Thursday, December 16, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010

I want to bless others!

For me, my daily task it to bless someone every single day whether it be with a smile, a joke, a hug, a blog, a testimony, a gift, etc. There is no feeling for me better than knowing I made someone's day. Likewise, when God had positioned you where you can bless others please take full advantage of it. So, like I said before follow me people, I'm going places. http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/ http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl www.fitnesstogether.com/mountainbrook As always, I pray God blesses you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically, and financially. You know I ask that you pray the same for me.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Why:Too Many times


Hi family, as I told you many times before when I get inspiration to write a blog I usually wait a while and ask God to give me direction on how He wants me to put it out. Well, this time things are a little different. I got the inspiration to write this one, and immediately wanted to get to the computer to get started! So here goes!


If you read one of my recent blogs titled "Testimony", you would know that I'm on an spiritual and emotional high right now in my life. Now at the same time, as I mentioned before in a blog when God calls the devil always fights. The devil don't care nothing about you as long as you're doing anything and everything because he knows he still has first dibs on you. However, when you start to do right and get on the right track, he turns his attention to you. He feels like you're betraying him. Now this is true in my life, as I mentioned before all of my blogs are as much for me as they are for you. Everytime God brings me out or takes me to a new level it seems that the devil starts throwing all sort of little things at me to try to knock me off course.


Now, although the devil tries to knock us off course too many times we give him to much freedom in our lives. Too many times we empower him by letting the little things knock us off track. Too many times we do little things like not guard what comes out of our mouths, or in this generation our fingers(through texting and social networking). To many times we only call on the Lord when we're down and not thank Him when He's brought us through something.


So, the question is WHY? We have to keep going back on our knees and asking God to strengthen us through it all. Don't allow the devil to trip us up with the small speed bumps, when God has already brought us through the collision course. Don't allow the devil to ride, when you know he'll try to drive. Don't allow the devil to whisper in your ear, when you know he'll try to come in and control your every thought. When we allow him, we'll get that all to familiar question... WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN WHEN YOU'RE DOING ALL THE SAME THINGS I DO? People always want better, and if we're not living better WHY would they want what we have. Remember Philippians 4:13 You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, if in fact you've given your life to Him!


As always I love each and every one of you. I pray that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. I just ask that you pray the same prayer for me. Likewise, if this blesses you, comment and let me know and then send it or let someone else know about it. Don't keep the blessing to yourself, Share Life! Follow me on twitter also http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl and my blog site http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/ God Bless!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Week of Praise


On this day of Thanksgiving I realize that there is so much that we have to be thankful for. Sometimes even when we can't think of anything to be thankful for we should just praise God in advance. So, this blog is talking about a week of praise. It comes from a sermon that my Pastor, Bishop Jim Lowe of The Guiding Light Church in Birmingham, AL delivered on December 27, 2009. It breaks down a full of praise that you can repeat over and over again. It starts with Psalms 112 and goes through Psalms 118 coresponding with the 7 days of the week. I hope you enjoy.

Sunday-Psalm 112
Praise God by fearing Him and obeying His commands which is His word. When you do this you don't have to worry about anything. God will take care of you and generations to come after you. He will even fight your battles for you with and against your enemies. To fear God and understand and obey His commands, you must be able to communicate with Him. This is achieved by learning His voice through the study of His word. Not delighting in His commands negates the blessings; when you're serving God don't do it unhappily. Praise the Lord!

Monday-Psalm 113
This Psalm again starts with Praise the Lord. We are to forever Praise the Lord as His servants. Then it goes on to tell us some of the many reasons we should be in continual praise. The Lord does things for us that no one else can do, things that are truly impossible. However, we must praise! Praise the Lord!

Tuesday-Psalm 114
When God delivered the people of Israel, even the Earth trembled and rejoiced. When God does the many wonderful things for us everyday we should not have to be pumped and primed to praise God, don't let the rock cry out for you! Praise the Lord!

Wednesday-Psalm 115
We should not receive any glory, but God should because of His love and faithfulness. The world will question your God. Just know that the world's idols shall pass away and all that seek them. Trust only in the Lord for He is our help and shield. When the Lord blesses you, it's for you and generations after you. Set up your treasures in Heaven by trusting, praising, and exalting Him on the Earth. Praise the Lord!

Thursday-Psalm 116
Love the Lord because He hears our cries and rescues us. We should continue to call on Him and serve Him. He has, is, and will continue to do so much for us. There is no way we can repay Him. The least we can do is praise Him for all to see and serve Him. That is reasonable. We must praise Him in all aspects of our lives. Men will fail you, but God never fails, so we should continue to call on His name and serve Him whole-heartedly. Praise the Lord!

