Do You Have a Big Enough Why?

Written by Michael Angier

Once you get clear on WHAT you want to achieve, it's crucial to know WHY you want it.


See What Do You Really, Really Want? Click Here.

If you have an important goal, it needs a big why. Otherwise, you won't have the determination and resolve to overcome the inevitable challenges you'll encounter in the process of achieving it.

Most people are too focused on the how and they miss the all important why.

When it comes to investing our precious time and energy into a worthy objective it makes a huge difference if our why is strong. If we have enough benefits—enough REASONS for the goal—we substantially increase our chances for success.


I believe the Universe hangs onto the answers we seek until it's convinced we're inspired by enough desire. When our desire is equal to the task, we find what we're looking for.

Weak passion, weak answers. Little zeal, little determination.

How's YOUR why? If you're not making the progress you think you should be making in achieving your goals, maybe you haven't inspired yourself with enough reasons why you want them.

Let's take losing weight. Many people have this goal. But based upon the average weight of North Americans, very few are achieving it.

But what if you HAD to lose weight? What if you were promised a million dollars to lose that extra 20 pounds you're carrying around? You could do it, couldn't you?

Of course you could. And all that changed was the payoff. Your why got bigger.

So maybe all that has to happen is for you to come up with enough reasons to lose the weight. There are many, of course, but have you ever listed them? Have you reviewed them? Do the benefits stir you with strong emotion?

Jim Rohn says, "When the why gets stronger, the how gets easier." I agree.

What can you do today to increase your motivation and determination to achieve the goals you've set? Make a good list of why you want each important goal. If you do, and if you review them often, you will be focusing not only on what you want, but why you want it.

It works.

They are calling him the million dollar man.

Jason Calacanis
recently revealed in his blog that he is on track to earn a million dollars from AdSense over the year ahead.
And if that number doesn’t wake you up and have you sitting on the edge of your seat, consider for a moment that he reached this level in less than a year. His company only started using AdSense in September 2004.
Calacanis runs Weblogs Inc., a network dedicated to creating trade weblogs across niche industries. And he’s quickly proven that AdSense is a credible advertising partner.
As their network has grown, so has their AdSense revenue. In January 2005 they earned an average of $580 per day. In March it was $737. In May it was $1,585. One day in July, just before he made the blog entry referred to above, they earned $2,335. Remember that is just for one day. If they can take that daily average to $2,740 they’ll be earning a rate of $1 million for a year. And Calacanis predicts that reaching daily earnings of $3,000 or even $5,000 is quite achievable.
That’s quite an achievement. Keep in mind that Calacanis has 103 bloggers on the payroll and nine staffers. Even so, many webmasters would give an arm or a leg to have even a third of that.
Google’s AdSense has been revolutionary. It has become firmly established as the darling of the online advertising industry. Although rumors are heard of major competitors launching a similar service, AdSense’s premier position seems secure for now.
In essence, AdSense has made it possible for almost anyone with a web site or blog to earn some revenue from advertising, without having to employ sales people or spend precious time searching for advertisers.
AdSense works like this. Webmasters sign up for an account in just a few minutes. They receive a small snippet of code to include on their web pages. Google will then automatically serve advertisements that are relevant to the content on the webmaster's pages. When someone visits the webmaster's site and clicks on one of Google's AdSense advertisements, the webmaster earns a fee. Advertisers can pay anywhere from five cents to a hundred dollars per click, and the webmaster receives a percentage of that fee.
Many webmasters are content with earning five to ten dollars from AdSense to cover the cost of web hosting. But many, unsurprising, have higher ambitions. At a popular WebmasterWorld forum, participants share tips and encouragement on reaching a goal of $300 per day from AdSense. So it is no wonder that Calacanis created quite a buzz when he made his million dollar blog entry.
Google have proven once again that they excel at designing innovative Internet services. If you are in the web industry and have not yet used AdSense, then perhaps you should try it out. Or if you are already using it, perhaps Calacanis’ impressive results will encourage you to track the performance of your AdSense units more closely, fine tune their positions and formats, and take your earnings to a new level.
Calacanis’ million dollar blog entry can be viewed at: http://calacanis.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000403051129/
Scott Adams is an internet entrepreneur, and earns a living by marketing affiliate programs on pay-per-click search engines, including Google’s AdSense. He explains the remarkable system he uses in his book, Affiliate Adventure, which is available at

