There are a lot of things that I listen to and/or read that are thought provoking daily. This morning was not any different, thanks again to Bill Winston. Almost every morning I make it a habit to watch him on Channel 62 at 6:30A, right now the focus is on Manifesting Abundance.
I wanted to share scriptures and a comment he made that had me thinking I really need to change my thoughts!
The majority of us believe that we work for a living, that we cannot do things and cannot have things unless we wait on our paycheck and save money to get them. Now in the natural sense, this is partly true. Nevertheless in the Kingdom of God this is absolutely false. Of course I know that scripture says if a man doesn't work he doesn't eat. The thing is though our jobs should be our assignments. We should choose a job not based on what it pays but based on the will of God and how we can be effective in his Kingdom. To quote Bill Winston, he said "Your prosperity is not attached to your paycheck. Your job is not your provision."
I liked something else Bill Winston said yesterday, your job/paycheck does not supply your needs. Scripture says that God supplies all of your needs. The main issue is so many of us are focused on our jobs, thinking about ourselves and worried about how we will make ends meet instead of seeking first God and His Kingdom so that ALL things can be added onto us.
Galatians 4:1 "What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate." (You are a child of God and you are joint heirs with Christ as well as Abraham's seed!)
Galatians 3:29 "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Romans 4:13 "It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith"
Abraham as it states in Romans 4:13 is heir to the world. We are Abraham's seed so we are his heirs therefore the world belongs to us. "Why would you have to work to get something that you already own?" Bill Winston
It is time for us to stand on the promises of God, to choose jobs based on the Will of God and trust that whether we are making $30,000 or $100,000 per year from a paycheck that ALL of our needs will be met and in style. For all things are possible to him that believes and all things are possible with God.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
A blog created to E-nspire, E-ncourage, E-ngage, E-nform, and E-mpower!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
BANK OF AMERICA - STUDENT LEADERS PROGRAM
Student Leaders®
Some programs require books. This one requires heart. Recognized for their commitment to making a difference in their communities, Student Leaders will have an opportunity to develop leadership skills to help them turn their community passion into action. The program features:
Five young adults in each of the 45 markets (US: high school juniors and seniors, UK: secondary students in sixth form college or college of further education)
A week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC (July) to gain valuable civic, social and business leadership skills
Exciting 8-week paid internship program at a local nonprofit/charitable organization
2012 application period beginning October 1, 2011 through January 16, 2012 (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Apply to be a student leader today http://www.cybergrants.com/boa/slselection/
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Some programs require books. This one requires heart. Recognized for their commitment to making a difference in their communities, Student Leaders will have an opportunity to develop leadership skills to help them turn their community passion into action. The program features:
Five young adults in each of the 45 markets (US: high school juniors and seniors, UK: secondary students in sixth form college or college of further education)
A week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC (July) to gain valuable civic, social and business leadership skills
Exciting 8-week paid internship program at a local nonprofit/charitable organization
2012 application period beginning October 1, 2011 through January 16, 2012 (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
Apply to be a student leader today http://www.cybergrants.com/boa/slselection/
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
YOU ATTRACT WHAT YOU ARE
Now as the saying goes, opposites attract. Yes we learn this from batteries the negative charge always goes with the positive charge in order for batteries to work. However in real life, we usually attract and draw to ourselves what and who we are in some way shape or form.
I began to think about this when I started examining the type of guys that I date. I either find myself dating someone that is emotionally aloof and somewhat unavailable or someone who is too needy emotionally for me. So I was doing some soul searching a few weeks ago and I had an aha moment. In some ways I am emotionally standoffish and unavailable and therefore that is what I have been attracting to me. People come into our lives in an attempt to help ourselves develop and grow and also to help them as well. There is a lesson that can be learned from everyone we meet or encounter, no matter how nice or mean or even evil we thought they were.
I've been seeing that in many books and just different quotes that I read. So every morning I read The Daily Love and today it was about a woman that wrote in how she always attracts men that are more into themselves than into love. The first thing I thought was she is attracting something that is within side of her. And sure enough that was a part of the advice she received. "Now, on to the business of why you are attracting these types of guys. Chances are they are a reflection of you. They are showing you a part of your own psyche that has not fully integrated the humility of walking on The Path." Mastin Kipp
When people come into our lives we have to resist the urge to judge them. Mastin puts it well here "Also, when we resist and judge others, we are actually judging what we have been sent to heal. So the other question I would ask is, How can I be the presence of Love in this situation?"
So if you feel that you are attracting a certain type of mate or even certain kinds of friends look within first, determine what you need to develop change yourself and all things will come into order. "Don't make it about them. Change in yourself what you wish to change in them and all of a sudden they will become unattractive to you and you will set yourself up to attract a whole different kind of man (woman)." Mastin Kipp
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essentials
I began to think about this when I started examining the type of guys that I date. I either find myself dating someone that is emotionally aloof and somewhat unavailable or someone who is too needy emotionally for me. So I was doing some soul searching a few weeks ago and I had an aha moment. In some ways I am emotionally standoffish and unavailable and therefore that is what I have been attracting to me. People come into our lives in an attempt to help ourselves develop and grow and also to help them as well. There is a lesson that can be learned from everyone we meet or encounter, no matter how nice or mean or even evil we thought they were.
I've been seeing that in many books and just different quotes that I read. So every morning I read The Daily Love and today it was about a woman that wrote in how she always attracts men that are more into themselves than into love. The first thing I thought was she is attracting something that is within side of her. And sure enough that was a part of the advice she received. "Now, on to the business of why you are attracting these types of guys. Chances are they are a reflection of you. They are showing you a part of your own psyche that has not fully integrated the humility of walking on The Path." Mastin Kipp
When people come into our lives we have to resist the urge to judge them. Mastin puts it well here "Also, when we resist and judge others, we are actually judging what we have been sent to heal. So the other question I would ask is, How can I be the presence of Love in this situation?"
So if you feel that you are attracting a certain type of mate or even certain kinds of friends look within first, determine what you need to develop change yourself and all things will come into order. "Don't make it about them. Change in yourself what you wish to change in them and all of a sudden they will become unattractive to you and you will set yourself up to attract a whole different kind of man (woman)." Mastin Kipp
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essentials
Friday, August 26, 2011
Manifesting Abundance
I am on a spiritual and personal journey of growth and maturity and I love it. Now for those who know me I have always believed and will believe to the day that I die that Yahweh supplies all of my needs and I will be ok. When I was pregnant with my son I spoke often that as long as there is breath in my body me and mine will be ok and I am a firm believer of that.
However, as I read Russell Simmons Super Rich, as I listen to Bill Winston speak on the Word, and now as I read the 4-hour work week I realize that my belief system has some flaws that need to be ironed out.
Many of us Christians and non Christians have been taught, go to school, get a good education and get a job. Choose your major based on the amount of money you could potentially make from it. Live a life that is better than your parents through hard work and sweat. Well I am here to tell you that is not the way to go about it. Too many people work 40+ years only to retire and then die 5 or 10 year later. The question is when did they really live? Do you find yourself up on Monday heading to work already looking forward to Friday simply to enjoy the weekend off? Again I question when do you live?
Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." What was the Sabbath the day God entered into his rest and that day was made for you and I. When Yahweh created the heavens and earth, the vegetation, the birds of the air, the land and sea animals Yahweh had not yet made man. Man was Yahweh's final masterpiece. After Yahweh created man He rested and has been resting ever since.
Pastor Winston says this often, Yahweh has already created everything that you need and has done all that He will ever do for you! Now you may be thinking that can't be possible, I have so much more life to live that is so much more Yahweh can and will do for me. Well let me tell you He is Alpha and Omega and there is no time in Yahweh. If 10 years from now you find yourself in need of a kidney trust and know Yahweh knew that before you were formed in your mothers womb and your provision was already provided before you were born.
Speaking of provisions, jobs are not, I repeat are not your provision (now this is where my faith is being stretched right now). Your job is an assignment Yahweh sent you to, to be a beacon of light and share His goodness. The good thing you don't have to say a word if you don't want to be a living example of the goodness of God. Get out of your mind that you have to wait until your job gives you your paycheck to buy things and also loose from your mind the ideal that if you make $40,000/year that determines the extent of your buying and more importantly blessing power. If you are a believer, you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). That means you are governed by the law of sowing and reaping.
The law, what do I mean by that, well let's look at gravity. Gravity is a law in this earth. Simply put what goes up must come down. If you pick up a pen and let it go it will fall to the ground every time. Why? because of the law of gravity. So, if you sow you will reap every time. Why? because of the law of sowing and reaping. Now in no way is this simply about financial abundance, you can sow love, peace, joy, happiness, kindness etc. into others and you shall reap whatsoever (Galatians 6:7).
While you are not sowing for the sole purpose of reaping. Its a law that you cannot change and do nothing about so reap the blessings from it. "Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour [a]into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 (AMP)
What would I like for you to take from all of this, Yahweh is your Source and your Sole provider. Just as He provided manna for the children of Israel, shall He also provide for you. Just as he provides for the birds of the air and the lilies in the field so shall he provide for you. As Pastor Winston says even if you use up everything today, tomorrow is a new day and Yahweh will provide. That makes me think of the Lord's prayer it says give us this day our daily bread. This isn't to say don't save, invest, and plan for your future. It is to say don't do those things thinking one day there may be some lack in your life. You are saving and creating a nest egg to be prepared for the opportunity to bless someone else, to give to someone else, to help build for someone else. The more you help others and build the kingdom the more you help yourself as blessings will begin to chase you down and over take you.
