Bless(said)

Just to make sure...some of my post refer to being blessed. Read Psalms 32. It speaks (sings) about what it means to be blessed. And the passages speaks to God making you clean in his eyes and protecting you from the evils of the world. Being blessed doesn't mean that everything is going to be perfect, or that you will receive the world's definition of prosperity, life, or honor. But you will receive those in God's eyes with his definition.

Also, it doesn't mean God will always fix your situtaion so that you're not suffering anymore or going through, but it does mean that he will comfort you in those times.

But I didn't want people to think just because your heart is in God, you should receive material gifts (somewhat hinted at this in my last post). Rather God will bless you. Meaning he will protect you, comfort you, and take care of you. He does want you have be happy and "have things," but not based on the world's definitions.

So note that never in any of my posts and I concluding that worshiping God gives you material happiness. Rather worshiping God gives you spiritual gifts that sometimes manifest themselves into material things. But of course your reason for worship is not for the supposed outcome, but rather because He is who He is.

Even if I had nothing, and my situation was drastically different. I would still praise his name, and bare with anything He gave me cuz He never gives us more than we can bare, right? Also cuz He gives us everything we need to cope with any situation.

Completely understanding the ways of God, is sometimes impossible, but you can partially understand some things that will give you exactly what you need to continue. Plus it's not for us to know exaclty what He has planned for us. It's part of our belief (if you believe) that you trust.

So even if my homeownership situation doesn't pan out how I want it, I know that He will provide for me as long as I follow His plan.

CORRECTION: Prayer works as long as you're praying in accordance with His will.

....until my next upchuck session....,
-R

Prayer Works: Homeownership is near

So, this past weekend my sister and I went condo searching with my realtor and found a banging hot jawn. After reviewing it, my sister was like "we want it....put an offer down on that one." In my head I was like "we", nah but you know! On the train ride home I was praying that God have his way, and also that his way be this unit under my ownership.

Anyway after moms dukes and pops seen it, it was official I put in that offer, but check the process.

Initially I was going to put down an offer I was slightly uncomfortable with, but people convinced me that anything lower would be so unreasonable and almost immediately rejected. After talking to Mike B., my brotha, and then finally my moms best friend who owned and is selling a condo. I was confident that I would and should go lower to a number I was comfortable. Plus I assured my spirit that I was willing and ready to step away from this unit if things didn't work out (i.e. they wanted more $ than I was comfortable giving). And then right before I went to sleep, I wanted to research some more, and I found a similar unit in the same complex with the same amenitities and nice pics for a SIGNIFICANTLY low price. Even a little lower than mine. This made me feel even more comfortable with my figure. So after my parents visit, I signed away a number I was comforable with. (That unit priced lower, I found out had a deposit on it and was in the process of being sold, but still...). I prayed again that God have his way and that his way included this unit for my price or somewhere I could feel comfortable with.

And guess what after leaving my realtor, she and I both realized I forgot to give her the check to seal the offer. So I had to fax it to her when I got home....and then....my fax machine just wouldn't work (even after my pops using it fine yesterday). So I used my neighbors machine.

The next morning I get message from my realtor saying her fax machine wasn't working. STRANGE

And then another call during the evening, saying that my realtor sent the offer several times, but the agent she was sending it too, never received it.....And then the agent lost her cell phone....Yeah crazy

So this mornging my realtor suggested we hold off on the offer not just because of the EXTREMEMLY weird circumstances, but also because ANOTHER unit same complex, similar amenities, was newly listed. Lower price than the original one I put an offer down, but a little higher than my comfortable max. But the buying process is about negiotating. So pray for me on that one.

BTW: everytime my realtor contacted me, my heart stopped. And several times she called and the call dropped, so I was/am on edge kinda

But now we're going to see that new unit on Thursday. And put the offer on pause until I find out about this new unit.

So to put this in an eternal perspective and use an spiritual understanding to debrief this entire process, one should notice where GOD had his hand in this entire process all the way. What would've happened if I would have put down the first number that I was uncomfortable with, but advised to go with (I don't know). But I know after speaking to wise counsel with a similar spiritual understanding and divine perspective, I was reassured what God had intended for me was much different than what the world can define, constrain, or determine.

Through it all, I felt a very similar feeling like when man said I shouldn't apply to certain colleges, or that I should look to continue my higher education at york college, or even that I wouldn't get an internship or job with my previous GPA. Dag! God had my back on mad occassions if you look at it. He just be telling people to SHUTUP everytime they speak against his plan, silently, and less arroganly than shutup, but still He proves them wrong each time.

