Making Money Online!

(please excuse the Title of this post. I've seen oh so many titles like these that I had to parody it)

If only this blog were to tell you HOW to make money online, it'd be much more useful to read, but alas, I'm only here to write about how I'm hoping to make money online, not (yet) teaching anyone how to do it...

I hear, from researching and reading up on things that there is no easy way about it. Sure there are little things here and there you can do that can make pennies, but i'm not here for pennies, I'm here for income streams.

An E-Book, for example, would be a STREAM of income that would be nice to have. What I am learning about these not-so-little endeavors is that they will take time to make, time to market, and time to finish. Worth it? Sure! Time muncher? Definitely.

So in the spirit of realness, I decided to tell you why I haven't been on here in a little while, and that is simply because there is a LOT out there that you can get caught up in reading about, researching, obsessing over. Simply learning how to do this blogging thing "right" can get time-consuming.

And I've realized this option (online income) can actually provide more freedom than say some of the 9-5's out there that some people feel trapped in. SO, I will try and be faithful and continue on here, writing about what is up. I have been told I should "monetize" this blog at some point, but in my mind, this blog stands for Truth with a capital T, and nothing else. Should I "taint" it, it better be for a worthy cause (maybe one day a worthwhile E-Book by yours truly! ;) But right now, everything is free and easy baby!

I will probably write later on my "moral" dillema on WHY it is so hard to make money online for Christians who do not desire to compromise their duty to be honest and forthright with others. It seems 99% of the money that is being made independently online has to do with swindling people, rather than honestly offering someone something that is WORTH what they are willing to pay for...yeesh. Again, I'll have to rant on that later haha

I'll update you all as things progress and as I learn more about all this "internet businessery"!

A Colorless World

don't ask me why, or what spurred this, but for some reason, I am seeing so much beauty around me. Don't get me wrong, I have loved and thanked Him for blessings, but I'm not referring to things that He has specifically given to me. I walked outside last night, it was like 65 degrees around dusk, and all the sudden a sweeping of the beauty of nature came over me. It may be corny, and I can't tell you why, like I said, but a calming and sweet peace from God came over me, and I marveled at His creation.

The birds, the trees, the grass, the temperature, all of it seemed more glorious than ever. It was a surreal moment.

I believe I am falling more in love with Him. No, scratch that, what am I saying, I AM falling more in love with Him. I just want to thank Him for the beauty of all He has created, the beauty of women (both inside and out), the brotherly love of man, the sweetness and innocence of children, the companionship of my dog.

All of it has a renewed spirit of thanksgiving seeing His glory in them. He is in all things. And I see this ONLY by the Spirit of God, this I know for sure.

And I didn't even ask for this. Haha all I asked for was more of Him, more of His Spirit, and helping me to fall back in love with Jesus Christ. Not for blessings (i.e. "Do this and I will bless you"), no, worshiping Him for Him. Adoration of His Goodness and Glory and Love.

Is this too sappy? Is this too touchy feely? I am sorry if not many people talk this way, but I can say with certainty that this is His loving and gracious way of waking me up to His Beauty. I am actually sorry I have NOT seen things this way in such a long time.

Ah, depression, long have I lived in your colorless world. I did not enjoy it, but because of you, I now greater appreciate the restoration of the color to my life and seeing His radiance in simple things.

I once was colorblind but now I see, the glory of God that surroundeth me.

Blogs Can Be Scary

Alright, I have to admit it, this blog scares me a lil. And I did not know why exactly until the day after my last entry. That day I experienced something that tends to elude me (thankfully) most days. That is the feeling of

Panic


I was taking a nap when I got woken up by my cell phone. It was my friend. I had just told him I was too tired to play ball with him today and that I was sleepy. So I called my bro and asked if he would play for me in my place (since he loves to ball too) and he was thrilled. Anyway, like I said, I woke up from my nap and saw that it was my friend, then it hit me. Yes, like a ton of bricks. An overwhelming PANIC came over me because I had the strange and (seemingly) random notion that he was going to tell me that my brother died in a car accident.

I imagined answering the phone and having to hear about another sibling dying in a car accident. This alarmed me. "What in the world is THIS?" I pleaded with myself to reason with me. But it didn't have to make sense to be a real feeling. I felt real panic...and it freaked me OUT haha.

Maybe I shouldn't laugh, because it is all too familiar, the reality of death that is, but I have to almost laugh at this nonsense. It was not so funny then however. "OH MY GOODNESS IT'S THE BLOG! I am having these thoughts because of the blog!"

Writing about my sister (among other things) I guess opened my heart back up for tragedy. It was fully prepared to receive more tragic news. Then I thought, "He's about to have a baby! Oh, I couldn't DEAL if we lost him! What would Stephanie do? What would I do? I would helplessly watch my nephew suffer! Oh Lord, please don't take my brother now!"

Literally I'm remembering having these thoughts as I am writing, because I guessed I blocked them (gee, wonder why) from my mind.

"So THIS is why men don't share their feelings like women do, because this kinda stuff happens: Paranoia then PANIC," I yelled to my dad, after telling him this story (btw you can thank him for this entry, he told me this is what I should blog about next).

So why am I back? Oh I don't know, I think I just got scared and ran away from my fears. One being EVER having to go through another loved one's death. Two being opening up my wounds will open the flood gates of vulnerability and I could become exposed and hurt.

It is hard to open up about things that hurt. Not just vulnerable things like secrets or insecurities, but real hurts in the heart are hard to open up about...I don't know how to do it, because I've never done it.

And I fully understand why more women have blogs then men. And if that stat is wrong, then I'll try again, more women have blogs about their feelings then men. That's just fact. But it doesn't mean I shouldn't, it just means it is unnatural and harder than I expected.

And I expect to get opened up again like that, some how, some way, I'll panic again. And I guess in a way that is not good, but I want to try to grrrooowww here. Become a MAN. And my definition of a MAN is one who is not afraid of exposing himself, able to be tough, but also vulnerable. Able to be REAL, and not trying to impress all the time. I want to be myself, and that is "Wounded". At least for right now it is, sheesh. We'll see where else this blog takes me.

I'm sorry I left for a while. I'm back now...hopefully.

A Look Into Nathan Prince

I am often put off with getting close to others, sadly, not because of my lack of brotherly love for people, but because I get REALLY insecure about what I could offer, and how I will inevitably fall short of who I want to be, and who people expect me to be.

And yes, I will be exploring tough things like insecurities often, because the less they are acknowledged, to more power they have over you. And if you have not experienced this to be true in your life, in case you have built a "locked safe" around your heart, I challenge you (in love) to begin to explore why we don't do things we want to do, and/or why we do things we know we shouldn't be involved in.

And you could put a general label on it and call it Sin, which wouldn't be innacurate, but again, when you call it out for what it is (say insecurties for example) your awareness of what exactly you may struggle with, helps you cope with the fact that yes, it is there, and no, you aren't a weirdo or cursed for having said burden.

But I wouldn't blanket statement Sin because we write it off as something we're destined to do, when we have the power of the Holy Spirit, given freely to those who put their faith in Christ, to "see if there be any wicked way in us" and offer that up to God. With faith comes trust, and we must trust in Truth (His Word and promises) that He conquers evil, the powers and forces of Darkness, and can revive those who are spiritually dead.

God often reminds me that I should never forget that Christ said with authority that things that are impossible with man, is possible for God. Faith means trusting in His Sovereignty, Overcoming Power, and Endless Love He has on all He has made. Acting on that faith (as James said) is the biggest challenge...and I can write more about what God has shown me on that later.

But as of right now, if you have read this far, I should probably tell you where I am coming from, some of the things I have been through that have flipped my world upside down as I knew it, and why I am seeking to connect with you, if you are interested that is :)

I have experienced forms of grief most of my life. I had ADHD growing up, and it ostrisized me throughout my childhood and I felt like a failure at everything I was "supposed" to be like. I became an introvert from age 11-16 from painful experiences and heart-breaking results from being simply being me (which was the hardest thing). In high school I started experiencing symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, and by 18 I was full blown MA-NIC. I wasn't "insane" or violent or anything, but I was very hard to be around because I was so obnoxious and hyper.

More recently however, and the MOST life-altering thing that ever happened was on August 2nd, 2006 my best friend since childhood, my baby sister, died in a car accident on her way to Gulf Shores in Alabama. She was 19, and I was 21 (almost a junior in college)

Her death was (thankfully) quick and from what I understand painless, because the car was basically demolished.

So I'm going to have to apologize ahead of time if ever you feel uncomfortable with the reality of death, or the sadness of the death of a young woman and a precious soul...but like I said, I have decided to be real, and death is as real as it gets!

I struggled with the immediate feeling of both shock of losing her, and the acceptance of death for a few years, but most surprising to me (and what goes against logic) is that once the shock and acceptance had processed, and after the period of grieving intensely, it got much harder to deal with.

I can reason that you may perhaps be asking yourself, "Really?" After all, haven't we all experienced the truth behind the saying, "Time heals all wounds." And if you lost things you cared about, as very real and sad as that may be (and I fully understand and appreciate), it is just...different when you lose a part of yourself. Didn't realize how MUCH she was a part of me, but it's just this gaping hole that has remained, and the harsh realization that not only has it not gone away, it has disabled my ability to brush things off calously like I used to easily do, to now, where my sheer existence is like I am made of glass.

