Great Song to listen to. I find myself playing this when I need to Re-Focus on my Mission.
If This Life Has Anything to gain at All
I’ll count it Lost If
I can’t Hear You,
Feel You,
Cause I Need You
Can’t Walk This Earth Alone
Romans 5:1 -Amplified Bible (AMP)
5 Therefore, since we are justified ([a]acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to [b]enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Whenever I listen to this song it reminds me about what i’ve recently been learning about God’s Grace. I think that for the most part of my 20′s I stayed away from Church and my relationship with Christ because I never understood his grace.
I remember my excuses; “I’m not living right to act fake” “I’ve fornicated this year and I don’t think I plan on stopping, God doesn’t like that” “I have HATE in my heart for a lot of people I dislike, I can’t forgive them right now”
Even though my heart was always wanting to live a pure life, my own condemnation kept me away from assembling with others who could teach me about God’s grace for my life. Because I kept listening to my own suggestions as to why I didn’t deserve God’s Love for what I was doing, my life slowly started spiraling out of control. I started relaxing on my morals and being OK with just a “Little Sin” here and there..
My 1st Alcoholic Drink came on my 21st B’day.. Initially my morals from being a preachers child & following Christ as a youngster kept me this far from this trap but I let what the culture around me (being in College) let me put my guard down. within a few years, It was Bottles at nightclubs, Fornicating with women I did not intend to marry, Smoking Black & Milds to Smoking What the President had tried as a youngster because after all, God did make plants right? I did not realize how much i’d fallen until I found myself asking about X-pills. Then It was Pills, Smokes, Drinks & Women. Different Nights, Different Cities, Different OK’s to let my life just be. I don’t even know what I was trying to escape. (Actually I do, but that’s for my book) But I remember that everyday it was still there.
I’m here today because of God’s Grace. As I look back to what I opened up myself to, it’s only by his Grace that I did not Die from drunken nights driving home alone like a few of my friends ended up. It is by his Grace that I did not impregnate any of the women who I was loosely spending time with. It is by his Grace that I am No Longer Drinking, Smoking, Feeling like a little bit of this and that is OK because everyone around me is doing it. God’s grace allows us to pick up from whatever stage in life that we are in to repent, Look to Christ for deliverance and knowing that He already DIED for whatever Mental Prison that the Enemy has led you to believe that you are left to stay in. It allows you to triumphantly say to your suggestions that you are NO LONGER the person that he tries to make you think that YOU ARE. You are NO LONGER the person you THINK that everyone around you THINKS you are.
You were made in God’s Image. Christ Died so that you can let go of whatever has been burdening you to this day. The same Christ who Graces Murderers who changed their lives around is the same Christ who can give you the same power to Overcome whatever thoughts or issues you’ve been in. When I realized that Grace, I was able to move forward with the LIFE I was meant to have and I have walked in this new life with such a sense of entitlement that some friends from the past don’t know what to do with the changes they’ve seen. I can only give the glory to God because I would not be living this Life that was originally meant for me to live if I kept the same mindset of feeling Un-Graced as I did in my twenties.
YOU ARE GRACED TO BE EXACTLY WHO GOD ORIGINALLY FORMED YOU TO BE. ACCEPT IT & MOVE FORWARD IN YOUR WALK & LEAVE YOUR PAST ISSUES & MISTAKES BEHIND.
Want to learn More about Grace?
[Come to my Church with me This Sunday & EVERY Sunday Night at 7pm
El Elyon International Church
1830 W. Glenrosa Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85015
On 19th Avenue & 2 Blocks North of Indian School Road. On the NE Corner]
#ThankYouGodBless
@AceBlack
http://www.Facebook.com/ThankYouGodBless
Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Feed the Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
I want to Thank God for all the programs that are out there to help those in need. Especially when it’s a program that is set up to help some of our less fortunate homeless brothers and sisters. These programs finds the necessary resources and help to be able to be a blessing to the less fortunate. The First Institutional Baptist Church Feed the homeless program is one of the programs that does such great works by providing a nice warm meal to those in need. Everyone is welcomed to come and Volunteer to feed the Homeless EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT from 5:30pm – 8pm. So if you have some time, Please stop by to the church on the south end of the building and down the stairs. The Church is Located off the SW Corner of 12th Street & Jefferson.
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
Ever since I was a young boy, I remember the 1st time I saw a homeless Person. I remember looking through my fathers car window as he drove through Downtown Seattle on a cold rainy day. I was 10years old trying to understand why as we were driving, there were people sleeping in the grass in the rain. As I grew older, I started seeing more and more less fortunate individuals who would sometimes ask me for change, food, blankets etc. Whenever I’ve had some extra cash and money I would always give it to someone in need. but as I grew older, a few friends started telling me NOT to give them any money. They started putting it in my mind that some homeless people only spent the money I gave them to buy drugs and Alcohol. Eventually, my giving heart started warring and I found myself starting to view some of my fellow brothers and sisters as below me & stopped giving.
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
In 2001 after joining my Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. I started participating in our Feed the homeless program at the 1st Institutional Baptist Church with my Frat Brothers. That was the 1st time that I started talking to and understanding that the homeless problem was one that I shouldn’t turn my back on. These were living humans that were living this same life that I was. Being able to talk and connect with them helped changed my heart again and I had to repent for feeling like all of them used the monies given them for Drug & Alcohol abuse. I volunteered with the program every 3rd Friday of the month for over 5 years.
