tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38282802094140536642024-03-13T17:16:03.045-05:00I was created to excel and not fail, that is my divine potential!Just my thoughts, prayers, feelings, testimonies, etc.Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-28667909067817644152013-09-12T10:54:00.001-05:002013-09-12T10:54:37.648-05:00In Spite Of!<span class="userContent">There are times I wake up tired. There are times where I feel like crying. There are times where I wonder will I make it. There are times when I don't feel like being positive or smiling. Then I think about my grandfathers whom I never met. Then I think about my Father's Mother who I only enjoyed for 5 years. Then I think of my Mother's Mother who I only enjoyed for 10 years. Then I think of my Mother who died a year later. Then I think of my stepmother who died years later leaving my Father as a man who had two wives to die. Then I think of my Father who died a year after I graduated college. Then I think of all of the many people who count on me to encourage. Then I think of all the people who can benefit from positivity. Then... I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me. In spite of all the wrongs I have done and the rights I have yet to achieve I have to put positive out so it will come back to me. I will boast the wonder of Jesus, and I will block the masquerade of the enemy. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Share Life, Let's Go!!!</span>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-76344051089556111002013-04-09T06:22:00.001-05:002013-04-09T06:22:24.859-05:00Your Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a total moment of praise and thanksgiving come over me this morning when I was contemplating how good God is to us. Proverbs 18:16 says, "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men." Well, I just looked back over my life and realized that it has been so true for me. I don't know what to make of all the people I've met over the years in my profession, but what I do know is that I've made connections with people that has really impacted my life in a great way. Sometimes we are too busy worrying or complaining to realize how good God is. In the midst of this horrible pollen season kicking off, this morning was so awesome taking in a deep breath of God's creation as I walked to my car.<br />
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I encourage you to figure out what your gifts are. If you don't know how to do that, then just go to the creator. Once you find out what they are walk in them and don't look back. Do it like your life depends on it because it does. I don't know where she got the quote from, but I once heard one of my Christian sisters say, "Your passion will pin you to your purpose, and your purpose to your destiny". God bless each and every one of you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially.Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-84049555413079170572013-01-22T08:50:00.000-06:002013-01-22T08:50:47.518-06:00Let GoI shared a little inspiration this morning on my twitter, instagram (@des10d4gr8ns) and facebook (Mike Createdtoexcel James) this morning but I just wanted to expound upon the thought a little more. There are so many things that come at us every single day in life that will deter us from the path that we are on, however it is important to remember that God will provide us daily with what we need. So many times we can't move forward because we hold on to too much.<br />
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Someone is in a relationship that they feel and know in their heart that is holding them back, but because they "love" the person, or because they don't want to hurt the person's feelings, or because it is easier to stay together, or because breaking up is just so hard... they stay in that cancer of a relationship. LET GO!<br />
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Someone has been hurt by people over and over again in life. It seems that every time you give people a chance they find a way to hurt you. You feel like you have, is and will always be in this fight alone. You feel like everyone is out to get you. Now because of that you just can't seem to find joy in any person or situation. LET GO!<br />
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Someone has emotional stress from a family member, friend, associate or loved one who died and it seems like they left too soon. It seems as though God wasn't thinking about how it would affect you when He called them home. You wake up everyday and wonder if you will be able to make it through. Nothing keeps you going but the memories you have of them. LET GO!<br />
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Someone/anyone/all of us have issues, stresses, events, fears that we face everyday and everyday God gets us through them. Now I'm not saying that it is easier to do, but I'm saying that with God's help and your willingness to move forward you can let go of many of the things that could possibly be holding you back from the next level in life. It is already said in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV) So begin to speak that in your life and LET GO!<br />
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As always I pray that God blesses each and everyone of you spiritually, socially, physically and financially. All is ask in return is that you pray the same prayer for me. Share Life, Let's Go!<br />
<br />Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-2470042021172674952013-01-16T22:51:00.000-06:002013-01-16T22:51:51.365-06:00What If?...Hey all you strangers! I say that because I realize that it has been forever and a day since I last wrote an entry. Well it's time out for the silence. As I've said many times before when I get inspiration for a post I usually wait a few days and pray about how to put it out. However I've been wanting to write something for a while and it was instant this time.<br />
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In bible study tonight someone raised their hand and asked my pastor, Bishop Jim Lowe of the Guiding Light Church, a question. The young lady asked if you don't know a lot of bible verses and you're still learning yourself, how do you witness? Bishop Lowe responded that he was going to get to that soon enough. So after the flood of scripture that we received as we always do, after the other questions, after the entire bible study, the final analysis was in order to witness you just need to simply share your story. We all have a story.</div>
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It reminds me of this guy that was born some years back. He was born in to a large family, and so that meant that he saw struggle a lot growing up. Likewise because he was from a large family, another thing that he saw a lot of was death. In fact when he was born both his grandfathers were already deceased. At the age of 5 one grandmother died. At the age of 10 the other grandmother died, and exactly one year later around the same time his mother died. Later his father remarried, but the story doesn't end there. Some time later his stepmother died. Well this guy continued to live. He was one of the few of his family to have a degree from a university. Well the light in his story doesn't last long. The year after he graduated from college his father died. Yes, he was left to face the rest of his life with no parent be it mother, father, grandfather or grandmother to call on and say I need you, to say I miss you, to say I just called to say I love you. Amazingly he kept pressing forward and became a professional in his field of study. He lives everyday as if he has not been through anything negatively. He is forever striving to make someone else smile because he realizes how hard it is sometimes to produce a smile through it all. One would ask, how in the world did he do it. He would just simply say, "If it had not been for the Lord who was on his side through all that he has been through there is NO WAY he would have made it". So are you wondering why I spoke in the past tense? Is he dead now, you ask.</div>
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WHAT IF I told you that man was me?...</div>