Friday-Psalm 117
All should Praise the Lord! We should exalt Him simply because of His love and faithfulness. The least we can do is Praise Him! Praise the Lord!

Saturday-Psalm 118
Praise God because He is good and His love is everlasting. We should proclaim His enduring love and mercy, for we are His people. God answers me when I need Him, so why should I fear, man can't harm me. God will take care of my enemies if I trust in Him. No matter how hard it gets, God will be my help. The righteous Praise God. Although I go through, God will never put more on me than I can bear. Ask God to grant you success. Take praise by force and proclaim that God is good and His love endureth forever. Praise the Lord!

I can assure you from personal experience, that if you faithfully praise and serve the Lord He will bring you out of situations that you could not see yourself coming out of. So in simple... Just Praise!!! If you haven't read my last blog titled, Testimony please read it! As always I pray that God blesses each and every one of you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. Just remember to pray the same for me. Likewise, if you didn't know by now I love each and every one of you! God bless!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Testimony


So, as I told you all another blog was coming soon. Likewise, I told you that I like to wait and contemplate on a post when I first think about, because I want to deliver it in the best possible manner. Now this is a post that I've been meditating on for about a month now. This is my personal testimony of what has been going on in my life! So sit back, make some time, and I hope it blesses your soul!

As some of you know I am in the fitness industry. I have been a personal trainer for about 7 years now. Well in January of 2008, I started working at Fitness Together in Mountain Brook, AL. I loved it there, I had a great team of co-workers and wonderful clients. However, somewhere along the way I started to be unhappy with the job situation. To make a long story short, I left Fitness Together-Mountain Brook in August of 2009. I then began working at Regions as a telebanker. All of you who knows me knows that I am one of the easiest people to get along with. So throughout my training I begin to love everyone, and they started to love me as well. I even received the award for mvp or something like that of my training class. So, after training i hit the ground running. I begin to make an impression on all of the people around me. Things were going great for the first month or so. Then I begin to get a little unhappy with that job, although none of my coworkers probably knew it because that's just the type of person I am. The only thing that made me unhappy about that job was the sales aspect of the job. I am not a seller by far, but I'm a talker and I love people. So believe it or not the rude, cursing, belligerent, angry, overdrafting customers did not bother me at all. I was just stressing that maybe I made the wrong decision by leaving what I love, to do what I believed to be right at the time.

Now the whole time I was at Regions, God was watering a seed that was planted before I ever left my old job. I had tossed the idea around of being interested in possibly owning and running a fitness together. I didn't know anything would come of it though. Now just as I was really getting a little stressed with the job at Regions, I got a phone call one day from my former coworker asking me if I was still interested in what I had talked about. I was like yeah of course, Regions pays the bills, but health and fitness is my passion. Again, to make a long story short January 15, 2010 I found myself meeting with two of my former coworkers and an investor who was a former client of mines. What does that mean Mike?... Yes you guessed it, I had suddenly become a 25 year old co-owner/operator of Fitness Together-Mountain Brook! So, is that my testimony... yes, but the plot thickens du-du-duhhhhh

I've mentioned before in a blog that everytime God blesses you, the devil attacks. God's plans are for you to prosper, but the devil simply wants to see you destroyed. So January through February was all adrenaline. Truth be told, I didn't know didly-squat about being a business owner. I was just excited to have the opportunity. Towards the end of February that high and adrenaline started to die down, and I begin to think maybe I'm not ready for this. I'm not good at sales (however thank God for Regions and what I learned there). I don't even know what I should do with my time at work when I'm not training. We're not growing at the rate I thought we should be growing. We have no marketing; the list goes on and on. Now in March, one of my business partners and I went to Franchise University, Fitness Together's week long training of the business, in Denver, CO. As the week went on, the stress and anxiety begin to build up. I started to realize that this is a lot, and I don't know if I'm ready. Now Franchise University is an awesome tool for Fitness Together. The staff, from the CEO to the secretary, was awesome and very hospitable. So one would think that you would leave there on a high. However, I left in worse shape then when I got there. I can remember being on the plane ride home thinking... there is no way we can do this.

