See this is what I'm talkin about! This man called out the same stuff that Bizzle called out but why has there been a bigger overall response towards Bizzle? Like I say in the interview, you gotta have top notch skillz too! The Bible says that things are 1st natural AND THEN spiritual! Both are strong Christians but they come 2 different ways. Check out Ciryl then check out bizzle and see what I mean. I will say one thing though; both of their names get twisted LOL!
Ciryl:
Bizzle:
Heck while I'm at it... More from Bizzle cuz he's just that nice.
Liar
MAN THAT'S A HOT TRACK!!!! NO LIE!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Random videos & Nicki Minaj on Female Rap Artists
The Blood of Jesus in a fight:
Has extremely graphic verbal content. The crazy sins poppin off in church ministry! If there are ANY people out there getting abused by ANYONE - PLEASE REPORT IT NOW! The person you report may even get exposed unto salvation in the process of having to go to jail and face themselves! Not telling enables the predator to remain on the loose to deceive, confuse, and control others the same as you. But exposing them may cause them to face and fear God quicker than if they had never been exposed. My advice is to trust God, use wisdom and expose that mess! And then you get some professional counseling - thru the state or otherwise - but help will be available! Trust God to cover your shame (it's not your fault you were preyed on)!
A woman's story - yes I put it up:
Nicki Minaj gives the reason for females lackin in the music game... I thought this was quite interesting because I have yet to have seen a female Christian artist blow up AT ALL (even a little bit)! Name 1-2 female Christian rap artists that's putting it down naturally & spiritually on a wide platform! Please somebody let me know! Of course NM is cursing in this video so be warned and please no judgments on me posting this stuff - you will only become more angry with me.
Has extremely graphic verbal content. The crazy sins poppin off in church ministry! If there are ANY people out there getting abused by ANYONE - PLEASE REPORT IT NOW! The person you report may even get exposed unto salvation in the process of having to go to jail and face themselves! Not telling enables the predator to remain on the loose to deceive, confuse, and control others the same as you. But exposing them may cause them to face and fear God quicker than if they had never been exposed. My advice is to trust God, use wisdom and expose that mess! And then you get some professional counseling - thru the state or otherwise - but help will be available! Trust God to cover your shame (it's not your fault you were preyed on)!
A woman's story - yes I put it up:
Nicki Minaj gives the reason for females lackin in the music game... I thought this was quite interesting because I have yet to have seen a female Christian artist blow up AT ALL (even a little bit)! Name 1-2 female Christian rap artists that's putting it down naturally & spiritually on a wide platform! Please somebody let me know! Of course NM is cursing in this video so be warned and please no judgments on me posting this stuff - you will only become more angry with me.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Clothing label FEMLINE - The Hottest!
Meet Erica aka ERocka, co-DJ of ITM Radio, CEO of G1 Magazine & creator of Femline... a line of Remixxed T's who's creating a buzz of heat! Erica is a mother of 2, wife and respected business woman who has learned how to bloom wherever and however she's planted! Her shirts are in demand and now available online as well at "Hot Rod Heidi's Vintage Closet" to those scrambling to get their own!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A King lead by the King to Nadia Bloom! Amazing glory to God on this one...
This guy's wife is really a true hero herself! Notice that she is the one who reminded Mr. King of how they pray for how to find things they lost and they always find it... Just check out the story!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What Do Wives Do...
I have plenty of girlfriends who are married. Heck, I'm married.
When things are going great in marriage there are laughs and great sex, the wife doesnt "nag" & the husband "pays attention to her needs" - with or without money. But then eventually selfish-ambitions take hold and suddenly, there isn't enough money, everyone needs their "space", and sex is a no go if too much drama ensues - at least to one of the spouses. Suddenly, your searching other "options".
As a stay-at-home mom, "working" is an understatement. "Work" is the stay at home mom's lifestyle! There are no days off. There are no breaks or lunches or "me" times (not really). Because even when the husband watches the kids for us, what happens? They wait for us to come back around in order to relieve them, leaving us wives with the messes to clean up that they allowed the kids to make for the sake of not wanting to deal with telling the kids to clean or cleaning it up themselves - she'll get it up. But heck, if you're smart you'll learn to be happy with the fact that the kids are fed, safe and maybe even clean in your husband's care.
Our children are ages 2 and 1, throw in a husband whose name is NOT Mr. Clean and loves attention and you have a recipe for possibly losing your identity!
What happens all of a sudden if the husband decides he wants another life apart from the married one? What happens to us women who have day after day dedicated our life's work of losing our own lives for the sake of others?
Now I'm no Stepford (far from) that's for sure! I struggle to cook when I feel stressed - heck I just struggle to cook! I don't do ironing. I wash clothes once I'm overwhelmed - & then they'll become a sea of snuggly soft mounds for my children to dive into for about 2 weeks . I will leave dishes in the sink for three nights straight if I can tolerate it for some rest. (I'll admit that I do try to fight for my right to be lazy at times.)
I don't always feel like having sex more than 2-3 times a week (tops). My hair is married to the bun because the salon, well that's a fantasy now-a-days for me. And I don't give my children their lessons on a consistent basis (but childcare is trying to rape people at $278-ish per week per child and I'm sorry.... that's just unrealistic in today's economy.
I, the ex-model, am far (far far) away from the woman of desire in comparison to the do-it-all woman that media empresses upon our subconcious thoughts: perfect schedule, perfect career & education, strong faith, perfect style and poise, the perfect vehicle, perfect house, perfectly well behaved tots, perfectly sexual (go down whenever he wants) wife, always knowing what to say and how to say it with a big butt and a smile that shines the glory of God! And on top of all that, not need a man... well then what the heck was the man created for? Woman was not created to overshadow the man. Woman was created as man's helpmate.
Every now-and-then, I have to remind myself that if God has given me a standard and yet He exercises such extreme grace when I fall short of it, how much more should I be forgiving of myself (and my hubby) when things don't fall into some picture perfect paragon.
Somthing that really gets me is that most women (who do do it all) are not being a superwoman because they like that status, it's because they have babydaddies who don't do their God given duties in the first place and so the ladies are really FORCED to look the part. My mother had to be one of those women because she had a man (my handsome daddy) that wanted to live more for himself and was too immature to understand the structuring and wisdom in family (at that time). If men really understood what the family structure is... Men focus on their work family more than the one at home, [some] never realizing that the family is not a burden. It is meant to be a finely tuned machine for the purpose of progression of God's kingdom, society, charity, the economy, and as the ultimate demonstration of love. Instead we do everything in our power to stray away from that center. We look at family as a ground zero rather than a sanctuary and school.
