Verse of the Week

You Can’t Walk into 2019 with 2018 Baggage

I opted to make this piece short and sweet because getting into the nitty gritty of each of the points I make below would result in an extremely long post I’m sure most people would not read in its entirety (I know I probably wouldn’t). Not only that, but it helps get straight to the point about aspects of our lives that need attention and improvement in 2019 and beyond. These are areas that have become too commonplace and serve as deterrents of progress. Now, this isn’t an exhaustive list of every single area of our lives that we need to address, but even the ones that may not be directly related to you can help incite an understanding of what you need to do in order be a better person in the new year.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

As we open gifts, wish each other good tidings, spend time with family and take part in the numerous happenings that occur on this glorious day, let us not forget what we are celebrating- the day our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, came into this world to begin His good work. We give God all the praise, honor and adoration for His Son that He sent to deliver us from sin.

May this holiday season bring you nothing but joy and happiness!

Merry Christmas!!

Veres of the Week (09/23)

Verse of the Week (09/16)

December Release: What Will the New Year Mean?

Contrary to my previous monthly posts, December's post will be a list of items related to this new, upcoming year and will be centered on what 2019 should and should not be a year of for everyone. 2018 really has been a year to remember for countless reasons, and we should all have numerous takeaways from it. But I want to make sure we are taking the right things into 2019, and not allowing the wrong things to be brought along with us. The last thing you need in the new year is the same set of problems from the previous one. So let's set the record straight and make sure 2019 is a year of completion, prosperity and fulfillment!

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done

One of the easiest decisions a person can make is to give up in face of adversity. But that’s the problem- it’s the easy way out. I know it’s difficult to face challenges that seem impossible to overcome, and choosing to stop trying to beat them would save you a lot of time and stress. But where would you be in life if you always threw in the towel and didn’t push yourself to overcome adversity? You’d be stuck in the past because you only got to where you are now by persevering against tough odds. We are meant to grow as human beings and this is just one of the unfortunate steps along the way because adversity is impossible to avoid. So are you going to secure the bag, or fumble it?

November Release: Overcoming Adversity

Facing challenges and obstacles in life is a given; you can't avoid them. But just because you will continue to face adversity doesn't mean:
1) They're impossible to overcome
2) Their sole purpose is to cause you grief
3) You won't get past them

Even though it may be difficult to see and/or understand now - trust me, I know - it's actually a good thing for us to go through these trials in life because they serve a bigger purpose for us down the line. You just have to see them through to witness it all come full circle.

So my next post, to be released this week, will focus on overcoming adversity and what it means for your life.

Verse of the Week

Happy Thanksgiving Readers

This holiday season, we should use it as a time to remember the things we are thankful for in our lives. We all have something to be thankful for - scratch that, we all have THINGS (plural) to be thankful for - and we should use this day to reflect on that. Obviously, being thankful shouldn't just happen once a year and definitely shouldn't need a holiday for us to do it. However, it's a day dedicated to just that and we should treat it as such.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
- Galatians 2:20

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

"(1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (2) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world."
- 1 John 2:1‭-‬2 NLT

October Release Postponed

Good Morning Readers,

It is unfortunate I have to say this but my monthly post for October will be put on hold. This has been an extremely hectic month for me with family matters, work projects, and much more than I can explain here. Therefore, instead of releasing a rushed piece of work that I don't feel would be up to par, I will postpone this month's post and release one for November instead. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out my previous posts from other months if you haven't had a chance to, and to share any pieces you really liked with others you think could benefit from it!

Thank you all for understanding. We will be back on track soon!

If you would like to get updates of when I post, subscribe to my page by entering your email address into the link to the right of the page called "Follow By Email" for your convenience!

Also, Quick Plug! My work has been published again on Blavity! You can check the piece out here.

Verse of the Week

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."
- 1 Peter 1:7

Verse of the Week

"(22) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
- Galatians 5:22‭-‬23

Verse of the Week

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:6-7

Verse of the Week

"Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life."
- Ecclesiastes 7:12 NLT

Don’t Bear Your Burdens Alone

Depression is a severe feeling of unhappiness and/or despondency that many people suffer from, and yet somehow it does not always receive the attention it desperately needs. The rate of the number of people suffering from depression has steadily risen over the years but it has recently seen a sharp increase. BlueCross BlueShield conducted a study earlier this year that revealed, of the 41+ million people it insures, overall, there has been a 33% increase in the number of those diagnosed with depression, with a 63% increase in young adults ages 12-17, and a 47% increase in adults ages 18-34. I don’t know about you all, but these numbers are not only staggering, but unsettling as well.