So here I am in the blog that I wrote about previously titled, "The Pit of Depression/Negativity is Endless" Yes people I was in that pit. So if any of you had any type of interaction with me since about March, you should've known that it just wasn't the same old Mike. I went from being the life of the room and making everyone happy, to barely being able to make myself smile. There were friends and family that would ask me if everything was ok, and my reply would always be... "Everything is ok, just keep praying for me things are a little tougher than I thought but I'm blessed". So even in a bad state, I was still speaking positive. None of you could feel sorry for me, because half of you never knew anything was going on with me. It's like for months I was living, but not really here. Then it got worse; I begin to have headaches that would last for days. I couldn't seem to find my happiness. Felicia started to noticed a change, and she would often ask me at first. I would just tell her I don't even know what it is. I didn't think I was stressing, but I was and it was really making become a totally different person. Some of you may have noticed that my facebook status updates of inspiration got few and far between. I took a total hiatus from twitter. I hosted an event at my church, and I can remember people telling me, "Mike you just weren't yourself". I would shrug it off and keep going. The devil really was putting a two-piece combo on my life. He was hitting me with jabs and upper cuts, and I didn't even know how to climb out of the pit of depression. However, I will tell you one thing that I did not stop doing. I did not stop praying for breakthrough and deliverance.

Now back in June, my pastor Bishop Jim Lowe instructed us to just trust God and go outside of your norm in praise, serving and giving for 3 months and breakthroughs were going to happen. So of course I obeyed, I begin to pay more in my tithes and just be more faithful in serving at church. God begin to move before the 3 months. People were getting healed. People were getting jobs and better jobs, raises and bonuses, benefits, sales and commissions, and most of all Revelations from God. The whole time I'm thinking.. Mine is coming, but the devil was saying ha you're a fool. So the end of September ended the 3 months, and I found myself still in this state of depression. It was hard for me to even be around crouds of people. Now this is a little hard for me to admit, but everyone was telling me "Mike you're loosing weight, what are you doing?" I would always simply respond with nothing special, just the same ole. So it got to the point where I was loosing weight from stress. Now, I wanted to take off a few pounds, but not that way. I lost about 5 pounds on a church fast that we had back in February, so that was my excuse. The fast kick started it, and I just keep loosing.People in total I had dropped 22 pounds before I even realized. Felicia and I were close to having to buy me a whole new wardrobe.

Well about a month ago, we had our monthly call from our area director Eric G. at work. In that call he was just assuring us of how good we had actually been doing this year. Then all of the sudden everything hit home. I came home and begin to pray, and it's like I heard a voice say "Mike you've been here all along, but it was only going to be realized when you stopped looking at what you think your problems are". So, was it the call that made me feel better. No, it was God's appointed time to bring me out of the place where I was in my life. I had to go through that season to realize how precious every opportunity is. I had to go through that season to realize that things are not always as bad as you think. I had to go through that season to help someone else who will face the same challenges. I had to go through that season to be the energetic/motivated/determined trainer that I am today. I had to go through that season to become the driven and successful owner that God has called me to be. I had to look at the devil and tell him that I was created to excel and not fail and that's my devine potential! I had to tell that devil that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that God had already blessed me tremendously, so you can just go back to hell where you came from.

I spent almost the whole year stressing over nothing when I was the person that was always encouraging people. I spent almost the whole year on doing the exact opposite of what I was telling everyone else to do. Well, I'm here to say that I'm back and I feel better than before. There is a certain feeling that you get when you realize that what God has for you, it is for you! There is a certain feeling that you get when you realize that weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning. So, that's why you've noticed[(hopefully :-)] in the last month that I can encourage more again. I can keep my tweeples (my name for people who follow me on twitter) engaged. I can go to work everyday with a smile on my face. I can hold my head up proud and say I am a young, black, successful business owner. I can say in faith that God is getting ready to take me in places that even I don't see coming.

So, I say to you that if there is any situation you're going through. Please give it to God. Some of you are experiencing hurt, pain, loss, heartache, headache, stress, lack, loneliness and many other hardships that you just can't seem to get out of.... BUT GOD, He speacializes and He can do what no other power can do. I urge you, in fact I dare you to just try Him. As in my case, just stop and then Go. stop worrying, stop crying, stop stressing, stop fighting, stop losing and Go on with your life. Go on with your happiness. Go on and enjoy what God has already blessed you with. As I have also written previously, "Life is Like Nike, Just Do It". Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do.

