Carve out time to spend

with you people-

whoever and wherever

they may be.

As teenagers, many of us couldn’t wait to get out of the house, get out on our own-forge a life in newfound autonomy. Our society- and in part, instinct-tells us this is the way it should be. This can be a great time of growth. Yet the longer we are away, the more we may realize that home isn’t such a bad place to be. If we are willing to admit it, we may actually long enter the familiar door, see the comforting sight, and take in the unforgettable scents that comprise our past.

There’s nothing like the sense of ease and fulfillment we experience when we are in the presence of those who know and accept us. Some people may not have that kind of association with family; but there are friends whose very presence is like going home.

As we grow older, we often find it difficult to make time for the places and people we cherish. Like the little five-year-old who found school an alien place devoid of “his people”, we look forward to being in the presence of “our people”. Family, friends, and the familiar places they inhabit can be a shelter, a refreshing relief for mind, body, and spirit.

It is right for me to feel this way

about all of you, since I have you in my heart.

PHILIPPIANS 1:7

From- Coffee Break Devotions: Cappucino

Lionel Richie, who wrote the original charity anthem with Jackson, says the King of Pop can be seen in the new video for the track, singing with his sister Janet.

The video is set to make its debut Friday during coverage of the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics. “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti” features 80 artists, including Pink, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Kanye West and Jennifer Hudson.

Proceeds from sales of the song will benefit earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti.

Here’s an update from ET on the video:

LOS ANGELES (AFP)—Michael Jackson’s doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the pop star’s death last year, prosecutors said Monday.

A statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Conrad Murray, 56, was charged with causing Jackson’s death last year. Murray is due to appear in court later Monday for arraignment.

The charge sheet alleged Murray “did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson.”

Under California law, involuntary manslaughter — unintentionally causing death through negligence, carelessness or a misdemeanor — is punishable by up to four years in prison.

A statement from Ed Chernoff said he was negotiating with the district attorney’s office for Dr. Conrad Murray to turn himself in, but there has been no agreement on specifics.

Murray has maintained that nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him.

Murray’s arraignment already has been set for Friday afternoon, a person familiar with the planning told The Associated Press. The person declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The possible charge was not disclosed. However, two law enforcement officials have told the AP prosecutors plan to charge Murray with involuntary manslaughter, alleging he gave Jackson a powerful anesthetic that led to his June 25 overdose death at a rented mansion in Los Angeles.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case.

Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the district attorney, would not confirm or deny that Murray would appear Friday at the courthouse.

Murray, who has a practice in Houston, came to Los Angeles last weekend and has been strategizing with his defense team.

Police have been investigating Murray since Jackson’s death. The doctor told detectives he’d given the singer a powerful anesthetic and other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac star to sleep. Jackson, 50, died soon thereafter, and investigators have been gathering evidence to try to show Murray was negligent in administering the drugs.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Conrad Murray and his lawyers had received no word from prosecutors about a decision from the district attorney.

Lead attorney Ed Chernoff was waiting for news in a Los Angeles-area hotel, and planned to meet with the other two members of the defense team later in the day.

Chernoff said Murray was at a friend’s house in Santa Monica, where a crowd of paparazzi was waiting outside. Fifteen miles to the east, a contingent of camera crews and photographers waited at the downtown courthouse, but by afternoon some were drifting away.

District Attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said she had no word on when any developments were likely.

Meanwhile, a lawyer who told CBS’ “The Early Show” on Wednesday that Jackson’s family believes involuntary manslaughter charges against Murray would be “just a slap on the wrist” later told the AP he was expressing his own opinions.

Attorney Brian Oxman said the only members of the family he has spoken to are Michael Jackson’s father, Joseph, and sister La Toya, and “they just want justice.”

“I speak for myself and only myself,” said Oxman. “I don’t speak for anyone else and never have presumed to speak for anyone other than myself.”

He said he sometimes reports what others in the family have told him but he is not authorized to be their spokesman.

“They’re not angry,” Oxman said. “They’re not vindictive. They have a loved one who they’ve lost and they’re heartbroken.”

The lawyer representing Jackson’s mother, Katherine, said his client felt the same way.

“Mrs. Jackson is really going to rely on the good faith of the authorities to make sure justice is done,” said Adam Streisand.

Murray told police he administered Jackson a powerful anesthetic and other sedatives shortly before the singer’s death June 25.

Murray maintains nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him.

Try to take on

another’s perspective on life,

and it might just change yours

for the better.

We often smile sheepishly when we hear the old adage, “Opposites attract!” We may even laugh as we contemplate couples of contrast such as the Odd Couple-the classic embodiment of Mr. Neat Orderly vs. Mr. Messy Chaos. The contrast can make even the most open-minded person shake his head at the mystery of such relationships.

It’s only natural to see life through out own eyes and experiences. Our own perspectives are all we have to go on- until we purpose to look at life through the eyes and experiences of someone else. Even if we don’t fully agree with or understand another person’s point of view or paradigm, we should seek to respect differences rather than belittle them- we may prove once again that opposites attract.

“Treat others the same way

you want them to treat you.”

LUKE 6:31

Resource Reading: Coffee Break-Cappucino

Nintendo has finally revealed the launch date for its Nintendo DSi XL for Europe which is now due to hit British shop shelves on 5 March.

As many of you will know from coverage of the Japanese launch of the DSi XL, this latest version is bigger than the current gen model.

The DSi XL offers two 4.2-inch screens, which are 93% bigger than the screen on the Nintendo DS Lite and also boasts a larger pen-like stylus said to be more comfortable and better to control.

God is greater than our hearts,

And He knows everything.

1 John 3:20

Are changing moods are possibly one of the most difficult obstacles we have to overcome in maturing and growing as human beings, especially when it comes to faith. Our mercurial emotions constantly war with our reason. Kicking into faith mode when our emotions or the gravity of a situation leaves us struggling is tough. Like an army preparing for battle, we have to make sure our reason has plenty of backing. We can fortify with prayer and scripture, and consult good strategies. We can read about other people who had great faith, like the patriarch, Abraham, or Corrie ten Boom. For most, faith doesn’t come easy. But we can find comfort in knowing that even when we are wavering, God is greater than our changeable hearts, and He knows everything.

The soul hears the voice of God speaking through His natural creation.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

-psalm 23:2-3

The endless sky, a towering mountain, and the tiniest delicate flower-all display the immense power and grandeur of God. One would think that the sheer vastness of nature would overwhelm or put one in a state of unease. Yet the opposite is true: Something about spending time in the quiet of God’s magnificent creation seems to do good for our souls, set us aright. Perhaps it’s because God is revealed through His creation.

-from Coffee Break Devotions-Cappuccino