Letters from Lilongwe

The Gospel Is Big Enough to Fight for Itself Man alive, this article hit me right in the jaw.  Its all about how we are trying to defend the Gospel constantly, while we should share the Gospel with the power it holds.  While talking with the Free Thinkers at Tech I found myself going on the defensive in a way that did not show the love of Christ.  I was trying to scamble for new thoughts that might change this guys mind instead of speaking from the Truth. All is great in the Lord Paul Shackelford Reading Progress The Shack - done The Porn-Again Christian - started today

Next step in the Chrome OS journey : I have been an avid fan of the Chromebook from concept to my CR-48 but now I have a sour taste in my mouth.  These devices were and are intended for a group of users who will incur minimal cost to have the ability to do your computing basics.  It was designed for my grandmother to be able to join the internet age and easily communicate via email and chat with her sisters on gChat.  The implementation of this design has been tailored to the general public at a much higher cost than anticipated.  I will not pay $400 for a computer that is under-powered, small, and has a partial operating system.  If I want a device that looks like a computer but lacks the ability to do what my old Desktop can accomplish then I will buy an overpriced Chromebook. Sorry for bashing ya Google but make your venders keep prices low or wait until hardware meets your very impressive operating system.  I loved the simplicity of Chrome OS, I simply will not be charged t

How Summertime Helps Us Pray This post hit me right where the lord was revealing my lacking.  While I have been home I have read a lot, studied some, and slept much more than I needed.  I am convicted of my lack of time simply talking with my Creator and Savior.  Tomorrow I am going out to the pond for a time of Confession and Thanksgiving.  Since no one is working tomorrow I would suggest that we all spend a while just talking with our Lord.  All is Great with my God Paul Shackelford

This is an amazing song by one of my favorite artists.  While I was listening today I realized I had never listened to the lyrics to this song so I decided to check them out and pass them along.  Enjoy I was born into a system constructed for failure  It's a sinking ship manned by drunken sailors  An escape artist behind the bars of a jailor  An asthmatic attack when we forgot the inhaler  If the shoe doesn't fit what good is a tailor  In the midst of a crisis please cancel the gala  Without a symphony there's no need for a prelude  To foreshadow what's to come.  See the secret committees, commence with their meetings  To make red tape in response to simple questions  Questions threaten the perception of the beneficial systems  A pyramid scheme with it's cogs and it's pistons  Mechanization of men, making more and more  Live in a miserable exhistance  How can so few, claim so many victims  And this begs the question  My r

First and Foremost Citizens of Heaven When I first read this blog post title I thought of The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun becaused he lives life as one not of this world but of the Kingdom of God.  This blog post focused on our nation and some people idolize this nation and forget that we are not just citizens of this world but so citizens of Heaven.  We are to live life with this eternal mindset, as we work, raise children, make wrong decisions, and engage in the conflict of this world.  My prayer for many Americans who are hyper-patriotic is that they would see that Citizenship in Heaven means so much more than our time on earth. All is Great in he who is the 'I Am' Paul Shackelford

We Have Peace with God I love these short devotionals by Mars Hill because they are similar to the old devotional Morning and Evening by Spurgeon.  The structure of these devotionals are simple; frist scripture, then life application, and the final part is the importance of Christ.  Todays devotional frames the simplified concept of the Gospel around the lack of peace in the world due to our separation from the Creator God.  I hope this short devotional opens your eyes to Jesus and his unfailing love. All is Great in the Lord Paul Shackelford

Tonight was another chilled out Chatham County night.  After my late afternoon nap I awoke to a feast prepared by my mother.  Sitting around a table outside on the porch we jusy enjoyed one anothers company.  It was only of those meals that spills over as we move to the swings simply resting and talking.  This is the style that my family prefers, slow chill nights watching the fireflys and talking about life.  One of the many reasons I thank the Lord for family and the many blessings he has heaped on this undeserving family.  All is great in the big ptown Paul Shackelford

I am wondering around the house listening to my All Sons and Daughters pandora station.  This song comes on and my soul awakens( since I am on my nook I will not add a vido or lyrics but check out this song ).  It is simply a song that consumes the entire atmosphere of the room with its booming "Amen".  As I listen to the lord Prayer sung I am just in awe of a creator God who loves to be Worshipped by our talents, our voices, our instruments.     We believe in the one true God   We believe in Father Spirit Son  We believe that good has won  And all of the people of God sang along  Amen Amen Amen Amen We are free He died and lives again  We will be a people free from sin  We'll be free a kingdom with no end  And all of the people of God sang along  Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen Amen  Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name Thy kingdom come, thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Why the Church and the Community Need Shepherds I love the focus on Christ being our leader as we influence people around us.  Our communities are in uch deep need for people to step up and lead their community members to Christ and walk with them in their growth in faith. So much Truth in very few words, read this article! All is Great in the Lord Paul Shackelford

