Life is Like...

"Life is a roller coaster, we are the passengers, and God is the seatbelt..."

My oldest daughter is amazing...

...she sat across from me at the kitchen table one morning as we ate breakfast before church and she made this statement to me.  She was full of all excitement - as if she bumped into her favorite star.  The statement made me sit back in my chair and immediately think about my life up to that very point of the statement.

Our lives our constantly bombarded with the issues of life that causes us to make choices and decisions that are often split seconds apart. We go through steep drops, sharp curves, and loops at speeds that seem so fast that it's blinding. We're secured by either a harness or seatbelt, one that oftentimes has us wondering whether or not it's going to keep us. Yet and still, we go on the roller coaster knowing this. Such is the perseverance that is in all of us.

Isn't it awesome that Jesus provides us with the same security when we accept that it's Him that can provide that through The Father God?

So, as I sit and think about the roller coaster that is known as life in the eyes of my baby girl, I am forever grateful that He has secured me to not only ride it, but enjoy it.

Unconditionally,

Andre

Categories: growth , life , perseverance , purpose , secure

Leaders, Take the Lead...

I had the privilege of hearing someone speak on the different aspects of being a leader a few days ago and it brought me to a point of thinking this simple thought:

 

"What makes me a leader?"

  

Think about this: You go see a movie and you admit that it was one of the best you've seen in a long time. You're so hyped, you call your friend and almost tell them the movie. Instead, you tell them, "Listen, you just got to see it for yourself. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!" Your friend goes and sees the movie 

that weekend.

 

Perhaps you were the friend that received the phone call and you went to see the movie, or bought a video game, or moved to a neighborhood, or even bought a sandwich! Why did you do it?

 

...because of the passion... 

 

A leader is able to influence others to be passionate thru their own passion. A leader is able to motivate others thru and to that same vision. 

 

A leader leads by example, not position.While we are leaders in our right, we cannot lead people from the back, but from the front.  Most people don't want to be leaders because of the responsibility associated with it, the strain and frustration of making sure people follow, and the different personalities, attitudes, and character traits that one has to deal with. 

I'm here to tell you that you're built for this. 

As a leader, your sight needs to be set on the vision, the goal. Then your responsibility needs to be on becoming it so that people are drawn to the vision, to assist in the completion and attaining the vision.  As a result of their attachment to the vision, they grow personally - their attachment to the vision becomes whole - covering spirit, soul, and body.

Here's the key: In order to be a great leader, you must be a great follower. When you follow, you follow an example which molds you into the great leader you were designed to be.

The great leader is Jesus. He's the pattern.

The greatest account of this is the story of the centurion in Matthew 8:1-13. The centurion understood the authority of Jesus - the leadership of Jesus - because he himself was a man leader who was under (aka followed) authority.  Because he understood the leadership of Jesus and submitted to it, his servant was healed.

Let's lead by example in 2012 so that folks can see the vision, be drawn to the vision, attach themselves to the vision, and sell out to it.

Unconditionally,

Andre

Categories: Christian , leadership , life , movement

Why Am I a Hater?

Okay, so a previous conversation with a friend of mine a few months back came back to remembrance this morning. We were having this huge debate about music (FYI: For those of you that don't know me, the subject of music and the business of music is very controversial for me because of my years of experience) and my friend came out and said, "These artists are doing what they are paid to do and people are buying their records. So what? Dre, you're a hater!"

Now, once again, if you know me, I don't get offended easily so I just proceeded to maintain my stance.