Verse of the Week

September Release: Suicide/Depression Awareness

Because September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month, and because the rates of depression and suicide continue to grow, I will dedicate this month's post to these topics. I will use this release to list ways those who may be entertaining thoughts of, or dealing with, either of these states of mind, can address them, and how those who may know others in this situation can provide help. Oftentimes, we aren't even aware when those around us, or those we care about, are in need of assistance, or feel alone, and that is scary to think about. One day you're laughing with them, and the next day, God forbid, you see a letter of goodbye on their social media (hypothetical scenario). There are things we can all do to help mitigate this problem and proactively stop additional cases from arising in the future. Let's start taking this more seriously and do something about it.

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Where Do You Draw the Line in a Relationship?

Growing up, I used to think being nice was the best way to live life. You know, you put good into the world, and good things happen to you- you reap what you sow. However, as time progressed, I realized that, ironically, being nice can also end up causing you harm. There were people who saw that good things happen when you’re being nice- for them. The harsh truths I had to learn were that sometimes you can be too nice to people; some individuals will run all over you if you allow them to; and there are people out there that take advantage of the kindness of others. This has played a huge role in why relationships become very unbalanced.

Verse of the Week

August Release: Addressing Unbalanced Relationships

This month's post will be centered on the topic of relationships that are unbalanced; relationships (friendships, work relationships, partner relationships, etc) where there seems to be one person who is more of a taker, and the other person is more of a giver. Typically, this kind of circumstance arises when the taker is taking advantage of the giver. It could start off as unconscious or subconscious actions, but eventually, it becomes a conscious habit. We will discuss how to address this situation before it becomes a problem, and, if you are already dealing with it, how get out of it. The world can be a selfish place, and there are some people out there who will take everything you have to give if you allow them to; so let's learn how to take a stand.

Expect the post to be released next week!

Verse of the Week

3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

I know this is late, but on July 10, 2018, my blog turned 3! This is a huge accomplishment as these 3 years are reminiscent of my continued dedication to sharing my messages with you all, the readers, and my commitment to impacting the lives of others on a larger scale.

I just thank God for continuing to speak through me in my blog posts and using me to help change people's lives, and perspectives, for the better. I pray for many more years of successful writing, and for expansion of this blog in numerous ways. In Jesus's name I pray- Amen.

Thank you all for your continued support because having the motivation and drive to continue writing for my blog was only possible because of you all. Here's to 3 more years and beyond!

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

"But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one."
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

How Tight a Grip Does Society Have on You?

“That’s the norm.” “Everybody’s doing it.” “You’re so… different.” These statements may sound familiar to those who have encountered situations where who they are or the way they live their life was not what others would deem as “normal.” For example, some people will comment when a person doesn’t drown their fries in ketchup but dabs it on each fry instead, and vice versa. That’s how society works- anything outside of what people are used to, or believe is the “right” way of doing things, is considered abnormal.

Welcome to the Feedback Page

It took some time, but the Feedback Page is now live for you all to add comments, suggestions, potential posts you would like to see, topics you would like discussed and/or analyzed, and more!

👇Just comment below 👇

Conformity Post Releasing This Week!

The July post release on conformity within society and how it has affected us a whole will be published this week!

Stay alert for that notification when it's posted (and if you haven't signed up for those notifications, add your email address to the "Follow by Email" list on the right-hand side of the blog page)!

Verse of the Week

"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil."
- Ephesians 6:11

Verse of the Week

"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil."
- Ephesians 6:11

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

July Release: Not Giving Into Society's Conformity

First, I apologize for the delay in this blog post as it was supposed to be released this month. I won't bore you with a bunch of excuses but just know, it will be released next month; so please bear with me.

Verse of the Week

"(1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (2) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world."
- 1 John 2:1-2

Verse of the Week

"(1) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (2) He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world."
- 1 John 2:1-2

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week (late because of vacation)

"(22) The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. (23) Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning."
- Lamentations 3:22-23

Verse of the Week

"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."
- James 4:17

My Hiatus of Solitude [Part 2: The Lessons]

So here’s what ya boy learned (again, sorry for the length of this post):

The Finale of My Fast (Coming [Very] Soon)

Tomorrow, I will be releasing the second half of my series on my fast of solitude, where I discuss the lessons and takeaways I obtained along this strenuous and painstaking, but worthwhile journey.

