yay golf

first before i get going I will have two interviews next week, not just one. IMG (sports marketing place) on Tues. Sept. 4th and Masada, INC. (fortune 500 clients mktg place) on Wed. Sept. 5th. Please pray for me on these days. I need all the prayers i can get and YES THEY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!

I hit a golf club for the first time today. My success i can hit a wedge about 50-65 yards consistently.

But i hit my driver less than that!!! Hahaha so i definitely need a lot more practice but it was very fun.

Keep praying and i will give you updates on job progress.

yo its update time

i got a callback from masada inc. yesterday. They said they wanted to ask me some questions hopefully like this: "Can we pay you 400,000 dollars a year?" of "We would like to buy you a house to live in so you can work for us"

ok the second one wasn't a question but still. Anyway, I think that it means they want me for a second interview. I also have already set up my second interview for IMG set up for the fourth of September. Continue to pray.

Also on a very important side note. UPS in Greenville, SC just had a job opening for a full time sales rep. Is this God opening doors specifically for me?? I don't know that for sure but it is awfully funny. Anyway continue to pray that i would know God's will and that He would open and close doors for me.


I apologize for the delay but i just got dsl and i've been playing madden online. But the job process is still continuing and i will update you on any changes.

I'm going to call David Jacks now to make some videos!!!

out

Update

First of all i want to thank everyone for their prayers. I believe more than anything the prayers that everyone contributed yesterday convinced a company that they needed to take a serious look at this kid from Drummonds.

My first interview was wed. at 1230. Its a sports and entertainment marketing company. And right there I am already sold. But knowing how shady the world is im keeping my excitement ata stable level. So it was a preliminary interview and it was supposed to last about 5 minutes. We talked about bball for about 10. The guy that interviewed me used to play ball at Furman University. He played against Rodney Carney and the mighty University of Memphis. So yeah we had some things to talk about.

He told me that he was interviewing 20 candidates and taking the top 5 for a second interview. Well i left pretty pumped the man himself was exciting and so was i after i left. I was waiting to know if i had made the first cut.

At about 5 that afternoon i get a call asking me back for a second interview!!! God is truly blessing me!!! I don't deserve the love and commitment that you all have made to pray for me. I thank you so much for that. God is working but the war isn't over. I don't have a job yet so keep praying.

I had an interview today at 1030. It was with a company called masada inc. Again after i left i loved it. I am a mktg. guy for sure. I was asked a question that i want you to think about and i won't tell you my answer. The question was:

Do you love to win or hate to lose?

Think about it.

Anyway knowing that nothing is guaranteed and that i don't know pay, compensation and benefits and development opportunities I am trying not to lean one way or the other.

But come on sports and marketing in one job??? Are you kidding me?

The callback time for Masada is next week on Friday at noon. That is when i will know if they are interested in my services.

Pray that God will continue to bless me and that I will get His job and that His desires will become mine.


Again i can't thank you guys enough! Keep on praying.

out

quick update

hey for those of you that read this i want to let u know more specifically what you can pray for this week. Especially a certain mom of a guy that went to germany hahahaha. anyway, i have an interview at 1230 on wednesday afternoon at the place that i would be extremely interested in for a number of reasons one being that it advertises for sports teams.

not only that but i have to call and set up an appointment for a mktg. company that markets for the people that make quicken, quicken books, turbo tax etc.

and i also plan to walk up unannounced at the UPS in Greenville in hopes that they would let me talk to someone about possibly giving me full-time job there.

Please pray for me during this time on Wednesday and i will let you guys know how things go. i really need your prayers these employers will be going out on a limb to give me a job and i need God for this to happen so please pray and pray and pray.

I love you guys and i will be back in town and will see you all soon.


Thanks


out

new feelings

I've always had this desire to win and get people on the bandwagon to success. But now im starting to realize how much of an impact i can have on individual's lives.

Let me tell you some of the situations that are going on.

One guy is going through a divorce and i know about it but he doesn't know that i know. How do i approach him? What do i say? Am i even able to give him advice, im not married...yet.

One guy is having some transportation problems and is one of my favorite guys at work, he's nice funny but is so innocent and i hurt for him.

One of the guys that i have trained from the ground up is leaving. Friday is his last day. I hope that he learned something from me to take with him in life.

