All Posts - Blogs - Black Business Women Online

Thirty Books of the Bible

Posted by Dr.Glyniel Garner on March 30, 2009 at 3:30pm

Thirty Books of the BibleThere are thirty books in the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much; he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in the paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, Alpha Del Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hummana humbly puts it, 'the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight.' Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really are thirty books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

How To Prepare for the Coming Economic Boom

Posted by hudsonliberty on March 30, 2009 at 1:41pm

It is now the time to get ready to take advantage of the turn in the economy.Just like when a person go surfing, they don't get on the board or wave afterafter it is crested. Right now is the time to continue the work to positionyourself to take advantage of the coming demand.One of the first things to consider is did you set up anything to catch people.Do you have a way to have people pay you online? Do you have a way toretain those people all those things are important questions.Each of those items is covered with the Black Business Builders Club. Eachmember gets a copy of The Black Folks Guide to Making Money on the Internet,which covers each step necessary for building a successful online business.Below I want share with you more about building your Personal Economic Boom.Check it out here:Prepare for you Personal Economic BoomI can start seeing good results from getting the helpI need and can see now how I will easily double my affiliatesales in the next months using this system.Believe me, you will be thanking me for showing it toyou. I know you are busy, and I also have to get backto my normal marketing, but I just had to make sure youhad a chance to review this.Prepare for your personal economic boomIf not, do so now. As I said, I need to get back toother things, it would just be a shame if you missedout on this while so many others have taken advantageof this great system.

Rescue......

Posted by Antavia Cooper on March 30, 2009 at 8:30am

One thing I have struggled with throughout my life is wanting to rescue people from bad situations and addictions that they chose to be in....in other words, I had been an enabler. Not practicing "tough love" doesn't help the person, it just makes it worse. You see, I was trying to be their Savior...until one day, the Lord said to me, "Stop trying to save them...I'm their Savior...you’re not". Well, it was like a slap in the face, here I thought I was just being a compassionate person. However, the Lord showed me I was interfering with His plan to save them and redeem them....that's why Jesus came to earth, to redeem us from all our sins. Though I still sometimes struggle with just stepping back and letting someone fall so Jesus can catch them...I know for their own good I have to let them hit rock bottom. If you have this problem...step out of the way and let them fall into the arms of Jesus.Scripture for the Day:"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus, that whoeverbelieves in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16Point to Ponder:Jesus is the one true Savior of the world...He doesn't need any one.Prayer for the day:"Jesus, please show me the difference between compassion and when I am just trying to be a "Savior".

The Owner’s Paycheck: How to Get Paid from Your Company

Posted by Jackie Williams on March 30, 2009 at 6:30am

The form of ownership that you choose to operate your business under will determine the method in which you pay yourself a salary. Making this decision in the start up phase requires much research and should be handled with care. We choose our form of ownership, mainly based on the potential tax consequence that we expect. Of course, our goal is to pay as little taxes as possible into the system, so the form of ownership chosen helps to achieve this goal. There are clear advantages and disadvantages based on each method available.As a small business, many people survive from the earnings from operations. But the key here is to remember to keep your business and personal expenses separate. So the questions is, “How do I pay myself, and what impact does it have on my taxes?” Let’s look at some of the ways a business owner can pay themselves a salary from the earnings of their business.Sole Proprietors and LLCsTaking money out your business or paying yourself under these forms of ownership, the owner will be responsible for self-employment taxes on any profits that remain in the business whether withdrawn or not. Because this income is not subject to withholding, the owner could also become responsible for making estimated quarterly tax payments. The estimated tax payments will account for both the self-employment tax along with income tax. The self-employment tax is the equivalent of what an employer’s payroll tax would be for FICA and Medicare. The disadvantage here would be that the owner is fully responsible for the entire tax, whereas corporations are not. The corporation is only responsible for half of the FICA taxes; Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) tax; with the employee paying the other half.Many owners become confused because they believe that since they are paying the self employment tax, that they are not subject to any further taxation. This is not true. The money you withdraw from your business is still subject to income taxes and you must report this income on your form 1040. The key point to remember here is that, although you are not subject to payroll taxes, you are still required to pay into the system by way of self employment and income taxes. The advantage here is the owner gets a deduction on its taxes for paying self employment taxes, where the owner of a corporation doesn’t. For tax purposes you can elect to have your LLC taxed as a corporation, but be aware that making this choice involves very complex rules and regulations. It’s best to stick with what makes sense for you.CorporationsIf you are established as this form of business, the payment to yourself would be made in the form of a salary through payroll. Under this method, you are subject to payroll taxes, which include income (federal and state), and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). One of the key advantages of corporations is that the owners are not liable for self-employment taxes for profits retained in the business. As with Sole Proprietorships and LLCs, you saw that profits are taxed whether paid out or retained in the business. However, a corporation will be subject to unemployment taxes for both federal and state. The employee does not share in this expense. So, the difference here comes in the classification of a corporation being an entity separate from its owners. Because of this, it has an entire different tax profile than the Sole Proprietor or the LLC. The corporation and its owners are taxed separately. Each must file its own tax form.Deciding on your method of payment simply comes down to how it must be reported for tax purposes. Take the time to do the research so that you can choose the best method based on your company’s profile.

Join Soul Purpose Lifestyle Company!

Posted by Elainea Robbins on March 30, 2009 at 6:14am

Can anyone share your experience with Soul Purpose or any other network marketing company? It is my desire to build a team of like-minded leaders seeking to be about the business at hand. To thoroughly utilize the tools & support provided by Soul Purpose Lifestyle Company. Those that possess a burning desire to become a serious business owner. To inspire my team to attain wealth, to strive for greatness and enjoy life in the process. At this time Soul Purpose is at the ground floor stage. If there is any time to engage in any direct sales company, it is at this stage. In this economy when seeking employment seems a waste of time. This is the time to start your own business. Join Soul Purpose as a Lifestyle Entrepreneur. Gain financial freedom, while enjoying great products. You will be supported by the tools, training, networking, an awesome sisterhood and technical assistance that is unmatched. I believe this is an incredible business opportunity and I want to get the world out. Is there a network or website in which I should be connected? Successful MLM companies require team members that support the team by sharing the opportunity and thereby growing the team.Join Soul Purpose Lifestyle Company!

Internet Marketing Blueprint for Beginners

Posted by Nicole Cooper on March 30, 2009 at 4:04am

If you have been searching, going from website to website, signingup for program after program but still can't seem to put it alltogether, I will spend this time showing you how a needed funnelsystem brings all of the puzzle pieces together.It's time to stop chasing your tail, and get a method to themadness of your internet marketing strategy!Tell a friend and join me to get the Blueprint for your InternetMarketing Success!Title: Internet Marketing Blueprint for BeginnersDate: Monday, March 30, 2009Time: 9:30 PM - 11:00 PM EDTReserve your Webinar seat now at:http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=MgP2p&m=1b2UjplTLI8Num&b=iGJOlu1g5PPkNKG5ynftMgAfter registering you will receive a confirmation email containinginformation about joining the Webinar.Nicole S. Cooperhttp://www.ViralMarketingGeeks.com

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** *

Posted by Min. Denise Mosley on March 30, 2009 at 4:00am

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ ******************************************************************************

Yall Gotta stay TUNED!!!! God is UP TO SOMETHING with “FAVOR” in mind! We already have an Essence and Black America Interviewee, a Master Coach, one of the "A's" Hottest Radio Personalities, A woman who has a serious connection to the Stars... Messages from some Bible “Strong”, Anointed Preacha’s- who when we say knows how to “Bring It”.... Oh My Goodness! (Check out Rev. Ralph Thompson's "Get Up" as you're passin' through)We have a Children’s Columnist and Health and Nutrition Columnist on the way; won’t you agree with us that The Lord Is "Up To Something????" :0) See you soon at Favor! Let us know you stopped by-- by signing the Guestbook! Bless Ya!

I will Bless the Lord at all times; His Praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1)

Get My New Ebook for $2.00

Posted by Serena N. Brown on March 29, 2009 at 9:44pm

Book and online course now available

Posted by Joneen Horton on March 29, 2009 at 9:18pm

Available Now - New Book Journey to Restoration: Healing for the Post-Abortive Woman.If you or someone you know has experienced abortion, it's time to take a Journey to Restoration!Journey to Restoration: Healing for the Post-Abortive Woman is the companion book to our 8 week, facilitated post-abortion bible study. Filled with biblically based discussions, this book and study will take the participant from hopelessness to abounding joy!While abortion is a choice, freedom from the associated guilt and shame is a gift from God.View more info and purchase your copy here: http://www.divineimage.org/pages.asp?pageid=82879

Stuff Happens...

Posted by Joneen Horton on March 29, 2009 at 8:32pm

A bold life says; “I know that stuff happens, but I assuredly know that God loves me; therefore I will not be moved.” Jesus said that He has come “that [we] may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10, AMP) There will be challenges and oppositions in life, but that neither negates God’s love for us nor destroys the good life that he has preordained for us (see Ephesians 2:10).Have confidence that God’s love for you is unending, unyielding and immovable. Be rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17) and begin to live your life boldly!check out more here: http://www.divineimage.org/articles.asp?columnid=5360

Things We Need to Teach Our Kids About Money NOW!

Posted by Shay Olivarria on March 29, 2009 at 7:21pm

I was a guest on the Coach K of Life show talking about the most important things that we can teach our kids about money. Listen here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Coach-K/2009/03/26/BIGGER-than-your-BLOCKPEACE,Shay OlivarriaSpeaker, Entrepreneur, Author, Former Foster Youthwww.BiggerThanYourBlock.com

Started Promoting On The Internet

Posted by Dynasty on March 29, 2009 at 6:09am

I went car shopping today!!! I found the car want, so just waiting for the deal to go through.When I go home I had so much energy that I thought I might start doing some promo. on the internet. I have started my site today, I will expand on it more as the days go by.I really want my hair business to take off.Check it out!!!http://www.wix.com/dynasty416/Dynasty-Hair-ExtensionistThanks

Easter,Mother's,Father's Day, an Graduation Baskets....

Posted by Rochele Jones on March 29, 2009 at 4:20am

Hello Ladies,,,I just wanted to let you guys know that I will have custom made Royalty creations ,, Please cntact meif you have any questions or concerns about anything.. I also will be posting more pictures soon good luck to you all ...Rochele@ROyalty Creations......

Do YOU use Twitter? How would you like to get followers just by doing one thing?

Posted by Terri Pattio on March 28, 2009 at 3:00pm

Hey check this out...I just found this site that shows you a wayof getting 1000's of new followers on twitterautomatically.I just started using it myself and it'sstarting to work already.Get it now, it's FREE!Thought it might interest you.Terri Pattio

Tips To Avoiding Foreclosure!

Posted by Yvonne Long on March 28, 2009 at 12:57pm

TIPS FOR AVOIDING FORECLOSUREAre you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Have you received a notice from your lender asking you to contact them?- Don’t ignore the letters from your lender- Contact your lender immediately- Contact a financial counselorIf you are unable to make your mortgage payment:1. Don’t ignore the problem.The further behind you become, the harder it will be to reinstate your loan and the more likely that you will lose your house.2. Contact your lender as soon as you realize that you have a problem.Lenders do not want your house. They have options to help borrowers through difficult financial times.3. Open and respond to all mail from your lender.The first notice you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options that can help you weather financial problems. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. Your failure to open the mail will not be an excuse in foreclosure court.4. Know your mortgage rights.Find your loan documents and read them so you know what your lender may do if you can’t make payments. Learn about the foreclosure laws and timeframes in your state ( as every state is different) by contacting the State Government Housing Office.5. Understand foreclosure prevention options.Valuable information about foreclosure prevention (also called loss mitigation) options can be found on the internet at www.fha.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm.6. Prioritize your spending.After healthcare, keeping your house should be your first priority. Review your finances and see where you can cut spending in order to make your mortgage payments. Look for optional expenses-cable TV, memberships, entertainment-that you can eliminate. Delay payments on credit cards and other “unsecured” debt until you have paid your mortgage.7. Use your assets.Do you have asset-a second car , jewelry, a whole life insurance policy-that you can sell for cash to help reinstate your loan? Can anyone in your household get an extra job to bring in additional income? Even if these efforts don’t significantly increase your available cash or your income, they demonstrate to your lender that you are willing to make sacrifices to keep your home.8. Avoid foreclosure prevention companies?You don’t need to pay fees for foreclosure prevention help-use that money to pay the mortgage instead. Many for-profit companies will contact you promising to negotiate with your lender. While these may be legitimate businesses, they will charge you a hefty fee (often two or three month’s mortgage payment) for information and services.9. Don’t lose your house to foreclosure recovery scams!If any firm claims they can stop your foreclosure immediately if you sign a document appointing them to act on your behalf, you may well be signing over the title to your property and becoming a renter in your own home! Never sign a legal document without reading and understanding all the terms.10. Don’t procrastinate!Innovative Realty Solutions Group Inc.321.217.4321Yvonne Long, Realtoryvonnel.long@gmail.com

The Recipe Writer's Handbook

Posted by Denay Davis on March 28, 2009 at 9:30am

If you have lived for a while on this earth you will notice that there is very little new under the sun, with the exception of perhaps technology, which we're not talking about here. There are creative and interesting ways to use sugar, chocolate, spices and herbs in baking. There are fascinating ways to decorate cakes, cookies and all things sweet and edible. If you are a seasoned cook/baker you probably already know about this little jewel of a book, but if you are not this may be something you will want to look into. Originally written in 1997 by Barbara Gibbs Ostmann and Jane L.Baker The Recipe Writer's Handbook is something all bakers should have on their cookbook shelf. Why? Because one day you will be (perhaps not a "baby-boomer") but a generation "X" boomer or generation "Y" boomer and you will be passing on knowledge to the next generation of bakers. This sort of information is helpful.This little book is designed to teach you to "think" your way through a recipe to make important decisions and trouble shoot problems concerning format, syntax, spelling, cooking terminology etc." Those who attended at professional culinary art program probably already know this, but trust and believe if you live long enough it will escape your memory.You may not think you will, but one day you may want to put all your recipes to pen or in today's case "Word," and publish all those dynamic dishes that have made you famous or not so...famous. Publishers are always looking for ways to take a bigger piece of your pie, so this book can assist you in structuring your recipes in such a manner that publishers will think you had help...well you did it just didn't cost you an arm and a leg.The more you know, the more you can deliver and you won't have to rely on the publisher finding culinary writers to "clean up" your recipes.I have the old copy (original 1997) and plan of purchase the revised and expanded copy soon. The chapters in my copy are well written and the information is invaluable. Here's a hint of what's in the book (1997 version).Chapter 1 The Philosophy of Recipe WritingChapter 2 Recipe Writing StyleChapter 3 The Style SheetChapter 4 Recipe TestingChapter 5 Cooking TerminologyChapter 6 Preferred Spelling of Commonly Used Food WordsChapter 7 Generic Terms for Brand Names and TrademarksChapter 8 MetricsChapter 9 Nutrition Analysis of RecipesChapter 10 Copyright, Plagiarism and the Ethics of Recipe Writing and more (15 Chapters in all).The new revised book is on Amazon for under $10 (used) and I have emailed the authors to see if they might be revising it again (it's 2009). As I mention before if this is old news, no sweat, but for those baby bakers out there, just another resource for your baking arsenal.

Keep Your Peace

Posted by Antavia Cooper on March 28, 2009 at 8:30am

The wisdom that is from above is... peaceable.James 3:17 NKJVHave you ever got into an argument before church and felt like a hypocrite during the entire service? Understand this: the devil knows that God's Word can only be "sown in peace" (James 3:18 NKJV), so he will do everything he can to keep you from receiving it and being blessed by it. That's why you must do whatever it takes to keep your peace. There's power in peace! If the Devil can't get you upset he has no power over you. He only gains control when you 'lose it'. He plans to get you upset in order to steal your peace, confuse you and make you run in circles. Don't let him.James writes, "The wisdom that is from above is… peaceable" (James 3:17 NKJV). In The Message Eugene Peterson paraphrases this Scripture: "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoys its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor" (James 3:17-18 TM). Notice, getting along with others can be "hard work".So next time you get worked up about some issue, ask yourself, "What's the enemy trying to do here? If I give in to these emotions what will the result be?" When you're stressed out you lose your joy, and when you lose your joy you lose your strength because "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV). So today, pray, exercise self-control, and keep your peace.

