Today's Message

When strangers ask you how are you, they usually don’t care. Just say you’re fine, and keep moving.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 28, 2018

Student Protest

These kids went from eating Tide pods to protesting for gun control.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 27, 2018

In light of the Stoneman Douglas HS Massacre in Parkland, FL, students have taken to protesting over current gun control laws. In short, student protestors are calling for gun reform. I'm all for gun control just as much as the next person, but these students are protesting out of emotion. They had every right to fear for their lives because the student protesters didn't know if they would make it home. A lot of them lost best friends as a result of a shooter's rampage, but I wonder just HOW educated these student protesters are on the gun laws? They seem pretty educated to me especially since you can research gun laws and reform online. The monster who shot down 17 students at that high school doesn't care about gun laws, he's a criminal. In general, criminals don't respect laws which is why they're criminals.

These students have taken to protesting the NRA. I bet most of those students couldn't tell you about the NRA without researching the organization's purpose, which is to advocate for gun rights. The NRA is DEEP. They're one of the most powerful lobbyist organizations in the country. They put money behind every candidate who supports the 2nd amendment. They're more than 5 million strong so if anyone thinks they're going away, they're mistaken. I'm all for those students protesting, but they're running on emotion. If people want gun control, then make it difficult for dealers to sell at gun shows. Anyone who's been to a gun show knows you fill out paperwork, pay the price for whatever gun you want, and go home. No background check, nothing.

Thought For Today: A Good Source Of Therapy Is...

Prayer has always worked for me. It's nothing more than conversation with God; I don't have to ask him for anything, sometimes I just talk to him just because. 

Give Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

When I was a child, it was instilled in me to respect adults just because they're adults. That rule no longer applies now that I'm adult myself. I honor adults who are worthy of respect. As I've gotten older, I've learned that not all adults are worthy of respect.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 25, 2018

Thought For Today: Daddy Failed To Protect Her...

My heart goes out to ALL women who have been violated by the men in their lives who were charged with protecting them, the worst of which happen to be her uncle. I have NO respect for any so-called father who doesn't protect his daughter(s) when she tells him her uncle raped her. This "what happens in the family, stays in the family" foolishness as it relates to sexual abuse in families has destroyed so many families, I lost count. I can see why some women hate men based on what happened with sexual abuse in their childhood.

How does a woman respect a MAN (her father) who doesn't protect her when she's violated by her uncle? Depending on the woman, she probably won't.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 25, 2018

Favor: Ron Carpenter

Truth be told, most people can't handle favor because they abuse it.

Favor doesn't change who you are... it just changes your position.

— Ron Carpenter (@roncarpenter) February 21, 2018

In & Out Of Love

If you can fall in love, you can fall out of love real quick.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 15, 2018

RIP Billy Graham: You've Finished Your Assignment

This man is a legend in evangelism. When I read about his death, I wasn’t sad because he finished his race and God has called him home. He wasn’t into titles, just souls. No other evangelist had the longevity of this guy, 60 something years of ministry. I recall watching many of his televised crusades, and going to his revivals when they came to Tallahassee. His son Franklin Graham was a rebel, but his dad's life led him into ministry and now, his son is going to do a great job carrying on his father's legacy. What I respected most about Graham is that he was consistent and simple in his messages. I know he led millions to Christ.

Self-Proclaimed Kings & Queens

I'm all for thinking the best of yourself, but if you're going to label yourself a king or queen, then you better have the characteristics to back it up.

Nothing Surprises Me

Why do some people say they’re shocked when a public figure says or does something out of line? That’s what happens when you put people on pedestals, you think they’re above wrongdoing when that’s not true. I’m not shocked at what anyone says or does, famous or not.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 14, 2018

Freedom=Stupidity?

Americans are so free, we're stupid (sometimes). Our servicemen & women aren't fighting for the freedom to pick up an AR-15 and mow down 17 people at a Florida High School. I think America needs to pull back on some of our freedoms.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 18, 2018

Here We Go Again...

When tragedy strikes, what's the first thing people do? Blame God. First, God had NOTHING to do with the slaughter of 17 students at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Second, people wanted God out of schools and government and they got their wish, now everybody wants to call on God when horrific incidents happen. I thought you didn't need God? I thought you didn't want God in schools. We see the results of the decision to take God out, so live with your decision, America. 

