Lil’ Son Chronicles – The Modern Day Esther…

Inspiration ~ My Mother, Rose Marie’s Natal Day….

*In my 50 Cent voice… GO GO GO GO Go Momma, it’s yo’ birthday LOL!!!*

Today, join me and my sisters as we celebrate Mom’s Birthday.  Rose Marie, girl you done cross into a new year!!!  Out of fear that I will be cut and taken out of the will, I won’t tell Rose Marie’s age lol.  But I will say, she looks younger than her age… hence why I am 29 and can pass for younger lol. 

Nonetheless what I can say about this modern day “Esther”?

The biggest thing that sticks out to me about my mother is her willing to be a nurturer and to give people words of affirmation that helps them along the way.  In my opinion, Rose Marie has and is an encourager.  Someone that will immediately lift you up when you feeling the blues. 

Below is what I shared of Mom from last year.  Very relevant…

My mom and I talk a lot and she has shared a lot with me; life lessons, her past, her future and so forth.  And that’s on top of the sacrifices she has made for Erika, Monique, and I.  But I think about the conversations and I’m like wow... 

  

When I think of mom I am reminded of the smile on her face.  And there’s nothing fake about it.  She understands the importance in a smile.

Point #1.  Smile, because you really have a reason.  Folks, yes; the world presents challenges and experiences, but each day you are blessed to open your eyes is reason alone to smile.  Take a step back and realize, you can smile, because God loves you.  After all, He allowed His Son to die so you and I can live. 

Also, Mom is serious about the Kingdom of God…

Point #2.  In this year, we are charge to return to the state of Holiness.  Let’s challenge ourselves to live holy.  It’s not the most popular thing to do, but the blessings one receives, the lessons one learns, the example one can be... is all worth it...

Leviticus 20:7 (The Message)

^7-8 "Set yourselves apart for a holy life.  Live a holy life, because I am God, your God.  Do what I tell you; live the way I tell you.  I am the God who makes you holy.

And so…

Mom,

I just want to say thank you for all you do.  For the lessons you teach me, the discipline you give, the respect you demand, the example you set as a mother.  Thank you for being a praying Mother.  When I was going through and even though you didn’t know exactly, you steadily prayed and I thank God for you.  God has blessed you as a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a friend and most importantly, God’s Daughter.  Mom, Happy Birthday to You... and May God continue to bless you all the more.

Love,

Son...

P.S.  For Mom and everyone else...  Enjoy the best of Jesus...

Romans 16:20 (The Message)

^19-20And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters—I couldn't be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every "good" thing is the real thing.  Don't be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil.  Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt.  Enjoy the best of Jesus!

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ The Divine Detour @ Sandy Cove (Part 2)

On this past Saturday, I found myself once again sitting out by a big body of water.  Earlier this year it was the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean while in Cancun.  This time, it was the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Cove in Maryland.  If you every get a chance, please go.  The view is spectacular.  A blessing that is truly inspirational. 

But anyway, I’m sitting on the bench and listening to the calm water and watching the sunset.  For some reason, I became fixated on the sun’s reflection in the water.  Looking at it was simply amazing.  I mean think about it.  To see God’s work in this matter… and fashion; beautiful.  But it got me thinking.  We can look at something like the sun’s reflection in a body of water and notice its beauty.  Yet sometimes we look at ourselves in a mirror and we only concentrate on the flaws, the mistakes, and the bitterness; hence we look at ourselves as rejection.

But the reflection of the sun in my opinion served as a reminder to me.  I can recall a time when I would look myself in the mirror and feel I had nothing to offer and didn’t feel that I added to my life or anyone’s life.  And many of us feel that way at times.  The brokenness, the pain of the past, the anger… but when you look in that mirror there’s something else that’s there are well. 

