Zing!

My local newspaper has a daily column called Zing!, where opinions are succinctly stated. It's similar to Twitter where you speak your mind in 140 characters or less. Let's get it started:

Don't miss your season worrying about your situation.

— Black Queen (@CRIMdeLaaCRIM) February 1, 2015

We’re not always going to be here. Live life to the full, with purpose & passion, pursuing your dreams.

— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) February 1, 2015

When I'm focused on a task, I hate distractions. I don't want to hear nonsense about having to learn how to focus despite distractions.😡

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 31, 2015

I messed around and missed Scandal.😡👎

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 30, 2015

We have the nerve to get upset with God at the choices we make.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 27, 2015

Don't chase people. Be you, do your own thing and work hard. The right people who belong in your life will come to you, and stay.

— ~Relation Sheep~ (@relatedship) January 26, 2015

When someone's called into ministry, Satan is coming for them. All hell is going to break loose in their lives.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 25, 2015

It takes a lot for a man to break down, but when he does...you know it's real. #ThickerThanWater

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 26, 2015

It used to be taboo for black men to complain about anything (women included), now social media has given them a tool to voice their issues.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 21, 2015

One more before I go, and y'all be sure to check out my blog website:

Richard's Gospel http://t.co/Y0trKxMOMj

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 22, 2015

State Of The U

The U Has Failed to Attract Recruits From Miami http://t.co/dkaX1fTYCp via @miaminewtimes

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 30, 2015

My thoughts on The U are shared by many fellow Canes fans, DISMAL. First off, what was The U thinking hiring Al Golden as head coach? He's too conservative in his coaching style, he doesn't let the players play. Former Canes coaches Butch Davis, Jimmy Johnson, Larry Coker all had one thing in common: They let their players PLAY. Who cares if the players were "hood"? The Canes' hood ways were what brought 5 National Championships to Miami. Teams were scared to play the Canes because athletes had a warrior mindset. They won by any means necessary, and that's what I respected about The U. I remember when The U dominated the 80's & 90's, and they had epic battles with fellow Florida squad Florida State Seminoles. Whenever FSU and Miami played, it was a game. Neither team was willing to let up and oftentimes, games went into overtime. The U was snatching recruits left & right, and even on National Signing Day, players would commit to The U at the last minute; that's how good The U was in football.

The U didn't just attract recruits from Miami high schools, but they also attracted recruits nationwide. If you were a high school star player, you grew up watching Hurricanes football and wanted to play for The U. Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Edgerrin James, Jeremy Shockey, Santana & Sinorice Moss, Willis McGahee and countless others came through The U. The U has produced more NFL talent than any other Division 1 school. That was then, and this is now: Since Al Golden was hired as head coach, he hasn't gotten the job done. Consecutive losses to beatable teams, dismal regular season records of 6-6 or 7-5. Canes fans are already sick of Al Golden, yet Al's not going anywhere. Here's my biggest issue with Golden: Golden already had a solid foundation laid for him, and all he had to do was carry on what the previous coaches have done. If I'm Al Golden, I'd stick to the proven formula for success, and wouldn't deviate. The downside of coaching is that each new coach has their own vision for the team and players, so they aren't trying to stick to the old formula, even if it's been successful.

Because of The U's fall from glory, they're losing recruits left & right. Players that used to want to play for The U are now going to other schools, and rightfully so. What talented athlete wants to play for a losing team? I wouldn't. I like to win, so I surround myself with winners. The U is suffering from brain drain, where talented high school football players from Miami-area high schools are leaving for other schools. Sure, The U is lucky to snag a few local talent, but nothing like they used to do back in the 90s. In conclusion, the State Of The U is not good, but it can turn around if Al Golden leaves, because he's done enough damage to the Canes football program.

The Field: Miami

I received this video on my Facebook wall from a friend, and I must say it's a well-done documentary on the REAL Miami. Anyone from Miami understands that Miami isn't just South Beach, but the real Miami has the hoods, poverty, violence and drugs. Each neighborhood profiled shows aspiring rappers telling their story through their music. Watch the video:

I Want A Promotion

When someone gets a job, hopefully they don't want to stay in the same spot 5 or 10 years from now. Many people should want to move up in the company, because that shows you're willing to stretch out of your professional comfort zone. It's fine to want a promotion, but if it comes at the expense of your peace of mind, you might want to scale back a bit. Every job I may have in the future, yes I want to advance in the company, but if I'm going to be stressed everyday, forget it. I would rather make the same money and have peace of mind, than land a promotion and have headaches everyday. I don't have time for that. As much as I've gone through in my life, I'm trying to keep my life stress-free as much as I can. That involves using my discernment to know that if I'm presented with an opportunity to get ahead, I'm gonna pray about it and request a week to weigh the pros and cons. If the pros outweigh the cons, I move forward. If the cons outweigh the pros, I'm falling back.