One guy is an atheist. He knows where i stand and i know where he stands. He is observing me each and every day. I don't want to push but i do ya know. But i'm learning that God is in control and not me and im struggling with where my efforts fit in.

One guy has tremendous influence and brings light and joy in a postitive way. But he is living a life that is not what it should be. I'm hoping that i can reach him.

Being a good leader is one thing. I know that i am a good leader. God has gifted me to lead people. I see their wants and desires and can help them to reach them but at the same time they know who is in charge. But good leaders don't change lives. God changes lives. How can i be a good tool for God to use to change lives?

out

21 years old

Well im now in the adult club what do i do now?

It was an incredible birthday. Kristen surprised me by coming in town and we had so much fun together. She's gone now but in three days i get to see her again.

School ends this week and finally i'll get a little break to think about adulthood. So many new decisions come my way. I'm pumped nervous and tired all at the same time about me about to start a new chapter in my life at the end of this year and it seemed like this birthday was the beginning.

Please pray for me in the coming week on Wed. and Thurs. I plan to visit at least three places in hopes of getting a job. If you would like to know more specifically what to pray for let me know.

Plus Jeff and Carmen are getting married next week and that means me and Kristen are next. Wow i love growing up.

out

Adu to you

For more than half of my life i have made fun of soccer but now its probably one of my favorite things to do and watch. It hasn't surpassed football or tigers basketball and its not even close to playing the wii with kristen but it is growing in my mind.

And a couple of days ago Freddy Adu was traded. I guess you call it traded even though basically he was bought. In my opinion this is more like a pre move see man u and real madrid had him try out but they weren't ready to commit but they have some pretty good connections with the portugese team and want him to grow in his skill set.

As a 15 year old Freddy was supposed to bring the US out of mediocrity in the eyes of the soccer world. He had the entire hopes of the soccer nation on his shoulders. And now he's gone to Benefica a Portugese club.

I think this is great for Freddy it will take some pressure off of him and will let him do what he does best play the beautiful game. So Freddy i bid you adu and please bring it in the next world cup we'll all be waiting.


and for today i am


out

?siht daer uoy naC

I have been told that sometimes i am extremely difficult to follow in my blogs. I apologize i am a lunatic when it comes to things going on in my mind and i try and write them all down as soon as they pop into my head. But i promise to proofread my blogs from now on.

Thanks for bearing with me in this wonderful thing i call a blog.

School

So by the end of next week summer school will be over and i couldn't be happier. Its been extremely tiring. Its filled with some stress, but not as much as people would like to tell you, until yesterday.

I get an email from the scholarship coordinator at the U of M and apparently they have no record of my service hours that i have to do in order to retain my scholarship. This means they will have to put a hold on my scholarship for the fall semester. Mind you this is August 1 and the semester ended around May 10th.

So i reply "i have absolutely no idea what you are talking about i've never had to do service hours for my scholarship in the past when did this change and why are you telling me now." I know that it seems really mean and upset by i promise that i wasn't in the least bit yelling or spitting or did i have my football face on. If you have ever played football with me you know what im talking about.

They inform me that i have taken honors classes every semester and that negates your need to fulfill the hours requirement and they don't review records until after the semester. Which is just awesome considering that was a whole 3 months ago. I have no problem doing the hours but i didn't know. So now im in a good ol conundrum (i think that is how you spell it). I asked if teaching sunday school at the church is considered serving the community and it is thank you Jesus!!

So hopefully this all works itself out soon.

And i will be on my way to graduation in the fall.

who says don't use illustrations

You know people say that you are supposed to have time alone with God and a time to study and i agree but sometimes you just run across a passage in your time with God when you are like what?

today was one of those days this is what i read today.

so im not sure what this means and please know my heart in no way is this me making light of my time with the Lord but i was just utterly confused. But that is probably from my lack of understanding and one day it will make perfect sense in where God is leading me but honestly i was really excited about the fact that Ezekiel didn't just get told to tell the Israelites that they were going to be under siege but he wanted him to show them what it would be like. Wow yeah God greatest idea ever!!! No lie this guy was chained up and had to lay on one side for about 13 months plus heat his makeshift bread with cow dung. If that didn't get their attention nothing would

Smile for Jesus

yeah well today i was going to bk for a chicken sandwich and there was this lady at the gas station across the street holding a sign that says smile Jesus loves you. I laughed only because she had a cheek to cheek kindergarten finger paint purple smile on her face much larger than any clown smile I had ever seen.

