Don't Stop Believin'

Unfortunately, this blog has nothing to do with that song... but I am a small town boy. I needed some stuff for my house; I asked and got exactly what I asked for. I needed a computer; I asked and got a laptop. I wanted to start reading more books about God; I asked and got “Experiencing God”. All these things I just mentioned were free.



A few days later, while reading the book and listening to the radio, I was reading about people having a hard time following God, because He sometimes asks you to do things that are crazy. I had not finished that sentence and a Salvation Army commercial came on the radio and said “donate your trucks, cars, boats or rv’s”. These opportunities have popped up in the past and I’ve always pushed it off to as a coincidence. So after talking to a few close and wise friends I donated my car. Did it scare me? Yes! I had no idea when or if I would get a replacement vehicle.



Fast forward 4 weeks later. A young couple calls me and says "Here’s our car, do whatever you'd like with it.” Do I trust and believe in God? You bet I do!



Now I’m not telling you that this is what you have to do to get in good with God. I do know that I feel closer to Him and amazing things have happened to me Here are a few things I do:



1. Seek God. What that means is read the Bible. I try to read it everyday. I downloaded the YouVersion app (available for many devices) and follow the Life Journal Reading Plan. I have it set to the Message because it is the easiest to read and understand.

2. Seek fellowship. Don’t just go to church and check the box. Get involved with what’s going on. If your church says they don’t need your help with anything at all, go to a different church or call, text, email, tweet, facebook or foursquare me. Send smoke signals if you have to!

3. Most important trust and believe in God. If He asks you to do something, do it! If it makes too much sense, ask another believer that has done something crazy for God, that’s what I did!



Remember God rewards you when you step out on faith rather than live in fear, but you have to wait on what He tells you to do first!

Crashed

I was asked, by a reporter if I was a finagler. No, I am not. What I have done is, learn how to read people by body movements and actions. As well as pay attention to my surroundings and always be prepared-thanks mom and dad.

I have always been adventurous. As a kid, I would go on hikes/bike rides within a few of miles of my house and always show up late back to my house. Boy, did my butt pay for it when I got home. I would usually find somewhere to go or something to get into. While I was doing it I was scared, but I think that’s why I did it. I've always enjoyed the thrill of talking/meeting someone, doing something, being somewhere you are not supposed to be/doing. In the past and now it has been pretty ladies and different businesses that has given me the same rush.

Here recently, in March of 2010 I went to sxsw and met all kinds of good folks. I got into all kinds of parties and different venues. Yes I was pointed in the right direction and was introduced to the right people but most parties and venues I was on my own to get into. I ate and was drinking by eleven o’clock in the morning the entire week for free. I took a hundred bucks with me and came back with seven dollars . I saw four different keynotes. Too bad three of them were talking about something I have no idea about and still don’t.

I got into the pressroom where I almost got busted because I was trying not to laugh out loud. While everyone was blogging/writing for their website or paper, I was checking my email and Facebook. I may have even gotten a massage in the pressroom!

So I guessing you’re asking yourself, how can I do this? You can, all you have to do is ask for what you want and don't forget to smile big and have a great time!

Swag

The thing about getting something for free is, it’s free I know, surprise surprise. At the recent 2010 sxsw I went to, I got forty one t-shirts, five water bottles, four bags, sixteen pins, five writing pens, four packs of cigaweeds, two pouches of smoking tobacco, two towels, six baseball caps, rolling papers,(I don’t know why the caps or tobacco or rolling papers I don’t wear caps or smoke) a tattoo sleeve that I have tricked my mom and brother with( I have been disowned by my mom and now I’m a bigger hero to brother) I have lost count on how many monster energy drinks, protein energy bars and stickers I have received. I you ever see a guy at B&N with a bunch of stickers with one @chocov sticker on his laptop that’s me. A few people I know have been asking me for tips on swag. (I even got an invite for a tech conference in June).So here’s a few tips! The thing about swag is, it’s free people just ask for it! Don’t be a beggar, no one likes a beggar. Be very nice,(like patrick swayze said in the movie roadhouse…the only thing is that there will not be a time for you not to be nice). Listen to what any and everyone has to say. Who knows you just might need the product they are trying to sell you. Treat everyone with respect and dignity this isn’t boyz in the hood or prison. Treat them like you would want to be treated it’s in the bible. Keep a great attitude. If someone says no, it’s OK. It will be alright you didn’t want to be advertizing their product in the first place. If they say no and you really want a yes, come back later and talk to someone else in that booth. Kind of like what you did with your parents. Last but not least if they don’t have your size don’t worry about it take one anyways give it to your mom or dad or brother or sister someone. What might happen is that person will see you the next day and a new shipment may have come in with your correct size. If you were nice and pleasant!