For Great Men and Women Who Want One

I recently got turned onto this book and I just started barreling through it. It is an excellent read, full of wisdom and common sense approaches to matters every man will face at one time or another. It's also a good book for women to check out so that they might give it to the man in their life as well as gain some understanding about him as well as themselves. Either way, it will be of some benefit. Trust me.

If you still aren't sold that this book is everything I say it is, go over to my man C-Mac's blog because he will be doing several posts on this book, starting today.

The Way of the Superior Man

TABLE OF CONTENTS

part one: A MAN’S WAY

1 Stop Hoping for a Completion of Anything in Life
2 Live With an Open Heart Even If It Hurts
3 Live As If Your Father Were Dead
4 Know Your Real Edge and Don’t Fake It
5 Always Hold To Your Deepest Realization
6 Never Change Your Mind Just to Please a Woman
7 Your Purpose Must Come Before Your Relationship
8 Lean Just Beyond Your Edge
9 Do It for Love
10 Enjoy Your Friends’ Criticism
11 If You Don’t Know Your Purpose, Discover It, Now
12 Be Willing To Change Everything in Your Life
13 Don’t Use Your Family As an Excuse
14 Don’t Get Lost in Tasks and Duties
15 Stop Hoping for Your Woman to Get Easier

part two: DEALING WITH WOMEN

16 Women Are Not Liars
17 Praise Her
18 Tolerating Her Leads to Resenting Her
19 Don’t Analyze Your Woman
20 Don’t Suggest That a Woman Fix Her Own Emotional Problem
21 Stay With Her Intensity––To a Point
22 Don’t Force the Feminine to Make Decisions

part three: WORKING WITH POLARITY AND ENERGY

23 Your Attraction to the Feminine Is Inevitable
24 Choose a Woman Who Is Your Complementary Opposite
25 Know What Is Important in Your Woman
26 You Will Often Want More Than One Woman
27 Young Women Offer You a Special Energy
28 Each Woman Has a “Temperature” That Can Heal or Irritate You

part four: WHAT WOMEN REALLY WANT

29 Choose a Woman Who Chooses You
30 What She Wants Is Not What She Says
31 Her Complaint Is Content-Free
32 She Doesn’t Really Want to Be Number One
33 Your Excellent Track Record Is Meaningless to Her
34 She Wants to Relax in the Demonstration of Your Direction

part five: YOUR DARK SIDE

35 You Are Always Searching for Freedom
36 Own Your Darkest Desires
37 She Wants the “Killer” in You
38 She Needs Your Consciousness to Match Her Energy

part six: FEMININE ATTRACTIVENESS

39 The Feminine is Abundant
40 Allow Older Women Their Magic
41 Turn Your Lust Into Gifts
42 Never Allow Your Desire to Become Suppressed or Depolarized
43 Use Her Attractiveness as a Slingshot Through Appearance

part seven: BODY PRACTICES

44 Ejaculation Should Be Converted or Consciously Chosen
45 Breathe Down the Front
46 Ejaculate Up the Spine

part eight: MEN'S AND WOMEN'S YOGA OF INTIMACY

47 Take into Account the Primary Asymmetry
48 You Are Responsible for the Growth in Intimacy
49 Insist on Practice and Growth
50 Restore Your Purpose in Solitude and with Other Men
51 Practice Dissolving

FUN IN THE FALL -- Join the writers of Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1 - Love & Redemption in New York City during the weekend of October 12th (Columbus Day Holiday).

Where: 583 Riverside Drive, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10031.
For More Information visit www.i-Lit.com

Money Mondays: Tithing, the conclusion

I guess it’s high time I revealed my position because one would assume I am AGAINST giving to the church with the information I have provided here to date, but keep in mind, I have only laid out the scriptures and have done very little giving of my own interpretation. I didn’t want to get into espousing traditional beliefs because they don’t necessarily follow scripture. The bible isn’t as hard to understand as one would be made to believe. So, there is no need to always depend on the Clergy to break it down for you. So, for the record, in my lifetime I have been neutral on tithing, pro-tithing, and con-tithing. At the height of my belief, I gave nearly $10K one year because I had bought into the whole prosperity theology of sowing and reaping. Keeping in mind, I was not earning anywhere near six figures but I had purposed to go above what you would consider a tithe. I don’t present that with a bragging heart, but as a testimony to the fact that when I believe in something, I’m all in.

I started studying this subject a few years ago for a book project, but kept getting stalled because what I found never lined up with what I was being taught and the reality was that, at the time, I trusted my Pastor more than the spirit in me so I would always believe that I just didn’t have all the necessary books needed to fully study the subject. But the thought that I was on to something wouldn’t let me go. The other thing that gave me pause was that no matter what church I attended or visited, the ministers would be sure to drive home the ideology that tithing was the way to go. I didn’t have a problem with believing in tithing, but I found it odd that when it came time to give, most churches would have a brief lecture on the subject as if parishioners forgot that God required them to give since the last time they were at church. During the discourse, ministers rarely failed to mention that if you didn’t want to be subject to being “cursed with a curse” that you would find it in your heart to give ten percent of your income. So this week, I want to present the biblical backing behind whether you are cursed or not.