So let us all confess, the blessing of the Yahweh makes us rich and he adds no sorrow to it. We are blessed and highly favored, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, lenders and not borrowers, we leave no debt outstanding except the debt to love, blessings are chasing us down and over taken us, we are cheerful givers!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
However, as I read Russell Simmons Super Rich, as I listen to Bill Winston speak on the Word, and now as I read the 4-hour work week I realize that my belief system has some flaws that need to be ironed out.
Many of us Christians and non Christians have been taught, go to school, get a good education and get a job. Choose your major based on the amount of money you could potentially make from it. Live a life that is better than your parents through hard work and sweat. Well I am here to tell you that is not the way to go about it. Too many people work 40+ years only to retire and then die 5 or 10 year later. The question is when did they really live? Do you find yourself up on Monday heading to work already looking forward to Friday simply to enjoy the weekend off? Again I question when do you live?
Mark 2:27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." What was the Sabbath the day God entered into his rest and that day was made for you and I. When Yahweh created the heavens and earth, the vegetation, the birds of the air, the land and sea animals Yahweh had not yet made man. Man was Yahweh's final masterpiece. After Yahweh created man He rested and has been resting ever since.
Pastor Winston says this often, Yahweh has already created everything that you need and has done all that He will ever do for you! Now you may be thinking that can't be possible, I have so much more life to live that is so much more Yahweh can and will do for me. Well let me tell you He is Alpha and Omega and there is no time in Yahweh. If 10 years from now you find yourself in need of a kidney trust and know Yahweh knew that before you were formed in your mothers womb and your provision was already provided before you were born.
Speaking of provisions, jobs are not, I repeat are not your provision (now this is where my faith is being stretched right now). Your job is an assignment Yahweh sent you to, to be a beacon of light and share His goodness. The good thing you don't have to say a word if you don't want to be a living example of the goodness of God. Get out of your mind that you have to wait until your job gives you your paycheck to buy things and also loose from your mind the ideal that if you make $40,000/year that determines the extent of your buying and more importantly blessing power. If you are a believer, you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). That means you are governed by the law of sowing and reaping.
The law, what do I mean by that, well let's look at gravity. Gravity is a law in this earth. Simply put what goes up must come down. If you pick up a pen and let it go it will fall to the ground every time. Why? because of the law of gravity. So, if you sow you will reap every time. Why? because of the law of sowing and reaping. Now in no way is this simply about financial abundance, you can sow love, peace, joy, happiness, kindness etc. into others and you shall reap whatsoever (Galatians 6:7).
While you are not sowing for the sole purpose of reaping. Its a law that you cannot change and do nothing about so reap the blessings from it. "Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour [a]into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 (AMP)
What would I like for you to take from all of this, Yahweh is your Source and your Sole provider. Just as He provided manna for the children of Israel, shall He also provide for you. Just as he provides for the birds of the air and the lilies in the field so shall he provide for you. As Pastor Winston says even if you use up everything today, tomorrow is a new day and Yahweh will provide. That makes me think of the Lord's prayer it says give us this day our daily bread. This isn't to say don't save, invest, and plan for your future. It is to say don't do those things thinking one day there may be some lack in your life. You are saving and creating a nest egg to be prepared for the opportunity to bless someone else, to give to someone else, to help build for someone else. The more you help others and build the kingdom the more you help yourself as blessings will begin to chase you down and over take you.
So let us all confess, the blessing of the Yahweh makes us rich and he adds no sorrow to it. We are blessed and highly favored, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, lenders and not borrowers, we leave no debt outstanding except the debt to love, blessings are chasing us down and over taken us, we are cheerful givers!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
BLACK ENTERPRISE COLLEGE INTERNSHIP
Are you in college?
Are you the campus social butterfly?
If YES, then this is your time to shine!
For the 2011–2012 school year, BLACK ENTERPRISE is searching for the best talent out there.
We want enthusiastic interns that know how to spread the word!
The program is a yearlong internship where you will serve as a BLACK ENTERPRISE representative for your college or university, working to promote BE and its sponsors to your fellow peers. This is a great opportunity to get ahead and break into the fast-paced world of marketing.
Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:
•posting flyers
•hosting BE display tables and events
•administering surveys
•distributing giveaways
•increasing the hype about black enterprise events, TV shows, magazine, etc.
•boost sales by offering discounted subscriptions
APPLY NOWWe are accepting applications for our 2011–2012 BE College Marketing Rep Internship Program. Open to undergraduates at accredited institutions.
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in business and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Internships will last throughout the 2011-2012 school year and are strictly for college credit. To apply, e-mail the following to collegerep@blackenterprise.com:
•current resume
•recent photo of you on campus
•marketing plan mapping out how you will represent Black Enterprise at your school
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Are you the campus social butterfly?
If YES, then this is your time to shine!
For the 2011–2012 school year, BLACK ENTERPRISE is searching for the best talent out there.
We want enthusiastic interns that know how to spread the word!
The program is a yearlong internship where you will serve as a BLACK ENTERPRISE representative for your college or university, working to promote BE and its sponsors to your fellow peers. This is a great opportunity to get ahead and break into the fast-paced world of marketing.
Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:
•posting flyers
•hosting BE display tables and events
•administering surveys
•distributing giveaways
•increasing the hype about black enterprise events, TV shows, magazine, etc.
•boost sales by offering discounted subscriptions
APPLY NOWWe are accepting applications for our 2011–2012 BE College Marketing Rep Internship Program. Open to undergraduates at accredited institutions.
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in business and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. Internships will last throughout the 2011-2012 school year and are strictly for college credit. To apply, e-mail the following to collegerep@blackenterprise.com:
•current resume
•recent photo of you on campus
•marketing plan mapping out how you will represent Black Enterprise at your school
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
LOVE CONQUERS ALL
"There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer.
Nodisease that enough love will not heal.
No door that enough love will not open.
No gulf that enough love will not bridge.
No wall that enough love will not throw down.
No sin that enough love will not redeem.
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how great the mistake.
Sufficient realization of love will resolve it all.
If only you coudl love enough, you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world."
Maharishi (taken from Russell Simmons book Super Rich)
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
ONLY YOU CAN GIVE AWAY YOUR POWER
"I am who I am, that is that. I am who I am thank God, I am". - Guru Singh
Nobody can "make you feel" anything. What you feel about life and the people and situations of your life are the perceptions, decisions and interpretations that YOU BRING to life.
Now, as a child, we don't know this. And so we grow up and assume that mom, dad, brother, sister, bully, world, government, boss, etc. have control over our thoughts and feelings. We are not taught that we are outsourcing our power. And then we step into blame and lose even more power.
Our thoughts and emotions are an internal thing. Nothing "out there" can make you feel something "in here" without your consent.
So, when it comes to people who we say have "made us" feel a certain way, it's time to stop saying that, feeling that and believing that. Right now, in this moment, it's time to take our power back.
Whoever used to "make you feel" a certain way, their days in your head and controlling your emotions are over. Let's stop and see what decisions we made in the past about how we would let other people effect us. Let us talk to that younger version of ourselves and tell our younger self that we love it, and that we are now in control. Let us apply an empowering meaning to the past and take back our power. Let us recognize how we have decided to outsource our power and blame others. Let us take back the blame of others and take responsibility for our actions. Let us forgive ourselves for doing so and then forgive everyone else for their role in the trauma of our past.
They didn't do anything "to us". They have simply acted and we have applied a meaning to their actions. We do not need to make extreme cases of abuse and violence right... That is not what I am saying.
What I am saying is that what happened, happened and it's time for a new meaning, so we can be free. If we let the traumas of our past dictate how we feel now, then they are still winning. No more. Let's let go. Let's take our power back, let's forgive ourselves, them and move on to living the joyful, abundant and beautiful life The Uni-verse has in store for us.
Let me know how you're taking your power back: WhatImGoingThru@TheDailyLove.com
Love,
Mastin, The Daily Love
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-TDL-08-17-11-How-To-Be-Free-From-Other-People-s-Opinions-.html?soid=1102133175336&aid=M0qCrIrwv2k
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Nobody can "make you feel" anything. What you feel about life and the people and situations of your life are the perceptions, decisions and interpretations that YOU BRING to life.
Now, as a child, we don't know this. And so we grow up and assume that mom, dad, brother, sister, bully, world, government, boss, etc. have control over our thoughts and feelings. We are not taught that we are outsourcing our power. And then we step into blame and lose even more power.
Our thoughts and emotions are an internal thing. Nothing "out there" can make you feel something "in here" without your consent.
So, when it comes to people who we say have "made us" feel a certain way, it's time to stop saying that, feeling that and believing that. Right now, in this moment, it's time to take our power back.
Whoever used to "make you feel" a certain way, their days in your head and controlling your emotions are over. Let's stop and see what decisions we made in the past about how we would let other people effect us. Let us talk to that younger version of ourselves and tell our younger self that we love it, and that we are now in control. Let us apply an empowering meaning to the past and take back our power. Let us recognize how we have decided to outsource our power and blame others. Let us take back the blame of others and take responsibility for our actions. Let us forgive ourselves for doing so and then forgive everyone else for their role in the trauma of our past.
They didn't do anything "to us". They have simply acted and we have applied a meaning to their actions. We do not need to make extreme cases of abuse and violence right... That is not what I am saying.
What I am saying is that what happened, happened and it's time for a new meaning, so we can be free. If we let the traumas of our past dictate how we feel now, then they are still winning. No more. Let's let go. Let's take our power back, let's forgive ourselves, them and move on to living the joyful, abundant and beautiful life The Uni-verse has in store for us.
Let me know how you're taking your power back: WhatImGoingThru@TheDailyLove.com
Love,
Mastin, The Daily Love
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-TDL-08-17-11-How-To-Be-Free-From-Other-People-s-Opinions-.html?soid=1102133175336&aid=M0qCrIrwv2k
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
QUOTE OF THE DAY - THOUGHTS!
