I probably won’t have much time to post updates throughout the upcoming month, since I have a full schedule and honeymoon coming up. But once we get back and settled in, I’ll be sure to update you on all the details. It’s funny sometimes how weddings brings out the true nature or sides in people. I’ve really found how during this trying time who my family is, and who supports me and Alexandra. It’s been a painful road to walk, but finally I can see reward just around the corner, and that reward is a life dedicated to the one I love, my best friend and the angel sent from Heaven just for me, Alexandra. Nothing else matters, just the two of us and our beloved family that will be there at the wedding. Blessings to you all, and see you real soon!

Here’s a sneak peek at our wedding programs.

Meet our wedding party.

Many religions, denominations and cultures that are Christian based all have wonderful doctrines, teachings and ministries worldwide. But the majority of these denominational organized religions delude the simple message of Christ with traditions, rules, man-made laws and ceremonial concepts. It was noted that there was over 650 rules for Christians to try to follow before Christ came to this world. These rules covered everything from marriage, ways to worship and even down to proper ways of pleasing to God of sacrificing animals as atonement of sins. Are we as human beings in corrupt mental and physical bodies expected to uphold all 650 of these rules? Of course not! We can’t as a matter of fact. Our human nature won’t allow it, and even when we feel we’re okay in one area of our lives, according to old biblical doctrine you could be breaking the rules and laws of God.

What happened to all these rules? Where did they go? And why do we often find ourselves following rules that other people set in motion in our own lives, when we should be rewriting the scripts for our futures ahead!? I usually don’t get into religious blogs, but this one, I can’t turn down. One event happened in history that changed rules and laws that governs Christian religious belief and that was the entrance of a Savior into the world. Not only did Christ break down the walls of rules, Christian politics and laws, but He rewrote them in such a manner that even a 3 year old child could understand. How powerful of a message is that! The simple message of “LOVE” was all that Christ magnified. Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” The understanding is simple, the groundwork is elementary yet modern day denominations require some of the oddest cultural traditions that they feel will ultimately get you to Heaven. For example, some churches and faiths believe that woman should never cut their hair, never wear makeup, no jewelry and mens hair should be above the collar of a shirt. It’s true, I’ve actually been to some churches that practice this traditional style of worship. Some denominations even go as far as not allowing any musical instrument in their sanctuary. Is this the right way to worship and be free? By following these hand-me-down beliefs and traditions, will it get you closer to the almighty? Some say yes, I say no. If Christ wanted us to love and serve, then we as his disciples should follow in His footsteps and do just that!

By breaking down the walls of governed doctrine, We as believers are free from the bondage of law and rules that other Christian faiths have mandated for centuries. In doing so, we can do a total 180 and go in the other direction, seeking out our enemies, foes and those that despise us and show them the love of an almighty God. By serving others, you humble yourself, just as Christ did at the last supper when he washed the feet of his twelve disciples. The entire law was summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself(v14 Galations 5). Be faithful and serve those that hate you, betray you, despise you and hurt you. Which leads me to my next topic, churches that have cliques who argue, fuss and fight over the silliest of things. Much like Apple iPhone has the phrase, “There’s an app for that,” The Bible has a verse for the church on bickering members; “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other (v15 Galations 5). Losing site of of Christ’s freedom and arguing will only devour your life’s purpose and God’s ultimate plan for you and your life! How many times do you drive by country roads and see church after church, sometimes spaced feet apart or across the street from each other? If you can’t get along in the house of God now, how can you expect to so the face of the almighty with malice in your heart toward your fellow church members? Many folk, like myself, just don’t join churches because of scars from past experiences due to avid church members that can’t keep their mouth shut on what they feel is right. Wake up, it’s not what you feel is right anyway that matters, it’s how you portray yourself in the everyday world and serve others with love, kindness, humility and compassion that we should be more concerned with.

So I challenge you, if you believe as a Christian, stop for a moment and look at Christs three main principles: love, serve and believe. If your denomination is adding anything else to this equation, you may need to get a front end alignment on your brain and set your feet on the straight and narrow. Back home in KY, I was member of at least 5 churches in 3 denominations. You could say I was soul seeking for the right way, path and answers of life. But many times, clouding Christ’s ground breaking message with handed down ways, traditions and requirements only confuses people. Some people get so wrapped up in attempting to follow rules, they forget to relish in the joy of their own salvation. It amazes me that people spend their entire lives perfectly happy where they are at in their spirituality. They get up Sunday morning, take a shower, get in the car, go to church, make sure all the kids dress right, make sure no one’s hair is too long or short, look at other people’s clothing, and then promptly dismiss church, and the cycle repeats week after week. What exactly are you accomplishing in your life? I challenge you, Christians, non believers or anyone else that reads this blog to simply “DO SOMETHING” with your life. We all have a purpose, a goal and Christ wants us to meet that expectation. Break the redundancy in your life cycle, and evaluate your surroundings. Love, Serve and simply believe.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

This was the topic of Pastor Paul‘s sermon this morning at Christ Church of Orlando, and let me tell you, it made a lot of sense to me. What do we as faith believers do now after the big “event” is over and we’re waiting on New Years or the next Holiday around the corner? Much like a car is motion is moving forward, without a path or destination, the car wonders aimlessly in circles. Food for thought here gang, “Value Progress More Than Movement.” Any movement is good motion, but progressive movement is directional and transcending. To progress in life and mature as an adult and in faith is progress. So, instead of being bewildered in self pity after Christmas, we should kind of stop and reflect on our life for this one week before the New Year. Does our life have progress and direction? Or are you simply “Driving Miss Daisy?” I simply love this concept of thinking. The reason being, I personally needed that moment to stop and look at things prospectively in my own life and kind of readjust my mentality towards spiritual understanding rather than personal gain. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on in my life that I just keep hush, and for good reason. And it takes it toll on me emotionally and from time to time drains me of my joy and happiness. I share these hardships with just a limited handful of people, and my pastor is one of those trusted leaders in my life that I feel guides me through his messages and delivers exactly what I need to hear when I need it!

