What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

I like this topic! Yep, if someone calls themselves a Christian, they better do their best to convey love and respect for others and attempt to show them the "love of God" through acceptance and respect.Christian doesn't mean perfect! Doesn't mean hypocrite or we are to judge "others".

Christian means you change their lives and show them where they are lacking God in their lives through acceptance and love. 

God would never turn his back on his own creations, shun them away or reject them, pushing them farther and farther away. Not a great way to show the world what it means to be "Christian" especially when you are supposed to represent God's love.

God is love, love thy enemy. Don't love the sin, don't succumb to sin, judgement of others is actually a sin!  "Judgement is mine sayeth The Lord", and definitely never judge another as if "Christian" means perfect and every right to!

Its sometimes almost impossible to be a good Christian.  I find it very difficult on a weekly basis.

However that's okay, because I know God created EVERYTHING and EVERYONE and he forgives us for our sins if we ask and have a true heart.  However, we need to try to be the best representation we can be from there on!  We are human so we stumble, we fall, however, we are his creations, and we should know internally where our boundaries lie.

And its okay to be me... just as long as I remember whats right and whats wrong.  I find it very hard to love thy neighbor at times, there are so many evil influences in this world and so many selfish and disrespectful attitudes (selfish).  All we can do is our best.  

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!  For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.  God bless.

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Questions & Answers...

Symbols of Love - Written by Richard Peacock
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Questions & Answers...

Question: What prompted me to write Symbols of Love?  

Answer: This book is a collection of my art... it's an expression of viewpoints and self expression. 

Question: How did I begin my love affair with writing and at what age?  

Answer: I have had a love for writing at a very young age, when I was very young, I believe around age 7, possibly earlier, I remember awaking from a dream and with it still very vivid in my mind, my mother would encourage me to put it all down on paper.  My mother, also a writer (http://www.lulu.com/peacockcarol) would talk of submitting our writings to the Reader's Digest for possible publication.  So, as you can see writing has been a loved past time, instilled within me and has now become a necessary fiber of my existence.  

Question: What are some of the subjects within this book and which piece am I most proud of?  

Answer: The book touches on many if not all of life's subjects, it is a deep glimpse at my innermost thoughts and views of the world in general.  The poem or piece which I am most pleased with is one which is very simple, pure and to the point... "Twisting & Turning" has always been the poem which has moved me the most.  I have others, such as "Fracture" and "Whispers", and there are many which hold a special place within my heart, however, it's a feeling I would equate as to having a favorite child or a first born.  Very similar to the love I hold for one of the first songs which I wrote called "Don't Take Your Love Away", which is also included within the book.

Question: What makes Symbols of Love unique for other poetry books or lyrics & why should anyone invest in this book?  

Answer: I wrote Symbols of Love with careful and precise articulation, every word chosen is a word which I have deliberated over very carefully prior to it's placement.  I wanted to ensure an honest conveyance of the feelings and emotion which I have experienced within my own life experiences and the accurate description of such.  Symbols of Love isn't run on, waiting for a witty rhyme that never veers it's face, it isn't a gathering of words, simply for the sake of something to print.  And it is definitely NOT the "norm" for poetic expression.  The entire book is an artistic expression of my life, I am extremely proud of it and would love for everyone to enjoy what I have created!  I promise it's worth the money!  As I have said in the past, if you don't enjoy the book... I will refund your time.  

The book is available at several of the links below:

-Richard Peacock

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Why Nonprofit is Big Business in a Failing Economy

Website Photo Credit – Symbols of Love Organization www.symbolsoflove.org  By Richard Peacock

Nonprofits are becoming the majority.  More predominately now, than ever before.  The reason you ask?  Well we have to start at the beginning of the entire economic meltdown to obtain that answer.  In a failing economy cash is king, many businesses which have failed have done so because of the lack of cash flow and a failing economy is a direct result of cash hoarding.

The current economic situation is very similar a stock market meltdown; the shareholder (consumer) looses faith in the stock (services & products which businesses sell).  The investor (consumer) at which time, sells the stock which they are invested in, off at market.   If the investor then begins to fear the entire market may be flawed, the investor becomes opposed to the idea of re-investment.  Thus, driving the stock further into the ground, as a chain effect starts to take place as a direct result of the investor becoming poisoned by fear.

The investor (consumer) sells the stock (service and/or products which business have to sell), the stock at which time drops in value (cash flow recedes) as other investors now begin to  “lost faith” in this particular stock (unwanted product and/or service) and begin to sell off their shares as well.  As fear continues to prevail and spreads like an epidemic, affecting many of the other stocks (products/services) which reside on the market (economy).  The media assists in the administering (broadcasting) of this poisonous venom (bad news) as it continues to interject it into an already failing system (the economy).

