Scriptural Text Luke 16:19-31 In today’s society everybody has a cell phone, every where you look someone has a phone up to their ear, whether in a car, walking, standing at a bus stop, riding the subway, in the airport, hallway of court house, some of us ladies can attest to being at the hair salon, in the chair and the stylist is curling with one hand talking on her cell phone with the other. Technology has made it possible for you to be anywhere and still having a way to contact your children, husband, boy/girl-friend, office, order in food, business calls. It doesn’t matter what you need the phone for, it’s small enough that you can comfortably take it with you anywhere you go.If you watch television, you know that you spend more time watching commercials than the actual program you’re trying to watch. There is a commercial that catches my attention a lot and that’s the Verizon commercial. The one where they are discussing the fact that Verizon has a wider range of reception than any of their competitors.You know how the commercial goes, they are going places all over the world, like in a taxi cab through the crowded streets of what looks like New York, to the top of what looks like a big hill out of the reach of people, down through the sewers under the city, on a crowded subway and so on. The point of all of this is to prove that the reception is good no matter where you go, or what you go through, (tunnels, down through the sewers). As they go from place to place they test the service by saying the phrase over and over again….”can you hear me now?” In one commercial it seems that one of Verizon’s cellular phone subscribers is meeting with some pretty rough people and was told to come alone, they are in a secluded area and the bad guy looks behind the man and says, “I told you to come alone.” The guy makes a comment about the fact that he was alone and that, what he is actually looking at is the network. Or the ability of the Verizon company to make his cell phone reception available to him no matter where he goes.Let’s look at the text, Luke 16:19-31. Here we have a rich man that dressed in fine linens, and a beggar named Lazarus who lay at the gate full of sores, who ate the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. The beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man died as well and was buried.In hell, the rich man looked up as he was being tormented and he saw Abraham with Lazarus in his bosom. He cried out to him saying, “Father Abraham have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame.But Abraham told him, “Son remember that thou in thy lifetime received good things and Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.But besides all of this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they come to us that would from there.Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou would send him to my father’s house, where I have five brothers that he can testify to, so that they won’t wind up in this place of torment.Abraham said to him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.The rich man said, father Abraham, if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets (“Network”) neither will they be persuaded through one risen from the dead.When I think of the countless amounts of people that followed Jesus in his day of walking the earth, they remind me of the “NETWORK,” those people that were able to hear first hand the things he’d done, as well as see some of them personally.We know that Jesus doesn’t walk around on this earth today in an earthly body, performing miracles, healing the sick, or teaching in the synagogues. But instead he’s left us the “Bible” the word of God. He’s placed in us a comforter, someone to lead and guide us, along with the Bible and the countless men and women on the pages, that have followed him, that have seen what miraculous things that he’s done as a testimony of who he was and how he lived.He even went so far as to say in his word, John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.Over the many years since the life and death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he’s called men and women all over the world, to preach the word, the good news, the gospel to those who don’t know him, to those who once knew him, but because living holy doesn’t sell as well as living worldly, they fell back into the long and strong arms of sin. Walking absentmindedly into a deeper relationship with the world, with sin, believing they have all the time in the world.I stopped by to tell you this: God is still alive and well, everywhere you look, there is a church billboard advertising church service, the radio has gospel shows, television has tel-evangelist’s on it at every turn. The mighty men and women of God are bombarding the airways with the Good new, with the Gospel, with the words off the pages of the Bible, words encouraging, pleading with the sinner, to turn. To seek the face of the Master, no matter what dark corner of the world you are in, no matter what lifestyle you believe you are trapped in, no matter how high you’ve gotten, on drugs, or just life itself, no matter what sewer you have fallen into, crawled out of. If you fall on your knees, or just bow your head, or just close your eyes. Your connection to the most High God is never broken, there is always service, no roaming fees apply.If you just call his name, he’ll answer, look behind you he’s there, the network is there. Try him, call out to him….. There is no place on this earth you can go and loose connection, at anytime, any place, any situation, or circumstance, he’s there, he’s saying always at every turn in your life, “My child, can you hear me now?”He’s waiting on you to answer, the connection is there, you “CAN’T” be out of range, because no matter what you’ve done, who you’ve become, no matter how dirty your secret is, he’s there, he’s there for you. Stop hitting the ignore button, stop sending him to your voice mail, thinking, I’ll call him back later, everything is going well right now, I really don’t need him right now…..people, we aren’t promised tomorrow….He’s calling you now……won’t you answer???He’s constantly, constantly calling, “My child, can you hear me now?”On the subway, at the crack house, on the corner, in the dirty motel room, when you think you’re at your lowest, the “Network” is still there and he’s calling to you…..