Spiritually, when we look at our reflections, shouldn’t we be able to see Christ? After, we are Children of God; Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ, called by His Name.  We are made in His Image… therefore; when you see yourself in the mirror… don’t focus on the negative… You are still here.  You have a voice.  A voice that can save a soul.  You matter to someone.  Your mom, dad, husband, wife, children and friends… even the unknown.  Your life can lead one to their deliverance. 

Here’s a poem that I wanted to try. 

The Reflection… 

A reflection can tell a lot…

From the abstract colors to a simple blemish or spot…

For years and years, I was ashamed to look at me…

Ashamed, because I felt within me… there was no good deed…

Satan said look… your worthless… hence you will be my seed…

And even with that, I still would look at my reflection and see…

All the things that I desire to do and to be…

And then there was a time when I looked…

Only to see a demonic being within that had me shook…

At this point I was going down…

Vincent was dying and Lucifer had me bound…

But once again, I heard a voice…

A voice that said you have a choice…

The choice to look at another reflection…

But what was the point… I only would see rejection…

But His voice called out to me…

God said, My son… don’t forget what you can be…

Remember, I created you and love you most…

I will never leave you; stay by you close…

Years would pass and through God I would gain…

Yet, He reminds me of His Power through the past; the pain…

It was Saturday afternoon when I saw a reflection…

A reflection that cause me to fall under subjection…

The creation of the sun; as it kisses the sea…

Reminding me of the Son; who died for me…

I am reminded that all I endured…

Christ died for me; so one day I would be pure…

Ahh, the things you see in the reflection…

The way He reminds us; we’re His Selection…

It’s true; a reflection can tell a story…

From the pain of the world… the enemy of Satan…the worry

Yet it all works together in God and now I represent His Glory

And so when I look in the mirror, I see more than me…

How Mary Mary put it…. It is the God in me…

Father God:

Thank You for who You are in me.  Thank You for You are Love… Thank You for everything… Thank You for giving me back me…

In Jesus Christ Name… Amen …

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ The Divine Detour @ Sandy Cove (Part 1)

Inspiration:  Men’s Retreat at Sandy Cove…

Imagination a place of serenity.  A place where you, for a time, forget all about your responsibilities to the world.  A place where God meets you.  A place in where you can truly experience God. 

This weekend I had the unique opportunity to spend 3 days with my Brothers in Christ from the Life Center Church at Sandy Cove in North East, MD.  I think the best way to sum it all up is wow.  The transparency, the testimonies, the worship, the fellowship… the REFLECTION ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY… CAN WE SAY DA BIZNESS!

And so…

Father God:

How many ways can I express my gratitude?  Thank You for this continuous journey.  When you allow us to experience You in this matter, it humbles me even more to have an appreciation for every trial.  Because each trial has prepared me for such a time and more.  Father, I thank YOU for my Brothers in You.  God you allow me to have a Brotherhood in fraternal bond with Kappa Alpha Psi.  But to share a spiritual and holy bond with my Brothers from the Life Center… I thank You God.  I thank You for the realness… no airs… nothing fake… just realness.  I thank You God for how each man from the Life Center has deposited in my life… and I’m grateful that You’d use me for such a task to encourage.  Lord, I thank You for the reminder that this is a process.  A process; while challenging, will bring forth prosperity in You.  Father God, thank You for restoration… Use us to be a blessing as You have blessed us.  As we obey You and serve others, we will be blessed.  I thank You God for a humble heart.  God, You know what each man stands in need of.  As they made an investment into someone else, God please continue to pour Your power within us. 

In Jesus Name,

Amen

There truly is something amazing when men can get together in the name of Jesus Christ and fellowship, praise, worship… laugh, cry… encourage one another… help to rebuild one another.  I said to each man that reads this… You are mighty in the name of Jesus.  God loves you and so do I.  The enemy desires to strip you of your Godly manhood; right now I rebuke the enemy in the Name of Jesus.  Satan, because you did not create us, you cannot have authority us.  We are God’s sons… He loves us the most… and He calls us out and sets us apart for all that He desires… Satan in this past weekend you lost once again to the mighty power of God. 