I picture myself as a vase, which not only is empty and the once beautiful designs that made it unique have worn off. It has been chipped around the edges, and has cracks all throughout its once unbroken structure, and even the slightest bump up against the table it rests on will send it crashing to the ground.

This is not to say that this vase is irrepairable, it is actually impossible to restore an actual broken vase to what it once was. But the Potter that made this vase created it in such a way that only He can pick up the shattered vase lying helplessly and hopelessly broken, and restore it back to the way He originally designed it, and through the compassion He has on it as His prized creation, He makes it even more beautiful and unique than before. It now has a peaceful security in knowing how much care the Potter has for it, and has more joy than ever because while it was shattered on the ground, useless and forgotten, He stooped down and picked up every piece and made it anew.

The display of the love and compassion of the Potter toward His vase in this story shows the beauty of God's grace, and how much compassion and understanding He has on this fragile vase I have become.

You should know that this story just flowed out of me from the Holy Spirit, not myself.

And He is why I write.

Being Real...Authenticity = Connection

I've been watching my mother blog consistently 5 times a week for I believe 2 years now (wow). And I have heard the feedback she gets is that people are craving someone to talk about the hard things that basically NO ONE talks about. I have to admit, she has a style different from my own in unique ways (one being our grief is just "different") but the idea of writing about the tough things she goes through usually on a daily basis makes me wonder...

Do I have anything meaningful or interesting things to say?

It is tough to 1. Be objective toward yourself and 2. To not have doubts that maybe you aren't special, and why would people want to read what you have to say...

But, as my parents have termed those thoughts to be internal "Gremlins" that voice uncertainty and insecurities we all have, I have to learn that no matter what I may be insecure about, there is one thing I know about people, and it's simply this:

People are CRAVING authenticity.
People want to enter someone else's world apart from their own.
People are fascinated with the "inside" scoop as to what makes one "tick" so to speak.

So all doubts of my significance in this interweb world aside, I know myself, and I believe I know what people respond to...someone having the courage to be not only real, but to be vulnerable.

And yes, that is scary.
BUT, I feel like the simple great appeal that I have for authenticity is big enough to "get me out of the way" and share what God is doing, what I am going through, and how I process this crazy and often backward world we live in.

I will go further into what I mean when I say that in another post. And I plan to write on things that I am passionate about (God, Jesus Christ, Souls, Heaven, etc.) and be as real and authentic, so that you know what you see is what you get...I do not want to seek approval from men, but seek to connect with souls on a level that people are often afraid to explore. Again I can go into that more later...

So welcome to the Wonderfully Awkward and Hazy Life of Nathan Prince. Oh I can't resist... "I share because I care." hahaha i'm a nerd as well..

I'm excited to throw caution to the wind and talk about not only the Light in my life, but the Dark that is all too existent as well.

Be blessed and I hope you come back now ya hear?

A Plea...From the Spirit of the Living God

The Spirit He caused to live within us envies intensely. Are we not aware that this is true? Do we not allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin? Have we grown deaf to the Spirit's calling? Or worse, have we become products of our environment instead of products of our God? Is He the one who we desire most in this life, or the next?

If unsure about the significance of these questions, or uncertain how to answer any of them, fearfully, and prayerfully read on. I will not hold back what He is teaching me. I will not stay silent in view of evil snares that are holding my brothers and sisters down.

Satan deserves to be called out for what he is doing. But he would rather he go unnoticed. He loves for humans to underestimate him. He loves convincing God's chosen ones that he is not formidable, or that he is not what the Bible terms, "A roaring lion seeking for someone to devour." So do not dismiss this or merely glance this over. This is life or death, my brothers and sisters. 

I have been in the valley of the shadow of death, but I chose to travel it alone, and I was swallowed up into the pit of darkness and shame. But I tell you, I rejoice, because God has again set my feet upon His rock. He saved me from the pit of evil. I cried out to Him, and He saved me.

He tells me, "Because you called on my name, and you trusted me to deliver you, and didn't doubt, I came and rescued you. Because you are mine, and because I love you, I delivered you from the pit."

I am surely writing this for those of you who need to repent and turn away from your sins. So I say to you, "Cry out to Him! Let Him know that He is able, and willing, to do all things, because He is! Cry out and seek Him with passion!" Because that is the one thing He wants most from you: your passion. Truly, you must know, if He has not your passion, He has not your heart, and you have not yet given yourself fully to the work of the Lord.