“My child, can you hear me now?”He’s already done what he needed to do to ensure you the right to the tree of life, all you have to do is turn, turn from your wicked ways, 2 Chronicles 7:14Once you turn, once you trust him with your life, he can and will carry you through, he’s already carrying you….your in his permissive will, not his perfect will. He’s calling you, check your phone service…..who’s your carrier….change carrier’s, keep the same number, where you are right now, you don’t have service……Oh but when you allow Jesus, to walk into your life, once you allow him into your heart, you’ll never drop a call again, …He wants all his children to be saved, he wishes that we all would join him in heaven….Don’t make the mistake of having your phone service disconnected….Don’t wait until it’s too late,until you forfeit your inheritance, until you are laying in torment, until, there is no way to cross over and save you…why wait until your praise has no power, or your prayer has no purpose, why wait until you are in the dead zone?……he’s calling…..won’t you answer….he’s calling….. “My child, can you hear me now?”“CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”
Read more…
Last night I caught a program on CNBC, called "The Oprah Effect". It showcased three or four entrepreneurs who achieved incredible success within a few months of having their business featured on the Oprah Show. The narrator referred to Oprah Winfrey's ability to transform businesses with her talk show as a Midas Touch. Of course, this was not to suggest that there was anything magical about how Oprah built her communications empire; on the contrary, the commentary was intended to reinforce that her unwavering commitment to brand-development is what made it all possible.The program got me thinking that the Oprah Winfrey story, the Walt Disney story or the Avon story can be your story for your circumstance and your life, if you take responsibility for your success today. It may sound corny, but if you focus wholeheartedly on building your brand, success will follow ...~ Sharon, your AVON rep.
Read more…
Be careful of old collections. These companies will stop at nothing to collect money that is owed from 10 or 20 years ago. Please review some of my blogs and forum tips for newbies.A sign that this is an old account will be once you start to get collections that are 50% off. For example, you may have owed $2000.00 and a bill comes in the mail for half of that from a collection company.The first thing you want to do is find out if this account is reporting on your credit file.Then think back to when you first had the bill. Only you (the consumer) knows when the account was opened. So, if you know the bill was more than seven years old or close to it, do not re-open this account. It will stay on your file for seven years after you pay (the so call 50% special).A note these bills SHOULD NOT BE ON YOUR FILE ANYWAY, because of the law timeframe. If the bill is reporting, you may want to dispute it. These companies are re-aging old accounts.I reviewed a special from a bill from 1993!!!!, just to let you know.If anyone has any questions, call me or email me.. Fight back and know your rights. Don't continue to settle for bad credit.Support my vision of educating millions of americans about credit.You can do this by spreading the word about www.creditadviseforyou.ning.com(Free)Support change in 2009, and help be apart of the solution.Innocents Victims is available now at www.reginalittles.comRemeber, one person can change the world!!
Read more…
Real Estate is more than just your hobby!Real Estate is fun and exciting but it is more than just a hobby. It is serious business. If you plan to be successful in the World of Real Estate, treat your business seriously!Join my free networking group at www.cashinonforeclosuresnetwork.com. To register, visit www.cashinonforeclosures.com.Annetta PowellQueen of Real Estate
Do you need an additional $25,000 for your business? Business Support by Mittie can help, but first you will need a business plan to present to our preferred lender. This lender only requires a credit score of 570, a business plan and will help start-ups! Our business plans start at 300.00 and payment plans are available. For more information, please call 1-800-518-9846 or visit us online @ http://businesssupportbymittie.net/businessplans.aspx
Read more…
I'm going to be interviewed on the Rhoda Wilson Show Friday 19th June at 10:00 p.m. UK time.You can watch this interview on BEN TV, Sky Channel 184 at 10pm.I will be talking about my Nonviolent Communication (NVC) workshops and my book Success Strategies for Black People.I am very passionate about this work, as it is transformative. It is changing people's lives.I hope you will join us.The Rhoda Wilson ShowRead more…
THE NATIONAL GREAT BLACKS IN WAX presents 1st ANNUAL OUTDOOR COMMUNITY FUN DAY. Date: Saturday, June 27th, 2009 Time: 10:00am - 5:00pmRaindate: Saturday, July 11th, 2009.Admission: FREEWhere: The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum (outdoors).. 1601 East North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21213VENDORS WANTED...!!! Please visit: www.GreatBlacksinWax.orgMuseum Admission Not Required .!!
