. Or they think you say something else like Edwin, Irvwin, Irvine, Mervyn, Irving....you get the idea. But this past Saturday I got called a name I haven't heard in awhile.
"I got an order for Reuben...". I should just seriously be like that episode in Friends and have a coffee name.
Here is a little background about my name from mybaby-name.com:
Ervin Name Meaning and Ervin Origin
The Name Ervin is a boy's name. The origin of the baby name Ervin isEnglish with the meaning(s) depending on Gender/Origin being English- Boar friend, Green river, Friend of the sea.
They say that Disney World is the happiest place on Earth. So with that knowledge I pose the quesiton, what about Disneyland? Is it the 2nd happiest place on Earth, and what about the other Disney resorts around the world, and importantly, Downtown Disney? No matter what title you will want to give Downtown Disney, one thing for sure is that it will be always fun.
Mark and I went to Downtown Disney on Friday where we also watched Star Trek. We stopped by the Lego store and checked out the massive Build-a-Bear Workshop there. Additionally, we stopped by the World of Disney store and had a little fun there. Oh, and it wouldn't be complete if we didn't try some of the Po Boy Sandwhiches. Very delicious!
Whether you make it a stop on your adventures at Disneyland or California Adventure, or just stop by to hang out, it will always be filled with good memories guaranteed!
This is captain's log 1024. This is a review of the adventures of the USS Enterprise. The re-envisioned Star Trek by J.J. Abrams was a work of art. Mark and I watched Star Trek this past Friday at Downtown Disney. I loved the special effects. They weren't too over the top and weren't the basis of the movie. Meaning, it's not the meat of the movie.
I wasn't too much of a fan of the original Star Trek series. I liked more of the Star Trek: The Next Generation and on series. But it was a great movie. The newer Star Trek movies were awesome too! But compared to those, this one is the best! A nice come back after watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Go watch Star Trek! I wouldn't mind seeing it again in the theater. Look forward to it on DVD!
A hobby of mine and Mark's is fish tanks. Over the past few years, we have really gotten in to taking and decorating our fish tanks. I'm jealous to say that his is WAY better than mine. Yesterday he showed me some aquarium setups of others around the world. I've provided some of the ones that really stood out or are my favorites.
Enjoy! And Mark and I will one of these days have an aquarium like one of these!
Today's devotion is adapted from a recent post on Pastor Greg's blog. To read his latest blog entry, click here.
There are times when we don't really know what or how to pray.
Maybe you are overwhelmed by a burden. You find yourself discouraged, depressed, and overwhelmed. It is at that point that the Holy Spirit will help you.
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a "comforter." In John 14:16, He said, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever" (KJV).
The Comforter
We have lost the meaning of the word "comforter." It comes from the Greek word Paracletos, which means "called alongside to help," a helper, aide, or assistant.
Some versions translate Paracletos as the word "advocate," which is applied to Jesus in 1 John 2:1: "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous."
The purpose of an advocate is to plead the cause of another, an intercessor. This is part of the work that the Holy Spirit has come to do in your life.
Sometimes a sigh will do
Why? Because we don't always have to put words to our prayers.
Here's the good news–sometimes just a sigh or groan will do. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.
Trust me, I have done this many times, especially recently. I don't know what to say, or how to say it. I just know that I am in pain, so I sigh, I groan, and sometimes I cry.
That's where the Holy Spirit comes in. As Romans 8:26-27 tells us, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
Have Pastor Greg's devotions blessed you? Write and tell him! Greg@harvest.org
Want to read more from Greg Laurie? Be sure to check out his weekly columns at World Net Daily. Click here to read his latest article.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000
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