how.........

How is today's word of the day . HOW do you survive in today's world when each and every corner you turn is either a dead end waiting to happen or is the wrong way? That is my dilemma today . When i was released from prison I was not handed the golden ticket to success in fact I was not handed anything except a appointment card to see a parole officer.
I base each and every post/presentation on choices and decisions. I am truly seeing first hand the effects of yesterday in my life today. Someday's it seems as if the struggle lessens and others it seems like it just started. WOW.
I'm not to sure where this post is going but I am sure of my direction a friend of mine were talking the other day and he said it best "keep moving forward" so that's my suggestion to anyone who can relate to my topic "HOW".
I know that GOD has a reason and purpose for everything big and small .Knowing that allows me to move ahead and to have faith that all will be as it is suppose to be one step at a time.
have a great day and remember you nor I will be given anything we can't handle
GODS MERCY AND GRACE I WISH YOU ALL
MIKE

LAFAMILIA....................

Good morning, today is all about family . With the upcoming holiday I want to take the time to acknowledge a few people publicly. First and foremost I give all glory and honor to GOD,without him nothing is possible. NEXT I thank my girlfriend CRICKET she truly has shown me the meaning of unconditional love and acceptance thank you baby you have seen me at the top of my game and also at the worst and lowest hour thank you for loving me and for being my best friend. SAM, the courage and strength you show motivates me thank you , you defiantly are your mom's twin lol. I want to thank my mom and brother Matthew for believing in me and in this ministry.
God has placed a family in my life that I have to acknowledge because without there faith and direction I would not be typing this very blog THE MEREDITH'S . You all hold a huge place in my heart by showing me the true meaning of a relationship not a religion thank you. Bud is the big brother I never had but always wanted and I NEED for all to know that without his direction somedays I may have folded and threw in the towel thank you. Catherine what can I say you are my publicist and prayer warrior and although we may not see eye to eye somedays lol you are so greatly appreciated thank you for all your efforts. MY LITTLE BRO JASE, WHAT CAN I say you are a amazing kid and you have the heart of a lion and know I ALWAYS GOT YOUR BACK HOW EVER YOU NEED ME TO. Haley, the breath of fresh air who embraces life and deals with it head on little sis you are a winner now and always .
Last but not least my pastor's. Pastor Donna and Pastor Mike thank you over this past year your offices have been such a source of comfort and truth. PASTOR DONNA thank you for showing me what it means to be dependable and for showing me Gods love first hand.
And to my amazing sponsor....FABULOUS FRANK GAZZELLA AND THE PIEROGUY PEROGIE COMPANY I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH EXCEPT.....THANK YOU AND ANYONE WHO HAS HAD A PIEROGUY PRODUCT SORRY FOR THE NEW ADDICTION.......and finally Matt Shepherd the design genius thank you for you belief in this ministry your creative and realistic views make any venture a winner. thank you.
I am thanking all these people today because my heart feels it is necessary and deserved we all that have been mention in our own way made LIVING IN REALITY the success it is today. If you've watched the movie the "BLINDSIDE" HOE BIG MIKE FEELS ABOUT THE TULLEY FAMILY, I FEEL THAT SAME EMOTION AND PROTECTIVE NATURE TO THESE PEOPLE 100X'S OVER.
GODS GRACE AND LOVE TO YOU ALL.
MIKE
P.S. ASK THE MAN IN THE MIRROR WHO IS ON YOUR NEED TO THANK LIST

confrontation.......

Anyone that knows me knows I am a boxing nut. I watch old fights,under cards , main events and love to go to the fights especially the unknown fighters who are hungry ........
This morning I caught the pre-fight interview with MOSLEY AND MAYWHEATHER . Amazing is the word that in my opinion describes this upcoming event . The reason I say this is because the entire interview reminded me of the challenges we all face at some point in our lives.
One side is trying to prove themselves to be the undisputed best and in the worlds eyes the other is the undisputed best. AS the interview continued on the similarities continued to flow each side is looking at the next as the fight of there life. When we stop and think if anyone has ever had to rebuild there lives from the ground up they can relate.
This is all about preparation and training the mind . I can succeed and overcome all that once was or I can prove not only to myself but to all those that matter most that there prayers and tears were not said and shed in vain. ONCE AGAIN IT IS ALL ABOUT PREPARATION.
In today's world it is said only the strong survive I disagree it is not the strongest who always win it is the ones who are the most prepared for what is in front of them .So once again i bring forth a challenge to all today look at the man in the mirror and decide if you really are prepared for the challenges of today.
Think before you act or speak that is the first test that comes to mind for me ...............
GOD IS ALWAYS WATCHING..........
MIKE