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I'll end the same way I always do by asking that the Lord will bless each and every one of you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. I ask in return that you pray the same prayer for me. God Bless, and remember... Share Life!</div>
Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-54144989324433938292012-04-04T23:55:00.002-05:002012-04-05T00:31:43.986-05:00Jesus Wept<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--p8vyWqYU9E/T30mhEsVPvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/OfTcVcZLTTY/s1600/Jesus%2BWept.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727776650722361074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--p8vyWqYU9E/T30mhEsVPvI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/OfTcVcZLTTY/s320/Jesus%2BWept.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Yes I know it's been a while since I dropped a few lines. Well I received the inspiration behind this blog entry while at bible study last Wednesday at the Guiding Light Church. We all know that sometimes you get to the point in life where you feel like you're going through tests and trials and no one cares. It seems as though the more you pray you don't seem to get an answer from God. Well hopefully this will speak to you if you feel that way.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My pastor, Bishop Jim Lowe has been teaching a series during bible study for a few weeks on Death. You may ask why in the world is he teaching a series on death. Well, he wants us to fully understand what death is for a Christian. The more you know about a topic, the less you fear it. On last Wednesday what I remember most is when he went to Matthew and was talking about the story of Lazarus. You know the story right? Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus was sick. Jesus loved that family, yet he stayed where he was another 2 days. So Jesus finally told his disciples, <em>Let us go back to Judea. </em>No on the way Jesus said that Lazarus had fallen asleep and he was going to wake him. Cleary Lazarus was dead, but for a believer death is but sleep. Anyway Jesus arrived and Martha was the first to approach. She came with an attitude. Just imagine Martha coming out with her hand on her hip and rolling her neck when she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." A little after that imagine when Mary came out she was weeping a little then fell to Jesus' feet and she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Now to the part this whole blog is about...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>John 11:33-35 <em>When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. <strong>Jesus wept.</strong></em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now we all know that Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the bible, but allow me to suggest that it is probably one of the more significant verses of all 66 books and the over 31,000 verses that are in the bible! Jesus did not cry because Lazarus died. Jesus did not cry because he believed all was lost for Mary and Martha. Jesus did not cry because he thought it was too hard to revive Lazarus. Jesus wept simply from seeing Mary and the other Jews were weeping. Let that marinate for a minute! It is amazing to know that we have a God that hurts when we hurt. It is amazing to know that we have a God that doesn't want to see us struggle. It is amazing to know that we have a God that rushes to our rescue when He sees us down.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So let me encourage you in knowing that just because it doesn't seem like those tests and trials are passing, God has already sent your rescue(answer) it is just up to us to have the faith and patience knowing that help is on the way. I'm reminded of a motivational youtube video where a speaker said that pain may last a second, a minute, an hour, a day, maybe a year(s) but... it will eventually subside. The only way it wont is if you quit. So don't quit people. Hang in there, God has already shipped your deliverance. Build your faith and know that God is building your spiritual muscles when you go through. Most of the time you will see me happy and smiling because I know that through all that I have been through in my life, and Lord knows I've been through a lot, that God has, does, and will always bring me out of a storm better, stronger, newer, fresher, and wiser than when I went in! Stay encouraged... help is on the way!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As always I pray that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-61479457405168640352012-02-10T08:10:00.004-06:002012-02-10T08:21:46.627-06:00Encourage Yourself...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P98r8QN-PFg/TzUlx4PAZ8I/AAAAAAAAAFE/uiJYdZgRHh4/s1600/help.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 283px; height: 178px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707509641601116098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P98r8QN-PFg/TzUlx4PAZ8I/AAAAAAAAAFE/uiJYdZgRHh4/s320/help.jpg" /></a>As I minister to you, I minister to myself, life can hurt you so, 'til you feel there's nothing left. (No matter how you feel), (speak the word and you will be healed).<br /><br />The preceeding is an excerpt from Donald Lawrence's song Encourage yourself. I know that in the times we are living in many people need encouragement. Many people are struggling. Many people are lost. Many people just need a boost. Well I am a firm believer that the best way to encourage yourself is to encourage someone else. I think the most important line in that song is the first sentence of the bridge. "As I minister to you, I minister to myself."<br /><br />It is so important that we help someone else along our journey and encourage as many people as we can. I promise you that everytime you do it, it makes you feel a little better than what you did when you started. It's almost like it's a relief for you. That's why I encourage. That's why I blog. That's why I share life. It is simply because the more I do for you, the more I help myself. There are many times when I need an encouraging word and the minute I encourage someone through a social media outlet or through some form of communication, it always gives me a boost.<br /><br />So the next time you're feeling down, just find someone to encourage. The next time your are struggling, find someone to assist. The next time you don't feel like smiling, find someone to make smile. For it is better to give than receive. God Bless!Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-88114072745805798202011-12-16T01:12:00.004-06:002011-12-16T02:20:17.831-06:00What do you do when you're at the bottom?...<span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS9S0pXgXjg/Turw5C0GtFI/AAAAAAAAAE4/M9dL17sfgYA/s1600/depressed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686622342307296338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS9S0pXgXjg/Turw5C0GtFI/AAAAAAAAAE4/M9dL17sfgYA/s320/depressed.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Ever felt that you have hit rock bottom and it seems as if there is no way back to the top? Ever felt that all of the hard work you have done up to a certain point was but a breathless vapor? Ever felt that the very person(s) that you thought were in your corner is the very same who landed the knockout punch? Ever felt that every step you take in a positive direction you seem to figure out how to stumble two back? Ever felt that life just had your number?<br /><br />Can I be the first to suggest that you are not alone in your feelings? However, the bigger questions are what do you do now that you feel that way? Where do you go from here? What's your next step? Who do you turn to? If your car is in park and you want to get out of the driveway, an action must take place. By faith you turn the key and then proceed to put the car in gear. Only then can you get to your destination. So right now, if you feel like any of the aforementioned questions the only way you're going to get from where you are is with action. Now you know you need action, but what action.