Malachi 3:7-12

7 "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept {them.} Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?' 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation {of you!} 10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 "Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast {its grapes,}" says the LORD of hosts. 12 "All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the LORD of hosts.

This set of scriptures sets forth that by withholding the tithe, you are robbing God and because of it you are cursed with a curse. As some ministers will say, you can not expect God to be concerned with the matters pertaining to your finances when you are robbing God of what is His, week in and week out.

One of the things I have always not appreciated is getting part of the story. I like to be informed and I like to get the whole truth, not just the truth in part. Having the truth in part can easily lead to being told a lie.

It is interesting to note that the book of Malachi deals with the sins of the Priests as well as the Israelites.

Chapter 1 of Malachi deals directly with the Priests offering blind and lame animals as a sacrifice. God was clearly not pleased and He was calling them on it; admonishing them to give Him the respect that He was due. A common form of deception among the Priests was to offer a pitiful sacrifice knowing good and well that they had an acceptable one available. So, in effect they were trying to lie to God about what they had available, forgetting that HE could see all.

Chapter 2 starts by saying, And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. – God let them know that he had already cursed their blessings because of their decision to offer inappropriate sacrifices. Midway through the chapter the audience broadens as God deals with behavior God’s deems intolerable. The character of the people is called into question and the Lord calls on them to re-accept a life of holiness. Apparently, one of the major issues at that time was that men were committing adultery as well as divorcing their wives, even when the wives remained faithful. God let them know he hated divorce. God also let them know that they were giving Him a bad name because their actions caused non-believers to think there was no justice when it came to unholy living because God had not openly punished them.

Chapter 3 leads in with a warning that while it doesn’t look like it, God will bring correction. So God’s people are encouraged to turn from their wicked practices on their own volition. He let’s them know that because of their relationship and the promises that he has made that he has already withstood destroying them. This now set’s the stage for the famous scriptures. God implores the people to give the tithes and offerings properly so that there will be meat in his house. This meat is not figurative, it is literal. God wanted the people to do right so that the Levitical Priesthood wouldn’t be tempted to give inadequate offerings. He wanted the blessing to flow all around. The tithe was also God’s way of providing for those who couldn’t otherwise provide for themselves, so it was the Israelites duty as his people to worship him in their giving. Because they had not done so, he reminded them that they were indeed under a curse. In order to be rid of the curse they had to obey his statutes (Mosaic Law) and give accordingly. If they did so, he would once again pour forth his blessing.

I know I summarized that but I wanted to get to the question of the day. Does NOT tithing cause me to be cursed with a curse? If this was the end of the story I would give you a big emphatic NO. Why, because the curse was predicated on their not fulfilling God’s statutes in the first place; his statutes clearly being Mosaic Law in this instance. Without the Law, how can you transgress it and thereby be subject to its penalty?

What about metaphorically speaking? Since the times have changed can we apply Malachi metaphorically such that God requires us to tithe so that He can be glorified in the earth? Is there a case for being cursed today?

My response to that is not as straight forward because of the power of our minds. What do I mean by that? You can become so convinced of a thing that it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy even if what you are believing is a lie. In other words, if you buy into the belief that you are cursed for not tithing, then you will seek evidence of that truth subconsciously. Anytime something doesn’t go as planned financially, you will attribute it to not tithing. On the flip side, when those same unexpected events happen to tithing Christians, what is the defense then?

The bottom line is this. The penalty of the curse was predicated on breaking The Law. God does not have us under The Law, we are under Grace. Nevertheless, even with our being under grace, there is an expectation to give.

In the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of the type of giver that God approves of – a cheerful one.

What does it take to be a cheerful giver? A cheerful giver is one that gives to the things of God in a manner that reflects that person’s heart towards God. It’s as if you are in a relationship with God and your giving shows how much you care. The problem is most folks talk about loving God, but the proof ain’t in the pudding. People have their cable/satellite with their movie channels/sports channels, flat screens, tivo, cell phones, satellite radio, closets full of clothes and shoes and then when it’s time to give to the things of God out come the excuses.

Let’s look at an example of how God dealt with “church folk” who took care of their stuff and their lifestyle as opposed to his.

Haggai chapter 1, verses 3 - 11.

3Then the word of the LORD came by Haggaim the prophet, saying, 4"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" 5Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!

6"You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

7Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! 8Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD. 9"You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands."

The thing to point out here is that God was not dealing with the people about tithing (scripture already proves that God's people didn't tithe money). He was dealing with them about giving. It’s also important to see that he “blew” on their money. So even in our giving there is an expectation. So, are you under a curse? No. However, if you do very little in the way of giving to God, yet you question why you can’t catch a break. Maybe, just maybe, God is blowing on your funds and you should reevaluate how much God really means to you in lieu of everything else in your budget. If you prefer your life’s luxuries over giving to the Kingdom of God, then chances are God is dealing with you on your finances because you basically give to the church called “ME”.