Promotions bring out the worst in people, because so much is at stake. You get a big pay increase, challenging projects, you get to network with higher-ups, and you're closer to the executive ranks. If a supervisor told their staff "Whoever has the best proposal for this project is in line for a promotion", the backstabbing is sure to fly. There will be people who will get ahead by any means necessary, even if they have to step on others to win. I couldn't go out like that. I get ahead the right way, because I want to sleep at night. One fact people learn about getting promotions: The higher up you go in the company, the more responsibility you'll have. Some people can handle the responsibility of a promotion, others can't, and that's ok. When it comes to promotions, make sure you know what you're getting into.

I'm Not A Virgin, But My Lady Has To Be One

Some men want their lady to be a virgin when he's slept with half the female population. Where They Do That At? #ThickerThanWater.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 27, 2015

I'm watching last night's Thicker Than Water when Cyrene and her boyfriend were chilling at the pool. They discuss sex when her boyfriend reveals that he's not a virgin. He asks Cyrene if she's a virgin and Cyrene says yes. That's good, right? Right, except for one problem: Her boyfriend has the nerve to say that he doesn't want a girl that's been with other guys sexually. Let me get this straight: Some men want their lady to be pure while he defiled himself with other women? I need to do some research to figure out where they do that at. If a man is promiscuous, he cannot expect his woman to be a virgin. No woman who's a virgin would want an experienced man because he's going to want to test drive her. He might as well get an experienced woman who would be comparable to him. Cyrene's virginity is very important to her, and she shouldn't allow her boyfriend to make her feel bad for it. Put it this way: If a man wants a virgin woman, he should be a virgin. If a man wants an experienced woman, he should be experienced as well. A couple must be compatible on all fronts in order for their relationship to work. I just think it's hilarious that some men believe they're entitled to a virgin woman when some of them have slept with everything walking. But hey, there's nothing wrong with wanting a higher caliber woman, right? Some men just need to make sure that before they demand their woman be a virgin, he's also pure himself. There's nothing worse than a non-virgin man and a virgin woman. 

Bull's Eye

The Bible was spot on when it said the enemy has a Bull's Eye on God's people. Whenever Satan targets God's children, it's for a reason: The devil doesn't like the anointing that's on someone's life, and Satan will come with everything he's got to ensure he derails a child of God from their calling. My heart goes out to all pastors and their wives for being willing to stand in the gap and be leaders to their congregation. It takes a strong (wo)man to shoulder the burden of leading their congregation to God. Ultimately, God can bring someone to him on his own, but pastors' responsibility is to point people to Christ. Pastors have burdens their congregation will never understand, because many pastors won't be open about their struggles. The reason is that the congregation looks to their pastor for spiritual guidance, and if the pastor can't keep it together, what does that mean for the rest of the congregation? Pastors are human just like everyone else, and it takes a brave soul to tell his congregation "I'm your pastor, but I'm human. I struggle just like you guys, but I know someone who has your back." It's important for Christians to keep their pastors in prayer, because pastors are fighting battles that their congregation may never know about. Pastors & spiritual leaders have taken on the charge of leading their congregation to God, and anytime someone's called into ministry, they can expect the enemy to come at them hardcore.

R.I.P? Only If You're Right With God.

Death should be nothing to cry over. That's passage to heaven (if your loved one was right with God).

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 20, 2015

Death is something we all experience: Some experience death earlier than others, but eventually everyone will have to come to terms with their pending demise. The best way to live is to the fullest because life has no rewind button. You can't go back and redo the opportunities you've passed on, the chances you had to tell that person how you feel about them, etc. If & when the time presents to do something, do it or you'll have that would've, could've & should've moment on your deathbed. Nobody wants to be on their deathbed with regrets. Most people (if they're honest) want to go to their deathbed saying they came, they saw & conquered all life had in store for them. In any event, should a Christian mourn at the loss of a loved one? That depends on their salvation. There's nothing wrong with Christians mourning over their loved one's demise. (S)he meant a lot to them, so mourning is natural. I do have a little issue with grieving over the loss of a saved loved one. Why should a Christian grieve over the loss of a saved loved one? They should celebrate that person's passing because (s)he's no longer suffering. They've completed their course and they've been promoted to Heaven. I could not see myself crying because God took my loved one home. If they were saved, I'm rejoicing with them because they're going to a much better place. God is calling his people home at a rapid pace, so folks might as well stay ready.

The only possible reason I would probably shed tears is if my loved one died without getting right with God. Sure, I'd do my part to tell him/her about Christ, but the acceptance decision is on them. Christians can't force people to come to Christ, all they can do is tell them and God will do the rest. If you're right with God, you shouldn't fear death because the way I see it, God's calling you to his presence. The only people who should fear death are those who don't have a relationship with God. The good news is that it's not too late to introduce yourselves to Christ.