Warren Buffet, The Second Richest Man In The World




I came across this from another blog site and decvided to post it here for all my naija peeps to see and benefit from, why? because he gave some very important tips on investing and business management, enjoy!!
There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:
He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
He still lives in the same small 3 bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.
His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis.
He has given his CEO's only two rules.
Rule number 1: do not lose any of your shareholder's money.
Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch television.
Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.
His advice to young people: Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself.
final word: a word is enough for the wise, i will give you more info on warren later till then, see you later.

22ND STELLAR AWARDS NIGHT.

The results of the 22nd Annual Stellar Awards were announced on January 13, 2007 from Nashville, Tennessee

thanks to gospel flava.com you can have a run down of the listings and winners, now how many of you remember Da Capo of the olufunmi remix fame of styl plus,(yeah, the guy that took the rap, he was nominated for a stellar under the rap hip-hop segment that is a big plus for naija, hope other gospel artistes will take their ministry serious, for above the sky is the limit and just to let u know, he ain;t started yet,enjoy!!!

Hosted by Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett, the televised event was highlighted by several performances, including songs from Youthful Praise, Tye Tribbett, The Caravans, Kirk Franklin, Patti Labelle, Richard Smallwood and Vickie Winans.

Complete listings of the official nominees, with winners in yellow text, are presented below for all categories:

(To send this list to a friend, CLICK HERE)


Artist of the Year

· Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Martha Munizzi; No Limits... Live; Integrity Gospel

· Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)

· Myron Butler; "Set Me Free"; EMI Gospel

· Kirk Franklin, Patrice Rushen, C. Sims, S. Brown, F. Washington; "Looking For You"; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Isaiah D. Thomas; "I Will Bless The Lord"; GospoCentric

· Mario Winans, CeCe Winans; "Pray";PureSprings Gospel

Choir of the Year

· Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise; From The Heart; Alliant Music Group

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Malcolm Williams & Great Faith; Walking In My Destiny; Univocal

· Youthful Praise featuring James Hairston; Live! The Praise... The Worship; Evidence Gospel

Producer of the Year

· Kirk Franklin; Hero (Kirk Franklin); Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers-Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Fred Hammond; Better Than That (The Singletons); Verity

· Mario Winans, Tommy Sims, Keith Thomas, Andy Shelby; Purified (CeCe Winans) ; PureSprings Gospel

Group Duo of the Year

· Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Darrell McFadden & The Disciples; I've Got A Right; EMI Gospel

· The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records

· Rev. Wesley Woods & The Hebrew Gospel Singers Live In Houston; GC Productions

New Artist of the Year

· Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Euclid Gray; Father Guide Me; Malaco Records

· Darrell Petties & Strength in Praise; Count It All Joy; EMI Gospel

· Briana Scott; While I'm Here; Waterbrooke Music

Male Vocalist of the Year

· Myron Butler; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Byron Cage; An Invitation To Worship; Gospo Centric

· Israel Houghton; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel

· Tye Tribbett; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory — LIVE!;; Sony Gospel

Female Vocalist of the Year

· Shirley Caesar; I Know The Truth; Shu-Bel Records

· Dorinda Clark-Cole;Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric

· Kierra 'Kiki' Sheard; This Is Me; EMI Gospel

· CeCe Winans; Purified ; PureSprings Gospel

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year

· Myron Butler; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Lyric Sings; Brand New Day; Canvas Records

· The Singletons; Better Than That; Verity

· Virtue; Testimony; Darkchild Gospel

CD of the Year

· Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Israel & New Breed; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year