This is why I believe and why I seek righteousness and love, because I constantly find life, prosperity, and honor. I'm in an extremely BLESSED situation and will remain patience and in accordance to His will and plan. And trust me I am ssssssoooo anxious to reduce my 4hr/day commute. But I'm ready and willing to do what ever He says I gotta do. Even that means another month of this HORRIBLE, please don't let it be dad, commute. But I am ready.

You should try to notice points in your life where people told you otherwise from what your spirit told you. And for the future, pray that His will be done and follow ya heart (wow, so cliche), but really sometimes ya brain convinces ya heart to feel a certain way, so you really gotta listen closely. My spirit is speaking louder nowadays. And the more you're in tune to God's will, the louder your spirit will speak.

With that said pray works. If I listed all the things I prayed for and received yall would be slightly jealous, but remember...proverbs 21:21....pursue love and righteousness, and you'll get life, prosperity, and honor...and be blessed,
-Ray

Your Everday Superhero

So here goes the chucking...

For the past few weeks, I've been to travel 2hrs to work back and forth everyday. Actually it's been since July 16th, but who's counting. Anyway it's only been a few weeks that I've been observing that I am your everday superhero.

Wikipedia defines "A superhero [as a] fictional character 'of unprecedented, physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest.'" (which they quoted from the New York Court of Appeals. But this point here I'm emphasizing is the part "in the public interest." I like to think of that as their (superheroes) love for people (everybody).

I do that on a regular basis everyday. And I feel this is one of the best ways to combat the ills of society, stereotypes, and trials and tribulations of everday life. (Bare with me, I'm getting there)

So on three occassions I had a chance to show love to society on my travel to/from work and I only took advantage of two of them.

1. This woman was fighting her tears and crying on the shuttle train to Grand Central. I was about to approach her and simply extend a tissue and an opportunity to speak with someone, but after my 334 calculated hesitations, the train arrived at it's destination and our ways rapidly parted.

2. A woman walking in the Grand Central Terminal was speed walking like everyone else, while I was posted up talking on my phone about 10-15ft away (like I really know). She dropped a lot mail and keep going, as everyone behind her just walked over it and no one said anything. So when she came past me, I showed her what she dropped.

3. Walking up the subway stairs late night, another woman dropped a $20 bill about 5 steps ahead of me. I tripped up the stairs to get it....and then I returned it to her. (yeah, I know my previous self was screaming on the inside, lol chris, he locked in the cage for now)

These may just seem like Random Acts of Kindenss, right Jalyn? But I think of them as occassions where I can show love. Not a lot of times people, or blacks, or even black males show love. Why?

Maybe cuz it aint cool to love. It's cool to hate though, right?

Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.

This was verse I had written down in my personal notepad for some reason. But when I read it I immmediately thought about those 3 occurences and how my pursuit of love and righteousness could not only help me to find life, prospeirty, and honor, but also others.

As my family and I have meetings discussing politics or the state of black america, we also resolve to a point that there is something missing that was there in the 60s and not here. I believe that something stems from a mulititude of institutions and cultural norms, but the root of it from my perspective is that we are missing the love.

Not enough churches, families, fathers, mothers, neighbors, and even strangers love. So I'm committing myself to show and seek love and righteousness in my day to day. Surprisingly the more I look the more I find. Why? I think that really one can make the difference.

Because I bet you in those 2 occurences that I had, the women will probably remember that instance even if not remembering me, but simply remember someone cared at that moment to show love (or be nice).

So if you're looking for a real simple way of combating racisim, stereotypes of the young black male or any category for that matter, negativity, or simply opposition of any kind, just show love. Pursue Love and Righteousness and watch things turn around.

-Ray

P.S. Either this young cat is maturing and gettin wiser, or somebody else wrote this (probably his Brotha.....Jesus.....prolly a combination of both)

P.P.S. Batman is the best superhero ever, cuz he aint have super powers, but he was nasty! Plus he got OD'ed on mad young. Some people can relate to that. (not me though) And wolverine used to be my fav too. He just OD'ed on everybody, he aint care, there were no rules. The destroyer of worlds can relate to that...lol

NOTE: All of these occurannces just happen to deal with women by coincidence. No assumptions should be made here.

Blog Chucks

So I you probably as well, have noticed that I write on my blog about once a week. And then a lot at that one time per week. I'll try to be more consistent with my posts. With that said, here's another sessions of blogging madness.

-Ray

P.S. Why "Blog Chucks"? Cuz it's like throwing up (yeah bad image, but read on) a lot comes up at once, but its rare.

Eternal Perspective

The link in on this title is to a sermon that I read online (yeah weird huh) b/c I was searching for a little Christian advice on where to look in the bible for my next post. I actually already had a passage in mind, but I wanted to back it up with something a little more concrete.