PUT ME IN COACH ................

HOW MANY TIMES IN ANY OF YOUR LIVES HAVE YOU BEEN THROWN OR PLACED YOURSELF IN A POSITION YOU WANTED TO BE READY FOR BUT JUST WERE NOT WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT?
MANY TIMES PEOPLE MAY SHOOT UP A FOX HOLE PRAYER AND ASK GOD FOR SOMETHING THAT IN THERE MINDS IS A MUST HAVE BUT WHEN THERE REQUEST IS GIVEN WELL, IT WAS NOT ALL IT WAS CRACKED UP TO BE.
I EXPERIENCED THIS VERY RECENTLY IN FACT .....BUT WE,I, AS THE SURVIVOR AND WARRIOR THAT I AM MAKING THE LEMONS INTO LEMONADE. I WANT EACH AND EVERY PERSON TODAY TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.
WHEN YOU DO THIS ASK "AM I MY AUTHENTIC SELF" OR "AM I WHAT SOMEONE ELSE EXPECTS ME TO BE" ??????? POWERFUL QUESTIONS WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT . TODAY'S POSTING IS ALL ABOUT FINDING THE AUTHENTIC NATURE IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.
SO START THIS JOURNEY BY NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR .....
FACE HIM OR HER HEAD ON AND IF A CHANGE IS NEEDED MAKE IT NO EXCUSES JUST MAKE IT!!!!!!!!
GODS LOVE
MIKE

CAN YOU TELL ME............

OK EARLIER THIS MORNING I POSTED A ENTRY CALLED TIME........Well I AM TOUCHED AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME TO WRITE MY THOUGHTS BECAUSE I WILL NOT WASTE TIME AND ALLOW PRIDE TO GET IN MY WAY.
MY LIFE AS I HAVE SAID IS A WORK IN PROGRESS I AM ONLY RELEASED FROM PRISON IN THE LAST YEAR AND LET ME TELL YOU THIS PAST YEAR HAS NOT BEEN EASY AT ALL. I ATTEMPTED TO START A SMALL CONSTRUCTION VENTURE THAT I WAS UNABLE TO TURN INTO A WINNER I HAVE BEEN ON COUNTLESS JOB INTERVIEWS AND IN SOME CASES ONLY TO BE TOLD "WE ARE NOT A SECOND CHANCE EMPLOYER".

AS I SAID MY PREVIOUS CHOICES IN YESTER YEARS HAVE AND STILL DO HAUNT ME. THAT IS MY REALITY. THERE HAVE BEEN WEEKS WHEN I HAD NO IDEA WERE MY NEXT DOLLAR WAS GOING TO COME FROM {THIS IS ONE OF THEM }. I WANT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS REAL. MYSELF AND THE FOLKS WHO BELIEVE IN THIS MINISTRY ARE 110% REAL AND ARE EMOTIONS ARE AUTHENTIC.
TO BE HONEST I HURT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE SOME THINK BECAUSE I WAS IN PRISON I HAVE NO FEELINGS UM.............ARE YOU SERIOUS.
LOOK THIS POST IS ME VENTING AND ASKING FOR PRAYER FROM THE SINCERE WHO BELIEVE IN GODS LOVE AND IN CHANGE . THIS MINISTRY IS FOR ALL TO RELATE TO. THIS IS NOT GONNA BE A GLAMOROUS JOURNEY BUT IT WILL BE REAL!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER AND ASK ALL THOSE WHO ARE NOT AT PEACE WITH GOD FOR WHATEVER REASON TO PRAY FOR ME AS I WILL YOU.
THIS IS REALITY I AM FRUSTRATED WITH NO-ONE BUT MYSELF TODAY AND I AM WORRIED HOW I WILL SUSTAIN IN SOCIETY BUT YOU KNOW WHAT ..........
I WILL !!!!!
SO BEFORE YOU DECIDE THAT THINGS ARE SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE LOST HOPE REMEMBER THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE IN THE WORLD FEELING THE SAME WAY. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND THEM IS THEY WILL NOT GIVE UP HOPE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS THERE TO HELP AND IF MY BLOG IS PART OF THAT SUPPORT THANK YOU WE WILL TAKE THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER.........
THAT IS MY HUG FROM HEAVEN TO ALL.......THANK YOU GOD FOR MAKING ME THE MAN I AM TODAY . LORD YOU KNOW ALL OUR NEEDS I PRAY THAT YOU WILL MAKE A WAY TO SEE THEM MET. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY
MIKE