That conversation came to remembrance today because I find that I am a hater who has graduated to being so across the board. Yep, I said it, I am now a bonafide OVERALL HATER. Let me list the very things that make me a hater:

1. I HATE anything that is "dummied down" and insults the intelligence level of a person.
2. I HATE anything that is deliberately set up to manipulate and ultimately abuse someone.
3. I HATE anything that is hypocritical in nature.
4. I HATE anything that is pro-division, pro-strife, and pro-rebellion.
5. I HATE anything that is designed to slowly or quickly bring about death.
6. I HATE anything that truly is against God.
7. I HATE anything that you know from the beginning is doomed to fail.
8. I HATE when people hurt because they CHOOSE to and ALLOW OTHERS to hurt them.
9. I HATE ignorance, guilt, condemnation, and sin.
10. I HATE that people reading what I hate would make them think that I'm self-righteous and arrogant.
11. I HATE that people think that the only way to get ahead and appreciate life is to suffer grief, anger, disappointments, failed relationships, heartache, pain, sickness, death, betrayal, abuse, and confusion.
12. I HATE that people are okay with being ignorant - even going so far as to say that it's blissful.
13. I HATE that people are so skeptical, they cannot ever see the good.
14. I HATE that people are unhappy based off of selfish desires instead of being unhappy based off of being complacent.
15. I HATE that people settle for the imitation and never know Christ who is the REAL thing.
16. I HATE that when I speak about Christ, the first thing people think of is the HORROR of religion, being in church EVERYDAY, and last but not least, BEING A HYPOCRITE!
17. I HATE that there aren't enough of the right people doing the right things and representing Christ THE RIGHT WAY!
18. I HATE that people think that because I consider myself Christian, that my mindset is "I've arrived!"
19. I HATE that people let their own dark past dim and extinguish a beautiful present and future they could have in God.
20. I HATE that those of us who serve God continue to give Him THE REST while everyone and everything else gets OUR BEST.
21. I HATE that we complicate "God is love" to the point where we have people saying "God, where is the love?"
22. DESPITE BEING FORGIVEN, I HATE that my past faults, falls, and flaws try to remind me of the people I've hurt.
23. I HATE that people only trust God ONCE, but will trust themselves and each other COUNTLESS times.
24. I HATE that people think that God made experience the best teacher.
25. I HATE that this list is too long already and I have MUCH more to add to it.

Yeah, I'm a hater...

Unconditionally,

Andre

Categories: change , Christian , hate , life , motivation

I AM Second

Wow. What a day...

This morning I woke up with a few things on my heart. I'm in a very interesting season of my life of believing for some great things and watching The Father move in my life. After a conversation with a dear friend about positioning, I thought about my place and where I am.

I got a tweet about this series, I Am Second. Now, I don't know if you're familiar with it, but the tweet I received featured Reach Records artist Lecrae (I suggest you check it out...in fact, check them all out if you have the time). I watched his and was literally compelled to watch ALL of them on the site. I watched and listened, crying, snotting, and some points even weeping, at how transparent and open each person was. Each of them sharing how they came to the end of themselves and the beginning of God.

One testimony in particular that moved me so much, was one by Pete Briscoe (check it out below).  Most of these people I had never heard of and I certainly hadn't heard of him. He is a pastor and as he shared his testimony, he said something that was so powerful and resonated with me: "Its exhausting having to succeed. What I didn't realize is that that was my drive for so long and I had just worn myself out."

This was me...

...as I listened, sitting in my chair in front of my computer, I simply wept...and wept....and wept...

I then wondered why God would have me to watch these videos. I asked why and He simply said, "I want you to see just how simple I am and how simple My Love is for you and everyone else that would accept it."

God desires for all of us to experience His Love through the person of His Son, Jesus. I know so many people that won't accept it because they've allowed religion to contaminate and distract them from who God really is.  Watching these videos, hearing these accounts, crying with these people as they cried, made me realize that He is indeed REAL and makes Himself REAL to those who truly desire to change.  Just because you haven't gone through hard times doesn't mean that He is any less real.

I made a decision again today.  He's first. And me...

...I am second...

Unconditionally,

Andre

Categories: Christian , decision , life , love , motivation

What's Going On?