To my Brothers from the Life Center… I salute each of you.  Let this weekend serve as a jump start/new level in our Brotherhood… in our relationship with Christ.  Let us continue to support and encourage one another and be the best that God calls us.

P.S. There’s more writing to come based on this past weekend… so much that God showed us all… I can’t put in one entry… lol.

Lil' Son Chronicles ~ Obedience...

Luke 5...  ⁴When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

^5-7Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow.  But if you say so, I'll let out the nets.”  It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity.  They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them.  They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

When God says give a command... don’t think about... just do it.  As humans, our response to situations and people are quick when we can see with our eyes and feel with a touch.  Something that is tangible will get a quick response.  But when we hear from God to go out into the unknown or do try again, we question it.  Don’t question what God is calling you to do.  He knows that you can do it.  Even if it appears to be a risk to you, God really wants 2 things.  To see if you are obedient and to continue to have relationship with you. 

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ Remember: SURRENDER… PARTY!!!

Inspiration:  Adriana Evans – Surrender (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUG6hWpqeM )

Well, another work week is here.  Yeap, it was struggle but you had to get up, turn on the coffee pot and perform for 8 hours.  Ain’t it funny how we complain about a job, but we have one.  Er’body wants a promotion and more money and this and that.  Funny we want so much and yet we aren’t prudent over what we have.  We pretend that we have arrived, when in fact, we haven’t started.  All the stuff we complain about is just that… stuff.  Sure you may not think it means anything, but it can weigh you down and you don’t even realize it.  But wouldn’t it be radical to simply let it go, maximize what you have now and surrender to a peace of mind?  Okay, so that’s a $64,000 question, but there’s an answer… and it was inspired by Miss Adriana Evans…

Adriana recorded a track, Surrender.  An old school flavor for the clubs, but it’s got a good feel as far as the lyrics.  Here are a few lyrics:

Take my problems if you please and leave them behind…

If my ears do not deceive me they’re playing my song this evening and er’ thang is feeling so right…

If all the people came to groove, just remember to SURRENDER; PARTY!

Now while this one is for clubs… its good riding music… and its good motivation to say:

You got problems like the next… so what?  We all got some issues, but remember in er’ thang… surrender and party… shake the issues off.  Of course face them and deal with them, but once it’s over with… shake it off and enjoy life and all it has to offer. 

Now if that isn’t clear enough… Know that in all the circumstances… the solution… is God.  Stop giving those bills power… stop giving that abusive relationship control… stop surrendering and partying with Satan.  Who wants to do the dance with the devil?  Really… whatever… lol.

Look at yo’ issues… then look at all that God has done… is doing… will do… and with that said… SURRENDER to God and start up a Praise PARTY!  Why… Because He is God… Because of who He is… and because of who you will become with Him leading…

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message Bible)

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ Room 3026 LIVE!!!

Inspiration:  Monday – Friday from 1-2 PM

I guess it’s been about three or four months now that I’ve been privileged to listen to Room 3026 Live and I must say I’m enjoying it.  For one, I love to see folks doing something that adds to others.  This radio show does that… from tech news… to pop culture mixed in with tons of laughs and good cheer.  A good thing indeed.

It’s easier said than done to stay committed to anything.  I know this all too well with staying committed to the Living Purpose course and series.  And so I tip my fedora off to you guys for staying committed to the show.  Through the show, many friendships have been made and network, network, network is very evident…

And so, y’all know I gotta PUT U ON BLAST!!!!

To Damond, Derek, Michael, Darin and Patrick… Thanks guys.  Y’all definitely help the Monday-Friday go a bit smoother.  Of course y’all some smooth brothers anyway lol.  But I’ve learned quite a bit about technology; I’ve even started to like my Samsung Omnia again, granted I see a DROID phone in my future lol!  But knowledge is a good thing… and no matter how much you learn… you still can be taught more.  And that’s a humbling feeling.  Good job gentlemen and keep up the good work… And Mike… my bad on the twitter hiatus LOL!!!!  Derek, we gotta talk about some statistics and the fly hats… and Damond, NUPE thanks for being an example of ACHIEVEMENT.