time.......

TIME.......To some time is just a daily event watching the clock for a certain hour to pass or to come . Time for me is something I can not seem to get enough of. I am in some ways struggling to adjust to a so called normal life, the daily events of a day at times consume me and just when i feel like giving up and choosing the easy route I stop and think of all the time I wasted .
Living IN REALITY is a work in progress as I am a work in progress and the one thing I do know is that this entire ministry is not going to unfold over night and wasting my thoughts about were I am at is a waste of time.
I may not really have a specific topic today but I DO HAVE A SPECIFIC MEANING. I PROPOSE A CHALLENGE..........ask yourself what you could do with the time you have wasted over the years, ask yourself how can I make a difference in someone's life just by offering them a portion of you time, this challenge is one to combat selfishness and promote selflessness .
I ask you all to pray that things in my personal life begin to unfold . My prayer each day is that God would and in time I believe He will grant me the gift of stability and I am not speaking about that in the emotional aspect.
I do not do much complaining on here or in my daily life I always say "IT IS WHAT IT IS"!!!!
I do however grow tired of the stress the struggle and I am at a loss this week I am exhausted . But I maybe tired but never beaten it is just a part of living my life in reality . HOW DO YOU LIVE YOURS?
I pray that you all succeed in anything you do and as always GOD is love
ps. REMEMBER {I DO} WHEN THINGS BEGIN TO CONSUME YOU STOP BREATH AND THINK THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WORSE OFF THAN YOU ARE....MAN I COULD USE A HUG FROM HEAVEN TODAY!!!!!!!

taking responsibility

One of the hardest things in the world for some is to admit when they are wrong or have done something wrong, right ? I would like to go a bit deeper with that. There is a phrase "dropping the ball " to me this phrase is all about preparation. PREPARING for a task is the most important part {to me} in any decision we make.
I personally have dropped the ball lately . When i approach anything I OFTEN COME IN WITH TWO GENERAL EMOTIONS CONFIDENCE AND FEAR. The confidence comes when i prepare myself for what is ahead of me, the fear is when i am not as prepared as i should be. It's like studying for a mid-term or final a half hour before the test the result probably is not going to be what we all would like...
LIVING IN REALITY MINISTRIES IS ALL ABOUT DECISION MAKING AND THE EFFECTS BAD DECISION MAKING CAN AND DO CAUSE. A bad decision does not always have to occur in a setting of violence or crime it can and trust me will creep up on you, me or anyone else for that matter when we least expect it and the result or after emotion is always the same {in most instances} guilt.
I would like everyone to take a look at the small things that could turn into bigger issue.
PREPARATION and EDUCATION is the key to success and also can be our downfall when we go without these two actions.
SO let 's prepare our youth for the days to come and let us educate them with the truth.
THE ENEMY COMES IN MANY FORMS AND WORKS IN MANY DECEITFUL WAYS BE PREPARED AND BE AWARE .
IN GODS LOVE I WISH YOU ALL WELL
MIKE

why..........

