Renee Allen McCoy's Blog, page 2

This Season

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

This year has brought on many wonderful changes as the Lord blessed me with the birth of a new son. My husband and I are forever grateful. As a result, my sickness subsided and the Lord blessed me with the strength to write another book to release as an eBook this month. Initially, I wasn't sure if I could do it when God gave me the idea a few months ago. With a young child and traveling for 2 weeks out of that time, experiencing the death a of dear family member and simply adjusting to a new way of life, I pressed on to do what God knew I could. I trusted in Him and have now released an eBook novella entitled, The Christmas Beau (The True Love Novellas ~ Book #1).

As I wrote this book, I did not know what would happen with the story, but as I wrote (through prayer) it was eventually revealed to me. Maybe it was written for you or someone you know. Maybe the contents are just a reminder for some and confirmation for others. I'm not sure, but what I do know is that I feel at peace in having written it. As a special thank you to those who have purchased any of my books (and also for those who haven't, but are being introduced to my work), this eBook is only .99 (on Amazon and Barnes and Noble)! God has been very good to me (and my family) and I praise Him for His Son, Jesus Christ--my Lord and Savior, this season and all year long. With the chaotic shopping and commercialism during this time, let us not lose sight of what God has done ... He gave His Son. Let us celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I pray that you all have a blessed rest of the year 2012!

Here's a snippet of what the book is about:


FaytheWorks Publishing LLC
Release Date: December 1, 2012
Format Available: eBookLove suffers long and is kind… 1 Corinthians 13:4

“Why did I even come here for my vacation?” Charity Maxwell questions, initially regretting her trip home to Lewiston Springs for her Christmas vacation … that is until she finds out that an old flame is visiting too. With familiar emotions invading her heart, Charity desperately tries to keep her composure around a man with whom she shares a painful past.

Determined to make right his wrong, Milton Grayson passionately pursues Charity regretful that he lost her once and determined to not let it happen again. As a reminiscent whirlwind romance ensues between them, the pressure builds on a meddling family member who secretly plotted to separate the pair in the past.

Is their love true enough to withstand the evils that broke them apart the first time? Or will Charity’s anticipation of having a Christmas boyfriend suddenly be dashed to pieces?

The Christmas Beau is the first eBook in The True Love Novellas series that shares the love of God in and out of season. # # #     Also, please consider reading a repost from a couple Decembers ago. It is still as relevant today as it was then. The title of the post is Jesus Christ ... Savior. Thank you again for taking the time to read and as always, keep God first.  

The Upper Room Devotional--Do Not Complain

September-October 2012This month's article is posted on the Upper Room's devotional site: Upper Room Devotional September 23, 2012.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15, NKJV).

Also, if you receive copies of the Upper Room pocket devotional, today's entry was written by me. This entry is also viewable on the Upper Room's website for September 23, 2012.

May God bless you all and have a Happy Sunday!

