I was sitting at the house Sunday afternoon doing my “Purpose Driven Life” daily study.  And the lesson was about being a true servant of God.  It taught not to do things in order to be seen, but do them because of your love for other people.  Put other people’s needs in front of your own.  Anyone can serve others when it is convenient for them.  Do it anyway, especially if it is inconvenient for you and/or will cost you something in your own life. 

Get the point? Hahaha….. 

So, I finish up by saying a quick little prayer.  Something like, “Lord God, teach me to be a better servant to others.  Teach me to become more like Jesus Christ”. 

Then I get ready and head off to work.  I didn’t leave early or anything, so all I have is enough time to go straight to work, ok? 

On the way out of Henderson, I see this man holding two good sized bag and he is hitchhiking.  Instantly I think, “good night! already! But God, this isn’t really a good time for me.  I’m going to be late for work”. 

Then it hit me hard - serve others especially when it is going to cost you something - like being late to work maybe? They HATE people being late to work there. 

So, I stop and ask the guy where he is going.  And guess what?  He can’t speak.  He writes on a pad that he is a deaf/mute!  And keep in mind, I only have enough time to get to work, so me sitting on the side of the road writing back and forth in this pad to figure out where he is going is starting to test my patience. 

But, I finally agreed to take him to Longview because that is where I was going anyway.  I stopped to get some gas and he pulls out a map.  And he starts pointing to Dangerfield.  End of city limits in Dangerfield is where I need to go - is what he wrote on his pad. 

I told him again that I could get him to Longview because that is where I was going.  Then it hit me - put others needs in front of your own Keith… anybody can take someone to where they were already going anyhow! 

So, I agreed to get him to Dangerfield, knowing that I am for sure going to be late to work now.  I called and let them know I would be late by an hour thinking this was plenty of time to “do my good deed”. 

As we approached Longview, I asked him if he was hungry (by writing on the pad of course) and he was.  He wanted chicken.  There was no chicken.  We kept going on towards Dangerfield.  That’s when I noticed a sign that said “Dangerfield 40 miles”.  40 freakin’ miles!!! Are you kidding me?!?  I’m going to be at least two hours late now!!!  And I’m going to be in some kind of trouble at work whenever I do finally show up! 

But Keith - you already told this person that you would get him to the OTHER SIDE of Dangerfield.  So do it.  Because you told him when you first picked him up that you were going to help him out because you love God and Jesus.  Do not lie to this man and NOT do what you said you were going to do. 

As we were heading north on hwy259, I see the flashing lights approaching fast in the rear view.  Oh yeah, it was for me of course!  I was speeding in Ore City.  I never saw a speed limit sign, but apparently it goes from 60 down to 45 and I got busted. 

The cop wanted both of our id’s.  The hitch hiker didn’t have one.  He wrote down his name and birthday and gave it to the cop.  After a long wait, the cop asked me to meet him at the back of my truck.  I get out, and he presents me with a ticket to start with.  58 in a 45.  Then he proceeds to tell me about my “friend”.  He says that “I would get him out of my truck as soon as possible because he has a long history of violent crimes”.   

Oh great! 

So here it is - dark - in the middle of nowhere - and I’ve decided to serve other people because of my love for God and I end up with a violent criminal who has a record in California, Utah and Nevada! 

I get in the truck and take off.  I am a little bit scared now, but I think to myself “ok Keith, if he does kill you, then you will be in heaven - tonight! And that’s a good thing - right?”.  Then I pray, “God help me please.  I am scared and I need you here with me”. 

The guy writes down “what did the cop say about me?”.  So I told him.  Then I told him that I am not threatened by other men because I have accepted Jesus Christ and when I die I will go to live in heaven with God and Jesus. 

He wrote, “if I was a criminal, do you think he would have let me go?”.  

I told him not to worry.  I didn’t feel threatened and I was going to get him to where he needed to be. 

So, we end up stopping at Sonic in Dangerfield to get him something to eat.  I then head out of Dangerfield to get him out of the city limits.  He said that cops mess with him inside the city limits for hitch hiking. 

Just outside of Dangerfield, it is dark, nobody around, into the night and we pull over where he wanted me to let him out.  I got out of the truck and helped him get his bags out.  And man - THEY WERE HEAVY! 

I gave him all the change I had - didn’t have any dollars on me.  And I offered to give him my bible.  He simply wrote a note that said, “I cannot take your bible.  God in heaven will bless you soon for helping me.  Satan used the cop to discourage you from helping me and you helped me anyway.  Thank you!”. 