"You will never demonstrate [abundance] until behind your mental attitude is the belief that you have received before you have received that thing which is sought".
"Clear out all the suggestion of limitation, and the belief in poverty and lack, and the belief that "I have to work for a living". These things hypnotize people and bind them. The whole thing is impersonal... Don't acknowledge bondage. If you meet a successful man, you will find that this man has a consciousness of success. He never talks about poverty and limitation. If you meet a man who is not a success, he is always talking about failure. Don't let people talk to you about failure. If a man wants to be sick and poverty stricken, that's his own business."
Ernest Holmes
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphnay Essentials
"Clear out all the suggestion of limitation, and the belief in poverty and lack, and the belief that "I have to work for a living". These things hypnotize people and bind them. The whole thing is impersonal... Don't acknowledge bondage. If you meet a successful man, you will find that this man has a consciousness of success. He never talks about poverty and limitation. If you meet a man who is not a success, he is always talking about failure. Don't let people talk to you about failure. If a man wants to be sick and poverty stricken, that's his own business."
Ernest Holmes
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphnay Essentials
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
MAKING THE GRADE PT. 2
I would be remiss if I did not blog about parents and the integral role they play in the success of their children's education. I appreciate the comments some of the panelists made during the telecast.
"Its not that parents don't care, many parents don't know what to do."
"If a parent feeds their child breakfast, gets them to school on time, and makes sure they receive the proper rest the night before they are doing there part."
"Some parents cannot attend PTA meetings etc. because they are working to keep food on the table."
So to the parents there are little things that we can do to help with the our children's educational success. Simply talking to your children, whether its sitting down and engaging them in conversation, or talking with them as you drive in the car pointing out the stars, sun, moon, sky, birds etc., while in the grocery store, in the park etc. everything can be turned into a learning experience that is fun and engaging and the child doesn't even realize you are trying to teach them.
Read to your child. Their are mothers whom read to their babies while they are still in the womb. From the 1st day your child is born you can begin reading to them novels, children's books, newspaper articles, magazines it doesn't matter just read to them. One of the biggest determinants of the jail population is 3rd grade reading scores!
A great way to introduce math to a young child can be done while eating food. For example, give your child 5 carrots let them know if they aren't at the speaking state just yet or even if so, you have 5 carrots and then when the child eats one say something like now you have 4 and finish it with 5 - 1 = 4. Something just as simple as that.
Using the 3 above examples you can introduce math, reading, and exploration to your child in their everyday lives day and have their little minds thinking, engaged and learning with little to no effort.
Once your child is school age, check their homework to ensure its done, keep communication open with their teachers if possible, do whatever you feel is necessary as a parent to keep them on the right track. Target sells worksheets in their dollar aisle. Visit the teacher store and buy things to do with your child or simply google ways to engage your child at home with products you already have. You can teach your child about condensation and the different stages of water simply buy running the faucet, freezing it, allow ice to evaporate, and boiling water in a pot.
Yes, parents you can be a teacher and it doesn't require a lot of tools and gadgets. As I think about the days of old and people learned about the stars and space buy simply looking up in the sky at night and writing down what they saw.
There are unlimited possibilities step out of the box, find them and use them as parents whether we try to or not, whether a good influence or not so good influence are their children's first teachers.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
"Its not that parents don't care, many parents don't know what to do."
"If a parent feeds their child breakfast, gets them to school on time, and makes sure they receive the proper rest the night before they are doing there part."
"Some parents cannot attend PTA meetings etc. because they are working to keep food on the table."
So to the parents there are little things that we can do to help with the our children's educational success. Simply talking to your children, whether its sitting down and engaging them in conversation, or talking with them as you drive in the car pointing out the stars, sun, moon, sky, birds etc., while in the grocery store, in the park etc. everything can be turned into a learning experience that is fun and engaging and the child doesn't even realize you are trying to teach them.
Read to your child. Their are mothers whom read to their babies while they are still in the womb. From the 1st day your child is born you can begin reading to them novels, children's books, newspaper articles, magazines it doesn't matter just read to them. One of the biggest determinants of the jail population is 3rd grade reading scores!
A great way to introduce math to a young child can be done while eating food. For example, give your child 5 carrots let them know if they aren't at the speaking state just yet or even if so, you have 5 carrots and then when the child eats one say something like now you have 4 and finish it with 5 - 1 = 4. Something just as simple as that.
Using the 3 above examples you can introduce math, reading, and exploration to your child in their everyday lives day and have their little minds thinking, engaged and learning with little to no effort.
Once your child is school age, check their homework to ensure its done, keep communication open with their teachers if possible, do whatever you feel is necessary as a parent to keep them on the right track. Target sells worksheets in their dollar aisle. Visit the teacher store and buy things to do with your child or simply google ways to engage your child at home with products you already have. You can teach your child about condensation and the different stages of water simply buy running the faucet, freezing it, allow ice to evaporate, and boiling water in a pot.
Yes, parents you can be a teacher and it doesn't require a lot of tools and gadgets. As I think about the days of old and people learned about the stars and space buy simply looking up in the sky at night and writing down what they saw.
There are unlimited possibilities step out of the box, find them and use them as parents whether we try to or not, whether a good influence or not so good influence are their children's first teachers.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
MARRIAGE & THE FAMILY
This morning I watched a snippet of Bill Winston's Marriage and The Family Series and I must say I was abundantly blessed from 20 minutes and had a change in my thoughts that I pray sticks with me forever.
Pastor Winston started the message speaking on how men and women were not created to marry to complete each other. When God made man, God made man a complete, whole being. One of the most important things that I gathered from the message was that Man is not only the foundation of the family, Man is the foundation of society. We have been taught that family is the foundation of society, the Man is the foundation of the family and if the Man's foundation is solid, then the marriage of man and woman and the creation of their family can do nothing but project the power of God and the Kingdom of God and keep societies foundation solid.
Pastor Winston's scriptural reference to support his belief that Man is the foundation, God created Man from the earth (Genesis 2:7). God formed woman from man. Therefore Man is the foundation upon which the woman is to rest in and get protection from. Until she is married her father is the foundation. (Trust I am not doing the series that much justice in but shedding some light. Feel free to watch him on television and/or visit his website to purchase a copy of the series).
About marriage, Pastor Winston stated "The Lord didn't intend for us to marry until we are complete. We need to be whole people that don't need anything." I must say that statement blew my mind and made me take a step back. I am already on a wonderful personal journey that has led me to spend more time with God, more time with myself and my son and I am grateful that I am on the right track in my journey.
Ok, what has happened to our foundation, man. The foundation was broken when Adam ate the fruit from the tree of good and evil. Man did not fall until Adam ate of the tree. Had Adam not ate from the tree man would still have his position. So, when God came into the garden looking for Adam, He was not looking for Adam's physical location, God was looking for Adam's spiritual position. However, this is no way means that man is not still the head!
1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God." "Man isn't the head of the household because he makes more money, man is the head because God says that he is!." Pastor Winston
Now I can hear some women saying well I have to do this or that because my husband doesn't do it how it should be done, or he doesn't step up to the plate, whatever so have you that I hear many women gripe about. Well it goes back to the point that two complete beings come together that don't need each other and the fact that the man is the head. Now I can hear someone saying well if I don't need a man and the man doesn't need me why get married.
Pastor Winston didn't go into complete detail about his marriage but he did say he saw his wife multiple times at an office when he was going to visit a friend. Every time he saw her he felt something in his spirit. He told a friend and his friend told him, the Lord told me to tell you Bill do not touch her. Bill obeyed, he said he even moved to another state and went on living his life yet ultimately they ended up together. It wasn't a situation where someone saw something they liked, pursued it with vigor immediately, had to conquer it and needed it to fill a missing void.
I'm not married but my advice would be if you are married if you two both are believers grow in the knowledge of the spirit of the Lord and all shall work itself out.
Pastor had something for the single mothers. I hear a lot of women saying I need a man to help pay my bills, I need a man to help raise these children, only a man can teach my son how to be a man so I must have a man in the house I have got to get married. First and foremost scripture tells us that God is a father to the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5) And there is more good news, we have all messed up we have all fallen short but thank God for grace. You may not be able to do it alone, you aren't suppose to. God is your Source. You were not created to operate without God!
So if you are single like myself. Pastor Winston's advice, when you find yourself whole and in need of nothing, that is when you will truly be ready for marriage and prayerfully your head of household, man, will find you and you will be his rib, support, encouragement ready to stand my his side.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Pastor Winston started the message speaking on how men and women were not created to marry to complete each other. When God made man, God made man a complete, whole being. One of the most important things that I gathered from the message was that Man is not only the foundation of the family, Man is the foundation of society. We have been taught that family is the foundation of society, the Man is the foundation of the family and if the Man's foundation is solid, then the marriage of man and woman and the creation of their family can do nothing but project the power of God and the Kingdom of God and keep societies foundation solid.
Pastor Winston's scriptural reference to support his belief that Man is the foundation, God created Man from the earth (Genesis 2:7). God formed woman from man. Therefore Man is the foundation upon which the woman is to rest in and get protection from. Until she is married her father is the foundation. (Trust I am not doing the series that much justice in but shedding some light. Feel free to watch him on television and/or visit his website to purchase a copy of the series).
About marriage, Pastor Winston stated "The Lord didn't intend for us to marry until we are complete. We need to be whole people that don't need anything." I must say that statement blew my mind and made me take a step back. I am already on a wonderful personal journey that has led me to spend more time with God, more time with myself and my son and I am grateful that I am on the right track in my journey.