AND OH BOY DID I HIT THE JACKPOT!

This sermon was very very necessary. I HIGHLY suggest, no matter how stressful/congested your day is take the 10mins to read it (it took me 20min, I'm such a slow reader). But on to the post....

Have you ever thought you could learn something Christ-like from corporate america? Yeah, me neither, but I kind of did. It was weird (ok, God is everywhere so why is this weird that he's at my job, idk, is he at your job?). But prior to a meeting with my boss, I thought I was on the road to doing it big. I was in charge of my on web project, developing features that were requested, but not expected, and cleaning up the code. I was kind of ready to tell my boss all the wonderful things I was doing and going to wait for him to congratulate me and give me that proverbial pat on the back..........but that didn't happen of course. The mtg ended up being one that allowed me to see that I was only touching the state that is in the same body of water as the TIP of the iceberg (yeah I was real far from the bigger picture). After I sat done I realized that I had siloed myself into my project, my work, my progress and forgot about the larger machine that's generated cash flows around me.

This alluded to my shortsighted perspective (geez, its bad enough I gotta where contacts, plus they extra-strength, so u know i'm blind). But even more it made me think of the even bigger picture beyong my business stream, my job, my company, even corp. america. It made me think of my eternal perspective.

The day before I was reading the passage about Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well with the many "husbands."Jesus was on his way to Galilee and had to pass through Samaria. Homeboy stopped real quick for a drink, and then got "side-tracked" into talking to this girl and saving mad Samaritans.

Now Jesus was on a mission before he got to Samaria, but he dropped his plans and started on his eternal mission. It's not that odd when you read it the way I wrote it, but if you read the passage, it seems like Jesus just be talking to any 'ole body and don't never get nowhere "on time."

But the point is his perspective. He's not looking at the little matters at hand (i.e. going to Galilee to clarify some rumors) but focusing on God's perspective (saving lives).

After I read that sermon, this all was way too clear. I started thinking how does my day to day really fall into the bigger picture. I still don't have an answer for that, but I'm thinking in realtion to my previous post about community programs, I'm headed in the right direction.

Even more so, this blog. The initial purpose of this blog was for me to get on my Jesus game and couple personal posts with biblical teachings/experiences that I've learned and had. So with in that respect, I really really really encourage you to read that sermon. I can't give you everything he said, but I'll summarize just to wet your taste.

The sermon focuses on the Beattitudes, (principles or characteristics [if you will....is that annoyin Maisha] on how every Christian should be/live). It highlights the importance of maintaing a divine perspective throughout ur day to day in order to keep your joy.

Without a divine perspective in my circumstances, I'll lose the ability to walk in trust and obedience.

And it outlined the three basic things that attack your joy: circumstance, people, and things/status.

And it also had this ill definition (if you will) of being "blessed."

The blessedness spoken of by Jesus implies an inner satisfaction, joy and sufficiency that doesn't depend on outward circumstances for happiness. What Jesus meant by 'blessed' didn't have anything to do with the external things of life.

Through all of this I am in no position to tell people to keep ya head up, cuz I got it way too good to say that and make it effective. Instead I'll encourage you to maintain an eternal perspective...

...if you're not at the right job you want (eZ)
...if you're having troubles with recent move (Kez)
...or if you're tired of doing your day to day w/o knowing it's true purpose (J-r-uh)

I know yall aint stressed that hard, but just keep this message in mind and "pay it forward."


if God could Bless you like he does that who are persecuted, would you want it....that means people will hate you, though....you still want it?
-R


p.s. what does it mean to be "poor in spirit" (Matt 5)

Why Black Male Exploration?

So here's that post I've been talking about that will explain what community service program I'm thinking of developing for young black males.

Black Male Exploration (tentative name)

Focused on the pre-adolescent through adolsecent years (11-19yrs) of young black men, I think a structured initiative can really positively affect young cats. Cuz I feel a large part of your life is really determined by your foundation as an adolescent growing up.

So If I could create a program that builds that foundation strong then the sky is the limit right?

So now the description....The dream....