I shook the man’s hand and headed off to work. 

I ended up getting a speeding ticket and getting docked 3 hours pay at work for doing God’s work on earth! 

So, be careful when you ask God to work in your life.  Be prepared for an unusual ride!

Keith

Over the larger part of my life, I have been a part of a “Band of Brothers” whether it be in baseball, football, the Army, etc.  Over the last few years, I have noticed that something in my life has been missing.

I miss being a part of a men’s group of some sort.  Sure, I work with a bunch of guys.  And most of what goes on in that place is superficial.  That is not a place to really pour out your heart and to be your true RAW self.

Like on the baseball teams and football teams and even in the Army, most of the relationships I had were purely on a surface level.

I want some kind of men’s group where we can share our life stories, our struggles, our victories and anything else that comes to heart – without having to worry about being persecuted, made fun of and any of that non-sense that goes on at other places, such as work.

I am currently reading the book called “Untamed” by Xan Hood.  He too experienced this feeling that I have had for a number of years now.  Perhaps by the end of the book, I will have a better understanding and a better vision of what to start and how to start it.

I am not looking to start a poker club or anything… I am looking to somehow benefit the Kingdom of God with this men’s group.

Jesus had a men’s group – him and his disciples.  I’m sure this was not by accident.  I’d even say that God laid it out this way for a purpose.

And surely, if I feel this way, there are other men out there that also share similar feelings.

We are pitched out to the world to be devoured by time clocks and the like.  And the women these days seem to want wussified men in their lives.  I see a need for a place to where men can come together and share their hearts and help encourage and heal each other so that we can go back out and fight the battles we experience in our lives.

Some say that I am crazy, some say that I am trying to dig too deep – that life is not that big a deal.  I say if that’s the truth, then why do so many marriages fail, why are so many people losing their houses and their jobs and why do so many people work in a job that they HATE?!?  Why do so many people have kids out of wedlock and so many kids that say “I hate you” to their own parents?

I say that we need a place to come together, to rest, to rebuild and to better prepare to face life.

Although I am not currently married, I have been there.  It can be lonely at times.  How is a woman, no matter how great a woman she is, going to build and encourage your masculinity when it is something that she doesn’t have to give?

What about the single guys out there?  You can be in the arms of a woman or in the bar with your “friends” – but I bet that you are experiencing that feeling that something is missing – something is just not right.

I’m going to finish reading this book.  Perhaps I will find some of the answers that I’ve been searching for, for quite some time now in my own life.

God Bless!

Keith

P.S.  Feel free to use the SHARE button below to pass this message along.  And check out www.maninthemirror.org – I just recently came across this website – I am sure I will find some answers there too.

So… I have recently been on a bit of a “why in the hell am I here anyway” kind of life purpose/life passion search.

Above, is a picture of the books I have recently acquired for my research - in addition to the Bible itself.  The book of answers right?

I’ve gotta mention that one of the books that has been a catalyst in my search for my own true heart is not in the picture above.  This book, is called “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge.  I highly recommend ALL MEN read this book.

I am considering buying a bunch of John’s book and giving them away to people as I feel the need or the urge to do so.

If you will take a look at the picture above, the titles are:

(as usual, I didn’t do this the “normal” way - I started from the bottom and worked my way up the picture - I am beginning to realize that I am very different from most people and this is why I have not ever really fit in with any group)

Untamed - Xan Hood

No More Christian Nice Guy - Paul Coughlin

The Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne

Six Battles Every Man Must Win - Bill Perkins

I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Joshua Harris

The Prayer of Solomon - Bordon Books by Rick Killian

The Journey of DESIRE - John Eldredge

DESIRE - John Eldredge
(yes, it is a different book)

The Way of the Wild Heart - John Eldredge

Waking the Dead - John Eldredge

Walking with God - John Eldredge

Wide Awake - Erwin Raphael McManus

No More Excuses - Tony Evans

One Month to Live - Kerry & Chris Shook

If you didn’t notice, I have quite a few of John Eldredge’s books on this list.  As I started reading “Wild at Heart” I immediately knew that this man had something to say to my heart. So, I went out and bought several more of his books.

This list will keep me busy for several months I am sure - as I am a bit of a slow reader : )

I mainly wanted to make a “public announcement” that I am really sick and tired of living behind the mask of a lie called: my life.