Family Financial Season of Change

Posted by Jackie Williams on March 28, 2009 at 6:30am

Life’s cycles are wonderful & mysterious. Throughout each season we experience the changes that the earth brings us in all its wonderment & splendor. With great expectation we prepare our households. Gathering and storing throughout the fall to prepare for the winter. Clearing and planting in preparation for the spring & summer. The understanding of these events will determine our mode of preparation for them.Spring is a time of renewal. As we clear the clutter in our home we should also clear the clutter in our financial lives. With tax season fast approaching, this is the opportune time to review & organize all records. Set up categories for all your expenditures & file your receipts based on these categories in a tickler file. The best approach is to automate your process. There are various programs, such as Quicken, Peachtree, & Microsoft Accounting, which are very user friendly and require minimum to no accounting knowledge. To manage the input of your receipts even further, utilize software for expense management such as Neat Receipts. This product will streamline the entire process and is easily integrated with other programs. Another important financial area to review would be insurance policies & retirement accounts. For your homeowner’s /renter’s policy, spring is a good time to take inventory, especially after the Christmas holiday purchases. If your policy does not provide a manual inventory spreadsheet, create one in Excel. It’s a good idea to update your inventory sheet quarterly, to cover purchases made throughout the year. Let’s not forget auto insurance. With summer fast approaching, this is the time to consider major repairs, in preparation for summer travel. Check your policy to make sure you have adequate coverage. If your vehicle is financed and will be paid off this year, you may consider changing from full coverage to only liability coverage. Consider factors such as the overall condition of your vehicle, listed drivers, & total mileage. A change in your premium could have a significant impact on your monthly budget. As for your retirement investments, the best practice is to review your investments monthly for performance, but try not to make changes to your portfolio more than on a quarterly basis. However, expect an annual review from your insurance agent or financial advisor. As experts in their fields, your Advisor will determine the best possible balance of securities in their corresponding industries. Your investment style & history, which is generally gathered prior to you initiating the account, is the basis of all decisions made by your Investment Advisor. A good Advisor will operate under your discretion and comfort level.What about your taxes? Because this subject can be very expansive, I will only mention briefly some important points to help you manage the “mayhem” during this period. Most people operate under the mindset to file their taxes in a manner to produce the largest refund. This is not necessarily a good idea. Don’t depend on your tax refund to cover living expenses. That’s what a savings account is for. The IRS does not pay you interest for the money it refunds to you. Technically, you are giving the IRS an interest free loan throughout the year. Wouldn’t you rather have those funds available to use at your discretion? Maintaining an effective budget will help to alleviate the stress of unwelcomed financial disasters. So, here are some simple guidelines to follow that can minimize your refund. Monitor your exemptions claimed on your W-4. The more exemptions you claim, the less taxes your pay into the system, and vise versa. If you decide to claim more than required exemptions for your situation, only do it for 6 months. Therefore, every six months you should be reviewing your W-4 exemptions. This may help to level the playing field a little. Also, be sure to maximize your deductions & tax credits. Most people miss out on common items such as educational deductions, capital losses on investments, retirement contributions, etc. The best way to gain a little knowledge and insight into taxes is to purchase a tax manual from your local book store, such as the “Dummies” series. These guides are an easy read, and clearly break down all categories of deductions & tax credits possibly available.Well, now that we’ve cleaned out the ember s of our attics, let’s get to work on our financial success!

$109 Million For Prisoner Recidivism Programs

Posted by Jim Neusom on March 28, 2009 at 12:04am

Greetings Family,(Contact Information At The Bottom Of The Page)It's your friendly neighborhood "Digital Drummer" again...smilePresident Obama, long an advocate for closing the revolving door of felon release and reincarceration…needs your helpIn his new preliminary budget for 2010 President Obama requested $109 million for prisoner reentry programs, including $75 million for Second Chance Act programs. As the media is currently reporting the Democratic congress has taken a carving knife to his budget proposal.The President in response, has went on an unprecedented media campaign to generate public support…appearing on everything from 60 minutes to ESPN. He’s asking you the American public to contact your local congressperson and demand their support for full funding of his 2010 budget.The Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention is federal legislation designed to ensure the safe and successful return of prisoners to the community. The main purpose of the Act is to reform prior legislation to include reauthorization and expansion of provisions for assistance to offenders being released from prison.Additionally, the Act provides for the expansion of state and local reentry projects in order to provide expanded services to offenders and their families for reentry into society, as well as the necessary services to remain productive members of society.Each year, as approximately 650,000 people are released from state and federal prisons., They struggle with substance abuse, lack of adequate education and job skills, and mental health issues. A large number of these people return to prison within three years of their release due to inadequate rehabilitation/social services and job opportunities.The second Chance Act will address these barriers with additional government funding for programs that ease prisoners' transition back into society-programs that include job placement and housing assistance, counseling and drug treatment services.There are more than 1.5 million people in state or federal prison. Prison populations have swelled since the early 1970s, and now offenders are returning to their neighborhoods at a rate of more than 1,400 per day. That is the largest single exodus of ex-convicts in American history.A national reentry working group is leading the effort to secure funding for the Second Chance Act for 2010 (see www.reentrypolicy.org). The working group is circulating a letter asking Congress to provide at least $75 million for Second Chance Act programs. They also offer a full toolkit for recidivism program grant applications.We need to support our President in his efforts to address the needs of our communities. Please contact your governmental representative (Fed, State, City), and local media, to inform them of the need in your community for Second Chance Act programs.Remember we must Share The Knowledge (Network)….To Share The Dollars.***************(Advertisement)*********************Need some great ideas for corporate or personal gift-giving?Then go to City Lights Software(http://www.citylightssoftware.com)and see some of the most unique afrocentric gifts available online!We Deliver ONLINE - Direct To Your Desktop for just $14.95Please take the time to purchase one our afrocentric screen savers TODAY!Don't Just Talk the Talk...Let Your Dollars Walk the WalkIf you have any problems with purchasing online contact me direct at sales@citylightssoftware.com or call (213) 944-4176***************************************************This Online Journal was brought to you by InterServe Networks. Feel Free To Forward To Your Network Of Online FriendsWe Practice Responsible E-Commerce Marketing and Privacy Policies. We do not indulge in or encourage Spamming. We never send unsolicited emails. You are receiving this message as part of our opt-in subscriber mailing list or you are a member of an affiliated newsgroup.For comments or suggestions please contact us at the following;Jim Neusom (jneusom@yahoo.com)Executive Director/PublisherInterServe Networks/City Lights Software, Inc.www.citylightssoftware.comwww.myspace.com/jimneusomwww.myspace.com/freshfaces2uTo subscribe to our opt-in mailing list simply send an email to; The_City_Lights_Reporter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com( on Myspace go to http://blog.myspace.com/jimneusom)