So, if you haven’t figured it out by now, I believe in giving not tithing. I think tithing is taught simply because it is profitable for ministries to do so. However, I reject it because a person’s giving really depends on where a person is in the cycle of understanding. If you are un-churched but come into the knowledge of Christ and truly have a heart to worship God in your giving, it may take you a minute to get to the place of giving ten percent or more of your income. Depending on your situation, God may not be requiring that of you anyway, so to have that stipulation placed on you by a minister is just wrong and in my eyes deceitful. People know when they are cheating God. Self evaluation isn’t that hard to do. We know when we are pleasing to God and when we aren’t. If you need a litmus test for your giving try this. Think of something you pay for monthly that you love (barring your home since it’s usually the largest expense people have) and measure that payment against what you give to church or charities monthly. If you aren’t giving at that level, then I would say you need to make some adjustments. But again, you don’t have to answer to me, you may make so much money where a house note is a suitable offering -- but if that shoe fits you, you already know what time it is.

Questions? Comments? Criticisms?

Back on Track Tuesdays: The Alchemist

The Alchemist opens with the story of Santiago, a young shepherd, on his way to a small village in search of love. However Santiago's travels take a turn after he has a dream interpreted and learns that treasure is in his life's path. The reader travels with Santiago on his journey toward destiny and is treated to some valuable lessons in wisdom.

This story also gives the reader an opportunity to examine themselves while introducing them to the idea of finding their own Personal Legend.

What is a Personal Legend? It's that thing that you have always wanted to accomplish. I'm certain many of you that read and host blogs can relate to that.

For the purposes of this review, I would like to entertain some of the questions included at the conclusion of the book as well as some of the nuggets that have been sprinkled throughout the story. Feel free to explore any missed elements contained within the pages we are discussing in the comment section as well.

We will cover pages 1 - 24. I know these may different depending on how your book is laid out, but this is the story up to the point that Santiago is introduced to the idea of a Personal Legend and he is debating whether to give The Old Man one-tenth of his flock.

Discussion Questions: Cover anyone you like or all of them.

In the Prologue, the alchemist reads a version of the story of the death of Narcissus that has a somewhat different ending from the traditional telling, one that emphasizes the grief of the lake into which Narcissus will no longer be looking at his reflection. In beginning the book with this story, what themes and relationships is Coelho telling us to watch for throughout Santiago's story? Do you think there may be an element of "narcissism" in the pursuit of one's Personal Legend?


Early in the story, Santiago recounts a discussion with the Merchant's daughter with whom he is enchanted. During the discussion she questions that if he is as intelligent as he appears, why is he simply a shepherd. Are you currently in a job that, to those looking from the outside, defies conventional wisdom? How is that job keeping you from fulfilling your Personal Legend?


Santiago was four days away from arriving at the village of the Merchant's daughter and he experiences excitement and unrest. He proposes that maybe the girl had already forgotten about him and that he was just one of many passing Shepherds. His response to his unrest is, "It doesn't matter, I know other girls in other places." Do you find that it is easier for you to let go of your dreams as opposed to holding on to them and having faith? How does your position make you feel?


Do you believe in the following statement, why or why not? At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. What is this statement called in the book?

The Old Man tells Santiago that "Treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents." What does this statement say to you?


There is so much more in those first 24 pages, so if I didn't hit a point that you'd like to discuss, by all means, bring it up in the comments. The floor is now yours.

Money Mondays: Tithing 3

In case you missed my disclaimer in the comment section last week, these posts are not an opportunity to preach. However, it is a chance for those who wish to discuss their positions the chance to do so without beating the opposition into submission. With that said, let's jump right on in.

Tithing under Mosaic Law.

The statutes of Mosaic Law are laid out in the book of Leviticus, particularly the matter of tithing. Today we are going to dispel the myth that tithes were given as animals and/or as a product of the field because society at that time was based upon Agricultural standards. That is true in part, but what most people fail to acknowledge is that money was a vital part of the society of that day. If that is the case, why didn't those under Mosaic Law tithe money? I won't answer that, I just want you to think about it for now.

So, what does the book of Leviticus say with regard to tithing? The 27th and final chapter of Leviticus goes into this matter in detail. It is interesting that the chapter opens with dedicating oneself to the Lord. It was common in those times for someone to vow a person to the Lord but in order for it to be legit and recognized by the Lord, you had to fork over the dough. Here were the rules.

50 Silver Shekels (that's money y'all) for a man 20 - 60 years old.
30 Silver Shekels for a woman 20 - 60 years old. (please no feminist stances)

20 Silver Shekels for a boy 5 - 20 years old
10 Silver Shekels for a girl 5 - 20 years old

15 Silver Shekels for a man 60 years and older
10 Silver Shekels for a woman 60 years and older

The only reason I show the above was to prove that money was used to present to the priests in certain cases. Another point of note, Leviticus 27:8 says that for persons who make a vow and cannot meet the valuation, the priests can then set a value proportionate to the resources of the person who made the vow.

The 27th Chapter goes on to deal with offering animals, houses and fields and having to accept the value given by the priests. The value is set primarily as a measure of its redeeming value if for some reason the person who offers it decides they want it back. In those instances, the value plus 1/5th is required.