Read more…
Submissions for The Writers VIP Weekend has been extended until tomorrow morning 8am Eastern time.If you have an event, big or small advertise it here. We are looking for writers and authors who have small events going on for the weekend. It could be a small book club meeting in your area or a different type of gathering. Whatever it is, list it here and we will post to it to our magazine.Submit your event here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/writersweekendform.htmRead more…
Do you have a book signing, book release party, speaking engagement or some type of for writing, publishing etc event coming up? If so, From A Writers POV wants to do an interview & ad with you about your event. This feature is only $10 for your ad & interview. Your ad & interview will be on our magazine for one full edition for the month you choose. You must have an event going on in the month you choose.Reserve your month today: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/authorswritersevents.htmRead more…
Khadijah Adams would like you to join her as she guest stars on The Residual Millionaire Team Presentation and Webinar tonight, Sunday, June 14th @ 8:30PM (CST)/9:30PM (EST). She will share with you how she was able to generate another stream of income using The Residual Millionaire Team's 7 Times Faster with ProxyComm System. Password is: leaderswin. Currently, her team is on target to earn 2,000 per week this month.Call into the Conference Line for Audio: 712-432-3900 use Pin: 8648303#Click here to join the Webinar to see the Live Wealth Class in action!Contact Khadijah personally to get started 1-832-431-5738*Perfect for Work-At-Home Entrepreneurs and MommyPreneurs!
Read more…
Hello Everyone!I am looking for professional article writers. My magazine From A Writers POV is seeking, professional, prompt article writers. We are seeking article writers on various subjects. We are looking for someone that can contribute every month on the same topic.So if you are truly interested in this please contact us. We are looking for serious, professional people who respond to emaills promptly and have a passion for writing.You can find out more details here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/monthlysubmissions.htmRead more…
I am a passionate believer in the power of social networking for small business owners. I have spoken many times at conferences and teleseminars about small business owners can use Twitter to create relationships and expand their sphere of influence.One of the things I notice in my travels is that there is a misplaced reliance on Twitter as a marketing tool. If I had a dime for every time a business owner told me that he or she had not blogged in months because they had been spending all of their social time on Twitter, I think I'd be rich.Twitter Is Not A PanaceaAs good as Twitter is, it is not a panacea. Twitter will not swoop into your business and fix problems that are already there. For example, if you do not already have a blog, Twitter will be of little use to you. If you do not have or do not want to have genuine relationships with other small business owners, Twitter will be no use to you. And if your website is a messy collection of blurry photos and spelling and grammatical errors, Twitter will not only be useless to you, but it could also actually hurt your business.Neither Twitter nor any other social media tool owned by a third party should form the platform for your marketing outreach. The core of your marketing strategy should be supported by content that you own and control: your e-commerce site, business card, email newsletter, brochures, blog, podcasts, etc.Twitter Cannot Save A Lousy Marketing PlanTwitter should supplement a marketing machine that already works reasonably well on its own.While Twitter is no substitute for an innovative, attention grabbing, system that markets a fabulous product, it does a heckuva job at supplementing a system that is already getting results. Twitter is like cake frosting. It's useless unless there's a cake to frost. But put it on top of a rich and scrumptious slice of cake and it's hmm hmm good for you and your customers.Question: Are you perplexed by Twitter and how it can possibly work for your business? If so, check for holes in your existing marketing armor and plug them up. Chances are that, when you do, Twitter will take on a whole new meaning for your business. What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments, experiences and even questions on this topic in the comments section below.Read more…
"Be as proud of your race today as our fathers were in days of yore (long ago). We have beautiful history, and we shall create another in the future that will astonish the world." Marcus GarveyI love these words from Brother Garvey that he spoke almost 100 years ago. Isn't it funny how cycles repeat themselves? Do you think that Bro. Garvey, Malcolm or Dr. King ever envisioned a Black family in the White House? So taking that in consideration and the visionary words of Bro Garvey, what can we do in 2009 to help his vision of Black pride, unity and economic empowerment come to an even higher level of fruition?We can expand on Bro Garvey's vision of uniting more Black Consumers with Black Businesses. We need production facilities owned and operated by Black people! To produce the wonderful bath, body, beauty products, clothing, computers, CDs/DVDs, etc. We need to search for a Black owned business for our everyday products and services first, before we shop at the Big Box or other retail stores. Then we need a distribution operation to get these products made by Black entrepreneurs to the Black consumers and Black retail establishments! After that we need more Black financial institutions. I personally have both my personal and business account with a Black owned bank. We can take the Black Wall Street (Tulsa, Oklahoma) to a global level and create hundreds even thousands of self-sufficient Black communities around the world.With any major change in society, it starts with a handful of people with a united vision. Those willing to make the vision into a reality...these are true visionaries. Those willing to accept that everyone they talk to will not accept this idea of change...many will take the wait and see attitude. Let me wait and see if you can do this before I step out and try it. But there will be many others who see the big picture and come on board who are ready, willing and able to help do what is needed.So if you have seen or heard any of my previous blogs, you know that I am actively pursuing to fulfill Bro Garvey’s dream. I buy Black as much as possible. I let others know about other Black businesses. My husband and I even gave away 25-second commercials on our radio show last year, so that our listeners would know where to find Black businesses in my area to support.You are receiving this message because of the internet, which is one of the most powerful resources on the planet that we can use to make all of this happen. There is a powerful video that I hope you can take the time to watch at www.blackbusinessnetwork.com/TeamDollar that starts off with a phenomenal presentation of how our people dominate every single field we enter, sports, entertainment/music and now is our time to dominate in the field of business like never before. Trust me this video will blow you away and inspire you to do what you need to do for your business, your family and your community!Note: You may have to enter the site by joining as a general member to watch the video. If you are already a member just use your email address and password to login.
Read more…
When I was growing up, Debutante pageants were real popular. They were supposed to be a ‘coming out’ ceremony for a young lady, but were more of a lesson in who could raise the most money. There was always a talent portion, which I dreaded. Most of the contestants would usually sing or display some musical gift. I, on the other hand, am not musically-inclined. My ‘special’ talent was always orating. (Yawn!) Anytime there was any display of talent, I was the narrator or speech-giver. Neither I nor the audience appreciated my talent. Even as I became older, I would secretly envy people with artsy gifts while I lamented about not having a ‘gift’.As I began to explore my purpose and really start focusing on what I was put here to do, I realized that my ability to relay stories, both on paper and in person, is INDEED a gift. Wow! What a revelation! It changed my whole perspective about how I saw myself. You may not be able to sing like Mariah, work it like Beyonce or look like Halle, but you do have that ONE thing that is unique to you and the world is waiting for it to manifest. There’s a quote that says, “When you undervalue who you are, people undervalue what you do”. Haven’t you seen that Confident Sistah who, by other people’s standards, may not have the greatest assets, but she’s always workin’ it? She’s tapped into the knowledge of who she really is and you can too. Stop looking at what you don’t have and capitalize on what you do have and then start workin’ with whatcha got!
Read more…
I signed up for LaShanda's free course and have been reading everything, everywhere in an effort to find my niche and business preferences. I have a long term goal that I can make short term moves toward and an old idea has popped back into my consciousness and needs exploration. I feel as if I've been blocked creatively but the ideas are beginning to find their way out of me now.It's also possible that I'm spreading my attention too far and wide and therefore haven't been able to focus my thoughts. And since when do I walk around trying to keep things straight in my head? I need to write and write and write or everything just spins around in my head without purpose.So starting tonight, my daily planner stays in front of me, not in my purse. I will carry a binder with me daily to jot ideas and journal.Meditation has also been neglected lately. That goes back on the to-do list.
