Finding Your Passion

It’s Labor Day and 2/3 of this year is done. Where are you with your dreams and goals for 2011? Well, if you’re like me, you’ve had to endure some struggles this year. I’ve told many people at the beginning of 2011, that this is a year of big moves. I know some people can testify to that, but with it came a lot of struggles and unnecessary strife. From unemployment, threats of losing your job, people on your job (co-workers) threatening to drown you underwater to save their job or just tired of being a gerbil running on wheels (the rat race). There’s more, people are jealous because you decided to pursue your passion (or calling of God), other people are fearful of what the future holds because they have nothing to fall back on (not taking the time to find or pursue their passion) and want to make your life a living hell, your closest friends and family won’t support your passion/talents (see last week’s post entitled “No Love, No Honor, No Support” for more on that), or you are just ready to leave your current job to focus on your passion/talent to impact other people’s lives for the better (because you know that your passion/talent is not just for you, it’s for others around you and those you haven’t met yet).

If this describes what you’re going through, then this post is written for you to encourage you not to cast away your confidence, not to give up on God, and to press forward with your passion. Just know that this post is also for me. I need encouragement as well (considering I’m going through some of the things I mentioned above).

So, I ask you the following questions:

1. Do you know what your passion is? Many people don’t, and they have a hard time finding it. If this is you, it’s OK. To find your passion or mission, you have to dig deep inside, get alone with God and pray for Him to reveal it to you in His time (remember, the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God). It will be revealed to you; meanwhile, just keep your mind stayed on Him and experience His perfect peace. If you know what your passion it, then give God praise and perfect it for the glory of God. If you perfect your passion, and present it in excellence, people will take notice and want more of your passion (granted, some people will actually be inspired to pursue their passion).
2. Are there any activities or thoughts that absorb you so thoroughly you lose track of time?
3. What subjects do you find most exciting to talk about?
4. Do you have any skills or talents that inspire self-confidence? I know some of you have the gift of knitting, singing, writing, speaking life to others (and giving them hope and encourage with the love of Christ) and you know it too.
5. When you have a free afternoon, how do you choose to spend it?
6. If you had all the money you needed to pursue a hobby or a special project, what would it be?
7. If you could develop a “dream” business for yourself, what would it be?

Talk about your passions with people who you know well and trust. Now I need to inject something here. Not everybody can embrace your passion, so you need to discern who you tell it to. Joseph in Genesis 37 is a prime example. He should’ve read his brothers better (they said, we shall see what will become of his dream). As one of my sister friends would say, not everybody is a divine connection to you. You don’t tell your business to someone who has a “what’s in it for me” mentality. Back to my original point, sometimes other people can read our souls when we can’t. Once you become aware of your passion, you can determine your mission and begin to feed it. This in turn will feed the drive that will make your dreams come true.

If you are making statements like the four mentioned below, I strongly consider that you pray and work on pursuing your passion now!

1. I wish I could quit my job.
2. I’m tired of going from job to job.
3. I can’t keep working this hard. I’m getting too old for this.
4. I’m tired of wasting my time, hanging around people without much ambition and who aren’t going anywhere.

Some people don’t want to pursue their passion (this is for those who know what their passion is), because they have selfish motives. They’re being stingy or prideful with it because their church or people around them won’t accept them or their passion/talent. The easy way to rectify that is to give it to God and understand that it’s not about you!  It’s for the glory of God – let Him do the work and give Him all the glory!

With that said, this is the time to make it happen. As Gloria Estefan would say, “Get On Your Feet!”

Author Spotlight (Angela Y Hodge)

I had the privilege of meeting Angela at Crossroads Academy where we were part of an author panel along with 2 other well-known authors. Without further ado, the spotlight is now on my sister & fellow author Angela Yolanda Hodge.

Angela Y. Hodge is an Author, writer and Motivational Speaker living in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a graduate of North Florida Community College where she studied Early Childhood Education.

She is a dedicated member of the Tallahassee Authors Network and the Beautiful Bless Sister Book Club.

Angela’s short story titled, “The Amazing Journey Of Healing “, is featured in the anthology, Words from My Kings and Queens, which was compiled by Marvin “Merv” Mattair. In her story, she shares how she overcame insurmountable odds in her life and has become victorious in her daily walk.  Angela is also working on her own book release for later this summer, which will be a collection of poems and prayers.

Angela has appeared at the 2011 State of Black Florida Conference at the State Capitol. Black History Come Alive at the Sealey Elementary Math and Science Magnet School.  A guest Author at the Sealey Elementary Young Author Conference. She also sat on the Author panel at Crossroad Academy.

Angela started writing at an early age, It’s through her pain she gain strength to overcome being rejected by love ones, abused, often misunderstood, trails, and doctor visits. Angela Stated God had a purpose and a plan for her life.

