Author: families411

Dr. King and Being Positive By Having Faith.

AUTHOR: ROSSANA S MOHAMMED.

Martin Luther King Quotes

Today, we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights movement leader. He fought grave injustices against blacks and minorities in the USA, using non-violence, and he was assassinated in 1968. Since 1983, the third Monday in January is celebrated as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This day is dedicated to Dr. King and his contributions to make our world a better place.

This week, Families411.com is celebrating the “Week of Positive Thinking”, and each day we will focus on how MLK used positive thinking to fight for freedom. He faced hate and hostility  daily, but yet, he used his faith to keep on fighting for he never gave up thinking that it was impossible. So, today, 50 years later, we celebrate his memory by:

Having Faith.

MLK had faith, and he faced his adversities head on as he fought for justice and equalities for Blacks and minorities. He had the faith and hope that the situation will get better. He thanked and praised God even in the midst of chaos or trials. When we have faith, we will handle any situation, and don’t waiver in our faith and hope. We don’t become a victim, we become a “victor”. MLK is more than a Victor, he is an icon around the world for hope and inspiration.

In Martin Luther King’s, I Have A Dream Speech, He used the word Faith 5 times, for Dr. King had faith that we shall overcome.

“Deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome. And with this faith we will go out and adjourn the councils of despair and bring new light into the dark chambers of pessimism.” -Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘We Shall Overcome Speech’, June 17, 1966.

Until his tragic death, and even though his dreams seemed insurmountable, he never gave up on them. So whatever obstacles, small or big we may be facing, we need to have to faith to go on, and never give up. Even in our darkest days, we have to believe that things will get better and we shall overcome, and get to that Promised Land.

Today my willful intention on Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day is to:

  • Have Faith that I will overcome my trials and obstacles.

Honor Dr. King and his legacy today, by taking action now. Don’t let his life and death be in vain. Get up today and do something positive . Share with us in our comment section how you plan to celebrate this day.

 

Be Thankful for What You Have.

 

January is the Month of Spiritual Wellness, and every-week, we celebrate a different topic. The second week in January is the “Week of Gratitude, so Families411.com encourages you to spend all week focusing only on the good things in your life. This allows you to celebrate  the present moment, and keep your attention on what is good, instead of the negative.

Today, the question to ask yourself:

Who or What inspired me today?

Remember to say thanks to the person (Who) who inspired you, and let them know how much it means to you. Maybe, it is your spouse who always wake up happy, or the cashier who is always smiling. If it is something (What), give thanks for it. Whether, it is a bird singing, or a rainbow in the sky. Stop, take a few minutes to enjoy the moment, and give thanks for it. Throughout the day, look for somebody or something who inspired you, and really appreciate that person or thing.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV / 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Share in the comment section who or what inspired you today. Please share our article with your friends and family.

 

Bomb Cylone Hits Us All.

Firefighter Bobby Lehman, with his helmet and bunker gear caked in ice, tries to thaw out after battling a stubborn, wind-driven fire in Massachusetts on January 1, 2018. Picture:Christopher Evans/Boston Herald/Polaris/australscope
Firefighter, Bobby Lehman, battling a Stubborn fire in MA. Photo Credit: Christoper Evans/Boston Herald

A “bomb cyclone” hit the East Coast, dropping heavy snow and high winds. This winter weather phenomenon is known as bombogenesis, in which a storm’s minimum central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. This snowstorm brought blizzard conditions, huge coastal flooding and over a foot of snow to parts of the northeastern United States on Thursday. It was also freezing as you can see from the poor firefighter above. And all day long, the TV Anchors said the same thing:

Stay indoors, and bundle up if you go outdoors.

There is another Bomb Cyclone that hits all of us regardless of where we live. It comes through divorces, death of a spouse, losing a child, job loss or losing your home. We are never prepared for these unexpected life changes and when they come, we can use the same advise from the weather advisory:

Stay indoors: This is not for you to stay indoors from everyone, and shut them out of your life. No, use this hard time to learn something from it, get to know yourself, for the storm does pass, and it eventually gets better. It is okay to feel numb or angry or in denial, but then, you have to accept reality, and know that you cannot change the inevitable. However, you can change how you respond for every struggle brings strength.

Bundle up with Faith, Families and good trustworthy friends.

Turn to God, and use Him to help you get through these difficult times.  Ask God to give you the strength to get through each day. God is always there and wants us to reach out to Him for comfort and peace. Use this time to get a deeper relationship with our Father, for His yoke is easy.

Matt 11:28-30—Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Families and friends want to help you, and so reach out to them when you need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to hug. Maybe you need some time  alone without the kids, ask a family member to help. Tragedies are heartbreaking and overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. Together, with loved ones and friends, you can handle this ordeal.