Another interesting topic of conversation for you, “Value Character More Than Reputation.” Character is how we see ourselves and no one else. Sometimes we’re our own worse judge, and I’m always guilty of being my own worst critic in life. I never give myself a chance to shine and be heard enough, but it’s my limiting characteristics than hinder me from becoming something more than I am now. I could honestly care less about my reputation, because frankly, it doesn’t really concern me about what others think and feel about me. I am nice, friendly and humble to everyone around me, even those than don’t like me as much, but in terms of my reputation in my eyes, it doesn’t bother me. But get this, I am more concerned about how others perceive my character than my own reputation, meaning I want others to have a positive and good impact with all ties of communication to and from me. My character needs a stronger foundation, I’ll be the first to admit it. I need a better self image, and be more confident in doing and achieving my goals in life and not worrying so much about the “if’s” in life. Again, progress is better than movement, and character is stronger than reputation.

Lastly, “Value Spirituality More Than Religious Values.” This simple phrase could really raise some eyebrows back home in the heart of the bible belt in Kentucky where religious values are reared more than becoming closer to God spiritually. Practices likes not wearing makeup, no jewelry, no hairspray, men must wear long sleeve shirts, women must wear their hair in a particular style and always wear dresses below the knees, the alter is the only place to be saved (FALSE) and some in the backwoods of Appalachia even practice the ritual of snake-handling. Yes, I’ve seen in myself and was scared like you wouldn’t believe, but it’s out there. Even some Christian denominations practice rituals, ceremony and tradition more than actually worshiping God and growing stronger in Christ. I wish some people back home could grasp this firm reality than their practice of traditions doesn’t grant them everything in their Christian walk of life. It’s a harsh but sad truth about rituals and traditions dating back to Old Testament days. I remember hearing some old elders of the church saying things like, “We need to get back to the days of old, and practice the old ways.” Okay, are we invoking the idea that going back to the 1920′s is a good thing? Many of the old elders and saints in the Baptist churches back home believe that practicing traditions handed down over the centuries is their life-link to living Holy. Holding some traditional values are good, but not substantial enough in today’s modern sophisticated society of tech-gurus. What was horse and buggy then is iPhone and Twitter now. Embracing what you have in the now can be your biggest advantage depending on how you use it and what you use it for, haha. Christ himself even had to break the chains of tradition and Christian man-made laws and simply offer himself as the one true peacekeeper and sustaining force of spirituality and growing. Of course doing this led to his own persecution and and ultimately the rejection from his own people.

So, after hearing Pastor Paul elaborate this morning about “After Christmas,” I am left with this simple thought. Adjust, realign and progress spiritually. I need to take this to heart, and hopefully by this time next year, see the fruit of my labor and praying come to pass. It’s my ultimate goal in life to do one simple thing, and be able to achieve that one simple task. I know what that is, and even though I choose not share that online, I will say this, my faith will carry me through. It has proven effective to me 100% of the time, and had it not been for my faith in Christ, Joe Burke would not be here today. Plain and simple. God’s hand is over me, and his blessings continue to pour out in my life daily. Thankfully, I have a great place here in Orlando to share in God’s joy, love and understanding, and I would like to say thanks to all the fine folks at Christ Church of Orlando for being my home the past year. I look forward to 2010 and growing more and more with you!

Of course, you can find scripture to back all this up in Luke 2:39-40, Isaiah 61:1-3, John 2:23-25 and Luke 4:18-21. Good reading to get you started in the year ahead!

But seriously, now that I’ve turned 30, Christmas has kind of taken on a different meaning. I find myself giving more to others, not just material things, but things like mutual support, comfort and caring. I’m not sure where all this came from within me, but I have a general idea who is funneling all this good energy my way, hehe. I’ve caught myself all Holiday Season really going out of my way for people to make sure they are okay, and they are happy. Even though I can’t change a person’s lifestyle and take them from miserable to bliss within 24 hours, I can offer them the one thing that Christ offered to all his disciples and followers, love. Love is a captivating thing when you look at it closely, because it can translate into all the situations you face in life. Love your enemy. Love your neighbor. Love you wife. Love you pet. Love you parents. Love you grandparents (if you are still blessed to have them in your life). Love your life that you’re blessed to wake up and walk out of bed each and every morning without any setbacks. Did I lose you on that one? Try visiting a nursing home sometime, you’ll get a good dose of reality and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. But most importantly, the one thing I’ve found to keep me sane in times of storms, is the Love I have for Jesus Christ, and the faith I have to believe in Him. There is nothing more powerful and serene than the calming love of the Lord.

So, has Joe been taking advantage of his theme park home in Orlando this Holiday Season? OF COURSE! Here’s some pictures of me and my lovely wife to be at Disney, Universal and beyond this Christmas Season.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights 11-12-09

My First Christmas Tree

The Cinderella Castle decorated for Christmas at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Christmas Parade at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios

Merry Christmas From Orlando!