Read more…
Wow, I finally took a leap of faith that will be life changing. I handed in my resignation for work this past Monday, cleaned out my desk on Wednesday and am now on my last stages of moving to beautiful Atlanta. Something is drawing me there. Recently, I received interest from clothing stores desiring my clothes, have a fashion show on schedule in August, and tons of networking events are all coming my way. Is it the secret finally working for me? Is it God answering my prayers of success? Well I don't know for sure, but all I do know is that this is where I need to be in order to take my business to the next level. I refuse to spend my 30s anywhere else, especially home in Delaware.So, if you are currently residing in ATL, please shoot me a note and let me know what is good down there. I look forward to meeting you and working with you!Peace and hair grease,Syreeta RiosCEO Big Gyrl Clothing, IncFashion for the Urban Plus Womanwww.biggyrlclothing.comtwitter.com/biggyrlclothingmyspace.com/biggyrlclothinginc
Read more…
Make your presence known at the Decatur Book Festval even if you can't be there!From now until June 24, 2006 you can advertise in goodie bags at the Decatur BookFestival. For $23 you can put 230 pieces of your literature in the hands of consumers.From June 25 - 29th the cost will be $33 for 200 pieces. Contact me at nefertari197@yahoo.comTari
Read more…
Starting a small business is a great way to supplement your income. Whether you are operating your business from home or a storefront, practically every expense related to business is a write-off. Generally speaking, the government looks kindly on small business owners. They applaud the entrepreneurial spirit upon which this country is built, and they reward it with tax deductions to lower the owner's taxable income and help the business to succeed. Unfortunately, many owners end up paying more taxes than they should or they fail to receive their maximum refund because they're not aware of ordinary deductions that are available. Though this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common:1. Start-up costs. One of the biggest obstacles for a new business is getting over the hurdle of start-up costs. Although it can take a large slice out of the overall pie, you can get back a portion of those expenses at tax time. Small businesses can deduct as much as $5,000 of starting costs in their first year of business.2. Vehicle use. The government allows you to deduct certain expenses for business vehicles, including mileage. Keep good records for this deduction (or any other, for that matter) in case you're challenged on any point by the IRS. If the vehicle is used for business and personal activities, you can deduct only the percentage amount of the business use of the vehicle.3. Equipment deductions. All businesses require equipment of some kind. The amount can be deducted all at once in the first year of acquisition (up to a limit of $125,000, as of this writing), or amortized over a number of years.4. Entertainment deductions. Who wouldn't want to have a fancy dinner on the government? Business meetings over dinner or attending business conferences in sunny Florida can be deducted as business expenses, if they meet the necessary requirements.5. Travel expenses. Traveling for business is a tax-deductible expense. Keep your receipts for airline tickets, hotel stays, and meals. Any service that was necessary during the course of the business trip can generally be deducted. However, expenses for family members that you took along for the ride are not deductible.6. Advertising costs. Costs for advertising your business are tax-deductible. These may include print, billboard, Internet, radio and television, or other ad forms.7. Legal fees. Businesses often consult lawyers from about business matters or to review contracts. The fees charged are deductible.8. Retirement plan contributions.9. Home office deductions - expenses like a % of your rent, utilities, insurance and many more.10. Educational expenses. The costs of classes taken to further your knowledge for your present business can also be deducted.Tax credits, which are dollar-for-dollar reductions of the taxes you would otherwise owe, can also be used to save money. Again, there are a variety of taxes, including those related to hiring certain employes; owning and fixing up certain realty; and being "green".Businesses do have an advantage when it comes to taxes. If you're a business owner, take advantage of all the deductions available to you. Be sure to consult a qualified tax professional for further information on these and other tax deductions.
Read more…
Special Announcement for all members of Black Business Women Online that are located in Houston, Texas and/or surrounding areas:Receive 10% off your first visit when you tell the receptionist that you were referred by Muslim Girl Click.....A To Z Dental1951 Lakeside Plaza DriveSugar Land, TX 77479Tel: (281) 265-2869Call Jihan @ 713-598-5666, should you have any questions.Happy Smiles!Khadijah Adams
Read more…