How to Thrive in College Another great article that focuses on the need for Christian students to thrive in college, putting forth effort to the Glory of God.  I also love the focus on community, how it is fundimental is building each other up in Grace, Truth and Love.  Community is not just a group of people you like to have fun with, they are people who should be impacting you as iron sharpens iron. I feel that this is a must read for all current and prospective college students. All is Great in our God Paul Shackelford

Far Too Easily Pleased This post comes from Desiring God and it highlights how we are often choosing lesser joys and lesser truths that the world feeds us. We are settling for less when God has so much more planned for us.  I have been embracing this fact more and more since I have been home.   It is something that is hard to get our minds wrapped around but as we do our view of who God is should simply explode. All is Great in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Paul Shackelford

My blog will become more of a log book because I enjoy keeping track of what life throws at me.  Now I will be posting quick updates on my life.  Also since I am typing on my nook the posts have to be quick and to the point.  My main reason for doing this is so that I can look back on my thoughts, perspectives, and general outlook on life.  I will continue to journal but this is a record that I can actually read in the years to come.  Time to go chop some firewood and possibly start carving my drum. All is Great in the Hands of our Lord Paul Shackeford Reading Update - Books Completed My Side of the Mountain Fahrenheit 451

Flee to the Cross Check out this blog post I read on Desiring God, I have been in a rut where instead of running to the cross I run to myself.  I attempt to solve my problems on my own and once again I have listened to the evil ones words as he pulls on my pride.  He simple tells me that I can solve any problem all on my own, that I do not need the spirit to lead me through the storm. Lord I know you are my only hope for transformation and healing, I surrender all to your hands. All is great in the Lord Paul Shackelford

While listening through this album that song has jumped out to me for some reason.  Listen to the song and read through the lyrics and let them resonate with you.  Please comment your thoughts on this song. Gimme a second, gimme a second yeah  Gimme a second, listen what I'm sayin to you  uh listen gimme a second  all I need is a second yeah  Gimme a second, uh yeah  Hey listen Cole talk that college talk  Wayne talks gangs Jay-z's talkin' money main to ain't talk fine  and people say I talk about the same old thing  reason that I sound the same's cause the truth don't change look people get it twisted like a limit in the spirit  if I ain't talking killin' I must be talking bout healing  and I ain't talking bout Jesus gonna make me a million  with my hands to the ceiling I got that spiritual feeling  head bowed down knees to the floor  You a christian and you rap?  it must be the way you flow, NO  I talk reality like mama o

Download Lecrae’s 18-track mixtape absolutely free on  datpiff.com . Honestly, I had no idea  Church Clothes  (which released just today) was a mixtape that was going to be offered for free… but alas, here it is in all of its shining (and free) glory. If you’re a big fan of Lecare, you should probably be extremely ecstatic right now. This is massive!  Lecrae is one of the most well known Christian Rappers at this present day and age.  Please support this musician who is doing amazing things to spread the Gospel to people and places we can not even imagine.  Please download this mixtape, play it load and proud and pass it along to your nonbelieving friends! All is Great in the Lord Paul Shackelford Here is a great interview about the album. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19706/title.lecrae-clarifies-his-gimme-a-second-line-about-jay-z-lil-wayne-details-spiritual-advisor-role-to-no-malice

I have been home for about five days now and my body is starting to adjust to being away from Tech.  I have been sleeping more, eating more, and reading more.  This adjustment has not come at a cost, today I slept for 10 hours in the night, woke ate some cereal and fell asleep while reading a magazine.  Then when I woke up it was 1pm and I had slept away most of my day.  This is no point to complain about because I really need this time of rest and recovery from a semester without returning home.  In these next few weeks I plan on doing a lot of reading, writing, running, and all of the time keeping my eyes glued to Christ.  Being at home always offers the opportunity to lower my gaze from Christ to this of this world.  Time, time, time, when time is abundant I tend to find myself running to the muddy water to drink when I have the option to spend time drinking deeply in the river of living water.  Please pray that in the next few weeks I will keep my gaze toward heaven knowing that I

5/5/12 11:50pm http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1346748 I just started searching the web again for another nook rooting option because I plan on using my nook as my primary computer this summer while on Summer Discipleship Project.  I want to make sure that its running the best possible root to suit my needs during this trip.  So long and farewell for tonight! 5/6/12 4:48pm http://nooktalk.net/discussion-forums/14-hacking-the-nook/3815-rooted-nook-touch-for-a-minimalist.html https://launchpad.net/win32-image-writer/+download I have found the newer version of the nook rooting solution that I used in the winter.  This should be a fun project, but I really don't want to waste any time working through this project. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1225196&page=2 Also I am trying to optimize the potential of this device as I have decided to make it my only communication to the outside world for the summer. 11:19 5/6/12pm http://