I just want to send blessings to each and every one that has, is and will read this blog. This is a special one to me, because it really was a huge breakthrough for me. I pray that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. Likewise, as always I just ask that you do the same for me. Now, if this blog/note blessed you in any way I would like you to do a few things for me:
1. Tell someone else about it or send it to someone who you think it will bless.
2. If you're on twitter, follow me http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl
3. Find my business' page on facebook Fitness Together Mountain Brook, so you can support and mainly just pray for us.
4. Pray for or check on people who you feel are acting unusual or out of there norm, usually there is something wrong.
As always, God bless you and I love you!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Start Laughing


What's up people?! It's that time again for me to drop a little something that was on my mind. I was on the way to work this morning, and I always listen to Steve Harvey on the way to work. He always starts his show with 12 minutes of inspiration. I love it because it always get my mind in a positive state, which it usually is anyway. This morning as he came back from his first break before introducing the team, he started laughing histerically. While he was laughing the crew asked him if he was ok. He then went on to explain how making yourself laugh was a good thing to do, especially when you just get that deep one where you almost lose your breath. He went on to explain how it released endorphins (little chemical things that make you feel all good inside... lol). So, yes I'm the one that's crazy enough to try it. I begin to do it, and at first I felt like an idiot as I should have. As I was laughing, I said to myself, "Self!" Myself said, "huh?" I said, "Why are you laughing?" In the midst of all that the laugh became real. So I started my day off with a great laugh, and although I only had a few clients this morning because of a meeting that took the rest of the day, I was on an emotional high all day.

So I was on the way home from my meeting today and I called my homie who I haven't spoken to in a while, Damali (told you I was going to shout you out :-D), and we were just talking about her weekend. She made the simple statement that she needed some fun for her free weekend, or that she needed some comedy (feel free to correct me D). I thought about this morning, and I told her if you need that just start laughing. So I explained to her where I got it from. We were just talking about how you need to make the most of every moment and how everything happens for a reason, and then it hit me. I immediately had a blog, therefore after 2 paragraphs of explanation here goes!

A lot of times in life we go through things that make or break our spirits and emotions on a daily, hourly, minute by minute, even second by second basis. Many times we don't know how to deal with these things. Well, if you allow me I want to offer a simple suggestion... Start Laughing. Start laughing at the bill that you don't know how you're going to pay. Start laughing at that relationship that just won't go the way you want it to go. Start laughing at that last 5-10/10-20/50-100 lbs. that you just can't seem to get rid of. Start laughing at stresses on the job. Start laughing at that class that you just don't see the passing grade in. Start laughing at your spiritual, mental, social, physical and financial battles. Now people of course I'm making a very broad metaphor so to speak, but really it's kind of serious. I've written blogs before where I talked about not worrying. One in particular that is a great read is "The Pit of Depression/Negativity is Endless". So all I'm saying is there are some things in life that aren't going to change until you change your outlook of it. So the next time something begins to bug you, just start laughing and be thankful in spite of.

I hope this can be a blessing to someone in some way. As always, I pray that God blesses each and everyone of you who will read this. May God bless you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. I ask that you would pray the same for me, and if you like this please tell someone else about it. Another blog coming real soon... stay tune! I love you all!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Thank God for your spider webs!


I wake up bright and early every day and head to work. So as I walked out of the house this morning and begin to walk out the door, I noticed a huge spider web in the walkway by the front door. I immediately go back in the house and then into the garage to get the tool that we have to remove spider webs. I then let up the garage and go around the long way so I can remove the spider web. Now I know you’re sitting there reading this and thinking, “What in the world is Mike going with this one?” I’ll answer that one later in the blog… wait for it, wait for it.



I was in bible study tonight, and my pastor Bishop Jim Lowe of the Guiding Light Church was talking to us about David hiding in a cave when Saul was trying to kill him. Well, the way he escaped is by a spider web. A spider has spun a web over the opening of the cave. When Saul saw this he figured it was no way someone could be in the cave without the web being broken. So, he was telling us how God can use anyone or anything even something as small as a spider to intervene on His behalf. I work with the media ministry at my church, so tonight I was running the microphone for people who had questions. As I’m standing there listening… boom it hit me, I had my next blog. So get to the point Mike!



Immediately after I heard my pastor talking about that story, I thought back to this morning. Who knows what accident that spider web slowed me down from? Who knows what mistake or mishap that spider web slowed me down from? At that very moment I just realized that sometimes it’s the smallest things in life that make the most difference. While I’m standing there I just begin to reflect on the last few months in my life. Although I’m always trying to inspire and encourage people, the last few months have been a little stressful for me because I let it stress me. Focusing on work and not completely on God got me distracted, when all along if I focus on God and seek first His Kingdom, He’ll take care of the rest. Then I looked up and said, “Thank God for my spider web!” I look at the last few months as my spider web. Things were not going as I expected, but sometimes we have to allow God to order things. It may not always go as expected, but Thank God for your spider web! Plans make sometimes fail, but Thank God for your spider web! Friends may turn their back on you, but Thank God for your spider web! Sometimes you experience lack, but Thank God for your spider web!