Plus, she wasn't smiling and she was drinking a gas station soft drink. Older woman with sign drinking not smiling with the biggest purple smile drawn on her face. Do you seriously have to fake that.

Honestly i could post about how stupid this is but really do we smile? Do we showcase the joy that God has provided? Do we have the Kool-aid purple smile on or the joy of God shone on our face? Smile Jesus Loves You!!!!


out

yo what's up

yeah so i haven't blogged in awhile. Here's an update:

1. Looking at a black 07 mustang black interior really pumped about getting a new car.

2. Hanging out with David and Jesse has been much fun over the past month or two.

3. I think that Luscious should be my rap alias.

4. Jeff and Carmen are about to get married i'm exicted and just a lil jealous but our time is coming dear.

5. The new area thing at work is driving me nuts.

6. Looking for a job still hopefully some news in a couple of weeks for those of you who are interested. greer or greenville area let me know if you know someone please!!


I've been busy so sorry for the blog delay love you guys and can't wait to hang out with everyone whenever that may be


out

being an example

well people will say sometimes well i would never become a christian because of this person or this group of people and you try and say well you have to look past them and look to Christ and we expect that to change their lives in some way. but look at this:

1 Corinthians 4:16

Paul says for the Corinthians to imitate him! how crazy is that could you imagine telling people "live like me"

paul continues later in the book with this

wow i was just kinda shocked by this. word of mouth is the strongest advertising that a company can have but did you know for every one positive comment there have been about 7 or 8 negative ones!

you don't get many chances unfortunately but you have to live your life as an example and have the boldness in Christ to know that people are looking at you and welcome it.

so im going to give you a few examples in my life that i have looked to:

Jeff Hill, this guy is bold bold bold. He gets a word and he sticks to his guns. People are afraid of the stands that he takes most of the time because they aren't willing to sacrifice as much as him. Me and him relate so well because i balance him out. I appreciate his boldness and his stand and desire a simdge of that for my own life.

Mrs. Robyn, teacher. She can get a point across in so many different ways but she is so humble and seeks for God to be the true teacher. Understand mrs. robyn that you are a tool that God has continued to use in my life and in so many other lives. Please don't ever get discouraged you are awesome.

Kristen Barfield, you think you can relate to people you have no idea!! People literally flock to her like soap in the bathroom. She is incredible with people and with kids. kids adore her and they see people for who they are they really do and she is just so incredible she has a reserved boldness that she only lets me see i guess but so wise when it happens. I wish i could relate to people in the way that she does.

Toddles, i waited for you to have kids for so dang long man. Todd is always happy it seems, i've seen him frustrated maybe once but there is always a smile on his face. I haven't had the privelege to know his heart as much bcuz i was in high school at the time but he loves people and is so humble. The only thing wrong with him is that he's a clemson fan. i really do see how brayden and anniston just cling to you. Thanks for showing people how to reach people.

Jack Ronald, you are alot like me, you desire excellence, business and leadership qualities about you are undeniable. You will not settle for second best. You will do whatever it takes to reach people. You build relationships with those you work with better than i've seen done and i desire that for my life.

my dad and charlie bishop, i know most of you that read this will be like who is that? i will write a post about him later but these two men have taught me all about servanthood. its not about me its about God use what you have with all you have. Be a man open the door for people, shake hands, live up to your promises carry a big stick not a big mouth. These are lessons that i've learned from you. I desire to be able to make the sacrifices that my dad made and continue to know that it was the right thing even when it sucks.

mom and stacie, are you kidding me they're nuts! jk but talk about boldness me and mom clash honestly because we are both strong willed leaders. but i wish i could have half of the discernment that my mom has. she is so in touch with the Holy Spirit its nuts literally insane. Stacie is a reserved leader that is sometimes shy about stepping up to the plate but me and her have a bond that cannot be broken and i hope that i can have as much fun in life as she has already had.

thanks guys so much to learn from all of you and you all mean so much to me. Please continue to live in a way where God is always glorified in all that you do.

o u t

finally a free day

well today is friday and no class today....yayayayay!

looking for plans on saturday any ideas let me know. plus im really tired.

you can laugh at this by the way: i have a modeling and acting contract and earlier this week i had a message on my answering machine at home asking if i wanted to schedule an appointment with a national talent scout. will i call back to set up an appointment probably not but it was funny cuz i haven't heard from these guys in like a year and a half.

becks is hear in america and frankly im pumped because that means there is gonna be some more coverage of soccer. And i am super excited about that but im gone now to basically waste time until work.



out

the test

so 2 corinthians 13. paul wants us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.

