Stewardship!

Sunday's Meditation:

This 11-Letter word is the difference between the Haves and the Have Nots. It's the difference between Wealth and Poverty.

Do you ever wonder why certain people are successful, and other people struggle, living paycheck-to-paycheck?

How often have you pulled up to a stop light and looked over out of your car window, and saw a very nice shiny car, perhaps your dream car?

Did you ever say to yourself, "Man, I wish I could have that car?" Or, what about the Christmas party at your boss's home, the house that's nestled prestigiously in a "Gated Community", beautifully furnished with all the fixings and amenities of a luxurious life?

Okay, I hear some of you Thinking..."Life isn't about material stuff"...You are Absolutely correct.

I am mainly talking about principal here. The Principle of Stewardship Works in every area of your Life

Okay let's move away from the material stuff for a moment. Let's look at you physically. Is the person you see in the mirror what you have envisioned you to be? Are you at your ideal weight, or can you afford to shed a few pounds?

The quality of your life is always defined by the quality of your choices, which is a reflection of your stewardship. Your life did not start out being overweight, but you somehow have found yourself tipping the scales. Why? In most cases, lack of good stewardship.

Stewardship is being responsible for someone else's possessions, in such a way that it becomes personal to you. Even though it's not yours, you treat it as though it is.

We own nothing in this life. Everything that we have has been leased to us to manage. And the better you manage, the more you get to manage. This is a very simple principle, but very complex in how we handle it.

See, God gives everybody what they absolutely need to succeed. It's just up to that individual as to how it's handled.

Did you know that you absolutely can have that car, perfect body and health, or the house that you so desire? If you expect to have a full and well-rounded life, these are the three areas that you must concentrate on:

a.)  Your Relationship With God.

b.)  Your Relationship With You.

c.)  Your Relationship With Others.

Your relationship with God is the most important one, so let's deal with that one first.

1.)  The Bible asks a very fundamental question: "What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and then lose his Soul?"

There's absolutely nothing in this world that's worthy of losing your Soul over. So, make your relationship with God a top priority. Spend quality time with him in prayer, seeking direction for your Life. If God gave you his Son, He will give you anything based on your ability to handle them. Show God through your relationship with him, that you can handle the blessings that He has waiting for you, by your impeccable stewardship.

2.)  Just like you spend time with God, you need to spend time with yourself, too. Growing and developing is your personal responsibility to Life. Always seek to improve everything about you. This includes your body & health. Make a commitment to eat healthier, get that body moving like Coach Les preaches everyday. Just Love You!

3.)  The ability to embrace new and healthy relationships is solely predicated on how you handle the ones that you are currently in. It takes time and energy, and a lot of effort on your part to nurture good relationships. People make the world go around, not technology and social media. Genuinely love people and get to know them. Don't dislike someone because your close friend doesn't like them. Make your own decision about the people you allow in your life. When choosing friends, you must make sure those individuals are Suited to assist you in your purpose, and vise- versa. You must always surround yourself around people that have your best interest.

These three things are what God has given us, so that we can have and enjoy a wealthy, healthy, and wholesome life. If you are a Good Steward over these three areas of you life, there's nothing in this world that can stop your Success!

If you have an old car, keep it clean and change the oil. Check for old French Fries in between the seats. Get the bird poop off the glass and windshield. Treat that old car like it was a brand new one, just like the one you admired from a distance.

Take care of that body that God has given you. Exercise and walk daily. Eat healthier.

Clean-up that apartment that you live in. Make your bed up in the mornings. Pick up the trash and debris in front of your apartment building. Take pride in your Environment!

In other words, be a good Steward over what you do have and what you have control over. Show the world how blessed your are, through your awesome Stewardship.

Author D. Sandridge

12 Steps to Becoming a Millionaire

Step #4__
Change Your Thinking

There was a television commercial that I saw a long time ago that said, "You are what you eat." The commercial was referring to eating healthier by adding fruit to your diet. I thought about the makers of that commercial and analyzed the message that they were trying to get across to the many Americans that viewed it. It was a catchy phrase.

But, as I look at our society as a whole, I think that it's becoming more evident that it's not just what we are eating that's killing us, we are killing ourselves with our "Thinking"...It's not our diet; it's our thinking.

