Another 3+ Mile Walk & Culvers!

Well, I went on another walk this afternoon ( https://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/4548261610 ), and went and got some Culver's (a concrete mixer - Reese's and M&M's). Couldn't get the Galaxy Song out of my head all day today (by Monty Python, as recorded by Clint Black). I'm off to study my Bible now.

Random Name Generator Completed!

Well, I finally completed a new feature in my game - a random Bible name generator. It takes a list of Bible names for both genders and selects & pairs two of them together to make a random name. So, you get things like Silas Shem or David Silvanus, or whatever. You click a button and it generates a new name each time. I had to do this because I was getting a bug with the name input field - where you could come up with your own name, so now instead it randomly generates a name for you. Kind of a bug = feature scenario, lol.

3 mi Walk & Prayer

This morning, after coffee with mom, I went on a 3 mi walk ( https://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/4547398306 ) around the neighborhood and out to McDonald's for a Sausage & Egg McMuffin (I know, it's kind of my thing ;-) lately) I prayed as I walked, too - and made a plan to work on my video game project when I got back inside after stretching and posting my walk.

A LONG Ride and Some Chocolate Silk Pie, and My Ordination Ring

Well, yesterday I went on a LONG bike ride ( https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4542493759 ) - 14.28 miles! I rode all the way out to Perkins on the Far East Side for some chocolate silk pie and an iced tea. My phone died on the way to my parents' place so there's a big long straight line from that location to my parents' place. It sill saved my workout, however! So that's great. I also had a rough morning this morning - lots of battles with the flesh, the world, and the devil - they think they can take me but they can't when I have Jesus Christ of Nazareth on my side! In His name I cast out every unclean, every foul spirit - and Satan Himself - from my life out into the outside world in Jesus Christ's name! OH! and I got my ordination ring in Grama's mail today - she's the one who bought it - and it's really nice. REALLY nice. I also went on a "brief" 3 mile walk today ( https://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/4546018153 ). My right knee & legs hurt though, from yesterday's bike ride. Need to stretch it out from now on.

A Walk, A Read, and NOS

    Went out for coffee with Mom early this morning, and then I just now came in from a 4 mi walk around the neighborhood - into the wooded area behind Lakeview Elementary, and up to McDonald's for a Sausage & Egg McMuffin & a Coke, and back around the apartment complex several times. https://www.mapmywalk.com/workout/4538349805 I also just read Genesis 15 - about God's covenant with Abram (Abraham) - He promises Abram (Abraham) as many children as there are stars in the sky - and Abram (Abraham) believed God - and God credited it to him as righteousness, and makes a covenant with him that he will bring His People into the land promised to Abram (Abraham) - from the river of Egypt (The Nile) to the River Euphrates. Interestingly, He's not going to give it to them until they've spent time in slavery in Egypt for a couple hundred years, until "the iniquity of the Amorites is complete" - so I assume the Amorites who live in the land of Canaan must have been wicked and needed to have their chance to "fully screw up" before God would kick them out via the Israelites.

I've been drinking NOS for energy throughout the day (usually only two cans per day) https://drinknos.com/products - it tastes like a sparkling orange juice and gives a lot of mental acuity and mental & physical energy. It has Taurine, Caffeine, Inositol, Vitamin B6, Guarana, and Vitamin B12. It helps to combat the sedating effects of some of my medications.

The First Tither

    I just read Genesis Chapter 14 - and found out that Abram (Abraham) was the first to tithe - he gave a tenth of all the spoils of war he had acquired to Melchizedek, Priest of God Most High (El Elyon) after Melchizedek blessed Abram (Abraham). Jacob, Abram's grandson, was also a tither. However, in both cases this was a one-time deal, not a "every Sunday" affair or even a monthly event. We continue the tradition of tithing today in most churches, where a tenth is considered normal giving - a starting point. Many have been blessed for giving the tithe - and gotten out of debt and been made most prosperous. I want to be blessed. I used to give at least a tenth if not much more of my income - but now that all my income is from SSI and SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Disability Income) I wonder if I should be giving out of that "pot" - if it's intended for me to live on? Do I spend the government's money on whatever I want or need and then not also tithe? I only see about $150 of it per month coming into my own bank account - the rest is all paid towards my bills. So, $15 a month as a tithe? I'm game for that. My Grama says I should only give out of a cheerful heart - giving to a cause I believe in, not necessarily tithing. My Mom says I should try tithing out of my time and not just money. Like prayer time or time spent serving others or the church. But you know, I am already blessed, so I should be a blessing to others - not blessing others so that I can be blessed. This follows the biblical pattern - Abram (Abraham) was first blessed by God through the Priest Melchizedek, then he decided to tithe out of a grateful heart. Not the other way around. Amen! So I think I will give my $15 to Impact Ministries International - the organization that ordained me - and their City of Refuge in Honduras - they urgently need to install a sewage system and need the funds - and I believe in what they're doing down there. And I will give prayer time as well! 72 Minutes/Day = 1/10th of my waking hours.

