STANDING ON FAITH

Now this is far from the first and I’m sure won’t be the last devotion/ testimony that I jot down dealing with Faith. I have share I was Steppin Out On Faith, but today God has lead me to share with someone out there that I am Standing On Faith.

Anyone who knows me, knows I have always been the type of cat that doesn’t really like to put his business out there, much less write about it for the world to see. A lot of people tell you, you need to have faith, when they themselves aren’t goin thru a storm or dealing with any particular trials and tribulations themselves at that very moment.

This morning I am lead to share my testimony about Standing On Faith while I am in the midst of it all. I won’t get into all the details of everything that is goin on in my life, but let’s just say the journey has been long. And I am in that place where all the bills are due, money due to me for services I have performed has not come in.

Two new clients I was suppose to do promotions for said all the right things in the meetings, accepted my terms right, and said they were onboard right up to the time when it came to cut the check. Even a rebate check I was suppose to receive on July 14th from my cell phone manufacturer, I am now being told is still being processed. With everything else not comin through, that was goin to be applied to my current cell bill. So long story short my cell has been off the last few days.

My PDA is like a portable laptop for me, so I use it for every aspect of everything I do. I can’t follow up with those who do owe me money too find out when they are coming thru with their payments without it. Its hard to set up and be reachable tp potential clients who are interested in my services. Emails are good but not the same as speaking directly to a person.

Like I said every bill I have it due, (one or two or over due if I can be totally honest with you) and I do mean every bill. My daughter is about to starting her second year of college in less than a week and I don’t have to tell most of you financially what that means. I havent even begin to think where that money is comin from yet. And I just found out my book may be delayed atleast a week or two and I am moving over the weekend. It could be considered what they call a very dark day/ week if I was to look at it that way like I usually do.

This is a time when I in the past would lose it, panic, complain and lose site of the blessings I do have. This is the times where I usually do something, get in Gods way of what He is trying to do and eventually block my blessing. But instead I have choose to be thankful for what I do have and use the quiet time to reflect a little, read my bible and pray more and oh have I been praying, wearing out a few sets of knee pads. Today I choose to do what God really wants me to do, use my gift of writing to inspire others.

So this morning before God I tell all of you, today I am standing on faith. Standing on His promise, Standing on the Rock, the rock of my salvation. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head another day, that God has blessed me to see another day, thankful I am in a reasonable portion of my right mind, body and health.

Instead of complaining I choose to Praise His name right here right now and stand on faith. I know I am at the part of the story where just before the major breakthrough, the person was about to lose everything or lost everything one by one. I can finally see the actually light at the end of the tunnel this time. Previously I thought I saw it by it was the lights of an oncoming train, so have to run back out the way you came, let the train past and then start back thru the tunnel, this time I actually see the daylight. I am hear to tell you it is darkest just before the dawn.

I know that God has not brought me this far to leave me now. And by the response and emails I have received from the last devotions from people saying they needed that today, and thanking me for sharing my testimony, that this is truly what I am suppose to be doin. So I stand on faith today and be obedient to what He is leading me to do.

I don’t know what you may be goin thru, I don’t know what you may be facing and what you have to deal with. But I was lead today to share with someone, from a personal perspective, of someone going thru what is considered a major storm in my personal life, don’t give up. I only shared a portion of what I was facing, but believe me its gets harder and harder each day to stand strong.

But I am here to tell you this too will past. Instead of complaining to a friend or family member who can’t really help you, talk to your Father, who art in Heaven. Pray, Praise His Name, Give Thanx and Stand on Faith.

Have a bless day!
©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!

Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED:
da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation

SPIRITUAL MINDED da daily devotion for the hip-hop generation by AJ Woodson

VISION AND PROVISION

“Be confident of this. He who began a good work in you will continue to perform it until it’s perfectly complete” (Philippians 1:6).

Do you have dreams that just haven’t fully manifested themselves yet? Are there promises that you are standing on in your health, finances, career or relationships? Know this: God is a God of completion.

He wants to finish what He’s started in your life. No matter how long you’ve been praying, don’t let the enemy tempt you into thinking that it’s never going to happen. Be encouraged today because God is called the Author and the Finisher of your faith.

That means He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Anything He begins, any dream He puts in your heart, He is well-able to finish. Stand strong on this promise. Be confident even when it looks like it’s not going to happen. No matter how long it takes, stay in faith and keep your hopes up because God has promised to finish the good work He’s started in your life!

