Love Is In The Air…

With February being the month of “Love”, I thought it would be perfect to start the month off with an interview with Shon Hyneman.  If you follow him on twitter, you know him as @1DrLove.  He is a Husband, Father, Minister, Author, Radio Show Host and a source of valuable information for those desiring a relationship or those in need of working out their relationship.  He currently has three titles that are available and is working on his fourth.  Find out more about this author below.

From your first title, “If you apply these principles…God is more practical than we think”, what is one principle that impacted or changed your perception the most? It has to be the importance of time management. As I got older I realize that time waits on no one. We can always pick up a check, but once time has passed we can never get it back.

How did you develop such a passion for relationships and marriage? Being birthed of adultery and knowing the hurt of a missing parent. I wouldn’t want any child to witness that kind of hurt, so if my wife and I can help others…When I became Christian, my pastor was passionate about marriage & relationships and I became a sponge and soaked up everything on what the bible had to say about marriage and relationships.

You often share some of your testimony, how would you describe your relationships prior to giving your life to God? Slick. Everything I did had a motive behind it. I only tried to impress others for something in return. People labeled me as a “good guy” because I was able to put a façade in front of others. I knew what I was doing and my motives were all wrong.

How did Never Again Ministries begin and how did you decide on such a powerful name? Never Again Ministries began after I wrote my first book in 2008. God had given me so much material we had to put out in the atmosphere! It began when I was out of work, and I had nothing but time on my hands so my wife and I stepped out in faith and all our needs was met regardless of a limited income.

The name came from us giving spiritual guidance to married couples and when people were fed up and was ready for change they would say “never again” when people are at their breaking point and are ready for change that’s where we come in as a ministry.

Was the ever a moment that you wanted to give up or felt like it was too much?  Yes! Sometimes people put demands on you and want more and more. Sometimes it seems like your best isn’t good enough and that’s when I start to get weary at times.

Who have been some of your constant motivators and encouragers? My wife has always been my biggest encourager. Dr. Myles Munroe, Dr. Mike Murdock and Dr. R.A. Vernon are my motivators.

Describe the support and encouragement that your wife gives? Sometimes life will throw you a curveball and just to know that my wife is consistent with her graceful words of encouragement and eagerness to help me speaks volumes. She does a great job of keeping me accountable also.

Is there a topic that you both have different views on? Not that I can think of. We are two peas in a pod (Laughs)

What can we expect from Never Again Ministries in the future? More speaking engagements, books and special guests on the Doctor of Love Show in 2012.

What is one thing that you would say to a couple that was experiencing some turmoil? That turmoil is not a bad thing, it help you grow. It is only a season and it will come to past. We have to learn how to have a stick and stay mentality during those tough seasons in our life.

What advice would you give to the single men and women?
Be the best YOU God has created you to be. In order to have a successful relationship, be the right person as opposed to being needy. Work on you as opposed to looking for someone to “complete” you. You should be complete when we meet.

Any last words? No. Thank you for the opportunity!

Thank you so much for taking out the time.   I encourage all of my readers, if you are struggling with love or even considering giving up, seek out some counsel.  If you have been through a rough and rocky relationship in the past, make the vow today, “Never Again“.

About these ads

I’m A Survivor

31 days of blogging daily and I survived.  I certainly thought it would be easier than it was but I learned so much from the process. Let’s just say blogging daily is not for me.  LoL but I think I have developed a schedule that will work and still feel as though I am blogging daily.  Definitely will be trying it out to see how it goes.  But more so, I realized that it is okay to experiment and try new things.  This month, I did some Author Interviews, as well as began posting to the RN Series.  And to say the least, they were both successful projects that I will definitely be continuing on with. 

If you were apart of a challenge this month, what did you do differently?  What worked for you?  And will you continue blogging daily?  Whatever you decide to do, I am definitely here to support and hopefully keep you motivated.  Leave you blog link in the comments area and I will be sure to stop by. 

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

Heart Matters…

Last night, I went to sleep with a song in my heart.  “Give me a clean heart.  So I might serve thee.  Lord I’m not worthy of all  your blessings.  Give me a clean heart, so that I might follow thee.”

Over the course of this month, I have recognized the condition of my heart.  At times it was in fact difficult to write because of everything that I was going through.  Sometimes we can allow our circumstances to speak for us, which can get in the way of God speaking through us.  My writing is so closely connected with my walk and relationship with God, that when He speaks, I write.  Silencing the surrounding noise is the task at hand, I am definitely up for that challenge.

Writing is one of my forms of praise.  Finding something to give thanks and praise for on a daily basis should not be a challenge.  I am alive, healthy and full of vision.  What more could I ask for?  “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I hae learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:11-13

Heart

Her Children Arise Up and Call Her Blessed

A question was asked based on the recent video that Tyler Perry recorded about success, How to Be Successful

Question: “Do you all think God predetermines success?”