Ok, what has happened to our foundation, man. The foundation was broken when Adam ate the fruit from the tree of good and evil. Man did not fall until Adam ate of the tree. Had Adam not ate from the tree man would still have his position. So, when God came into the garden looking for Adam, He was not looking for Adam's physical location, God was looking for Adam's spiritual position. However, this is no way means that man is not still the head!
1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man,[a] and the head of Christ is God." "Man isn't the head of the household because he makes more money, man is the head because God says that he is!." Pastor Winston
Now I can hear some women saying well I have to do this or that because my husband doesn't do it how it should be done, or he doesn't step up to the plate, whatever so have you that I hear many women gripe about. Well it goes back to the point that two complete beings come together that don't need each other and the fact that the man is the head. Now I can hear someone saying well if I don't need a man and the man doesn't need me why get married.
Pastor Winston didn't go into complete detail about his marriage but he did say he saw his wife multiple times at an office when he was going to visit a friend. Every time he saw her he felt something in his spirit. He told a friend and his friend told him, the Lord told me to tell you Bill do not touch her. Bill obeyed, he said he even moved to another state and went on living his life yet ultimately they ended up together. It wasn't a situation where someone saw something they liked, pursued it with vigor immediately, had to conquer it and needed it to fill a missing void.
I'm not married but my advice would be if you are married if you two both are believers grow in the knowledge of the spirit of the Lord and all shall work itself out.
Pastor had something for the single mothers. I hear a lot of women saying I need a man to help pay my bills, I need a man to help raise these children, only a man can teach my son how to be a man so I must have a man in the house I have got to get married. First and foremost scripture tells us that God is a father to the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5) And there is more good news, we have all messed up we have all fallen short but thank God for grace. You may not be able to do it alone, you aren't suppose to. God is your Source. You were not created to operate without God!
So if you are single like myself. Pastor Winston's advice, when you find yourself whole and in need of nothing, that is when you will truly be ready for marriage and prayerfully your head of household, man, will find you and you will be his rib, support, encouragement ready to stand my his side.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Monday, August 15, 2011
WHY ALL THE RAPPERS?
This is my special note, today I highlighted three rappers in my blog and usually I blog about Yahweh, Faith, and other Christian topics.
Well, I remember that the greatest commandment above all is to love. With the message of love that Jesus taught, he also taught compassion, being a servant and the spirit of giving.
The rappers highlighted today are embodying what it means in the Christian world to be a true Christian (not saying that they are). The purpose of life is to give, help, bless, and love others so that they may see the goodness of the Most High and choose to praise and worship Him.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Well, I remember that the greatest commandment above all is to love. With the message of love that Jesus taught, he also taught compassion, being a servant and the spirit of giving.
The rappers highlighted today are embodying what it means in the Christian world to be a true Christian (not saying that they are). The purpose of life is to give, help, bless, and love others so that they may see the goodness of the Most High and choose to praise and worship Him.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
LUPE FIASCO TO FEED 100 PEOPLE A DAY UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST
Lupe Fiasco and the Lupe Fiasco Foundation will be hosting a community feeding everyday for the remainder of August, as part of their Block By Block initiative. Lupe’s goal is to feed 100 Chicagoans in need each day in honor of Ramadan. The Foundation will host events at two locations throughout the City; one on the Southside and another out West until the 31st of August. For more details including time and locations hit the jump for the official Foundation flier. (From www.fakeshoredrive.com )
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
MAKING THE GRADE
I watched Making the Grade, Stronger America, on MSNBC yesterday. They brought up quite a few topics and mentioned how teachers, parents, school boards, officials, communities/village, activists, and students all play an integral role in educating our children. While of course there is not a one size fit all solution to the problems that plague the Public School system and education in America a few things struck my attention.
"Every child can learn, so give them the same education."
"Zip codes determine expectation levels of some teachers."
"Why are parents prosecuted for lying about their zip code to put their child in a better school?"
" A lot of parents don't know what to do, its not an issue of them not caring about their child and their education."
"You couldn't find a better system to destroy our people than the American Public School System." Ben Chavis
"Standardized tests only teach children how to fill in bubbles."
"College isn't the only path to success."
While watching the show I tweeted "Teachers need to love what they do and put their all into there jobs despite their pay and available resources." Some RT my comment in agreement and some responded....
"RT @KFreesen: Why? What professional is asked to do that? @Johnai: Tchrs need to do more without support #makingthegrade - ??? #WTF"
Now the first issue I have with the comment is I didn't say teachers need to do more without support. When choosing to become a teacher most if not all should know what they are getting into or up against in the Public School System if that is where they are choosing to teach. With this in mind I feel that by choosing to become a teacher you are choosing to face an uphill battle, succeed, and make a difference despite the odds. That is my personal belief.
I think about an episode of A Different World, Whitley was a substitute teacher at an inner city public school with little resources. True to stereotypes the children were unruly and appeared that they didn't want to learn. Whitley spoke to the principal and wanted to quit because of the lack of resources she had. Whitley mentioned that the text books were old, outdated, and did not include black people as if we did not exist in history. The principals response was you are not limited to the text book fill in the gaps and teach the students what is missing.
That was/is my only point. If you have books at home that could enhance your teaching environment use them. Find things on the Internet and print them out in the school office to use. Get creative with old paper towel and tissue holders etc. I don't care what you do but never throw up the white flag and wave it in defeat.
The greatest of minds in history were taught with far less tools than are provided to teachers and at one point there weren't even books let alone formal schools. Therefore in my opinion there is no reason to not be able to teach and there is no reason that children can't learn.
We all have to stop making excuses and do what we can with a smile and to the best of our abilities in whatever profession we have chosen.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
"Every child can learn, so give them the same education."
"Zip codes determine expectation levels of some teachers."
"Why are parents prosecuted for lying about their zip code to put their child in a better school?"
" A lot of parents don't know what to do, its not an issue of them not caring about their child and their education."
"You couldn't find a better system to destroy our people than the American Public School System." Ben Chavis
"Standardized tests only teach children how to fill in bubbles."
"College isn't the only path to success."
While watching the show I tweeted "Teachers need to love what they do and put their all into there jobs despite their pay and available resources." Some RT my comment in agreement and some responded....
"RT @KFreesen: Why? What professional is asked to do that? @Johnai: Tchrs need to do more without support #makingthegrade - ??? #WTF"
Now the first issue I have with the comment is I didn't say teachers need to do more without support. When choosing to become a teacher most if not all should know what they are getting into or up against in the Public School System if that is where they are choosing to teach. With this in mind I feel that by choosing to become a teacher you are choosing to face an uphill battle, succeed, and make a difference despite the odds. That is my personal belief.
I think about an episode of A Different World, Whitley was a substitute teacher at an inner city public school with little resources. True to stereotypes the children were unruly and appeared that they didn't want to learn. Whitley spoke to the principal and wanted to quit because of the lack of resources she had. Whitley mentioned that the text books were old, outdated, and did not include black people as if we did not exist in history. The principals response was you are not limited to the text book fill in the gaps and teach the students what is missing.
That was/is my only point. If you have books at home that could enhance your teaching environment use them. Find things on the Internet and print them out in the school office to use. Get creative with old paper towel and tissue holders etc. I don't care what you do but never throw up the white flag and wave it in defeat.
The greatest of minds in history were taught with far less tools than are provided to teachers and at one point there weren't even books let alone formal schools. Therefore in my opinion there is no reason to not be able to teach and there is no reason that children can't learn.
We all have to stop making excuses and do what we can with a smile and to the best of our abilities in whatever profession we have chosen.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
SNOOP DOGG BRINGS YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE TO CHICAGO
Snoop was droppin like it's hot in Chicago on Thursday.
With Chicago Bear great Otis Wilson at his side, the Doggfather was in the city to announce his plans for the Chicago chapter of his Los Angeles-based youth football league. Fo’shizzle.
"I'm bringing football out here so they can take their energy, their anger and their attitude and put it in the right source of environment, which is the football field," he said.
Snoop's Chi-Town tour started off with an appearance at the Chicago Indoor Sports Academy at 11 a.m. Then, the Snoop Youth Football League held a free football clinic Friday for hundreds of 8- to 14-year-old boys who live in Chicago Housing Authority.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Snoop-Dogg-Starts--99103459.html#ixzz1V6XLHTLw
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
With Chicago Bear great Otis Wilson at his side, the Doggfather was in the city to announce his plans for the Chicago chapter of his Los Angeles-based youth football league. Fo’shizzle.
"I'm bringing football out here so they can take their energy, their anger and their attitude and put it in the right source of environment, which is the football field," he said.
Snoop's Chi-Town tour started off with an appearance at the Chicago Indoor Sports Academy at 11 a.m. Then, the Snoop Youth Football League held a free football clinic Friday for hundreds of 8- to 14-year-old boys who live in Chicago Housing Authority.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Snoop-Dogg-Starts--99103459.html#ixzz1V6XLHTLw
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
50 CENT STREET KING - GOAL FEED 1 BILLION AFRICANS
5O Cent like many other rappers are known for rap beefs, rap lyrics full of profanity, music videos etc. yet rarely, like with most rappers are the positive things they do highlighted in the mainstream news and media.
I happen to follow 50 on Twitter and he began saying that he would not retweet (RT) anyone's tweets if it did not end in #SK, representing Street King. Now instead of taking the time to find out what Street King was I immediately dismissed it as some foolery 50 was up to. If anyone else follows him on twitter lets just say many of his tweets are risque for lack of a better word.