Finally, the last 4 verses of Leviticus 27 deal with this whole matter of tithing. Tithing according to the Law of Moses deals with only land, flocks and herds. Verse 30 makes it clear, all tithes of the land, levied on the produce of the earth or the fruits of trees, belong to the Lord. Verse 32 says, all tithes of flock or herd, the tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman's staff shall be a thing consecrated to the Lord. It goes on further to say you can't pick out the good and the bad and that if you decide you want to redeem your tithe you have to pay it's valuation plus 1/5th its value (Tithe plus 20 percent), but none of that really matters since we aren't under Mosaic Law. My point is that the Mosaic Law tithe was never about money EXCEPT in the case of redeeming your tithe or when dealing with the instruction given in the book of Deuteronomy (Moses instruction to the Israelites before he dies).

In the book of Deuteronomy, 14th Chapter Moses lays out instruction for the tithe. In Deuteronomy tithing takes a twist from conventional teaching. Moses instructs them to do this each year. It should be noted that this is not a different tithe from that outlined in Leviticus. It is the one and same tithe. Moses is just reemphasizing what must be adhered to, even after he is gone. Paraphrased Deut. 14:22-23 -- Every year take a tithe of all that your sowing yields on the land and in the presence of the Lord, in the place that he chooses to give his name a home, you are to EAT THE TITHE of your corn, your wine and your oil AND the first-born of your herd and flock; so shall you learn to fear the Lord your God always. Verses 24 - 27 goes on further to say that if it's just too far to travel with your tithe to the place that the Lord made his home (the Temple), then you must turn your tithe into money and with the money in hand you must go to the Temple and buy whatever you like to eat. There is also instruction that every third year the tithe was to be laid out to give to the Levite (tribe dedicated to serving the Lord on behalf of the Israelites), the stranger, the orphan and the widow who live in your towns so that they may come and eat and have all they want. In this manner, God is glorified because he provided for them as well.

So that there is no confusion, tithing was done yearly because it wasn't money based, it was driven off of the harvesting of crops. I imagine that at different times of year the tithe was given because otherwise certain crops wouldn't last, for example, you wouldn't hold an apple harvest until winter. I'm not sure how those with cattle would have adhered to the rule, although animals do go into heat at certain times of the year. Therefore, I would also imagine there being an increase in flocks and herds at various times of the year as well. In that regard, there was always a reason to celebrate the goodness of God, because he was constantly providing.

So lets review. What have we learned today.
1. There was a system of money in place during Mosaic Law.
2. Tithing was never about money, but provision for God's people. Anywhere you see tithing in the Old Testament, it is applied to agriculture, flocks or herds, because that is what God intended for the Children of Israel. (This point does not overlook that the times now are different and thus money is required so that churches stay operational. I'm just laying out the facts so that everyone is empowered with the proper knowledge.)
3. The tithe was used to bless those that gave it as well as those who couldn't give.

Questions, Comments, Criticisms?


Next week -- Are you cursed financially because you don't tithe?



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Money Mondays: Tithing pt. 2

As you can see from last weeks post and responses, there are many different views on tithing. So what I intend to do is lay it out as neutral as possible and either solidify your position or give you just cause to change your position altogether. In order to do that we have to give you appropriate background.

Old Testament Tithing can be broken down into two categories – PML (Pre-Mosaic Law) and Mosaic Law.

PML – Sometimes folks say they don’t tithe because the practice was part of Mosaic Law and that it is no longer necessary to maintain Mosaic Law. Those people are correct in their assessment that it is not necessary to perform Mosaic Law practices, but they are wrong in assuming that the Old Testament only presents tithing within The Law. There are instances that occur prior to Mosaic Law where tithing is displayed in the bible.

The first instance of tithing occurs in Genesis 14 when Abram (in later references - Abraham) is met by Melchizedek after Abram returns from battle to retrieve his nephew Lot. Abram gives Melchizedek a tithe of all that he captured in response to God allowing him to be victorious in battle. Side note: The original battle was 5 kings against 4 kings in which the 4 kings prevailed. The army comprised of the 4 kings took all of Sodom and Gomorrah’s goods to include the people who didn’t flee and this included Abram’s nephew Lot. Abram hearing that his nephew was captive took 318 of his trained servants and came up victorious against these 4 kings. Needless to say, God was with him.

The second occurrence happens after Jacob, Abraham’s grandson has an encounter with God in a dream. After awaking he makes a vow that if God will be with him to protect and take care of him then he promises to give a tenth to God in response to their agreement (covenant).

After reading these two accounts one can not deny that tithing was in existence PRIOR to the enactment of Mosaic Law, but what I think is important to notice is that in each instance it was done in conjunction or in response to a covenant agreement. What do I mean by that? A covenant agreement is an agreement between two or more parties where the specifics (the do’s and don’ts) are laid out for each to follow. In the aforementioned cases, tithing was done as a show that God was responsible for protecting, providing, and imparting wealth. Therefore, as a show of gratitude, a tenth (tithe), was given to the priests in response to God holding up his end of the agreement.