To er’body else:  If you have an opportunity, check out Room 3026 Live… It really is a good show!  Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/damondnollan.  Set yo’ account if you don’t have one foo!!!  LOL… Tune in Monday – Friday from 1 – 2PM, if possible.  Become a tech geek for an hour, but you get to be cool as well with some SWAGG… lol.

Lil’ Son Chronicles ~ Complex Simplicity

NOTE:  Repost from 2006…

Life is just Complex Simplicity…

This word… life. Four letters… one syllable. This word speaks volumes in comparison to these words… situation (4 syllables…9 letters) and confusion (3 syllables…9 letters). And yet this 4 lettered, one syllable word can also be complemented with these simple words…love (1 syllable…4 letters), joy (1 syllable…3 letters), and peace (1 syllable…5 letters).

Life. It’s good and bad…fill with joy and sadness… comes with ups and downs… takes one to the mountains and valleys. But life is just complex simplicity. Filled with challenges; good and bad.

This is my personal definition of complex simplicity. Mental, physical, and spiritual challenges with a tranquil balance. Our minds are constantly going. Yet when idle, Satan will use that to his advantage. Our body is a temple, a vessel for God. But yet we consume our flesh with the ways of the world. Our spirit man should be present within us. Yet the spirit man does not have opportunity to grow.

So many devices threaten us. Our mental, physical and spiritual beings are key, but how does one keep these three beings in sync with one another. How can the 3 complement one another continuously?

We need the tranquil balance. We need the Love, Joy and Peace of God to bring about the balance. For our minds, Peace. Peace to accept what has happen and strength to make changes and understand the difference. For our bodies, Joy. Joy that is only given to us by God and can never be taken away from us by the world. For our spirit man, Love. The greatest gift for the greatest part of us.

It’s not enough to have Joy and Peace. Yet if we have Love, it opens the doors to Joy and Peace. Not to mention so many other things… Healing, Prosperity, Meekness, Fellowship, Consistency, Development, Perseverance…more importantly…that good ole’ 4 lettered, one syllable word…life. Small as this word is…it speaks volumes… and here’s another world… WHOLE…

John 10:9-11… I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for the steal, and to kill, to destroy: I am come that they might have (that four lettered…one syllable word) life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Life. Yeah it’s challenging at times… but it’s just Complex Simplicity… Our 3 main (mental, physical and spiritual)challenges with His 3 main (Love, Joy and Peace) tranquil keys… which lead to what God, the Father; God, the Son; and God; the Holy Spirit has purposed for our …. Life.

Thought: Perfect Peace comes from God, but it is nourished by Agape Love and empowered by His Holy Spirit that lives within each of us, which gives us an Unspeakable Joy.

Living Purpose “LP” Entries ~ The Journey Continues…

Philippians 3:15-16 (The Message)

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

13 weeks, we did it!  We made it through Living Purpose class!  YEAH!!!!  Excited, but a little sad.  In 13 weeks, I’ve established some good friendships and it’s always a blessing when brothers and sisters in Christ can come together and simply fellowship.  But more so, I am excited because through this class I have truly experienced God.  But through this class there’s one thing that sticks out; the journey continues. 

It would be easy if I was told, “Oh you go through this 13-week session and all of your problems are solved.”  Not that easy lol… but this course has added to the foundation God has laid long ago within me.