I am looking for some answers in life.  Answers about being a great man, a great Christian according to Jesus Christ - not according to the hypocrites who are also living fake lives - especially on Sunday mornings - then turn and point the blame onto people like me for Christian’s getting a bad reputation.

I am searching for my true purpose in this life.  And I am searching for my passions.

I finally realized this:

“I can have all the money, the cars, the houses, the vacations and the women in the world, BUT without God, I have nothing” - Keith Akin

I hope to find some deeper level life answers - I feel like I am going into a level of life that most people don’t dare go to.  I feel like most people are only living this life on the surface level - and don’t dare go underneath for more.

My belief is this, that our REAL LIFE doesn’t start until we perish from this life we have on earth.  Of course, I have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, to me, home is in the afterlife where I will reside for eternity.

In the meantime, there has got to be some significant meaning to life on earth as we know it - otherwise, we wouldn’t be here would we?

P.S.  Hit the SHARE button below if you feel the urge to pass this along.

The Law of Attraction has been at work for me today…

A little background – my Expedition needs a new set of tires and I have been running a little low on the cash…

I start looking around for a set of tires for my ride.  I am finding that a good set of tires for my vehicle (that sits on 20” wheels) is going to run me around $800.  Yikes!

But a coworker recommends that I take a look on craigslist.com for the tires.  I checked out a few ads and contacted them.

One guy already sold his and the other was still looking to sell.  He had the tires that I needed and we settled on a price, depending on my inspection of them when I arrived to finish the transaction.

He told me that I am getting a really good deal.  He bought the tires and mounted them on his truck, but didn’t like the way they looked mounted on his truck and wheels.

They were only on his vehicle for a few days he said.  I thought that I would double check this when I went to pick them up.

So, it is Saturday and I am picking up these tires on Tuesday – a few more days down the road.

I checked my mail expecting to get the usual junk mail and bills, but I noticed a different envelope!  Wooohooo!

I was excited that I got something in the mail that wasn’t a bill and it was likely not junk mail either.

When I got into the house, I opened it up.  It was a check for $313 that I didn’t know I was going to receive.

Now, the tires were going to be $300 and the check I got was for $313 (unexpected money)!

You can call it what you want, but I call it being the Law of Attraction at work in my life!

Thank you God for all your blessings,

Keith Akin

P.S.  Feel free to share this by clicking on the “share” button below.

So, not much going on today . . . made some more cash last night while I was ASLEEP!!!

You read that correctly – made some cash while I slept – kind of a good feeling actually.  Now, I just need to find out how to scale it up by a few hundred times (as I only made two sales: profit = $20) hahahaha . . .

But still – the concept and the principal is still there!

I have learned to create info products and sell them online.  I haven’t gotten to good at it yet, as I am still working my full-time job.

BUT – I have now made money while I slept – and this is KING.

If you want to know what I sold, you can take a look here:

37 Minutes to Blogging Success

Alrighty then, just wanted to put that out there.  We are getting ready to go to the Christmas parade!  Woohoo!

Enjoy the day,

Keith

Excited is all I can say to describe my newest online venture.

Once again, I am up to no good (according to the people I work with, my family, etc.) because I am in the process of building my own paid membership site.

I have not yet decided on the name of the site.  The reason for doing this is as follows:

I have joined several other membership sites regarding internet marketing, business building online, etc.  And each time I join one of these sites, I think to myself, “man, I can do this!”.

So, I will be putting myself to the test and I will find out if I can actually build a membership site where people pay a small fee each month to access the content I will have posted in the members area.

What is the content you ask . . . I plan to interview people, who have attained a certain level of success in their life, or who are considered an expert in their respective field, and I will post the interview (audio form – mp3) in the members area each and every month!

Eventually, assuming that my membership level is increasing each month, I will add a physical newsletter and a cd/dvd of the interview I conduct.

I plan to interview people in the fields of psychology, business, marketing, preachers, relationship coaches/mentors, and anyone else I find who I feel will add value to people’s lives by hearing what they have to say.

I have already conducted one interview, and I have another one to conduct next week!!!

Who says that working for someone else is the ONLY WAY TO MAKE SOME CASH?!?

Why not get paid to ask people questions that myself and perhaps would like to hear the answers too?  That’s what Oprah Winfrey is all about.  And the same for “The Big Idea” with Donny D.

If they can do it, I can do it – a motto that I refuse to let die in my life.

Stay tuned for more . . .

Keith

P.S.  If you like what you read, then use the SHARE BUTTON below already!  Let others know about any good posts you read here.  Adios!