And so what do I do? A little part time job, sell [FaBuLOUS] jewelry and my Snooze N Go... The house stuff of course, the Momma thing; no doubt (gotta love it)... but to most now a days it isn't enough. I have to work to help pay bills and still work full time at home while trying to make my hobbies my day job - without breaks with the possibility of losing a marriage; because in the midst of motherhood we may lose ourself? So what happens if that husband decides to leave and leave you to fend financially for yourself? What then?And though it may not seem a tough job to many, it is a serious mental & sometimes physical battle, especially with toddlers - and sure enough the husband doesn't want to do it! That alone should be worth the reward and respect. It would be nice to hear rap & r&b songs that applaud the woman who is determined to have a healthy home (spiritually, emotionally, financially & physically) even if it means that she is simply put, a Homemaker.
But the problem is that motherhood is not flashy. It's not self-seeking, it's not prideful, it's not rude or quite ambitious. It's routine, it's patient, it protects, it's full of hope, it perseveres, and adores truth! And oh... a main thing... it makes no money. But you know what they say: the one with the money rules, right? This world and it's sick mentality has it's priorities all mixed up! That's a trip because my justification has to come from the sweet appreciation the Lord shows me and from the goals I steadily lock in to achieve - knowing that my reward is in the future of my babies and in the Lord Almighty. Or else, there is no pat on the back. I can't wait until mother's day. I would truly like to treat my mother this year.
How often the TRUE roles of the wife and mom are underappreciated.
So to ALL the mommies (seemingly good & not so good), you are not alone! And if no one else appreciates the time, energy and work you live to put in, God does - I mean just look at how underappreciated He is!
When things are going great in marriage there are laughs and great sex, the wife doesnt "nag" & the husband "pays attention to her needs" - with or without money. But then eventually selfish-ambitions take hold and suddenly, there isn't enough money, everyone needs their "space", and sex is a no go if too much drama ensues - at least to one of the spouses. Suddenly, your searching other "options".
As a stay-at-home mom, "working" is an understatement. "Work" is the stay at home mom's lifestyle! There are no days off. There are no breaks or lunches or "me" times (not really). Because even when the husband watches the kids for us, what happens? They wait for us to come back around in order to relieve them, leaving us wives with the messes to clean up that they allowed the kids to make for the sake of not wanting to deal with telling the kids to clean or cleaning it up themselves - she'll get it up. But heck, if you're smart you'll learn to be happy with the fact that the kids are fed, safe and maybe even clean in your husband's care.
Our children are ages 2 and 1, throw in a husband whose name is NOT Mr. Clean and loves attention and you have a recipe for possibly losing your identity!
What happens all of a sudden if the husband decides he wants another life apart from the married one? What happens to us women who have day after day dedicated our life's work of losing our own lives for the sake of others?
Now I'm no Stepford (far from) that's for sure! I struggle to cook when I feel stressed - heck I just struggle to cook! I don't do ironing. I wash clothes once I'm overwhelmed - & then they'll become a sea of snuggly soft mounds for my children to dive into for about 2 weeks . I will leave dishes in the sink for three nights straight if I can tolerate it for some rest. (I'll admit that I do try to fight for my right to be lazy at times.)
I don't always feel like having sex more than 2-3 times a week (tops). My hair is married to the bun because the salon, well that's a fantasy now-a-days for me. And I don't give my children their lessons on a consistent basis (but childcare is trying to rape people at $278-ish per week per child and I'm sorry.... that's just unrealistic in today's economy.
I, the ex-model, am far (far far) away from the woman of desire in comparison to the do-it-all woman that media empresses upon our subconcious thoughts: perfect schedule, perfect career & education, strong faith, perfect style and poise, the perfect vehicle, perfect house, perfectly well behaved tots, perfectly sexual (go down whenever he wants) wife, always knowing what to say and how to say it with a big butt and a smile that shines the glory of God! And on top of all that, not need a man... well then what the heck was the man created for? Woman was not created to overshadow the man. Woman was created as man's helpmate.
Every now-and-then, I have to remind myself that if God has given me a standard and yet He exercises such extreme grace when I fall short of it, how much more should I be forgiving of myself (and my hubby) when things don't fall into some picture perfect paragon.
Somthing that really gets me is that most women (who do do it all) are not being a superwoman because they like that status, it's because they have babydaddies who don't do their God given duties in the first place and so the ladies are really FORCED to look the part. My mother had to be one of those women because she had a man (my handsome daddy) that wanted to live more for himself and was too immature to understand the structuring and wisdom in family (at that time). If men really understood what the family structure is... Men focus on their work family more than the one at home, [some] never realizing that the family is not a burden. It is meant to be a finely tuned machine for the purpose of progression of God's kingdom, society, charity, the economy, and as the ultimate demonstration of love. Instead we do everything in our power to stray away from that center. We look at family as a ground zero rather than a sanctuary and school.
And so what do I do? A little part time job, sell [FaBuLOUS] jewelry and my Snooze N Go... The house stuff of course, the Momma thing; no doubt (gotta love it)... but to most now a days it isn't enough. I have to work to help pay bills and still work full time at home while trying to make my hobbies my day job - without breaks with the possibility of losing a marriage; because in the midst of motherhood we may lose ourself? So what happens if that husband decides to leave and leave you to fend financially for yourself? What then?And though it may not seem a tough job to many, it is a serious mental & sometimes physical battle, especially with toddlers - and sure enough the husband doesn't want to do it! That alone should be worth the reward and respect. It would be nice to hear rap & r&b songs that applaud the woman who is determined to have a healthy home (spiritually, emotionally, financially & physically) even if it means that she is simply put, a Homemaker.
But the problem is that motherhood is not flashy. It's not self-seeking, it's not prideful, it's not rude or quite ambitious. It's routine, it's patient, it protects, it's full of hope, it perseveres, and adores truth! And oh... a main thing... it makes no money. But you know what they say: the one with the money rules, right? This world and it's sick mentality has it's priorities all mixed up! That's a trip because my justification has to come from the sweet appreciation the Lord shows me and from the goals I steadily lock in to achieve - knowing that my reward is in the future of my babies and in the Lord Almighty. Or else, there is no pat on the back. I can't wait until mother's day. I would truly like to treat my mother this year.
How often the TRUE roles of the wife and mom are underappreciated.
So to ALL the mommies (seemingly good & not so good), you are not alone! And if no one else appreciates the time, energy and work you live to put in, God does - I mean just look at how underappreciated He is!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Inside Tha Musik... Christian Rap Radio... G1 Mag Issue Out... Latest on Rapper Seven on Hollafest... You Gotta Love It!