<br /><br />There is this awesome guy who said, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. <span style="font-size:78%;">Jer 29:11</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Go to the source from where all blessings flow. You've been provided with a road map that is the top selling "how to" book of all time. Last I checked, I think it is called the bible. Begin to rebuke those things that are holding you back. The next thing is important... Realize the most powerful name to make things line up. Yeah, you guessed it, it's the guy I mentioned. The name is JESUS! There is power in the name. There is love in the name. There is prosperity in the name. There is hope in the name. There is deliverance in the name. There is life in the name. There is strength in the name. Did I mention there is power in the name? </span><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;color:#cc0000;">I don't know your situation. I'm not sure what you're going through. I don't know which one of the beginning questions apply to you, but what I do know is that as long as you have the breath of life in you God is not through with you yet. Begin to establish the strongest foundation possible. No, I'm not talking about concrete. I'm talking about a foundation based upon the word of God and true (eternal) life through Christ. Seek what God's will is for your life. Ask Him to teach you to overcome, teach you to prosper, teach you to witness, teach you to be successful, teach you His ways. Begin with these steps and something has to change. There is nothing too hard for our God. He's delivered you before, and yes He will deliver you again.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Yes, that is what I needed. I was typing to myself the whole time. I don't know if this will speak to anyone, but Lord knows I needed it. </span></p></span>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-88409557125665507932011-08-01T14:21:00.008-05:002011-08-01T15:19:40.472-05:00Reconnecting to the Power Source<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mbg3kEqKwY/TjcKSSacWII/AAAAAAAAAEw/l1ys4Lz3oKg/s1600/outlet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635984767974135938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mbg3kEqKwY/TjcKSSacWII/AAAAAAAAAEw/l1ys4Lz3oKg/s320/outlet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Acts 1:8 <span style="font-size:78%;">NIV </span>But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses...<br /></div><br /><div>Yeah, so once again it's been a while since I took the time to sit down and write another blog entry, but I've had one brewing for a while now. Before I go into this entry any further let me encourage all of you that are on twitter to follow me <a href="http://www.twitter.com/des10d4gr8ns">http://www.twitter.com/des10d4gr8ns</a> pretty cool to follow also you don't want to miss my inspirational segments called what... none other than #toiletdevotion. If you didn't know, you better ask somebody. So many times in life we go through trials and tribulations until it seems like we're constantly going through. However, it is important to remember that we're going through and not staying in. So many times in our lives we go through things so that God can prune us and grow us to the next level of where He would have us to go, but a lot of what we go through is because of our disobedience or better yet lack of obedience. That is what has lead me to write this particular blog.<br /></div><br /><div>When our carpets get dirty in our homes it usually means it's time to pull out the vacuum cleaner and do some cleaning. Over time our carpet gathers dirt from various things including our feet, dust particles, crumbs, and many other things. In other words our carpets just gather a lot of filth. So we begin to vacuum and we like what we see, but then all of the sudden we go around that corner and the vacuum stops! What happened? In the process of us getting rid of the dirt in the carpet and being so focused on the dirt we stretch the vacuum too far and it disconnects from the power source. Well, until we go back around that corner and reconnect the vacuum to the power source we can not remove any more dirt from the carpet. Yep, you guessed it that is where I'm going with this one.<br /></div><br /><div>In life there are so many things that get in our way of excelling or having a closer relationship with God. Simply put there is a lot of dirt that gets in our way. Any believer should be able to make it through these things the more we pray, study and commune with God. So let's just think of our ability to deal with life as the vacuum cleaner. Well sometimes we get to certain junctures in life where we feel like nothing is working. It seems like all we try to do fails. No matter how hard we fight, it seems that we can not see the light of day. Many times it is easy to fall into a state of constant stress or depression. Believe me I know, because I was there just last year as I wrote about in an earlier entry. I realize that sometimes we just hit that juncture so hard that we become disconnected from the power source. As a great prophet said, "God is the only boss that will fire you and let you keep working." In other words we can still be operating as a Christian, we can still be operating as a believer, we can still be operating as witnesses for God but yet we have no power.<br /></div><br /><div>Let me suggest to you that if you are going through some things in your life, if you can't seem to see the light of day, if you can't seem to see the end of the tunnel, if your life is worse now than it has ever been before, sit down and ask yourself have you disconnected from the power source. What is the power source you ask? The power source is the electricity of the Holy Spirit in your life. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 <span style="font-size:78%;">NIV </span>the bible says, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. That means that we have specific steps to reconnecting to the power source. Then when we start the journey to reconnecting to the power source we need to immediately begin to Praise God more in everything we do. For there is power in our praise. Don't focus on the dirt or the negative in our lives. That is the best way to disconnect from the source. However, allow the source to generate the good in our lives. We don't know how to get ourselves out of situations anyway. So many times what we think is the right thing to do is in direct conflict with the right thing to do. For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, "declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9 <span style="font-size:78%;">NIV </span>I was watching youtube videos last night and I came across and interview with Prophet Todd Hall. He said that God desires, deserves, demands and then delights in our praise. That is so powerful to me, and I immediately begin to bury that in my spirit. As i wrote in an earlier entry, when life gives you lemons don't make lemonade and show signs that you had lemons but Praise God and show signs that you've been blessed.<br /></div><br /><div>My prayer is that this will minister to someone in a special way. I love and enjoy writing because it helps me bless others when I'm going through or from what I've been through. I'm just walking in the gift that God has given me. As always I pray that God will bless each and every person that reads this spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. I ask that you pray the same for me. God Bless you and I love you!</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-4459364940051423272011-03-16T00:12:00.002-05:002011-03-16T00:13:13.538-05:00Disobedience or Not?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySWVvPbvkG4/TYBG41zjW4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/epGKXZw3v7k/s1600/disobedience_collective.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584541480269339522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySWVvPbvkG4/TYBG41zjW4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/epGKXZw3v7k/s320/disobedience_collective.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>John 14:12-17 This passage of scripture is so powerful. Jesus not only let us know that we need to and can continue to do what He did while He was here. However, the most important scripture in this passage to me is verse 15. "If you love me, you will obey what I command".<br />This week is about disobeying God. The problem is many us of don't actually take the time to realize what disobedient actions are. So I think sometimes we just need to stop and say, "Lord teach me right and wrong all over again like I'm a child."