While it's been a minute since I've written a blog, I think I was inspired by both my partner Jblaze305 (if you haven't already, check out his blog too. He's a funny guy) and the going ons of my life at the moment.  When I thought about writing this blog, the title "What's Going On?" came to mind and reminded me of the late Marvin Gaye.  Me being the researcher that I am, I decided to get some history behind the singer.

Marvin Gaye is considered one of the most greatest singers and artist of all time.  He was known moreso for going against the norm and addressing issues of the environment and politics in the 70s (before some of ya'll, including myself a lil bit, was even thought of).  While known vocally as a great singer, what I found most interesting about him was his desire to play the back and do music that NEEDED to be expressed.  He didn't allow himself to be contained. It limited what was in him and just imagine if he did?  The world would not have been exposed to the powerful music that he presented in songs such as What's Going On?, Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology), and Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holla).

I looked at my life and I saw some things that I was allowing to contain me; to stop me from moving forward.  I knew that in order to move forward, I needed to make a decision. I was asking myself, "What's going on?" I then realized that I needed to make a decision to allow The Father to have full control and operate in His Grace. Only then did it become evident that what's "on" is what He intended from the beginning: For me to win and for people to see His Goodness in my life.

It's been a tumultuous past year for you boy - all by choice. However, by the grace of God I am here and moving forward. I am encouraged that the best is only yet to come.

Be encouraged. What's happening in your life right now is only temporary if you allow yourself to really let go and let God. The first step is all on you...

Unconditionally,

Andre

Categories: life , marvin gaye , motivation

Edits..Who Needs 'Em?

Wow, it's been a lil bit since I've actually posted anything here, but today I felt like I wanted and needed to.  There's been a lot going on lately both professionally and personally, but needless to say, I've come to really admire my blog as my own "private" space even though it's open to the world...

...if that makes any sense...lol

Last night I was talking to a friend of mine who is a songwriter who brought me into his creative process for songwriting. While he wasn't writing a song, he was formulating a business idea.  He told me that he gets his whole idea down first and then edits it.  He made me realize that that's the way I write these blogs, except I don't edit these. I simply sit and type what's on my heart - straight, no chaser.

I have come to realize that when we edit, we can oftentimes slowly chip away the essence of what it is we're trying and believe we want to say. Perhaps the best creative work comes from unedited, unadulterated, genuine, and pure feelings and thoughts.  Maybe it's us again downgrading them to a point where they fit into a box that becomes exclusive and not inclusive.

Perhaps that's why Jesus was such a profound individual. He took what I call "pure information" (i.e inspired by what he saw God do) and delivered it. Again, straight no chaser.  He didn't try to figure it out, process it, analyze it, rehearse it, get together with a committee and vote - he just took the information and went. 

Wow, what would happen if we did that...?

Categories: inspiration , life , motivation

Put It Down

So, I'm in the gym at 6am today (yeah, a brother is going in with it fa real nowadays), and there is something that I've been thinking about for a few days already since I've been coming.  It had to deal with weights.

I realize that no one in the gym PLACES weights on me.  I make the conscious decision to PICK THEM UP...

...sometimes I think that the very weight - issues, challenges, situations, and circumstances - are weights that we put on ourselves and/or allow ourselves to deal with because we haven't made the decision not to pick them up.  I know for me, with the weights that I have picked up that I then made myself to believe were put on me, there was a point sometime in the process where I could have decided that I didn't, wouldn't, and can't accept the weight.  I just didn't make the decision, so therefore the weight that I chose not to deal with became a burden.  It left me resentful, confused, hurt, perplexed, angry, ashamed, and disgusted with me - all ingredients that lead to, at least for me, a dark depression.

Funny thing is, I know that I'm not the only one...

...so I decided that I'm not picking up the weight anymore. Don't get it twisted: Weight is not the same as "responsibility".  Weight is clearly that thing you dealing with that you allow to "rent space" in your mind.  The very thing that you struggle with all because you won't say "NO!" to it.  The very thing that leaves you feeling alone, miserable, and angry at God because you feel like He Himself has put it on you...

