Sometimes in my spiritual life, I experience times where I am unsure of God's presence. I have been experiencing one of these right now in my life. I have been trying to figure out some things and I have become aware that I am no longer hearing God's voice.

What do you do during these times? Do you seek your own guidance? Do you turn to friends, or family, or the television? I have found that none of those things will really bring peace. It may not make any sense, but instead, I find that seeking God even more desperately provides the answer. In my discouragement and confusion, I have a new love for songwriting and have become aware (again) that this is what I was created to do. I have not written many songs in the last few years, hardly any. This has been a really confusing and dark time in my professional life, but now that I have been writing the last few weeks, I am seeing glimpses of light here and there.

The Word of God tells us that God does not speak in the Fire, or the Whirlwind, but in the still small voice. Often times, we have to be hiding in a cave, terrified and confused before we will be still and quiet enough to hear that voice. Are you listening for it? I am.

Jeff.

Do you try to write a blog?

I try to write a blog, I find it challenging on a few levels. I have realized the secret, though it to post regularly and tweet often. Good content will always trump poor content and getting it out there is what makes the difference.

Sometimes, it may seem hard to post new content, but you should keep it up, anyway.

Jeff.

How do you mix your life of work and your love of Christ?

According to scripture, we are called to live a life of serving God, this clearly applies to the way we work and the manner we earn our income. But how do you exemplify a life of Christ dependence when you are working for someone other than God? How do you share the life of Christ with non-Christian co-workers.

I think the best way is to just love people and speak softly. Don't try to teach or preach to others when they are not wanting to hear what you have to say. You have to earn the right to speak and you have to display your love for them to do that.

Put Christ first, everything else will follow.

Jeff.

I find it so amazing that our God has decided to fellowship with us.

First the fact that he created us defies understanding. Then humanity fell and instead of allowing the rightful punishment to inflict all of us, He decided to redeem us though the Law. He gave us an opportunity to fellowship with Him again.

Then, we couldn't keep the Law, we failed again. So He sent His Son, to free us once and for all. Each of us have that opportunity to accept this gift of grace. I accepted it. I have been redeemed through the blood of Christ.

Time seems like it an be something which we have too much of, or not enough of. But why, does it make me so sad when I run out of it? It always feels like I am wasting time when I am busy and like I need more things to do when I am lazy. I don't really know what I am writing, or why, but I guess I just needed to let some things out.

I have had a kind of weird day. Trying to re-vamp my website in some small ways. I am sitting in the church office, chillin' out waiting for right now when I have to leave to go pick up my beautiful wife from work. It has been a long week of strange occurrences, plus it was my anniversary yesterday. I dunno. I guess God is getting ready to do something in me because I feel all weird inside. So much for now. Later.

Jeff.

There was a quote a few days ago that came across twitter. "Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." - Mark Twain

This has been something that I have witnessed, though not necessarily realized until I read this quote.

First, you can become complacent. Things can be going well, and you quit striving to learn and to improve and to adapt. You get set in your ways and believe that what you end up doing is the right things to be doing. You feel like you have finally "Arrived." Maybe it's that position you always wanted, or that congregation you always dreamed of.

I am currently trying to start my own small business. I have applied for an LLC and I am opening some bank account with CHASE bank. But, I found the most helpful resource on the web today that I never knew about before and I want to share it with anyone who will listen. It's called the Small Business Administration. They have a stellar website at www.sba.gov. What I discovered today was how to write and formulate a business plan: http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

In order to stay out of trouble, I have been doing most of my work lately from the church office. It is an interesting place to work from. There are always distractions from people coming in looking for the Pastor. The school is preparing for plays which start tomorrow night, so it is a hustle and bustle in here with all the noise and students coming in and out. I am pretty much constantly entertained with different stimulus. The problem, though it to try and focus on development work, which is pretty slim pickin's lately.

I have been working today. Mostly coding my business website: jmashaw.com. I haven't really figured out how to use jeffmashaw.com for my own benefit yet, though I am think that maybe I should start posting tutorials on things that I actually use or do from time to time. I just haven't figured that out yet. Oh well.

Jeff.

Things just keep developing. I have moved this site over to jeffmashaw.com in order to keep it more about me and my personal thoughts, etc. This frees up jmashaw.com to become a site more dedicated to developing my business. JMashaw hopefully will become a successful business endeavor where I can support myself building and hosting websites and use my photography, videography and musical skills for that goal. I am waiting to see how the site turns out before I know too much more.

hello void.

hello.

why is this so difficult? when will things...

JMashaw.com is proud to annouce out new partnership with E-Compliment.

Essentially I have been working in a partnership for several years working on building a social networking site which will allow people to connect with small businesses in a whole new way. We recently made a decision to attempt and integrate my web hosting and design services into the larger E-Compliment family. I am excited about this partnership and hope to continue providing great hosting for you.

Wordle is awesome! Check this out, I copied the text of Matthew 27-28 into this and it output this:

Awesome!

Check it out yourself: wordle.net/create

I have recently installed and upgraded to Logos 4 bible study software. I think this stuff is pretty amazing, actually. I was pretty stoked when I signed up. Then I found out that they are doing a little contest:

Hey God.

I'm tired. You can hear me. I know. Please let me not be quite so tired. I have to go to work in an hour or so. I would rather not have to work tonight, but I know that it is for Your glory, so let me glorify you.

God spoke today!!

It's so awesome to hear God's voice loud and clear. First, God sought my attention, I asked God to speak to me. He said "Ok."

Me: God please speak to me.
God: Okay. go to asu.
Me: What? It's kind of loud, I am having a hard time focusing on you.
God: Yes it is loud, maybe you should put your headphones on.
Me: Okay. ::puts in headphones:: Okay, God, speak to me.
God: Go to ASU.
Me: How? When? What should I do there?
God: Worry about that when the time comes, just go to ASU.
Me: Yes, Lord. Will you confirm that this is you?

I have been tinkering around today on various things: the tcc website, facebook group and twitter account. Let me know if you are interested in getting more info!

Sometimes, I find my praying more focused if I write it out, so here goes.

Dear God,

From the Bible:

Ephesians 1:3-14

Spiritual Blessings

I was listening to the Daily Audio Bible for January and this passage of scripture was read from the Message, Mark Chapter 10:

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:

"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously."