Spiritual Minded da daily devotion for the hip hop generation is now available on Amazon Kindle

now available on Amazon Kindle - Spiritual Minded da Daily Devotion For The Hip Hop Generation by AJ Woodson. Don't have a Kindle, no problem, download the free Kindle app to your pc, mac, iphone, ipad, droid, blackberry, etc. and cop a copy today!

KICK OFF YA SHOES & RELAX YA FEET!

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made;
And He rested on the seventh day from all
His work which he had made- Genesis 2:2

You every get in a bind, be it financial or just behind in work where there is so much that needs to be done? No matter how much you do it seems like you’re not even making a dent. You try and try, work day and night to accomplish your goal but somehow it just never seems to ever be enough. I know I have been guilty of this many times in my life and still find myself in that situation now to be honest. I never take time to rest.

Well let me tell you this, rest and relaxation is not a sin. Rest time is repair time, a time of renewing, restoration and recharging. It is also a time a receiving what we need from God to get through another day. We may look at it as a loss of productivity but it is really a time of renewing. Yes you could have gotten some more done if you stay up but you are not really effective when you are tired. Fatigue can be costly, financially or in time to redo what you did, when you weren’t at your best.

God created everything in 6 days, but after each day he didn’t complain about what He hadn’t done yet. The bible tells us he stood back, looked over what He had accomplished and said it is good. He set an example for us and Jesus did the same thing. That may be the reason He was able to accomplish so much in three and a half years. Jesus who healed the sick, fed the hungry, performed miracles and taught everyone He came in contact with, took time to rest.

Come ye yourself apart into a desert place and rest awhile. - Mark 6:31

Jesus often separated Himself from others to rest, mediate and pray and be alone with His Father, to recharge His spiritual battery so to speak. Like your car, you can only go so far before you run out of gas. Life is very demanding, people are too. The more you succeed the more people will demand or expect from you. The life as a believer is even more demanding. The enemy will attack you every chance he gets. When you don’t take time to rest and are weak, is one of his favorite times to attack.

That’s not say don’t work hard. Work hard but take time to play just as hard. And take time to kick off your shoes and relax your feet.

Father God please teach us how to rest.
Show us how we can turn to You and refresh and rejuvenate ourselves.
Without rest we can’t accomplish the goals and desires you have placed in us.
Thank you for Your rest
In Jesus’ name- AMEN

©2008 AJ (AJ ROK) WOODSON
DA PROFESSIONAL HIP-HOP JUNKIE!!!
Look out for my upcomin book
SPIRITUAL MINDED: da spiritual daily devotional for the hip-hop generation
and check out the SPIRITUAL MINDED MAGAZINE,
ONLINE RADIO SHOW and Social Networking Site!
http://spiritualminded.ning.com/

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

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

LOVE

How beautiful love can be

On the streets love is hard to see

It's a place I got to be

Loving you is loving me

How beautiful love can be

On the streets love is hard to see

Gotta reach that frequency

Loving you is loving me
Common- Love Is…

In a world where everyone feels they have to be so hard and where a real man can’t show any emotions for fear of being considered soft or worst, I chose to express my love. I wrote awhile back my I almost lost my dad twice in a 5 year period. Most of my life since his dad never verbally expressed his love for my dad; my dad didn’t exactly know how to do that for me. After the car accident that almost claimed my dad’s life, we have made a commitment to tell each other we love the other at the end of every phone conversation.

Love, So many people use your name in vain

Love, Those have faith in you sometimes go astray

Love, Through all the ups and downs the joy and hurt

Love, For better or worse I still will choose you first
Love- Music Soulchild

We need to get back to a time to tell those close to us how we feel. Your parents, your siblings, your spouse, a relative, a close personal friend and especially our children. Men there is nothing soft or gay about express your love for your brother. This is something we take for granted that the other person knows, but when you never expressed it verbally and then that person is gone you don’t want to have that I wish I would have told them… conversation.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is nor irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

- I Corinthians 13: 4-7

Far too often we confuse love with lust. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourself. It’s utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against the natural inclinationations. It is possible to practice this kind of love only if God helps us to set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting none in return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show others.

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

So does this mean that if you dislike someone you aren’t a Christian? There will always be people we will not like as well as others. But John’s words in I John 2: 7-8 focus on the attitude that causes us to ignore or despise others. Christian love is not a feeling, but a choice. We can choose to be concerned with people’s well being and treat them with respect, whether or not we feel affection toward them. If we choose to love others, God will help us express our love.