...I'm done with that...

...and you can be too...

...just as you made the decision to pick up the weight, now you need to make another decision which can be challenging and difficult, but can be done...

...put it down... 

Categories: change , Christian , encourage , inspiration , life

ABC...easy as 123

 

I woke up with this song in my head this morning.  I dunno if it was a combination on hearing it on DJ Hero (by the way, shout out to my nephew Adrian for beating my tail real good last night in 6 rounds of DJ Hero 2...don't matter, I'm still nice...lol) or because I normally wake up every morning with a song on my heart and in my head.

In any event, as I kept replaying the song in my head, I recited the lyrics. Now I know we've all heard the song before, but sometimes, we're so caught up in a song that we forget what makes it - the lyrics.  Check out the hook to the song:

ABC/It's easy as 123/As simple as "Do Re Mi"/ABC/123, baby you and me girl

"ABC" to me is like life: A pattern of events that at some point get us to a destination.  Like all patterns, they are not hard, but require organization, discipline, and most of all, obedience to the pattern.  Life gets real difficult when we don't follow the pattern.  The pattern is there for us to make our lives simpler.

These boys obviously knew what they were singing, but perhaps may not have known the depth of truth in which they were singing it.

ABC is easy as 123, as simple as "Do Re Mi", ABC, 123... 

Categories: change , inspiration , life , motivation

N**** WHAT?!

Yeah, I knew the title would get you...

...while I wouldn't normally make an issue of this, but I think it's high time I gave my take on the matter in light of a recent discussion I had with a friend of mine the other day.  Let me share a story with you. (Note: Names were changed to protect the guilty...)

"When I was in junior high school, 7th grade, there was this girl name Jasmine Morales who I really had a major crush on. She was really pretty, but very bossy.  She knew I liked her and took advantage of the fact often.  I was young and naive and let her too.  One day we were in Math class and we were all in different groups working on a project. The group Jasmine was in was right next to mine and I had heard them laughing and carrying on. Because she was in the group, I wanted to be part, so I got nosy and heard what they were laughing about and I made a comment.  She then said to me, "Why are you even saying anything you stupid nigger?"

...the rest was a blur. I got up and smacked the girl so hard her head flew back. Now, please understand that I don't condone ANY violence toward women ON OR IN any level or way.  I was young and this was the first time ever in my life I had been addressed as such.  

The whole class stopped.
She looked at me and started screaming and swinging.
I didn't hit her back because I wasn't about to fight a girl, so I just blocked the few hits she got in before my teacher grabbed her.
The dean gave me "pre-suspension". That was pretty much "probation"."

I tell you that story because for a while, I've been seeing this whole use of the word nigger like it's a sign of affection when quite honestly, it's like a sign of regression.  The word isn't a nice one. It isn't one that paints a beautiful picture in your mind. In fact, Google it and see what images come up. You'll be surprised.

We use the word in our music for what? Are we really empowering the word with love when the word actually means "dumb, lazy, ignorant"?  How can I really call you, "My nigga!" and expect you to produce anything?  That's like people who eat from the garbage saying that it's food and you and I both sitting there saying it's garbage and the person saying to us, "Well, it's food because I eat it."

HUH?! 

Okay, while I know this blog won't change the world, perhaps it will get one or two of you to start thinking. At the end of the day, that's all that matters...

Categories: life , nigga , racism , relationships

I HATE YOU!

 

I remember stating in a previous blog that there are times when there are songs that I deem to be "the soundtrack of my life" at various moments in time.  Well, this morning I came across the actual live performance from a very talented artist by the name of Mali Music.  The song, entitled I Hate You, is a powerful song geared toward the devil and letting him know that for all that he's done to folks he's hated.

In watching the video and seeing the performance of both Mali Music and Richie Righteous (a very good friend of mine), I was reminded of two very real truths:

1. The devil wants to see me unproductive, stagnant, and most of all dead.

2. The devil wants to see YOU unproductive, stagnant, and most of all dead.

And this lead me to this very real thought...