"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he..." Mark Twain commented, "The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." If you don't think properly your life suffers tremendously.

Our thinking has caused us to respond the wrong way, say the wrong things, eat the wrong foods, work the wrong job, marry the wrong people, invest in the wrong things, stand on the corner for the wrong reason, and even hurt people for no reason at all.

Has your "Thinking" caused you to do any of the things above? If so, there is hope. The hope is; this is just a mentality that has caused you to become trapped by your own thinking, through your limited experiences.

Changing your environment will create a different experience, only if you change your thinking also. Do you remember the saying, "You can take the people out of the country, but it is hard to take the country out of people."

The same is true with you. You can change locations, but if you never change your thinking, the new location will eventually start to look like the one you just left.

Changing your thinking means embracing new ideas and concepts. You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to penetrate the old-way of thinking--which means there has to be a paradigm shift.

If you can only think Better...You can Live Better!

Stop Trying To Live Saved!

Okay, now that I have your attention, let me explain....
As I revisited this verse, (Romans 10:9-10) revelation began to resonate in my spirit.

There is a very popular saying moving through-out our cities, churches, and especially, on our college campuses: “The Struggle is Real.” Although, this particular statement is often referred to the natural struggles of Life, it also has spiritual implications as well.

There are a lot of frustrated Christians, struggling with their salvation. And the reason is, they are basing their salvation on how they feel. This is the problem: The worst they feel, the harder they try to work to feel Saved, through their own actions and so called Good Deeds.

Salvation was never meant to make you feel good; its primary function was to redeem you and put you back in right standing with God. Therefore, when you are in right standing with God, your spirt is free from the entanglement of sin. This is what you feel, Freedom from Sin.

Salvation is never based on what you do or how you feel, it’s always what God did through his Son, Jesus. That’s it, nothing more and nothing less. A lot of Christians over-complicate this through their traditions.

What we as Christians should focus our attention on, is not trying to live saved, but learning how to LOVE PEOPLE. The work of Salvation is already a Completed work. It has already been settled over 2000 years ago. There’s nothing more or less that you and I can do that would improve the perfect work that God has already done.

Salvation was birthed out of Love, and therefore, it has to be perpetuated in Love. For God so Loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son… And Salvation is a result of the Love that God has for people.

Find ways to give and show Love to the Unloved. This is what true Salvation is all about. When you are truly Loving people the way God has intended, Salvation is at work in your life.

People that are having a hard time trying to Live Saved, are people that have a problem with Love. Think about it…I’m not going to purposely hurt you if I really Love You? Neither am I going to do harm to myself if I really Love Me?

Once you have accepted Salvation, confessed with your mouth, and believed in the finished work of Christ, you are Saved, period. It’s Done. Salvation is Complete and Settled, It’s our Love that we need to perfect.

Stop trying to live saved…Start Living to Love.

Love God.

Love Yourself.

Love Others.


Author D. Sandridge

Your Gift Will Make Room For You!

I have some very exciting news to share with you:

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN  APPROVED FOR THAT NEW CONSTRUSTION HOME TO BE BUILT.

However, there is one more step that you have to do to complete the process for this approval: You need to bring a GIFT in order to “Close the Deal.” And guess what…You don’t even have to go shopping for it either.

You already have everything you need to close any deal in your life, in order to succeed in this world. That’s right! When you arrived here on planet earth, God equipped you with a Special Gift/Talent. Every person has a gift, and that Gift is directly attached to your Wealth, and your Wealth is attached to your GIFT. 

If you are not yet in your wealthy place, the place that was designed for you, I suggest that you take a good look at your Gift.

Have you identified what your real gift/talent is, or are you doing something because your best friend is doing it? Are you working on a JOB instead of your Destiny?

The Bible says that your Gift “Will” make room for you. If you are feeling cramped and frustrated in your current career, perhaps it may be that you are not doing the thing that you were created to do.

When you are in your right lane, Life becomes more meaningful. Doors will begin to open for you. Companies will begin to search you out. Your Gift will become a spotlight and bring attention to you. Notice I did not say your mouth will bring attention to you: But your Gift will. If you are actually doing the thing that God created you to do, you don’t have to say one word to anyone…They will automatically realize it.