<br />I was tweeting earlier today on the topic Open Your Eyes! I was just wondering if Christians are paying attention to what is going on in the World today. If we don't think that it has spiritual implications then we simply need to Open Our Eyes! So if every religion on the map is coming out stronger than ever and we as Christians are hiding, is that disobedience? If we walk along see someone who looks distressed and hurt and we don't try to witness to them, is that disobedience? If we are around our family, friends, co-workers, etc. who will know are not saved and we don't lead them to Christ, is that disobedience? If we're disrespecting the order of God in and out of Church, is that disobedience? If we are cursing, lying, cheating, stealing, drinking, partying, and any other thing not conducive to the Christian lifestyle, is THAT NOT DISOBEDIENCE?<br />Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Many people think I'm trying to be all "holier than thou", but I am the first to admit that I am a sinner saved by God's Grace and I'm thankful everyday. I just wish that Christians will stop making excuses for their sin and citing that "God knows my heart." Let's obey at all cost, by any means necessary. Let's come out of the closet since everyone else is, and stop being ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 1Samuel 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice!<br />As always I wish that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially.</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-36233588732907303552011-03-08T23:11:00.002-06:002011-03-08T23:12:41.998-06:00Don't Let The Devil Ride...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emNU_PEQBPk/TXcMLU1L2fI/AAAAAAAAAD0/9paHQjaBCxc/s1600/DevilDrive.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581943651858897394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emNU_PEQBPk/TXcMLU1L2fI/AAAAAAAAAD0/9paHQjaBCxc/s320/DevilDrive.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.<br /></em></strong><br />Many times in life we go through everyday not realizing the full consequences of our actions. We say things that we may not need to say to others. We do things that we probably should not be doing. We talk a little different then what we possibly should be talking. Then when things start happening for the worse in our life, we wonder why. Let me simply suggest that we can not let the devil ride, he will try to drive! If you give him and inch, he's taking a mile. If you crack the door, he's going to bust it open. He's always going to overstay his welcome.<br /><br />Don't Let The Devil Ride! If you know you have a problem with alcohol, then don't put yourself in places or situations where is alcohol is a focus. If you know that you have the mouth of a sailor, watch what you feed into your gateways(eyes and ears). If you know that you have a problem with lust, fornication or anything else involving the opposite sex then don't flirt or allow them to reel you in. Whatever the problem may be just remember that in James 4:7 it tells us that if we resist the devil he will flee. Just try not to entertain anything negative or against the will of God.<br /><br />God is able to help us through anything, but we can't keep putting ourself in the same situation that got us in trouble before. We should strive everyday to grow in life and more importantly in Christ. So remember... Don't Let The Devil Ride, He Will Try To Drive! I pray that God blesses each and everyone of you Spiritually, Mentally, Socially, Physically and Financially. Share Life, Let's Go!<br /><div></div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-44919110201370757692011-03-07T23:15:00.001-06:002011-03-07T23:17:00.343-06:00Foot Work 2011<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYjKE-NJ-dY/TXW7tdD0CDI/AAAAAAAAADs/uJZv9SUyEic/s1600/footworkflyer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581573702764726322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYjKE-NJ-dY/TXW7tdD0CDI/AAAAAAAAADs/uJZv9SUyEic/s320/footworkflyer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/embed/3uapzc6SDY0Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-30603667600963621202011-03-06T15:49:00.006-06:002011-03-06T16:18:50.463-06:00Don't Ride That Roller Coaster!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBSm41eyp4c/TXQHmj36NTI/AAAAAAAAADk/rpfIr3VmqwE/s1600/Rollercoaster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581094197265052978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBSm41eyp4c/TXQHmj36NTI/AAAAAAAAADk/rpfIr3VmqwE/s320/Rollercoaster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Luke 6:31-36 </span><em><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">31Do to others as you would have them do to you.<br />32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. </span></strong></em></div><br /><div><strong><em><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">My prayer all the time is that God will bless everyone in my life in any way, shape, form or faction spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. Yes that means <strong>YOU</strong>, I truly want to see all those around me succeed in all that they put their hands too. We should all be that way, especially if we call ourself a Christian. So I simply say to you... <em>Don't Ride That Roller Coaster!</em> </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Now, I know you may ask or wonder where I'm going with this one. Well in life we are supposed to be constantly growing or getting better in whatever we do. Many times we hear that we need to change our friends when we begin to grow. I would like to interject that we don't need to change our friends. Why not help them get like you? Why not help them become successful like you? Why not "share life" and tell them how you begin to grow? Why not give them a chance to grow with you before you write them off? Now don't get me wrong people, there are times when people don't want to change, and then you have to make the better judgement to let them exit our of your life! </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">I got off on a tangent, but back to the roller coaster... For those of you who have rode a roller coaster, you know that that first hill is usually the hardest to reach the top. You come around the corner fast and then they slow you down, you go up to the peak of the first drop slow. Now the whole time you sit in a position where you can see the top where you are trying to go. It seems as though that's when all hell breaks loose. Your stomach begins to buckle. You don't know if you're gonna actually reach the top. You begin to second guess yourself on why you got on the roller coaster, eventhough you rode many before. Then as you approach the top it gets slower. You begin to hear a nose that sounds like the roller coaster is about to break. *cluck cluck cluck c l u c k* When you get to the top it seems as though life stands still for a minute for you to reflect, and then in the blink of an eye you descend 2, 3, 4 or more times faster than what you ascended! Before you know it the roller coaster is over.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">So, let me suggest to you to not get caught up to much into your success that you start mistreating people. As fast as you rise, you can come crashing down. <em>Don't Ride That Roller Coaster</em>, treat everyone as you wish to be treated along the way and remember to stay humble. God will allow your gifts to elevate you. You just make sure that you keep Him first and treat people right so you can stay climbing instead of preparing for "the first drop". God has blessed me to be in the position where I have been able to hire 3 of my close friends in the last 4 months, 2 as personal trainers and 1 as a manager. I want the people around me to climb that ladder of success as I do. If you want to be successful, help someone else become successful.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#6600cc;">As always, I hope this blesses someone out there. If it blesses you please share; likewise I pray that God blesses YOU spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially! Remember to <strong><em>SHARE LIFE</em></strong>!!!