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

Return to Your First Love

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. ~ Revelation 2:2-5
In recent days, I have been blessed to enjoy the gift God has given to my husband and me, a new baby boy. The Lord has been good to our family. Actually, the Lord has been good to this world. After all, He did give His only Son to die for our sins.As I sat around with family and friends recently, we discussed the numerous singers who started out in the church, but have since abandoned their Gospel roots to pursue music in the secular arena. One of my friends said, “It seems that it would be the other way around. That you would leave the world for God, not God for the world. It’s backwards.” It does seem backwards, but I guess sometimes we forget, just as the Israelites had, what the Lord has done for us. Short-term memory… at least until the next tragedy occurs.For Christians, God is the center of all that we do whether it is in the workplace, at home, or at the beach on vacation—not just on Sunday morning. And I understand now more than ever why Jesus said to return to your first love. God is so amazing because no matter what we’ve done, we can always ask for forgiveness and restore right standing with Him. Without Him we are nothing, with Him all things are possible. And if we hadn’t realized it before, the way the world is today we need God now more than ever.  Just as a pastor said this past Sunday in his morning sermon (and I paraphrase), “As we grow in Christ we are to become teachers. Not necessarily as a senior pastor would teach, but simply to share what we’ve learned so that others can grow as well.”  I agree for the Bible states that we are ought to be teachers (reference Hebrews 5:12).In this issue, Renarda Williams shares an article of a Christian who teaches others to use Biblical principles to succeed in their everyday lives. When we see ourselves as God sees us, we are bound to be successful. Life isn’t about driving the most expensive car or living in the fanciest house, it is about fulfilling the purpose of why God placed you here. And no one can tell you what that is other than the Holy Spirit. Seek Him for answers; He’ll direct your steps because He loves you. _______________________________________________   Finding Out Where You Go From Here
By Renarda Williams
The first time I came in contact with Valorie Burton was in 2002 in Monroe, La. I interviewed her about her first book, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards (Villard Books, 2001), which appeared in the Fifth Anniversary Issue of my online newsletter, The Empowerment Initiative Online Newsletter (TEION).
I've always admired and respected Valorie's ability to inspire, motivate, and uplift people. And again, she has delivered. She has dug deep into the minds, bodies, and souls of Americans struggling to overcome this country's economic crisis with her latest book — Where Do You Go From Here: Moving Forward When Life Doesn't Go as Planned (WaterBrook Press, 2011). Valorie goes to the core of what Americans are experiencing — professional setbacks, layoffs, financial challenges — and provides perhaps the greatest solutions to overcome strife. She shows people how to reach within themselves to find the goal-accomplishing tools God has provided them with over the years. She also shows readers how to utilize a new way of thinking to overcome their setbacks.

Burton suggests making the following five commitments:
*I will not feel sorry for myself.
*I will not stare at the closed door.
*I will dig deep to unearth all the courage I need.
*I will direct my thoughts; my thoughts will not direct me.
*I will choose to believe that all things work together. In general, the book stands out as a remarkable blueprint for perseverance through the toughest of times. Recently, I interviewed Burton about her book and the importance of it in helping people overcome challenges.Burton said it is central, and essential, for people to become resilient in time of crisis. Of the five commitments, the fourth — "I will direct my thoughts; my thoughts will not direct me" — is the one most essential in overcoming setbacks, she said. "What you tell yourself will make you readjust your thoughts and make [you] take control of your life." And what of those people who might be inclined to dismiss Where Do You Go From Here as just another so-called self-help book? Some people are naturally pessimistic and are afraid to step out and make up excuses and not try to excel, Burton said. "It is easy to scan the book and make a judgment. This book is not what Valorie says works.... It is based on factual studies that talk about the power of resilience and psychology [that] can help people overcome crisis. This book is also based on real stories of people who overcome financial, health, and personal crisis."Burton said her book addresses different areas of life, and will assure readers that someone understands their plight. "It will help people realize they can [strive] to thrive .... People need harmony to flow and work to take care of themselves."
Valorie Burton is a certified personal and executive coach who has served hundreds of clients in many states and countries. She is the founder of The CAPP Institute, and the author of several books, including What's Really Holding You Back? Burton has written for numerous publications, such as: Essence, Woman's Day, O, the Oprah Magazine. Visit her at www.valorieburton.com .
________________________________________________ In Closing,Life is good with God.  I didn’t always think this way... but now I know better. The Lord has taught me and I do believe that He places resources in our path to help us along the way. Remember that God provides resources, but He is THE SOURCE. I seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for me to share what I’ve learned and pray that others will do the same: learn, teach, love. We acquire the ability to do things under the power of the Almighty God—not any other entity.To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

The Truth Shall Make You Free

  
FaytheWorks Publishing
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32, KJV
THIS SCRIPTURE offers an amazing combination of relief and freedom for the believer. God’s life-changing truth can never be trumped by the enemy’s deceptive lies. For those who have a desire to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Scriptures testify of Him. In Him and only in Him is there eternal life. It is simply up to the individual to receive what God has to offer. Considering what the Holy Spirit has taught me, I feel a great obligation to share Christ and love another brother or sister enough to tell them the truth. In my new non-fiction book, Soul Ties, many taboo topics are discussed, but with helpful solutions to those who suffer in silence.     Through all of my ignorance, disobedience, and sin, God still loved me. God loves those who don’t even love Him and this is threaded throughout His Word—the Holy Bible. Jesus Christ saved me from Hell and saved me from myself. When I fell in the desires of my flesh, God still remained the same: loving, giving, patient, and kind. Although we encounter trials and tribulations here on Earth, even after being saved from Hell, God still does not allow us to go through more than we can bear. He does provide us with a way of escape. The problem is that many of us don’t take advantage of the emergency exit He affords. Why is that?      One reason could be that so many are preoccupied with “life” and the things of the world that the open door of escape is either ignored or not even noticed. Being this heavily engrossed could cause a person to become more attracted and deeply devoted to things that are outside of God’s will. What a chilling thought. Through my experience in witnessing, I’ve often found that the generic response or attitude to my deterring others from dangerous pitfalls and toward the Lord is, “Oh, God knows my heart…” This is a sobering truth. Do many realize the divine revelation they’ve actually spoken? And the sad part is that this complacent response typically comes from many professed Christians.
These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.Matthew 15:8-9, AMP
     As the Lord has placed on my heart for some time now to write this book, I finally humbled in submission. I had to repent for procrastinating. My mind swarmed with thoughts of how to present it, how to make it relatable, and how to share without appearing judgmental (although the Word will ultimately judge, not man). Clearly, eternal judgment is reserved for God, as He has the final say. While human beings form opinions and are biased in certain instances, only God can pass judgment to either receive a person into Heaven or hurl them into Hell.      The bottom line is the truth is the truth. There is no way to sugar coat, no way to dress it up to receive widespread approval of man, and no way to share it other than to be direct. God has taught me this by example through His Word. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 12:4).      It is my sincere desire to share with others what I have learned. The damaging effects of Greek Lettered sororities and fraternities, Masonry, along with other subjects are discussed in this book. I aim to encourage readers with the testimonies included from dedicated Christians who openly share the Light of God with the world—not some generic god who is powerless in the face of the One true and living God.      In Soul Ties, at the end of each chapter (beginning with Chapter 2), you’ll find a self-examination question in addition to practical applications to help you discover areas in your life that may need repair. These things will assist you in becoming a healthier and more spiritually minded person.     Other topics covered include deliverance from the devastating affects of rape, molestation, promiscuity, bondage to drugs and other addictions, and domestic abuse. We are our brother’s keeper and should care enough about the next person to share what we’ve learned through Biblical insight and personal experience that line up with God’s Word.      It is not my intention to ignite discord. That is far from my motive. It is to simply share with others the caution that should be taken upon entering any relationship or association, whether with a potential mate or in joining a sorority, fraternity, or secret society that is inconsistent with one’s Christian faith. One day we will have to give an account to God for the things done in this life. We must be careful of the decisions we make because sometimes the consequences may have an eternal effect.     The contents of Soul Ties are in no way, shape, or form intended to condemn anyone. When I justly deserved to be cast out of God’s sight, the Lord was patient with me and I just want others to experience the freedom and mercy that I have. God knew my previous outlook was distorted and not as He would have it to be. In the past, my view was assuredly that of a carnal mind, but what a loving and forgiving God we serve!     This world, Earth as we know it, is only our temporary home and before I leave, I aim to do something meaningful with the life God has given me. Our experiences are not just our own. Our tests can become testimonies. It is my hope to help, even if that means only one person, to receive deliverance from damaging soul ties—deliverance that can only come through God.
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Thank you all for your support. May God bless and keep you. Consider sharing this information with a friend or family member. God came to set the captives free.

Ebook coming soon!
http://www.faytheworks.com/

In the Land of the Free

[image error] “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed,” John 8:36, NKJV.
Imagine, many Christians don’t enjoy the freedoms that Americans do in sharing their faith. We are allowed to stand on corners, pass out Gospel tracts, go into prisons for services, et cetera, but how many of us, saints, actually do it? We are to let our light shine before the world so that God will be glorified in Heaven.
I encourage every Christian to consider how it would affect you if you couldn’t share your faith. If it wouldn’t matter either way to you, then you need to reevaluate what Christ means to you. I’m well aware that there are moments in life, even in the land of the free, that sharing one’s faith is challenging or even prohibited, but that should never prompt a person to deny God. We can still share Christ by the way that we live. A great example would be that of Richard Wurmbrand, who founded Voice of the Martyrs. In His book, Tortured for Christ, the reader will discover how free you can really be, even in chains for God.
In this issue, I share an interview with a woman of God whom it was a pleasure to meet. It is wonderful to meet another Christian who has a desire to do His will. Deanetta Thompson's life in itself is an inspiration to others as she serves the Lord. Here, you'll get an inside look at the woman who survived numerous setbacks, but pressed forward and became a published author who started her own Christian Lifestyle e-zine (Christian Women Lifestyle xPress) that will become a trademarked LLC in just a couple weeks. Deanetta is a 20 year veteran of the army, defending our freedom here in the United States. I more so salute her dedication for her steadfastness in the army of the Lord.
__________________________________________
Introducing Deanetta Thompson, Budding CEO
With a vision to share through her writings what God has placed upon her heart, Deanetta is well aware of spiritual warfare. As shared in her bio (full bio here), Deanetta accurately identifies that we are living in the last and evil days. As wickedness increase, it becomes even more important for Christians, the saints of God, to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Deanetta admits that her childhood was not easy, but realized that God had a plan for her life. And today as a married woman of three children, she realizes many of those dreams through her steadfast faith in the Lord.
An interview with Deanetta…  [image error] Deanetta P. Thompson
Photo courtesy of authorSUN: Have you always wanted to be an author? How did you start writing, and what pushed you to finish your first book?
DT: I started writing at the age of 14. I did not realize at the time what I was doing. I just picked up a pen and piece of paper and started writing. But the most amazing thing is I started writing songs. Something I don’t normally share with the world… but originally I wanted to be a singer. I still have that urge every now and then to blast a few notes, however my magazine is where my heart is.
SUN: What are the titles of your books? What are they about?
DT: I have two eBooks I have on the market now: Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When Choosing Your Man? and Marital Warfare.
Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When Choosing Your Man? deals with all the qualities a woman should look for in a man with biblical Scriptures to follow. This is not a boring e-Book; I had to get raw with a few topics, but I am sure I got my point across.
Marital Warfare is about different women and their issues in life that affect their marriages. The majority of these women came into the marriage with problems. I also provide biblical Scriptures for each story to give my readers a Godly solution to whatever their issues might be.
SUN: In your books, are you able to identify with any of the characters, if so, how? If not, why?
[image error] DT: I can identify with Sistas… Do You Know What To Look For When Choosing Your Man? I expressed in this e-Book a lot of the foolish mistakes I made and decisions that caused me pain, drama, along with a life spiraling downhill. [Details will be included in a future book.]
SUN: What do you hope to accomplish in sharing your literary works with the world?
DT: I hope women will be able to grasp the concept “put God first.” Make no decisions without Him. Stop looking for a sugar daddy and value your body. Some women are so desperate for a man [that] they will go to any means to get one. Before you get married discuss it with God. Make sure he is the right one for you; it could cost you your life and sanity!
SUN: As you write, do you find yourself learning new things as the process goes along?
DT: Yes I do. I find out more about myself and how my mind operates which causes all the decisions I make in life.
SUN: What is one thing you’d encouraged someone to do?
DT: Follow your goals and be good at it. Keep God in the picture and ask Him, “Lord what do you have planned for me?” Because your dreams might not be what He has planned for you. Sometimes we can take it upon ourselves to create our own future without including Him and [then] fail, but can’t seem to understand why.
SUN: If you could sum your life up in one sentence, what would you say?
DT: I am a survivor because of God’s grace and mercy He bestowed upon me.
SUN: How can readers get in touch with you (website, email)? And where are your books available for sale?
[image error] DT: The older version of my eBooks is on Amazon ready for download: Marital Warfare Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When You Choosing Your Man? Or the new version can be ordered from my site http://www.cwlxpress.com/ My email is ceo@cwlxpress.com. I am always looking for writers to contribute to my online magazine and of course they will receive all the credit.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my eBooks and thoughts with Straight Up! readers.___________________________________________
Until next time,
Happy Reading and a safe 4th of July! And remember, true freedom only comes through Jesus Christ.

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

Building Success from Failure

"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, but wisdom brings success," Ecclesiastes 10:10. 
Surrounded by those who go after their dreams, no matter how much adversity is faced along the way; I thank God for where I am in my life. I thank Him for hope, I thank Him for grace, and I thank Him for mercy. I choose to focus on the good things that He has afforded to me rather than dwell on the negative distractions. Isn’t it a good thing to thank God along the way to where you ultimately want to be?
As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, I thank God for a father who did what he knew he could do rather than succumb to what society says he can’t. I thank God for men in my life who are pillars of strength, shunning the image of a black man who’s weak, compromising, and prison-prone. Isn’t it a good thing to thank God for who is in your life now along the way to embracing those who will eventually will be there?
Failure comes in many different forms and it’s meaning varies depending upon whom you may ask. For some, it is in a relationship that doesn't work out, for others it may be in a career path where you can't hold a job, yet let us consider that in God you can’t go wrong. It all depends on how you look at the situation, are you looking through rose-colored lenses or the death-defying shades of negativity? Things may not always go your way, but consider that it is going the way it’s supposed to. What God has for you is for you, and as long as you make Him the head of your life, you’ll never fail unless you stop trying to succeed.
In this issue, Renarda Williams presents an interview with author/talk show host Tavis Smiley about his new book, Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure. Insightful words from a man whose failure provided stepping stones to where he is today.
___________________________________________
Tavis Smiley on Building Success from Failure By Renarda Williams