Why allow someone who wants to see me unproductive, stagnant, and most of all dead access into my life?

I watched the video some more, and heard Mali Music's encouragement to believers and I was then reminded of two more very real truths:

1. Jesus came to give me life so that we can be productive, grow, and most of all live.

2. Jesus came to give YOU life so that we can be productive, grow, and most of all live.

And this also lead me to this very real thought...

Why don't we have a hard time allowing someone who wants to see us productive, grow, and most all living access into our lives?

...yeah...sit back and think about that one...

Categories: change , Christian , life , motivation

It Takes Time

Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! i would be wrong if I didn't say that.  For some of us, it's like the clouds are separating and revealing the rays of sunshine. Yep, the new year is upon us and now it's time to get it the way we've been talking like we were going to the last two days of 2010.

Yeah, I know, some folk won't find that statement to be cool, but, as always, I said it.  I make no apologies for it.

Why would I say something like that? Well, it's simple. While the new year is upon us, it's very important that we look at this for what it is: TRULY a new beginning. One of the things I've learned about new beginnings is that they take time to plan, but don't get it twisted: Planning doesn't take a long period of time, but it does take time.

So check this out: Even if you DIDN'T talk like you were going to do great things the last two days of 2010, you can plan to do great things TODAY, RIGHT NOW! The beautiful thing about planning is that as long as it's done and can be executed, it can happen at any time.  Just because you weren't quick to make the plan before the clock struck 12 last night doesn't mean that you're disqualified or can't win the race.

The difference between a quitter and a winner is that the quitter can never win and the winner never quits...

So I encourage you today, on this first day of the new year, that if you haven't already had your "great planning session" the last two days of 2010 for 2011, get it in and plan right now.  It's never too late.

Categories: beginning , change , inspiration , life , new

Just Can't Let Go...

I think the title of this blog is quite fitting, seeing that we're mere hours away from the end of 2010.  I must admit that I'm leaving this year with many mixed emotions: happy, excited, a bit of sorrow, feeling like I'm missing something, peace, resentment - yeah, many mixed emotions.

I'm being very transparent. Some folks will read that and bug out, but those that know me know how I am. I think A LOT and very few emotions actually plant themselves in me to the point where they actually have some significant weight.

So, here I sit, thinking of all the NUMEROUS and VARIOUS things that happened in my life and in the lives of my close friends and other loves ones this year. Yeah, I can honestly say that it's been a roller coaster ride, much of which is due to many of us wanting to go back on and ride again while a few of us were trying to desperately look for the STOP button!

Why does it seem like I just can't let go of 2010 yet? Is it because it's still technically here or because I still feel like there are some things that haven't been resolved or maybe still because it was such a pivotal time in my life spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally?  Perhaps it's all three and if it is, that's cool with me because at the end of the day (well, in this case, at the end of the year), it's all going to be defined in a mere three words...

...in the past...

Categories: 2011 , change , Christian , growth , inspiration , life

The 21 Day Twitterless Campaign [Video]

Okay, here's my first VIDEO BLOG using my Christmas gift - my Bloggie! Check out what we're doing over at FNFLive that we would love for YOU to be a part of. So watch the video and see how you can be down with us!

You can check out my partner's blog, Jblaze about The 21 Day Twitterless Campaign

Categories: Christian , inspiration , life , Twitter

The View Up Here

Wow, one more day until the end of the year is upon us.  Everything will change in 36 hours. A new month, a new day, and of course, a new year.

As I believe EVERYONE has been looking over this year, I also believe (well, I'd like to believe...I can only speak for me I guess) that there is a whole lot of self-evaluating and reflection of the year going on.  I know I've been looking at what happened, what didn't happen, what should've happened, what could've happened, what I'm GLAD DIDN'T HAPPEN.  There's a whole lot that I been looking at.