It is important to note that Abraham represents the Father of the lineage of the people in which God intended to bless. In fact, it can be said that Abraham opened the door of blessing (redemption) to modern day Christians.


Next week we will tackle tithing under Mosaic Law.

Questions, Comments, Criticisms?



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Money Mondays: The Coveted Tenth

I have wanted to address the topic of tithing (giving 10 percent of ones income to the church) for well over a year, but I have always been hesitant because it is one of those hot button topics for Christians. However, I decided there is no sense in avoiding the issue, lets take it head on. I will say that I have been on both sides of the issue so for that matter, I have heard it all and I have studied the subject exhaustively, so nothing you say here will surprise me.

In order to get this rolling we are just going to open the floodgates and let you speak your piece, because I have some future posts coming on the subject, but first things first -- Simple question: Do you believe in tithing? Why or Why not.

I found this cartoon caption and it was interesting. I won't say whether it expresses my current view or not, its just blog content at this point.




About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Back on Track Tuesdays

This day will now be dedicated to promoting getting back on track. Right off the bat I need to deal with some spiritual issues. So let's dive in.

A word to the wise. If you aren't down for Jesus, keep your comments to yourself and keep it moving. You can sling hate on your own blog.


Dear Lord,
Thank you for putting up with me while I took your grace for granted. Thank you for covering me in my sin even when I didn't deserve it. Thank you for forgiving me so that I'm reminded to forgive those who I have an offense with. Thank you for allowing me another day to get it right. Thank you for not removing your hand from my life while I disregarded your voice. You are truly worthy to be praised. You are the one true and mighty God. Your love is everlasting. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains. Your judgments are a great deep. Lord I love you, and I thank you for choosing me before the foundation of the earth and I thank you for accepting me as your own. This day I will sing praises to your holy name for you are a good God. Lord, I send up these praises and thanksgiving in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.


I'm amped. I've been desiring a closer walk with the Lord and this past Sunday, I heeded the voice of the Lord and went to church (hadn't been in about 2 months). Just as luck would have it, the message was a blessing to me. So, I'm on a journey to build a closer relationship. I'm not proclaiming I'll be perfect. I'm just saying I'm going to make a concerted effort to read my word and pray as regularly as possible. I'm sure I'll miss it from time to time, so I'm letting all the haters who sit on the sideline know right off the top, you can keep your comments to yourself and when you think about pointing the finger, do me a favor and kick rocks.

Now that thats out of the way -- the topic for today:

Let's face it. There are many days that we just decide to "take a day off". I've surely taken my share, but here we are mid year and I still have quite a few goals that I would like to accomplish. Since I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I'm going to call on his help. So, let it be written, let it be said, I'm going for mine and with God on my side I'm certain I will successfully complete all my goals. As of late, I've been working on my novel (haven't touched it in a year) and I'm taking a novel writing workshop so I'm learning a thing or three. Needless to say, I'm trying to get my writing back on track. So far this year, I have only completed one short story and started a second. I need to do better.

So what about you. What area of your life is off track and needs a push in the right direction?

** Last thing, I'm still updating bloggers by region -- did Chicago last night, if I missed anybody, throw the link out.



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Pivotal Moments

Anytime you embark upon a new challenge, one that takes some time to accomplish, whether it be writing a book, trying to lose weight, quit smoking, quit cursing, or just getting over a guilty pleasure. You will without fail reach what I like to call a pivotal moment. This is the moment(s) that makes or breaks your progress. This is the moment that you decide to either fall back into old patterns or press yourself and leap over that wall of opposition. This is the moment that you are laying in bed, getting some much needed rest, the alarm goes off at 5am for you to hit the gym and you have a decision to make. Do you blow it off until tomorrow, knowing full well that if you don't go THIS day, it's over, there won't be anymore working out. Well maybe a couple straggled days here and there, but if you don't commit now, it's not going to happen. You are going to fall back into that familiar cycle of abandoning your goal. So what do you do?

It's interesting how our bodies work. Even when we are tired, unfocused, or just feel like being lazy, if we TELL our body to get in gear, it will. This is because our body is just one part of us. We also have a spirit and a soul. Not to worry, I don't plan on taking you on a spiritual discourse today, but just stay with me for a moment. Our spirit represents that part of us that always seeks to do what is right. Eat right, stay in shape, stay away from that unhealthy relationship, work on that project that will propel you closer to your purpose, it's those types of things that our spirit makes impressions on us to do. On the flip side, our soul (mind and emotions) tells us to do what FEELS good. Eat that cake, drink that soda, go ahead and get your groove on (just one mo' ghen), blow off going to the gym in favor of one more hour of sleep. It's these two contrasting voices that are fighting within us during our pivotal moment(s). The voice that wins, gets to tell the body what to do.
And the funny thing is, the body will listen to the stronger of the two, without fail.

So, the next time you are facing a pivotal moment decide what you want the outcome to really be by siding with the right voice. You might struggle through a few of those moments, but if you focus on the end you have in mind, I'm sure you will find the strength to stay on course. Besides, three lefts don't always put you back to where you started, sometimes those turns throw you so far off course, you can't find your way back. Live strong. Make the best of those pivotal moments. I just did.