TODAY I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN PLACED ON MY HEART.
EACH TIME I HAVE WATCHED THE LOCAL NEWS THIS WEEK I HAVE SEEN A STORY ABOUT TEENS COMMITTING HOMICIDE. I KNOW SOME OF YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELATE TO THIS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A YOUR TOWN BUT I HAVE TO COMMENT .
MOST OF THESES SENSELESS ACTS ARE COMMITTED OVER A MINOR DISPUTE OR A LIFESTYLE DECISION. I REALIZE THAT SOME MAY THINK THE ISSUES OF THE INNER CITY DO NOT EFFECT THE SMALL TOWNS OF SUBURBAN LIFE HOWEVER I HAVE A TOPIC TO RELATE IN EACH AND EVERY CITY IN THIS WORLD THERE IS A "BULLY" SOMEONE WHO THRIVES ON THE WEAK .
THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SOME ATTRIBUTE TO BEING JUST A STAGE IN A TEENS LIFE WELL I DISAGREE BECAUSE THUR MY EXPERIENCE THIS SO CALLED STAGE CARRIES OVER TO ADULTHOOD. HOW DO WE AS ADULTS AND AS PARENTS COMBAT THIS REAL LIFE ISSUE THAT GETS SWEPT UNDER THE RUG MOST OF THE TIME.
WE EDUCATED THAT IS MY ANSWER ! I WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BIGGER AND BADDER THAN THE NEXT. WHEN VIOLENCE IS INTRODUCED OR CONDONED AT A EARLY AGE IT IS LIKE GIVING A DRUNK DRIVER A GREEN LIGHT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE UNTIL HE OR SHE TAKES SOMEONES LIFE BEHIND THE WHEEL .
I WAS INCARCERATED WITH A 18 YEAR OLD MAN WHO WAS TRIED AS A ADULT FOR MANSLAUGHTER DUE TO A FIGHT . THIS MAN DECIDED TO PUNCH SOMEONE RANDOMLY TO IMPRESS A GIRL, WELL THE MAN HE HIT DIED . THE MAN HIT HIS HEAD ON THE GROUND AND DIED FROM HEAD TRAUMA. ONE PUNCH TOOK 7.5 TO 15 YEARS FROM THIS 18 YEAR OLD MANS LIFE. NOW THAT IS REAL AND THAT IS THE REALITY OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN.
SO AGAIN I SAY EDUCATED AND DISCIPLINE PASSING VIOLENCE OFF AS A STAGE IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS STATEMENT I HAVE EVER HEARD. I WANT ALL WHO READ THIS TO TAKE A SECOND AND BREATH AND THINK ABOUT THE EXAMPLE I HAVE GIVEN. ONE BAD DECISION IN THE HANDS OF A BULLY CAN ELIMINATE ALL HOPE FOR CHANGE IN THE YOUTHS LIFE .
PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND USE VIVID EXAMPLES OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF BAD DECISIONS SHELTERING THE YOUTH FROM THE TRUTH IS NOT THE ANSWER.
GODS LOVE TO ALL
MIKE
P.S THANK YOU "FABULOUS FRANK"! PIEROGUYS PEROGIES

it is real..........