· Keith Wonderboy Johnson & The Spiritual Voices; Just Being Me; Verity Records

· Darrell Petties & Strength in Praise; Count It All Joy; EMI Gospel

· The Legendary Craig Brothers; Live in Detroit; Majestic Records

· The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records

Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year

· Myron Butler & Levi; Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Darwin Hobbs; Worshipper; EMI Gospel

· Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

· Israel Houghton; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel

Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year

· Bishop Paul Morton; The Williams Brothers present Bishop Paul Morton - On Broken Pieces - A Hurricane Relief Project; Blackberry Records

· Bishop Larry D. Trotter; Already Looking Bettah!; Tyscot

· Melvin Williams; Soul Link Live 3 - Man in the Mirror ; Blackberry Records

· Bishop G.E. Patterson; Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation - Singing the Old Time Way Volume 2; Podium Records

Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year

· Yolanda Adams; Day by Day; Atlantic

· Martha Munizzi; No Limits... Live ; Integrity Gospel

· Karen Clark Sheard; It's Not Over; Word

· CeCe Winans; Purified ; PureSprings Gospel

Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year

· Eddie Ruth Bradford; Saved By Grace; Juana Praise Records

· Shirley Caesar; I Know The Truth ; Shu-Bel Records

· Dorinda Clark-Cole; Live from Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric

· Mavis Staples; Uncloudy Days ; Light Records

Contemporary CD of the Year

· Kirk Franklin; Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Israel Houghton & New Breed; ALIVE in South Africa; Integrity Gospel

· Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Kingdom University presents Tye Tribbett & G.A., Victory LIVE!; Sony Gospel

Traditional CD of the Year

· Dorinda Clark-Cole; Live from Houston - The Rose of Gospel; GospoCentric

· New Life Community Choir featuring John. P. Kee; The Reunion ; Verity Records

· The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records

· Bishop G.E. Patterson; Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation - Singing the Old Time Way Volume 2; Podium Records

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)

· Israel & New Breed; "Turn It Around"; Integrity Gospel

· Kierra 'Kiki' Sheard; "This Is Me"; EMI Gospel

· Tye Tribbett & G.A.; "Victory"; Sony Gospel

· CeCe Winans; "He's Concerned"; PureSprings Gospel

Traditional Choir of the Year

· Luther Barnes & Red Budd Gospel Choir; Somehow, Someway; AIR Gospel

· New Life Community Choir featuring John. P. Kee; The Reunion ; Verity Records

· Reed's Temple Choir; Now Is The Time ; New Haven Records

· Hezekiah Walker & LFC; 20/85 - The Experience; Verity Records

Contemporary Choir of the Year

· Myron Butler & Levi Set Me Free; EMI Gospel

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· New Direction; Send The Praise; GospoCentric

· Youthful Praise featuring James Hairston; Live! The Praise... The Worship; Evidence Gospel

Instrumental CD of the Year

· Ramsey Lewis; With One Voice; Narada Jazz

· Kevin Burroughs Neeley; Fingers of Fire - Volume 1 ; MTF Records

· Quiet Time Players; Sunday Morning Jams Vol. 2; Alliant Music Group

· Kevin Turner; Him ; See Son Records / Marina Park Records

Special Event CD of the Year

· DaCapo (Emmanuel O. Edili); Simply DaCapo II:II ; True Life Jazz

· Donald Lawrence presents The Tri-City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; R.O.U. Records

· Various; Stellar Awards 21st Anniversary ; Light Records

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year

· Da' T.R.U.T.H.; The Faith; Cross Movement Records

· Lecrae; Real Talk ; Cross Movement Records

· DaCapo (Emmanuel O. Edili); Simply DaCapo II:II ; True Life Jazz

· Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; R.O.U. Records

Children's Performance of the Year

· Lil Rufus; Lil Rufus sings for the Holidays; Verity Records

· The Bradby Girls; The Bradby Girls Present Restoration

· Youth For Christ; The Struggle Is Over; Emtro Gospel

· Various; Future Leaders Outreach Network Presents... Pursue Your Dreams; R.O.U. Records