With anything that we complete, we feel great.  Another check off the “things to do” list.  Take for an example.  I remember graduating from college.  Excited because that was over with and was ready for my job lol.  Little did I know that would come with a process that would constantly remind me of my past and all that God has brought me through.  Many tough love lessons, tears, and all.  But today, I sit and think back to when I cross that stage to receive my degree. I think of all that has occurred in those 7 years and if someone told me on Jan. 27^th, 2003… Feb. 27^th, 2003… Dec. 2004… the summer of 2005… that right now I would be here with a state of humility and gratefulness, I would have never believed them.  And yet I am here… with so much work to do for God.  Work that I’m joyful for.  Joyful, because over that course of the 7 years I’ve been here in DC, I haven’t always been grateful for the good and bad.  But today in 2010, I can say that through everything, I now know that God was always there and that He has and continues to be at work in me and through me. 

What this course has done for me is opened my eyes wider.  Spiritual eyes that is.  I’ve become a bit more conscious of God and His Voice.  And while I celebrate completing this course… I know that this marks a new level in relationship with God. 

To All:  We all have various goals that we set.  But why?  What do you hope to obtain from that accomplished goal?  Will it add to others as well as yourself?  Once that goal is said and done, will it give you the ability to seek the next goal?  To embark on what God is calling you to do?  When you have gone through an experience with God, your life is not the same.  Some things you don’t want to do anymore… some places you don’t want to go back to… some people you don’t want to entertain.  And it’s not because you are above it all… but because, you have a hunger now to seek God and accept His invitation into His Work.  It can be a challenge to stay ground in God, but always study His Word… stay in prayer… surround yourself with people that are doing the Will of God… and continue to always seek a love relationship with God.  If we do these things… we can not go wrong.

Father God:

I thank You for this day.  Father God, I thank You for this course.  This course has added so much to me God and I’m grateful that You continue to use me to be a blessing to so many.  Lord, I thank You for new friendships established through this course.  God, I ask that you would continue to bless my brothers and sisters.  As we all have come to the end of this course, let this be only the beginning of the journey You have for each of us.  Strengthen us, encourage us… love us as only You can…

In Jesus Christ,

Amen…

This will be the last Living Purpose Entry… but don’t worry…  God has plenty in store and I await His instructions.  More writing is on the way… I just want to thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers.  I pray that God will continue to add to you all.

Living Purpose "LP" Entries ~ Physics 101...

NOTE:  See not every person that studies the sciences, takes it for what it is "truth".  It too must fall to the subjection of the "TRUTH" The Word of God that is...

Proverbs 3:1-6

¹ My son/daughter, do not forget my teaching,
       but keep my commands in your heart,

 ² for they will prolong your life many years
       and bring you prosperity.

 ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
       bind them around your neck,
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

 ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
       in the sight of God and man.

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;

 ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
       and he will make your paths straight.

Destiny’s Child had a song that many people remember.  A song that many women felt empowered by, “Independent Women.”  And while it was a song for the ladies, it spoke self empowerment to both sexes.  The ability to have your own, or more or less, do you.  Beyonce proposed the question, “Tell me what you think about me?”  But the questions that I propose are, “Why you need someone to validate you?  Should it solely matter what someone thinks of you?  Shouldn't what God thinks of you matter the most?  ”

It is amazing that many of us feel we are truly independent.  Don’t need nobody and nothing.  But yet our actions say the independence we claim is for a convenience.  Take a high school graduate.  He/she is excited that they have that diploma and so ready to be “grown.”  However, being grown comes with both known and hidden responsibilities.  It’s not enough to say I’m grown and I can do what I want.  I mean you can, but think about that because there’s a price that you have to pay for everything. 

Which takes me back to undergrad; sophomore year at ECSU; pondering... "why am I doing a physics degree again ?!?! LOL."  I recall sitting in Dr. Choudury’s University Physics class.  Newton’s Laws of Motion.  *sigh* lol...  He always would say to me, these laws go beyond physics.  In fact these laws are a way of life.

Bear with me as I go back to my true NERD days... but then I never left those days, just got cooler lol...

• A particle will stay at rest or continue at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.
• You and I are the particle.  And while we claim we are independent and doing ourselves, are we truly being independent (in control) over things that will build us up as well as someone else?  Are we being selfish when it comes to “do you syndrome" and forgetting that somebody prayed/is praying for us?  This unbalanced force called "life" can be a hindrance or stepping stone.  Does the action of the external unbalanced force cause an internal growth or death.

