July 30, 2008
July 22, 2008
Writing for a Purpose: The Life Lessons Writing Project
Over the years, I have found great comfort in the art of writing. As a matter of fact, writing poetry and short stories have become two of my favorite pastimes. Although I hope one day to enjoy the leisure of writing full-time, I currently enjoy no such pleasure. I split my time working as (1) an adult literacy instructor at several Baltimore-based adult education programs; (2) a consultant for several for profit and non-profit organizations; (3) a writer/editor at a new Internet-based printing company; and (4) a volunteer with two nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore metropolitan area. To say the least, I am a woman with many hats. Still, I must confess that I am probably one of a few people on this planet who actually love her work. I enjoy helping people discover and use the gifts that God has given them.
In August 2008, I will have an awesome opportunity to collaborate with A Step Forward, Inc., Soulcial Solutions, Inc., and TAKE ACTION! Publishing to help participants in a local substance abuse recovery program share their life lessons through writing. For 10 weeks, participants in A Step Forward, Inc. will learn a variety of writing skills, including techniques for writing poetry and creative essays. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to submit at least one of their writings for publication in an anthology for A Step Forward, Inc.
I am extremely excited about the Life Lessons Writing Project because it has the potential to not only help people transcend their pain into healing, but it provides a constructive outlet for those in recovery to help others break loose from the chains of substance abuse. This project could benefit greatly from your support; it is in need of the following supply donations:
● 45 composition notebooks ● Computer paper ● An easel
● Boxes of pens ● Boxes of pencils ● Flip chart paper
● 10 – 15 dictionaries ● 10 – 15 thesauruses ● Stapler/Staples
● 10 – 15 USB flash drives ● Bags of glue sticks ● Colored Pens
● 45 sheets of oversized poster board paper (any color)
● magazines with pictures that depict people of color in positive ways
If you are able to donate any of the supplies listed above, please contact Lela Campbell of A Step Forward, Inc. at 410-462-6001.
To learn more about the Life Lessons Writing Project, visit www.takeactionpublishing.com.
In August 2008, I will have an awesome opportunity to collaborate with A Step Forward, Inc., Soulcial Solutions, Inc., and TAKE ACTION! Publishing to help participants in a local substance abuse recovery program share their life lessons through writing. For 10 weeks, participants in A Step Forward, Inc. will learn a variety of writing skills, including techniques for writing poetry and creative essays. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to submit at least one of their writings for publication in an anthology for A Step Forward, Inc.
I am extremely excited about the Life Lessons Writing Project because it has the potential to not only help people transcend their pain into healing, but it provides a constructive outlet for those in recovery to help others break loose from the chains of substance abuse. This project could benefit greatly from your support; it is in need of the following supply donations:
● 45 composition notebooks ● Computer paper ● An easel
● Boxes of pens ● Boxes of pencils ● Flip chart paper
● 10 – 15 dictionaries ● 10 – 15 thesauruses ● Stapler/Staples
● 10 – 15 USB flash drives ● Bags of glue sticks ● Colored Pens
● 45 sheets of oversized poster board paper (any color)
● magazines with pictures that depict people of color in positive ways
If you are able to donate any of the supplies listed above, please contact Lela Campbell of A Step Forward, Inc. at 410-462-6001.
To learn more about the Life Lessons Writing Project, visit www.takeactionpublishing.com.
July 18, 2008
No Hidden Agendas
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (MSG)
"God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."
Whether witnessing to the lost or ministering to the saved, we are encouraged by Paul’s example to …
a) Recognize our responsibility for the Gospel (vs. 4a).
b) Please God at all times (vs. 4b).
c) Speak with sincerity (vs. 5).
d) Be gentle like a nursing mother (vs. 7).
e) Care about people (vs. 8a)
f) Share our lives with others (vs. 8b).
g) Not sponge off others (vs. 9).
h) Behave like Christians (vs. 10).
i) Exhort, encourage, and implore like a father (vs. 11).
j) Help others walk in a manner worthy of God (vs. 12).
Source: Day 4: Caring Contacts: Living As Christ’s Disciple (http://www.theraponuniversity.org/dm1/dm1.14_day4.html)
"God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."
Whether witnessing to the lost or ministering to the saved, we are encouraged by Paul’s example to …
a) Recognize our responsibility for the Gospel (vs. 4a).
b) Please God at all times (vs. 4b).
c) Speak with sincerity (vs. 5).
d) Be gentle like a nursing mother (vs. 7).
e) Care about people (vs. 8a)
f) Share our lives with others (vs. 8b).
g) Not sponge off others (vs. 9).
h) Behave like Christians (vs. 10).
i) Exhort, encourage, and implore like a father (vs. 11).
j) Help others walk in a manner worthy of God (vs. 12).
Source: Day 4: Caring Contacts: Living As Christ’s Disciple (http://www.theraponuniversity.org/dm1/dm1.14_day4.html)
July 10, 2008
A Soldier's Prayer
SOLDIER’S PRAYER
By Dead Prez
I WILL STAY TRUE TO MY SELF.
I WILL ALWAYS BE LOYAL TO THOSE WHO ARE LOYAL TO ME.
I WILL ALWAYS DEMAND RESPECT AND GIVE RESPECT.
I WILL PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY AND RAISE MY CHILDREN TO LOVE THEMSELVES, AND BE INDEPENDENT, HONEST, AMBITIOUS, AND TRUSTWORTHY.
I WILL SACRIFICE MY PLEASURE FOR MY PURPOSE.
STRUGGLE BUILDS CHARACTER.
I’M NEVER IGNORANT.
I’M GETTING GOALS ACCOMPLISHED.
I WILL TAKE CARE OF MY BODY AND STAY PHYSICALLY FIT.
I WILL TRAIN TO PROTECT MY SELF AND THE ONES I LOVE.
I WILL CONQUER MY WEAKNESSES.
I WILL FACE MY FEARS.
I WILL LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES.
I WILL STAY HUMBLE.
I GIVE THANKS FOR WAKING UP THIS MORNING.
I’M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.
MAY THE ANCESTORS WALK WITH ME.
ASHE.
By Dead Prez
I WILL STAY TRUE TO MY SELF.
I WILL ALWAYS BE LOYAL TO THOSE WHO ARE LOYAL TO ME.
I WILL ALWAYS DEMAND RESPECT AND GIVE RESPECT.
I WILL PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY AND RAISE MY CHILDREN TO LOVE THEMSELVES, AND BE INDEPENDENT, HONEST, AMBITIOUS, AND TRUSTWORTHY.
I WILL SACRIFICE MY PLEASURE FOR MY PURPOSE.
STRUGGLE BUILDS CHARACTER.
I’M NEVER IGNORANT.
I’M GETTING GOALS ACCOMPLISHED.
I WILL TAKE CARE OF MY BODY AND STAY PHYSICALLY FIT.
I WILL TRAIN TO PROTECT MY SELF AND THE ONES I LOVE.
I WILL CONQUER MY WEAKNESSES.
I WILL FACE MY FEARS.
I WILL LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES.
I WILL STAY HUMBLE.
I GIVE THANKS FOR WAKING UP THIS MORNING.
I’M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.
MAY THE ANCESTORS WALK WITH ME.
ASHE.
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