Quartet of the Year

· The Jackson Southernaires; Reality; Marxan

· Darrell McFadden & The Disciples; I've Got A Right; EMI Gospel

· The Williams Brothers & Their Superstar Friends; Soul Link Live 3 - Man In The Mirror; Blackberry Records

· Keith Wonderboy Johnson & The Spiritual Voices; Just Being Me; Verity Records

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)

· Kirk Franklin; "Looking For You"/ Hero; Fo Yo Soul Entertainment

· Donald Lawrence presents the Tri City Singers; Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Donnie McClurkin featuring Kirk Franklin; "Ooh Child" / WOW GOspel 2006; Verity Records

· CeCe Winans; "Purified" Purified; PureSprings Gospel

Recorded Music Package of the Year [art credit / album (artist) / label]

· Denise Trotman (art direction and design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); An Invitation to Worship (Byron Cage); GospoCentric

· Philpott Design (art direction and design); Jay Blakesberg (photography); Donald Lawrence presents the Tri City Singers - Finale: Act One; EMI Gospel

· Courtney Walker (art direction and design); Mark Mann (photography); Hero (Kirk Franklin); Verity

· Denise Trotman (art direction); Sean M. Kinney (design); Ronald Cadiz (photography); 28/85 The Experience (Hezekiah Walker & LFC); Verity

Praise and Worship CD of the Year

· Juanita Bynum; A Piece of My Passion; Flow Records

· Byron Cage; An Invitation to Worship; GospoCentric

· Vicki Yohe; He's Been Faithful; PureSprings Gospel

· Kevin Burroughs Neeley; Fingers of Fire - Volume 1 ; MTF Records

GOSPEL MUSIC INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO RISE.

I came across this on another blog site and i was blown, i hope naija gospel artistes learn how to promote themselves for the world to see, read on and pass it on.


Two-thousand six was a banner year in gospel music sales. Yolanda Adams was among one of the top selling artist of 2006 according to the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Nielsen Christian SoundScan year-end reports.

Gospel album sales went up and digital sales continued to rise in 2006. The Reports follow the announcement of 2006 year-end sales data for the 52-week period ending Dec. 31, 2006.

“2006 was a good year for Christian/Gospel music. Album sales were up, albeit slightly; digital sales continue to rise and most importantly, the impact of the Gospel through music reached beyond even what our sales reveal. Everywhere you look, in books, games, TV and movies, music that is inspired by faith seems more prevalent than ever before,” said John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMA. “There may be many reasons why this is true, but I think chief among them is that people seem to be drawn to the inspiring and compassionate message of Gospel music amid uncertain times.”

Christian/Gospel music sales in 2006 represent music that is sold at both Christian and mainstream retail and is compiled by the GMA from Nielsen Christian SoundScan, the data information system that tracks point-of-purchase sales of recorded music product.

In the first six months of 2006, Gospel music sales grew 11.6 percent, compared to the 4 percent decline during the same time frame in 2005.

Meanwhile, gospel remains the only genre categorized by lyrical content, a mixed bag that ranges from praise and worship artists to hard-core metal bands. Despite its collective success, Christian music accounts for only 6 percent of the overall music industry.

Along with Adams Christian artists Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and Kutless were among the top-selling artists of 2006.

Source : www.eurweb.com

THE ANSWER: WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

There is a wonderful book which contains everything we need to know to live our lives the way our Creator intended (II Timothy 3:16,17). There are countless truths to live by found in this book, God's message to mankind, but if we were to boil everything down to its most basic message, this book, the Bible, makes three things clear...

First, the Bible says that mankind has a problem, and that problem is called sin. Sin is any action or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard. Every one of us has the problem of sin (Romans 3:23). And the Bible teaches us that there is a consequence to sin - sin separates us from a holy God (Habakkuk 1:13). In fact, the Bible tells us that end result of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that there is nothing that we ourselves can do to solve the problem of sin.