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
Somewhere along the way I stopped going but I still felt the pain whenever I would run into a homeless brother or sister. Last year, while promoting my CD Mixtape project with @DJAYFreshmaker, we ran into a homeless group of 3 that we sat and talked to for over 2 hours. They told us their story and shared with us just how much they want to be respected as humans and regain their dignities back. They told us about a nice Clean Shower and Fresh clothes helps build their morale. We ended that conversation that day with Jasaund (Dj Freshmaker) Buying each of them a 12pack of Clean Socks as that was one of the MAIN thing they said that they cherished. Writing this now makes me want to start buying packs of socks to keep in the car for the next Homeless brothers and sisters I run into. I hope you can do the same.
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
Feeding the homeless to me is a way that I can go out and be able to SERVE another person and lift their spirits up with kind words to bring them Joy. As Jesus Washed his disciples feet to show them that Even the Highest can Serve, So shall we never feel like it’s beneath us to Love and Serve our less fortunate ones. I love bringing each person their drinks and utensils. The ladies there love me 
and always call me back to get seconds.. (Maybe they just want the seconds lol) I Volunteer every 3rd & 4th Friday of the Month at the Church. I want to bring more awareness to this program so that you can come and volunteer as well. YOU ARE ALL WELCOMED to come help ANY Friday that you are free. The CHURCH LOVES having volunteers. The Food is already provided, We prep it and serve it. MEN & WOMEN are encouraged to come through and so are children. Hopefully I will see some of you there, and if not; try changing your views on how you can help another fellow Brother or Sister out. The least you can do is buy a small Pack of Socks to give to someone, Their feet’s will thank you for them.
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
Feed The Homeless @ First Institutional Baptist Church
- Otieno
@AceBlack
#ThankYouGodBless
GodBlessThankYou@gmail.com
This past Friday & Saturday I was able to attend an event for Men at the Life Connection Church off 29th Ave & Indian School Road. The Church was wonderful, I liked that a group of Churches came together and was able to put this event on. There were over 200 Men fellowshiping & Praising God together. The Atmosphere was definitely powerful. Dr. Eric Mason was the guest preacher and I loved the way that he brought the message. The way he covered and Broke down Proverbs 5:15-22 was pretty anointing. I was able to understand it even more so now than when I read it by myself. I wish I could go into it more about the Conference, but you just had to be there. I will start finding and posting some videos of Dr. Eric Mason in the near future so you can hear his preachings.
Recently started listening to this Artist. I like his approach to hip hop. Check him out.
- Otieno
The morning is the most important time of the day. Why? – Because it can easily set the mood for the rest of your day! This is due to many reasons. One of the most significant is that it is much easier (scientifically, almost 25 times easier) to develop short term ideas that will last the entire day upon first waking up. When you first awaken, your mindis slowly leaving the delta state (low brain wave frequency), where it is most easily influenced by mental suggestion. In other words, your mind is most open – and what you put in it will stay in it – until at least the end of the day.That being said, it is absolutely critical that you start your day off on the “right side of the bed.” Any negative thoughts you have will shape your subconscious for the entire day.
We know you’re busy in the morning and don’t have time for therapeutic, two hour spa sessions when you’re trying to get to work or class on time. Therefore, this list is as “grounded” as is possible, and you can start using it – now.
1. Initial Wakeup
GET UP! FAST! When you wake up, get out of bed as fast as you can (without sending yourself into cardiac arrest, of course)! Waste no time in getting up.
2. Light
The power of light is severely underestimated by most people. It has profound effects upon body chemistry and energy levels. You circadian rhythm (based on light levels) affects nearly all aspects of your physiology. Bright, natural light is ideal for bringing the most energy to all the body’s systems. So, the sooner you turn on the lights or open the blinds, the sooner your body’s systems will increase their energy levels.
3. Wake Up to a Clean Room
This one may not seem that significant, but believe me – it is. Waking up to a clean, organized room has a positive first impression upon your mind.
4. Fresh Air
Open the window. No matter what season it is. Open the windows even if it is just a crack. Your bedroom has sat stagnant all night, void of fresh air, especially if you leave your door closed.
5. Music
Even if you are not musically motivated, music can shape your mornings. Turn on music as soon as you can after waking up. Make sure it is something positive and uplifting – as chances are it may become stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
6. Food
Start your morning off with a full glass of water before you eat anything else – this is essential. Toxins have been ejected from tissue and line your throat and mouth (thus, morning-breath) and the last thing you want to do is to allow them to adhere to your breakfast. Drink a full glass of water -and give it ten minutes. If you have an empty stomach, the toxins will be flushed down, with no food to absorb them. Ten minutes later, you may eat your breakfast. The subject of a healthy breakfast is obviously a lengthy subject, but I’ll be brief – DO NOT SKIP BREAKFAST.
7. Cold shower
Take a cold shower. Yes, freezing cold is unbearable. You don’t have to do it that way. Start it off hot. Then, after you’re medium-toasty (not well-toasty… it will make you more tired), put it on cold for as long as you can take it. Then, put it on hot for a minute… then cold for a minute. Repeat the hot-cold cycle a few times – this will not only wake you up fast, but it will expand and contract your pores to force out toxins and oils from the night.
8. Self-Talk
Self-Talk should be the most important part of any morning routine. In the morning, you need to load yourself with as much positive mental programming as possible. Your mind is most receptive to it in the morning (and at night), and it will shape the rest of your day. (AFFIRMATIONS)