Those who have “lost faith” in a particular stock (product/service) soon thereafter sell all shares within their possession (cease their purchase of services/products).  The stock market plummets to the ground (economy).  Businesses then begin to dry up; as they grasp at new ways to “cut expenses” they begin tightening up their purchases as well eliminating many of their office supplies and other unnecessary expenditures.  As these struggling businesses and now consumers alike, have eliminated the purchase of such products and/or services.  This in turn, affects the businesses, which were at one time were financially supported by the consumers purchase.  As the consumer has now deemed that particular service or product produced obsolete.

Businesses begin to cut back on payroll, which affects their employees’ paycheck amounts, and as a direct result of a “paycheck on a diet”, the employee then starts similar cutbacks within their daily lives and home product consumptions, creating a vicious domino effect, as they continue to cut their finances and or expenditures, other businesses feel it.  Eventually businesses begin layoffs as they attempt to offset their losses and ride out the recession, these businesses eventually begin to dry up (cash flow) and ultimately fold as the cash hoarding continues.

With many of the businesses that once succeeded in a “good economy” having now failed and become nonexistent, and former employees of such businesses now out of work, out of money and in many cases without the necessary funds to maintain food, clothing, shelter & health care.  What type of business would be desperately needed at this point?  And if the consumer can’t consume what type of business would be needed?  That’s right, assistance programs (nonprofit)!  You get an “A”!

Nonprofit is the business model that is the obvious choice.  In desperate times, with so many having lost their home, their income, and don’t know where the next meal will come from?  The only correct answer is nonprofit.  Nonprofit is necessary to rebuild a failing economic system.  When the system is weak it relies heavily on nonprofit, when it is strong it relies on job growth and massive consumer consumption.  Without either there must be something to fill the gap.  Nonprofit… it’s old business that’s new again for 2013.

Facebook (FB) where will (can) they go from here?

Initial Purchase Offering... opens at: $34 a share...  Great bargain for a social tech stock, right?  No wrong!

Whispers of non-disclosed profit loss, along side various lawsuits from investors on all sides, is now creating a huge downward spiral for FB stock (Facebook).  Opened today around $26.90 and still dropping!  Now at $26.75!

The big guys got in first and that is actually extremely lucky for most of us!  The very day of the IPO, FB started to loose value.  Days went by and weeks... slowly but surely the initial investors continue to "drop it like it's hot"!  The only upside to all this I can potentially see is getting in when it hits near bottom and then holding until Facebook comes up with a brilliant product/service, something to prove they are more than just a ad funded social site.

For now... that is exactly what they are.  Google has incorporated much more value to their brand by adding additional products/services to their search based model.

Facebook will hopefully have an innovative product shortly to curve the loosing streak... however, rumors of a Facebook Phone will not gain them much momentum in my opinion.  They will actually have to come up with something innovative and inspiring.  And not just a re-invention of the iPhone.  Facebook seems to be extremely transparent at this point in the game with today's investor.

Maybe they can re-invent the iPad next.

Mark Strand "Almost Invisible" new poetry?

 VS 

I find this life extremely ironic... So many artists, true artists, go un-noticed throught their entire career. Many truly unique and talented individuals die fameless as well as penniless. I for one will most likely be one of these very artists.

 In 2007 I decided to release a book which I wrote and self-promoted, called "Symbols of Love".  For over 5 years I have shouted to the world about "Symbols of Love", then just this last January 2012, I decided to re-write, and re-release a newly rennovated edition (Author's Digital Edition). I added more of my work... Added a psychological short story and re-vamped the front and back covers.

 "Symbols of Love" is wonderful! I have been told "Truly Profound", "Powerful" and "Inspirational".  The book is extremely inexpensive and available through all media download sources, yet it does not get the recognition it deserves... And probably never will.

 Sadly so many of you take a quick look, at the cover which grabs your attention, and just as fast as your interest is sparked... It fades thus the same.  Like a "hit and run", my book is left strewn about on the Internet floor, left floundering, gasping for air, begging for a single read... only $2.99!

 Yet sadly it seems real rhyme and poetic expression have given away to lazy groups of non-poetic wording, Hence, up sprouts a book of "poetry", written by a Mr. Mark Strand, called "Almost Invisible"... In reading several of the excerpts, I found that not only did NOT a single one of the sample excerpts reviewed, rhyme, but I found them lacking in actual substance, and sadly more than a bit dull...