Second, the Bible says that there is a solution to the problem of sin, and that solution is the person of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that he sent Jesus, His only Son, to die in our place (John 3:16). Jesus paid the penalty of your sin so that you would not have to be forever separated from God (I John 4:10). The Bible also tells us that Jesus is the only solution for our sin problem (John 14:6).

Third, the Bible demands a decision. It is not enough to just know about Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for you. You must choose to put your trust in Christ, to receive this free gift of salvation that God offers (John 1:12).

All of us have the problem of sin. There is only one solution to the problem - the person of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for us. Every one of us must decide...

What will you do with Jesus Christ?

Interview with Men Of Standard



i hope u guys enjoy this interview with one of the greatest gospel groups ever , this was culled from blackgospel.com.


It’s always inspiring to watch individuals with strength, character and ‘standards’ endure pitfalls, hardships and setbacks, only to go on and taste from the well of success. One could easily draw such inspiration and insight from the lives and testimonies of a few good men on a mission known as Men Of Standard.

Collectively, Isaac Carree, Lowell Pye and Bryan Pierce have dedicated ten youthful years and five first-class albums to ministry as one of Gospel music’s best-known recording groups. But these obvious accomplishments only tell a small part of their fascinating tale that have taken them from obscurity to notoriety, from the shadows to the forefront and from their step-child to first sons’ status.

It’s a fascinating journey that has included dwelling (in the early days) in the shadows of their contemporaries (Commissioned, The Winans), coping with a bitter business divorce with their former record label and enduring the departure of one of their original members (Michael Bacon). Yet, ten years later and five albums richer, Men Of Standard are producing better music than ever before.

In fact, with the release of Surrounded (Columbia/Sony), Men Of Standard have officially arrived as one of the preeminent recording groups today. It just goes to show that the race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one who endures to the end. Just ask Men Of Standard. BlackGospel.com spoke with these courageous ministers, who grew up before our eyes and learned the hard and heavy lessons in life that would purge and prepare them for a much higher calling than they even imagined.

Christopher Heron: Let’s take it back 10 years ago to your debut project - Men of Standard. You were an instant success coming right out the block. For most Gospel listeners, it was the introduction to Men Of Standard, back in 1996. Tell us what were the dynamics that brought you guys – (Isaac Carree, Lowell Pye, Bryan Pierce, and Michael Bacon) together? Back then, groups like The Winans and Commissioned were still fresh in the minds and hearts of Gospel listeners across the country. How much of an influence did those artists have on your ministry?

MOS – Isaac Carree: Well the mindset back in ’96 was just to start a group that could offer something different than The Winans or Commissioned, although they were our mentors and paved the way for us, as far as contemporary male Gospel groups. We were still compared with those groups but our mind set was, “What can we do that’s different and fresh?”

What we wanted to do was mix a little old school with new school. Commissioned never did what the Winans did and the Winans never did what Commissioned did, since they were a little more contemporary and the Winans were a little more traditional. What we did was mix the two (traditional & contemporary) together and offer genuine, authentic, traditional and contemporary male vocals. We married the two together and that’s what you get from Men of Standard.

We grew up listening to The Winans and Commissioned, so we give them all the credit. But when Commissioned and The Winans decided to go on with their independent ministries, it left the market wide open for us. I think our Gospel footprints are kind of etched in stone now.

CH: Both Isaac and Lowell sang with (Rev. John P. Kee’s) New Life Singers back in the day. What valuable artistic and professional lessons did you take with you from that experience and bring to MOS?

MOS – Lowell Pye: One of the things we learned was how to treat people with honesty. We also learned what to do and what not to do with the people who work for you because when people are very diligent and faithful to you. You have to be kind to them. We learned that from John [P. Kee].

Another thing was just how to develop as an artist, as far as demanding attention while onstage, keeping their attention. Anybody who knows John knows he can keep your attention for 2-3 hours. So we learned from him how to have fun onstage and how to keep the audience’s attention and I think that we do that pretty good.