Set the Date!
G1 Magazine - New Issue is Out! Check out:
touching interviews from:
Andrea Wiley, director of the several award-winning documentary, "SoulMate" asking why so many black women are single.
The 1st Ladies of Gospel Rap - are their husbands saved... for real? From the horse's mouth!
All this Health care Insurance talk... But what about insuring your Life? Check out the best options for you and your family!
And You Be The Match and save a life through BetheMatch.org
Check out beautiful Naps on the Runway! Fresh Hair! and maaaaad Shoe Flare!!!
And MUCH MORE!!!
ITM RADIO!!!!! Check in with the fam - coming from the northwest yet united worldwide in Christ, EROCKA & A.R. with the BANGIN' Hot 7 @ 7 music and in demand interviews on Klay 1180 am. As voices in a distant land, known as Seattle - lol, they bring the realness to the table - with salt in hand baby!!!!! OKKKAAYY So check them out Sunday evenings 7pst/10est !!!
G1 Magazine - New Issue is Out! Check out:
touching interviews from:
Andrea Wiley, director of the several award-winning documentary, "SoulMate" asking why so many black women are single.
The 1st Ladies of Gospel Rap - are their husbands saved... for real? From the horse's mouth!
All this Health care Insurance talk... But what about insuring your Life? Check out the best options for you and your family!
And You Be The Match and save a life through BetheMatch.org
Check out beautiful Naps on the Runway! Fresh Hair! and maaaaad Shoe Flare!!!
And MUCH MORE!!!
Follow up with Seven and the Hog Mob at http://hollafestradio.blogspot.com/ Great interview!
Man I love the HollaFest Radio - coming from the east coast yet united worldwide in Christ, you get hours of Christian rap and Reggae ton online! The DJ's are live and called by God to PREACH DAT FIRE! The interviews are in-depth and they ask the questions, you as the listener, want to ask the artists.
Depressed 1
The issue: Okay. So depression sucks! Especially when you have kids to care for yet the depression makes you feel like you need to be cared for!
I am totally speaking about myself.
A flip-side look into the issue: I posted that "Controlled Strength" thought of mine because it helped me to remember that the Lord has given me love, peace and a sound mind. In other words, things aren't really as crazy as they tend to turn in my mind. The reality is that I'm still maturing and learning how to be a loving wife, mother and business woman... and along with those identities... how to be a godly woman in my now 30's after wondering where the heck the Essence of my 20's went to!
My take: So yeah... I have full right to not understand everything... full right to cry and pout at times for being bored out of my mind or mad that I can no longer wear my high heels as often as I'd like. I'm thankful to a wise friend & minister in the Lord, Allen, for reminding me not to try to fit myself in this box that I feel I'm suppose to be in at 30 - or as he put it, "The key is not trying to work yourself into a mold of what you never had". In fact, I'd like to be as far out of ANY box as possible. Why confine myself, when God has most likely purposed better for me than I have conceived?
An antedote: Like my friend said, "TALKING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS is a GOOD SIGN YOU ARE HEALING AND BEGINNING TO MAKE ROOM TO EMBRACE BETTER PARTS OF YOURSELF and transform who you are into a more complete person!" Thus my post.
Family: I thank God for a family that loves me through my depressed seasons whether for months at a time or an hour or two. Praise the Lord for my husband who is stable in his thinking when I'm unraveling at each end! Sometimes his stoic reactions to my cries for help are indescribably frustrating. But when he holds me in his warm, soothing, tatted and purposeful arms - and looks me in my eyes, I realize that his love for me is not blinding and nor is he numb to my hurts. Rather he's quite patient, selflessly intentional and forgiving without saying much of anything in response to my confusing needs. Very wise in my book...lol.
I am totally speaking about myself.
A flip-side look into the issue: I posted that "Controlled Strength" thought of mine because it helped me to remember that the Lord has given me love, peace and a sound mind. In other words, things aren't really as crazy as they tend to turn in my mind. The reality is that I'm still maturing and learning how to be a loving wife, mother and business woman... and along with those identities... how to be a godly woman in my now 30's after wondering where the heck the Essence of my 20's went to!
My take: So yeah... I have full right to not understand everything... full right to cry and pout at times for being bored out of my mind or mad that I can no longer wear my high heels as often as I'd like. I'm thankful to a wise friend & minister in the Lord, Allen, for reminding me not to try to fit myself in this box that I feel I'm suppose to be in at 30 - or as he put it, "The key is not trying to work yourself into a mold of what you never had". In fact, I'd like to be as far out of ANY box as possible. Why confine myself, when God has most likely purposed better for me than I have conceived?
An antedote: Like my friend said, "TALKING ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS is a GOOD SIGN YOU ARE HEALING AND BEGINNING TO MAKE ROOM TO EMBRACE BETTER PARTS OF YOURSELF and transform who you are into a more complete person!" Thus my post.
Family: I thank God for a family that loves me through my depressed seasons whether for months at a time or an hour or two. Praise the Lord for my husband who is stable in his thinking when I'm unraveling at each end! Sometimes his stoic reactions to my cries for help are indescribably frustrating. But when he holds me in his warm, soothing, tatted and purposeful arms - and looks me in my eyes, I realize that his love for me is not blinding and nor is he numb to my hurts. Rather he's quite patient, selflessly intentional and forgiving without saying much of anything in response to my confusing needs. Very wise in my book...lol.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Controlled Strength or Uncontrollable Weakness
My cousin reminded me that if I was still working on humility, that I was still just a babe in Christ! It jolted me man!!! He said that meekness is where I should be at.
He asked me what the definition of meek is and he told me "controlled strength". A dictionary def is "enduring injury with patience without resentment" & "not violently strong"! THAT TAKES SOME STRENGTH! It takes discipline for me to hold my tongue, follow the Bible, not think the wrong thoughts. Him saying that really created a whirlwind of thought on why we call Christ, LORD. Then I realized that while we are held accountable to our actions, our thought processes are not because no person hears our thoughts.
In this life, our actions our judged, not our thoughts.This is why it is MAJOR that we impart the Word Of God into the minds of our children. So what we think consistently is extremely major!
My cousin asked me what the opposite of "controlled strength" would be. I replied "uncontrollable weakness" - and by grace, this is when we have to find out that God's grace is sufficient and that in our weakness He is strong. But the Lord tries to tell us that we don't have to fall just to find the grace of God; because if we are constantly falling then how can we help someone else up? So He tries to reach us before we do wrong. God can show us if [we] are operating in controlled strength (meekness) or uncontrollable weakness.
