Sorry, I No Write

I know it has been months since I last blogged, and I sorry I no write. I don't really have a good excuse like, I have been busier than Anita Dane at a funeral or somethings wrong with my internet. I have just been lazy. No more empty promises. I hereby do solemnly swear not to promise to write any new blogs ever. I am not saying that I won't write any, I am just saying that I am not promising to. Please feel free to check back periodically, and who knows there may be a new one. Also, feel free to leave any comments of frustration. It probably won't lead to spurring me to write more, but it is entertaining to read.
Thanks for entering the world of
Jeff Davis: Unfiltered "Where you're not as important as you think you are."

P.S. That's my new slogan. What do you think?

Transformational Thoughts

Transformational Thought #1
"I am God's son and He is well pleased with me."

Everyone that is a christian or has gone to church for a long period of time has heard this and knows the story that goes along with it. Jesus, before he begins any ministry work, goes to John the Baptist and is baptized. This is where this thought comes from. The clouds part and God speaks and says, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Three distinctive things are said there. Number one, "this is my son." The God and creator of the universe claims him as his son. Number two, "whom I love." Not only does the God and creator of the universe claim him, but he knows him and loves him. Lastly, "with him I am well pleased." Jesus, as far as we know up to this point, has not done any ministry work. Jesus did not have to heal a certain number of people or help a certain amount of the poor for God to be pleased with him. God was pleased with him because Jesus was his son and because of the relationship that they had. That story was not put in the Bible just to tell us how Jesus's ministry started, but also to serve as an example and an insight into how God thinks about us. If we could truly not only know with our minds, but believe with our hearts our true identity, then it would revolutionize the church and change the world. He claims us. He loves us. He is well pleased with us.

Transformational Thought #2
"Jesus did not die on the cross for me."

At first, this sounds very controversial but, lets think about it. I know the plan was for Jesus to come down to earth and to die on the cross for our sins but, was he really here for us. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus begged with God that "If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." It is very obvious that he did not want to do it, but the very next sentence reveals Jesus's true motives. "Yet not as I will, but as you will." He was there to serve God and to do God's will; we were just a result of Jesus yielding to God and doing His will. Sometimes I think that I am going to help this person or witness to that person because they really need it, but that is not the right motivation. It is not about those people, it is about serving and pleasing God. If my focus is on the people, then I will be disappointed if things don't go as I think they should, but if my focus is on God and I am doing His will, then it does not matter how things go because I have pleased God.

Transformational Thought #3
"Everything is Meaningless......"

Think about it. What is the point of being a good husband, being a good father, being a good citizen, going to work, going to church, or living life? If when I die there is nothing, then what is the point. Why go on living for the sake of living. This life is just to hard if this is all there is. I am not saying that there are not good times in life, but it seems for every good time, there are three bad times waiting around the corner. None of it means anything with out God. I know everyone has heard this before, but I think I am taking it a little deeper. I am not saying that, "OK, you are saved, you go to church every Sunday, give your tithe, and you are a good little christian, now your life has meaning." I am saying that you can do all of those things and your life still not have meaning. Meaning only comes through a relationship with God. Knowing Him and being obedient to Him. Outside of that you are walking on a tread mill, getting wore out and tired, but not going any where and no point for walking other than for walking sake. God is the reason we live with meaning.

Thanksgiving

Otherwise known as the best D___ food day ever! Just thinking about it makes me drool. The turkey with dressing (hooly-mooly), Valerie's infamous mashed potatoes (infamous because they make you have naughty thoughts which include a nine iron, a water buffalo, and a tub full of mashed potatoes), and my mom's chocolate pie. Anyway, I better stop or before I know it I will be swimming in my own saliva. I guess there are other reasons to love Thanksgiving, but I can't think of any. Just kidding. Seriously, there is a lot to be thankful for this year. I thank God for Valerie and little Gracie. I am also thankful for the family and friends that I am blessed to have (some more than others and you know who you are). Last but not least, I am thankful for God. I know you are thinking "Oh, there goes Jeff getting on his self righteous high horse, peering down at all the puny Christians," but that is not what is going on. I am really sincere. The last year has been a good one, and it is all due to Him. I have grown to know Him in a deeper way and in turn I am discovering who I am.

This is definitely my favorite time of year.

Thanks for everything,
Jeffery Steven Davis

Who is this Jeff Davis?

And has he ever really been filtered?

The answer is NO, I guess it's really just a statement of the obvious.

Now to the question of who is this Jeff Davis?

First of all, I am unapologetically and unwaveringly a follower of Jesus Christ. He is first and foremost who my identity is derived from and without Him I am nothing. I know that it is very cliche to say that but it does not take away the value of truth that is in it. We are all born into this world of sin and given lies to believe about ourselves whether by Satan himself, family, friends or others. And it is only through Jesus that I am truly set free from that bondage.

Secondly, I am a husband and soon to be father. I have been married to Valerie for 5 years and will be a father in February 2009. I am in love with Valerie and thank God that He put her in my life because honestly I don't know that just anyone could have with stood the test. She is incredibly kind, compassionate and supportive and I love her. ( Oh, did I already say that?) Fatherhood is obviously something new to me, although I think I will be a good father. I know this may be a shock to some of you, but I really am excited about this prospect. Even though I am a little scared, I am extremely thankful. It will be a stretching and exciting time in my life.

Finally, I am a Conservative. (gasp) Oh yeah, no apologies here either! My favorite president is Ronald Reagan. I believe in smaller government, traditional values and morals, and lower taxes. Lower taxes for everyone, especially the rich. (Just kidding Liberals!) But a quick question, when you lower taxes on businesses and the rich does that not mean that they have more money to put into the economy, for jobs and equipment which in turn would spur the economy to grow? Anyway, moving right along.

Hopefully, this gives you at least a small idea of who I am and what I believe. I am sure you will learn more about me as more unfiltered blogs come your way, but for now, that's all I've got!

Busier than Anita Dane.....

in a one legged butt kicking contest.

I have to apologize to all of my faithful readers for not posting blogs. Don't think I didn't notice that I was removed from your "blogs we like list". I hereby solemnly swear to write at least one new blog every month. So there you go, one down.
Just kidding!

Blog blog bloggy blog blog.

There comes a time in a mans life when he has to make a decision to succumb to the peer pressure or not, and I have made it. I have been turned to the blog side. First, it was myspace. Everyone said, "Oh, get a myspace," "You have to get a myspace if you want to be cool," and, "Everyone is doing it." Now, it is blogging, and all the same things have been said. Fine, I will blog, but I am going to do it my way. Some people have cutesie blogs about their wonderful families, and talk about how great their families are. While others are money saving, political, organic, or just crazy nonsense. My blog might be all of these or none of these, but there is one thing for certain; my blog will always be honest, unfiltered, and as smart as humanly possible. So now, without further ado, I am pleased to introduce to the blogging world, JEFF DAVIS: UNFILTERED.