CH: Not too many recording groups are successful and dedicated enough to last five albums and ten years together. What are some of the factors that have allowed MOS to endure?

MOS – Bryan Pierce: First and foremost I believe it had to be God because groups just don’t stay together for ten years. We really respect each other like brothers. Of course we’re going to fall out. We’ve had it out before but we respect and genuinely love each other. We respect the fact that we’re all different. We’re unique but when we all come together, we bring what God has placed in us that actually forms this MOS sound, blend, ministry that people love, crave, and actually need in this day and time.

One of the things that has kept us together other than God is that whenever you’re working with other individuals, you must have respect. And not just respect of each other but of each other’s gift, each other’s anointing. Don’t disrespect what God has placed in somebody else because it may not be for you but it might be for somebody that’s listening to the CD or somebody that comes to the concert.

I know that for some groups, it’s just business. They only get together when they’re onstage or when you see them performing but with MOS, you’ll see us eating together, shopping together, just hanging out together. All of that has a lot to do with it.

CH: You mentioned that you are very different people, very unique people, and it is quite remarkable when you consider you from different regions of the country like Louisiana, Detroit and North Carolina. Are your hometown traits evident in the group? Is the Louisianan a lover of gumbo? Is the Detroiter into pinstripe suits and gators?

MOS – IC: (Laughs) Good question, we’ve never had that question before. I’m from NC, Lowell is from Detroit and Bryan is from New Orleans. When we first started the group up until two years ago, Bryan was rocking a gold tooth!!! And we were trying to tell him, “Dude, don’t nobody wear gold no more.” Gold went out in 81’ and so now he’s back to normal. Lowell, doesn’t wear gators. I’m from NC, but you would think I’m from L.A. or NYC because I’m all bourgie. We’re just all different but we all love the same things.

We also understand that when it comes to fashion, we’re original. Sometimes, Bryan tries to wear what I wear (LOL!!!!) We all have our own style but we all like many of the same things. In terms of personalities, we’re similar because we’ve been together so long. We three were together before the group formed. I knew Bryan in ‘94 doing Christian plays and Lowell and I were in John P. Kee’s New Life Singers together as well. We think the same things are funny, we laugh at the same things. It’s almost like we grew up together.

CH: There was a dark season for MOS a few years back that involved your former label concerning royalties. Now, without getting too much into it, in retrospect, do you think those were issues or lessons you experienced because you were young artists or are those just issues that are common between recording artists and labels?

MOS – IC: I think it’s both. I think we were young and we kind of put ourselves in that bad situation by not being educated on the business side of things. Had we been more educated, it would have prevented us from having to deal with the legal dispute. But that experience is still a part of the industry. And my thing is this. Being young still did not give the label the right to take advantage of us. So I think being young and the label’s experience both played hand in hand. That’s why we take responsibility for what happened but the label has to take a certain level of responsibility as well.

And with that we encourage all artists to ensure they have good legal representation and take the time to understand their contracts. Don’t leave it to your attorney to make decisions for you and you don’t understand what’s going on because at the end of the day, the attorney can make some decision about that contract which leaves them unaffected because it’s not their career.

The artists need to be able to break it down. Where we may not understand all the lingo, break it down to us in laymen terms, even if that means Ebonics. Our experience was a learning experience and it really helped us in our next situation. When we signed with Sony, we took a longer time to close this deal because we were very careful about making sure that everything was fair.

CH: Men Of Standard has always involved remarkable talents in the creativity of the project, whether in the writing or more particularly in the production. What has usually been the process in bringing personalities like Donald Lawrence, J. Moss and, most recently, Warren Campbell to the table? And what was the motivation for using Warren Campbell as your producer for Surrounded with special guest performances by Kirk Franklin and Tye Tribbett?

MOS – LP: Donald Lawrence kind of molded the sound of Men Of Standard in the beginning. We were free and really trusting in him, which was crucial at that time. With J. Moss, we all became friends and we really thought at that particular time that J. Moss would pull some things out of us that we didn’t do on the first album.