Website: www.angelayhodge.com

No Love, No Honor, No Support

Jesus was explaining a parable in Luke 14:15-24. There was a man who made a great supper and invited people to come. One by one, there were excuses as to why they couldn't come. Eventually, the master said to the servant to go out to the streets and lanes of the city, the poor, blind etc., and invite them. When they all came, there was still more room at the supper. The master then said to the servant to go to the highways and hedges so the house will be full. What's the focus here? Well, this parable was an invitation to Israel to accept the invitation to Jesus, but they rejected him (granted, Jesus would say in other gospels that a prophet is not welcomed in his own home town). Jesus got from Israel no love and no honor.

You are called to do something great, and people who are close to you won't accept you and what you can provide. Instead, they will find every excuse in the book not to support you, or they will want you to give something to them at a discount (or better yet, for free, cause we're brothers, sisters, first cousins, whatever). What happens is that you get no love, and no support from your own.

I dedicate this section to my fellow authors (you will understand this). One of my fellow authors wrote a comment on her Facebook page and it provoked my thinking on this topic. To all the authors that have complained to me about how their friends and family don't support them and haven't bought their books, I say," So! There are way more people out here that you don't know than the ones you do know and are related to. Millions! So if your friends and family won't support, reach out to the millions of strangers that WILL!" I still have several "friends" and family members who haven't done a thing to support me.

What she said was the essence of the parable mentioned above. There is no love, and no support from your own (I'm referring to close friends and family - whether immediate or extended). But when you make it big and are a celebrity, that's when people will take notice. By that time, it will be too late.

This post is not to convict anyone, it's just a little thought about the need to support each other's visions, dreams and talents. We don't do that because we're selfish (and some are just jealous because they went for it) and we need to suppress that spirit. There's no need for us not to love, honor and support someone who's trying to make their dream happen. We all have dreams and talents and we need to support each other. But if you want to sit on your dream and talent, you have no one to blame but yourself! Let me repeat that, you have no one to blame but yourself! Trust me, if you support me, I will support you. This is what it means to have love, honor and support! 

Author Spotlight (AlTonya Washington)

AlTonya Washington is a South Carolina native and graduate of Winston Salem State University in North Carolina . She released her first contemporary romance with BET Books in 2003. “Remember Love” was nominated as Best First Multicultural Romance by Romantic Times Magazine. In 2004 she was named Best New Romance Author by the readers of Shades of Romance Magazine. Her 2nd novel “Guarded Love” was labeled a “TOP PICK’ by Romantic Times Magazine. Her third novel “Finding Love Again” won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Multicultural Romance of 2004. 

 

Her fourth novel “Love Scheme” was nominated for the annual Romance Slam Jam ‘EMMA AWARD’ as Favorite Steamy Romance. In March 2007 she released the third title in her popular Ramsey series “A Lover’s Mask” which was nominated for the Romance Slam Jam ‘EMMA AWARD’. Her January 2010 Harlequin/Kimani release “The Doctor’s Private Visit” received an EMMA nomination for Favorite Hero. Under the pen name T. Onyx, AlTonya crafts her erotica titles and will release her third effort later this month: “Pleasure’s Powerhouse- Trois Plaisir”.

 

AlTonya plays many roles including “mom” and currently resides in North Carolina where she works for an academic library as a Serials Assistant. In fall 2010 she became a graduate student in pursuit of her Masters in Library Science. To learn more about her upcoming works visit her website http://www.lovealtonya.com/ .

1. Which project was your longest project to complete? My lengthiest projects are the historical romances. So far I’ve crafted two and I’d have to say my second title by far required the greatest time commitment. “Passion’s Furies” (Genesis Press 2008). Historical romances have always been my favorites and the chance to create them has been a phenomenal experience. There is however considerable work to be done before the book is actually written- lots of reading & researching everything from the subject matter, to patterns of speech, dress, furnishings, modes of travel, etc. in Passions I used the Denmark Vesey rebellion in Charleston, SC as the backdrop of the story. Educating myself about the man, his mission and his followers was extremely enlightening and very enjoyable.
2. How did you make the time to write if you’re working a daytime job? I truly believe that it is only possible to write while working a day job if writing is in your heart. If you’re writing with the intentions of striking it rich so you can quit your day job, then you won’t get very far. Writing definitely has to be in your heart- a part of who you are. I write several times a day throughout the day- I write during my 20min morning break, my lunch hour, in the morning when I first arrive at the library and have that time before it’s time to begin the workday. I write after work (most days) I try writing during the weekends mostly when my son is away visiting family- it’s important that I make time for him and that he not see my writing as something that always keeps mommy busy and away from him. My writing schedule may seem extreme (even more so now with grad work) but it works for me. That’s what’s important, finding a schedule that works for you no matter how weird it may seem to others.
3. Why do authors give up? Is it due to instant gratification? Writing is not an easy thing, it takes time, dedication, discipline. Once the book is written, I think that’s where the real work begins. As involved as writing can be, marketing can be just as involved- even more so. It’s an entirely different animal, but very necessary if one expects to have some success in the writing world. It takes a lot of time to get your name out there especially if you don’t have a publicist or someone who handles that for you. Most of us don’t and it takes so much effort. I started writing in 1994, got published in 2003, but I don’t think people were really starting to know who I was until 2009. I did tons of book signings back then. I didn’t always sell a lot of books but made a lot of contacts and those emails were the seeds of my early marketing strategy. There’s no set rule for marketing success but you have to begin somewhere. It can be such a tedious/time consuming process that I feel many of us become discouraged. I feel I still have a long way to go, but I plan to have fun getting there.