THE REASON I AM CHOOSING THIS TITLE IS DUE TO A RECENT EVENT IN MY PERSONAL WALK. I WANTED TO TELL YOU ALL WHY I STARTED THIS MINISTRY . I DID NOT START EXPOSING MYSELF TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE A MILLION DOLLARS ,I DID NOT START SPEAKING TO KIDS ABOUT CHOICES SO I COULD GET MY FACE IN THE NEWSPAPER AND LOCAL MAGAZINES OR EVEN TO BE ON THE NEWS.
I STARTED THIS BECAUSE I WANT {AND BELIEVE I WILL} TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUTH. I WANTED TO REACH{ EVEN IF IT WAS ONLY ONE KID AT A TIME} THE YOUTH. WHEN I WAS LIVING A LIE SO TO SPEAK AND MAKING RECKLESS AND CRAZY CHOICES I HAD NO IDEA THAT WHAT I DID 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO WAS AND WOULD AND DOES EFFECT THE WAY MY LIFE WAS TODAY.
I WANT THE YOUTH TO HAVE A CHOICE AND A CHANCE TO BE ALL THEY CAN . GOD IS A HUGE PART OF MY DAILY LIFE AND I THANK HIM EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE. I AM NOT THE PERFECT CHRISTIAN NOR DO I WANT TO BE PERFECT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE THE AUTHENTIC MAN I AM TODAY.
WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET WITH ME . I WILL NOT HIDE BEHIND MY PAST OR PORTRAY TO BE SOMETHING I AM NOT.THIS IS CALLED LIVING IN REALITY. I HOPE TO BRING THIS MESSAGE OF CHOICE AND HOPE ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ONE PRESENTATION AT A TIME AND IF IT IS MEANT FOR ME TO BE THE VOICE OF REASON TO THE YOUTH THEN THAT IS JUST WHAT I AM GOING TO DO.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME IN THIS MINISTRY AND TO ALL THOSE WHO WILL BE SUPPORTING ME IN THE FUTURE.
GOD IS LOVE AND HIS GRACE IS MERCY
MIKE

it 's not religion/ it's a realationship

So today i want to talk about faith.....I am not big on organized religion but i do believe that we as Christians have a personal responsibility to our own relationship with our lord .For me i believe that Christ Jesus died for all of us so that we may live the lives we are today. I m not bashing churches either this blog is about the relationship I have created with my LORD and for me that is a part of my daily reality.
My faith is what is in my heart and when the heart moves me to write that is what i do ...... I want to pose a question what does your heart tell you? I know that this may not be a comfortable topic but trust me there is growth in the truth and we all can take time to listen to the heart this weeks entries will be messages from the heart and hopefully will speak to the soul.
With that said take time today and everyday for that matter to simply listen to what your heart is telling you.
God 's love be with you
mike

love of family {for ponch}

It is amazing how a blast from the past can make one so motivated.......seeing a old friend or reconnecting with a family member after many years can truly give you, me a boost. Normally I would not write about my current personal life but to day I must I spoke to a family member last night and we connected on a level that brought me to tears .
I was reminded of how we were before I started on the path that allowed no one to love me not even myself, we spoke and both had a emotional moment but the entire conversation made me realize that yesterday is gone and the current is what matters. SOME MAY ASK HOW IS ANY OF THIS RELEVANT TO LIVING IN REALITY WELL............ I speak on choices and decisions that conversation last night was my reality check it brought a new direction to how i effected the ones I love.
You see when the consequences of my actions finally came to the forefront and the verdict was passed down I may have been the one doing the actual physical prison time but the ones who loved me did each and every day with me in there hearts and in there minds.
If I HAD MADE BETTER DECISIONS I WOULD HAVE NEVER CAUSED THEM SO MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS NOR WOULD I HAVE STOLEN THE TEARS. I want everyone to realize that whether you are a youth or a adult the decisions we make do not just effect us they effect the ones who love us the most.
SO IN CLOSING I ASK THAT EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU WHO READ THIS "THINK BEFORE YOU ACT AND SPEAK " BECAUSE THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ACTIONS CAN AND WILL EFFECT SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOU........
IN GODS GRACE AND MERCY I PRAY FOR YOU ALL
MIKE
P.S.THANK YOU COUSIN

facing the past

Today i would like to talk about how we , I , face the past ..my answer is very simple when i was teenager Nike shoes had a slog"just do it".......well that is my answer you just do there is nothing in this world that bothers me more than unsettled business . Although facing bad decisions is not a EASY FEET and the outcome may not always be as we,I, would like it to be the feeling of relief is one that is only compared to the feeling you get after a big test your happy it is over and ready to move on to the next task at hand.
I realize that not everyone comes from the same background I do and that is a blessing trust me it is........... when we face the things in life that make us all the most uncomfortable we grow and we can use the experiences as learning tools for the future .
Look I have hurt allot of people in this world and making amends is not something i look forward to but i can say that when I do stand up and hold myself accountable for my actions I feel a huge sense of relief and freedom and that is priceless.
So with that said in a past post I made the statement "LOOK IN THE MIRROR" well when i look in the mirror I like what I see because I know that i can face anything today because i have made peace with my past and what I once did does not dictate who I AM or what i will become, the past is a teacher and we are it 's student's. SO I SAY TO ALL LEARN AND LIVE ,FACE THE REALITY OF YESTERDAY AND EMBRACE THE CHANGES THAT YOU ,I , HAVE MADE FOR THE PROMISE OF A BETTER TOMORROW.
IN GODS LOVE I WISH YOU WELL
MIKE

loyalty........

