TGIF - YOUR GRIND, YOUR VISION

“DON’T EXPECT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR GRIND, WHEN GOD DIDN’T GIVE THEM YOUR VISION”

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work" (Jer. 1:5).

We all have different goals and dreams, which have been blessed upon us by God. Visions in which, God didn’t intend anyone else to foresee. A lot of people won’t understand your grind, your passion, or the work that you put into something, because it is not their goal/dream. It is solely for your own purpose; to fulfill God’s plan for you.

With this you might encounter criticism, people talking negative about you, or saying you have changed. All this is a good thing. Remember Jesus had many disapprovers and haters. However, He also had people that believed in Him, and was by His side to help Him carry out His purpose because God gave them understanding as well.

So, never give up on what you are doing. When God gives you a vision, “be strong and courageous” like he told Jeremiah, like he told Gideon, like he told Moses, like he told Joshua, like David told Solomon. Some people may never understand your passion because they just might not be on the same wavelength as you, and that is okay. Do not get discouraged. God made everyone different and unique. Therefore, He gave them a passion of their own. God gives different passions so that everything He wants done in the world will get done. Therefore, you should not expect everyone else to be passionate about your passion. Instead, listen and value each other’s life message because nobody can say it all. Most of all, if you believe in yourself, and in God’s purpose for you in life, that’s all that matters.

"God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do" (Col. 3:23-24; Matt. 25:34)

Peace Grace and Blessings

T.C.

TGIF - “Keep Them Squares Up Out Your Circle”

“If your best friends are the first people you contact to get drunk and go out, but NOT among the first people you contact when you need prayer warriors, then you need New Best Friends”

Our lives are drastically influenced by the friends we have and the company we keep. Friends hold, unconsciously and consciously, a significant amount of influence in the decisions we make throughout our lives. Along with family, friends can shape our behaviors, how we act, and sometimes what we believe. Some can have good influences on us whereas others can affect our lives in the wrong way. This is why the friends you keep are just as important and the people you do not hang around with.

Having friends who do not have the same beliefs, as you can be dangerous in your growth as a Christian. We are cautioned numerous times to steer clear of “friends” who may lead us astray. The Bible says, “Don’t be deceived: bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33), and “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). We are not to associate with people who entice us to do wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” may seem to be. By entertaining individuals who are bad company, you are risking the chance of picking up their negative qualities and habits. Those who “rush to sin” should be avoided. The old phrase “if you hang with dogs, you will catch fleas” is very accurate.

Some tend to argue that instead of unrighteous friends bringing them down, they are helping their unrighteous companions up. While in some cases this kind of relationship does workout, I warn that it is much harder to pull someone deep in sin up, than it is for them to bring you down. Imagine standing in a chair and trying to bring someone up to your level. It is easier for them to pull you down to the ground than it is for you to pull them up. They have the force of the floor helping them. That is the struggle we face. More than likely, you have struggled with sin longer than you have been saved. If you are not rock solid in your faith and beliefs, it is hard to go against someone with years of expertise and practice in sin. They have the sturdiness of the ground (years of experience with sin) to help pull you down. In order to pull someone up, make sure your chair, a.k.a your faith, is bolted to the ground and cannot be shaken.

Having true friends are vital to our growth and maturity as Christians. All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Friends share our burdens, share our joys, counsel us, and are our confidants. As Rick Warren once stated, “You need more than the bible to grow, you need other believers. We grow faster and stronger by learning from each other and being accountable to each other” (The Purpose Driven Life). God made humans relational beings. Not only does He want us to be in a relationship with Him, He wants us to have true relationships with other believers. We all need sincere friends to help us get through this perplexed world. So begin to think about the people in your life, and get your team in order. Surround yourself with people that will help you to your destiny, not hinder it. Surround yourself with Kingdom People! “Keep Them Squares Up Out Your Circle”

As you choose your inner circle I leave you with Romans 15:5 – “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”

Peace, Grace, and Blessings

T.C.

My "9 to 5" Daily Grind

Ephesians 1:18 - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.

Coming out of college, I knew I wanted to work in sports but I DID NOT want a desk job. After completing several desk job internships, I knew a 9 to 5, suit and tie,  was not the move for my life at this current time. Therefore, that left only two other options: graduate school or professional basketball. To some the choice would have been obvious, but as I explained in my previous posts, the decision to play professional basketball was not that simple and easy for me. Yet I, or I should say God, chose the latter for me and I am overjoyed that He did. There is no other job out there that suits my talents, my gifts, and my personality any better. All the more, it is fulfilling God’s purpose and plan for my life. Bible says, "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." - Proverbs 16:3. Therefore, my job does not get any better. Let me tell you about my job…

As many already know, I am currently playing professionally basketball in the beautiful country of France. That is the first perk of my job. I am seeing another part of the world for FREE. One of the items on my bucket list was to travel the world and visit as many places as I could. By playing in France, I have been granted the unique opportunity to visit the whole country for free, and granted the ability to travel to other countries on my weekends off. They are literally just a train ride away! I am actually taking my first leisure trip this weekend! Post about that will definitely follow!

Another great aspect about my job is that I work nowhere near a 9 to 5 schedule. My workdays are literally two to four hours long, and if they are as long as four, believe they are not consecutive. Let me take you through a typical “workday” for me:

On a four-hour workday, my day would begin at 10:30am with weight training (yes I sleep in every day!). This usually lasts about an hour. After weight my team and I would go into our gymnasium and “free shoot” for 20-30 minutes. When we are through with shooting, it is recovery time. We are free and have no obligations until 6pm when we evening practice. This is when we get all of our running in. This practice is usually an hour and a half  (two hours if we are just doing terrible). Then, I am done for the day. On the days when I work only two hours, it is because I do not have weight training that day! I literally cannot complain about the hours I “work.”

Lastly, the best thing about my job is that I get to stay in shape (and by in shape I mean eat a lot of Oreos and not worry because I will run it off in practice and at games J). No gym membership needed! I have a job that allows me to travel, work very short hours, and keep me fit and healthy. I am literally getting “paid to play.” It does not get any better. And to think, I almost passed up on this opportunity. What was I thinking??? I am truly blessed. Thank you God for being my Guide and steering me in the right direction. May Your will be done. Amen!

Peace, Grace, and Blessing
T.C.