So [we] call Him Lord in faith that His Words of compassion, love, control and wisdom will invade [our] thinking...better yet, [our] PERSPECTIVE, before thinking on doing wrong (or acting on negative impulse-according to God's standard).
Being meek means allowing Christ to truly lord over [our] thoughts to line up to His will for His glory. Also, this prevents unproductive or negative thinking from manifesting and instead [we] reap from positive and productive actions, thus..."the meek shall inherit the earth"....in other words, [we] are then more prone to succed than to fail while on this earth; all the way until after death. It's biblical principle.
He asked me what the definition of meek is and he told me "controlled strength". A dictionary def is "enduring injury with patience without resentment" & "not violently strong"! THAT TAKES SOME STRENGTH! It takes discipline for me to hold my tongue, follow the Bible, not think the wrong thoughts. Him saying that really created a whirlwind of thought on why we call Christ, LORD. Then I realized that while we are held accountable to our actions, our thought processes are not because no person hears our thoughts.
In this life, our actions our judged, not our thoughts.This is why it is MAJOR that we impart the Word Of God into the minds of our children. So what we think consistently is extremely major!
My cousin asked me what the opposite of "controlled strength" would be. I replied "uncontrollable weakness" - and by grace, this is when we have to find out that God's grace is sufficient and that in our weakness He is strong. But the Lord tries to tell us that we don't have to fall just to find the grace of God; because if we are constantly falling then how can we help someone else up? So He tries to reach us before we do wrong. God can show us if [we] are operating in controlled strength (meekness) or uncontrollable weakness.
So [we] call Him Lord in faith that His Words of compassion, love, control and wisdom will invade [our] thinking...better yet, [our] PERSPECTIVE, before thinking on doing wrong (or acting on negative impulse-according to God's standard).
Being meek means allowing Christ to truly lord over [our] thoughts to line up to His will for His glory. Also, this prevents unproductive or negative thinking from manifesting and instead [we] reap from positive and productive actions, thus..."the meek shall inherit the earth"....in other words, [we] are then more prone to succed than to fail while on this earth; all the way until after death. It's biblical principle.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Why write?
You know, I started this blog in hopes of sparking something in others who would come across it as well as for the sake of my sanity!
However, to be honest, I don't know if people have even been reading it lol! Sometimes you never really know with these things if people don't comment. Maybe I should put up a counter... just a thought.
I've tried to think of what people would want to read about. But why try so hard? That causes unecessary stress. And as a result, I have practically stopped blogging. But this is suppose to be a form of therapy for me.
So now, I hold myself to no boundary in regard to the content I'd like to write. I have held back quite often.
For more in-depth stories that I've written on, check out articles on www.OfficiallyG1Magazine.com
NEW ISSUE OUT NOW!
However, to be honest, I don't know if people have even been reading it lol! Sometimes you never really know with these things if people don't comment. Maybe I should put up a counter... just a thought.
I've tried to think of what people would want to read about. But why try so hard? That causes unecessary stress. And as a result, I have practically stopped blogging. But this is suppose to be a form of therapy for me.
So now, I hold myself to no boundary in regard to the content I'd like to write. I have held back quite often.
For more in-depth stories that I've written on, check out articles on www.OfficiallyG1Magazine.com
NEW ISSUE OUT NOW!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Michael Vick Project
Okay so I watched the Michael Vick Project premier last night. Imma tell you why I loved it...
Vick and his family were soooo transparent - and that's what I write about in G1 Magazine articles. When you looked at his family, you could see your own in some way. You could see the process that took place and the reasons why it was so easy for Vick and his "friends" to conduct such ignorant acts. Dog fighting, if you ask me wasn't his problem (though it was for the dogs), it was a drastic symptom of a past impoverished mentality that so many of us can attest to. Examples of what I mean in less drastic terms that we can more personally identify with:
- The woman who finally gets a good man, yet can't let their relationship flourish because even though her circumstance changed for the better, her mentality did not. She doesn't even consider changing herself and so negative behaviors are what occur in the midst of a blessed circumstance... and you guessed it, she looses the good man and reverts right back to the loser type. Her outcome reflected her mentality.
- Tiger Woods supposedly had a good wife and family, yet his mentality was obviously not in proper perspective. I don't know, maybe his wife was crunk and crazy behind closed doors, but as the husband and as her covering, his mentality went to a sinful place instead of a place of righteousness and wholeness. His actions reflected his mentality.
It's always an issue of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life, just like the Bible says. Usually these issues get masked until what's done in the dark comes to light. We have all fallen guilty of it at some point. But o' how sweet is the Lord and His redemptive love and work if we humble out! We help so many more people once we are humble and healed, which in turn can bring closure to those whom we have hurt in our sinfulness.
I will be tuning in to the Michael Vick Project airing weekly on BET - which I'm so glad it's BET.
Of course much of this is a pr stunt and politics for Vick, but who cares. We can learn a thing or two hopefully. And whether we want him to remain punished or not should not be of concern, but whether the work of forgiveness and redemption is addressed in our own minds for ourselves and others.
Be blessed.
p.s. Mr. Vick, it would be great if you posted your thoughts about each of your episodes on your blog. (http://www.michaelvickzone.com/)
Vick and his family were soooo transparent - and that's what I write about in G1 Magazine articles. When you looked at his family, you could see your own in some way. You could see the process that took place and the reasons why it was so easy for Vick and his "friends" to conduct such ignorant acts. Dog fighting, if you ask me wasn't his problem (though it was for the dogs), it was a drastic symptom of a past impoverished mentality that so many of us can attest to. Examples of what I mean in less drastic terms that we can more personally identify with:
- The woman who finally gets a good man, yet can't let their relationship flourish because even though her circumstance changed for the better, her mentality did not. She doesn't even consider changing herself and so negative behaviors are what occur in the midst of a blessed circumstance... and you guessed it, she looses the good man and reverts right back to the loser type. Her outcome reflected her mentality.
- Tiger Woods supposedly had a good wife and family, yet his mentality was obviously not in proper perspective. I don't know, maybe his wife was crunk and crazy behind closed doors, but as the husband and as her covering, his mentality went to a sinful place instead of a place of righteousness and wholeness. His actions reflected his mentality.
It's always an issue of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life, just like the Bible says. Usually these issues get masked until what's done in the dark comes to light. We have all fallen guilty of it at some point. But o' how sweet is the Lord and His redemptive love and work if we humble out! We help so many more people once we are humble and healed, which in turn can bring closure to those whom we have hurt in our sinfulness.
I will be tuning in to the Michael Vick Project airing weekly on BET - which I'm so glad it's BET.