This morning I want to talk about my perception of what a true friend is .........to some there idea of a friend is someone who always agrees with them in mind my eyes that is not a friend that is a person who just wants to please the crowd in my opinion a true friend is someone who will tell you the truth and when you are wrong or acting a way that could be harmful to yourself or others they bring that to the light.
I want to make it clear on a personal level the people I surround myself daily with people who do not tell me what I want to hear,they do not promote bad behavior nor do allow me to be something I am not these type of people are all over this world I am almost positive that each one of you know someone like this and probably know a so called "people pleasing person". SINCE WE ALWAYS WANT TO SPEAK ON REALITY AND WHAT IS REAL AND WHAT IS TRUTH I POSE A ? WHAT TYPE OF FRIEND ARE YOU?
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
MIKE

todays dilema

As a man with a prison record I thought i would describe what it is like trying to find a job . Today's economy is at a all time low and jobs are few and far between and the competition for positions is as intense as the "super bowl" imagine going in to a interview or even just going in to fill out a application and having to answer the question "have you ever been convicted of a crime?"Let me be the first to tell you it is crushing, fear was never a daily emotion for me until i started looking for work. I am writing about this because I think that it is important for the youth to know that the effects of bad decisions definitely effect the outcome of the type of career you can get. I want to encourage you all to continue your education and strive to be the absolute best you can be in all areas of your lives. I realize that today's teens like when i was a teen feel that some just don't understand, well to be honest we the "old heads " do get because we are the walking billboards for experience.
I truly hope that you all realize that today's decisions effect the options of tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY
MIKE

oh reallly..........

GOOD MORNING ALL, IM GONNA WRITE IN CAPITALS TODAY SO ALL WHO READ THIS CAN SEE MY THOUGHTS AS I SCREAM SO TO SPEAK ON THIS PAGE .... SO TODAY IS CALLED OH REALLY WHY, YOU MAY ASK BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING ON GOOD DECISIONS AND CHOICES AND EVEN THRU ALL THE POSITIVE MESSAGES I STILL FIND MYSELF UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF CALLED "JUDGMENT " WELL MY RESPONSE TO THE JURY IS A TWO PART MESSAGE "IF YOU WERE TO JUDGE ME ON THE PAST YOU WILL NEVER KNOW ME ON THE FUTURE" I SAY THAT AND EXTEND THAT TO ALL IF THE WORLD DID NOT BELIEVE IN CHANGE THAN WE WOULD BE STUCK IN A WORLD WITH NO PROGRESS, PEOPLE CHANGE AND SO DID I!!!! I HOPE THAT AFTER YOU READ THIS YOU WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW BEING JUDGEMENTAL IS NOT A GODLY WAY NOR IS IT A POLITE WAY TO LIVE IT IS ACTUALLY EXHAUSTING, SO BEFORE YOU, I , WE, POINT OUT THE NEXT PERSONS FAULTS HOW ABOUT WE LOOK IN THE MIRROR.
THE SECOND PART OF TODAYS MESSAGE IS THAT THERE ARE NO LET ME REPEAT THERE ARE NO big I' S OR LITTLE U' S IN THE KINGDOM SO I INTERPRET THAT THIS WAY THAT WE ALL WERE CREATED EQUAL AND WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN SET OF SKILLS , AND GUESS WHAT ?GOD DOES NOT MAKE JUNK AND HE MADE ALL OF US IN HIS LIKENESS. WE ALL HAVE A PURPOSE AND A WAY TO FIND IN THIS WORLD SO I WANT TO RE-START A TREND " TREAT THE NEXT PERSON AS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED" YOU MAY LIKE THE RESULTS IF YOU ARE SINCERE.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL TODAY
MIKE

friends.....