Personal Testimony -
Do you know how many times I've wanted to quit blogging? I stay the course, because it keeps me writing. Keeps me focused. I keep telling myself that I need to stop so I can find the time to do other writing, but the truth is, it's the other stuff like watching movies for hours on end that needs to go. The time is there for meeting my goals. I just need to embrace it and go for mine.

I'm also pushing through staying with exercising. I'm on week three of a twelve week progressive workout plan and I just don't feel like going. I was holding on to that bed this morning. Hearing the rain outside didn't make it easier to get up either, but guess what, I'm going anyway. Even if I end up at work a little late, because I've been late for worse reasons.

Y'all have a good day.

Listen and Learn

Do you take the time to hear what you are listening to? I mean really hear the words, letting them resonate with you for clarity, precise meaning and effect. As adults I think there are a lot of times that we miss the messages hidden in the music and it is not until we listen again and again that we actually hear what the writer is saying. Oftentimes I don't truly hear my music until my kids get in the car. What was once a simple lyric becomes a censored message that I would like to have stricken from the transcript. Usually, it's too late, because kids catch it the first time, noted by the giggles that follow their discovery of what just was said.

The same goes for movies. Often we take no note of what is being played out before us until the "unintended" eyes and ears walk in the room. Yet whisking them out only sets up a desire to hear the "forbidden" at a later time.

Over the weekend, I found myself watching clips on You Tube of "The Mack" and "Truck Turner". Truck Turner starred Isaac Hayes and has long held a memory in my mind because I remember seeing it at the drive in as a kid. There is a particular scene that still plays out in my mind some thirty odd years later, that made me never forget that movie. So, I'm watching the clips and hearing the language and checking the themes and I can't believe my parents (more my Daddy's choice if memory serves me correct) allowed me to see this movie. It was obviously not meant for youthful audiences.

That got me to thinking about all the other stuff that seeps in and how it shapes your thinking and causes to you acquiesce to certain mindsets. It makes sense now why some adults take no thought to cuss in front of their kids, some even cuss them out on the regular. I also marvel at the sight of an adult rolling down their car window and throwing out a wad of trash into the middle of the street as if there was an awaiting trash can. I guess they didn't see the "Litter" campaign that I watche numerous times as a kid with the Indian crying at the site of the land being trashed.

You hear people say, "what has gotten into folk for them to act the way they do?" Well, I'll tell you. It's the music, tell-a-vision, and the movies that we watch that has shaped our processes. If it is not offset by something positive then all you get is bad results. If you don't believe me, test it for yourself.

Romans 10:17 (sorry Sojourner, I couldn't resist your trademark)

Free Your Mind Friday

Friday's are all about freeing yourself of whatever is hindering your spiritual growth. I'm setting the table and my partner, Kim Possible is serving up the meal. So, without further ado, we present to you:

Keep Running – In and out of his life. 



RICH said:

Barring my youthful rebellion of anything “un-cool”, I would say the biggest factor in people avoiding, opposing or otherwise denouncing God is that all too often we make decisions about how we are going to serve God based on how others have misrepresented His character and goodness. So my view on the subject is: “Don’t let what other people do affect your relationship with God.”

KIMPOSSIBLE said:

In and Out of His Life Take One: I can honestly say that I have been on “the run” in my relationship with God before. I grew up in a single parent home. I watched my mother struggle to raise two children by working three jobs at a time. I had to grow up fast. My mother loved us and wanted the absolute best for my brother and me. However, because she worked all the time, we basically had to raise ourselves. She had a “Things to Do” list on the table for us everyday along with a schedule of what we should be doing the moment we woke up until it was time for us to go to bed.

My mother found God when I was in elementary school and she exposed me to prayer because I would walk in on her conversations with God all of the time. She also made sure my brother and I were in church every Sunday. It became a tug-of-war between my grandparents since one went to a Baptist church and the other went to a Methodist. Go figure? So, we had to swap churches each Sunday. Well, this went on for quite some time. Every Sunday after church my grandfather would take my cousins and me for ice cream after we ate dinner. I noticed that every Sunday on the way back to grandma’s house from the ice cream store that we would ride past a motel. I would always see my grandfather’s Pastor get out of the car with another woman as he was walking into the motel. I would look in the rear view mirror at my grandfather from the back seat and my eyes would then follow his Pastor inside the motel. It was almost as if my grandfather would pass that motel every Sunday just to let his Pastor know he saw him. One Sunday, I couldn’t take it anymore. When we got back to grandmother’s house, I asked my grandfather in front of everyone “Grandpa, why is Pastor _________ always going in the motel with another lady and not Mrs. _____________?” The room became silent and my grandfather’s face was frozen. My grandmother blurted out “Go ahead and tell her. Tell her that your Pastor is sleeping with another woman. And while you are at it, tell her that those deacons steal money from the church every Sunday.” So, he sat me down and began to tell me that sometimes people don’t practice what they preach etc. When I got back home to my mother’s house I told her that I no longer wanted to go back to church because Pastor ______________ was a hypocrite and I didn’t like that. She said I didn’t have an option not to go to church.