Thought of the day:

Love is not only a commandment but a choice. Call a loved one, you mom, dad, child, a best friend, relative, spouse, whoever it is for you and tell them you love them, today.

To all my friends and family and all of you reading this, remember Jesus Loves you and so do I!

24 Hours To Live- an excerpt from my forthcoming book

Sup peoples,
it's been a minute since my last post
I have been busy working on a new book

I usually don't like to share stuff like this until I am finished but I decided to get some feedback and share my vision with the world.

The book is called

AJ's DAILY DEVOTION:

THE SPIRITUAL DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR THE HIP-HOP GENERATION!

it's something God put on my heart to use my gift of writing that God has blessed me with to reach the youth out there, that are not reading the bible and attending anyone's church.

It's a daily devotion that blends elements of hip-hop, biblical literture, famous African-American quotes, to inspire, uplift and encourage our youth. please take a minute and look over an excerpt of the book and hit my back in the comment section with your feedback, thank you in advance for your input.

24 HOURS TO LIVE
If you had twenty four hours to live just think
Where would you go?
What would you do?
Who would you do?
And who would you wanna notify?
Or would you deny that you was about to die?
Ma$e (24 Hours To Live)

Sometimes I get frustrated with the current state of hip-hop and wanna listen to some older joints. I went for a long walk to clear my head one night and was listening to Mase’s ‘24 Hours To Live’ featuring The Lox, Black Rob and DMX. Where as you could imagine they all discussed all the various things they would do if they knew they were going to die in 24 hours. I started thinking what I would do. Do you know what you would do?
While it was a hot track, the reality is most people never know when they only have hours, days or weeks to live. The news has been full of stories of school shootings, disgruntle employees coming back to kill the boss, multiple fatalities on the highways, plane crashes, 911, Katrina, deadly wild fires in Cali, etc.
None of those people knew they were going to die that day. I’m sure many would try to get right with the Lord if they did. Do you have a personal relationship with God? In the bible in John 14:6 Jesus tells us, “I am they way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Most people think they have plenty of time to get right with God, cause we all think we are going to live a long life. But the truth is no one is promised tomorrow. My former pastor, Rev. Michael Rouse had a favorite saying. He would say every Sunday after his sermon, ‘Don’t let hesitation cancel your reservation.’ If you die tomorrow, do you know if you would go to heaven? Good deeds, obeying lots of rules and helping your fellow man won’t get you through the final checkpoint.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray my soul the Lord to take

These words are what we teach our children to say before they go to bed but do we teach them what they really mean. If you don’t know Christ for yourself and haven’t put your faith in Jesus as your savior, none of the other stuff will matter. While the song will go down as one of those classic hip-hop joints, not even the artists on the track know when they only have 24 hours to live. Don’t let your time run out!

It’s not what you achieve that qualifies
Its matters not if I gain wealth or fame
The only thing I must be certain of
Is ‘have I put my trust in His Son’s name’ - Hess

First Round Draft Pick

Someone came to Jesus with this question:

"Teacher, what good things must I do to have eternal life"
"Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "Only God is good.

But to answer your question, you can receive eternal life

if you keep the commandments."- Matthew 19:16-17 (NLT)

As I sit here watching ESPN, the experts and analysts discuss what college players will be selected where in the 2006 NFL Draft today at Radio City Music Hall in new York City. As a countdown to the main event the experts give their predictions, and recite memorized stats of the football players college career.

Players who are anticipated as first round draft picks are being interviewed and asked where they will be and want to play, what team, what city, what football program. Its an all day event, but the anticaption has been building as the sports news shows have been discussing every aspect of it for the last month.

While watching the show I couldnt help but pause and give thanks that Jesus Christ dies for our sins so we may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him

will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Isnt it refreshing to not have to guess what team you will play for in the after life. God has selected you as His first round draft pick. He doesnt care about how fast you run in the 40, your all purpose yards last year. God doesnt care how many touchdown passes you have caught or thrown. How many tackles or quarterback sacks youve racked up. We dont have to be perfect and have a whole bunch of stats to decide your worth. If He did none of us would be drafted, because none of us are worthy but priase God he loves us so anyway and all we have to do is believe in His son and follow His commandments.

"For this is the will of My Father,

that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."- John 6:40

Father God thank you for giving your only begotton son for our sins, even though we are not worthy. Thank you for loving us even when we didnt love ourselves. Thank you for deciding our worthiness by our shortcomings and weaknesses.

We take this time to give thank and praise your name

In the name of your almighty son,

Jesus also known as the Christ

Amen

Amen

Amen