Church Issues (Unity - The Lesson)

Remember in the prelude, the greatest impact the church has made on the world is our lack of togetherness. The body of Christ (the church of Jesus Christ) is divided, denominationally, racially, and probably economically. The tragedy of the matter is that we put more emphasis on our denomination, our pastor, and our church over the Bible. Some churches and/or denominations (or folks within their congregations) swear up & down they are the right church and every other church is the wrong church. This goes to show that we are taking pride in our division!

Now because of all this division, it’s easy to assume that those who are antagonistic will not attend church. And if they’re smart enough, they’re probably thinking, “Why do I need to go to church where there’s division; I can stay home and be divided.” It’s our division and attitude within the church why the rest of the world is going to hell first class. Consider, we as the church have talked the talk, but have not walked the walk. We have not demonstrated to the world by our actions, togetherness. In fact, we’re the greatest perpetrators of division in the world! We have got to come together. Here’s a great example of how we create division among ourselves. Once you start talking about denominations with certain people, they will get so indignant over that (I was born this denomination, and will die this denomination) than they do over Jesus & the Bible. God instituted a plan and is allowing us to be a part of it. We have an awesome responsibility but we’ve been playing church (being about the denominational business instead of the Kingdom business). I’d like for us all to do some independent thinking for a moment. Just because you were raised a certain way doesn’t mean you were raised correctly! Don’t forget, that judgment must begin with the house of God? How do you think our report card as a church would look?

Note that I’m not saying to leave the denominational church; I just want you to think about how divided we are. Here are some thoughts:

1. Some of us in our respective churches have become so worldly, that no one can tell the difference between saved people and worldly people. In fact, we have forgotten about a dying world, but we tend to those within our own church and/or denomination.
2. Now this will offend some people, but think about this. Some people will have the audacity to put our denominational doctrine over the scripture that we become overbearing and judging those who don’t measure up to the denominational doctrine. To me, this really a tragedy.
3. There are missions who are really preaching the Bible, Jesus & the cross. And there are some who are bent on missions to get people to their respective church and/or denomination that we lose the real purpose of missions. Again, adding on to the division (and lack of unity).
4. Sometimes leaders in churches are tuned to the spirit of God; but will avoid heeding what God is trying to say to them for it not measuring up to the doctrine of the church. What happens is God’s plan is subverted to the local church and we’re not leaning on the spirit of God. Leaders can place such emphasis on another man’s doctrine, whether it’s Calvinism, Lutherism, and so on. Again, I’m not saying that’s wrong, but everything needs to be subject to the Bible, not the Bible being subject to us.

Another problem in some churches is this: everybody wants to “be,” but not everybody wants to “be obedient.” It’s because people want to be leaders, but we won’t have followers. In fact, if the leaders can’t come together on one accord, what chance does the church have?

If you have a bible, look at 1 Corinthians 1:10; 4:6 and Ephesians 4:11-13. The section in Ephesians is crucial; unfortunately, many churches lack this. If you back up to the book of Acts, you’ll find multiple times within the first 3 chapters that the disciples were on one accord. When that happened, miracles & blessings came. Many people were saved. We need a shake-up in our respective churches. I also understand that within this time, there were some coming with strange teachings, and as a result, wars would erupt. I believe this is a result of our division and us (as human beings) being downright selfish! We need to go back to the basics: where is your relationship with God (just between you and Him)? And I’m talking about, you studying the Bible and not based on what another person (whether it be a fellow church member, or your church leader)! The Bible is to be our standard, not the other way around.

All we have to do is put our personal agenda’s aside, and decide to agree to agree! Remember we need “U” in Unity!