My response:  We are all given what we need.  In God there is no failure. 

Then another question was asked, “Do some get a headstart?” with Blue Ivy used as an example.

I believe that each generation is based on the decisions and obedience of the previous generation.  For example, King Saul’s children could not proceed him as King because of his disobedience.  His children had not been disciplined or instructed to fear the Lord.  They sought after the desires of the flesh.  King Saul was eventually proceeded by King David due to his own lack of obedience.  “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. ” 1 Samuel 15:22-23

I even went on to take it one step further.  Abraham was a righteous man, strong in faith and obedient to the instructions of the Lord.  He instructed his children in the same manner.  He believed that if he did not obtain the promises of the Lord in his lifetime that God was still able and would fulfill it with his children.  This faith was passed on from generation and generation (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).  They never stopped believing but they STAYED ready to obey the instructions of the Lord and receive all that had been promised. 

 Some of us have a delayed inheritance because of the disobedience of those who came before us.  It doesn’t mean that it is no longer available but it is going to take some work.  Generational curses have existed since the days of Adam and Eve, but can be broken.  I choose to obey the instructions of the Lord and walk upright before him in all that I do, so that I might be blessed and my children blessed.  “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28

“Building relationships of accountability  and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

T.G.I.F.

Thank God it’s Friday.  Friday, for me, has always left the feeling of something coming to an end, closure.  Whether you have completed a week long task, an exhausting work week or just the normal day to day routine most follow during the week, Friday brings it to an end. 

My week, to say the least, has been one of the most trying weeks for me in a while.  It seems like no matter what I did, opposition presented itself.  I wanted to just give up and throw in the towel.  But sometimes it just takes a quick moment of reflection to understand where you come from to understand where you are going.  If I had to reflect on one thing, it would have to be life.  I am still alive and well so there is definitely still some work for me to do. 

So when life throws you some lemons, you have 4 things to do:

THINK: Reflect on how you once turned those lemons into lemonade.  If you could do it once, you can certainly do it again.  Through Christ all things are possible.

GO TO GOD:   Take everything to the Lord in prayer. 

INSTRUCTIONS:  So many times our prayers are answered in the form of instructions.  Follow them, that is the most expedientway for a change to come; obedience.  If the instructions aren’t clear, write them down until you get clarity.

FAITH:  Trust and believe that it is already done.  What God has promised will come to pass.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

 

How Can I Help You?

“Its not the load that breaks you down; its the way you carry it.” Lena Horne

How can I help you?  A question that so easily parts my lips.  I am always helping someone even at times when I am the one standing in the greatest need.  I always ask myself, why it is so easy for me to recognize when someone else needs help but harder for me to ask for help of my own.  The answer is always the same.  I don’t want to be a burden.  But when you are surrounded by people who are truly for you, dividing up the load is not a burden but a blessing.  No man is an island.

I have learned that trying to be everything to everybody, will leave you depleted of all your energy.   Learn to delegate.  If you are the only source of information within your circle, either it’s time for a new circle or you have handicaped your circle.   We can not become hoarders of information.  We must empower others to grow and reach their full potential.   Remember someone is watching you climb, leave a trail for them.  They will thank you later.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

And My Answer Will Be Yes...

Reblogged from Rhachelle Nicol':

"And my answer will be yes Lord, yes"  God is requiring my "yes".  At the same time I must get more comfortable with saying "no".   I do not want anyone to be more dependent on me, than they are on God.  "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." …

Read more… 182 more words

I will reblog this as often as I need a reminder. I am still learning how to use my "NO".  People can only do to you what you allow. "Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love." RATL

‘How to Change Your Mindset + Live Your Most Fabulous Life’

So I wanted to make sure that all of my readers were on track for having a fabulous 2012.  My year started off great and it is getting “betterer and betterer” as one of my twitter followers would say.  I have been following the Author that I am featuring today, it seems like, since I first started off on twitter.  She may have not even realized it, but she has truly been a source of inspiration to me.  Now having her very own book in  my possession, I couldn’t ask for more.   I would encourage you all to download this ebook today and start taking the steps to making a brighter tomorrow.  I was able to conduct a brief interview and thanks again Jamie for taking out the time.

When did you first discover that you enjoyed writing?

I was in second grade when I first discovered that I enjoyed writing. I had written a short story and won an award, and after that point, I was hooked. Over the years, the type of writing I wanted to do for a living varied, and at times, I thought about pursuing other things. But the desire to become a writer never left me. I must say that I’m very happy and blessed to be able to do this.

What types of activities were you involved in that helped you develop your passion?

