Resolutions time

As usual, I'm jamming some R&P (Rhythm & Praise which is a fancy way of saying christian R&B) and thinking about my plan of action for 2010. A lot of people seem to be making a big deal about it since it's the start of a new decade but to me, it's just another year to accomplish what I need to do. So here are my resolutions for 2010:


Improve my relationship with the Lord: Now it's not really a goal just for this year but an everyday thing. The only way to accomplish that is to spend time getting to know Him through the Word.


No more debts: This was on my list last year, and although I've made a lot of progress (goodbye student loan), there's still some unfinished business (hello credit card).


Write a book of poetry: Since the start of BRIHN, I've been writing a lot more personal poetry outside of the ministry. Some are faith-based, while others are just my thoughts expressed in a fancy manner. I've read quite a few poetry books from greats like Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou to the new generation like Dwayne Morgan, Future and Jill Scott (her book is simply off the chaiiiiiiiiiins!!!). I intend to write my own book and hopefully have it published someday but for now, I just want to finish my book.


God's purity by ANY means necessary: Malcolm X gave a speech before his death which mentioned the phrase ''By any means necessary''. He was dedicated to get his point across and accomplish his goal using that phrase so I decided to put a christian spin to it. I'm reaching God's level of purity anyway that I can. To do something like that requires a lot of maturity and a lot of prayer but that's my aim.


I kept my list pretty short because I want to bring a realistic approach to it (quality over quantity).
If I put too many then I might get discouraged and give up which is what I want to avoid. Hope you guys have your goals set and ready to make big things happen in the new year ahead. In the words of Oprah:


''Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right''


Shalom :)

The Single Christian Experience

I was on YouTube the other day and landed on a few videos of people talking about their single experience. Here's an example of one:





It got me thinking about my own single experience. I've been travelling that road now for the last 9 months and there were times where I wish I had a significant other. All that changed when I read a book called ''Every Single Man's Battle'' (which I recommended to all the brothas out there!). Here's a quote from the book:


''You are single-maybe for a short time, maybe for a long time. You have the time for a deep spiritual journey, time like you may never have again. Why not use your sexual sabbatical as a spiritual sabbatical as well?''


I was so focused on the relationship aspect that I neglected the spiritual free-time available to spend with God. Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 7 about the advantage that the single man has over the committed man. Now does this mean that I want to stay single for the rest of my days??? NO NO NO! It simply means that I'm spending my free-time getting closer to God and patiently waiting for my future-wife to arrive. I can honestly say this single christian experience has been a blessing for me and hope that if you are going through something similar, realize that your single status isn't a drag but an opportunity for self-discovery.


That's it from me. As always, I'll leave y'all with a quote:


“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." - François de la Rochefoucauld


Shalom :)

Looking back at 2009 (part 2)

So on my previous post, I highlighted some of the good things from 2009 but I want to talk about some of the bad things that I experienced:


Relationships: I know most people can relate to this but for me, 2009 wasn't such a great year for relationships (2008 and 2007 weren't so great either). I had a great relationship with someone but it ended up not working out because I didn't know what I wanted or was looking for. Because of that, I ended hurting someone that I cared for. 


Spiritual life: Although I found a new love for God this year, I wasn't faithful to Him. It was a year full of compromises and disobedience towards Him and am truly saddened by it. At one point, I stopped praying because I thought that He was through with me. Another time, I got angry and stopped trusting Him completely (it didn't last too long thank God). But I realized my ways and now working towards becoming a man of God. 


Death: I've been to quite a few funerals this year and it's never a pleasant experience. These passings were really unexpected and made me question my time on Earth. As young guys and girls, we tend to think that we are invincible; nothing can really happen to us. This year showed me how fragile and precious life is.


Here's a quote that sums up my feelings for this year:

“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.”- Anonymous

I'll put up my resolutions for 2010 next week on another post. Until then....

Shalom folks :)

Looking back at 2009 (part 1)

Well, another year is almost over and by God's grace, ya boy is breathing and ready for 2010. But before looking forward, I gotta take a few steps back and look at 2009. So for the next few days, I'll try highlighting the good and bad of 2009 to get ready for the year ahead. Let's start with the good:

Ministry: This has been something that I was struggling with ever since I got baptized. I didn't really know if I had a purpose for God. Everybody has at least ONE gift that they've been blessed with and called to glorify God with and serve others (1 Peter 4:10-11). For the last 8 years, I wasn't really sure what that was. I've been in choirs and musical groups, even preached once at church but I never really felt like it was my reason here on earth. But this year, after some soul searching, God opened my eyes like a deer in headlights (ÔÔ). I really thank Him for that and with His grace, I had a chance to start a poetry group called B.R.I.H.N. Ministries. It's still in its baby stage, but we had a chance to perform at a few venues and bring the Gospel with a fresh twist (queue shameless plug). You can check us out by clicking here. 

Friends: I'm a very social guy and get along with pretty much anybody I meet. However, I have very few friends who I confide in on the regular. Believe me when I say that I can count them on one single hand. But this year, spiritually, we had a chance to bond and really take that friendship to the next level. Can't say it's been easy (we can be hard-headed at times), but overall, I couldn't ask for a better group of people in my life. They are my family.

Career: This is a big one for me. The longest job that I've ever kept was about 8 months. I get bored VERY quickly and jump to the next opportunity available. Last September, I've been at my job for 2 years. 2 YEARS! Now it's not the most entertaining job in the world (the insurance business is kinda dry), but it pays the bills and has given me the chance to be a grown up when it comes to finances. Lord knows that I haven't been the best employee in the world, but I put in hard work and He's blessed me in return.

God: And now for the biggest highlight; God has been phenomenal with a brotha! I learned what it means to trust in Him and follow His ways. The journey had a few bums in the road (more on that tomorrow), but overall, He has blessed me beyond my expectations. This year, I learned what ''true love'' was. And it came in the form of someone dying on the cross so that I could be here typing these few words. I love you Lord and thank You for everything!

So those were my highs for 2009. I'll get into my lowest points tomorrow. Here's a quote from Thomas S. Monson:

''The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.''

Shalom :)

Me, Myself and I

This is who I am.

I know, I know, it's a very simple statement but it's important to understand it because for those who know me well, I have a tendency to speak my mind in a very straight-up fashion. But in the words of Busta Rhymes: ''Don't just talk about it, BE about it!'', so I'm doing my part now. Being a christian, it's even more important that I not only talk about my faith, but live through it as well and become a living, breathing testimony of God's grace on my life, hence the title of my blog. That is why I am living my life as an open book for all to see. I know, some of you are asking yourselves: Why would he do such a CRAZY thing??? I'll let this quote from Joseph Barber Lightfoot speak for itself:

''There is no persuasiveness more effectual than the transparency of a single heart, of a sincere life.''

I've been at church sooooooooo many times and heard pastors speak on certain subjects, only to live a secret life because a) didn't want members knowing their dirt and b) they didn't want to lose their credibility. NEWSFLASH! It doesn't work that way. Proverbs 28:13 tells us that by hiding our transgressions, we won't prosper. But if we confess and forsake them, we will find compassion. By opening our hearts to people, it shows a great deal of courage and sincerity. Let's put it this way, if someone came up to you and told you not to do drugs who would you believe; the person who's never touched a pipe or Pookie from New Jack City? (if you don't know who that is, google his picture. Priceless!)

I'm just a guy striving for excellence in all aspects of my life and I find the best way to do it is to be open. This isn't a blog for the sake of blogging, but a look at my life, with all its imperfections. 

Shalom people :)