</span></div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-77864333548749729572011-02-25T23:06:00.002-06:002011-02-25T23:11:38.696-06:00Tolerating Excuses to Sin!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KR6LuApDBRQ/TWiLc0CcalI/AAAAAAAAADM/iuzK9HqaqxY/s1600/stop.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577861465619851858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KR6LuApDBRQ/TWiLc0CcalI/AAAAAAAAADM/iuzK9HqaqxY/s320/stop.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I took a fast from twitter and facebook for a week, and when I came back tonight (2/25/11), this is the first thing I read. This will be the first time I've ever put a blog other than my own in my blogs, but it's so worth it! This blog was written by my big brother and person who inspired me to blog, Darrell James. I know it is long, but it is well worth the read for anyone claiming to be a Christian! I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me! Enjoy!</div><br /><div><br />On Tuesday, February 22nd I did a status posting that I knew was going to invoke good dialogue between the ones who read it. Here’s the posting again for those who missed it: When I worked in the drug/alcohol field, we said that “once an addict always an addict”. I was talking with a friend and he mentioned giving into temptation also bringing up the song, “we fall down but get back up”. My humorous side responded, so once a sinner do we keep sinning just because God is a forgiving God (once a sinner always a sinner). He didn’t find it too funny. What do you think? SHARE LIFE-LET’S GO!!<br /><br />Before I start I must give a DISCLAIMER (lol):<br />The purpose of this disclaimer is not to deny responsibility for what I’m about to write and share with you, or to cover up for anything you’re about to read. NOW LET ME CLEAR MY THROAT….. The purpose of it is to let you know that this is strictly my opinion on a topic and I do not claim to be a Mr. Know It All or that everything I say is GOLDEN. Nor do I claim to live a spotless and sin free lifestyle, YES I do sin and fall short of perfection BUT I strive to be more like Christ in my daily walk with Him asking Him to help me grow and remove my sins as not to repeat them. What you’re about to read was considered greatly and requested of God to help me express it diligently and without offended anyone who read it. (Whew, I’m already sweating and I haven’t even started to write yet, lol.) THAT’S ALL I’M SAYING, now let’s go……….ENJOY!!!<br /><br />Sin is a big but small word, reminds me of an old song by Prince called ‘Sign of the Times’ where he says: AIDS is a big disease with a little name. Sin is a small 3 letter word that is so BIG that in the book of Genesis (v. 5-7) it speaks about God being so grieved at His heart about the sin of man that they were choosing sin and death instead of a relationship with Him, that He was going to destroy them (the story of Noah). Now take a moment to consider that this is just the book of Genesis and shortly after the creation of mankind. Now fast forward years ahead to current time and imagine the sins of the people of today, WOW. I’m just glad for His mercy and grace.<br /><br />Now to give you more about what provoked this posting. I was talking with a friend on Monday and he was telling me about his disappointment in the area of trying to be a single Christian young man in a dating world of trying to find his mate. He was telling about how he’s tried staying within the church to seek out like minded women that were trying to walk the walk of faith. Within the last year of dating 4 different women he say that they tempted/pressured him sexually more than when he dated women outside the church. I went into how this didn’t give him an excuse to give in and then run crying to God for forgiveness. He said he had talked with an elder at his church about it was told that God will forgive him as well as the women for we’re not perfect and mentioned the above song. This triggered my funny bone and caused me to chuckle, saying what I had said, “so once a sinner we’re supposed to continue to sin and just take advantage of God’s mercy and grace because we know He’ll forgive us”. Let’s just say that our conversation went on for hours and ended with him asking me if I would be interested in talking with the elder at his church because of what we shared. This intrigued me to see what others thought of the discussion and I immediately wanted input from my FB fam, thus the status posting.<br /><br />Now that you have that, let me take a brief commercial break to give you a little background info about myself so that you’ll know how my thought processes are formed. (Please keep this info private because once it comes out on The OWN Network and in my book I want everyone to at least pretend to be interested, lol.) I grew up 1 of 10 children to 2 of the best parents I could have asked for (imagine the assembly line for babies picking out their parents, yes I chose the ones I had, lol). They were both grounded in the church as my pastor likes to say, “from the old church” (big shout outs to my Pastor Keene and his leadership at KCC), Apostolic faith to be exact. My dad a bishop and my mom an evangelist, both great people in their time as they now rest in peace and shine through the legacy they left behind in the 10 of us. Well for me I grew up to dislike the fact that I was born in the church and forced to go because my parents went. Church was a priority in our house, when we weren’t there we were at home being made to do family prayer daily. I recall making a promise with a friend that I grew up with in the church that felt similar, we promised that once we were old enough to make our own decisions we wouldn’t step foot in a church again in our lives except for funerals and weddings (lol, this cracks me up now, however it happens still to youth that live similar lives to what I did then).<br /><br />My mom being the praying mom she was talked/prayed to God so much that I thought at times she was talking to someone I never saw, now that I’m older and working in the mental health arena I’ve told people that she would’ve been diagnosed as schizophrenic, lol. I can recall times of hearing her cry out and running in the room thinking she had fell or one of my siblings were arguing about something. I had several talks of how I would never be able to run from God and what He had for me and I would think alright I hope He’s a good runner because I’m sure going to try to run and hide all the time, dodging under church pews, hiding in the balcony and trying to disguise my doings, lol. I didn’t understand scriptures like <span style="font-size:+0;">Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. </span>My pastor broke this scripture down during a message one service in a way that really Blessed me, which was during the upbringing of a child he/she may take you through hell in the process but if you continue to train them correctly as they mature they’ll grow into the knowledge of what they were taught. So here I am today a changed man and glad to say that I don’t only go to church for funerals and weddings no more, lol.<br /><br />During my upbringing my mom drilled into us, “once you see the light walk therein”. Now for me I didn’t care about this at the time because if I was going to be walking anywhere and there was no light I was cool with using a flashlight to light my path, not looking at it spiritually. Now I know that she meant although we walk and live in a world filled with darkness (sin) once you see better walk better. This to me meant a lot because as much as I rebelled against church I actually learned and held on to quite a bit and as much as my siblings would tell you that all I did was pout and sleep every service, trust me IT’S NOT TRUE, lol. Yes, there was times my dad would get in his mood and make me sit on the front row thinking it would make me at least sit up and not lay on the floor or the pew pouting and I would do it and act like I was sleeping. In spite of this, I actually learned and retained some things. I never wanted to get involved in church if I wasn’t going to be sincere about it, I didn’t want to be the lukewarm or indifferent believer because of knowing how God disliked this. I didn’t want to plan my next sin while repenting or asking God for forgiveness (yes, this happens - Lord please forgive me for the sin that I’m about to do, knowing better).