On A Different Note

Recent events in the news have caused me to take a moment & reflect on the things that are most important in life. Things like your spouse, your children, family and friends. But, not only is time spent with them important, but also, you being there to spend time with them. That’s most important!

Let’s think back for a moment, shall we. Approximately, two weeks ago there was a report of a Continental Airline pilot that died while in flight. One media coverage spoke with his wife who reported that his passing was a complete shock to her. Naturally so, right? But she went on to say that he had just had an extensive physical done. He was “physically” fit and made sure he had a physical performed twice a year.

Ed McMahon. A legend in his own right. The cause of death has not yet been reported but preliminary reports speak to multiple causes of death. Farrah Fawcett who fought a long battle with cancer recently lost the fight. God bless her soul. I remember seeing a news report of a time where she was released from the hospital. She appeared frail but in very good spirits with that award winning smile of hers. Little did she know that smile did wonders for those that knew, watched and admired her. And, then, the shocker of them all…the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Cardiac Arrest. He will be missed by all and our prayers go out to the Jackson family. It’s hard to believe that he’s no longer with us. May he rest in peace.

By now, you may be asking yourself, what does all of them have in common? Their Health…that’s what. Whether you believe in God or not, your body is a temple and it was paid for with a precious price. It’s our responsibility to take care of the body that we’ve been given. We were charged to be wise stewards of that which He has entrusted us with. Therefore, do what you gotta do to take care of that which you have been given. It’s no different then the way you see to the upkeep of your home, car, etc. The same efforts you give to those things that have no value is the same you should give yourself and your body, which does have value. How else will you afford to be able to spend good, quality time with your loved ones. You can’t unless you take action.

So, in my quest to find out the truth about my body, I stumbled across Dr. Suzanne Gundakunst’s website. At first, I was taken aback by her blunt way of delivering the truth but then, I thought about and realized that her brutal honesty is exactly what I needed to hear in order to take action on the advice that she was giving. So, I ask you: can you handle the truth? I don’t think that you can.

If you think you can, then click here. Enter at your own risk. Don’t forget I told you so!

Until next time, peace!

A Renter's Right to Know!

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hearing some disturbing news about renters in homes that are going in/have been foreclosed on and its been unbeknownst to them that the home is in foreclosure. According to the news reports, the renters have paid their rent on time only to find the U.S. Marshalls at their doorstep ready to set them out.

It’s no fault of their own and its unfortunate to be placed in this situation, especially in these hard economic times. However, as a precautionary measure, you as a renter should do what you can to put in the place these precautionary measures:

1. Know the person with whom you’re renting from. Do your research; ask for references, in particular, how many properties do they currently own that are rented out?

2. Pay close attention to (DO NOT OPEN/READ it, that’s a Federal offense) the addressees & frequency of mail received at your address that’s addressed to your landlord. This could be a talltail sign of something going on.

3. Even though your renting, strive to make provisions to save so that you can eventually, one day, own your own. And, if these unforeseen circumstances do happen to arise, at least you’ll have something to fall back on to replace you and your family.

Long story short, you, as a renter, should be vigilant in pursuit your dreams of owning your own home. Why continue to let someone else profit from your monthly sacrifices when you can reap the rewards of homeownership for yourself.

With that being said, I’d like to hear from you. Share with me some of the the things you have endured in your pursuit to owning your own home. Feel free to post your story(ies) in the Comments section and tell us what you learned from your experience(s).

GM All ~ Up & at 'em early this AM preparing 2 work my ministry by assist'g w/coordinat'g my 1st wedding. Pray 4 me!

GM All! Eat'g a quick bowl of oatmeal b4 go'g 2 the Dentist which may b all that I'll b able 2 eat 2day.

A Double Dosage of Thankfulness

Have you taken a moment to stop & think about the things you are thankful for? Often times, we're so busy w/our everyday lives that we tend to focus on the negative or our trials that prevent us from doing what we really want to do that we forgive to give thanks for the things that we do have.