Well this has been a interesting week, although it is the start of a new week i want to say thank you to all my friends for there love and support in this ministry, i can not begin to tell you the impact the emails and comments mean to me. thank you all.
So with that said ....I was always told "YOU ARE WHO YOU HANG OUT WITH" what does that mean, well it actually means everything this,blog and my speaking events are all about the decisions and the choices made on a daily basis what bigger choice in a young persons life ....who to be friends with ??????????
I see so many kids doing, saying, dressing, etc... all in order to impress there friends or the so called friends. A TRUE FRIEND DOES NOT CARE WHAT YOU HAVE .WHO YOU KNOW WHAT BRAND NAME YOU HAVE ON ,AND OH YEAH A TRUE FRIEND WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO BE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT.
I know that some will not understand why I am going off like this but there is a method to the insanity lol TODAY'S YOUTH NEEDS TO KNOW THAT BEING CENTER STAGE AS THE CLANS CLOWN OR THE BULLY OR ANY OTHER NEGATIVE TITLE IS NOT THE WAY TO TRUE FRIENDSHIPS, IT ACTUALLY IS THE WAY TO REGRET AND THAT IS NOT WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT. SO YOU ARE WHO YOU HANG OUT WITH MEANS THE WAY YOU PICK YOUR FRIENDS CAN AND WILL EFFECT THE WAY YOUR LIFE TURNS OUT.........
I PRAY THAT EVERYONE COMES TO REALITY AND LOOKS AT THINGS THRU THE EYES OF A BELIEVER INSTEAD OF THE GLASSES OF DECEIT....
MIKE

dream land..........

OK, I am writing rather late this morning well , late for me 7 a.m. i really don't sleep very well i go to bed early and wake up around 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. {on a good day lol} and the reason for this is my dreams it is as if i am haunted by the ghosted of bad choices. Seriously it is becoming a issue i pray for a restful night and it just does not come.
I can only attribute this to my conscience. Regret and remorse are two feelings that we all may feel at some point in our lives but to what extent? That is were you come in i keep on saying how the decisions of yesterday effect the outcome of the new day and of days to come.
I have to be honest that i become frustrated when i see and hear some young adults act as if bad behavior is just a phase they are going thru and in some cases it is however, it still does not make it acceptable. I stress in each message either on the computer or at a event the choices are what determines the future and yet sometimes i feel like i am preaching to the choir.
I have to wonder if I had made better decisions would i sleep better , would my memories be of a comfortable nature? I don't know about you but for me I think so but whats done is done and there is no sense harping on the past I can only change what is ahead of me . That is why I started this mission to effect lives in a positive way other than devastate and terrorize, that was the old me and if you are doing those type of things that can be the old you but the only one who can do that for you is.........YOU THUR YOUR ACTIONS AND REMEMBER FAITH IS ACTION. My thought and prayer is that all those in this category stop and think is all this worth a visit from the dream demon?
I pray that the lord comes into the mind and body of all those in need today.
mike

decisions ....decisions..........

LIFE IS NOT A GAME OF CHANCE IT IS A GAME OF CHOICE.........

it is a true feat to be able to see life threw a different perspective than i once did. I traveled to the city of brotherly love yesterday to see a friend that was ill and to be witness to a line at the parole office that extended 2.5 city blocks and wrapped around the corner.
I say that i am looking at things in a new light because the entire time i was down there i just kept thinking how grateful i am to have made it out of there alive and to have sound mind and body. The only reason that is a reality is because GOD decided to cover me in his grace even back then , i was more happy to pal around with a certain someone and to rejuvenate our bond that was a blessing, that was achieved thank you LORD.
BUT ON A SERIOUS NOTE LOOKING AT THINGS AS MINUTE AS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN A STORE FOR ME IS HUGE I WAS MR. HUSTLE I WAS ALWAYS IN A RUSH TO GO NOWHERE FAST. I WANT ALL TODAY TO STOP LOOK AROUND AND THANK GOD FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS HE HAS GIVEN TO US.
I know that alot of you may not know where i am coming from this morning but trust me a grateful man or woman is a star in the kingdom.............
SO MY THOUGHT AND PRAY FOR TODAY IS THAT WE AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST STOP AND BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND REALIZE THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OUT IN THIS WORLD THAT SOMEONE STILL CALLS MR.HUSTLE.....
mike

time.............