Today I admonish you to hone in on your Gift to enhance it, and make it stand out. Don’t allow fear to dictate your Life, but give permission to your Gift to Make Room for You so that you can enjoy the Abundance that’s attached to it.

Your Gift has the power to Build anything you deem worthy to be erected in your life, even if that means that physical dream home.

So, allow your Gift to be the Foundation that you build your success upon. The materials that you use to build your life, should be top of the line quality; Never compromise Quality for Quantity.

Your Big Screen TV Could Be Costing You Big Bucks?

Your TV watching habits could be a clue as to how strong your Money Game is? Studies show that too much TV watching has a direct impact on your finances, and impedes Prosperity.

Wealthy people rarely watch TV, if at all, and if they do happen to fine themselves in front of one, it’s only about 30 to 60 minutes per day.

Non-Wealthy people sit in front of a TV for a whopping 300 – 500 minutes per day, and the numbers are higher if the person doesn’t have a Job.

So, could this be one of the problems as to why the disparity in wealth? You be the judge.

Wealthy people read more than they watch TV. Not just any book, but books that offer help/advice on improving one’s Life.

My advice to you is to Turn off the TV, and pick up a Book.

Answers: 

1.)  F

2.)  D

3.)  45 Minutes or Less

"Was That My Mother: She Died Almost 4 Years Ago"

My day started like any other typical Monday. After swiping  the snooze button on my smart phone a few times, I got up a little after 7 a.m. My first pickup is at 8:30 in the morning in Southfield, Michigan. After I picked up my first client, I dropped her off in Warren, which was about a thirty-minute drive.

With a little downtime, approximately 2 ½ hours before I had to pick up my second client in Waterford, I thought it would be a good idea to run the car through the car wash and vacuum it. After the car wash, I stopped at the gas station to fill up and get a newspaper for my clients. I also refilled the inside door handle with tootsie rolls, and made sure fresh water was in the cup holders. The car was now completely equipped to transport my senior clientele. 

By 11:30 a.m., I’d picked up two people I’d never met before. This particular run was a referral from a prior client; I was transporting her mother and her mother's friend. I was taking them to the medical district in Detroit for a follow-up doctor’s appointment. It took us about fifty minutes to make it downtown.

When we finally arrived, I pulled to the curb to assist my clients out of the car. After I put the car in park, I got out and opened the doors for my clients, pulling the walker out of the trunk.

As I unfolded the walker from its collapsed position, and placed it on the sidewalk so my client could brace herself, I noticed out of my peripheral vision another senior walking toward us. At the time, I didn’t really think too much about it. I continued assisting my two clients. I made sure they had my cell number to contact me when they were done.

The senior who was walking in our direction finally made her way to the place where we stood. She waited there patiently as I wrapped up my conversation with my clients. Then, it all happened.

"Excuse me, you do transportation, right?"

“Yes,” I said.

"Can you drive me to the parking structure? I can't make it way over there. I'm not going to make it."

I was more concerned about her heavy breathing. I wondered if she was in pain and if she was going to pass out.

“Sure, not a problem,” I said.

I helped her into the car—the one I was so meticulous about, as if I was chauffeuring royalty. I did this routine for years--thirty to be exact. However, this time felt different. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I'm not sure if it was because this was the very first time, in my thirty years of being in the transportation industry, that I’d driven two seniors at the same time.

As I was driving into the parking structure, she asked me, "How much do I owe you?"

“Really, you think I’m going to charge you? You owe me absolutely nothing. It’s a pleasure to help you. I'm so glad that I was actually there at the right time.”

"God bless you, son. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus!" is all I heard coming from the back seat of the car.

"We know each other well. He and I have a very good relationship,” she said.

“Great, make sure you send one up there for me.”
"No, I'm not. I am going to send seven up there for you.”

“Thank you so much!”

I pulled up to her car, got out and opened her door. As I was helping her out of the car, she said, "You are such a wonderful young man. (My mother said this to me on many occasions. My mother really loved me). Can you give me a hug?

“Sure I can. I would love to!”

This is when it hit me like a ton of bricks—the moment I embraced this senior. Her embrace felt like the ones my mother used to give me. I held her in my arms, as if she was my mother. Her embrace and gentle touch reminded me so much of my mom. This is when I totally lost it. All of my emotions rose up from the bottom of my soul. 