Paul has been battling for the people of Corinth's attention throughout the letter and not only that but also has been battling for the people themselves.

so Paul in this last chapter wants the people to see that they must examine themselves in the faith. that if they do that they will see Paul as he truly is a messenger of truth.

he says that when they examine themselves and when they past the test they will also approve of Paul and the group of ministers with him and reject the outsiders.

now this should be evidence enough but Paul also tells them to do the right thing? why would he do this knowing that if they examine themselves in the Spirit that God would show them that Paul is right and he cares for them and his message is from God.

why would he ask them to do the right thing? well number one it would be weird if he asked them to do the wrong thing. but we see Paul's heart here. the consequences of them saying Paul we don't think that you are of God is not as important as the people doing what is right.

are we worried about the consequences of what people will think of us or do we really really want the best of them. did it bother Paul i think that you can tell that it did throughout this letter but Paul remained true to his purpose. To see God do a work in the Corinthians lives.

is that my passion? could i honestly say that i am more worried about people learning from me than the circumstances of my actions. honestly no i can't but i can tell you boldly that my response is changing. And that is all an act of God.

God is shaping me to serve others to obey even when it makes me upset and to live a life as an example for Christ. see is it enough to teach excellently and for people to hear my words and learn from them....i guess it is.

But do people look at my lifestyle and see that i live up to the things that i teach that i am an example not just through speech but through purity deed and service.

i am learning these things. I know that God is moving in my midst. I pray that everyone would carefully read Galatians 5. This involves the test that Paul so earnestly desires that we take.

realize these two things:

it is a continuous battle (Gal. 5:17)

and

that it is not a negotiated peace it is our execution of the sinful nature totally
(Gal. 5:24)

it is our responsibility to walk in the Spirit and also to crucify the flesh

the battle will not end in this life and yet we cannot negotiate peace with the flesh.

we must fight

out

hey hey hey

well after yesterdays crazy post i know that you are all thinking im close to committing suicide or somehow am going to raise an awareness that my life is worse than yours.

i also hope you understand that neither of these are close to my desire. I am however trying to let people in the doors that i have put up.

i have so much to say but man is God sovereign today in 2 Corinthians Paul talked about the thorn in his flesh and how when he is weak that is when he is made strong.

wow

one more time

wow

so now im not saying that i have some thorn in my flesh because when you study this i think that its much more than just a certain situation but something that you can not rid yourself of. God wouldn't take the thorn from Paul but instead chose to leave it there.

but also understand that God uses things to draw us closer to Him and mold us into what He wants us.

so understand that God is working and always is.

so now im waiting for the doors to be open somewhere else. thanks for the encouragement and love you all.

also for those of you bible junkies out there i read where it is actually a biblical principle to major on the majors and minor on the minors so look for this soon im sure there are people ready to argue but honestly im not looking for that just will relay some info that i gathered.

love you guys.

out

my struggle

i guess that i have struggled with what to write for about 18-24 hours now.

you see its hard for me to be very honest and yet show love. I was completely taken aback yesterday by the attendance at our church. How can you refuse to show up when you are most needed at your church and then come on a celebratory day for those of us who stuck with it. Frankly i don't know how God was pleased with our worship yesterday.

but that is not what im struggling with. See in no way am i perfect or would i ever think of claiming to be. But i also make this my goal 1 Timothy 4:12 as a young person growing up in church you always hear about how people shouldn't look down on you because of your youth and the message usually stops there.

but i've always taken and i do mean always cared about the "being an example" paul doesn't tell timothy "hey man don't let people get you down cuz of your age, you don't deserve that" instead its more like "hey tim, people shouldn't look down on you for your age but you have to be an example, you must put a priority on your lifestyle more than a priority on their criticism.

its also funny that speech is the first thing mentioned o be careful what you say.