And like the Bomb Cyclone that hit us on January 4th, 2018,(Thank God there was nothing catastrophic) we pick up and move on with our lives for we just don’t stay indoors forever. So those facing Bomb Cyclones in their personal lives need to do the same thing. Pick up the pieces for it will get better, and you will come out a stronger person.

Use these Tests and turn them into Testimonies!

Share with us in our comment section how you are handling any hard time in your life. If you like what you read, share our article on your social media.

 

 

 

Greet today with Passion.

Author: Rossana Mohammed.

God has given you a new chance today to become better and wiser. So, get out of bed with joy in  your heart, and be ready to sing a new song, dance a new dance, and do something extraordinary. You were born for greatness, so stop living a mediocre life, and claim big things today when you awake. It does not matter where you are right now, it is where you are going. God has made you for greatness.

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31 | NIV

Live Today with Intention.

Everyday life surrounds us in a swirling chaos, and it’s easy to fall into the grip of our ego’s fears and confusion. Remind yourself each day of your intentions and spiritual purpose. Meditate, find your center, look closely at yourself, and don’t let go of your intention until it feels centered inside yourself.
~ Deepak Chopra

One of the most powerful forces in our lives is intention and without it, our lives have no true meaning. When we set daily intentions, they remind us where we are going, and give us directions in our lives as we live each day on purpose.. These statements help us to refocus, and to live our lives the way we want it to be.

Greet today with the awareness that many wonderful opportunities await you by listing your intentions. They will help you to bring your heart and mind into alignment.  It’s an aim, a purpose, or attitude that guides your action throughout the day. In the mornings, during prayers or mediation, set an intention for the day, and revisit that intention as often as possible.

Some Suggestions For Your Intentions

  • I intend to be happy.
  • I intend to be positive.
  • I intend to have fun all day.
  • I intend to have a peaceful day.
  • I intend to have money flow into my life easily and abundantly.

Have fun with setting Intentions, and let  us know in the comment sections, some of your Intentions.

 

 

 

 

 

National Motivation & Inspiration Day

 

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

~ Habakkuk 2:2-3

 

 Today is National Motivation & Inspiration Day which  was passed by The United States Congress on 12/18/2001 after  9-11 tragedy. It was sponsored by Kevin L. McCrudden who wanted to remind Americans of the importance of “motivation” and “inspiration” in our daily lives. After 911, where almost 3000 Americans were killed on our own home soil, many Americans were horrified, sad, and felt helpless . Our national security was shattered, and it was a trauma we all shared.

 

So, McCrudden reminded us as we mourn, that we still have lots of things to live on for, and to appreciate them. He originally dedicated this day to help people in America to become the best they can be, and to reach their potential by creating  annual goals.  Motivation and Inspiration Day is now celebrated  in many places across the world, as well as the United States, and encourages people everywhere to change their lives for the better.

 

Use today to become a better you and write down your goals for 2018. How can you become a better person for 2018? Share in our comments section what you plan to do this year to make a greater life for you and your families.

 

2018 is the Year to be Valuable.

 Download Happy New Year 2018 Images in HD Quality | Wallpaper | Pictures

Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book called, ” You are Valuable!”

2018 is the year to be valuable, for you are Valuable. The unconditional love of the Lord should make you feel valuable. God loves you, that is the King of Heaven and Earth loves you. Think about it: A Royal figure loves you, not just any royal figure, but the most royal of royal loves you unconditionally. The king knows you personally and cares for you.

Do you recognize your value? If you don’t, it is time for you to feel valuable.

You are Valuable BECAUSE GOD CREATED YOU IN HIS IMAGE.

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

You are valuable because God knows you personally by name.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine.*

You are Valuable because God provides your daily needs.

Matthew 5:45-“That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

It is 2018 and it is a new beginning with God’s blessings and abundance. But, DO you feel blessed by the kindness of our Lord? And how is God kind to you?

You are reading this that means that you are alive!

More than 153,000 died yesterday.

You turn on your tap and you have clean water,

2,1 billion people do not have access to clean water.

You have food in your refrigerator and cupboards,

815 Million people do not have enough food to eat.

You have a roof over your head as many as 1.6 billion people lacked adequate housing (Habitat, 2015).

You have a job be thankful, for unemployed people around the world was about 201.8 million in 2013. (the United Nations’ labor agency.)

Do you still question God’s kindness to you?

You are valuable because God gave His only son for your sins. (and mine)

God’s mercy and forgiveness is unmerited. Whatever mistake you have made God forgives you. Do not live in the past for our God is a loving God, and although we do not deserve his endless love, He loves you and me. God sent His only son to deliver us from our sinfulness, and by His blood we are redeemed.