<br /><br />I struggled with things I would hear, like we should be careful of the spirits we allow or invite into our lives knowing that everything carries some kind of spirit with it. For me music was a big challenge and I was a hip-hop head refusing to let it go until I discovered gospel hip-hop and it’s what I bounce to now as well as bits and pieces of other gospel varieties of music but it’s all stuff that’ll encourage and speak positively into my life. So as I said earlier: Do I live a sinless life? No, but I do strive to eliminate and avoid it with the God’s help. Now let’s return back to the regular programming, enough about me, lol.<br /><br />Sin is something that’s been around since the beginning of time and caused trouble every since; destroying lives, families, relationships, marriages and so on. God tried helping us to avoid sin at all cost, giving us guidance and tools to help (The 10 Commandments, Biblical Laws, The Bible, etc.). He knew that it would be difficult to live a perfect and sinless life, however He said (in my Bible it’s in red, depicting He directly said it, not a disciple, apostle, prophet but Him) in Matthew 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. - Now when this was said He knew of the temptations we would face in our walk and the difficulties that would come with them because He too had been tempted before. The sin isn’t in the temptation but in the giving in to it. He died so that we might be saved and strive to avoid sin to lead to a life more like Him - PERFECT. Through His death He washed us of our sins and forgave us but this wasn’t to condone or give us an excuse to continue to sin.<br /><br />In the book of John where He says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (the parable of the adulterous woman) if we read further we see that He tells her, “<span style="font-size:+0;">Neither do I condemn thee, go, and sin no more.”</span> Once God renews our thinking and life, we’re to strive to be more like Him, PERFECT. Will it be difficult, yes; will we fall, yes but does this mean we continue to fall, NO. In our walk, we’ll stumble and fall, become discouraged, think of giving up but these are the times we have to rely on the promises He gave us and when we forget them, just pick up the Bible and read them, It’s a complete book of promises. Our goal as Christians should be to eliminate sin from our lives, not excuse it. Sin is deliberate rebellion against God and when it happens we should pray and ask God to help us remove it, overcome it and not tolerate it. In this life it’s hard to be flawless and free of sin because it surrounds us, but we can aspire to be as close to Christ like as possible demonstrating morally sinless behaviors. A tendency to sin doesn’t give us the right to sin.<br /><br />In closing I find it interesting that if you look at every adulterous sin done in churches, every act of deception committed, every act of wrong doing - the first thing said by the person that committed the sin is, “well nobody’s perfect and my God is a forgiving God”. I would love to ask someone on the receiving end of the sin, “How do you feel about the affair your spouse was involved in that you found out about only after you hired an investigator and saw it on ‘Cheaters’ (that’s my show, lol) after you both had got home from church? Point being that as we mature we know right from wrong. There’s an old saying that goes, “Everything I needed to know in life, I learned before the kindergarten”. This stands true for our walk with God as well, He’s given us instructions to live by while giving us the ability to choose if we want to live by them. Sin isn’t mandatory for being human, it’s a choice.<br /><br />I pray that each of you that took the time to read this is Blessed in your daily walk to be more like Him. Please leave comments, if it provoked your thinking about the topic please pass it on. SHARE LIFE-LET’S GO!!!!<br /><br />Wow, I like that so much I have to repeat it or as my pastor says, “that’s a good place to say amen”, lol…………………<br />SIN ISN’T MANDATORY FOR BEING HUMAN, IT’S A CHOICE.<br /><br />Love and Blessings. </div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-63852922959049771422011-01-23T01:08:00.002-06:002011-01-23T01:09:32.395-06:00He's Pruning Me!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TTvUCxn2xnI/AAAAAAAAADA/-lW0GnfVIe0/s1600/pruning.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565274908691711602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TTvUCxn2xnI/AAAAAAAAADA/-lW0GnfVIe0/s320/pruning.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Family, God must be preparing me for something, because I've never had so many people take advantage of my kindness and attempt to push me to anger! I've had a couple of instances in the last few months (since God brought me out of the state of depression I was in for most of 2010) where either I got bad service at a restaraunt or got burned by someone taking advantage of my kindness.<br /><br />We went to Chilli's on Lakeshore Pkwy in Birmingham/Homewood, AL tonight. I was with my wife Felicia, my God-sister Bridni Hunter and my best friend MC. We got to the table and our waiter said, "I'll be with yall in a minute." He came back about 5 minutes later and got our drink orders. He brought the drinks back and then walked off. He then came back about 5 more minutes and asked if we were ready to order. Before Felicia can get out two words of her order out, He left the table and didn't say what he was leaving for. Well, he went to get his tablet to write down the orders. (Should've had it anyway right, or said excuse me, let me get my tablet) I asked him about a different type of ranch that they had, and he looked puzzled and then just walked off without answering. So after he didn't come back for a while I saw a nice young man that works there named Patrick whom I had previously met. I asked Patrick about it, and he told me I was talking about the avacado ranch. I asked him if he could let our waiter know, and he said no problem. I had to go wash my hands. When I came back everyone at the table let me know that our waiter just sat the plate down and walked off. Well, the plate had 2 ranches, 1 blue cheese and a honey mustard. (none of which are avacado ranch) So we all thought that it bothered him a little that I asked him about something that was in his job description... CUSTOMER SERVICE. Oh yeah did I mention that MC and I's drink was still empty?... I politely went to the manager, and asked her if she would come to our table when she got the chance. She responded it'll be just a moment while I finish up something. Well that moment turned into about 15 minutes. I asked one of the other guys, who also had a bad attitude to go get her. So when she got to the table she started giving excuses as to what took her so long. Then when I went into why I wanted to talk to her, she kept interrupting me and trying to make light of the situation. She didn't really take to heart what I was saying until I mention 2 of her workers that I know. So then she says give me a minute while I rectify the situation. Guess what people... she never came back. While we were waiting on her, the waiter went and told all of his co-workers that we were complaining. So all of the co-workers started walking by our table looking down on us and stairing like we were a circus act or something. So by that time I can feel my temperature rising, and I suggested that we just leave. MC never got his to go box, so he had about 5 chicken fingers sitting on his plate along with 3 cheese sticks from Bridni's plate. So needless to say I will NEVER go back to Chilli's on Lakeshore Pkwy in Birmingham/Homewood, AL.<br /><br />When MC and I got in the car, I begin to tell him that I think God is pruning me lately. Then on the way home I thought about Job. Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." So as all these things are happening to me, I'm just thanking God for all He has, is and will do in my life. I know He is going to take me to a whole other level, so instead of getting sour... I will yet praise! The devil may keep trying to throw me curve balls, but guess what?.... God is my batting coach, so I know He will have me ready.