Get Financial Help During Covid-19

Hi

Demetrius here.

I hope and pray that you and your family are safe during this Covid-19 crises, we will get through this together.

I just wanted to give you some information that may be useful to you and your family, as we navigate these uncharted waters.

If you are struggling financially, due to Covid-19, help may be just a click away. The Federal Government has approved additional funding to assist families, as we embark upon these challenging times. The program has been included in the Cares Act: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

Even if you do qualify to receive Unemployment Compensation, or have been denied benefits, for whatever reason, you still qualify to receive this additional $600.00 per week.

The information below is for residents of the State of Michigan. If you live outside of the State of Michigan, visit your state's Unemployment Agency website, and search for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) link.

The link below will direct you to our website. Click on the yellow Covid-19 Information Tab. 
This will direct you to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation link.

Click on the link to create an account and submit your information to the State. The State will need this information to process you claim and to issue those well needed fund$

I hope this information was helpful to you.


Here is the link to our website:
DSandridge.Com

"Leading In The Midst Of A Storm"

     As a man of faith, the word of God, the Bible, is a valuable asset to me as to how I respond to life. Not just how I respond, but how I plan for the future. Although this book has traveled through the chambers of time, it has not lost its power to change lives.

     Here is a story found in this timeless book:

Jesus Calms the Storm 

Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 
40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 
41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"


     This story shows us that no matter what we face in our daily lives, we can survive and conquer storms. Leaders lead! Not only in words, but in their actions.

     Let us dissect the text.

     The first thing we should notice, is the fact that Jesus made a direct and blunt statement: "Let us go over to the other side." The disciples were extremely familiar with him. Whenever he speaks, people listen. Not just listen at the words coming out of his mouth, but also observed his actions. This is why it is imperative to "Know" your "Leader" Real leaders can say very little in word count, but those words have the power and the ability to move people to action.

     How a leader speaks is just as important as to what a leader says. "Let us go over to the other side." He did not say Let me go over to the other side. When he said, "Let us..." He was referring to the disciples, they were included in the "Us." When a leader speaks, pay close attention to what they say, and how they say it.

     Secondly,  the text also says that there were other boats with him. Why is this even mentioned or important? This shows us that the influence of "Leadership" is far-reaching. Your reputation and track record precedes you.  People are watching you even if you are unaware. As a Leader, please understand that you bare the responsibility of leading your team, and sometimes your leadership will impact people in the stands, ("the other boats").

     Thirdly, Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of a terrible storm. The question is, why? Did he not care about the crew of the ship? Did he not even care about himself? I don't think that was the case. I believe this was Jesus' way on using this situation as a teaching moment. A moment to show the disciples, in real-time, how to handle storms that show up in our lives, even those storms that show up unannounced. This is another special characteristic of a Great Leader, the ability to remain cool, calm and collected. To show confidence, but still have the fortitude to not downplay its severity.

     The reason I think Jesus was trying to use this situation as a "Teaching Moment" is how he responded to the disciples, after he spoke to the winds: He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

     The disciples clearly recognized that he was the "Teacher" ("Teacher, don't you care if we drown?") but failed to understand that this was a teaching moment. I truly believe that Jesus went to sleep on purpose. Not as a person, that was tired, but as a teacher, that needed to illustrate a lesson. One of the essential skill-set of a great Leader is the ability to use any particular situation to covey a message.
   
     As we take a somber look at the crises that our country is facing today, it is clear that strong leadership is vitally important. Our survival depends on it. Covid-19 does not know borders or the occupants of those borders. Its mission is to destroy human life, period. Furthermore, our mission is to serve and protect human life.

     You may not hold a public office, or a president of a large corporation, you are still a leader. somebody is being influenced by you. The question is, are you a good leader? How do you handle a crises?  Are you able to speak in a way that gives people confidence in your ability to lead? Are you able to handle the heat in the kitchen, the heat that comes with criticism?

    You do have a part to play in all of this. You may be asking, what's my part? You can start with your family. You can help in your community. Encourage those that are connected to you to practice social distancing..."Stay Home!" Say it in a way that resonate with them. It's just that simple. That's what leaders do, step-up to the plate and lead.

     Being a great leader does not mean you are perfect. Nobody is perfect. We don't know everything, and that's okay. What's not okay is to lead in dishonesty.

     It's okay not to have all the answers. It's okay to ask for help. It's even okay to admit when you  are wrong. Asking for help and not having all the answers does not show a sign of weakness. It shows the strength of a great Leader! A real Leader knows that they need to be surrounded by people that are perhaps smarter, but still have the ability to follow their Leader.

     Real leaders welcome  partnerships. Partnerships that have the leeway to speak truth to power. This is what really solidifies great leadership. This healthy exchange holds a good leader accountable, which makes him a better Leader, that is fully welcomed by a real leader.

     If you really want people to follow you, lead from a place of transparency. Speak the truth, even if that truth is painful. Speak the truth with empathy. Connect with those that you are leading. Be willing to love people, because that's all you have in this world, People.

     Take the time to reflect on your leadership. How can you improve? Remember, there is always room for improvement. What can you do to make life a little better for someone other than yourself?

You Have What It Takes!!!

Thanks,

Please leave a comment below...

What Does Racism Have To Do With Poverty?

I was asked this question, "What does Racism have to do with Poverty?" This is my answer to that question.

First, we have to define what poverty really is. Poverty has nothing to with how much money you have or don't have. Poverty has nothing to do with the color of your skin or your zip code. Poverty is a mindset. You can have plenty of money in the bank and still be poor.

Your mindset is the key to having a good life or not having one: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." You are what your heart embraces. To put it another way, you will continue to behave the way you believe. In order to change your behavior, you have to change your beliefs.

With that being said, a poverty mindset will cause you to experience lack in every area of your life. Not only will you suffer deficiencies in your bank accounts, but in your friendship accounts, business and personal relationships as well. A poverty mindset is detrimental to your personal growth, and will gravely impact your financial potential.

Now let us delve into the term Racism, and the impact that it has on the perpetrator. Contrary to popular belief, Racism does more harm to the person that is inflicting it than the one that's being inflicted. Why? Because the person that is being inflicted has the ability to not become the victim of it. This is a powerful revelation. No matter what people think of you or try to inflict upon you, you have the power to not accept it. Knowing your self-worth is the key.

When you become aware of your Self-Worth, the real value you bring to the world, certain things will never be tolerated again. And at the top of that list is, Racism!

Here are the implications of Racism for the perpetrator:

• Low Self-Esteem
• Frustrations
• Lack

The Perpetrator has more to loose than the person that's being victimized. Why? 

The perpetrator has closed himself off from the possibilities of connecting with a human-being. Not a Black man, not a white man, not an Asian man but a human-being. 

The perpetrator has to first understand that every human-being has been uniquely crafted on purpose and with purpose, by the Creator of the Universe. This is first and foremost. If you don't get this part right, your entire life is meaningless. 

Synergy is always created between people, regardless of race. The human race is the most valuable asset that we have on planet Earth.

The race that the Human-Race should be involved in is the Green Back Race! Show Us the Money Honey! If this is important to you, then my suggestion is connect to as many people as possible. People that you can add value to and vice-versa. This is when life will begin to flourish. And the reason why I know this, because it has for me.

Thanks,

Author D. Sandridge

www.DSandridge.Com

www.KillRacism.Shop

www.YourEncounter4Life.BlogSpot.Com

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.