In and Out of His Life Take Two: So, I did go back to church, I just went to my grandmother’s church. However, that experience put a bad taste in my mouth for church and God. But, I was always spiritually aware even as a little girl. So, my mother started going to a non-denominational church and the Youth Ministry was a little more modern and that was a catch for me. I went to Youth Church and was happy to see that the youth dressed like normal people. I was 16 at the time and I was beginning to “smell” myself. I developed an anger and a hatred for my father and his absence in my life. I blamed my mother for my not having a normal childhood. For some reason I held her responsible for being the odd one out. All of my friends had both parents and I didn’t like the fact that my dad was lame. I began to have sex, go to parties, listen to music (I LOVED MUSIC), and I would have my fair share of wine coolers. My mother would always tell me that I couldn’t serve two gods. Of course, I was like whatever and I told her that my generation was different from her generation.

The Pastors daughter came to my house to spend the weekend and would you believe that “trick” told me that I was not living right because I was listening to secular music. I brushed her off and was like whatever “church girl!” I left her in my room while I was on the phone with my boyfriend and when I came back in my room that chick had taken ALL of my poster’s down. She ripped my Michael Jackson poster down, you know the one where Mike had on a yellow vest and some white pants?


She tore down my Thriller poster,
my MC Lyte,


Doug E. Fresh,


and Public Enemy posters
and she took ALL of my tapes and broke them. I cursed that girl out and kicked her out of my house. I told her I needed her and her holier than thou attitude to hit the road. I was pissed at her and my mother was pissed at me. Whatever!

At this point in my life I hated going to church. Because even though the Youth Ministry kids seemed cool, they were very judgmental and did not come off the side of the tracks I came off. They were exposed to a whole lot more in life than I was. They went to great schools and lived in great neighborhoods. I lived in a good neighborhood too, but if you walked out of my house a couple of blocks down it wasn’t too far from “the hood!” I thought the kids in the youth ministry were straight crazy. They didn’t listen to music, they hadn’t had sex, they hadn’t had any drinks, they made me feel like I was the prodigal daughter with all their “You are going to hell, if you don’t do this or if you don’t do that!” So, they turned me off from God. I became very rebellious and I wanted to start doing things my way. Bump God, bump church, bump those lame, phony kids in youth ministry. So, I just went all out. I experienced a little more than I bargained for. The gentlemen I was dating for almost 3 years pulled a gun on me because I wanted to break up with him. In that moment I saw my entire life flash before my eyes. I knew that I could die because my boyfriend was probably one of the biggest drug dealers in my city at the time. I knew what he was capable of and in that moment I thought I would be part of a statistic. Long story short, God got me out of that situation alive and I became tired of living that way. I would go to parties and feel empty. I would hang out with my friends and drink and not be fulfilled. I would have sex and still be lonely.

I could remember going out to parties and coming back home and I would hear my mother praying for me. Her prayers would sound something like this “God, where ever she is, make her sick to her stomach. Do what ever you have to do to get her attention.” I was like OMG, how could she pray something like that. But, I went in my room and cried my eyes out. I knew that God was expecting more out of me in terms of my devotion to Him. I knew that I couldn’t just live anyway I wanted to. To whom much is given much is required. I prayed and told God “If you are who I just heard my mother praying to, make yourself real to me. I want to know you for myself.” As time progressed He made himself so real to me and I started cultivating a relationship with Him.

As I have matured over the years. I realize that we ALL fall in and out of his life. But he is the one consistent thing in our lives. He is such a gentlemen and he will never force himself on us. In my case I believe he allowed me to almost lose my life to get my attention. I was a hard nut to crack because I did not like phony Christians and I wanted my relationship to be genuine. Either I was going to go all the way in my relationship with him or I wasn’t going to have one with him at all. That was how I saw it. I think that we all have different seasons in our lives. At times we are more in tune with God and what He wants out of us and at other times we push him away and kind of do our own thing. What are the circumstances in your life that keep you going in and out of his life? Are you MIA in your relationship with God? That’s how I see it, how do you see it?

FREE YOUR MIND FRIDAY

Join me and my special guest hostess, Kim Possible, as we present our very first collaboration

I hope you enjoy what we've cooked up.

Wonder twin powers ACTIVATE.
Form of words.
Shape of a blog.

FREE YOUR MIND FRIDAY

(click on the link)

Stronger than Pride

Sometimes we look at people and we view their life through unforgiving eyes. We get overconfident and say things like "that could never happen to me". We go to church or read the word or just build up this pride about ourselves like we are untouchable and that we are above some of the people around us. We take confidence in our wealth, our homes, our jobs, our existence and we can get caught up in this whole class outlook on life. But Pride is a dangerous thing. Pride, the word says, comes before a fall. So, I would admonish you to take a close look at yourself and see if you have the proper outlook, an outlook of love. Below, I put together a simple poem on how Pride can play out in a life. It deals with a common theme – sexual relationships – something most people can relate to. I remember thinking that women who got involved with married men were stupid until a woman I respected became the “other” woman. I used to have this perception that men who cheated were just weak until someone I admired admitted to falling to temptation. This awareness made me realize that I was too full of pride and that because of the word, if I wasn’t careful, I was a prime candidate for a fall of my own. Then my thoughts took another direction. What is the proper response for someone who has fallen? When people fall, do we shun them and encourage them to find solace in more dark behavior or do we love them and forgive them drawing them back to the light? Is there someone in your life you need to open your arms to and show some love? As I think about this, I’m reminded of a popular acronym from a few years back -- WWJD. I know what he would do, but what about you?