In today's society, no one is exempt from setbacks and failures — whether he or she is a renowned (or not so renowned), clergy, educator, attorney, physician, political figure, or scientist. Everyone has experienced some type of failure in their lives. And they had to start all over to succeed and achieve lifetime goals.
Tavis Smiley — a successful business owner, notable philanthropist, host of his own national and radio programs — is no exception. Who would ever believe Smiley experienced setbacks such as: being fired, arrested, and turning down a major television opportunity and risking his future in broadcasting. Well, he did ... and all of these — and more — describes what Smiley faced during his “success scars.”
Smiley shares his "success scars," and how he overcame them, in Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure (Smiley Books, 2011). Smiley has created a "remarkable" blueprint, with Fail Up, to help people overcome failure — by learning from disappointments, setbacks, ... — in order to achieve success in life.
Here are some of Tavis’ 20: Quotes from Fail Up (courtesy of Smiley Books)
Father Knows Best: Even when things aren’t equal, if it’s meant for you to receive God’s grace, you’re going to get it.
Get Ready to Be Ready: The truth of life is that it isn’t always up, but it’s not always down either. Life, by definition, is a series of ups and downs. It really boils down to high-quality choices. The challenge is making the right choice…
Remain Civilized Even When You’re Justified: When we conduct ourselves with dignity, we walk through the world with an inviolable sense of respect that invites emulation. Respect for others means we commit to making sacrifices.
Before Honor Comes Humility: If arrogance is the disease, then humility is the cure. If we want to create a balance where our passions don’t elicit accusations of arrogance, then we must strive for abundant doses of humility.
Cheaters Never Win: You can correct and even reprimand somebody, but at the same time, you can affirm that person. If you are in a position of power, you can also offer a second chance.
Don’t Do Me No Favors: Make sure you always give before you get. Be it in your personal or business life, reciprocity is sweeter when the exchange of services, favors, or goods is mutual.
Due to Smiley's busy schedule, he was not available for a telephone interview with Straight Up. The following is a list of questions submitted by Straight Up, and answers by Smiley in a news release offered by his Smiley Books publicist.
RW: What influenced you to explore that failure can be good for us in Fail Up?
SMILEY: When I turned 40, I realized a crisis point in my life; I didn't believe I would ever succeed at all the things I wanted to do. The fact is that it's true — and that's a beautiful thing. As Samuel Beckett put it, 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.' This brilliant philosophy pulled together what I then understood as an inherent truth: Failure is inevitable. How we respond to failure is the key.
Looking back at my life, I, like many who have succeeded in spite of failure, have achieved what I have because I took life's setbacks and turned them into steps forward. My decision to share what were at times embarrassing public and private shortcomings wasn't easy. The reality, though, is that we all struggle and we all want to succeed. Not sharing this most crucial lesson of success — that it begins by turning failures into 'fail up' opportunities — would be far worse than any blemishes and mishaps I have suffered.
RW: What personal “fail up” do you think will surprise readers?
SMILEY: I can say for sure that some of my earlier indiscretions and mistakes might have some folks shaking their head. Yes, even Tavis Smiley has had run-ins with the law. The section where I find out firsthand what writing bad checks can do to a person, I think, will both surprise and, hopefully, scare some young folks straight.
The other fail up moment I think people will come away surprised by is when I delve into a personal indiscretion I committed while in a relationship, which I detail later in the book. Like I said, I’m not one for letting all my dirty laundry air for just anyone to see, but this situation was very real, personal reminder of how one’s professional life can be impacted by the wrong things said, at the wrong time, to the wrong people in your private life. I learned the lesson the hard way: Loose lips really do sink ships.
RW: How is Fail Up different from your memoir What I Know For Sure, and your previous books?
SMILEY: There’re a lot of similarities between Fail Up and my memoir. But they are, at their core, very different books. My memoir was the retelling of important segments of my life. It was a chance to share my story with my fans and supporters. But like most memories it was a one-way street.
Fail Up, on the other hand, is more of a conversation. Yes, my life and experiences are at the center of the message that adversity can become an asset if you approach it correctly. But Fail Up pulls from the challenges and successes of many others. Many of them are personal heroes of mine. Others are people in the spotlight, whether in sports or politics. I also share the story of everyday folk experiencing a real teachable moment. Through all these treads, Fail Up weaves together a powerful, crucial message that challenges readers to become agents of change in their own lives — by daring to change their minds.
RW: How important it is for young people to experience the opportunity to “fail up?”
SMILEY: Kids can do some pretty dumb things—I know I did—but it doesn’t mean mistakes should become life sentences. With the right guidance and compassion, a young person’s shortcomings can become a valuable moment of maturation. It’s important for adults to remember they, too, can, allow a young person to ‘fail up’ simply by taking the opportunity to help that young person become a better person for their failure, rather than beating them down or branding them for life.
RW: What do you hope Fail Up will do to help Americans who struggling to find employment during these tough economic times?
SMILEY: Let me be clear up front: too many Americans today are suffering through no fault of their own. Despite some encouraging signs that the worst is behind us, many parts of America —not least of which is the African American community, which continues to lag behind in employment—don’t feel like things are getting better. In face of this adversity, we have a choice: give in or grab hold.
My hope is that Fail Up will motivate people through powerful examples, helping them to focus on what’s possible, even in these challenging times.
RW: You mention the importance of “faith” throughout Fail Up. Do you believe God wants everyone to fail up?
SMILEY: Absolutely. As human beings, cracked vessels that we are…only through failure are we able to realize how human we are and to see the path that God has laid before us. We all fail at points in our lives and think that we’ve got things figured out better than God, whether it’s in our careers, in our personal lives, or even in what we think we want to major in college. But believe me, what God has in store for us cannot be avoided. Failing up is, in many ways, the process of realigning ourselves with the path that we were meant to be on all along —we just got lost along the way.
That path is different for everyone, but each of us has tremendous potential in what the Lord has called us to do. I am blessed every day that God has called me to do what I do, but there is also an inherent responsibility. In that way it doesn’t matter if God is calling you to be President of the United States or president of the local PTA, your gifts are suited to make you the best at what you are, and in the process be the best for those around you.
Tavis Smiley hosts the late-night talk show, Tavis Smiley on PBS, The Tavis Smiley Show distributed by Public Radio International (PRI), and is the co-host of Smiley & West on (PRI). He is the first American to simultaneously host signature talk shows on both public television and public radio.
Smiley has authored 14 books, including the book he edited, Covenant with Black America, which became the first nonfiction book by a Black-owned publisher to reach #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
He is also the presenter and creative force behind America I AM: The African American Imprint—an unprecedented traveling museum exhibition celebrating the extraordinary impact of African American contributions to our nation and to the world. In 2009, TIME magazine named him to their list of The World’s 100 Most Influential People. This year, 2011, marks his 20th year in broadcasting. ________________________________________________  Thank you for reading and remember, you never fail unless you stop trying to succeed. Don't be afraid to get up and try again.   "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind," 2 Timothy 1:7.
Until next time,
May God continue to bless you!
To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.