I always pray that God order my steps, and that I am lead, guided and directed in every single aspect of my life in the way He would have me to go. I realize that sometimes you have walk with your head held high knowing that when He’s in control no matter how rough it gets, it will work out in your favor. So I encourage each of you to be steadfast in trusting God. You may be going through a rough patch right now that you may feel just will not end. Look at that situation and speak a word over it and take dominion over it. If God brought you to it, He can definitely get you through it. There is nothing too hard for Him. As always this blog is as much for me as it is for you. I pray that God continues to lead, guide and direct you; likewise I pray that God will continue to bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially and I ask the you pray the same for my life. God bless, and love you. Share Life-Let’s Go!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Sometimes, Just Listen...


It's amazing sometimes what will happen if we would just zone out all distractions and just listen. Something happened to me today that I just had to write about. I was just driving home today, and I so happened to be listening to a song that I've heard a thousand times before over the last few years. I was listening to I'm Yours by Men of Standard feat. Tye Tribbett on their Surrounded album, and I was just really thinking about the words and I begin to cry just thinking of the words. It is truly my prayer, so for some of you that may not have heard it, I'll share the words with you. Go to youtube and check it out in your quiet time.


Here I am again knocking at your door. I know that I have sinned, but please let me in. You're used to my mouth talking but listen to my heart, I'm sure that you can see I really want to be free. I'm chasing after you, I'm such a desperate man and if you let me catch you, I'll be your's. Lord, I'm your's.

I know I said this once before you know sometimes I change, but you remain the same. I used to sing a song, because there was a song to sing, but now I sing for you My God My King and I'll forever be your's. Lord, I'm your's.

No one else can take your place. I've been in love before, but no one ever made me feel this way. No longer on my own, I'm never alone because you're with me Lord. Lord, I'm your's! Lord, I'm your's, yes I'm your's!!!


Although, I know this is a short one I hope it blesses someone. God bless you all and as always I love you. Continue to pray that God blesses me Spiritually, Socially, Mentally, Physically and Financially and I will do the same for you.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

You want change, then Leave!

Hey family, I'm here once again to try to inspire through my writing. I recently received some inspiration for this one when I was in bible study on Wednesday. My pastor has been teaching us about serving, but this past Wednesday He went in a different direction. Some of you have been through a lot in this last year, and maybe some of you are going through some things right now. So many times we try to figure things out on our own instead of relying on the one who can really help us. So this blog is intended for anyone who maybe going through something right now, or those who just may need a little encouragement.

Sometimes when we want different results we need to do different things instead of the things that we're currently doing. So in bible study Wednesday my pastor, Bishop Jim Lowe of the Guiding Light Church, started out with Genesis 12 when the Lord told Abram to leave his country, his people and his father's house and go to a foreign land and He would bless him. Then we looked at Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Then to Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Then it hit me that sometimes you have to just Leave to be blessed. It's amazing that Abram would have never became Father Abraham. You have to leave your old way of thinking. You have to leave some friends. You have to leave some places. You even may have to leave some family. Too many times we want to be blessed and still hang around the same people that are keeping us down. Too many times we want to be blessed and still go to the same places that are keeping us further from God. Too many times we want to be blessed but still talk about others or put others down.

The World over time has done a whipping on our way of thinking. It's taught us to love ourselves or no one else will. It's taught us to be self-sufficient and that's the only way to make it in "this world." It's taught us to watch our own back or no one else will. What it has not taught us is that one of the greatest commandments is to love one another. What it has not taught us is that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and all of His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. What it has not taught us is that if we loved others as God loved the church, He'll have our back. Even when you think you've made it in "this world" it will turn around and stab you in the back. However, with God you can do all things. I heard Steve Harvey say, "If you truly want to be successful in this world, then help others be a success."

It's time out that we keep relying on our own thoughts, ways, desires and actions and start finding out how we can please God. Then we can do his will and be blessed. I will say this in November of 2008 I re-dedicated my life to Christ and I can honestly say that every since it has not been a recession for me. It has been a promotion, for God has blessed me all of 2009 and 2010 has started off right in line with 09... did I just rhyme? lol Anyway, it was not until I really started trying to please God in my everyday life. It was not until I started trying to put out as much positivity as I can through social networks. It was not until I started really treating everyone as I wish to be treated. I've had haters along the way, but if you don't have haters then you're not doing anything. Likewise, I know that haters can not set up my treasures in Heaven.

So in 2010, let's try to really please God so we can receive the blessings that He has for us. Maybe there are many things that we can have that are on hold because of the things we're doing. As I've always said I love each and everyone of you and that's why I write. I simply write things that are on my heart that has, is and will help me. I truly want to share life each and everyday of my life. Everything I write is as much for me as it is for you. I pray God's blessings on each one who will read this. As always, if this helps you please tell someone else about it.