Of course much of this is a pr stunt and politics for Vick, but who cares. We can learn a thing or two hopefully. And whether we want him to remain punished or not should not be of concern, but whether the work of forgiveness and redemption is addressed in our own minds for ourselves and others.
Be blessed.
p.s. Mr. Vick, it would be great if you posted your thoughts about each of your episodes on your blog. (http://www.michaelvickzone.com/)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wow, how I have missed you!
I was compelled to post a new entry (after a long hiatus) after witnessing one of the most precious moments with my daughter.
My mother got frustrated with me once when I told her I didn't want to teach my kids the usual night time prayer. My response to her was honest - I didn't and still don't want to teach my children routine prayers (other than a food blessing) so that they learn relationship with the Lord and not one-sided appeals. I desire that my children accept Christ as their Lord and Savior in their everyday living so that they don't have to worry about a routine nightly prayer about" if I should die before I wake..."or what-have-you. I pray they are greatly assured before laying their heads down each night. I pray they walk by the holy Spirit in forgiveness, repentance and love out of grace and integrity from scripture.
So getting to the point...
Before bed tonight, my 2 year old daughter came from her room to let me know she had to "go potty". I take her to do so. After a long wait for her to "go poop", I was growing impatient as I had a lot on my mind. While she was on the potty she began to pray (with her hands together) as I stood diagonally in the bathroom doorway. I heard her starting off, "In Jesus name... uerwncoiem jiofewj jfioa Grandma... Daddy... jewa fkdlatejnvroa outpejkfg...Daddy....urie odkjur...Grandma... and she went on for quite some time; speaking quite low as if trying to be discreet. A friend of mine called it speaking in tongues when his daughter did it -lol.
So me, knowing how Jesus loves his "little ones", I told her to "pray to Jesus for Mommy too". So she went back to praying...kjruei irhg ruioen... and made mention of me, "in Jesus name".
Have I gone so far away from that close relationship I once had with God that He was graceful enough to use my 2yr old daughter to help strengthen my faith?
Well, what I know is that it astounded me to see my little girl so serious about her "Jesus" and it placed a smile in my heart and a tear in my eye.
I was compelled to post a new entry (after a long hiatus) after witnessing one of the most precious moments with my daughter.
My mother got frustrated with me once when I told her I didn't want to teach my kids the usual night time prayer. My response to her was honest - I didn't and still don't want to teach my children routine prayers (other than a food blessing) so that they learn relationship with the Lord and not one-sided appeals. I desire that my children accept Christ as their Lord and Savior in their everyday living so that they don't have to worry about a routine nightly prayer about" if I should die before I wake..."or what-have-you. I pray they are greatly assured before laying their heads down each night. I pray they walk by the holy Spirit in forgiveness, repentance and love out of grace and integrity from scripture.
So getting to the point...
Before bed tonight, my 2 year old daughter came from her room to let me know she had to "go potty". I take her to do so. After a long wait for her to "go poop", I was growing impatient as I had a lot on my mind. While she was on the potty she began to pray (with her hands together) as I stood diagonally in the bathroom doorway. I heard her starting off, "In Jesus name... uerwncoiem jiofewj jfioa Grandma... Daddy... jewa fkdlatejnvroa outpejkfg...Daddy....urie odkjur...Grandma... and she went on for quite some time; speaking quite low as if trying to be discreet. A friend of mine called it speaking in tongues when his daughter did it -lol.
So me, knowing how Jesus loves his "little ones", I told her to "pray to Jesus for Mommy too". So she went back to praying...kjruei irhg ruioen... and made mention of me, "in Jesus name".
Have I gone so far away from that close relationship I once had with God that He was graceful enough to use my 2yr old daughter to help strengthen my faith?
Well, what I know is that it astounded me to see my little girl so serious about her "Jesus" and it placed a smile in my heart and a tear in my eye.
Friday, November 13, 2009
M.I.A.
I may or may not be blogging for a while due to focusing on other things at the moment.
Continue to check in and look over previous posts. In the meantime you can always view my current interviews and articles in G1 Magazine, a hot online publication highlighting new music, life stories, fashion and controversial topics.
Continue to check in and look over previous posts. In the meantime you can always view my current interviews and articles in G1 Magazine, a hot online publication highlighting new music, life stories, fashion and controversial topics.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Rap Artist - Sevin
A culture defined by Christ and misunderstood by many; including the church.
Here's another interview that I came across on Youtube that gives another look at who Sevin of Hog Mob is and where he comes from. This was done last year and some things have changed for Sevin since then; he now has a wonderful and powerful wife and children. I recently got to interview him on some other topics and on Hog Mob's current activities; to check out
my interview with him go to OfficiallyG1Magazine.com
Very inspiring interviews...
This is a very transparent moment - the 1st I've seen in a Christian artist:
Here's another interview that I came across on Youtube that gives another look at who Sevin of Hog Mob is and where he comes from. This was done last year and some things have changed for Sevin since then; he now has a wonderful and powerful wife and children. I recently got to interview him on some other topics and on Hog Mob's current activities; to check out
my interview with him go to OfficiallyG1Magazine.com
Very inspiring interviews...
This is a very transparent moment - the 1st I've seen in a Christian artist:
Flu Shots, H1N1 Vaccine & A Praying Robber
I thought these stories would be interesting to post as general information about the side effects of these flu shots especially the H1N1 vaccine. And also I wanted to post about that powerful story of that clerk and robber that prayed together.
Doctor Featured on Fox News Says He Wouldn't Give H1N1 Vaccine to His Own Children:
Reaction to Flu Shot:
Click this link and watch the full video - The clerks side of the story!
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=16226645
Here is a quick video telling a bit of what happened:
Doctor Featured on Fox News Says He Wouldn't Give H1N1 Vaccine to His Own Children:
Reaction to Flu Shot:
Click this link and watch the full video - The clerks side of the story!
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=16226645
Here is a quick video telling a bit of what happened:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Blackface Keeps Rearing it's Racist Head
What the heck was famous American photographer, Steven Klein, thinking? Creativity? I think not... blackface is hardly something new. Was he trying to treat blackface like the word "nigger" and change it to a cool "nigga"; trying to reverse the power of its meaning from something negative to something positive? Well, many are yet to get over their awful racist run-ins full of nigger this and you nigger that and have not taken the use of the word nigga lightly.Were there NO black employees who saw this and thought that it would possibly be too offensive? It's a direct slap in the face to know that black models are already not the color of choice and have no blacks in your issue, yet instead hire a European woman to play a black role. A black model could have easily filled that slot and been absolutely flawless in her own skin.