I hate to be the thorn in Mr. Strand's side, however this is not what I would consider true poetic art form. It may be a form of "Traditional" poetry, or even considered "Classic", however, I find this sort of descriptive writing, nothing more than a group of words strung together, chasing one another around in a circle, and in no way, shape or form an actual poetic rhyme.

 Poetry should be perfect in form, clever and without a doubt, words must rhyme and flow toward and around one another, playfully intertwining, to be considered a true poem. Anything less in my mind is simply an "Haiku", and or a simple descriptive story... This is exactly what I would call "Almost Invisible".

iBookstore Addition!

Today is the day! Symbols of Love Author's Digital Edition is now available in the Apple iBookstore and iTunes! ONLY $2.99!

Description
Symbols of Love: Author's Digital Edition is a slightly "darker" edition from the original "Symbols of Love" print, this edition includes newly added material; additional poetry, as well as a short story called "Fracture", which was not included within the previously released print edition. All poetry & music written by English, Irish & Finnish American poet Richard Peacock.

"Symbols Of Love" - Pick up your digital copy today! www.amazon.com or www.symbolsoflove.us

"Symbols Of Love" - Pick up your digital copy today! www.amazon.com or www.symbolsoflove.us

Fade Away...

Looking back in horror, as "this" vision fades away...
Chasing time in circles... lost deep, within each day.
Memorize these fragments, as they're slipping from your grasp.
For purpose in this life, fades away... present and past.
Knowing all that should be, yet unable to accept this gift...
Fading, within these foot steps, as the ripples seem to shift.
Distorting precise images, that prevailed in distant times.
Bleeding out... your prized possessions, all remaining? Endless time.
Hollow out your heart... so you may bare another day...
This shall surely be eternal... for we know no other way.
Live another lie, for we shall live amongst these crimes.
Bathe within the past... as you die time after time.
Follow in these foot steps, as you suffer and decay.
Raise your head to realize what lies ahead was lost today...
Given from another, who had taken from the rest, as your futures destine to you, visions fading for all the rest.
It's odd? You cannot see before you... what lies within your path.
Question every moment, as you shall reap this barren aftermath.

Lost with out... LOST!

Sadly... the last ounce of enjoyment in many of our lives has now been entirely drained from the bottle and or flask, your choice, in which we drank! I can't believe there is nothing left at this point on US television to exercise our American minds and stretch out our creative boundaries! I know many do not share my pain! And that's okay... I get it! You never reached that plateau of mental awareness... it's not your fault. It's our society and American ways. After all let's face it, we are not known for our historic culture and great minds! We are known for surfboards, sunshine and beautiful blond people bathing in their own skin and living for the next party and our shallow hedonistic existence. So many who have felt that they truly understood, yet many more feel a bit LOST! Such is life. You're not suppose to put it all together in a neat little box and put a pretty little bow around it and call it "consummatum est". Just ask Pandora... Anyway, as the final episode of LOST drew near and many questions were answered, many more were left strewn about like a fallen plate of spaghetti! I picked up the meat balls, after all, they were the only recognizable bits that stood out from the mess! So... here are the meat balls: They were all dead the entire time... Jack, Kate (Freckles), Sawyer, Juliet, Sayid, Charlie, Jin, Sun, Desmond, John and my very favorite character in the bunch Hurley... they all perished in the initial plane crash, from there each episode in which they attempted to figure out where they were, and how to get back to where they initially came from, and each attempt to flee the island, was apparently, what I believe to be the writers perception of "LOST SOULS" souls who haven't any idea what happened to them and that they actually are not in the physical form any longer. The flash backs of each character's life, seemed to be what each soul was remembering prior to the crash, then as the episodes unfolded several made it off the "Island", which was what I believe was the writer's way of conveying the eventual "crossing over" to the other side. As many of them were still left still on the "Island". The "Island" by the way... "Purgatory". The cross over was completed by Jack, Hurley and a hand full of the rest, as a way of accepting their demise or fate. They felt the need to go back to the Island in an attempt to help the rest of the LOST crew find their way back to the main lands, which I like to call "Heaven". When they did in fact come back to save the rest from the Island (Purgatory), they found it necessary to act out a script of necessary tasks which must be fulfilled in order for their loved friends, family and crew members to be able to realize or awake to what had actually happened and give them direction and purpose. These equations which they had to accomplish/solve, were the crossed over souls, only means of communication with the rest of the LOST SOULS who remained on the island. Sometimes in life, and most likely death, we can not see things as they truly are... and many times there are ways in which me must be dealt with delicately, as many of us are fragile minded, many more are extremely stubborn minded and if the obvious is evident and manipulation is the objective, rebellion sets in. Therefore creating friction and rejection, hence, loss of progression. And what I would imagine to be, the production of a LOST SOUL. And that it would be... forever if not guided in the proper way to the "other side". If in fact that is exactly what does occur at times after death. No one truly knows. So, getting back on track... Jack was the "Final" lost soul who took it upon himself (itself) to ensure all of the other LOST SOULS made it across to the "other side" safely. However, Jack became lost, so to speak, himself. So after helping the remainder of them to cross over, Jack himself indeed needed guidance finding his way back. Hurley and Benjamin Linus were to assume the guiding protector role from Jack, therefore, relieving Jack of his self imposed duty, and allowing Jack to cross. After Jack's final crossing, I believe Jack and the rest had finally realized... there was no more pain, no more heart ache and no more turmoil. And possibly the only way each would actually have ever realized this, is all in the way the entire sequence of events played out. We truly don't know anything more than our own perception of reality. And, "HEAVEN" may just be what you make of it! Or it may just be an alternate universe that runs parallel with ours! One that we can not conceive, for reasons in which we have not yet awoken to. Yes... I said awoken. Don't worry, you're not suppose to understand just yet... it's something you just can not conceive at this point in time. Did I say time?... what is time... really?