<br /><br />As always, I pray God will bless each and everyone of you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. I just ask that you pray the same for me. Jesus loves you and so do I! </div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-44601625158752539742011-01-22T01:18:00.002-06:002011-01-22T01:19:25.804-06:002 Seconds<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TTqE9pW3qnI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ROXSfXUFrFc/s1600/2seconds.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564906484178332274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TTqE9pW3qnI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ROXSfXUFrFc/s320/2seconds.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So many times in life things come at us like a Mack truck from every direction. Sometimes it seems as though there is no stability in our lives. So in return we get trapped in the whole web of life. We're on top sometimes, and then there are more windings and links added to the web. So this entry is dedicated to the hardships of life. If allowed I would just like to take but 2 seconds of your time!<br /><br />Second 1:<br />Psalms 150:1-6<br />Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his supassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.<br />This chapter in Psalms to me is a parallel passage of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.<br />God clearly wants us to praise Him in all that we do, and in neither of those passages do I see a clause where you shouldn't. So even when people are taking advantage of your kindness, Praise! So even when you haven't got full grips on who you are in Christ, Praise! So even when you're a 25, 35 or 45 year old female and you just don't see "Mr. Right" ever coming, Praise! So even when you just can't seem to make that passing grade in school, Praise! So even when you are not where you want to be in life, Praise! So even when you think you are doing everything you can to be a good and no woman wants you, Praise! So even when you've been laid off or jobless and you think there is no way you will make it to tomorrow, Praise! So even when you think you've made it, but now life is even harder, Praise! Simply put you should always Praise God!<br /><br />Second 2:<br />Now clearly I have taken more than 2 seconds of your time, but the title is just a metaphor to get you to understand the point that it doesn't take all day to just stop and say Lord please get me back on track. While you're moaning and complaining, that's 2 seconds that you could be giving to God! While you're changing your facebook status to negative things, that's 2 seconds that you could be giving to God! While you're out there giving up on life, that's 2 seconds that you could be giving to God! Also, this entry is in memory of my Father, the late, great Bishop Prince James Jr. My wife, Felicia would love when we went home and ate over my Father's house. He would ask Felicia or myself to put his food in the microwave for about 2 seconds. Now we knew it would take longer, but He was just telling us that it doesn't take long. So next time you feel down in the dumps, just look up and say Lord I thank you, and I Praise you for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you are going to do!<br /><br />As I've told you before everything I write is as much for me as it is for you. As always I pray that God will bless you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically and financially. I just ask that you do the same for me. God bless you in Jesus Name!</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-11912843335359010792010-12-16T15:04:00.001-06:002010-12-16T15:05:25.798-06:00Television InterviewWatch me excelling on tv! <a href="http://www.cbs42.com/content/wakeup/story/Easy-Holiday-Exercises/vJU6vhimsUicOfO90uuwpg.cspx">null</a>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-81404122321805355252010-12-10T01:00:00.003-06:002010-12-10T01:09:54.209-06:00I want to bless others!<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TQHQQ2bf6aI/AAAAAAAAACo/iUF5arhVHQc/s1600/bless.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548945203804498338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TQHQQ2bf6aI/AAAAAAAAACo/iUF5arhVHQc/s320/bless.jpg" /></a> 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. <a href="http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/">http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl">http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl</a> <a href="http://www.fitnesstogether.com/mountainbrook">www.fitnesstogether.com/mountainbrook</a> As always, I pray God blesses you spiritually, mentally, socially, physically, and financially. You know I ask that you pray the same for me.<br /></div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-86726828429586573452010-12-09T00:29:00.002-06:002010-12-09T00:51:17.382-06:00Why:Too Many times<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TQB8XZZflOI/AAAAAAAAACQ/FUA9SnP_fCw/s1600/Why.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 285px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548571482317100258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TQB8XZZflOI/AAAAAAAAACQ/FUA9SnP_fCw/s320/Why.jpg" /></a><br /><div>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!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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 <a href="http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl">http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl</a> and my blog site <a href="http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/">http://www.createdtoexcel.blogspot.com/</a> God Bless!</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-90509996537571805262010-11-25T22:38:00.003-06:002010-11-25T22:43:25.840-06:00Week of Praise<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TO86P33KGAI/AAAAAAAAACI/Myx-_-VEZLw/s1600/praise.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 107px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543713710684116994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TO86P33KGAI/AAAAAAAAACI/Myx-_-VEZLw/s320/praise.jpg" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />Sunday-Psalm 112<br />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!<br /><br />Monday-Psalm 113<br />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!<br /><br />Tuesday-Psalm 114<br />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!<br /><br />Wednesday-Psalm 115<br />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!<br /><br />Thursday-Psalm 116<br />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!<br /><br />Friday-Psalm 117<br />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!<br /><br />Saturday-Psalm 118<br />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!<br /><br />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!Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-55742288239003679732010-11-22T01:13:00.004-06:002010-11-22T12:36:30.924-06:00Testimony<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TOq4HLbZtcI/AAAAAAAAACA/AEG6m0P2sK8/s1600/testimony.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542444724899132866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TOq4HLbZtcI/AAAAAAAAACA/AEG6m0P2sK8/s320/testimony.bmp" /></a><br /><div>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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br />1. Tell someone else about it or send it to someone who you think it will bless.<br />2. If you're on twitter, follow me http://www.twitter.com/cr8d2xl<br />3. Find my business' page on facebook Fitness Together Mountain Brook, so you can support and mainly just pray for us.<br />4. Pray for or check on people who you feel are acting unusual or out of there norm, usually there is something wrong.<br />As always, God bless you and I love you! </div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-23469614487944362432010-11-05T16:58:00.004-05:002010-11-05T17:27:59.525-05:00Start Laughing<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TNSE6MMACdI/AAAAAAAAABo/MaLTf1LgYto/s1600/smiley.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536195977184020946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TNSE6MMACdI/AAAAAAAAABo/MaLTf1LgYto/s320/smiley.jpg" /></a><br /><div>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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-81143338336375217412010-08-18T23:21:00.002-05:002010-08-18T23:30:11.972-05:00Thank God for your spider webs!