Well i am gonna stay on the topic of truth . I've been asked to give a newspaper interview by one of the youth group kids that attended Sundays presentation. Yesterday I sent out around 50 pieces of mail to the youth leaders in my community, I can honestly say that it was about time i put the time in to this ministry. Believe it or not i second guess myself with this entire calling but, thats not a sign from God it is the enemy and it is TIME to stand up and fight the urges to give up, to walk away from what could be a life changing event.
Todays entry is gonna be short and sweet........I CHALLENGE YOU TOUP STAND TO THE ENEMY TO BE WHO YOU ARE IN GODS EYES. REMEMBER GOD IS NOT ONLY ALWAYS WATCHING HE IS FOREVER PROTECTING EACH AND EVERYONE US .
TIME HAS MANY MEANINGS TODAY I PRAY THAT YOU USE YOUR TIME IN THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM ABOVE
MIKE

NOBODY SAID IT WOULD BE EASY.....

WELL I CHOSE THAT TITLE TODAY BECAUSE THAT IS REALITY............. When i was released from prison last Feb. I did not step out the jail to see a parade and fireworks in my honor, I was not handed a career, in fact i did not even hear a departing good luck from the C/O, however I was told that they would leave the light on for me........
That day i made a decision that this would be my last term I would not be running for re-election as inmate # gt4553 I decided to give myself a chance. Thus far in this past year it has been nothing but easy each day is a new challenge and some days the challenge is outright war, against myself.
But with each mini battle fought and won things get easier. So now that i have said all that lets talk about courage.......... most people look at courage as a simple attribute that everyone should have right? WRONG........IN MY OPINION courage is earned just like respect is earned.
My view on this topic is that men and women of integrity and honor are the builders of the couragous. Being brave in society does not mean acting out in violence and attacking people verbally or physically. BEING BRAVE IN THE WORLD TODAY is doing the next right thing even when your friends think it is uncool, being brave takes faith and to live in faith we must live in action.
My father always use tell to me be a leader not a follower..............I COULD HAVE SAVED SO MUCH HEARTACHE HAD I ONLY LISTEN. So my message and pray to the youth today in this message is that you will be brave enough to follow your own heart and make your own judgement call on what is right and what is wrong .It takes a braveheart to stand up and say this is not right and to walk away from the pressures of todays society it takes a braveheart to just say no this is not for me and when we do this remeber that, GOD IS WATCHING ALL THE TIME AS WE PUT OUR FAITH INTO ACTION AND IM ASSUMING HE IS PLEASED!!!!

TO ALL MAY GOD COME INTO YOUR HEART AND SHOW YOU THE MEANING OF COURAGE......................
MIKE

new day

Welcome to living in reality...........we are a christian base ministry that is focused on the youth of today. My name is Mike and i am the co/founder of this ministry I am 32 yr old man who has experienced more than 9 years of incarceration and 16 years of making bad choices.
I am on a mission to impact today's youth by presenting young people with my testimony, which focuses on making meaningful decisions and how each choice effects our daily lives.
Topics that I bring to the forefront of the discussion include: Decision Making, Salvation and Sincerity.
I realize that today's youth struggle with the delusion that "this will never happen to me." I once operated under the same delusion. I was a good student in high school, a college participant, yet due to my poor choices I spent my entire 20's in prison.
I hope that none of you ever have to experience the hardship and heartache of a bad decision because it not only effects you personally but it will and does devastate the ones that love you.
IN GODS LOVE AND GRACE I PRAY YOU FIND PEACE
MIKE