Author Spotlight (Anastasia Means-Dallas)

Anastasia Means-Dallas is an author, educator, and gospel singer who currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and kids.  She is originally from Tallahassee, Florida.  She received her B.S. Degree from Florida A & M University, her Masters in Reading from Nova Southeastern University, and she is currently working on her Doctoral Degree at Nova Southeastern University. 

Anastasia has a heart for God, and a passion for helping hurting people.  After experiencing a failed marriage, and other unhealthy relationships, she was able to take her experiences and capture them in a book.   Her first book,  “Waiting With A Purpose-A Guide to Finding Your Boaz,”  is a must read for singles.  This book takes nuggets from the biblical character Ruth’s life, and it gives the single woman wisdom as she fulfills her purpose in God while waiting on a mate.  The book also introduces “Roaz,” who happens to be a counterfeit Boaz.  Roaz represents the spirit of distraction and deception.

The book is available in most major bookstores and Amazon.com.  Anastasia is available for conferences and workshops.  You may contact her at anastasia.freeman@yahoo.com.

Church Issues (Unity - Prelude)

This is a very serious issue and it’s a deep concern to my spirit. I dedicate this series to anyone who says they’re a Christian and to anyone who’s an antagonist. I believe you all will be able to understand what I’m about to discuss.

I was able to attend a church in 1998 and the lesson was entitled “Together On One Accord.” The pastor asked all of us a question and it was simply this: what’s the greatest impact that the Church has made on the world (and I’d like to ask you the same question). Before you read further, just think on that (better yet, make a list). We said things such as salvation, faith, healing, and things of that sort.

If you did come up with your list, are you satisfied with what you wrote down? I’m willing to believe that your list is actually correct, but the pastor said these words, “our lack of togetherness – in short, division!” And that is going to be the topic of this Unity series.

Now I’m sure some of you were thinking of Queen Latifah’s U-N-I-T-Y. But that’s not what I will be discussing. But there’s a statement that says, united we stand, divided we fall. This is so true and so far, we are divided and falling away from true unity.

Jesus never showed partiality, He only showed impartiality (Matthew 22:16). Consider His genealogy, His residency in Nazareth and His willingness to minister in Galilee & Samaria. If He only showed impartiality, we have no right to put our church and/or denomination over the Bible (if we do that, that’s almost saying, that’s our lord and not Jesus). I can’t forget that churches can be divided by classes (whether it be low-income, middle-class or wealthy). We tend to look down on those who are not in the same class they are, therefore creating division.

Most of the problems in this world stem from the church, whether it’s due to the lack of silence, promoting the denomination’s agenda, the church’s agenda. We’re supposed to be about the Father’s business, but because of what I stated in my prior sentence, nobody (Christian or non-Christian) wants to get involved. Truthfully, I can’t fault them. While I’m on this particular subject, it’s interesting that you’ll find some churches that will promote themselves as the true church (and all other churches are either apostate or are tombstones) or the church that has true religion. Notice the problem here, the emphasis is on the church and not on Jesus. Now a question has to be asked and answered: if this is true, why is it that most people who will make the claim that their particular church either is the true church or religion, are so caught up in the world that they glorify the evil that’s in the world (I would even expand that to ask, are we not even sensitive when the world degrades the God you say you serve)? This is the mystery since we’re all reading from the same Bible that says that we were once in the world, but we’re to separate from the lifestyle of the world. Continuing on this topic, some churches are like one big social clique to the point they can’t stand to socialize with anyone that’s not part of their local church or denomination. I’d like to ask you plainly, what’s up with that? Apparently, we must’ve forgotten the passage in John where Jesus (being a Jew) was talking to a woman at the well (from Samaria). He was witnessing Himself to her, not a particular church (and that’s where we have failed seriously, which I believe is mainly due to pride).

An example of division (among us as Christians). One thing that troubles my spirit is when a Christian leader has the audacity to throw Israel under the bus (and nothing is said about it). Here’s the leader’s quote (from early 2008):

The Israelis have illegally occupied Palestinian territories for almost 40 years now. It took a divestment campaign to wake the business community up concerning the South Africa issue. Divestment has now hit the table again as a strategy to wake the business community up and to wake Americans up concerning the injustice and the racism under which the Palestinians have lived because of Zionism.

The Divestment issue will hit the floor during this month’s General Synod. Divesting dollars from businesses and banks that do business with Israel is the new strategy being proposed to wake the world up concerning the racism of Zionism. That Divestment issue won’t make the press either, however.

Apparently, this leader must not have read his bible (and yes, I made that comment)! Because Joel 3:2 pretty much says, God will judge those who divide Israel. We can not be a Christian and bash the nation of Israel. It can’t happen!

As I embark on my Unity blog in full (which will start next week) and hopefully I didn’t get too far ahead in this post: if you knew your church was talking against your race in the past, would you currently stay in your church?