I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days

to allow my living to open me,

to make me me less afraid,

more accessible,

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch,

a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom goes on as fruit.

--Dawn Markova

AWESOME GOD!

*This video was shared by music3000videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFmODZ8KS9s&feature=related*

I Represent Jesus Christ by P4CM

*The video above was posted by justinjcox at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lotq8aOhA9s&feature=related*

Wisdom from Brother Moore

*This video was shared by BrotherMoore1 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PBs25G6RN4*

Something About a Christian Woman

*This video was shared by carpediem247365 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29ByYfsBzC0. Spoken Word by Sacramento-based Terry Moore*

The Last Lecture: Randy Pausch/Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

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.

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)

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.

A Poem for Father's Day!

Come Home Black Man

Come home Black man…
You who are searching for truth only to find recycled lies.

Come home Black man...
You who are struggling for release only to be burdened down by the strain of life.

Come home Black man...
You whose cynicism and doubt have bankrupt your faith.

Come home Black man...
You who are brokenhearted, disrespected, and devalued.

Come home Black man...
You who have abandoned your destiny and surrendered to an erroneous fate.

Come home to true love – pure, warm, and complete.
Come home to the everlasting gleam of divine light.
Come home to the ultimate sage and the greatest of all mysteries.
Come home to the grace of forgiveness and true liberation.

Come home Black man...
Come Home!

God is waiting patiently for your triumphant return.


Lynn Pinder © November 2007

Against the Odds!

They said he wouldn't make it.

They said his campaign wouldn't amount to anything.

They said the political machine wouldn't let it happen.

They said America was not ready for him.

They said it was impossible for him to win.

Yet, against the odds -

Barack Obama has become the first African-American, Democratic Presidential candidate and has proved that with God ALL things are possible!

CALL TO ACTION: We Can't Let Our Young People Starve

Dear Friends,

As I watched the news last night, I was moved by the actions of a group of young people from Baltimore who launched a hunger strike as a last effort to force the City of Baltimore to provide $3 million dollars in support of a youth initiative that would employ older youth in Baltimore to tutor young children. These young warriors – the epitome of youth development - are dynamic, articulate, and engaged in a righteous fight for justice. Their actions and behavior are in direct contrast to another group of older youth who also made the news last night for their viscous attack against a young barbering student last week.

As I sat watching the two stories, the urgency in the demands of the young people participating in the hunger strike pulled my heart strings as did the response of our City leaders. I heard the following comments from our City leaders: “The money has been allocated. We don’t have $3 million dollars. We’re willing to work with the young people if they will compromise.” And I wondered why should our young people have to compromise? These young people are our leaders today. Why can’t we – the adults – figure out a way to invest in them?

Although the City of Baltimore may not have the funds to support another youth initiative, it has access to wealthy business partners who might contribute financial support if they were asked. Corporations, production companies, developers, and investors - like the Ritz-Carlton, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc., the Marriott, Constellation Energy, the producers of the WIRE, and HBO - could easily write-off the expense of another youth initiative in Baltimore without it ever having to be a burden on the City’s “rainy day” budget. If one were to do the math, only 20 corporations, production companies, businesses, developers, foundations, and investors would need to contribute $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people on the hunger strike. A sponsorship of $150,000 by 20 corporations, businesses, developers, and investors could easily turn into a win-win situation and an awesome long-term investment for everyone in this city.

As Baltimore transcends into a city of renaissance, its leaders must think outside the box in terms of supporting a variety of viable initiatives to provide positive youth development for the older youth and children of this City. We need to ask our City leaders to rethink their response to these young people. I hope you will join me in taking the following actions in their support:

1. Email and/or call City Council members (the email addresses are above/telephone number is 410-396-3100). Ask City Council to find 20 corporations, production companies, businesses, developers, foundations and/or investors doing business in Baltimore to invest $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people of Peer to Peer Youth Enterprises;
2. Email and/or call the Mayor’s office (the email address is above/telephone number is 410-396-3100). Ask Mayor Dixon to work with the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Partnership, other quasi-governmental agencies, and commercial partners to invest $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people of Peer to Peer Youth Enterprises;
3. Forward this email to at least five other people. Ask family, friends, and colleagues to email and/or call City Hall and to forward this email to at least five other people.
4. Pray. Pray that we, adults, step up and take more responsibility for taking action to alter the educational and economic realities of the young people in this City.. Pray for the health and safety of our young people. Pray for more economic and educational opportunities for the parents and caregivers of the youth of this City.
   

We all have a responsibility for enhancing the lives of children and youth in Baltimore. These young people who are participating in this hunger strike have organized and come together with an impressive plan. They deserve to have nourishment for their bodies, minds, and spirits. Let us adults - come together and fulfill our obligation to them.