9/11, 18 school shootings since January 1 of this year, Stoneman Douglas HS massacre. What do all these events have in common? Everyone plays the "Blame God" game. People wanted God out of the school system, they got their wish, so deal with the repercussions.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 17, 2018

Today's Thought: God Qualifies The Called, He Doesn't Call The Qualified

I believe God prefers to use those with weaknesses because HE gets the glory. The person with the weakness can't do whatever God calls them to do on their own, but they have to depend on God's strength to carry out his will. Most ministers who have preached on this subject like to say God qualifies the called, he doesn't call the qualified. Think about it: Jacob was a cheater; Peter had a temper; David had an affair; Noah got drunk; Jonah ran from God; Paul was a murderer; Gideon was insecure; Miriam was a gossiper; Martha was a worrier; Thomas was a doubter; Sara was impatient; Elijah was moody; Moses stuttered; Zaccheus was short; Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead. If God can use these flawed people, he can use anyone who will allow themselves to be used by him.

Everyone who has done big things for God has had some sort of weakness.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 14, 2018

Parkland School Shooting

Helping Us Believe, Part 2

I was listening to Tony Evans this morning and Dr. Evans kept it 100 with the following quote:

"God Bless America; never mind America doesn't want to bless God."-Dr. Tony Evans.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 15, 2018

Live And Let Live...Until....

Valentine's Day

One time for Valentine’s Day coming up on 2/14; the day where everyone’s booed up and goes all out for one day, just to break up the following day.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 11, 2018

Thought For Today: I'm Sorry

I get it, nobody's perfect, but at some point you have to stop using I'm sorry as a crutch. My skin is so thick that someone can do me wrong and I won't expect an apology because most of the time, it's not sincere.

But...I'm Not Racist

When someone's busted for racial insensitivity, the first words out of their mouth are: I didn't mean it like that, or I'm not racist. It's funny that racists aren't racist even when they're caught.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 10, 2018

Friday Positivity

This was posted to my wall by a FB friend, and I'm sharing with everyone:

Caring About What Matters

I've been this way for as long as I can remember, and I doubt that's going to change.

I care about things that matter to me, I don't care about things that aren't important to me.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 5, 2018

Child Support

For the men who complain about being on child support, read the last sentence in the following tweet:

I hear a lot of men complaining about paying child support because they didn’t want to be fathers. Well...no one told you to nut inside that woman.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 6, 2018

I really believe some men think they're powerless when it comes to the lovebox. 

Today's Thought: Relationship Drive-Thru

Thought For Today: Using The Bible To Excuse Sin

Some people read the Bible to justify their sin. Example: Fornication. The Bible is clear on fornication, yet you’ll have some people ask you for Bible verses about fornication being wrong.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 5, 2018

Thought For Today: Praying Boldly In Faith

The assurance of God answering my prayers gives me confidence to pray boldly in faith. If God answers small prayers, then I know he can answer big ones.

As children of God, we can pray boldly in faith, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers.

— Tiana Meidl (@TianaMeidl) February 4, 2018

Thought For Today: What's In Your Heart, Comes Out Of Your Mouth

The best way to find out someone's true feelings is when they get angry with you. When they're unleashing their venom onto you (provided you don't verbally retaliate, which most people would because not too many people will let you talk crazy to them), it was in their hearts all along.

Speaking when angry means you'll give the best regret speeches.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) February 3, 2018

Paradigm: Jonathan Cahn (Book Review)

I make a point to read 1-2 books a month; this was one of the books I read and it is good. What's described in this book is parallel to what's going on today. This book goes into detail about ancient Israel turning their backs on God regardless of God's blessing upon them. My thing is, how can you turn your back on the one who blessed you? I could never do that, especially with how good God has been to me. Cahn describes how the proliferation of Baal worship turned Israelite morality on its head. Marriage became separate from sexuality as prostitution became part of the worship of Baal, a Phoenician fertility god. As sex was removed from the marital bedroom, it was increasingly put on public display. As a result, culture became more coarse, crude and harsh. Even gender became subjective as male prostitutes became a part of Baal worship. What was evil began to be viewed as good, and good was viewed as evil. Anyone who has read or wants to read this book can compare what's going on now to the apostasy that took place back in ancient Israel times. Jonathan Cahn pulls no punches in this book about the state of America, but he does offer hope that America can avoid judgment if this nation repents and turns back to God.

Take the Limits Off of God - Steve Harvey Motivational & Inspirational V...

I've followed Steve Harvey since his comedy days, and he has evolved from a stand-up comedian to a motivational speaker/preacher. The reason I consider Steve a minister is that he talks a lot about faith, God's goodness, what God has done in his life, etc. I've been guilty of limiting God in the past, but I'm learning daily to take the limits off God, and start asking BIG, because God's more than capable of answering BIG.