Making Your Own Moves

One time for Paulette Singleton (Facebook friend) for this nugget:

When you make your own moves and have money coming in from different directions, you don't fear Trump. You don't have to settle at a job where you are disrespected on a daily basis. You don't have to worry about anyone taking anything from you. Learn to do for self because movers and shakers don't have time to complain.

She told the truth. When you can do for self, nobody can hold anything over your head about what they gave you or did for you. You got it on your own.

Would God Know Your Voice

Would God recognize your voice if you spoke to him with the same frequency as you do your friends, parents, pastor, etc?

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 9, 2017

 This is a rhetorical question for believers. It goes without saying that the more time believers spend in God's word, the more God speaks to them. God is always speaking, but some believers don't take time to listen because they're too busy seeking counsel from their friends, pastor, parents, etc. The aforementioned people may have sound advice, but God has the best counsel of all.

God: That's Richard, he talks to me several times a day. He doesn't always ask me for things. He just wants to hear my voice.

Children Should NOT date

Allowing children to date is NOT a good idea.

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) January 7, 2017

Why do I feel children shouldn't date? Simple: Children aren't mature enough to handle the ups & downs of a relationships. You're talking about entrusting yourself to another person, and that takes time. It takes time to get to know someone and even then, you don't know them. People will only share what they feel is necessary about themselves to you. Children have school to contend with and a relationship is only going to complicate matters. What if your child gets themselves into a situation they aren't ready for? I rest my case. Too many parents allow their children too much freedom, then wonder why & how their children got caught up. Had parents set the tone early, maybe the child would have went a different path. Allowing children to date is equal to Russian Roulette.

One thing always leads to another. If youth are in a relationship, they'll think it's ok to hold hands. Then it escalates to hugging & kissing. Hands will start roaming which will ultimately lead to sex. All of those things feel good until one or both ends up being a parent; worst case scenario is that one or both people end up with an STD. Explain to me how it's a good idea for children to date? I'll wait. The Bible says there's a time for everything, and children dating is not the right time. Children have goals to accomplish, an education to get and after having achieved those two, they can bring a (wo)man in the mix.

Strawberry Letter: Nude Pictures Sent

Nude Pictures Sent

If she knew her children would be upset, why would she take the pictures? This is why you have to be careful about what pictures you take because once your kid(s) see them, it's a wrap. They'll forever look at you a certain way and there's nothing a parent can say to make it right. Assuming the mother's shapely and attractive, she has nothing to be ashamed of. The oldest boy's friends are probably telling him how fine his mother is; boys notice attractive mothers, you know. Yes, she made a mistake and deserves forgiveness but that doesn't mean she'll be forgiven. Mistakes can haunt for a while. She doesn't know how it happened? Let me tell her: She resynced the pictures to the IPad because she has the same Apple ID on both devices. She could've prevented this by setting the photos to private, where only she can see them. If she couldn't do that, then maybe she shouldn't have taken the pictures at all since her children saw her in an unsavory manner.

Kim Burrell Under Fire

Famed gospel singer Kim Burrell has come under fire from the LGBT community for hateful comments about their lifestyle. I don't see why the LGBT folks have a problem with her statements since they're backed up by God's word. The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is sinful, yet folks want to say "what about the other sins?" I get that no sin is greater than another, but God's word does refer to homosexuality as an abomination, so y'all can do the math. The reason why the LGBT community has a problem with her statements is that deep down, they know they're living foul but refuse to admit it. They've convinced themselves that they're born that way. If God doesn't sugarcoat his thoughts on homosexuality, Kim Burrell did right by telling it like it is regarding God's thoughts on homosexuality, so she has nothing to be ashamed of.

Where's her gospel family? Why isn't her fellow gospel singers standing with her? They're nowhere to be found, and that leads me to believe they support the homosexual lifestyle. I've lost respect for Yolanda Adams because of all people, she should've been the first to stand with Kim, but she didn't. In other words, Yolanda Adams felt that Kim was wrong for her statements. There's no unity in Christianity because if one believer is under attack, it's a matter of time before more believers start being attacked for their faith. Kim Burrell has nothing to be ashamed of. She did right by speaking the truth according to God's word. She's not the first, won't be the last to be persecuted because of her faith.

Joel Osteen: Fresh Start, The New You Begins Today

I'm getting back to reading this year, and Joel Osteen's book Fresh Start is a great way to do it. Joel provides valuable insight and encouragement to help believers stay connected to God so they can receive his best. I'm looking forward to this book. I'll review after I've finished reading.

2017: What Can I Look Forward To?

For 2017, my prayer is to continue growing as a man and believer, so if folks are expecting some New Year's Resolutions, forget it. I don't see why people make New Year's Resolutions knowing they're not going to follow through. Anyway, I'm looking to continue my progress from 2016: Growing In Christ, keep delivering these fire blogs, and look into other income streams. Also, get back into reading more. Unlike many people who post that New Year, New Me foolishness, I'm not getting into all that this year. For me, I shouldn't need a new year to make changes in my life. If I'm growing as a man all year long, then each new year is a chance for me to further my growth from last year. The only thing I can look forward to is being better in all areas of my life, and as long as I stay focused on God, I'll have favor the likes of which I've never seen.