• The net force on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.
• The object.  My spirit man.  How far and fast will it go?  Does it choose to speak quickly and walk slowly?  Does it choose to pray and fast?  Does it rule or does the flesh have reign?

• Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
• With everything that we do; there’s cause and effect.  In me, making decisions, I have the power to affect others.  If I’m selfish with mines, then I can potentially block someone else’s blessing.  When you try to help someone, and they don’t show the appreciation... initially you have the mindset to become angry and bitter to helping others.  And while that may seem valid, the question I proposed; who looses out?  Who is it that needs the knowledge or to learn the lesson so that they can be renewed and potentially figure out the cure for some illness or lead to your deliverance?  And the equal and opposite reaction; hmmm.... do right by others... cause the treatment will come back.

THOUGHT:  There is nothing wrong with being self sufficient.  But is it internal?  Is it based on your relationship with God?  Something for me to ponder over as well as you...  At 29, I am grateful that I can hold my own.  However, while I claim my "independence..." it is all due to the DEPENDENCE that I have in God.  I guess that’s the key... 

 Instead of depending on this one and that one to come thru, why not depend on God? 

 After all we are...

^"7Rooted and  built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
 ⁸See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
 ⁹For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." - Colossians 2:7-10 

Think about it...

Living Purpose “LP” Entries ~ Don’t Be Scurred…

Inspiration – Christina Aguilera – Soar… this is a verse from that song:

"Don't be scared to fly alone
Find a path that is your own
Love will open every door"

THOUGHT:  Sometimes, in order to get to the calm, you gotta go thru the storm.

The Lord came to Moses and told him you gotta go holla at Pharaoh and let him know he's has no authority on my people...and their blessings.  Moses was afraid because he knew that he alone was given this task.

How long are we gonna keep dodging His plans for our lives because we have to do it alone???  Sometimes we do have to go thru alone and yes it is scary...But God didn't give us the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind. The path may be narrow and lonely but know that God is with you and the path will lead you to Him and all that you are destined for...

God is love so while you going through....Praise Him!  It is His Love that has brought us thru so trust that His Love will make the way.

Living Purpose “LP” Entries ~ Same Thing… Different Day

Inspiration: Recent Thoughts and Conversation with God... This poem comes from a couple years ago. Its hard being a friend to those that feels a need to be right on everything. Especially when it comes with the price of hurting others.

Child of God:
Sometimes you have to do it on your own...
Sometimes those who love you can leave you blown...

Frustrated and all you ask yourself... when does it end?
Why can't they say without God they can't win?

I try and I try like Willing Downing sings...
To reach them... so that the bell rings...

I hear their cries... feel their pains...
But when it's say and done... I endure the rains...

God:
But God... you said... My Child, just stop...
You forgot... you by yourself cannot reach the top...

Not without the power I give out to you...
You see, without Me... you can't go... be... or do...

I know how you feel... your upset...
I also know what I will do; My Plan has been set...

So I tell you... take your hands off and Let Me....
Let Me go... do... be...

Be what I have been from the beginning...
The solution... to your issues... the ending...

Let me work out the stress; rebuild your soul...
And for them, I'll try them in fire and make them gold...

But, what I need of you; continue to be an example...
To show your light; let others know that I Am Able...

Press onward with My Plan; keep sowing...
And know that all that you do, you will reap... but you MUST KEEP GOING...

THOUGHT: We can give all the advice in the world; say how we feel about this or that to others. But if it does not fall to the subjection of the Holy Ghost, then we are simply “speaking loud and saying nothing.” (Thanks for that one Charles). But actually we are saying something. With our own tongue we can lift one up or tear one down. Before we speak advice over others, allow God to speak over you. After all, we all got baggage that need to be dealt with. Furthermore, sometimes the best way to help others is to simply pray and ask God to help you.