#TheWaitIsOver

Verse of the Week

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

"So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy." - Proverbs 23:25

I pray that today is a wonderful day for all the mothers out there! Even if you don't have children of your own, you are probably a mother figure and/or inspiration to others. May God bless you all abundantly, and may His grace continue to overflow in your lives.

Verse of the Week

My Hiatus of Solitude [Part 1: The Journey]

I had a lot of trouble writing this post, because each time I started, questions began to flood my mind. How do I fit 5 months of experience into one post? How do I keep it concise enough that people actually read it entirely? Did I gain as much from my fast of solitude as I wanted, or claim? The truth is, I can’t guarantee the right answers for all of these questions because everyone will have their own interpretation of what I have to share. But, I think it’s been put on my heart to say something since I came out of my fast with a new, refreshed, and solidified mindset. My hope is that even if you aren’t Christian, my takeaways will resonate with you in the same manner they did with me. This fast opened my eyes to many things, and I hope it does for you as well.

Verse of the Week (late, I know)

Also, I really do apologize for not releasing this back in April (I was dealing with some personal matters) but part one of my blog post regarding my fast will be released this week! Be on the lookout

Verse of the Week

May Releases: The Aftermath of My Fast of Solitude

For those who don't know, for about 5 months (starting in November), I was on a fast from people (some would call it a hiatus). The purposes behind this time of solitude were to reevaluate where I was in my life, take a break from the demands of life, and focus on myself to pinpoint the areas of my life in which I needed to grow after graduating college. I realized that even though I'd accomplished a lot, there was still a lot that didn't make sense, and I was still questioning what my future would hold. By going on this fast, I got a lot of answers, was able to re-energize my mind, body, and spirit, and I came out with a new, refreshed mindset.

Verse of the Week & New Release in the Works

First, before I give the verse for this week, I wanted to make a note that there is a new post being cooked up that is set to release this month. I know it has been some time since I last uploaded a blog post but please bear with me as it's for good reason. More details are coming later this week.

And now, your verse of the week:

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Valentine's Day Special

Happy Valentine's Day! I just wanted to share 6 tidbits of information with you all to bear in mind as we near the end of this day. During this season of love, you may realize that there are people who place too much emphasis on the need to go above and beyond on this specific day, individuals who make this holiday more about material items opposed to the actual showing of love to a special someone, and those who become really downtrodden watching others on social media enjoy the company of their partners while they're at home, single, re-watching The Notebook for the 5th time in a row. Everyone handles today differently, so it's not just limited to the aforementioned stereotypical people. However, society creates an atmosphere where people feel like they have to be with someone, and/or if you do have someone, that today is the one day for you to really show you care about them. So I wanted to give you all some input to assure you that you don't have to follow either trend, and that where you are in your life, committed or single, is perfectly fine. Don't let society dictate your life.

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week

I hope this verse speaks to you all in whatever trial or tribulation you are enduring in the same way that it did for me and my struggles. No matter the situation, God will always give you the strength to pull through, and will always ensure that, in the end, it works out for your good.

Verse of the Week

T.I.M.B.S, Vol. 2: 7 Steps to Remove Your Life's Toxins

As my process of self-growth has progressed (now 3 months and counting), one thing I have learned is how important it is for your personal well-being and development to remove the toxins present in your life. By toxins, I mean the factors in your life that are holding you back, impacting your life in negative ways, and/or causing you more stress than you need. The thing about toxins is that oftentimes, we don't even realize what the toxins are, and this could be for a couple of different reasons: we are overcompensating how much good they do for us; we are undermining how bad things get when that toxin is present; and/or, we are denying the toxin is a toxin at all. As strange as it may be, toxins have a weird way of giving us a false sense of "comfort" because we become so accustomed to their presence, and don't want things to change to an unfamiliar, "uncomfortable" state by removing them. The truth is, we are better off without them, but letting them go can be quite a challenge.

Second Pair of T.I.M.B.S. to Release This Week

The January edition of the T.I.M.B.S. series will be released later this week! Expect to see it posted by Friday.

As always, if there are ever topics you'd like to see covered, or questions you'd like answered, feel free to comment, or email them, and we can make it happen.

Side Note: I'm in the process of possibly starting a Podcast version of my blog that will host all the posts I've done so far, in addition to the ones to come, except in an audio version. Think of it as another way for you to stay connected to my blog when you can't sit down to read, or while going through the motions of your day.
More details coming soon 🗣

Verse of the Week

Verse of the Week