but with this blog i want people to know the real me and i struggle to do so because of this verse sometimes. lately i have let more people "in" than ever before to what im thinking, to how i feel, and to my needs and desires but not everyone.

the reason why is because well im supposed to be above board im an example. I'm not a say one thing do another guy im an example, a hard worker, and im committed. it straight up makes me mad when i see the lack of commitment i saw the other day. it hurts, really hurts.

that people have so many bad things to say and be so just down right evil in their speech and can come into a worship service and praise God like nothing ever happened is just completely shocking.

but you know what i said hey God is a miracle working God and these people can change, this pastor has a heart for discipleship and really loves teaching the Holy Spirit will change some lives here.

at this same time im really starting to realize where my place is what im good at and embracing it with more passion and fervor than ever before. and yet i get the news from my parents that we are leaving.

do i know why? yes

am i upset? yes

do i blame them? not in the least bit

do i think its the right decision? honestly im not sure

so now that i have this passion this deep driving passion to teach young people i have to start all over again from scratch of being an example. you have to earn people's trust and devotion and i was beginning to do that. but now i have to start over.

and im just not sure why. why would i suddenly discover this passion and God take it away not just once but twice. not only that but have to start over from scratch. if you know me you know im not a sit and soak guy im completely the opposite.

so why? i have essentially 5 months left before the prospect of moving becomes a reality why now? why the distance?

before ya know kristen is in sc but i've still got my friends now those relationships are sure to take a dent. why? frankly im heart broken and i want you guys to understand my heart. its hard for me to let people in. im just tired.

its so hard. i try to smile and bear it like hey my fiance lives in another state but im doing awesome! but i just can't its too hard. im tired of the distance i can't fulfill my passion i just can't see where God is moving right now except for that im learning.

im tired of tears im tired of the struggles im just looking for the end of the valley and basically it looks like a 5 month old valley.

im not looking for answers or advice because i want God to answer my questions so if you have advice keep it to yourself. i don't want advice i just don't. and guess what you probably haven't been there. i'm sure your fiance didn't live about 12 hours away or go out of the country for a year. i just don't want advice.

but this is where im at. i don't what or how to feel and im just...

its just hard ya know.

so i need prayers i need encouragement and i need God more than anything else.

stay steadfast please. be honest and open and challenge people.

Crosspointe i pray that God would ultimately change you in a way that you can't see right now a way that i know God wants you to. Quit being mediocre start being great.

......

Bad news

well after church today my parents told me that our family was leaving crosspointe. Various reasons for this decision mostly because of bad leadership (none of which by the way are actual "position leaders".

how do i feel? i feel like i need to obey my parents. Ex. 20:12

even when it hurts.


out

real quick

im about to go to work but real quick how do you feel about God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. It obvious that both exist biblically but where are the boundaries any scripture you have would be awesome im ready to get waist deep in this stuff and im pumped about it.


what is our responsibility?

what are we held accountable for?

what choices are ours to make?

these are a few of the questions that i hope to answer. let me know what you guys think and questions that you might have that i will try to answer as i begin to study this difficult subject


out

well i have much to write about

well some interesting things have happened to me lately especially at work:

1. i took over a position that hasn't met a particular goal in a while and i met it already God is truly great!!!

2. i had to write myself up on the 6th day of running this area because of the problem. (6 days and im already under the microscope and i was pretty upset i came to fix the thing i did not cause it!!!)

3. I love the pressure the intensity that i put on myself to push my people and myself to go beyond the norm and be better.

4. i realized that the struggle with my call is more of fear of the unknown. I couldn't live my life without teaching the word (even if its to people that don't want to hear) I'm fearful that intense in your face teacher J.C. will tickle people's ears and not preach the word.

5. the idea of being responsible for two peoples lives seems much harder than just mine.

6. God is teaching me for sure but is the passion there am i seeking enough am i trying enough???

7. i am not satisfied

8. i am pumped about may of next year and have been practicing two words for like a month now!!!

9. Kristen is amazing and she always tells me like it is and pushes me to get better and gives me more confidence she is an unbelievable support to me already and our lives together are just about to truly begin

10. Memphis is the best basketball team in the country. Duke, Kentucky, UNC, Kansas nope the blue and gray. Let's go Blue!!!