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. 

TGIF - I Am Second... Let Me Tell You About Who Is First

I Am Second... Let Me Tell You About Who Is First

Inspired by the “I am Second” movement and Jeff Jones

Song: Background - Lecrae

I’ve never met anybody who, in describing Jesus says He’s a bad guy. Everybody that I know believes that Jesus was a wonderful person, a great teacher, a great philosopher. But when you actually look at who He said He was, when you read books like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He claimed to be much more than a great teacher, or great leader or great compassionate person. He claimed to be God Himself. Who looked down from Heaven above, stood up from His glorious throne where He was being praised and living the GREAT life, and said “Excuse Me, My children need Me.” Who then came to this planet, took on flesh to live among people just like you and me with all of our hurt, suffering and sin. He did this because the Bible says first of all that He wanted to “identify” with us. He wanted to know what it was like to be us, to live in the world, to be relatable. And then He came to suffer and die on the cross for our sins to take the punishment that you and I Deserve. “When you ever heard about a hero dying for the villains?” – Andy Mineo…We should have died 1,000 deaths for our sins, but He died so that WE could Live. He SAVED us…So when you think about who Jesus is, He didn’t come to be just a great man. He came to make it possible for us to know God.

That is who is First. Therefore, everything you do in life should be for Him; to please Him, to serve Him, to make Him happy. Everything. Because EVERYTHING He did, was for You.
#IAmSecond
#LiveSecond

TGIF – Finding Your Purpose

TGIF – Finding Your Purpose
(Lesson inspired from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren)
Song Recommendation: Identity - Lecrae

 “Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” – Colossians 1:16 Your life is not about you. You were born by His purpose for His purpose. We always ask self-centered questions like: What do I want to be, what should I do with my life? However, focusing on yourself will never reveal your life’s purpose. “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.” – Job 12:10. You did not create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for. The only way to figure that out is to ask God. Always remember, you were made by God, for God. Only through Him will you discover the meaning and purpose of your life. The easiest way to figure out how an invention works is to ask the creator! The same is true for your life purpose: Ask God. Try to figure it out yourself, you will always end up at a dead end. “It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for...”- Ephesians 1:11 In order to find out your purpose, have a relationship with Jesus Christ and ask Him.

Peace Grace and Blessings

THE BEGINNING

Bonjour a France! I apologize so much for the delay of my post. I have been here a little over a week and have been STRUGGLING without Wi-Fi! But it is finally up and running. Therefore, post will now be coming more frequently!

To begin, I want to thank everyone who has kept me in their prayers. Your prayers are deeply appreciated and I want to let you know God has definitely been blessing me and keeping me tightly under His arms.

Well, after 12 hours in airports and on planes, I finally arrived in Calais, France. I flew into Brussels, Belgium and had to drive an hour and a half to reach my new home, and I must say this city is beautiful. I am right on the coastline. The beach is only twenty minutes from my apartment (or “flat” as they call it here in France). You can pretty much see London from here (not really LoL), but London is only a 30 minutes ferry ride or 30 minute train-ride away. As stated before, Brussels is only an hour and half, Amsterdam is about 2 ½ hours away, and Paris is 3 ½ hours away. I am residing in the BEST location to go exploring around Europe. I am not complaining at all. On days off I WILL be about that traveling life! However, the best feature of this city is that they have a HUGE mall with a giant H&M! :-D

After a week of being here I can honestly say I love my teammates!!! They are incredible. From day one they have been nothing but extremely nice and welcoming. They have embraced me with open arms. Best part, THEY UNDERSTAND ENGLISH thank you Jesus!!! You do not know how much of a help that really is. My French is pretty much nonexistent so them understanding English is definitely helping us bond and become closer. We have already, voluntarily, been to a basketball game together and out to eat together. Also, they are enjoying teaching me French and I am enjoying learning. They are truly God-sent because they have made this transition to France as easy as it can get! I do not feel out of place, or alone amongst a crowd at all.

Practices are definitely different than back in America for sure. First, difference and the most important is that my coach coaches in French! Like I said before, thank you Jesus for my English speaking teammates. It is literally like the movie Love and Basketball, where one of my teammates is translating everything he is saying for me. It is quite funny because is literally sounds like gibberish to me when he speaks. Even though I do know enough French to get me by, all I understand in practice is my name, and “ball,” and “pass.”

Second difference is that basketball is now my full-time job. I am no longer going to class and then going to practice. Instead, I am just practicing twice a day for an hour and half to two hours. I have one practice in the morning and one in the early evening. It is definitely tiring and my legs are currently struggling already. Also, since they do not believe in ice baths here, or ice at all for that matter, I definitely had to invest in some freezer icepacks and find a spa that does deep tissue sports massages (which I have found! Calais is awesome!!! J) Yes Vanderbilt spoiled me with the massages we use to get J. I have to take of my body. *shoulder shrug* Overseas is a long season! We have 11 games in the month of September alone! Realize that is almost half a season in college! And realize my season ends in May here!

All in all, so far, I could not have asked for a better situation. There is NOTHING I can complain about. My coach and my team speaks English, my teammates are lovely, my apartment is brand new and amazing, Calais is a beautiful city in a prime location, it has American food, and it has two malls in which I can do work in! My situation could have been drastically different, but Jesus made sure I was in the best situation, for me, that I would be able to fulfill His purpose. I am truly blessed and highly favored. I would not be here today, in this beautiful city, without Jesus and His grace. I am so grateful God has ordered my steps to be here, at this point in time. All praise goes to Him!

Peace Grace and Blessings
T.C.