Do you feel like God couldn’t possibly use you because of your mistakes? Remember:

~ Noah was a drunk

~ Abraham was too old

~ Isaac was a daydreamer

~ Jacob was a liar (and a cheat)

~ Leah was ugly

~ Joseph was abused

~ Moses had a stuttering problem (Moses stuttered)

~ Gideon was afraid

~ Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

~ Rahab was a prostitute

~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

~ David was an adulterer and a murderer

~ Elijah was suicidal

~ Isaiah preached naked

~ Jonah ran from God

~ Naomi was a widow

~ Job went bankrupt

~ John the Baptist ate bugs

~ Peter denied Christ

***Unknown Author***

God who is perfect loves you no matter what. So, don’t let others keep you from becoming who you are destined to be by bringing up your past and failures and shortcomings. Forget those fake friends and judgmental families who keeps bringing up your past for God has a future for you.  True families and friends love you for you; not for what you have done or have not done. Don’t focus on your sinfulness, focus on the purity of God.

Get rid of the naysayers in your lives. Those who constantly criticize you do not deserve to be in your life. Do not listen to the dream slayers who have given up on their dreams and want to snatch yours away. They are all like crabs in a barrel who try to pull down the crab who climbs to the top of the barrel. Don’t scratch for worms in the dust with the rest of chickens, when you can soar like an eagle in the skies.

You are Valuable because the greatest King of Heaven and Earth made you in His image,  knows you by name, provides for your daily needs, and, gave His only son for your sins.

2018 is a fresh beginning God has given us. You have 365 days ahead of you to start anew. This day is a new creation. You have 1440 minutes today to start afresh and make innovative chapters in your lives. You could do so by being positive, and by thinking positive and great things, and to always remember that you are valuable.

Have you ever noticed whatever God gives us is immense?

Our skies are spacious.

Our waters are expansive.

Our lands are magnanimous

Our foods are lavish.

And our opportunities are bountiful.

God is not a God of Lack or limit.

So, let us declare our greatness in God and God alone.

Start 2018 and go ahead and claim grand things in Christ. Seek ambitious destinies, or magnificent relationships, or fulfilling jobs, or far-reaching adventures. Write that book that you’ve always wanted to. Jump into that business that you’ve been yearning to start. Take the plunge and move to the State that you are always dreaming of. God does not want you to live a mediocre life for He is a mighty God.

May GOD Richly Bless you all in 2018, and May His declaration in Jer 29:11 becomes true for you:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2018 is the year to feel valuable for you are valuable!

Together we can do it by visiting  Families411.com for a daily dose of inspiration. What big things do you hope to achieve in 2018?  Share your thoughts with Families411.com in our comment section.

Ash Wednesday:Time To Plant A Lenten Garden.

Image result for lent signs
Courtesy:TurnbacktoGod.com

Lent, a time for Christians around the world to have spiritual spring cleaning: It is where we examine our lives and clean out everything which keeps us from having a relationship with Christ. We begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday as ashes mixed with oil are placed on our foreheads to show our repentance.

This season is a new beginning for Christians as we are called to conversion, and to return to God “with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12) Lent is a great gift of the Church to us. Yes, Lent is about prayers, fasting and alms-giving for 40 days as we prepare for Easter.  It is not just about denial and sacrifices, but for us to rediscover the love God has for us and to find our way home to God, and to one another.
Now is the time to say to Jesus: “… in a thousand ways I have shunned your love,

yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you.  I need you.  Save me once again, Lord,

take me once more into your redeeming embrace.”   (The Joy of the Gospel)

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel.

Below are some suggestions to plant a Lenten Garden and prepare for Easter during this 40 days of preparation.

Catholic Child.com: Teachings and treasures for Catholic youth, toddler through teen.:
Courtesy:Catholic Child

May this season of Lent be one of rediscovery, joy and love.

 

Enough is Enough: Become a Better You!

Enough is Enough: Become a Better You!

BY

ROSSANA S MOHAMMED.

As you start 2017, do you plan to improve your health, your finances, your relationships and your families? Or are you going to go through 2017 the same like last year? Are you going to do the same thing, keep the same friends who are negative, eat the same food that makes you unhealthy, keep the same job that makes you miserable and expect different results?
According to the Urban dictionary, this is insanity.
Insanity

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.Working a job and expecting to get rich is insanity.

It is time to wake up and take hold of your life and make the changes that you deserve. Enough is enough for you have no excuses. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, today is the day that you change that feeling.  Stop blaming your parents, your childhood, your race, your country, and take responsibility for your life.