My pastor often says, “Who are you that God is going to break His word or blow His perfect record on you?” I rest assured that even when I don’t know when it going to come to past, if God has given me the dreams, if I do my part He will always do his. If He has given me the vision, He will give me the provision.

What are the gifts that God has placed in your heart? Are there dreams inside lying dormant? Are there gifts and abilities that He’s given to you that have been buried deep inside? I encourage you today to stir it up! It’s easy for the everyday struggles of life, the trials and tribulations you face and the cares of this world, to distract you and take you off course. But you have to make the choice to encourage yourself and stir up the gift inside. You can do this by talking about it with a friend, or being around others who are doing what’s in your heart to do.

I too have given in the temptation. I too have given up. I know what you are facing because I still deal with it everyday and even while writing these very word. But once I let God lead me, He has blessed me with all I need to accomplish my dreams and carry out the work He has for me. In a few days my first book will be published and thats just the beginning of what He is doin in my life. I share that with you today to let you know He is able!

Find something that represents that dream in your heart and focus on it every day. Find that determination inside to hold on to everything that God has placed in your heart. It doesn’t matter if it’s been ten years, twenty years, or even thirty years, God can still bring it to pass. Maybe you gave up yesterday, but today is a new day. Today you can stir it up again. Go out filled with faith and expectancy, believing that every promise God has placed in your heart will come to pass!

What are your dreams, don't run from them and question your ability to do them. Embrace them and let God has His way in your life!

Heavenly Father, thank you for placing gifts and dreams inside of me. I choose today to focus on what you are doing in my life. Give me the determination to hold on to your promises so I can walk in faith and victory with you today.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!

Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED:
da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation

SPIRITUAL MINDED da daily devotion for the hip-hop generation by AJ Woodson

THIS IS THE DAY!

“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” - (Psalm 118:24)


Every day you are blessed to open your eyes to see another day is a precious gift from Almighty God. Another day you have never seen before, another day to get it right, to be a blessing to someone else. Another day that is full of faith, full of expectancy what the Lord has in store for you. I mean we all face the every day struggles and challenges that life as a believer has to offer, things may not working out the way you planned, but remember each new day is a chance to stand strong in da midst of adversity and see the faithfulness of God.
Every day you are blessed to open ya eyes to see, is an opportunity to praise His name and give thanx. Another opportunity to magnify God instead of magnifying your problems.
This is da day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Another day to remember God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Another day to be thankful we are in a reasonable portion of our right mind, body and health.
Another day to rejoice that He is making a way when there seems to be no way! It is when we focus on the gift of every day and rejoice in what God has done in our lives, that we begin to experience His increase and His blessings. He will never bless you with more if you are not thankful for the little. Its then we rise up higher and set the course to live in victory all the days of our lives.
This is the day!

REJOICE
GIVE THANX
PRAISE HIS NAME
FOR, THIS IS THE DAY!

Rev Run's Word of Wisdom 7-24

Good morning. In our feverency, passion and enthusiasm for a goal, it is easy to fall into the trap of hurrying. I am not commending laziness. Nobody admires slow-moving. But, your energy, enthusiasm and excitement must wear the harness of accuracy. Punctuality is a great success trait! Moving steadily methodically, and even swiftly is admirable. (But remember!) Hurrying can produce costly mistakes.... Slow down, Think, THEN react! Have a excellent day!

God is Love
Rev Run

SPIRITUAL MINDED- sneak peak preview of my new book

Snippet of the Intro.....
Hip-Hop has been around for well over 30 years now. We have doctors, lawyers, teachers and preachers who are hip-hop heads. We have generations who grew up on nuthin but hip-hop. I am a hip-hop head, a grown-up hip-hop head, but a hip-hop head all the same. A professional hip-hop junkie and I am also a Christian, who has given his life to Christ and is thankful God gave his only Son, so my sins are forgiven and I may have eternal life. Like Deitrick Haddon, I so thankful God still hears a sinner’s prayer.


EVERYTHING I AM

Man, here we go again.
everybody sayin' what's not for him
everything I'm not, made me everything I am…
people talk trash, but when it hits the fan
everything I'm not, made me everything I am
Everything I Am - Kanye West

You ever doubt yourself because of your shortcomings? This is a common thing. Are you constantly reliving the mistakes of your past and preventing yourself from success in the future? Maybe you have a limited education, you have a jail record, your family is poor, and people have messed over you all your life? Now that the economy is slow and everything you used to do as a side hustle has dried up it hard to eat these days.