You know, maybe there is a perfect explanation as to why this has occurred. Maybe they sent a European model over not knowing what the vision of the photographer was. I'm guessing that the photographer and French Vogue just forgot to mention that the model needed to be black. Or maybe they were doing like what Tyra did on ANTM by turning a white model black and vice versa - switching ethnicities overall. Idk.
What was French Vogue thinking? I mean really. Have you no black American relations or respect? Are you clueless of the purpose of blackface - to degrade and poke at the black race? Is this your way of telling blacks to "get over it already"? Well tell that to the Jews (who get reparations* by the way)... and watch your funding go down the drain, right?
Lara Stone is the model. Lara, you are just as crazy as the rest of them and probably figured it would just add more attention to you. As a foreign, early 20 something, I'm sure you could care less. But hey, maybe you simply didn't know. And what gets me is that they use Lara (a supermodel) as if she is a pinnacle.
Maybe I wouldn't be so offended had there been black supermodels throughout the mag... but that's hardly seen in Vogue anyway. We have our token black girls and the rest of us are too common. But yes, I'd still be offended anyway. But how can you have an issue dedicated to supermodels and not have one "black face" in it? Thus, the sting of insult.
Steven, I don't care how many black friends you have. Vogue, I don't care how many black people you have hired... you both have just insulted them all; every friend, every colleague, and America. You have made your statement. You really don't know black people AT ALL. It's never okay to do blackface. Just look at Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson when he did blackface for her roast. Of course she had to defend him; she was in love with him! But as you can see... the two of them are no more. I'm convinced it's probably because she quietly saw the stupidy of misunderstanding and it created a divide - at least I wouldn't be surprised. If Ted couldn't even do blackface in a roast without creating a frenzy, then how the heck do you feel you can do it? Idk, maybe you wanted that sort of attention.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Why Preachers or Ministers Should NOT Charge for God's Word
Don't you hate it when you have heard part of a great sermon series only to have to pay $30 or so in order to hear it "in it's entirety"? That has really discouraged me at times because I know that I will most likely NEVER come around to purchasing the series - do you?
Why We Do Not Charge Money for Audio and Video Online...
We have placed our entire audio and video archive of John Piper’s Sunday sermons on our website so that you and others around the world can benefit from them free of charge. You can stream them, download them, copy them, and give them to others—for free. We don’t just permit you to do it. We encourage you to do it!
Here’s why...
1. We could make more money if we sell the sermons. But we believe that over the years hundreds of thousands more people will listen to or watch these sermons if we don’t charge money for them. And since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17), if more people hear the word of Christ, then, Lord willing, more people will become more passionately in love with Christ
2. -A seminary student in Cameroon, Africa, where the average person makes $800 per year, being able to use a school computer with internet access to listen to sermons which he could not afford otherwise.
-Reducing the risk that a missionary in a Persian Gulf or Asian communist nation will be exposed to government internet monitors by eliminating the registration and financial transaction process.
-A bi-vocational pastor receiving regular spiritual nourishment and encouragement without further taxing his limited budget.
-A university student burning sermons to a CD and giving them to dorm mates.
-A seminary professor assigning students to listen to online sermons without burdening them with further costs.
-A missionary support team downloading hundreds of sermons onto CDs to send to their missionary family located in a remote area.
-An English-speaking Christian in Russia streaming sermons on Sunday afternoons as a means of increasing his or her theological education.
3. Removing Obstacles To the Gospel: ...we look to the Apostle Paul’s example of how to remove obstacles to this goal. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 he says,
We are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
In Paul’s day, as in ours, many used the Word of God as a means to profit financially. And as a result, they discredited the gospel and gave legitimate ministries a bad name.
Paul was zealous to distance himself not only from this motive, but also from the appearance of it. He was persuaded that appearances of peddling the gospel of free grace would put a stumbling block in the way of the gospel. It would make it harder for people to see the true nature of the message and the Savior. This is why he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:6–7, 12:
Is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? . . . Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. The issue for Paul was not what is rightfully permitted, but what was the most radically fruitful, as God helped him discern his situation. Similar to Paul, we discern the Lord’s call on us to offer the preaching of the gospel without charge on the internet in order to remove obstacles. Here are some plausible examples:
It’s for countless possible scenarios like these that we are choosing not to charge money for our online sermons. When the Word of Christ came into the world, it came without cost to the hearers. Jesus said to his disciples when he sent them out to preach, “You received without paying; give without pay” (Matt. 10:8). That’s what we wish to do with these sermons.
We have heard reasons as to why ministers charge for their sermons - production costs, materials, customer service, etc. But lets see why ministers should NOT charge. Maybe if the issue of money was taken out the mixxx, there could be more people getting saved, getting stronger, being holy, and walking with more confidence in God and His words due to the accessibility of the Gospels. By the way, this post is not to hate on those who do charge, but I do want to give them something to think about - especially if the ministry is small. 
John Piper is the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Lets see what John Piper and his ministry have to say about [not] charging for sermons and how they make due. To read their entire story click here, but here are their main points.
Why We Do Not Charge Money for Audio and Video Online...
We have placed our entire audio and video archive of John Piper’s Sunday sermons on our website so that you and others around the world can benefit from them free of charge. You can stream them, download them, copy them, and give them to others—for free. We don’t just permit you to do it. We encourage you to do it!
Here’s why...
1. We could make more money if we sell the sermons. But we believe that over the years hundreds of thousands more people will listen to or watch these sermons if we don’t charge money for them. And since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17), if more people hear the word of Christ, then, Lord willing, more people will become more passionately in love with Christ
2. -A seminary student in Cameroon, Africa, where the average person makes $800 per year, being able to use a school computer with internet access to listen to sermons which he could not afford otherwise.
-Reducing the risk that a missionary in a Persian Gulf or Asian communist nation will be exposed to government internet monitors by eliminating the registration and financial transaction process.
-A bi-vocational pastor receiving regular spiritual nourishment and encouragement without further taxing his limited budget.
-A university student burning sermons to a CD and giving them to dorm mates.
-A seminary professor assigning students to listen to online sermons without burdening them with further costs.
-A missionary support team downloading hundreds of sermons onto CDs to send to their missionary family located in a remote area.
-An English-speaking Christian in Russia streaming sermons on Sunday afternoons as a means of increasing his or her theological education.
3. Removing Obstacles To the Gospel: ...we look to the Apostle Paul’s example of how to remove obstacles to this goal. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 he says,
We are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
In Paul’s day, as in ours, many used the Word of God as a means to profit financially. And as a result, they discredited the gospel and gave legitimate ministries a bad name.