Oh, if we coud only see how The Spirit grieves for us! If you could see His longing for you! If you could feel how He envies intensely for your heart to belong only to Him! Then you would know what it is to be loved. To be filled with all truth, all joy, and all the love of God. You would know what it means when it says,

"Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Because we can not do this alone! We cannot walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death fearlessly, as we should, if we have not the Shepherd to fight the roaring lion seeking to devour us! The Shepherd is the only one strong enough to fight the lion. We are only sheep to be slaughtered if we stray from the Shepherd. So come back to Him! Seek not the world's friendship, for it is counterfeit and evil in His sight!

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be added to you, for His glory. And that is the only true life that exists. Saftety lies in His arms alone. So call on the Lord out of a pure heart, for He hears the poor man's cry. He gives grace to the humble, but opposes the proud. If you humble yourself, He will exalt you. And if you exalt yourself, He will humble you. So stop living a life not worth living!

Live a life pleasing to God and receive the inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God. He will hear you from heaven if you trust in His faithfulness that He hears us when we call. Come to Him before you do anything else. Come to the end of yourself so that He can place you at the beginning of Himself.

Do not listen to the world. Stop allowing deception to take root in your heart. Let His righteousness become your joy, and give Him full control over your heart, for this is His desire for you. This is the life He has planned for you. He is holding out His arms for you. Turn away from sin and such fleeting pleasures and run to Him. You lack nothing in the Arms of the Lord. He makes everything new! Let the Spirit renew you inside and out.

What Can We Say? We're Christians.

“Christians sacrifice and serve in a way that is impossible for us Atheists to do. Seeing what I have seen Christians do, I have come to one conclusion: Christians are morally superior to Atheists.”

An astute observation by an Atheist. He was apparently dumfounded by the good works and self-sacrificing ways of the Christian.

What does the Church say (under their breath) about this observation? “Well I should hope so…” “We have to be like Christ in this world so that we fulfill our obligation and our duty to God. It is who we are called to be.”

Really? Is that really the response that we’re all comfortable with? When I heard this story being told by a Christian, and then saying that response to the Church, part of me wanted to retch at the sheer pride of the underlying attitude and superiority shown by the person who is described as, “Like Christ.”

            

If given the privilege, here was my response to this that I wanted to shout outloud:

If it is one thing we should get straight, as sinners who have been “Saved by Christ,” it is not that we have a moral superiority. It is actually that we have One who loves us IN SPITE of being morally INFERIOR. Romans 2:4. His loving kindness He showed to us instilled in us joy, and we respond to this joy, loving Him back by loving the least of His loved ones. Atheists respond as that man did when they see the outpouring of unconditional love. Why? It is because that is the love of Jesus. It comes from a source apart from us. It does not start coming natural to us once we hear enough sermons. It is having Him. Without Jesus in us, unconditionally loving the “unlovable” is impossible.

The Christian who is unrepentant has not yet found the love that comes with intimacy with Jesus. It alone transforms the sinful heart. We are able to love because He loved. We are able to die to our sinfulness because He died for us. Because of His love. Nothing good exists apart from Jesus.

Yet we rob the world of knowing the honest truth: that all glory, honor, and praise belong to Him, and Him alone. “In Christ Alone…This Conerstone, this sold ground…Here in the LOVE OF CHRIST I stand.” All other ground is sinking sand, but we stand on the goodness and love of Christ...alone. It is His goodness that the sinners (that we are) respond to. The world does not know, and therefore can’t understand, the phenomenon of His Amazing Love.

Who are we to take the Goodness of Jesus Christ and give ANY kind of credit to us. “Well we know better, because we were raised right.” Christians were taught “a better way”. Yet there is no better unless it begins and ends with who Christ is in you. We Christians needed saving just like that worldly sinner does in that moment. We are therefore, in every way, no better than them. We just know the Truth: that He loves us. I mean, He REALLY loves us. Through Christ’s love, that there is no one that is beyond saving. No one is unfit for the Kingdom. He can change anyone. With God, nothing is impossible. When we were first saved, we were all examples of that! His love surpasses all human understanding. How can we understand the mercy that the ugliest, meanest, most cruel human beings, He simply waits for them to come to Him, so He can embrace them and welcome them into His arms...Where they belong.

Crazy Love isn’t it? Do we believe His Amazing Grace? Have we forgotten to give Him the glory for showing us such undeserved forgiveness and compassion?

Anytime we fail to acknowledge our own powerlessness, or our sin, we steal the Glory that belongs to Him. We’re “Glory Hogs”. To Christ alone belongs the Glory, Honor, and Praise!

So I request of Him to hear this prayer for each of us, “Have mercy on us sinners, O Lord. You are Love. Reveal to us your goodness and let us see our sinfulness. Help us to acknowledge all of our sinfulness, and by your mercy, forgive us. We give all glory and honor to you. Not to us Lord, but to your Name be the glory. No, Lord. Never to us. But to you, Lord. All to You. Your Name alone deserves to be praised. Now and forevermore. Amen.