Sincerely,

Lynn Pinder
http://www.thetakeactionnetwork.com/
http://psalmsofthedaughter.com/


(The pictures above were copied from http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.protest31may31,0,5185493.story and http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.protest31p120080531053544,0,3884865.photo. These young people are not affiliated with The TAKE ACTION! Network)

Join Dr. Myles Munroe for LEAD SUMMIT 2008 at Restoring Life International Church (www.restoringlife.org) located 401 Reisterstown Road (21208) on Friday, May 16th (7 p.m.) and Saturday, May 17th (10 a.m.) Register online at www.restoringlife.org or call 410-415-6400 to register via telephone !

Praise God! I just self-published my first book, and it has been an extraordinary journey!

While completing my book, I came up with the idea to launch a publishing company (http://www.takeactionpublishing.com/) that would help people minster through writing about the love of God. You can support this writing project by clicking on the Donate Button toward the bottom right of this page. In exchange for any donation you feel moved to give, I will forward you a copy of my newest book, Psalms of the Daughter.

A subsidiary of Create-A-Book Baltimore, TAKE ACTION! Publishing will help aspiring and seasoned authors use online resources to print Christian-themed works of fiction and non-fiction. Additionally, TAKE ACTION! Publishing will also help individuals and organizations document their stories of challenge and/or triumph in taking action against social, environmental, and economic injustices.

This offer to receive a free copy of Psalms of the Daughter is only applicable to individuals who have found their way to my personal website and who wish to sow into TAKE ACTION! Publishing. Please note if you see me in public or visit one of my business sites (http://www.takeactionpublishing.com/ or http://www.thetakeactionnetwork.com/), I will ask you to pay the regular cost for Psalms of the Daughter. Thanks!

God Bless,
Lynn

P.S. - Please pray for healing and restoration to flow in the hearts, minds, and bodies of individuals and families throughout Baltimore, MD!

Growing Pains....

2007 and 2008 have by far been two of the most difficult years for me. Yet, through it all I have probably grown leaps in bounds in my God walk. I have experienced some major professional and personal changes that have pushed me to a place in my faith that I honestly didn't know existed. Through it all, I have to admit that I have learned some amazing things about myself and others. I thought I would share a few with you! Let me know what you think!

• I've learned that being a Christian means different things to different people.
• I've learned that many Black women in management treat other people badly.
• I've learned that many Black women in management suffer from insecurities and control issues that make it impossible for almost anyone, especially other Black women, to walk in their gifts.
• I've learned that when hard times hit life still goes on.
• I've learned the best way to overcome difficulties is to keep pushing for success, even if it is difficult to see a solution.
• I've learned the value of standing up for yourself and speaking out against a wrong situation, even when it seems like you are fighting a Goliath.
• I've learned the importance of forgiveness.
• I've learned that a "Hello" doesn't hurt anybody and to speak even when people don't speak back.
• I've learned that everyone isn't striving for excellence; some people are satisfied with just getting the job done.
• I've learned the power of a smile.
• I've learned that some people are just petty.
• I've learned the power of communication. I've learned how important it is to be able to express your thoughts with confidence and clarity.
• I've learned the importance of creativity, flexibility, and integrity.
• I've learned that life is full of opportunities to continue learning and growing.
• I've learned to cherish play time.
• I've learned to cherish my time of worship and prayer.
• I've learned to have patience with myself and others.
• I've learned that some people may never change.
• I've learned to move on!

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

America's Promise

"I realize that some folks are supporting Hillary Clinton and if you are, you still need to read this. To me this photo is a picture of a strong man who, in the face of a setback, is cherishing a moment with the support of a strong woman who is 100% behind him. Together, they are making history. This is the America I want to live in. This is what our families should be like and can be like."

*Author Unknown*

My New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year! I read a wonderful article about resolutions in Our Daily Bread at http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-01-01-08.shtml.

I have adopted the following resolutions for the 2008 year:

1. To do whatever is most to God’s glory;


2. To do my duty, for the good of mankind in general;


3. Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life;


4. To study the Scriptures steadily, constantly, and frequently;


5. To ask myself at the end of every day, week, month, and year if I could possibly have done better;


6. To expect more for myself and walk in true faith;


7. To laugh more;


8. To love unconditionally;


9. To hold sacred my body, my mind, and my spirit;


10. Until I die, not to act as if I were my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.

I pray that this New Year brings you infinite joy, peace, and blessings!

Wishing You and Your Family a Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa, and a Blessed New Year!

Taking A Selah Moment...

*excerpted from the 12/16 reading of Our Daily Bread*


"......take a 'Selah moment' to pause and worship God during the day.

• Be silent and listen to the voice of God (Psalm 46:10)

• Pause from a hectic schedule to be refreshed in spirit (Psalm 42:1-2)

• Interrupt the day to do a spiritual inventory and be cleansed (Psalm 51:1-10)

• Accentuate the joy of God's provision through thanksgiving (Psalm 65:9-13)

• Exalt the name of God for answered prayer in spite of disappointment (Psalm 40:1-3)

• End the day by reflecting on the Lord's faithfulness (Psalm 119:148)"

- Written by Dennis Fisher

My Testimony...

*This video was shared by BrothaAjay at http://youtube.com/watch?v=JXsi290F6b4&feature=related *