Our greatest enemies are the ones within and nobody can stop you from achieving your dreams, only you. You are alive if you are reading this. According to Medina, yesterday, January 17, 2017, about 153, 424 died. So get up today with joy in your heart for you are alive, and become excited with what you can do with  your life today. You can become whatever you set your heart and sight on.

Tomorrow when you wake up instead of greeting the morning with, “Good God, its morning already”, say instead, “Good Morning God, it is a beautiful day and I will accomplish great things today!” Thank you for the many blessings that are coming my way today. There are 86,400 seconds in one day, what are you going to do with them?

Here are 3 ways to change your life today:

Have A Goal.

Talk to any successful man or woman, and they will tell you that they have written goals with a road map on how to achieve those goals. Write down your goals with a date with which you will acquire them. Be specific about your goals and for example, if you want to lose weight, say, I want to lose 10 lbs by June 17, 2017 and write that down. Read it every morning and night.

Take Responsibility.

Stop looking to others for their approval and reclaim your power. Listen to your inner voice as to how you are feeling. Don’t listen to the naysayers who say it cannot be done. This is your life, don’t live it for someone else. What do you want to do right now? Go out and start doing it. Don’t blame others for your situation, become the master of your own destiny by taking responsibility for it.
Enough is Enough.

Everyday do five things that will get you closer to your goals.

 

These can be five small acts but be consistent, and do them everyday to get closer and closer to your goals. At the end of the day, write down five things that you “Must” do tomorrow to get you closer to your goals. Below are 5 things to do daily if you want to become healthier or lose weight.

  1. Start exercising daily.

    Start out small and then increase your time. So exercise for 20 minutes daily and then as the weeks go by, make it 30 minutes, then eventually 60 minutes.

  2. Be conscious of what you eat.

    Keep a food journal and record daily how much you eat as this will help you control how much calories you are eating. Also having it in writing will remind you when last you ate. Studies have shown that people who have a food journal lost twice as much weight as those who did not have one.

  3. Start by eating smaller amounts of desserts.

    Don’t go cold turkey for the more you deprive yourself the more you are going to want it. So enjoy that chocolate cake but just have a sliver of it.

  4. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

    Instead of loading up your desks with candy and cookies, keep cut up vegetables fruits, and munch on those.

  5. Move whilst you watch TV.

    During commercial, move around. Do some pull ups, jumping jacks, run up and down a stairs, dance or lift some weights.

2017 is a new beginning, seize the year, and the day. Reach for your goals and dreams, and stay in the game of life. 153, 424 people did not make it yesterday. Reach out to Families411 in our comment section and let us know how you are going to make your dream a reality.

Enough is Enough! Reclaim 2017.

Take Personal Responsibility For 2017!

Planning brings your future into present

It isn’t enough just to want something.

You’ve got to ask yourself, ‘What am I going to do to get the things that I want.’

You’re going to need a plan.

Your challenge is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are right now and the goals that you want to reach. With a definite, step by step plan, you cannot fail, because each step will carry you along to the next step, like a track.

All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.

Knowing where you’re going is all you need to get there.

You can’t get lost on a straight road.

Author Unknown

Where are you going in 2017?

What is your plan to get there?

What is your Road Map?

Do you have the Courage?

Below are two people who had courage to go get what they wanted in life even though they faced rejections and one had to overcome an extreme abusive childhood. What is stopping you from achieving your dreams in 2017?

Walt Disney was fired from his first job because he lacked imagination. 300 banks turn down his Walt Disney theme park idea, and he was even bankrupt.  But Walt was determined to fulfill his dream.  Today, he is worth billions from his movies, merchandise and theme parks.

“To some people, I am kind of a Merlin who takes lots of crazy chances,

but rarely makes mistakes.

I’ve made some bad ones, but, fortunately,

the successes have come along fast enough to cover up the mistakes.

When you go to bat as many times as I do,

you’re bound to get a good average.”

Tyler Perry,went from homelessness to one of Hollywood’s most successful moguls. As a child he suffered severe abuse and molestation. His father beat him mercilessly, and Perry tried to commit suicide to escape the beating. He was molested by three men and was also molested at the age of 10 by his friend’s mother.  Perry used his faith for comfort and refuge.

He was moved by Oprah Winfrey’s talk show on how writing can be therapeutic, and so he started to write. At 22, he used his life savings to produce his first play which was a flop. Eventually he got investors, and soon his career kicked off.

Perry says,

“My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work..”

Happy 2017 & May God bless you with Prosperity, Good Health, and a fulfilled New Year!

For those of my readers who would like to plan for 2017, send me a comment in the comment section.

I would be more than happy to send you a goals’ planner and calendar so you could join our Families411 Dreamers’ Group. For 2017, Families411 will be starting a group for those who want to plan and set goals for 2017. We will also be having accountability meetings to help you get closer to your goals.