Paul was zealous to distance himself not only from this motive, but also from the appearance of it. He was persuaded that appearances of peddling the gospel of free grace would put a stumbling block in the way of the gospel. It would make it harder for people to see the true nature of the message and the Savior. This is why he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:6–7, 12:
Is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? . . . Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
-Imagine a Christian who, following the death of a family member, emails an online sermon to ten unbelieving relatives who would never listen to Christian radio, but might, in a time of grief, listen to one of John’s sermons on death or suffering with no more effort than a mouse click. One or two of them might browse the website, opening up a whole new world of connections for ministry.
-Or, imagine someone who would never pay to listen to a sermon or even attend a church, because of a negative past experience, listening to a free message online because a coworker recommended it—and being converted!
It’s for countless possible scenarios like these that we are choosing not to charge money for our online sermons. When the Word of Christ came into the world, it came without cost to the hearers. Jesus said to his disciples when he sent them out to preach, “You received without paying; give without pay” (Matt. 10:8). That’s what we wish to do with these sermons.
How Will We Pay for Free Online Sermons?
It cost money for Paul to preach the gospel in Corinth. But he did not ask for money from the relatively wealthy Corinthians so that they wouldn’t stumble over any appearance of profiteering. Instead he trusted God to provide for his needs through the work of his own hands, as well as through the financial support of Christians in other cities who partnered with him in the spread of the gospel. We love his example.
In order to pay for the costs of sustaining our internet ministry, we have resolved to trust God to provide us with partners who believe in this mission and want to financially support it. And this work is continually expanding. We are regularly adding new sermons to the archive, as well as other messages such as narrative poems, seminars, event messages, biographies, and more. The cost of audio and video production as well as the cost of maintaining the site, purchasing server space, and buying bandwidth are constants. So we will let our needs be known to those who are interested and give friends an opportunity to join us in the incredible joy of reaching millions of people with the free Word of Christ.
Would you like to join us?
It cost money for Paul to preach the gospel in Corinth. But he did not ask for money from the relatively wealthy Corinthians so that they wouldn’t stumble over any appearance of profiteering. Instead he trusted God to provide for his needs through the work of his own hands, as well as through the financial support of Christians in other cities who partnered with him in the spread of the gospel. We love his example.
In order to pay for the costs of sustaining our internet ministry, we have resolved to trust God to provide us with partners who believe in this mission and want to financially support it. And this work is continually expanding. We are regularly adding new sermons to the archive, as well as other messages such as narrative poems, seminars, event messages, biographies, and more. The cost of audio and video production as well as the cost of maintaining the site, purchasing server space, and buying bandwidth are constants. So we will let our needs be known to those who are interested and give friends an opportunity to join us in the incredible joy of reaching millions of people with the free Word of Christ.
Would you like to join us?
Other churches that post their entire sermons online for free:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Unequally Yoked - Christians Wed to Non-Christians
Quite often, Christians marry non-Christians or "merely professed Christians" and therefore can end up feeling "unequally yoked" to their spouse. As time goes on, the desire for the Christian to go deeper in their relationship with Christ can begin to cause a rift between the spouses.
Many things can begin to unfold in the marriage. One person may no longer want to go out to clubs or drink too much anymore - leaving the other spouse to feel tempted towards someone else who does. Or the person may no longer curse or talk the same, leaving the other spouse to feel like they no longer know who they are married to. Then comes an issue of tithing. The Christian may feel extreme desire to give 10% of their household income or at least some percentage, while their spouse may have no interest at all.
What to do?
Don't leave them unless you have reason according to the Bible; they commit adultery or they leave you first. And don't do things to try and make your spouse leave you!
This is where Christian spouses get tested hard! It's an awesome excuse to build your character.
Everything you do can get put under the radar by your non-believing spouse because they may or may not begin to hold you accountable. If you make mistakes, you don't get an understanding spouse; instead you get a condescending reaction. A husband will even quote a scripture like, "wives must submit to their husbands", and a non-believing wife may quote, "men love your wives like Christ loved the church"... then they get "spiritual" on you.
If a spouse won't allow you to tithe then read this Q & A.
Pray to change your perception! The circumstances don't change so change your perspective. Just because your spouse isn't understanding doesn't mean that you can't be more understanding without judging. You should be mature enough to know what you are dealing with and make daily intentional choices to genuinely love your spouse regardless of how they act. If a spouse becomes violent or abusive in any other way, then report it - get help.
Many things can begin to unfold in the marriage. One person may no longer want to go out to clubs or drink too much anymore - leaving the other spouse to feel tempted towards someone else who does. Or the person may no longer curse or talk the same, leaving the other spouse to feel like they no longer know who they are married to. Then comes an issue of tithing. The Christian may feel extreme desire to give 10% of their household income or at least some percentage, while their spouse may have no interest at all.
What to do?
Don't leave them unless you have reason according to the Bible; they commit adultery or they leave you first. And don't do things to try and make your spouse leave you!
This is where Christian spouses get tested hard! It's an awesome excuse to build your character.
Everything you do can get put under the radar by your non-believing spouse because they may or may not begin to hold you accountable. If you make mistakes, you don't get an understanding spouse; instead you get a condescending reaction. A husband will even quote a scripture like, "wives must submit to their husbands", and a non-believing wife may quote, "men love your wives like Christ loved the church"... then they get "spiritual" on you.
If a spouse won't allow you to tithe then read this Q & A.
Pray to change your perception! The circumstances don't change so change your perspective. Just because your spouse isn't understanding doesn't mean that you can't be more understanding without judging. You should be mature enough to know what you are dealing with and make daily intentional choices to genuinely love your spouse regardless of how they act. If a spouse becomes violent or abusive in any other way, then report it - get help.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Soulja Boy Gets Arrested???? Now You Know...
When you are with a bunch of people and, and they start running all of a sudden, you don't ask questions... you just run!So Soulja Boy Tell 'Em did just that - he ran! But at some point he finally remembered that his car was back at the location he ran from. When he went back, he was arrested for obstruction.
A gentleman that was still at the house told police that they were in the vacant house to shoot a video.
Also found on the scene were 8 counterfeit hundred dollar bills and another arrest was made, reports CNN. I don't know what that's about but I'm sure S.B. hardly needs fake money, he should have plenty as a self-made entertainer.
He ran, he got caught. I'm sure he'll make a song of it! I just had to blog on this because everyone knows that whether you have done something wrong or not, the average person runs if everyone else begins to run - it's a survival thing. Should he have really gotten arrested for reacting naturally? I'm just sayin'.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What to do when there's Never Enough Money
This blog entry was inspired by Dawn. Thank you!
Some of us prepare or organize a budget for the sake of reaching certain financial goals. Others are forced to budget for the sake of staying afloat. And then there are those that are unable to practice the discipline of budgeting and are constantly drowning.