Two groups of 5-10 young black males (11-19yrs) . Mentoring each other, working together to make a movie, exploring career options, and real talk sessionsand introducing faith (namely Jesus the Christ). I think if 15yr olds are mentoring 11yr olds, then they will think of themselves as leaders before they hit college, cuz not everyone has that leadership mentality simply because they were never exposed to it. And I'd have them working on making a movie, because its a good long term project that everyone can enjoy and participate it. Plus its something students can walk away with. Exploring careers because in my junior high doctors and firefighters came to the school to talk about their jobs. So everyone thought (subconcisouly) you had two career choices. But my pops exposed me to other options and had me meet people who were scientists, lawyers, social workers, etc. Basically he let my mind expand and wander to the world of possibilities by giving me somewhat of a launch pad for my young career aspirations. Hence when I was in 5th grade I wanted to be an "insectorologist," which I later discovered was called an entomologist. But that's in the 5th grade, when all my other friends wanted to be ballers and ll cool j and puff daddy (yeah that was the mid 1990s...lol i'm not even that old to say that).

Expanding on that idea ask yourself when you heard of the stock market. Or when you thought a businessman was actually something people did could become. Cuz I aint learn that in school, my pops had to school me when i was dumb young and dumb.

Our white counterparts are exposed to this because their dads, uncles, moms, aunts, are business people, investors, owners, etc.

[Pic: the man that started it all]

Why do we as young blacks think it's too early for us to be investing? Or learning about the stock market. Not saying that should be everyone's dream, but b/c we weren't exposed to it at an early age, we haven't given it enough time to mature in our minds and actually generate creative thoughts and questions around the subject.

EXAMPLE: For my graduation, my parents gave me money. Straight cash. Anyway, my other white friend (who shall remain nameless...lol) got STOCKS for graduation.

Now if that's not exposure I don't know what is.

Do you ever have that convo wit ya pops (if he's still there) when he sits you on his knee and says "son, let me teach you a little something about this thing called the economy, or the stock market, or ownership, or why when you're 21 you will take over my business and be way better off than you're minority counterparts"?

Answer No? Me too.

But this program will address that. Plus having real talk sessions for young brothas to question the norms....cuz really that's the age when you're introduced to stuff and you don't know why it is that way but it is and you either accept it, join it, or question it.

Tha's when gangs, girls, fast doe, and drugs are dropped into your world. That's how crazy things are when you don't question thangs....(damn this post is gettin long)

But one more, in my ad years my pops started this "Rites of passage group" at my school wit like 15 cats to discuss matters like this and so that young black kids can see olda black men doin somethin wit their lives. I aint think nothing of it at the time, just like the fortunate white kids who just inherit wealth and think nothing of it.

So with that said, after i get my crib and finally settle in. I'ma talk to my pastor about starting this program. If yall got any ideas please let me know.

This is the program that I want to fuel wit that paper millionaire status and have it become something like an institute where cats be braggin about graduating 2021 from the Black Male Exploration Institute (or something like that)


better than pipedreams, huh,


-R, to be a visionary you needa at least see what's out there

My plan or His plan

I was thinking about that paper millioniare stuff and I was questioned to what avail? to whose glory? why you wanna get bread so fast? And I thought, the reason I want this dough so bad, and so soon is because I plan to use the funds to fuel this ill ill idea I had for a young black male program. As yall know, I'm deeply connected to my community and its type weird cuz so wat pops.

Both moms and pops are social workers, so I got that community-focused mindset at heart. But also cuz both are very pro-black, uplifting the community-type peoples, it obviously carried over to me. When I came across the idea for this male program, I thought I was a genius. It was mid summer (early July) before I started work. I explained the idea to my pops mad excited and goin off on tangents like I do in the blog but worse of course cause ADD is always worse in person (there are visual distractions). But he was laughin the whole time while I was explaining, and I aint think that was funny. But after I finished he asked if I came up with that on my own. Cuz he did that....He did just that at my church when i was dumb young....too young to be involved or even remember obviously.

But he got the documentation and write-ups and everything. So I'ma use his knowledgebase/experience to perfect mine, which is slighly different, but very similar.


Want to know what it is...(check the next post)

P.S. check the pics....lol...yeah i know...but forreal its little opportunities similar to this that positively affect our youth, forreal though, how do you know you can do something if you never seen someone else do it and you can't fathom it.

P.P.S. fat shout to queens dude defyin stereotypes and stats (J-holla! EzMac!! [lol memeber that] double g you a migrated native,but a native nonetheless, you too Val )

Paper Millioniare by 29yrs

For real though, what does it take to become a paper millionaire by 29. Cuz I've been thinking about it for the last several days, not writing on my blog and annoying my fam and friends with in-depth plans and analysis of financial markets and real estate.

Paper Millionaire (n.) - someone who has as net worth of $1M or more, but not necessarily income of $1M. Net Worth = (Assets - Liabilities)

So instead of just bothering the select few people who I could get my hands on, I shall post to the universe....yes that's right, b/c the universe reads my blog.