A Walk & Coffee - It's Hot Out There

I went on a 2.87mi walk today ( https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4531611913 ) around in the woods behind Lakeview Elementary School and around the block several times at my apartment. Then I got coffee (a Jamaican Road Warrior) with my mom (and a Sausage & Egg McMuffin!) and came back inside cause it's HOT out there! (90 deg F). Today is also my Grandma's birthday! Happy Birthday, Grama!

Upgrading Unity, Went On A Bike Ride

I'm currently upgrading my Unity install to the latest release - Unity is the game engine I use to create my Christian video game(s).

Also, went on a 6.3 mile bike ride with two friends ( https://www.mapmyride.com/workout/4529760373 ), and we got Ian's Pizza along the way back. I also walked about 4 miles today total. That's 10+ miles of exercise. I used Map My Ride for the first time, which was pretty cool. My legs hurt. Lol.

What I'm Currently Studying

I'm currently reading "Renewal Theology Vol. 1" and it's pretty hefty.  Learning about theology and its function in the Christian community and beyond. Also learning about apologetics. I will be taking an apologetics course in September with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Excited about that. I'm also studying Genesis - I'm currently on Chapter 10 and it's boooorring, lol. Just genealogies of Noah's sons and their descendants. Although I suppose those tribes -> nations will be mentioned again later in the scriptures so I should be paying attention lol. Can't wait for Chapter 11 - The Tower of Babel. Yeah. Anyways, I'm also studying the Bible through The Bible Project videos - they're great! Just head on over to http://www.thebibleproject.com

The Curse of Canaan

Genesis 9

1And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.

...

20Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.^c 21He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him,25he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;    (notice Noah cannot curse Ham directly, because Ham was already blessed by God in verse 1, so he curses Ham's firstborn Canaan)

a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” (The subservience of certain dark-skinned peoples - Ham means burnt or black or hot)

26He also said,

“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem;    (Shem is the father of the Semitic tribes, including the Hebrews)
and let Canaan be his servant. (Again, the subservience of certain dark-skinned peoples)
27May God enlarge Japheth,^d    (Japheth is the father of the Europeans incl. the Greeks)
and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, (Perhaps the cohabitation of Shemites and Japhethites in the same lands)
and let Canaan be his servant.” (A third time, the subservience of certain dark-skinned peoples)

According to traditional Ethiopian histories, Canaan's son Arwadi (lit. "the Arvadite") and his wife Entela crossed from Asia into Ethiopia in 2101 BC, and the Qemant tribe were said to be descended from their son, Anayer. There is further an Ethiopian tradition that two other Canaanite tribes, viz. the Sinites and Zemarites, also entered Ethiopia at the time it was ruled by the Kingdom of Kush, and became the Shanqella and Weyto peoples, respectively.^[6] The Qemant relate that they share their Canaanite origin with the other Agaw groups.^[7] The Omotic speaking Shinasha have a similar tradition of descent from Canaan's son Hamati^[8] Similarly, the Shinasha extend the Canaanite ancestry to neighboring ethnic groups^[9] The Persian historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (c. 915) recounted a tradition that the wife of Canaan was named Arsal, a daughter of Batawil son of Tiras, and that she bore him the "Blacks, Nubians, Fezzan, Zanj, Zaghawah, and all the peoples of the Sudan."^[10] Likewise, Abd al Hakam tells that "Canaan is the father of the Sudan (Sub Saharan Africans) and the Abyssinians".^[11]

Interesting how an ancient curse from the lips of righteous Noah continues on to modern times - where Africans are subservient to their neighbors, and not so long ago were indeed their slaves. I believe the only way for this curse to be reversed is through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ - which breaks every curse and blesses us with authority over that which keeps us bound.