Whatever has held you back in the past doesn’t have to limit where you go from this point on. The good news is you can move past the scars of yesterday. God never consults your past to determine your future. So stop looking at where you have been and start looking at where you are going. Stop advertising your pain. Stop concentrating on your short comings. There isn’t a person walking God’s green Earth that doesn’t have some sort of limitations.

We all have handicaps so to speak one way or another. Some are financial, some are emotional or mental, and some are physical. But the bottom line is we all have short comings. Trust His power and hold on. He will give you the strength to keep from falling - Isaiah 40:31.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position
that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
Booker T. Washington- Up From Slavery (1901)

The smart person builds on their strengths and works with what they have instead of letting their weaker aspects prevent them from reaching their goals. A questionable background, a jail record, a limited education and being born on the wrong side of the tracks shouldn’t be an excuse from charting your own course.

Is your past preventing you from moving forward in your present and succeeding in your future? It’s important to remember the past is over and concentrate on your future. Let God pull you up by His power (Ps. 54:1-4). Then, hold on to His hand. Cling to Him and “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” -Ephesians. 6:10.
The best thing about the future
is that it comes only one day at a time. - Abraham Lincoln

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!

Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED:
da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
available online real soon

Rev Run's Words of Wisdom 07/16/08

Good morning. Have you ever heard the saying two heads are better than one? Well its true! The scripture speaks about.. When two of you agree together.. It will be done! Working alone is fine (BUT) show no shame when accepting help.. (Remember!) Pride cometh before a fall... When in doubt ask for help! :-)

God is Love
Rev Run

Trailer for Tyler Perry's new movie

I just wanted to share this with all of you
from Tyler Perry's email alerts: Emaiil Messages From Tyler Perry ...

I wanted you to see the trailer for my new movie
coming out September 12th. That's a cool day. You know why? It's just
before my birthday.
But anyway here's the trailer:
http://tylerperry.com/look
Now don't forget to let me know what you think. I'll be checking out the
message board later on.
T.P.
To respond to this message, please go to
http://www.tylerperry.com/messageboard

Rev. Run's Words Of Wisdom 07/15/08

Good morning. Slow and steady wins the race. This is a time when many people will be running out of steam... SO BE PATIENT! Don't lose heart... PRESERVE your energy! The scripture says.... “Be not weary in well doing for you will reap in DUE SEASON if you faint not.

God is Love
Rev Run

WHAT ARE YOU DOIN TO REACH THE YOUTH?

I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them
Lead the way
show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense
Of pride
To make it easier
Let the children’s laughter
Remind us how we used
To be…..
The Greatest Love Of All- George Benson

Today’s entry is more a random rant, than a daily devotion, but after this past weekend- Block Party event I attended at New Life AME Zion Church in College Park, GA. It was on my heart to share this with all of you reading this. It was great to see some using hip-hop to reach the youth. It was great to see the youth have an outlet to express themselves and a place for them to invite their friends. Where are all the activities for the youth that were in place when we were young?

An idle mind is the playground for the devil…

I have often talked about how it was cats on the block, outside of my family that may have been as important as the words of encouragement I received from my family that saved me from being another statistic, saved me, the fact I’m not dead or in jail is because God blessed these individuals to get at me and let me know where I was headed if I didn’t change my ways.

We say the youth is outta control but it’s us who are failing them and not the other way around. We need to reach out to the youth, teach them, show them a better way to express themselves. We need to volunteer our time and mentor our younger brothers and sisters and we must never forget how we felt when we were their age.

I challenge all reading this to do more, to get more involved, make it our business to try to understand what the youth is facing. Instead of telling them what is wrong with what they are doin, show them a better way. Expose them to other experiences and cultures. Share your love for Jazz or whatever it is you are into. But whatever you do, get involved. Like the opening lyrics, the children are our future. The enemy attacks our youth before they get a chance to find their way to kill off our future leaders before they have a chance to grow into their roles God created for them.

They can not do it by themselves. And if you don’t like where you see our youth headed, my questions for you today is what are you doing about it? If you can not answer that question you need to get up, get out and do something. Learn what the youth are into and use those avenues to get their attention and teach them. Our youth are reaching out to us, are you answering the call or just slamming another door in their face!