As I rested my forehead against her sweaty neck and aged face, tears formed in my eyes. I tried my best to hold them back. It wasn’t working; this was an awkward moment. I didn’t want this stranger to see me crying. Although she was a stranger, she felt more like the woman who birthed me 51 years ago. But, my mother has been dead for almost four years.

I said to myself, "Is this really happening? Why am I feeling like this?”

Her limp, how she labored as she walked, the way her clothes draped her body--all reminded me of my mother. Even her heavy breathing sparked a memory of "Miss Kat." That's how the kids on the block addressed her, back when kids respected their elders. As children, we were never allowed to call an adult by their first name only.

I don't really know if she knew I was crying because our eyes never made contact. As I helped her out of my car and into hers, my right hand automatically went to the small of her back to help support her weight, before she lowered her medium-built frame into the car. This is how I always helped my mother into my car. It became a natural reaction after doing it for so long.

Never making eye contact with me again, she said, "Thank you so much and God bless you."

“Thank you, and God bless you, too!” She adjusted herself behind the steering wheel.

My emotions were out of control. I couldn't get in my car fast enough. As soon as I closed my car door, I wept profusely for twenty minutes. Although this was a bittersweet moment for me, I will forever be appreciative of the event. I don't know if I should call it an event opposed to an encounter. Whatever it was, I will always ask the question, "Was that my mother?"

 

What’s The Difference between a Wealthy Person and a Person That Lives in Poverty?

There’s really not a big Difference per se…

How a person lives, or the desire to live and have a certain lifestyle, is totally up to that individual.
People that are wealthy made the choice to be wealthy, and the same is true for those that live in Poverty, it was their choice also. Now, I know I may have just hit a nerve, but hear me out.


You may be thinking that wealthy people had special privileges that allowed them to become wealthy. This view is not necessary true: Although, there are those that have come from very wealthy families, which has allowed wealth to be perpetuated in their family’s bloodline, however, it’s not indicative for accumulating wealth. You too have what it takes to become wealthy: That’s only if you want to. Remember, it’s your choice.


There is one common thread, among many, that you will discover when you take a look at wealthy people: Imagination is at the top of the list.


Every person that wants to be wealthy must first have an image (Imagination of the wealth already-in-hand) in their minds, first and foremost. This is the Secret.


Isn’t ironic that the Bible even talks about the power of the imagination, the images that we portray in our minds?

 Ponder on these references:


1. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…Genesis 1:26

2. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Genesis 11:6


3. God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 (Message Bible).


As you can see, it is vitally important to have the right image in your mind. If Poverty is the Image in your mind, that is the thing that your Imagination will attract to you, poverty. The opposite is true also, if the image that you have in your mind, is creating wealth, that is the thing that your imagination will attract.


You don’t really need anything else, other than your Imagination to create the Wealth that you want. This is why God had to bring to a screeching halt, the completion of the Tower of Babel. This group of people were doing the thing that they had imagined in their minds. God himself confirmed that they were getting ready to accomplish this outlandish feat.


There are so many people that had nothing, other than their imagination, that made something of themselves. Study the List Below:

a) Mike Ilitch

b) Michael Jackson

c) Ray Kroc

d) Henry Ford

e) Oprah Winfrey

f) Steve Harvey

g) Tyler Perry

h) “YOU”!!!


Yes, you made the list.

Q: How did you make the list? This is the question you have to ask yourself, “How do I make this list?”

A: I’m not sure what it’s going to take for you to insure that your name remains on the list…But there is one thing that I am certain of, and that is: You already have what it takes to become successful.

Create images in your mind that are conducive to what you want to accomplish.

Note: Where you are in your life right now, is what you have already imagined in your mind.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he… Proverbs 23:7


Author D. Sandridge

My Tribute to President Barack Obama

Today represents a bitter sweet moment in America’s history, and the world at large. Today is the day that President Barack Hussein Obama, the 44^th  President of the United States of America, and the first African American, will be departing the office of the presidency. Eight years of legacy will be recorded in America’s archives, which will serve as a witness of such a historical event. 

First of all, Mr. President, I want to personally say thank you for a job “Well done”. You said it best, “Yes we can, yes we did”. It was a pleasure to have your representation in the White House. Your voice was an extension of all the voices of the American people.