When we did the third album, we thought we were all grown up and we wanted to venture out and produce ourselves. In the fourth album, we thought Noel Hall would be great for the project. By then, we really started to grow as writers and producers. We also wanted to get more involved behind the scenes instead of just as singers. And so, we asked for Warryn Campbell’s help who me and Isaac had worked with before. We just felt it was time because he is such a great talent. I don’t think people understand just how talented and gifted he really is. Warryn plays every instrument and his creativity is just unbelievable. It was a great creative marriage and friendship between Warryn and us. So, I think it resulted in a great album.

We’re going to produce and write all of our future albums. God’s been great to us. He’s allowed us to meet great people who cared about us. I was telling people the other day, “You have to surround yourself with people who care about you and your ministry, not just people who see dollar signs, people who are able to tell you when things are wrong.” That’s what we did. We have been gracious and kind and God has been kind to us, letting us develop friendships with people in the music industry. We’ve been friends for years with Tye Tribbett.

MOS – IC: We worked with Kirk Franklin years back on the track, Something About the Name, Jesus, off The NuNation Project. From then, it’s been overwhelming how people have taken a liking to Men Of Standard and saw something in us. It’s something really special when people notice something special enough that they want to pour back into your ministry. We don’t take that lightly because there are so many artists out there, so many great singers out there.

That keeps us asking God, “What is it about us that makes you keep doing this for us?” It’s just the favor of God and we don’t take it lightly. We just got off a tour with Kirk Franklin a few months ago, we’ve toured with Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams. It’s amazing how God continues to show Himself and give us favor. It’s been ten years but it feels like the beginning, so we’re grateful to God for that.

CH: I have one final question. It has been ten years, which is a lot of time to learn about ministry and you as artists and individuals. What are the most valuable lessons that you have learned through this journey?

MOS – BP: One of the main lessons we’ve learned collectively as a group is to pick and choose our battles. Some things are worth fighting for and some things you just need to turn it over to God and leave it there. Personally, I’ve learned that everything happens in God’s season, in God’s timing and sometimes what we think is significant is not necessarily important when you compare it to the vision God called you to. So you’ve really got to be in sync. And this can work corporately also.

You have to understand what is really important is the purpose God called you for. Even if you stray away from it, God will still find a way to fulfill it, whatever the vision He put in you to fulfill. A lot of times, we, as artists, get caught up in whatever is out there. And a lot of times, whatever is out there is cool to man but it may take you out of your mission and if it takes you off your mission, then you still won’t receive the success you really need because true success is really being obedient. Pastor Marvin Winans said that success is really about obedience to God. It is not how many accolades you receive, it is not how many awards you receive or how many albums you sell, but true success is obedience to God.

So we’ve learned as a group not to get caught up and it takes some growing, it takes some maturing, it takes some time, because its easy to get caught up in what’s going on with new trends or whatever is happening. But make sure that you are being true to your calling, obedient to what God called you to do as a group or even as an individual. We’ve learned how to really just be obedient to what God wants for Men Of Standard.

For more information on Men Of Standard, visit their official website at www.menofstandardmusic.com. To contact Men Of Standard for performances or special engagements, email them at mosministries@yahoo.com or call 770-837-2611.
thanks for reading.

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Solve the Mystery of Your True Self

Exclusively for You...



This special writing was excerpted from "Seven Steps to Oneness."



Each and every event in our life brings with it a kind of gift just for us, providing we know how to receive it. This priceless offer isn't about ways to empower ourselves through possessions or greater position in life; it is presented to us to help free us from the stress and worry born of the false belief that we need such riches to realize the timeless value of ourselves.

What is this gift yet claimed? What power can we hope to know that can make all of life's moments golden? Don't let either the simplicity or the familiarity of the following answer keep you from realizing its unimaginable promise: perfect Love casts out fear.

