My Testimony

I got saved about 12 years ago. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, but always believed that there was a Creator or a Great Spirit.

The Search Begins...
I had different periods of hunger for God. When I was 21, I began to search for God. Being Native American (Tlingit-Winnebago), I began to pray to the Creator. I didn't know to pray in the Name of Jesus, but sought God through the Indian way. The Creator whom I prayed to seemed distant, like a dim bulb in the sky. I prayed, but seemingly nothing happened. Later I realized that God had indeed heard me and responded to my prayers.

An Uneasy Awareness

After I graduated from college I moved to Washingto DC for an internship. My life of sin and lack of integrity began to catch up with me and I began to feel a sense of hopelessness and burden of despair that I couldn't seem to lose. When I looked at my eyes in the mirror they looked haughtened and old. I never felt so alone, but the aloneness helped me to realize that inside, I was truly empty.

A Defining Moment

My uncle miraculously got a job in Virginia. We talked quite a bit. One night he told me I needed Jesus Christ. An intense battle was waged for my soul. The Presence and Power of God was in the room, nudging at my heart. My mind said: "No! We don't need religion", but my heart said: "Yes! I need Jesus!" After hours of wrestingly with the question, my heart won. I said "Yes. I want God in my life". When I said "Yes" a heavy burden lifted and a sense of hope and peace invaded my inner man.

A New Beginning

When I awoke the next day my eyes looked alive and new. I felt cleansed and new. When I prayed, the Creator no longer seemed like a dim bulb in the sky. His Presence and Power invaded my life. He was now nearer then anything I had ever experienced and realized He loved me with a love that passes all understanding.

Gratitude

Since that time, I've had ups and downs in life, but I wouldn't trade my worst day with Jesus for my best day without him.

JESUS TRULY IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE! HE TRULY MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE!

God bless.... - MM

Being Street-smart and Book-smart

This is an interesting article about the benefits of being street-smart as well as book smart in business and life:

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Departments/elearning/?article=booksmarts

I think the best is to be both. Be both book-smart and a little "Omar-like" - ala "The Wire". Omar is sort of a 'street genius". :) Here are a few of his 'street smart' qualities that can be gleaned from him. He is:

1. Extremely shrewd and strategic in his thinking
2. Found his niche
3. Innovative
4. Flexible and 'open-source' in his strategies. Open to new ideas and approaches.
5. Travels 'light'
6. Has a certain code of conduct, ethics and protocol
7. He is generous in his world
8. Believes he is blessed and is confident
9. Puts together great teams that at times are even cross-cultural. Generally isn't prejudiced.
10. Comes up with creative plans and is a bold risk taker when necessary.
11. Plays to win
12. Understands the power of words. Confesses that he is 'blessed'.
13. Listens to his intuition.
14. Surrounds himself with wise counsel, but ultimately casts the 'deciding vote'.
15. Studies the terrain and looks for opportunities. Excellent reader of situations, people, and trends. Has a sense of timing and seizes opportunities....Opportunity-minded
16. Does his homework and takes notes
17. Effective negociator at times
18. Underlying joy is the secret of his strength.
19. He is resilient and 'glories in tribulation'. Full of faith, optimism and is patience - thriving in a challenging environment. Has a knack for turning negatives into positives.
20. Uses the 80/20 principle to his advantage. Ultimately, a 'can do' kind of guy.
21. Has mastered aspects of his 'game' and keeps improving.

He is sort of an "MJ" of the streets.

Obviously don't be street-smart for the purpose of crime, but for doing what's right.

Have the 'spirit of Daniel':

"God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life." Daniel 1:17

In other words, they were book-smart and life-smart. God can help you to be both.

Read the lines and read between the lines.

Enjoy...