Another day in the life of a dream chaser . . .

So, It is 9:30ish p.m. on a Monday night, and I am up studying internet marketing videos by Frank Kern – I got the Mass Control Monthly membership (to get the *free* stuff – sorry Frank) and this stuff is really awesome!

Frank definitely knows what he is doing, although at times it doesn’t really seem so.

I am seeing that Frank Kern is a man that does everything with the intention of getting some kind of result, even when it looks like he is being a regular guy.

With that being said, I’ve been working on several projects now for quite a while, and I am really quite ready for them to reach completion.

Just thought I’d throw it out there, that I am studying and learning and chasing the dream to work for myself, while most people are watching tv or arguing with the spouse : )  I’ve been there myself – it SUCKED!

Enjoy yourself now – you know that I am still working on my dream.  You have not beaten me (to all those who poke fun and say “it won’t work”) . . . hahahahahahaha

Keith

Hit the share button below to share this post . . . come on, one time, the share button, click it, it’ll feel good . . . ok then – at least leave a comment for me would ya?

Well well well . . . I shoulda done this, woulda done that and coulda done so and so . . .

What the heck am I talking about huh?  Well, I ventured off into creating my own informational products to sell online.  And it was full steam ahead in the beginning.

Then I hit a few problems that I wasn’t aware of, such as how long it takes to actually go from idea to final product ready to sell online.

WOWZER!!!

It takes a while, especially when you are a part-timer like myself.

However, I look back now and know that my next project will go a lot smoother because I now know a better order and timing reference to work with from the get go!

This first go around has been like me building a house WITHOUT THE BLUEPRINTS!  Just doing things as I thought them out.

I will never let this happen to me again . . . it has been way to stressful for me.

On top of it all, being a part-timer doesn’t help the situation at all either.  I have a full-time job (that requires some really jacked up hours I might add).  And I am a full-time dad at heart (50% of the time in reality – I get my kids 14 out of every 28 days right now).

When you add that time up – there is not much “extra time” for a part-time business.  It’s like having a part-time job, that you don’t get paid for until you finish the job and get some results!

Now that I am here, my next projects will go smoother for sure.  I am certain of this.  Or else I might not continue on.

I’m not going to be stuck 20 years from now saying “shoulda woulda coulda”!

As far as I am concerned, no matter how many years a person lives on earth . . . if they aren’t doing something they love to do, are they really living?  Or just surviving?

Adios my friends,

Keith

P.S.  Feel free to hit the share button below and send this post to whoever you want to.

I’ve been reading Proverbs a lot lately, in the Bible, and I have found that this book in the Bible has a TON of successful living advice!

I am currently doing a personal study of this book in the Bible and I will release a report of some sort once I am through.

In the mean time, I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

I’ve found verses referring to things such as getting wealthy, what makes people poor, gaining wisdom and knowledge, successful relationships, and much more.

If you didn’t know this, the guy who wrote most of Proverbs was King Solomon.  He was the richest man in the world at that time.

He didn’t ask God for riches (directly), he asked God to give him wisdom so that he could be a great leader of his people.

Because of this wisdom he gained, came the riches and the wealth.  And King Solomon wrote all this stuff down for us to use in our life today!

Much love and success,

Keith

P.S.  Use the share button below to send this info/blog to anyone you feel might benefit from the info here.  Thank you.

$7 Reports!  Are you kidding me? 

I recently came across something very interesting to me.  It is a little product called the $7 Secrets Report.

This guy talks about writing small reports (like 30 pages or so) on specific topics that you have some knowledge in, and then selling these reports for $7 smacks a piece!

And, for only $7 smacks, he says that a simple little website will do – no need in hiring out a web designer at this point in time – which is a good thing!

I have decided to take this guy up on his idea.  I have been studying internet marketing for a short while now and I just recently came out with my first info product.

It’s nothing fancy smancy, but it’s a good little beginner product I think.

My $7 dollar report is going to be about EXACTLY what I did in order to create my info product.

I think I will call it “How I Made My First $______ Online”.  I will fill in the blank with the amount of money I’ve made at the time I finish my $7 report.  Woohoo!

It will not necessarily be a teaching course, more like a roadmap – like “I did this and that, and I used this program and that software” etc.

We shall see how this $7 report turns out.  I plan to post my results after my report has gone live for one month!

Keep your eyes out : )

Keith

P.S.  The $7 Secrets can be found here.  Enjoy!