First Class Done and MLK Day

Hello World! I've truly been slacking, but i'm back and i have some great news...

Drum roll please...

My first 'return to college class' is done! That's right, i finished my class up this past weekend. Now, i've moved from the macro to the micro and i'm taking 'cross cultural communication'. I'll be adding a third class in a few weeks. My goal is to take six classes this year.

It's been fun to learn some new information and it was a great time to take MacroEconomics with the state of the US economy. Now, when i read the headlines, they make a lot more sense to me.

In addition to this, i had a great MLK day yesterday. Anyone who knows a little about me will know that Martin Luther King is a hero of mine. I ended up putting this move 'King' on my DVR. I sat down with my son and watched it. He took the whole thing in and was taken back when he saw MLK get shot at the end. It's like he knew everything else, but he didn't know how he died. We had a good talk about good and evil and what that looks like and about his ability to use his life for good and to make a change. He was truly moved by King's life.

I want my sons to understand Dr. King's life in a grander scale than simply helping a march or giving a great speech.Dr. King stood up for something that was greater than himself and, knowing that it was going to cost him his very life, refused to step down or yield to the pressure. These are principles that I want for myself and my children. I want to carry that dream of freedom and the hope for a future that's brighter than today. I want to have the courage to speak even when the words don't want to be heard. I want to stand even when the weight on my shoulders is more than i can handle.

I want to close with the words of Martin Luther King's final sermon and words that have inspired me for years. They were spoken just one day before his life was taken. These words are not just for our ears, but for our hearts'.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." MLK

God Bless,
GP
http://www.gphintz.com/

Decisions - An Impetus of Growth

Well, i told y'all a little while back about my journey back into the educational realm. (click here to read that blog) It has been a great transition and i am so glad that i took that step. I've often spoken with people who have had to make big, tough decisions in their life. Often times these decisions are difficult because they will end up affecting more than just themselves and because every piece of the puzzle isn't showing yet. They're left there wondering 'Well, what if this happens...' or 'What if that happens?' School, for me, was one of those decisions.

Sure, i knew that it was what i was supposed to do. However, it didn't make sense. What for? Where was the money coming from? Would it take me away from my current goals? How would it affect my kids? Is it even necessary?

I stepped out before I saw all the pieces come together. I signed up and started my class. I was diligent and filled out all the forms for a pell grant, but committed in my heart that i wasn't going to go into debt to go to school. I've been in the dangerous quicksand of debt and have committed never to go there again. If i couldn't pay cash for it, i wasn't going to take it. Then, someone came up to me. They said, 'I hear you're going back to school and i think that's great. I talked with someone that you need to talk with. They're the head of an organization that i think will be interested in what you're doing and may want to help.' I said 'OK. When and where?'

Long story short... God showed up again! I'll be able to take at least 3 classes per semester with the help of this organization! So, I'm signed up for Microeconomics and a Communications course. I'll be signing up for one more in a week or two. Please keep me in your prayers as i juggle work, school, family and ministry. I believe this is God's goal for me today and that i am in His perfect will.

Now, maybe you've been dragging your feet. You've heard the call or the push or the nudge but you're asking yourself, 'But what if this or that.' Stop!!!! Step out and the road will emerge. Start walking and the ground will firm up beneath your feet. Let your movement be the impetus of growth necessary in your life today. Mentally, emotionally and spiritually - you need to take that step today. Stop making excuses and just GO FOR IT!

GP
www.gphintz.com

I Relent!

OK! So I knew it was coming. Moment to moment and conversation to conversation the theme was there.

It started about a year ago when a nemisis of mine was used by God to make a statement that changed my life. He said, 'A degree is simply to open doors. We go so far and then we hit a locked door. A degree is the key which opens it'. I buried that advice in my heart and let it sit there.

Eight months later I'm approached by our interim pastor who told me about the gifts that God has given me and implored me to go to school. 'This will be a subject that I'll be bringing up as long as you know me. It is so important for you.' he said.

Then i received a donation of a TV for our youth house about 2 weeks ago. The donor helped me move it into the house and then stood with me on the front porch and said, 'You need to consider an education - God's got a great plan for you and it will only help you move forward.'

At that moment i felt like the world stopped spinning, the voice stopped speaking, the lizards stopped slithering and i looked to the heavens and screamed:

"ALRIGHT ALREADY! I'LL GO! I'LL DO IT! I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME AND I'LL DO IT! EVEN IF I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PAY FOR IT OR WHERE TO GO OR WHAT DEGREE TO GET! I HEAR YOU AND I'LL ACT!"

So, now i move forward. I will be starting something within the next two months. I've found some good options for me fairly close by and will keep you informed as i move forward. Please pray that i pick the right major and that God enables me to balance work, school and family in a way which honors Him. I covet your prayers and words of encouragement. Thank you!

GP

http://www.gphintz.com/