Psalm 88

This Psalm really spoke to me - I feel like I've gone down to the pit - I feel like I've been abandoned by God - "My soul is full of troubles" - I've seen myself "in the regions dark and deep" - that I've been in the darkness. But I know when I test the spirits that God is still with me and approves me. But not every spirit that speaks to me is so kind - I have to continually cast out the devils from my life. It sucks! Beyond that, I edit when the Lord speaks to me - I put in and take out phrases and words because I'm afraid to hear what He really wants to say to me - even though I know it's for my good and not for evil. I'm afraid. But I know I should fear God, but not be afraid of God. I know that He is LOVE - and He never leaves me nor forsakes me. I've found a refuge, though - in my heart.

"Here in my heart there's a refuge waiting. Here in my heart you just won't let me go. I could run away run away but you'd stay, here in my heart." - Susan Ashton

I Cry Out Day and Night Before You

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil^a of Heman the Ezrahite.

1O LORD, God of my salvation,
I cry out day and night before you.
2Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!

3For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
4I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
5like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
6You have put me in the depths of the pit,
in the regions dark and deep.
7Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

8You have caused my companions to shun me;
you have made me a horror^b to them.
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
9my eye grows dim through sorrow.
Every day I call upon you, O LORD;
I spread out my hands to you.
10Do you work wonders for the dead?
Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
11Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12Are your wonders known in the darkness,
or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13But I, O LORD, cry to you;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14O LORD, why do you cast my soul away?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.^c
16Your wrath has swept over me;
your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17They surround me like a flood all day long;
they close in on me together.
18You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.^d

My Heart - Exposed

I've been meaning to write this for some time. I believe that Jesus Christ is God's only Son, our Lord. And I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thing is, I can't seem to find Him. I hear the voice of the Son, and the Spirit, and even the Father - but I'm not 100% sure it's really them! I wonder if it's just my imagination. I wonder if I've been duped. Lead astray, never to come back. I've experienced some horrendous evil voices as well - surely of the devil - challenging my faith and trying to get me to confess untruths about myself, my salvation, and my God. I love Him (God) and I want everything that is good from His Hands! But I'm continually tempted to believe that He's not good - that He's out to get me and damn me to hell, or even continually tempted to damn myself to hell (if it were possible). I love my God. He's wonderful, He's full of grace and mercy and truth. I see His grace in my life every single day - and His mercies are new every morning. But the enemy keeps encroaching on my relationship with God - the Trinity - and inserting his messages into what sounds like their voice(s) - so I'm constantly on guard and constantly casting devils out of my life and my home and my presence. What do I do? How do I call myself an ordained minister of the gospel when I struggle so much with the mere basics of the faith? But maybe that's part of why I *am* qualified. Tom Stamman, the President of Impact Ministries International, who ordained me, told me to remember that I am qualified - that God even supernaturally showed up during my ordination ceremony and verified my qualifications. You can see it on my Facebook page - here - Maybe, just maybe, my experiences in the darkness, along with what God has spoken to me in the light, is enough to qualify me to help others through their dark nights of the soul and back into the light where Christ can shine.

"Anointed One" Progress

    So far, I have an interactive Bible verse feature in several places:  praise, worship, prayer, putting on the armor and clothing of God, and rest. Basically, you have to find in the Bible any verse that refers to one of these things and it will allow you to progress in that area. I also have the ability for the player to memorize scrolls of scriptures and use them later in other places. I'm also working on dialogues between characters in the game (the player, and NPCs (Non-Playing Characters)) - sharing the gospel and giving gifts and so on. I'm currently working on an interactive Inductive Bible Study feature (with colored markings on words and phrases - we'll see how far that goes 😉 [it's going to be tough to implement]). Also working on spiritual gifts and anointings and what effect each has on an NPC. My first play tester said I should allow the player to choose wether or not he will follow God or follow the Devil. I personally disagree - as I don't wish to glorify evil in a video game when so many games out there do exactly that. I want a linear progression towards good, while allowing you to choose how exactly you will go about it in choosing gifts and anointings and what "points" to expend on what character attributes you with to invest in, and how you interact with NPCs in dialogues.