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TGyyQbYXJXI/AAAAAAAAABY/603p93LC6dU/s1600/spider-web-1a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506972439664862578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/TGyyQbYXJXI/AAAAAAAAABY/603p93LC6dU/s320/spider-web-1a.jpg" /></a><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><span style="color:#ff9900;">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.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';color:#ff9900;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><span style="color:#ff9900;">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!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';color:#ff9900;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><span style="color:#ff9900;">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! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';color:#ff9900;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><span style="color:#ff9900;">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!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-56918027507610385462010-02-09T13:17:00.003-06:002010-02-09T13:34:08.662-06:00Sometimes, Just Listen...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/S3G4nojwaGI/AAAAAAAAABQ/uMdDY_d_hIw/s1600-h/a-prayer-for-times-like-these.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436329216254699618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/S3G4nojwaGI/AAAAAAAAABQ/uMdDY_d_hIw/s320/a-prayer-for-times-like-these.jpg" /></a><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div>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!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-25193388027454483812010-01-30T10:43:00.003-06:002010-01-30T11:36:12.313-06:00You 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.<br /><br />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 <em>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. </em>Then to Joshua 1:7 <em>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. </em>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.<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3828280209414053664.post-24635924533676735132009-11-01T22:27:00.001-06:002009-11-01T22:35:29.911-06:00Don't Let Anyone Tell You What God Can't Do<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/Su5hhCtXS3I/AAAAAAAAABA/ey32HKXbm60/s1600-h/IMG_1007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399360223554521970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DRahyW0GTn0/Su5hhCtXS3I/AAAAAAAAABA/ey32HKXbm60/s320/IMG_1007.JPG" /></a><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >So, I decided to write something up again. I wanted to write about something that has been on my mind since September 18, 2009. Too many times in life we are our own obstacle. There are sometimes when you need to sit down, stop worrying and let God deal with some things for you. Well, my wife and I now know this first hand; that's what I'm going to write about today. It's about something very simple that I've learned, and that is... Don't Let Anyone Tell You What God Can't Do. The sad thing is that many times that someone is ourselves.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >It has truly been a blessed year for my wife, Felicia, and I. We joined our church back in October, and immediately God started blessing us. In November I got a new car, and at the turn of the New Year we were putting in a contract on a new house, and as most of you know we got married in July!(Yay us) Now of course we know that every time God blesses you or elevates you, the devil tries to attack. However, I know that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord! <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >So, in March they begin to build our house [the house that God gave us the good mind to design very well from the ground up might I add(brick, doors, floors, carpet, roof, counter tops, cabinet, etc.)] If any of you kept up with me around that time, yall should remember I was taking yall on the journey with us around that time by putting up an album called, Felicia and I's Newest Blessing. So, I would post pics up every time we would come to check on the house. Now we have established that God had really started blessing us. So, here comes satan trying to attack. In April Felicia got laid off from her job. Did she immediately start stressing? Did we lose hope? NO, we immediately claimed that if God brought us to it He could bring us through it. Felicia immediately stepped out on faith and begin looking for jobs everywhere... literally everywhere. Her new job became looking for a job. We told our pastor and some other church family to pray for us. People begin to pray, and Felicia kept searching. April had gone by... no job. May had gone by... no job. By this time it was getting harder to stay strong knowing that the wedding was coming up. Things started to look pretty dim for us. However, we still kept the faith and tried to maintain a great attitude in the midst of the storm. God gave us favor with the people in the community we were trying to move to. So, when we stopped coming out to the community as much they knew something was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >Now most of June had gone by... no job. Somewhere in that time though, Felicia had an interview with the University of Alabama. Felicia told me, the facebook world and twitter world that she was going to knock out that interview. When she left she made us aware that she smoked the interview. We prayed and waited, and at the end of June they offered Felicia the job. She started working on July 20th... PRAISE GOD! God showed up again and blessed us. However, by this time the house had already been built and waiting for almost 2 months. Remember though I told you God had given us favor with the people in the community. So, even after they found out about Felicia's lay off they kept telling us that it was our house and they were going to work with us. When they found out Felicia got hired, they were just as happy as we were. In the meantime, satan thought it was his turn to attack again. We now had to close on the house. Throughout the entire month of August we dealt with our mortgage back and forth, back and forth. We begin to think maybe it wasn’t meant to be. I went and talked to one of the ministers at my church and just told her that maybe we weren't going to be able to get the house. She immediately reminded me of what everyone had told us... "Mike that is yall's house though". Around that time, I even got a little discouraged and that is when I took the albums down off of facebook. We even begin looking for apartments. Then God stepped in and said, devil That's Enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >Felicia came home one day and told me that there were some miscalculations, and that we could get the house. In my mind, I was thinking I know. On one bright sunny day in September, the 18th day we walked into the closing of our Newest Blessing... a beautiful home that we know God blessed us with. It was nothing that we had done; it was truly by the grace and mercy of God. So, when someone tells you that you can't make it; when someone tells you that it's not for you; when someone tells you that you're not qualified; when someone tells you that it shouldn't be... Just look at them and say No One Can Tell Me What God Can't Do! Stop being your biggest obstacle and step out on faith with some things in your life. Now, the catch is you have to make sure you stay in God's will and He will take care of the little things in your life, and yes I said little because there is nothing to hard for my God to workout. He is the Creator of all things that you can ever want or need.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12;" >Well, family as always I hope that this blog helps someone in some way. As always I pray that God will continue to bless you all spiritually, socially, physically, mentally, and financially. I love you all, and remember... SHARE LIFE John 3:36</span>Mike CreatedtoExcel Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11116711896710592110noreply@blogger.com1