If you don’t know where to start reach out to your local church, your local schools, the Boy and Girls Scouts or Boys and Girls Clubs of America, your local law enforcement, a lot of them have youth programs. Google youth groups in your area, look in the phone book. There are already many organizations and groups in place but they all NEED volunteers and donations to take things to the next level and be able to do more. Get with local businesses and work with them to start more groups and programs. Set up internships to teach youngsters new skills. Bottom-line you must do something if you want things to get better.

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON

HIP HOP JUNKIE 4 LIFE

Look out for my upcomin book

SPIRITUAL MINDED

da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation

available online real soon

KEEP HUSTLIN: IT AINT OVER FOR ME

Look this is my life, and it's a battle within
I gotta survive, even if I'm sinnin to win
And if I show no remorse I reap the devil's reward
He said he'd, give me riches but I'm lookin for more…
(Keep hustlin) It ain't over for me, no it ain't over for me
(Keep, flowin) I'ma step my game up and get what's comin to me
Terrence Howard (DJay) - Hustle And Flow (It Ain't Over)


One of my favorite films to watch, when I need some inspiration to keep hustling, to keep focused and stay steading grindin is Hustle and Flow. I watch Terrance Howard’s character DJay dealing with the battle with in, tryna survive like the lyrics say even if he’s sinnin to win. You don’t wanna do wrong but you tryna eat by any means necessary. You wanna do right but no one will give you a shot. You know what you doin is wrong but dem bills keep comin in, faster and faster and it seems like you just sinking and need a break from the everyday struggles of life.

There is this one part in the movie where DJay and Anthony Anderson’s character Keyes is kickin it in the car and Keyes talks about all the dreams he had when he was younger. Owning his own studio and having his own label and now its like he is doin what he doin just to pays bills. He questions if he was just talking a good game when he was younger.

Well that’s exactly where I am, that’s exactly what I have been goin thru the last few years. I had madd dreams off where I would be by now. And instead I have been working every odd job I can find. I mean I wasn’t exactly workin women on the streets or selling drugs but still the same I knew everything I was doin wasn’t what I was suppose to be doin and not always right. The closer I got in my Christian walk the worst my financial situation got. I didn’t feel right doin some of the hustles I used to, but I was torn cause what to do cause I keep feelin that temptation to go out there and get that money so I would have to struggle so hard. While I know that money was out there I did feel like God had bigger plans for me.

Then the line that I felt the most in the movie was when Keyes says, this right here gotta work, cause it aint over for me. There was also a line in Eminem’s semi-autobiographical joint 8 Mile, where he says if its gonna happen it needs to happen now. Now I know Gods time frame isn’t the same as mine and He can see the bigger picture. Sees the dangers ahead and where I will be even though I can’t. We want what we want now. We feel we been thru enuf and just about ready to do whatever is necessary.

Well that’s what I have always done and more times than not it ended up not necessarily being the best look for me. I couldn’t wait for God, I had to make it happen on my own. The fact of the matter a good part of the reason it was takin so long was that I was too busy tryna make moves and getting in God’s way. I was too busy tryna do it my way. I wasn’t being obedient to what God wanted me to do but wanted Him to bless me with what I wanted. Knowing that is half the battle but it doesn’t make it any easier. It doesn’t make the struggle any less hard. But when I took time to actually look at the situation in hindsight, what I was goin thru more times than not was the best thing for me. Was what I needed to go thru to prepare me for what was ahead.

Before given my life to Christ and I didn’t necessarily know any better, I just did what I had to do. But now I have that battle within, the battle of what I know I am suppose to do and what I have always done and what’s readily available for me to pay the bills, (even if I’m sinning to win.)

Today is one of those days, this is one of those weeks. I know what I should do but I know where I am and it gets harder and harder to do right. But I try to do what God has for me to do. Today instead of getting on the phone or hittin dem streets getting my hustle on, today I do what God wants me to do. That’s share this testimony with those of you out there goin thru the same thing. For me to tell my story so others that’s goin thru it can feel me cause they know I feel what they are goin thru. To share my God given gift of writing to inspire, uplift or encourage someone out there today.

Even this very minute while I write these words, God has my preaching to myself. So I walk that tightrope or doin His will and keep hustling man, cause I know like the chorus to that song, I gotta…
(Keep hustlin) It ain't over for me, no it ain't over for me
(Keep, flowin) I'ma step my game up and get what's comin to me

I didn’t survive all I went thru for nuthin, God has spared my life for a reason. I hope someone out there reading this is inspired to keep living their dream, to keep hustling and grinding for what it is there are tryna do. But in doin so know that God hasn’t brought you this far, too leave you now.