Here's the plan (w/o b-school):

• 22yrs old - Secure a Home (condo...sometime in Oct. watch out for that post)25yrs old - Paygrade promotions to secure another Home (rent that one out)
  

• 28yrs old - Open a franchised business29yrs old - networth of $1M


• 32yrs old - partner wit Vince's prick self to make it 2 mil

Pipedreams or real plan? Everybody had street dreams of being a rapper for dumb long and maybe a ball player, why can't I dream of caking outta control. Plus I have the ill money management techniques that I'm developing with real estate (i.e. pay down that loan asap!).

Strategies:

1. 10% post tax minimum tithe


2. 10% pre tax to savings/retirement


3. Credit Card Bills always paid in full


4. Adding extra monies to principal of loan

Do these things and you might cake too. If you have any other legit AND legal ideas hit up the comment section.

But why do this...(check the next post)

Old Endings....New Beginnings

Yeah so I like these cliche titles. They make me feel like my blog is some kind of movie where people actually watch it to the end and wonder how the hell do people get paid to write this corny material....

But this post is about of Bayside H.S. (seen in pic). Ok not really but it's more about my old English Teacher from Bayside. I actually called her, b/c she was one of the free teachers who told me to actually try to get into a good school and said shooting for York College was a let down for her (no offense to Yorkies, just not my style).

Anyway, after I called her she was so excited to hear from me, she took me, moms dukes, and pops out to dinner (on her dime) at a nice Italian joint. My sister woulda came but she was acting up....ok, nah she was busy, but for yall who know her know there is some truth in jest.

Again, anway, so this teacher over the course of dinner really made me realize how lucky I was growing up to have the upbringing that I did (clearly God's work). And it made me think about all the other young males who don't have the same opportunities and what is my role is changing that.....hence my next several posts.

P.S. Vince, Chris....I heard my english teacher say "maya copa" so it is a real phrase...therefore you all are stupid

Dear Blog,

So I'm reading Colossians on the LI-double today and I decided I should do my next blog post as a letter, because in the new Testament Paul and a lot of other apostles wrote letters to mad different people. So will I....

Hello Blog! (call me wack again Hali and I send you a virus during add/drop)

So I'm happy since yesterday because God has blessed me with the desire to learn at all times. At first I wasn't really using this thirst for knolwedge to acquire the "right" kind of wisdom (Godly), but now I'm doing both. Well, I never told you the first. I have a tendency to search/find anything that sparks my interest until I find it no matter how long it takes (ask Mike B.)

So now I apply this thirst to reading the BI during my train ride in the morning...yes I got time on my hands right wit that 2hr commute...oh that's one way btw...so total 4hrs/day that's 20hrs/week....wow I'll die at 35 at this rate....ok back to the point

Anyway reason I'm so giddy and how this all ties in together (I hope) is that yesterday or last night for that matter, NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) gave me some unfortunate news. I was applying for their mortgage program. Yes Homeownership! But after diligent work by my counselor and extensive documentation on my part (sent at least 10 50-60pg faxes over the course of 2wks) they said we need to see more work history.....DAMN!!!....why are they hatin ona brotha tryna get a crib for real...but my inquisitive nature lead me to another BETTER program.....QUICKEN LOANS.....more info and post coming soon




Sincerely,


YOUR MOM!! (ok that was for Mike B.......THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID....ok I really needa stop......)



P.S. Why do I have a pic of Marvel's Colossus in my post.....they're not related are they....I'm really crazy though don't test me (ask them fools on the train when they see me grillin 'em on the E!!)

The Car, the Man, and His Dad

Can my love for bimmer's be similar to the idolatry that God warns us against?

For real though, I like me's a bimmer! Why can't a brotha become successful and have a nice car? i don't want a Porsche or a jag, simply a 3-series till I've graduated to a 7.

I feel as though it doesn't force to act irrationally or cause me to indulge in unnecessary spending. Because, come on yall, do yall really think I'd get one if I couldn't afford it? I'm frugal's father. But I am interested to know from a Christ-like perspective what are the general feelings about materialism/consumerism and God.

Paul says greed, lust, and evil desires are idolatry in his "Rules for Holy Living" found in the book of Colossians 3:5.

Read that chapter, or even the book for that matter it's short before answering....Am I tryna stunt too early? What if its within my means (sorta)?

Very First Post

Hello World!

This is my very first post to my long awaited blog. Yes, if you really know me, you'd know that I'm not this kind of person. But I decided to fuse two of my favorite things together {Jesus & Technology}.

So special thanks to Jesus C. & Mike B. for inspiring me to do this. Well actually, Mike just happened to be on the phone when I thought of this creative idea. But he definitely endorsed it 100%. So fat shout to my Singaporean brotha.

-Ray