My passion for writing really developed while I was in college. I started out as an English major, and my second semester, I took a women’s studies class, and I began writing for the student newspaper. Taking that class really sparked my interest in women’s issues, and I decided that that’s what I wanted to cover in my writing career after I graduated, and I wanted to start a magazine for women. Ultimately, I created my blog, which blends all of my interests.

You dedicate so much time sharing your passion for writing and being an inspiration to others.  Who would you say has been and continues to be an inspiration to you?

I can’t say that it’s just one person who inspires me. Over the last couple of years, I’ve met so many incredible, talented and fabulous women who are doing great things and who are following their own dreams and finding success in their own ways. These are the people who have inspired me and continue to inspire me to keep moving forward.

In your book, you discuss limiting beliefs and affirmations. How have affirmations impacted your life and career?

Affirmations have really changed my life and career for the better. It has made me become more positive about everything in my life, and having a positive mindset and attitude has helped me achieve my goals. I would say that my affirmations have literally changed my life and continue to do so.

Describe a typical day for “Mocha Writer”.

On a typical day, I spend my mornings working on client work, writing my blog posts for the day and replying to emails. Because my husband works at night, I spend time with him in the afternoon before he leaves. In the evening, I finish up any client work I have and write down my goals for the next day.

How do you balance your writing for clients and you personal writing projects?

Because both are important to me, I know I have to make time for them both, even though it can be difficult at times. I always say that if I can just get something done on my personal writing, then I’ve achieved my goal, whether it’s only for 30 minutes or an hour. So when I’m working on a personal project, I make some time every day to work on it, and I also work on it on weekends.

What can we expect from you in the future? Are you working on any projects now?

‘How to Change Your Mindset + Live Your Most Fabulous Life’ will be in paperback soon, and I’m very excited about that! I’m also working on my next book: ‘The Black Woman’s Guide to Life as a 20-something,’ and it will be released this summer.

 What would you say to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in writing?

I would say hone your craft by writing daily, even if it’s just writing down your thoughts in a journal or in your personal, private blog. The more you write, the better you become at it. Also, stay encouraged and be persistent. The road to becoming a writer is not necessarily a quick or easy one, but if you continue working at it, you will ultimately get where you want to be. Don’t give up!

 What is your definition of fabulous?

I think ‘fabulous’ means living your life on your terms, being the best you that you can be and living your life to it’s fullest! It means going after the things you want, loving yourself and just doing you.

 What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of writing?

I know it’s cliché, but I love to read. I’m also a nail polish fanatic, so I love painting my nails.

Any last words?

I just want to encourage everyone to keep moving towards your dreams and goals. If you maintain a positive attitude and mindset, believe in yourself and your abilities, trust God and do your part, you will get where you want to be! Let nothing hold you back.

You can follow this wonderful author on twitter @mochawriter and visit her online magazine at www.forcoloredgurls.com Download your ebook today.

My Hands Are Free

Alex Smith, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers

Image via Wikipedia

In football, in order for the receiver to catch the pass from the quarterback, his hands must be free. He can’t be holding on to anything or be distracted by an opponent that may be standing in the way.  As long as his hands are free and the pass is thrown with precision, he stands to receive.   Sure I know more goes into it than that, but he is putting himself in position to receive.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4: 31-32.  Sometimes our hands become full and we miss our opportunity to receive.  We get distracted by the small things.  We let our pride stand in the way of us letting some things go and with a clinched fist we miss some of  the blessing we are standing to receive. There is no better quarterback than the Lord and his blessings are precise.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love.” RATL

I Won’t Budge

English: Page 2 of the letter sent to me (JW S...

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever set your mind to something and regardless of what came your way, you knew you were meant to accomplish it?  Your family and friends were slow to support and in some cases spoke against what you were passionate about.  While I was resting, I won’t budge came to my mind.  No matter what I go through or the criticism that comes my way, I know that without a shadow of a doubt, I am doing what I was meant to do.  Fortunately, my family has been right there to support me.  But for it to be confirmed in so many ways, leaves me in awe.

I received a letter from a mother/grandmother on this past week.  She had purchased a copy of Sunday Mourning and a Mother 2 Mother Tee.  The two items had been sent out separately, thus arriving at different times.  She writes, “Thank you for sending me the book and T-shirt.  I finished the book.  I just received the T-shirt as I was walking out the door.   I rushed back in and had to put it on.  After reading the book, I had a lot of emotions and questions i.e. sadness, sorrow, hope and why.  I am glad that you shared, be encouraged.”  After already purchasing both items, she included a check in her letter.  I do not take that blessing lightly.

I will continue to share my testimony and my ministry through whatever platform that God allows.  I won’t budge and neither should you.  I thank God for Sunday Mourning.  Weeping may endure for a night but joy is coming in the morning.

“Building relationships of accountability and trust with all roads leading to love” RATL