Well last week at Sunday Worship services, we received the beginning lessons of a teaching on Thanksgiving. The first lesson of the series dealt with What is Thankfulness? And, there were some profound questions that were mentioned as a result of this title. Questions like: Do I appreciate what I have; Am I grateful for what the Lord has done & Am I satisfied w/my life in Christ? These are definitely things that make you go Hmmm?

Now despite your religious beliefs, we can all relate to these questions. There's something in your life, be it family, your home or your job that you are thankful for. Do you appreciate what you have - do you value it, are you making an investment in it & are you taking good care of it. Are you grateful - are you acknowledging the thing (or person) that you're grateful for having & are you giving back as a result of the benefits you're receiving from it. And then, are you satisfied - do you have all you need to be complete. As an entrepreneur/business owner, etc., we're never satisfied because we're always striving to reach the next goal that we've set for ourselves. But, on the flip side of that we must not forget where we came from. Reflect back over your struggles that strengthen you to get ahead; channel that energy to fuel your motivation to continue to move forward. Always being mindful of what you've been through to get where you are.

Then today's teaching dealt with why should we be thankful? Every day we wake up, we should be thankful. We should be thankful for God's love, our new life (in Christ Jesus) & for those that have walked w/us. Again, this is in spite of your religious beliefs. Look at your current circumstances (good, bad or indifferent). Regardless if you're an avg Joe or a successful entrepreneur/businessman, you have something to be thankful for. God's love make it possible for you to utilize the gifts, skills, talents & abilities you possess to excel in business. That did not come just by osmosis(?). Your new life -- you're not living how you use to, from paycheck to paycheck, but you now have financial freedom to care for yourself & your family. You have the freedom to now be your own boss. And, let's not forget the people that pour their knowledge into you so that you could excel, get ahead & now give back. No one gets to where they are by themselves. Someone taught/mentor/walked with you to help get you where you are. No one stands alone.

So I ask you...are you thankful? Are you appreciative, grateful and satisfied w/what the Lord has done & continues to do in you? Until next time, peace!

I've Fallen & I Can Get Up

Ok! Ok, ok, ok. I admit it! My name is King & I cannot tell I lie. I previously wrote that I would make a commitment to write in our blog once a week & unfortunately, I miss the mark last week. So much has been going on w/so little time to do things. But, needless to say, I'm back & ready to roll. Sometimes when we fall off track, we lack the ability to find that inner strength to get back on course. When we get knocked down, it's not meant for us to stay down. Take heed to the reason(s) why we were taken off course, learn from it, get up, dust ourselves off & get back into the game.

Look at this way, imagine a boxing match going on. You've seen how one opponent will get knocked out, then the ref will stand over them & count down given the opponent an opportunity to redeem/get himself together to get back into the fight. If you'll recall, the fighter that gets knocked out, comes back swingin' stronger than before he got knocked. The same rule applies to us, whether its every living, projects at work, providing for our families or looking to make a major purchase (such as a house or car), don't get discourage. Continue on the path that you've set for yourself and/or your family. Get in the fight. Do your research. Have a definitive picture of what you want, what you can afford and what steps you must take to obtain the goal. Don't let anyone or anything get in your way of achieving your goals. You've set them, now work to achieve them. When we want something, its not going to come easy. If that were the case, we wouldn't have homelessness in the world, nor wars. There's a fight in us waiting to burst out.

Let yours be free! Until next time, PEACE!

Commitments -- We have all them!

Hi -- as promised, I'm trying to own up to my commitment of writing in my blog at least once a week. However, things have been hectic here at work since my manager has been on vacation. Been working like a Hebrew slave every since but I'm gettin' it done! Not too much has been happening since my last update. However, we have taken the time out to write this nice little piece right c'here: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Gets-You-All-Fired-Up?&id=2176039. Check it out & let us know what you think.