Yesterday as I was going through my timeline 50 was RT tweets about Street King and low and behold he is on a mission to feed 1 Billion starving Africans. So I signed up on the website to join the Street King movement and you can too http://streetking.com/?ref=5pm66.
Street King is an energy drink that will be released in September and the proceeds will go toward feeding starving people in Africa who desperately need it. You can read more here: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16411/title.50-cent-launches-energy-shot-street-king-to-help-feed-one-billion-children.
To see other causes 50 has been a part of visit http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1111-50-cent.
While I don't drink coffee and have never tasted an energy drink I will definitely purchase at least one Street King to support the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
I happen to follow 50 on Twitter and he began saying that he would not retweet (RT) anyone's tweets if it did not end in #SK, representing Street King. Now instead of taking the time to find out what Street King was I immediately dismissed it as some foolery 50 was up to. If anyone else follows him on twitter lets just say many of his tweets are risque for lack of a better word.
Yesterday as I was going through my timeline 50 was RT tweets about Street King and low and behold he is on a mission to feed 1 Billion starving Africans. So I signed up on the website to join the Street King movement and you can too http://streetking.com/?ref=5pm66.
Street King is an energy drink that will be released in September and the proceeds will go toward feeding starving people in Africa who desperately need it. You can read more here: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16411/title.50-cent-launches-energy-shot-street-king-to-help-feed-one-billion-children.
To see other causes 50 has been a part of visit http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1111-50-cent.
While I don't drink coffee and have never tasted an energy drink I will definitely purchase at least one Street King to support the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Friday, August 12, 2011
Yoga, Meditation, and Christianity
I didn't realize that some Christians had issues with Yoga. My interest in yoga was sparked years ago ironically by Madonna, yes the pop singer. Madonna was on the Oprah Winfrey show years ago and she spoke on how she practiced yoga and that is how she stayed in shape. From then on I told myself I would add yoga into my workout.
As an adult I purchased a workout called Yoga Booty Ballet and I absolutely love it and I also have Yoga for Abs and Yoga for Beginners with Rodney Yee from Gaiam. One day I was speaking to someone who is a Jehovah Witness about their health and wellness and I suggested they do Yoga. Their immediate response was oh no we don't practice Yoga. Considering they don't practice a lot of things I didn't give it a second thought and I moved on. Then I realized that many Christians do not practice yoga as well.
Here is an article about Yoga and a discussion of should Christians practice it http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/bagby_yoga-alternative.aspx. A couple of things struck me in the article. Yoga teaches one in meditation to empty their minds, Laurette mentions that Christians are told to be transformed by a renewing of our minds. My question if we do not get rid of the old thoughts how do we make room for the new thoughts and the renewing? Another thing she mentioned was that yogis learn to leave their bodies. Please understand that your body is flesh and a house for your spirit. We are spiritual beings living in a physical body.
What is Yoga? Yoga defined in wikipedia, Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India,[1][2] whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.[3] The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Is the issue with Yoga that it is associated with other religions?
I would hope not as Christianity is a religion steeped in tradition, corruption, and the purposeful intentional withholding of information. Now do not get me wrong I am a believer of Yahweh and I believe the Word of God I also know many parts of the history of Christianity so there are things in the religion that I must question and in no way do I feel I am questioning God, I am however questioning a man made religion. Therefore I do not practice religion, I am spiritual though and yes I attend meetings, I try not to say that I go to church because each of us are the church if you are a believer, the Kingdom of Yahweh is within us.
So this week I began reading Russell Simmons book Super Rich. I know from following him on Twitter that he is a yogi ( he practices yoga and meditates daily). Something in the book sparked my interest, he speaks on yoga and how meditation can give a drug addict the same high they get from drugs but without the harmful side effects to their minds, bodies, and family. Russell also mentions how meditation has healing effects in the chapter Succeeding Through Stillness.
If studies have proven that drug addicts are cured and helped through meditation and never want to use again, I question why yoga isn't a part of every drug rehab program. My thought what is the worst that can happen as there aren't any negative side effects that I know of that one can get from meditating.
This was thought provoking for me. In the age of technology I encourage you, if you are skeptical to google or go to your local library and read up on the healing effects of meditation. Here maybe a great starting point for you http://www.freemeditation.com/benefits-of-meditation/meditation-helps-with-drug-abuse/
There are 8 steps to yoga - Patanjali recorded a system of ashtanga yoga, or classical yoga, in the Yoga Sutra. The eight limbs, or steps, of yoga are yamas, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyhana and samadhi. These eight steps mean respectively restraint, observance, physical exercises, breathing techniques, preparation for meditation, concentration, meditation and absorption. (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/328242-the-basics-of-yoga-its-benefits/#ixzz1Up0eiKFB)
As one who practices yoga somewhat regularly I must say there is nothing that has been said or done that has made me question my faith or stray from it. If yoga can help me to breathe, relax, center myself and come into a deeper understanding of my spiritual being I am all for it and welcome it. If Yoga can take me to a higher state of consciousness and clear my mind so that I can hear from Yahweh I am definitely for that. And finally if while I am doing all of this it keeps my blood pressure down and my body healthy I am definitely for that.
Its amazing that some Christians have issue with Yoga but the majority of us do not question Thanksgiving, Christmas and other practices that are steeped in paganism better yet they originate from paganism.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
As an adult I purchased a workout called Yoga Booty Ballet and I absolutely love it and I also have Yoga for Abs and Yoga for Beginners with Rodney Yee from Gaiam. One day I was speaking to someone who is a Jehovah Witness about their health and wellness and I suggested they do Yoga. Their immediate response was oh no we don't practice Yoga. Considering they don't practice a lot of things I didn't give it a second thought and I moved on. Then I realized that many Christians do not practice yoga as well.
Here is an article about Yoga and a discussion of should Christians practice it http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/bagby_yoga-alternative.aspx. A couple of things struck me in the article. Yoga teaches one in meditation to empty their minds, Laurette mentions that Christians are told to be transformed by a renewing of our minds. My question if we do not get rid of the old thoughts how do we make room for the new thoughts and the renewing? Another thing she mentioned was that yogis learn to leave their bodies. Please understand that your body is flesh and a house for your spirit. We are spiritual beings living in a physical body.
What is Yoga? Yoga defined in wikipedia, Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India,[1][2] whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.[3] The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Is the issue with Yoga that it is associated with other religions?
I would hope not as Christianity is a religion steeped in tradition, corruption, and the purposeful intentional withholding of information. Now do not get me wrong I am a believer of Yahweh and I believe the Word of God I also know many parts of the history of Christianity so there are things in the religion that I must question and in no way do I feel I am questioning God, I am however questioning a man made religion. Therefore I do not practice religion, I am spiritual though and yes I attend meetings, I try not to say that I go to church because each of us are the church if you are a believer, the Kingdom of Yahweh is within us.
So this week I began reading Russell Simmons book Super Rich. I know from following him on Twitter that he is a yogi ( he practices yoga and meditates daily). Something in the book sparked my interest, he speaks on yoga and how meditation can give a drug addict the same high they get from drugs but without the harmful side effects to their minds, bodies, and family. Russell also mentions how meditation has healing effects in the chapter Succeeding Through Stillness.
If studies have proven that drug addicts are cured and helped through meditation and never want to use again, I question why yoga isn't a part of every drug rehab program. My thought what is the worst that can happen as there aren't any negative side effects that I know of that one can get from meditating.
This was thought provoking for me. In the age of technology I encourage you, if you are skeptical to google or go to your local library and read up on the healing effects of meditation. Here maybe a great starting point for you http://www.freemeditation.com/benefits-of-meditation/meditation-helps-with-drug-abuse/
There are 8 steps to yoga - Patanjali recorded a system of ashtanga yoga, or classical yoga, in the Yoga Sutra. The eight limbs, or steps, of yoga are yamas, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyhana and samadhi. These eight steps mean respectively restraint, observance, physical exercises, breathing techniques, preparation for meditation, concentration, meditation and absorption. (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/328242-the-basics-of-yoga-its-benefits/#ixzz1Up0eiKFB)
As one who practices yoga somewhat regularly I must say there is nothing that has been said or done that has made me question my faith or stray from it. If yoga can help me to breathe, relax, center myself and come into a deeper understanding of my spiritual being I am all for it and welcome it. If Yoga can take me to a higher state of consciousness and clear my mind so that I can hear from Yahweh I am definitely for that. And finally if while I am doing all of this it keeps my blood pressure down and my body healthy I am definitely for that.
Its amazing that some Christians have issue with Yoga but the majority of us do not question Thanksgiving, Christmas and other practices that are steeped in paganism better yet they originate from paganism.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, August 11, 2011
EVERYTHING & EVERYONE
"Everything you take for granted is a blessing. Everything you fear is a friend in disguise. Everything you want is a part of you. Everything you hate you hate about yourself. Everything you own does not define you. Everything you feel is the only Truth there is to know.
Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it's supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.
Every time you bless another your bless yourself. Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you're one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.
Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.
Everyone's the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone's the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone's the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain."
Jackson Kiddard
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it's supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.
Every time you bless another your bless yourself. Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you're one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.
Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.
Everyone's the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone's the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone's the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain."
Jackson Kiddard
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself." Jiddu Krishnamurti
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
I'm Gonna Be Your Friend: Bob Marley's single "High Tide or Low Tide" : Save the Children UK
I'm Gonna Be Your Friend: Bob Marley's single "High Tide or Low Tide" : Save the Children UK
From the Chicago RedEye:
"More than 150 stars from Lady Gaga, U2, Justin Beiber, Jay Z, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney are among the well known figures using their FaceBook pages and Twitter feeds to urge fans to donate money to help the numerous families starving in the region.