You do the best you can with what you have until you can make things better. I do not pretend to know the best financial answers, but my husband and I have become somewhat experts of what I call the "make it work" budget! (Tim Gunn couldn't have said it better!
I will try to give a quick installment of how to make it work.
This is great whether you are married, single, on one income, with or without a family and find it wise to be budgeting:
Tithing
Each person (if they believe) should give what is in their heart to give in joy. It depends on your own convictions. I do believe that tithing is crucial to every household but if you seem to be torn between paying your rent or mortgage amount and tithing, and you pay your rent instead, then ask what you can sacrifice your time and thoughts to that would please the Lord... something that He has set in your heart to do but just haven't, on top of having a mindset lorded by His ways.
Debt
- Hold off on making payments for the sake of meeting other obligations with loan deferments which save your credit
- Stick to making incredibly small payments (be careful of building interest with c/c's and loans)
- Or make extremely large payments to quickly get rid of the debt - try not to settle without creating a decent payment history first.
- Restructure your home loan if needed (call the news on them if they don't respond to you)
- Downgrade your vehicle from a hefty note to an attractive money saver (you may even help our planet in the process!)
- Call and simply ask for lower c/c rates to help you.
In all cases, you need just ask in many cases.
Food
- Clip the coupons, shop the bargain food stores (check expiration dates)and buy in bulk what you use the most of (like dinner meats from Sam's Club)
- grow your own fruits and veggies if possible
- In hard times we have a tendency to sometimes eat unhealthily in order to save. This can effect long term health so don't be afraid to call your local SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) center to enable you to afford the foods you want and need for you and your family. And they are accepted by all food stores including Sam's Club.
Entertainment
Only buy what you need but don't restrict yourself from simple pleasures with your family like renting a movie for a weekly movie night.
Extra Income
Sometimes finding work at home can be helpful for extra income:
Alpineaccess.com and other work at-home call center agencies can work for some.
Talents
If you have a talent that can produce immediate money, then go for it! But don't get so caught up in a project that you lose more money than you gain if it's not something you plan to do as a long term passion - don't simply do it for the money. (I had to learn the hard way.)
If there are people in your household with talents like writing, singing, performing... then enter contests that can win money to go towards education or just add to your household overall.
Arts, crafts, & around the house items
Dollar Stores (great for toddler learning, teachers, maintenance tools, home accents and projects)
- Ross, Marshalls, and Burlington are great for home decor, clothing and accessories!
- Places like "Name Brand Exchange" offer thrifty name brand clothes for fractions of their original costs. I love exchange thrift stores because you can trade in your old clothes for "new" clothes and never have to drop a dime. These types of thrift stores save oogles of money! They are also great for baby items like bouncers, walkers, carriers, strollers, etc - and if you have older clothing in good condition from another child that you can trade, you may never pay much of anything! For instance, I "bought" over $250 retail worth of baby items when I had my son, by trading my older daughters barely used items. I only paid $10 out of pocket!
As for furniture... like Maya Angelou's ex-husband taught her, "buy the best quality to be able to sell it for it's worth later, if need be" - or something like that.
Well that's all I'll say for now. But these things can help anyone to stay on a more disciplined financial plan if one is willing to practice humility and yet be proud to save.
Some of us prepare or organize a budget for the sake of reaching certain financial goals. Others are forced to budget for the sake of staying afloat. And then there are those that are unable to practice the discipline of budgeting and are constantly drowning.
You do the best you can with what you have until you can make things better. I do not pretend to know the best financial answers, but my husband and I have become somewhat experts of what I call the "make it work" budget! (Tim Gunn couldn't have said it better!
I will try to give a quick installment of how to make it work.
This is great whether you are married, single, on one income, with or without a family and find it wise to be budgeting:
Tithing
Each person (if they believe) should give what is in their heart to give in joy. It depends on your own convictions. I do believe that tithing is crucial to every household but if you seem to be torn between paying your rent or mortgage amount and tithing, and you pay your rent instead, then ask what you can sacrifice your time and thoughts to that would please the Lord... something that He has set in your heart to do but just haven't, on top of having a mindset lorded by His ways.
Debt
- Hold off on making payments for the sake of meeting other obligations with loan deferments which save your credit
- Stick to making incredibly small payments (be careful of building interest with c/c's and loans)
- Or make extremely large payments to quickly get rid of the debt - try not to settle without creating a decent payment history first.
- Restructure your home loan if needed (call the news on them if they don't respond to you)
- Downgrade your vehicle from a hefty note to an attractive money saver (you may even help our planet in the process!)
- Call and simply ask for lower c/c rates to help you.
In all cases, you need just ask in many cases.
Food
- Clip the coupons, shop the bargain food stores (check expiration dates)and buy in bulk what you use the most of (like dinner meats from Sam's Club)
- grow your own fruits and veggies if possible
- In hard times we have a tendency to sometimes eat unhealthily in order to save. This can effect long term health so don't be afraid to call your local SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) center to enable you to afford the foods you want and need for you and your family. And they are accepted by all food stores including Sam's Club.
Entertainment
Only buy what you need but don't restrict yourself from simple pleasures with your family like renting a movie for a weekly movie night.
Extra Income
Sometimes finding work at home can be helpful for extra income:
Alpineaccess.com and other work at-home call center agencies can work for some.
Talents
If you have a talent that can produce immediate money, then go for it! But don't get so caught up in a project that you lose more money than you gain if it's not something you plan to do as a long term passion - don't simply do it for the money. (I had to learn the hard way.)
If there are people in your household with talents like writing, singing, performing... then enter contests that can win money to go towards education or just add to your household overall.
Arts, crafts, & around the house items
Dollar Stores (great for toddler learning, teachers, maintenance tools, home accents and projects)
- Ross, Marshalls, and Burlington are great for home decor, clothing and accessories!
- Places like "Name Brand Exchange" offer thrifty name brand clothes for fractions of their original costs. I love exchange thrift stores because you can trade in your old clothes for "new" clothes and never have to drop a dime. These types of thrift stores save oogles of money! They are also great for baby items like bouncers, walkers, carriers, strollers, etc - and if you have older clothing in good condition from another child that you can trade, you may never pay much of anything! For instance, I "bought" over $250 retail worth of baby items when I had my son, by trading my older daughters barely used items. I only paid $10 out of pocket!
As for furniture... like Maya Angelou's ex-husband taught her, "buy the best quality to be able to sell it for it's worth later, if need be" - or something like that.
Well that's all I'll say for now. But these things can help anyone to stay on a more disciplined financial plan if one is willing to practice humility and yet be proud to save.
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