Why does perfect Love cast out fear along with all of its self-compromising conditions? Because much in the same way as it is impossible for a shadow to live in the light, such a love ensures that dark divisive states such as fear, anxiety, and depression cannot dwell in its presence. Our task, should we wish to walk through life with such a fierce advocate by our side, is to awaken ourselves to the fact of its presence as a power already within us. Discovering "where" this Treasure of treasures is found -- and how to make ourselves one with it -- that's the question! Now, let's find some real answers.

We can all see that life is a mystery. What remains unseen is how to solve it. But before we can ever hope to "solve" this enigmatic puzzle that we call our life, we must have all the pieces on the table; and there is one "piece" to this puzzle most never find because this missing piece is our life itself!

Life -- this moment and every moment -- is a school for the education of the soul. At its heart is an invisible core curriculum, a kind of celestial "program" with one great purpose: to help us realize that behind each of the life-lessons that comes our way dwells a divine, just, and loving Intelligence that wants us to be one with its life.

Imagine how different life would be if we understood that nothing happens to us that isn't sent our way to help us learn more about the eternal nature of Love. With such a realization we would know that whatever takes place in our life has not come as something set against our best interests, but to help us realize them!

What prohibits us from awakening to this essential relationship and realizing its power as our own? In a word: resistance. We see life through the eyes of a part of us that instantly opposes whatever challenges its idea about the meaning of life and what's "best" for us in it. This false self refuses or denies anything that threatens the flattering image it has of itself. All in all, the negative effect of our unconscious condition can be stated like this:

We have become lesson-intolerant.

Nothing that resists life can learn from it, and without higher self-discovery there is no hope of recovering our real relationship -- our oneness -- with God's life.

The following insight helps us see why our false self resists the "touch" of reality upon it: Real learning requires subordination to that which would teach us. If our teacher isn't someone or something greater than ourselves in the moment, then what have we to learn from that teacher? So, it is not we who masters a principle. It is we who must surrender to it if we wish to learn its ways -- if our wish is oneness with its mastery. Only in this way does that principle lends us the power that lives behind it so that we may embody its life. We must yield to what is above us. The amazing thing is that what lives "above" us, loves us and actually wants us know its power as our own.

Just as Christ washed the feet of his disciples, there is an eternal relationship between the greater and the lesser; but because the greater is continually giving itself to the lesser, the lesser is always made greater if it will surrender to what the greater wants to give it. Each time the lesser becomes the greater, then it understands the greater work, and will give itself again. This is Love. It never stops, because its genesis is eternal. It is our God-given right to realize this beautiful, creative Love that cannot betray its lover.

As we realize that all things come to us for the sake of freeing us to love more deeply the Love that would liberate us, true faith grows. Little by little we come to see that there is nothing that takes place in life, including whatever is "ugly" within it, that isn't part of preparing us to transcend -- to outgrow -- ourselves.

There is an order between power, principle, and practice. Before we can have relationship with power -- Peace, Beauty, Kindness, Love -- we must first become an embodiment of principle. And in order to become an embodiment of principle, we must practice it. The only way for us to know there is a world above us that would perfect us is if we will put ourselves in relationship with its powers through practicing them.

There is an integration that takes place when we practice what we love. As we work to embody these higher powers in our life, we are united with them. A marriage takes place within us that lessens the distance between that power and our purpose to be one with it. Surrendering self is how we end the separation between ourselves and that all-powerful Love for which we long. Only to the degree that we perfect our love in God do we come to realize oneness, and only God can perfect our love in Him.

Each moment of the day, no matter what comes your way, let what you remember as being true about Love always be your guide. Never let darkness, dismay -- any of the things that attend the mind -- be your guide. If you are sincere in your wish, and willing to work with practice to embrace principle, to discover what is necessary to put you in relationship -- in alignment with a higher order -- you will enter into God's life, which is the one life.

Practice this oneness. Anyone can do it. You don't need strength. You don't need wisdom. You don't need anything except for the wish to be a part of that Greater Life to which you have been called.

-- Guy Finley