The campaign, called "I'm Gonna Be Your Friend," can be found at www.imgonnabeyourfriend.org . It shows a video of Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1973 song "High Tide or Low Tide", accompanied by malnourished children created by award winning fiml director Kevin Macdonald.
Millions of children are facing starvation."
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
From the Chicago RedEye:
"More than 150 stars from Lady Gaga, U2, Justin Beiber, Jay Z, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney are among the well known figures using their FaceBook pages and Twitter feeds to urge fans to donate money to help the numerous families starving in the region.
The campaign, called "I'm Gonna Be Your Friend," can be found at www.imgonnabeyourfriend.org . It shows a video of Bob Marley & The Wailers' 1973 song "High Tide or Low Tide", accompanied by malnourished children created by award winning fiml director Kevin Macdonald.
Millions of children are facing starvation."
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
YES, YOU CAN SAVE!
Yesterday I blogged about saving up and paying cash for cars, homes, and higher education. Many of you probably think that is a far fetched idea because the majority of society doesn't live like that. The majority of society finances, pays interest over years and periods of time until its paid off. I am in no way knocking the system, I do what us to stretch our minds and realize there is another way.
There are some people that will say. I simply cannot save I am barely making ends meet. If this is true this means that the salary/income you receive is only spent on basic necessities. Meaning you are not eating out, going to the movies, renting movies, or buying so much as a candy bar. You are simply spending on food, shelter, clothing, car gas etc. This may seem far fetched but if you feel the price of gas is too high, maybe you should start car pooling or taking public transportation. I don't care how you do it, you can save. At a family gathering my uncle said something that was profound to me. He said he started saving pennies until he could save nickels, nickels until he could save dimes, dimes until he could save quarters, quarters until he could save dollars and so on... So yes, you can save I don't care if it is $1/month the point is to do it and start somewhere.
Here is a great story from the bible about being a good steward, saving, investing and increase:
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The guy who hid his one gold coin reminds me of the poverty mentality. I only have this little and I must hold on to it and keep it safe for fear of losing it. Well what if it was invested and multiplied? You will never know if you bury your treasure.
Here are other scriptures to reference on finances and money...
Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Romans 13:8 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Luke 14:28-30 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish."
Luke 16:10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
Ecclesiastes 5:5 "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 11:2 "Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth."
Matthew 6:31-32 "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed;"
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
There are many more scriptures to explore, a lot of them can be found http://christianpf.com/money-in-the-bible/
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
There are some people that will say. I simply cannot save I am barely making ends meet. If this is true this means that the salary/income you receive is only spent on basic necessities. Meaning you are not eating out, going to the movies, renting movies, or buying so much as a candy bar. You are simply spending on food, shelter, clothing, car gas etc. This may seem far fetched but if you feel the price of gas is too high, maybe you should start car pooling or taking public transportation. I don't care how you do it, you can save. At a family gathering my uncle said something that was profound to me. He said he started saving pennies until he could save nickels, nickels until he could save dimes, dimes until he could save quarters, quarters until he could save dollars and so on... So yes, you can save I don't care if it is $1/month the point is to do it and start somewhere.
Here is a great story from the bible about being a good steward, saving, investing and increase:
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The guy who hid his one gold coin reminds me of the poverty mentality. I only have this little and I must hold on to it and keep it safe for fear of losing it. Well what if it was invested and multiplied? You will never know if you bury your treasure.
Here are other scriptures to reference on finances and money...
Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."
Romans 13:8 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Luke 14:28-30 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it; lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish."
Luke 16:10 "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."
Ecclesiastes 5:5 "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 11:2 "Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth."
Matthew 6:31-32 "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed;"
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
There are many more scriptures to explore, a lot of them can be found http://christianpf.com/money-in-the-bible/
If we are not good stewards over what God has already entrusted us with, why are we expecting more and increase?
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
THIS IS NOT A WAR ZONE.....
Yesterday, during rush hour a man was shot at close range in downtown Chicago by State St. and Wacker Drive. There have been numerous senseless murders in Chicago this year, heck this week even and its only Tuesday. 4 children were shot on Sunday in the early morning. A 6 year old girl and a teenage boy were fatally shot and killed in different neighborhoods on the South Side of Chicago.
The quote by Carl Burson Jr. 32 bothers me, "This is not a war zone, this is downtown Chicago. We don't do that down here." It bothers me because I want to know what that means. If violence and crime affects one person, area or neighborhood in Chicago we should all feel the effects and want to do something about it to help. Not say oh, this doesn't happen downtown but it happens in Englewood, the Austin area, Humboldt Park, Gage Park, the Wild 100's etc. As if when it happens in those areas its ok. Sadly, there are people that are used to gun shots and have become immune to it but it is still not ok.
I refuse to accept crime in any area and become immune to a rising epidemic in the city of Chicago. Do I have the solutions? No I do not but I believe if we all come together there can be a solution. Do I believe crime will completely disappear? Of course not. However, I do believe it can be curbed and reduced.
I think of the newspaper article I was reading about the Kenwood/Hyde Park area because 4 people have been shot in that area this year alone. Many in the area were outraged and attended a police meeting they weren't invited to, to speak on it and ask the police to do something about it. There reasoning, prior to this it had been 2 years since someone was shot in there neighborhood and they want the matter addressed now before it gets out of hand.
One solution - we have to stop being selfish, we have to stop focusing on me, myself, and mine. Me and mine are ok, I will focus on us and what happens in my home. We have lost our sense of community. I think of the old African Proverb "It takes a village to raise a child." How many of us really know the people on our blocks, in our immediate neighborhood, many of us don't even know our next door neighbors.
I do agree with Burson in the fact that downtown Chicago is not a war zone. I will take it one step further to say that no area in Chicago should be a war zone.
If we are not a part of the problem, we are apart of the solution. Do whatever it is that we can do to be the change needed.
"I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day." Og Mandino
Lets all plant good seeds today, remember your thoughts and words give out energy. If you are filled with negativity you are putting that negativity into the atmosphere, it is gravitating to others, and continuing to grow and manifest.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
The quote by Carl Burson Jr. 32 bothers me, "This is not a war zone, this is downtown Chicago. We don't do that down here." It bothers me because I want to know what that means. If violence and crime affects one person, area or neighborhood in Chicago we should all feel the effects and want to do something about it to help. Not say oh, this doesn't happen downtown but it happens in Englewood, the Austin area, Humboldt Park, Gage Park, the Wild 100's etc. As if when it happens in those areas its ok. Sadly, there are people that are used to gun shots and have become immune to it but it is still not ok.
I refuse to accept crime in any area and become immune to a rising epidemic in the city of Chicago. Do I have the solutions? No I do not but I believe if we all come together there can be a solution. Do I believe crime will completely disappear? Of course not. However, I do believe it can be curbed and reduced.
I think of the newspaper article I was reading about the Kenwood/Hyde Park area because 4 people have been shot in that area this year alone. Many in the area were outraged and attended a police meeting they weren't invited to, to speak on it and ask the police to do something about it. There reasoning, prior to this it had been 2 years since someone was shot in there neighborhood and they want the matter addressed now before it gets out of hand.
One solution - we have to stop being selfish, we have to stop focusing on me, myself, and mine. Me and mine are ok, I will focus on us and what happens in my home. We have lost our sense of community. I think of the old African Proverb "It takes a village to raise a child." How many of us really know the people on our blocks, in our immediate neighborhood, many of us don't even know our next door neighbors.
I do agree with Burson in the fact that downtown Chicago is not a war zone. I will take it one step further to say that no area in Chicago should be a war zone.
If we are not a part of the problem, we are apart of the solution. Do whatever it is that we can do to be the change needed.
"I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day." Og Mandino
Lets all plant good seeds today, remember your thoughts and words give out energy. If you are filled with negativity you are putting that negativity into the atmosphere, it is gravitating to others, and continuing to grow and manifest.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Monday, August 8, 2011
MONEY MATTERS: CREDIT OR CASH?
There is a famous saying "a fool and his money are soon parted". My definition of a fool is someone who has no budget or plan for their money. When they receive money they spend it and wait on the next time more money comes be it a paycheck or whatever resource, because Yahweh is The Source, the money comes from. With that said, if you don't have a goal get one.
This past Sunday, I watched Washington Watch with Roland Martin on TV1. The topic for discussion was credit as well as saving and personal spending habits.
Credit for some its a scary taboo, for others they are so buried in it that it keeps them awake at night full of worry on how they will pay their bills and survive, and when we think about our credit scores and how it effects finance rates on purchases some automatically assume defeat.
Why is credit so important? Well in order to purchase a house or car mainly you need a credit history and a good credit score. This statement is incorrect and it is used often. Let me clear something up, in order to finance a house or a car lenders look at your credit score. If you purchase a house or a car with cash, your credit score is a non issue. Now I can see someone reading this right now saying how can you purchase a house or a car with cash? The simple answer, you save your money, if you choose to invest do it wisely, and build up enough cash to get what it is you NEED not want in a house and a car.
I read an article months or a year back about a couple who purchased their $100K home with cash. Of course I cannot find it right now but if you are a skeptic I encourage you to do your research. Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post, participated in the discussion with Roland Martin and she said that she only pays cash for her cars. She drives her cars until the door handles fall off and then she tapes the handles back on! She mentioned how she has the number for every tow driver in her area. She also spoke on how she never trades a car in she always fixes it up and gives it to a family member. Her reason for this is because she has a goal, she has 3 children that she wants to put through college with cash. Roland Martin mentioned he drives a Navigator that he paid cash for. Michelle's response was you can do that because you don't have 3 kids to put through college I would never buy that type of car because I recognize what my goal is. In no way was she knocking Roland she was simply stating based on her goal that is not a car she would justifiable purchase.