Your message of hope and change helped mend the country back together. We will always remember not what you said, but all the good you did. As you leave the Oval Office, I pray that your spirit of compassion never leaves the building.

You not only made America proud, you made America a lot safer. Not only are we safer, we are stronger economically. At the time you first arrived to the White House, you not only came in with your own luggage and personal articles, you inherited America’s baggage of financial collapse, as well.

Your leadership and steadiness saved the American economy. Now that we are better, safer, and a lot stronger as a country, is a testament to the world that anything is possible. America will always be great if we continue to love all people, and most of all, if we continue to love God, and allow him back into our homes and schools.
 

I know that once you step out of the White House and onto that helicopter, to be transported to your prearranged destination, you will never forget about the American people. Not white America, or black America, but all Americans.

Thank you for being a role model for men all over the world. While we watched you from afar, your genuine example felt a lot closer. You not only raised the bar, you showed us how to raise a beautiful family. Thank you for leaving the White House clean and spotless for the incoming administration, but more so, free of scandal.

Thank you First Lady for allowing our children a place at the table. Our children not only got to come over to your home to dine, they were encouraged to eat healthier—and you led the way by example.

Your classiness is second to none. Your inner beauty has spoken loud and clear to all women of the free world. I pray that you and President Obama remain active in our communities across this great land.

However, we will do our part, too. We will insure that the legacy and examples you and the first family left will stay in place. Not only in our communities, but also in our hearts.

And when we are in the face of opposition, we will always remember: “When they go low, we will go high”.

God bless you, and may God bless America.

Author Demetrius Sandridge

Personal Challenge For 2017

Hello family…

First I want to welcome you and thank you for visiting.

The purpose of this blog is to inspire you to be all that you were created to be: Body, Soul, Mind, Spirit, and of course, “Breaking the Chains of Poverty.” I pray that you not only find this site informative, but fun and practical. Why live life if you can’t have fun doing it?

So, with that being said, our first challenge is Saving! That’s right…Saving Money. I need at least 100 people to take this challenge with me. Are you on board? Okay, let’s go!

There were thousands of people that took on the “Mannequin Challenge” which swept across the country. These individuals were willing to take a pause out of life for a moment. But, the reality is when the pause was over, they returned to their everyday lives–Business as Usual.

Unlike the mannequin challenge, this challenge will actually benefit you in a few ways:

1. Teaches Discipline
2. It will help you to recognize your spending habits
3. Builds confidence
4.  It creates a rainy day fund
5. Gives you a sense of pride
6. Shows you that anything is possible

So, are you Ready!!!  Okay.

Savings Goal:

Plan A:  $15,000

Plan B:  $12,000

Plan C:  $10,000

To achieve your goal  you first have to believe that you can do this. All things are possible to those that believe. I know this may seem to some to be an uphill battle, especially after coming out of the holidays…but we can do this.

Look at it from this perspective. Ask yourself, “What can I do that will help me to realize my goal? After you figure that out, then do it.”

If your goal is plan A, that means you will have to save $41.67 per day for 360 days.

If your goal is Plan B, that means you will have to save $33.34 per day for 360 days.

If your goal is Plan C, that means you will have to save $27.78 per day for 360 days.

I know that there are 365 days in a year. But like I said earlier, this should be fun and practical. The extra 5 days off will allow you to enjoy the holidays with family and friends: Thanks Giving, Christmas, and New Years.

Begin to find ways to cut back on your spending. Maybe you don’t have to get Tim Horton’s coffee and that chocolate donut. What if you sold a product online, that would help you generate some cash flow? Perhaps you could pack a lunch instead of eating out? What if you let your cable network provider go for just one year, and utilize the internet instead?

I’m not going to tell you what to do, or what to cut back on. What works for me may not work for you. Just be creative, and make it FUN. And most of all Enjoy and Embrace the Journey… And at the end of the year you would have accomplish your GOAL….

Leave me a message about your journey, and some of the creative ways that you implemented to accomplish your goal….I would love to share your Story!!!

Become a “Chain Breaker in 2017”

Have a Blessed Day…And a Prosperous New Year

Demetrius Sandridge

Author