"Levity of Words"

"There is much too much to say, yet, no one left to listen. It is in times like these, which you reflect and realize, exactly who and what is truly important in your life. Keep listening, for at this point, I haven't yet, said anything of any significant value, even so, I have since dictated a novel... I shall give them what they seem to want and say nothing period, for they haven't any idea of the damage inflicted by the levity of words, thoughtlessness of their actions and lack thereof. -Richard Peacock

Why?... WHY???

God is all powerful, all knowing, he, for lack of a better description, is everything to everyone... yet, he allows us our own choices in life, he allows so many horrific events to take place and evil to on many occasions prevail. We are given free will, the choice to live or die, the choice to cherish life, or take one. The choice between good and evil and although many do not know how to do it... the ability to take control of our life and manipulate that life to a certain extent channeling it in various directions. We are told not to judge, for judgement is suppose to be left unto our lord. Yet we are able to persecute and ridicule. Even the State is given the power to decide how life is spent and at times whether life is lived at all. Church congregations, ministers and countless Christians as well as Catholic and multiple other religions, being human, and extremely confused as to what our God wants or asks of us, seem to forget right from wrong and become hypocritical and judgemental and treat one another as less worthy of respect judged upon race, creed or religion. Rather than "treat others how you would expect to be treated" and "love one another". WHY??? Why are we allowed to become so corrupt in our beliefs, values and views of one another? Why were we given free will to hate and commit horrific sins against each other? Why are innocent children taken from this world at young ages? Why do we grow old? Why must we all loose our loved ones one at a time and in some cases all at once? Why is there so much hate? Why is there so much greed? Why don't we take care of one another? Why are some reading this right now and thinking "Fucking Idiot"? Why are so many so screwed up? And why don't we value one another? Why don't we have the time for common courtesy? Why don't we make time for friends? And why does it seem that many who call themselves your friend, usually end up asking for something you haven't offered? And why do some take advantage of your good nature and genuine caring for their well being? I could and would blog on much, much longer here, but I think you've been, or are now, where I have gone with this... next time you call a family member or a friend to ask for something from, or of them, think about the last time you called just to say hi, or to tell them you love them, or miss them or would like to get together with them... or better yet! Think about the last time you offered them something of yourself freely without motive. Think of in what way you have enriched their life and then, attempt to remember some of those great moments you have brought to their life and the last time you made their life a bit easier or happier because you gave something of your self, selflessly.

"Symbols Of Love" Available on Kindle Books!

SHORT STORIES & POETRY

Good morning!

Just a quick update, I will be posting most of my work in the months to come.
I have decided to post excerpt poems & my new e-book "FRACTURE" here at: www.richardpeacock.us as the months draw on. Blog on daily! As I will be posting
the first of many poems in the days to come...

-Richard

BOOKS: "Symbols Of Love" and "FRACTURE"

Hi, back again! I wanted to blog a bit about a couple of my books. The first is "Symbols Of Love" - my poetry & music! I am extreemely proud of it! Please for the love of art! Check out my craft! www.lulu.com/richardpeacock

One more... the latest in e-books! "FRACTURE" a psychological short thriller! You can download either of them or both at the same time at AMAZON'S new Kindle Book Store or... www.lulu.com/richardpeacock

Hope to get some feed back soon!
Best wishes,
Richard Peacock