Under Cover

I have never been in such an uncertain time as this in my life. I have been working since I was 15 years old, and have always been the type to work hard to accomplish things in my life. I graduated from college in May of this year, and I am unemployed. At first, I was so focused on finding any job that I barely slept. Everyday from sun up to sun down, I was applying for jobs online; directly to companies, and through various job search databases and websites; and still no job.

It got me down and I began to doubt my abilities and self worth. But then I began to study the Bible, and it brought me to reevaluate some things in my life. In the midst of trying to do what I wanted to do and what I thought I should be doing, I lost sight on what God wanted me to do. I was not focused and I was all over the place because I let the anxiety of not having a job overwhelm me. I didn’t have peace.

This time has definitely been a time of transition in my life. I had been putting my life on track for the things of the world. I wanted a job so that I could live a lifestyle that I wanted to live. I wasn’t trying to live my life for the glorification of God. I got this revelation as I began to study the Bible.

Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV) “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

If you set your mind on worldly things, you will get worldly rewards, which are strife and iniquities. But if you set your mind on things that are above the earth, God, then you will get heavenly rewards, which are peace, love, and abundant life.
Do not let yourself get caught up in the matters of the physical world. Because we know that all things work out for your good through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

Wait on the Lord and be patient. I know it may not seem like the easiest thing to do, but remind yourself that God is the maker of all things, and if your with Him, and you put your faith and trust in Him, you will never loose. The world will always fail you. During the times of uncertainty, everyday praise God and give Him glory.

Psalms 37:18-19 (NIV) “The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I am still unemployed, but I have started back writing, which is something I love to do, and why not do it to encourage people and to glorify God. I started back writing this blog because I wanted to share the messages that God has given me. I am encouraging you to stay focused on God in whatever you may be going through, and know that in God, through Christ Jesus, you are always victorious.

Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. Stay prayerful and start speaking things be not as though they were. Seek God and his righteousness will be accredited to you. Wait on Him, and He will answer your prayers.
I have linked the bible verses to Biblegateway.com so can study these scriptures. All of the scriptures came from the New International Version of the Bible. I would appreciate if you became a follower of my blog and tweets at twitter.com/SavvyWord, and would love for your comments and post. Thank you.

No Holding Back...

No holding back…

So I couldn't help but to comment on the recent ideas that a lot of people have been saying about President-elect Barack Obama. A lot of People have been saying because Barack Obama is going to be in office, it will raise us (African-Americans) out of the more than 300-year deep hole of oppression.

Well I am here to say that while his victory is historic and has raised the bar for African-Americans to unlimited heights, we are still responsible for making sure that we do whatever we can to shovel our way to the top.

We have to start taking more responsibility for our actions. We will be more closely watched by other races, especially Obama, to see if we can handle having positions of power. So in order to make this Obama regime work, we have to start making more wise decisions in our lives including, financially (pay your bills on time), mentally (education-staying current with what’s going on,) and physically (avoid the “Sugas,” take care of your body.) And most of all we need to be more courteous and helpful to one another.

How can ten people in one hole free themselves independently? It takes each of them to lift one another for one to reach the top and then help the rest be free. Obama is our person to lift us up and set us free. But he cannot do it alone, it is up to the rest of us to help the next persons achieve. It may sound as though I am preaching an optimistic dream, but the truth of the matter is that we have to work together to achieve true equality.

So what’s the next step? It is whatever you make it. You can start to raise the bar by being active in the community, helping a fellow neighbor, or how bout even just saying “hi” to each other. I am not even going to get started talking about how we just “snap” or “mean-mug” each other for looking longer than two seconds.

My point in all of this is it is time for us to build our community back up. Community being a group of people joined together for the purpose of achievement. We have to start setting the tone for our future children, and it starts with YOU. One person can make a difference, however it will take some hard work and dedication but I am personally up for the challenge.

Bad Credit Blues

Recession, Recession, Recession.....

Recession, Recession, Recession.....

People it's real and it' happening. Now that this is a reality, it's now time to get financially savvy. This is something that I have to constantly remind myself; those shoes that I absolutely have to have, I'll suck it up, wipe my tear and walk away. Maybe I should just cut out extra shopping all together.

Because of the recent Government bail out, you better believe that credit will be a major factor in making sure this economy survives. Credit scores are more important than ever. But don't get intimidated by this matter because there are many ways to start getting your financing together and building up your credit.

Number 1. Manage your monthly budget. See how much you spend on necessities and find out what extra you have and determine how much you can save and how much you can put towards paying of debt.

Number 2. Stop dodging bill collector and find out exactly how much you owe. Work out a plan that fits into your budget.

Number 3. Work out a monthly financial plan that will help you stay on track with your spending. Make a get out of debt goal for yourself. Give yourself a timeline for when you will be out of debt.

Be aware of debt consolidation scams by doing research on debt collectors.

It is time to pay attention to the miscellaneous seemingly small purchases because $5.00 can easily get to $50.00 and so on. Just because you have bad credit doesn't mean that your financially doomed for the rest of your life.

This is reality people and if you want to be prepared for the real world, your finances are going to have to be on track. Student loan will start calling you not even six months after you graduate.

This is definitely not meant to scare you. But to make you aware of the importance taking care of your finances.

A close mouth does not get fed

As we are bombarded with the “change” ticket, I wonder if people really believe in it. What is the purpose of this idea of “change” if no one believes in it? When did words like change, hope, peace and global warm (dare I say) become cliché.

People promote these words but use them loosely as things you tell your friends or relative when they are down and out. People just accept things the way they are. When did we become afraid to speak up?

It must have been after many great people who dared to speak that very scary word change. People like Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy; people who gave their lives speaking the very idea of change. Did they die in vein? They gave their lives so that in some way, the world or America, could change into a “real” democracy for everyone.

Maybe people don’t understand exactly what change means. Change is a very simple concept that begins in your thoughts. Most of the time it starts as a complaint. Then later, after it starts to bother you long enough, it becomes a problem. After a while the problem requires you to do something about it, which involves what…. CHANGE. Open your mouth.

My mom always told me “a close mouth does not get fed.” You can not complain if you do not do anything to change the situation. So many of you are fed up with things, or just want to do something different. Now is the time to speak up and say what you feel.