But then I realized something.  I realized where I was looking at all of this from and I realized that the view up here, on top, allows me to see everything below.  There's no way that I could truly see all of this from being in the midst of it. 

I also noticed that the view up here is definitely much more easier to see the direction in which I need to go in. The air is clearer, the light is brighter, and most of all, there is a peace that comes from knowing that I have the ability to move forward.

Yeah, the view up here is definitely that much more beautiful and I'm loving the fact that a new month, a new day, a new year just got that much more clearer.

Categories: Christian , inspiration , life

Nothing Is Terminal...

Nothing is terminal...

..yeah, I said it. Most people don't even know what "terminal" means, and even didn't know its full definition until I obviously looked it up.

Terminal refers to "concluding", "closing", "final", and "end". In other words, it's "THE END, PERIOD". No if, ands, or buts about it. When most people think of something being terminal, it also deals with death.  There's nothing after it. It's like a flatline.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It's just over.

Yeah, I know I'm making terminal sound REALLY horrible right now.  For some though, terminal is what they want.  They want certain situations and circumstances to be terminal - to come to an end.  They want certain relationships that they feel are toxic to come to an end.  They want bad stuff to come to an end.  Who can be angry at wanting that?

But I'm not talking about those things.  I'm talking about the situations and circumstances that seem to be over that we really don't want to be, that we need to be revived, that we desire to be infused with the life that they once had that enabled them to thrive.

I've come to understand this: Nothing is terminal. I've adopted the thought that oftentimes, a "period" doesn't signify "the end", but instead, a continuation of a story that needs to be told.

As we go into this new year, I'm looking at those things that I thought were terminally ill, that I thought there was no way that it would work or could thrive and I'm understanding that nothing is terminal.

...yeah, I said it again...nothing is terminal...

Categories: change , Christian , life , understanding

The Art of Irony

So today as I'm updating our site, FNFLive.com, I came across a tweet concerning JaRule being convicted and sentenced to 2 years in jail for a gun charge in 2007.  Most folks would have sat and thought, "Man, that's typical", but my first thought was like, "Man, this is just straight up terrible."

If you check out our site, you'll see that we posted a story on the new movie called I'm In Love With A Church Girl starring JaRule and Adrienne Bailon. The movie, considered what Hollywood calls "faith based" depicts JaRule as a man who was caught up on the wrong side of the law but now wants to live a changed life. His past tries to keep him locked down, but he meets someone who shows him that there is a better way as he comes to grips with his own soul salvation.

That's the funny thing about change: You can say you've changed. You can even fake that you've changed. However, the world will know if you've really changed on the inside.

Now if Ja could just grab the lesson of the very character he depicted and apply it to his own life, he may not have had to do 2 years for gun possession. Ah, the art of irony, indeed...

Categories: change , Christian , inspiration , life , music

Soundtracks of My Life

Music has always been ingrained in me since my pre-teenage years all the way until now.  I remember my first "exposure" to music was in junior high school when one of my classmates gave me a New Edition tape (yep, I said it - TAPE! At least I didn't say 8 track! Sheesh! LOL!!) and challenged me to learn each and every song on there in a week.  I did just that and ended up performing one of the songs off the album at the 8th grade talent show. Ah, those were the days...

So, throughout the years I've worked in the music industry I have always looked at music as "the soundtrack of my life". I remember the songs that I sang during moments and times of my life: break-up with girlfriends, winning at track meets, graduation from high school, college life - you name it, there was a song that was the soundtrack.

Those songs made me recognize how impressive music is in and on our lives. I believe every one should have their own band that follows them around. What's really important for us to think about is what type of soundtrack are they playing and how does that effect you.

I believe that music is was created to uplift and encourage.  If you're always listening to the blues, you'll stay blue.  If you're always listening to music that will strengthen and encourage, then you'll be strengthened and encouraged.

What's your soundtrack sound like? 

Categories: life , music , soundtrack , winning