In closing I say to all reading this
Keep Hustlin, Keep Flowin, Keep Dreamin
and most important , Keep The Faith.
Cause It Aint Over For You, It Aint Over For You
Know God has plans for each and everyone of us.
And he gives us dreams and visions
And if you can see it you can achieve it.
No matter what’s goin on in ya life don’t ever lose the fight in you
Don’t every give up your dream or lose sight of your goal.

Cause it may be hard out there for a Pimp
But it’s even harder out there for a Christian! You aint know!!!
©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
HIP HOP JUNKIE 4 LIFE

Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED
da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
available online real soon

URBAN YOUTH PRAISE GOD THROUGH Kompa, Hip-Hop, Poetry and Traditional Music...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MarcArthur St. Juste, CEOFounder, UrbanGospelMixtape.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mstjuste111
Email: ugm.mixtape@gmail.com Mobile: 646-331-5880
URBAN YOUTH PRAISE GOD THROUGH
Kompa, Hip-Hop, Poetry and Traditional Music...*
BROOKLYN, NY - July 26, 2008. UrbanGospelMixtape.com Founder DJ RISE (on-air personality at WHCR 90.3 FM) created a strategic alliance with powerful Urban Marketing team LIGHTHOUSE UMP to present urban youths seeking a voice an outlet through Object of Our (02) Praise 3-day Youth Conference. Cameo Appearances from renowned artists To Be Announced. In the heart of Brooklyn on Saturday, July 26th 2008, O2 Praise promises to bring young people in numbers for a night of praise, positive thinking (workshops) and prayer. Performances will range from dramatic skits, "praise"-stepping, reggae, hip hop, worship and refreshments on site. "Hip-Hop has had a history of community empowerment and creating music and poetry reflective of everyday life in our neighborhoods. Modern-day Hip-Hop has emerged into the endorsement of violence and glam by any means necessary. Urban youth are impressionable and most influenced by the music and culture of today's Hip Hop which goes beyond the studio, but into film, sports, business/marketing and education. Hip Hop has been known to produce massive sales, new trends, new ideas… let's see if we can use this tool to save and welcome new souls to a JESUS that looks, dresses and talks like they do." – MarcArthur St. Juste, Founder, UrbanGospelMixtape.com, co-producer of "O2 Praise" Youth Conference.
"It's time for the church to stop acting like we (youth) are not listening to it (hip hop). We need another choice that isn't all about shooting and sex. I thank God that an event like O2 Praise is happening. I'm gonna get my praise on listening to Hip Hop that brings souls to Heaven…straight-up." – Anonymous 16 year old.
"The amount of support that we have received from our community gives me restored faith in humanity. We are here to make a difference and the best way is to reach one, teach one and guide one. O2 Praise will have youths learning conflict mediation, decision-making, stress-coping, and progressive self-empowerment tools in workshops provided and programming in a way that they don't know they're learning. God is great and I'm looking forward to a big turnout." - DJ RISE, On-Air Personality, WHCR 90.3 FM - "The Voice of Harlem"
Booking information: UGM.MIXTAPE@GMAIL.COM – No more requests for booking will be accepted.
Sponsorship information: mstjuste111@yahoo.com – Businesses, Organizations and Individuals are encouraged to support with promotional items, gifts, monetary donations and resources.
For more information please call at: 646-331-5880.
Publicity/Media: WE ARE NOW WELCOMING ALL ENTERTAINMENT, INSPIRATIONAL/RELIGIOUS, URBAN, TEEN MAGAZINES TO COVER THIS EVENT. Please send your name, media outlet's name, media type (radio, syndicate, etc.), media website link, phone number to be reached between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., email address, secondary contact (if you are a reporter) and number of crew members (photographer, video, etc.) to: ugm.mixtape@gmail.com
Please see the attached flyer for details regarding the event and feel free to call or email me with any questions. Special thanks to 3LP Promotions - Sirge Conglomerate - Ralph McDaniels - Syntax Records - GAUGE & The Shamelleon Rebellion - T.R.U. Praise Ministries – SheNotes Entertainment – DVM Marketing (Diedre Gary) – Fontana/Universal Records – Luis Colon/Feel So Good Entertainment - Warren from Delite Media and Music Lab- ABC Youth Organization (ABCYO) and Tracy Daniel for continued support and commitment to urban youth development.