Now there are those that say don't pay cash for a car because it depreciates in value as soon as you drive off of the lot. True cars depreciate in value so why finance and end up paying more. If I buy a car and negotiate a price of $20K lets say it automatically depreciates. Cars depreciate between 15 to 20% each year. So let's say it depreciates 5% as soon as you drive off the lot. So what you paid $20K is now worth $19K. If you finance the $20K at 10% for 5 years you will pay about $25,500 in total for the car. Now let's see how much the car is worth each year with 20% depreciation:
Year 1: $16,000
Year 2: $12,800
Year 3: $10, 240
Year 4: $8,192
Year 5: $6,553.60
You have completed paying $25,500 for a car that has depreciated to $6,553.60 and that doesn't mean you will receive the $6,553.60 if you decide to trade it in. You also paid $5,550 in interest. Now imagine had you just paid cash for the car and saved the monthly note you would have been paying of $424.90, you would have a car worth $6,553.60 and have $25,494 saved in the bank to purchase a new car, CASH. So which way is better, paying cash or financing you be the judge.
Now back to the credit issue. Roland Martin mentioned that he had a low credit score because he buys everything cash and pays off everything on time. Yes, not using credit will cause your credit score to be low. However, if you have cash you don't need credit. Remember cash is king. And in this economy I encourage you to also invest in some precious natural resources, gold, silver etc. and have them at your disposal as well.
Now, financial "experts" will tell you, you must use credit, you must have credit cards and use them now and again to keep your credit score at a level where you can receive financing. Now just in case you ever choose to finance something I encourage you to be mindful of your credit score but I highly discourage falling into the credit trap. What is the credit trap? Charge it now and worry about it later. I believe everyone should have at least one credit card. It simply makes renting cars easier and some other luxuries in life, however only use it for emergeny purposes and pay off as much of the balance as possible.
Back to financing, before you finance a house, car etc. Obtain all three of your credit reports and credit scores from the credit bureaus. Be sure to dispute any discrepancies. A gentleman on Washington Watch mentioned if you are going to pay down debt to increase your credit score do it 30 to 45 days before you plan to make your purchase. Find out what your options are for getting the best interest rate possible even if you have a less than desirable credit score. Don't be so anxious to drive off the lot in the new car or move into your own home that you agree to pay interest rates of 15%, 30% etc.
I was able to purchase a car with 0.9% financing with a judgement on my credit report. Mainly because I did my research and I was prefinanced through Capitol One financing before I went to the car lot therefore I was informed and had a bargaining tool. The interest rate right now for home loans is 4.25%. Imagine qualifying to buy a home at a rate lower than that, it is possible. I have a cousin in North Carolina living in a home that she financed at 2.3%.
In closing, don't be a slave to credit. Don't use credit as a regular buying tool for clothes, shoes, grocery, restaurant meals etc. things that you could go without. Use credit wisely and sparingly. Save more than you spend as it relates to your discretionary income and live BELOW your means. Look for great bargains, sales etc. and please forget about the Joneses because they can't even keep up with themselves. If you are currently in a financial rut. Instead of quickly paying down your debt. I as well as other financial experts, no I am not an expert, suggest you pay the minimum balance on your credit cards while saving money at the same time. Again, cash is KING!
Yes, you can buy a car cash I am a witness to that. My first car when I drove it off the lot was paid for. Yes, you can put your child through college with cash. My father paid for my 4.5 years at the University of Illinois Urbana without me having to take out loans. Now had I listened to him and not gotten any credit cards while I was in school I would have graduated in a better financial state. Nevertheless, all is well now. Roland Martin even mentioned how he filed for bankruptcy due to medical bills etc., went through it and came out of it and now pays cash for everything. So no matter what your current circumstance it is not your final destination. Your life and your circumstances can turn around right now. Place a goal in your mind, map out a plan, execute the plan and stick to it by any means necessary.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essentials
This past Sunday, I watched Washington Watch with Roland Martin on TV1. The topic for discussion was credit as well as saving and personal spending habits.
Credit for some its a scary taboo, for others they are so buried in it that it keeps them awake at night full of worry on how they will pay their bills and survive, and when we think about our credit scores and how it effects finance rates on purchases some automatically assume defeat.
Why is credit so important? Well in order to purchase a house or car mainly you need a credit history and a good credit score. This statement is incorrect and it is used often. Let me clear something up, in order to finance a house or a car lenders look at your credit score. If you purchase a house or a car with cash, your credit score is a non issue. Now I can see someone reading this right now saying how can you purchase a house or a car with cash? The simple answer, you save your money, if you choose to invest do it wisely, and build up enough cash to get what it is you NEED not want in a house and a car.
I read an article months or a year back about a couple who purchased their $100K home with cash. Of course I cannot find it right now but if you are a skeptic I encourage you to do your research. Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post, participated in the discussion with Roland Martin and she said that she only pays cash for her cars. She drives her cars until the door handles fall off and then she tapes the handles back on! She mentioned how she has the number for every tow driver in her area. She also spoke on how she never trades a car in she always fixes it up and gives it to a family member. Her reason for this is because she has a goal, she has 3 children that she wants to put through college with cash. Roland Martin mentioned he drives a Navigator that he paid cash for. Michelle's response was you can do that because you don't have 3 kids to put through college I would never buy that type of car because I recognize what my goal is. In no way was she knocking Roland she was simply stating based on her goal that is not a car she would justifiable purchase.
Now there are those that say don't pay cash for a car because it depreciates in value as soon as you drive off of the lot. True cars depreciate in value so why finance and end up paying more. If I buy a car and negotiate a price of $20K lets say it automatically depreciates. Cars depreciate between 15 to 20% each year. So let's say it depreciates 5% as soon as you drive off the lot. So what you paid $20K is now worth $19K. If you finance the $20K at 10% for 5 years you will pay about $25,500 in total for the car. Now let's see how much the car is worth each year with 20% depreciation:
Year 1: $16,000
Year 2: $12,800
Year 3: $10, 240
Year 4: $8,192
Year 5: $6,553.60
You have completed paying $25,500 for a car that has depreciated to $6,553.60 and that doesn't mean you will receive the $6,553.60 if you decide to trade it in. You also paid $5,550 in interest. Now imagine had you just paid cash for the car and saved the monthly note you would have been paying of $424.90, you would have a car worth $6,553.60 and have $25,494 saved in the bank to purchase a new car, CASH. So which way is better, paying cash or financing you be the judge.
Now back to the credit issue. Roland Martin mentioned that he had a low credit score because he buys everything cash and pays off everything on time. Yes, not using credit will cause your credit score to be low. However, if you have cash you don't need credit. Remember cash is king. And in this economy I encourage you to also invest in some precious natural resources, gold, silver etc. and have them at your disposal as well.
Now, financial "experts" will tell you, you must use credit, you must have credit cards and use them now and again to keep your credit score at a level where you can receive financing. Now just in case you ever choose to finance something I encourage you to be mindful of your credit score but I highly discourage falling into the credit trap. What is the credit trap? Charge it now and worry about it later. I believe everyone should have at least one credit card. It simply makes renting cars easier and some other luxuries in life, however only use it for emergeny purposes and pay off as much of the balance as possible.
Back to financing, before you finance a house, car etc. Obtain all three of your credit reports and credit scores from the credit bureaus. Be sure to dispute any discrepancies. A gentleman on Washington Watch mentioned if you are going to pay down debt to increase your credit score do it 30 to 45 days before you plan to make your purchase. Find out what your options are for getting the best interest rate possible even if you have a less than desirable credit score. Don't be so anxious to drive off the lot in the new car or move into your own home that you agree to pay interest rates of 15%, 30% etc.
I was able to purchase a car with 0.9% financing with a judgement on my credit report. Mainly because I did my research and I was prefinanced through Capitol One financing before I went to the car lot therefore I was informed and had a bargaining tool. The interest rate right now for home loans is 4.25%. Imagine qualifying to buy a home at a rate lower than that, it is possible. I have a cousin in North Carolina living in a home that she financed at 2.3%.
In closing, don't be a slave to credit. Don't use credit as a regular buying tool for clothes, shoes, grocery, restaurant meals etc. things that you could go without. Use credit wisely and sparingly. Save more than you spend as it relates to your discretionary income and live BELOW your means. Look for great bargains, sales etc. and please forget about the Joneses because they can't even keep up with themselves. If you are currently in a financial rut. Instead of quickly paying down your debt. I as well as other financial experts, no I am not an expert, suggest you pay the minimum balance on your credit cards while saving money at the same time. Again, cash is KING!
Yes, you can buy a car cash I am a witness to that. My first car when I drove it off the lot was paid for. Yes, you can put your child through college with cash. My father paid for my 4.5 years at the University of Illinois Urbana without me having to take out loans. Now had I listened to him and not gotten any credit cards while I was in school I would have graduated in a better financial state. Nevertheless, all is well now. Roland Martin even mentioned how he filed for bankruptcy due to medical bills etc., went through it and came out of it and now pays cash for everything. So no matter what your current circumstance it is not your final destination. Your life and your circumstances can turn around right now. Place a goal in your mind, map out a plan, execute the plan and stick to it by any means necessary.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Helping the Poor and the Needy
Everyday when I arrive to work I log into Yahoo! and check out the current news briefly. This morning I came across an article that moved me to action. US: 29,000 Somali children under 5 dead in famine. There are people in Africa, other countries and even the US that are dying because they have no food. I think about the fruit that I buy that I forget about it rots and I throw it in the garbage. Or when I am full and I discard the remaining contents of my plate. To think I have an abundance of food and there are innocent children dying because they don't have food or water.
