A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

In today's world, reaching out to help others are slowly becoming nonexistent.  There are so many concerns for our own desires and wants that we shy away from our duty to help those whom are in need.

As a follower of Christ, I am instructed to help, love, and serve my fellowman with joy.

It is my duty to aid my brother even if it means surrending my own life, because Jesus said : " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Let us follow our Savior's commandment to help those in need today.

What Would You Say ?

What would you say to :

• A teenager headed down the wrong path in life ?
• A parent who's about to give up on his/her child ?
• An adult who's made the wrong choices in life?

My first sentence would be : " Everything will be okay. We'll get through this crisis together".  Listening and sharing one another's buedens are one of the requirements to helping those in need.

Starting now, let us reassure and encourage our friends and the discouraged with the right words to say.

LIBERALITY

Most of us take for granted our freedom to move about without hinderances and boundaries affecting us.  We make plans without considering or consulting others.

After 28 years of incarceration, I don't take anything ( including freedom) for granted anymore.  Having been confined to a restricted area for months and years at a time, I now enjoy the liberty of just going to the neighborhood store.

Being able to function (move about) with liberality causes me offer up praises to GOD for this most cherished (freedom) gift !!

My friends, be thankful and never give up your freedom by committing ONE THOUGHTLESS ACT !!!

Choose you this day

As I awakened on the anniversary of the crime I committed 30 years ago which also coincided with my birthday, I felt a wave of sadness when remembering the pain caused by my decision to rob a store owner.

While wallowing in the fact that so many lives were altered by my actions, I heard my inner voice saying, "choose you this day the path you will travel."  I could live in the past or continue to help, encourage, and direct those in similiar situations towards a path of righteousness and a brighter tomorrow.

My choice is to build a brighter tomorrow- what's yours?

Going Somewhere

 Although the new year haven't began as I envisioned, I know that I'm going in a positive direction.  All of the missteps of 2010 are behind ( I refuse to look back ).
 I'm looking forward to building upon the basic spiritual principles we all need : LOVE, MERCY, and JUSTICE.
 Yes, I am going somewhere...

Positive

The Possibilities are endless

It’s the end of a most wonderful year for me and – for the first time in a long, long time – I’m looking forward to the next one.

When I think of 2011 (just around the corner), I think of the goals I can finally reach: growing closer to family and friends, and, just as importantly, my continuing efforts to touch the hearts and minds of many of today’s wayward youth.

Yes, the possibilities are endless; long live possibilities.

2011: Bring it on.

Looking ahead

I often reflect on my life – where I’ve been and where I’m going. And I think reflecting is a good thing when it’s put to good use.

But I used to find myself looking back and feeling gloomy and depressed. It used to stop me from getting up in the morning, from feeling that I have something worthwhile to offer, from feeling any self-worth.

Yes, I was once in that place. But today I refuse to ‘go there.’ I refuse to get so bogged down with past regrets that I can’t see a better tomorrow…or even look forward to today. I realized that if I allowed the past to haunt me, to paralyze me with fear, that it would be the same as spitting in the face of Almighty God – the same God who gave his son in order for ME to have hope. Real hope.

So if you’re that person who keeps looking to his past with regrets, who allows it to stop you from being the best YOU that you can be, remember that someone great died a tortuous death in order for you to be worthy of his kingdom.”

Yes, you ARE worthy.