You Got Friends!

Posted by Pastor Aminata on March 27, 2009 at 8:59pm

AOL became famous for it's "you got mail" thingy and a lot of people join it because of it. They loved to hear the "you got mail" when they logged on to their computers. When I was first introduced to the online social networks, I admit it was amazing. It's been just over 2 years now, first I join Facebook, next it was MyChurch and then the others came... "Ning" and now my own Christian Soul Saving Network, Word4UTVNetwork.I learned a lot in the process, via blogging how other Christians from parts of the country and the world see, share and experience Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I'd like to believe that I made a lot of friends, on these social networks, but the truth be told, "I don't think so."What I've come to realize is that the online christian community is really no different than the offline christian community. There are the good, the bad and the ugly; the naive, the wolves in sheep clothing, the whoremongers, false teachers and prophets, etc.; just to name a few. There are far to many people who pimp "My Jesus" for personal gain, and far too many control freaks, who feel really liberated because they can hide behind a computer screen. I see far to much manipulation and condemnation that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but yet.... I still see Jesus! Yes I do see Jesus.I see Jesus in the few friends who show the love of Christ in their consistency, who have a genuine heart for the Lord, in their words alone. They care and are not afraid to show it. As friends we share this in common, the love of Jesus Christ, unconditionally. Yes, these few are my friends.But, talk about being naive! Well, that's my middle name. I thought that all these friends (almost 1,500 across the social networks), would also support me as well on Word4UTVNetwork. NOT! Well, reality is as reality does... Here I am with the few blogs I do write, posting them to each and every site I belong to, and yet... those same friends who asked me to join them... do not return the favor.Don't get me wrong, I'm blessed and highly favored! I just think it is so sad that we just don't get it. We don't see how our (yes I said our) talk doesn't line up with our walk. We are turfie, we are cliquey, and yes some of us are still to narrow, because we think that to support one is to deny another, why is that? But the real deal, the ugly reality is they never intended to be supportive, they only seek it from others.Now as for me, you might say, "hey, I haven't seen or heard from you lately, what's up with that?" Well, I've been quite busy, online and offline, plus it's a huge learning curve trying to grow your own social network, especially since I promote Jesus Christ, which on a global scale isn't very popular, and let's face it... I'm a woman and black, yeah I said it. Because it's the truth. Many of us still have issues. I live in a world where people still expect you to ask permission to be yourself, like who said you can do that, and where do you get off trying to do that? My answer is: Jesus!I don't have anyone to teach me except the Holy Spirit, and it does take a lot of my time, trying to understand concepts that I'm just not familiar with at all. Yet, I say this is all for "The Glory of God", not me. Word4UTVNetwork is a christian soul saving network, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying global community. We are not the only one, just another one doing what we feel God has called us to do.To each of you reading this blog, you have a standing invitation to come and join us. Come and help us in the great commission. I'm not asking you to forsake where you are, rather, to extend your reach that's all.Jhn 15:13 " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." You got friends! The truth be told, not really. These are just folk who want me as another notch on their friend list, and that's just the way it is.Pastor AminataCreator of Word4UTVNetworkCreator of "God Has A Word For You E-Telecast"CEO, Leadershipology, Inc.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.