As I write this tears come to my eyes as I was making a donation tears came to my eyes. I have known as many of you that there are need of others greater than myself. I can say that I donate to local shelters in my area and I volunteer to help children in Chicago and beyond. Nevertheless there is more work that needs to be done and that I could be doing.
See I realize I am blessed as my daily needs are met and exceeded. Unfortunately many of us think in terms of self and feel that we don't have enough and therefore are unable to give. I don't care if you are eating Top Ramen every night you have a meal to eat. It may not be fillet Mignon nevertheless you are not starving. You may have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but thank God for the bread, peanut butter, and jelly as there are people in the world with absolutely NOTHING to eat.
Its time for us to be more grateful, complain less about our personal circumstances and do more.
Here is a link to World Vision (http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?a=b), I gave to them to help if you know of any other reputable organizations please share them with me.
It is up to us to take care of the poor. God works through His people if you are a spiritual person, Christian, a child of God etc. you are his eyes, mouth, hands, feet etc. God needs you through His Power to feed the hungry, take care of the elderly, tend to the sick and those in need that is our responsibility.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
Deuteronomy 15:11 "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4
"'He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD." Jeremiah 22:16
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." Luke 14:13
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7
"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
As I write this tears come to my eyes as I was making a donation tears came to my eyes. I have known as many of you that there are need of others greater than myself. I can say that I donate to local shelters in my area and I volunteer to help children in Chicago and beyond. Nevertheless there is more work that needs to be done and that I could be doing.
See I realize I am blessed as my daily needs are met and exceeded. Unfortunately many of us think in terms of self and feel that we don't have enough and therefore are unable to give. I don't care if you are eating Top Ramen every night you have a meal to eat. It may not be fillet Mignon nevertheless you are not starving. You may have to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but thank God for the bread, peanut butter, and jelly as there are people in the world with absolutely NOTHING to eat.
Its time for us to be more grateful, complain less about our personal circumstances and do more.
Here is a link to World Vision (http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?a=b), I gave to them to help if you know of any other reputable organizations please share them with me.
It is up to us to take care of the poor. God works through His people if you are a spiritual person, Christian, a child of God etc. you are his eyes, mouth, hands, feet etc. God needs you through His Power to feed the hungry, take care of the elderly, tend to the sick and those in need that is our responsibility.
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
Deuteronomy 15:11 "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4
"'He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD." Jeremiah 22:16
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." Luke 14:13
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7
"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
STEER CLEAR OF DREAM KILLERS
There are dreams and desires that Yahweh has placed on your heart and in your spirit because He knows through His Power you can fulfill them. However, an interesting thing happens when we dare to dream, most people feel the need to tell someone else. There is nothing wrong with being excited about your dreams and wanted to share them with others. Its just not wise to share them with the wrong people. What do I mean by the wrong people?
When we tell others of our dreams we are bound to receive one of these responses
You want to do what? No one has ever done that before!
Where did you get an idea like that? Get your head out of the clouds and come back to the real world!
Oh wow, I say go for it but how are you going to do it? It seems like a lot to take on!
That sounds wonderful, if there is anything that I can do to help let me know. I will lift you up in prayer, keep the faith!
In my own personal life I can think of times when I let someone else kill my dream/steal my faith. When I was a freshmen in college I was speaking with one of my roommates and I told her I planned to buy my father a Corvette. As a child I'd always known that was his favorite car and he told me how he was going to buy one for he and I. Well since my dad is the best dad I could have ever imagined here on earth that is something that I wanted to do for him. The first thing my roommate said was by the time you buy your dad a Corvette he will be too old to enjoy it. A part of me thought whatever however, I allowed her words to enter into my subconscious and somewhere I killed that dream and lost the faith that I would be able to follow through.
Another time I can think of my boyfriend at the times mom was asking me why I didn't know how to cook etc. I told her when I was old enough I would have a maid. She laughed at me and pretty much said good look with that one!
Now, as I am growing in Christ and growing into my spiritual supernatural self that Yahweh created me to be I realize I could've bought my dad that Corvette and yes, one day soon I shall have a maid/butler!
Why do I feel this way? Because Yahweh placed these desires on my heart. Psalm 20:4"He will give you your heart's desire and carry out all your plans."
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
As we delight ourselves in the Lord he will give us the desires of our heart. As Pastor Bill Winston says if God said it, you can take it to the bank!
While you are delighting yourself in the Lord remember to be aware of the dream killers and faith stealer's. So what no one has ever done what you want to do before. There is a 1st time for everything! Do not allow another person's negative thoughts or lack of dreams deter you from fulfilling yours including your own negative thoughts. If you know someone is negative in their own life and the lives of others, don't even share your dream with them, keep it to yourself. Sadly, these people I speak of could be regular church attendees that are saved and filled with the holy ghost.
Share your dreams with those who are faith filled, positive, you see them walking by faith daily and living by faith, those who have positive energy and speak well of themselves and others. Keep in mind no one is perfect and no one is positive all the time but you should know the difference between a positive person and a negative person. Steer clear of those who are negative PERIOD!
Also be mindful of the back stabbers those who will smile in your face and run and tell everyone how "crazy" you are and what "crazy" idea you have come up with this time. It just keeps negative energy down in your life and allows you to truly focus on your task at hand. Have no fear remember "No weapon formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuse you in judgment you will condemn." Isaiah 54:17 Also know what Yahweh blesses no one can curse!
When we tell others of our dreams we are bound to receive one of these responses
In my own personal life I can think of times when I let someone else kill my dream/steal my faith. When I was a freshmen in college I was speaking with one of my roommates and I told her I planned to buy my father a Corvette. As a child I'd always known that was his favorite car and he told me how he was going to buy one for he and I. Well since my dad is the best dad I could have ever imagined here on earth that is something that I wanted to do for him. The first thing my roommate said was by the time you buy your dad a Corvette he will be too old to enjoy it. A part of me thought whatever however, I allowed her words to enter into my subconscious and somewhere I killed that dream and lost the faith that I would be able to follow through.
Another time I can think of my boyfriend at the times mom was asking me why I didn't know how to cook etc. I told her when I was old enough I would have a maid. She laughed at me and pretty much said good look with that one!
Now, as I am growing in Christ and growing into my spiritual supernatural self that Yahweh created me to be I realize I could've bought my dad that Corvette and yes, one day soon I shall have a maid/butler!
Why do I feel this way? Because Yahweh placed these desires on my heart. Psalm 20:4"He will give you your heart's desire and carry out all your plans."
Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
As we delight ourselves in the Lord he will give us the desires of our heart. As Pastor Bill Winston says if God said it, you can take it to the bank!
While you are delighting yourself in the Lord remember to be aware of the dream killers and faith stealer's. So what no one has ever done what you want to do before. There is a 1st time for everything! Do not allow another person's negative thoughts or lack of dreams deter you from fulfilling yours including your own negative thoughts. If you know someone is negative in their own life and the lives of others, don't even share your dream with them, keep it to yourself. Sadly, these people I speak of could be regular church attendees that are saved and filled with the holy ghost.
Share your dreams with those who are faith filled, positive, you see them walking by faith daily and living by faith, those who have positive energy and speak well of themselves and others. Keep in mind no one is perfect and no one is positive all the time but you should know the difference between a positive person and a negative person. Steer clear of those who are negative PERIOD!
Also be mindful of the back stabbers those who will smile in your face and run and tell everyone how "crazy" you are and what "crazy" idea you have come up with this time. It just keeps negative energy down in your life and allows you to truly focus on your task at hand. Have no fear remember "No weapon formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuse you in judgment you will condemn." Isaiah 54:17 Also know what Yahweh blesses no one can curse!
All Yahweh needs is a believer, someone who will keep the faith and believe and trust Him. If you can just do your part and do that Yahweh is faithful and just to do just what He said.
While you are being mindful of the dream killers and faith stealers make sure you are not one yourself!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Monday, August 1, 2011
BE AT PEACE
I began to follow @thedailylove on twitter and I now subscribe to their daily emails. Today I read a quote that I would like to share with all of you. Actually almost everyday there is a quote that makes me think, inspires, encourages, or challenges my thinking in some way and I tweet them from @epiphanyessentials (follow me) and they also appear on my FaceBook page.
Today's quote made me think about my life, and more importantly my work environment. In my personal life it is easy for me to be at peace and find a place of peace but it is sometimes difficult in my office. Usually because there is somewhat of chaos and bad energy floating around the office.
However, this morning Bill Winston was speaking on the God factor and how God places His people amongst the "wicked" so that we can change the atmosphere. As scripture tells us we are to let our light shine so that men but see Christ within us so that the Father in Heaven can be glorified (Matthew 5:16).
What does this have to do with peace? Merriam-Webster defines peace as follows
1. a state of tranquillity or quiet
2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3. harmony in personal relations
4. a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
Scripture says that God will give you peace that transcends all understanding. So you can be tranquil, quiet, think on and keep your emotions tranquil/quiet, have great relationships, and be a mediator for those who are in strife all from a state of peace.
If I participate in the chaotic nature of my office environment I am making a conscious decision to step out of peace and enter into war.
"If peace is really what you want, then you will choose peace. If peace mattered to you more than anything else and if you truly knew yourself to be spirit rather than a little me, you would remain nonreactive and absolutely alert when confronted with challenging people or situations. You would immediately accept the situation and thus become one with it rather than separate yourself from it. Then out of your alertness would come a response. Who you are (consciousness), not who you think you re (a small me), would be responding. It would be powerful and effective and would make no person or situation into an enemy." Eckhart Tolle
Every situation we face we have the choice, we can choose peace and love or we can choose war and hate.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)