Stronger than Pride

They fell
I won’t fall
I’m stronger than those cats

Bound in chains
Tricked the same
Check out my new threads
The shackles of shame

Woke up in sin
Bowed the knee
Brush it off
Repent, take three…
Thousand

Bwahahahahh
Here comes the evil laugh
How could I be so stupid
Will this feeling ever pass

Never trust a fond look and a smile
Those who fall
Stretch further than a mile
So, in your ear, Let me put this bug
In the spirit of Rick James
“Sex is a helluva drug”

No one is strong on his own
That’s the thinking that leads you wrong

Throw it out the window
Lay it to the side
Is it Sade’ or the Savior singing

“I do really, really love you___ Love is Stronger than Pride.”

tuesdays with Morrie

My man C-Mack, who from time to time drops a bit of knowledge in this spot, recommended this book to me a few years back. Well, I was finally led to purchase it and read it and you should too.



My thoughts about tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven - another good book.)

An insightful story about the truly important things in life. A book everyone should read at least TWICE. In it you will find wisdom that can be applied for a lifetime.

En-Tango'ld

There you go trying me again.
Didn’t you know I was over you?
Oh, I forgot.
This is your modus.
You leave me alone for a while and when I least expect it you show up again.
I should have known it was about that time.
Life was starting to look up and here you come
We’ve been doing this dance for so long now you think I’d have my inner clock set for your arrival.
You always disguise yourself differently but you are selling the same thing
Destruction
You even make it look appealing, I have to give you that much
Still, I listen to what you have to offer because that dangling carrot sure looks appetizing

All that could be mine!
You’re joking right?
Hmm
Now that I think about it this is no different than the last time
Is it?
Man, I ain’t falling for that
What do I look like to you, some kind of sucker

Good News!

None of us are immune to sin. Despite how good of a person we may be we all have our short comings. It's a good thing God still hears us despite the things we do. He is a loving father.

Check out one of my favorite male singers, Deitrick Haddon. The second song speaks to my topic of the day. Enjoy your weekend, and remember, God still hears a sinners prayer. Have a great weekend family.

[click "play" (the arrow button) to watch]

And You Thought They Were Mad About The Passion

Jean Claude Lamar (top right) has come a long way since his role in Spike Lee's "X". These days the Brooklyn native can be found writing, directing, producing and acting in films. This November look for him to star in a film he created called The Color of the Cross.

I know, I know, this has been a week for the brothers! First Obama says he's thinking about running for the Presidency, and now we have a movie about Jesus being black coming out. The Klan's terror alert is definitely set to red this week.


I'm sure Jesus being black is no surprise to black folks, heck we've always known Jesus was black, who else could feed 5000 people with two fish and five loaves. Seriously though, the Bible is full of people of color, but it will be interesting to see how this plays out or if it even lasts past a week in the theaters.

With that said, I have a question for all of you out there:
Do you think Christianity would be the religion it is today if Jesus was widely promoted as a man of color?

Color of the Cross
Black Christian Movies.com

Ya'll need Jesus Blair Underwood??

With everything I have going on these days I find it pretty hard to consistently read the Word. As well intentioned as I am, after working 12+ hour days and then spending time with the wife and kids, I usually don't feel much like flipping any pages. I know it's a shame to say it, but it's the truth. While I don't watch much TV, it seems that my time is constantly being vied for from outside sources. So my dose of the Word usually comes in the form of church, music, audio sermons or emails from friends or the office Bible thumper, and God forbid you end up on their distribution list. I mean, I love the Lord and all, but how many emails can you get in a week that require you to prove your faith by forwarding to all your friends. Good Grief! But that's not what I wanted to talk about. As I was saying, I'm finding it challenging to get my Jesus on these days, and believe me I've even looked into audio versions of the Bible, but after a while the readers voice began to bore me, but it seems someone was feeling my pain.



Thanks to the people at Inspired by...Media Group you can now get your daily dose of the Word (for now just the New Testament) as presented by over 250 African-American actors, actresses, entertainers and clergy. The producers of this took the Zondervan NIV version and kept it pretty true to form while adding a screenplay format.

Blair Underwood debuts as Jesus, Samuel Jackson is the voice of God, Angela Bassett adds life to the role of Esther and Denzel Washington plays Solomon! There are a host of other celebrities and I'm sure one of your favorites is included in the cast list. One of the Lo Zone favorite friends, Shaun Robinson , is even in the cast!

You can get your copy of this highly anticipated audio version of the Bible on CD or there is an MP3 version for you iPod users. So, do "The Sheletha" and go get your copy today, they are moving fast.

Inspired by...Media Group: The Bible Experience