What does it mean to be TRENCHES?!?!

Lately, I've adopted the use of the word "Trenches" into my vocabulary. The word was introduced to me by a great sister, mentor, and friend by the name of Leslie Avery, who is H-Town born and raised. Here's an example of how I use it. "That man has 30in rims on a Dodge Charger? TRENCHES" "Oh you have a 2 bedroom/ 2 bath garden apartment for $385 per month?!?! TRENCHES!.

Many people have began to ask me where did I discover this word? Also, what does it mean? So journey with me as I take you through the valley into the land of The Trenches!

The Trenches is what I call most "Hood" areas nowadays. For example, Trevitt Heights, East Haven, aspects of the Linden area have become or are considered trenches. The term basically refers to something that isn't of the highest quality. What is even more interesting is that there are some people walking on earth living with a "Trenches Mentality". When someone's mental state is trench you will find them suffering from the following:

• Scammer/Fraud Characteristics
• Lying for no aparent reason
• Settling for the mediocre
• Childish
  
• professionally GHETTO
• Overly Prideful
• Failing to take ownership
• Not well kept
• Out of order finances and priorities
  

Those are just a few things. Ok someone isn't understanding so let me call out the list. If you are 30, and you are still at the club faithfully for 1st Fridays, Mid-month mixer, end of the month jams etc, but you aren't in a higher tax bracket and you are a slave to your credit card lenders...TRENCH!

Fellas: If you're wife, who is ride or die for you, but makes makes your salary look like play money and you don't appreciate her and then you say you can pull someone else with your play money... chances are you are TRENCH

Have an 09 Dodge Charger with 28in rims and your address is located in an area similar to 8th and Summit Ave.... TRENCH

Ladies: Still wearing that plastic jewelry.... TRENCH

Complaining about not having a good man or a man period however your marketing strategy is to be Lil' Kim but want to be treated like Faith Evans.... have a seat you are... TRENCH

Oh there is no dishwasher or central air unit in this house.... TRENCH

Again this is just a brief introduction on what it means to be Trenches or have a Trenches Mentality. Now if you find yourself addressed in this blog post, please don't be offended there is hope for you. You don't have to be TRENCHES your whole life, well unless you choose to be! Peace and Love people, Peace and Love!

The BEST Thanksgiving EVER!

So this years Thanksgiving was really special for me. I can't remember the last time I celebrated the Holiday with a renewed mindset. This new mindset of mine was evident in my eating habits. Most years I will stuff my face till I'm ready to throw up and die but this year was different. I actually enjoyed monitoring my portions because I knew I had other stops to make where I'd be eating and didn't want to be sick. 1 serving of every dish has so much power. Also this year I made water my best friend. Instead of loading up on calories from Sodas and a lot of sugary juices, I enjoyed multiple bottles of water.

This year was also special because I spent a good amount of time with my family, began to get re-acquainted with an old friend. I also spent time with a family friend whose family wasn't able to be around today. I never thought I'd get to a place where the little things would be so big but today I reached that place. My prayer is that everyone found some joy today!

Now Safe Am I

“I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
from the waters lifted me, now safe am I.” (James Rowe)

I found this on another bloggers page and stole it. Thank you Worship is a Lifestyle blogger!

I'm amazed at how these old hymns know how to discuss my life without even have known me. The part that blesses me in this hymn, is the Now Safe am I. Its a good thing when you recognize your safety in Christ and everyday I live out what it means to be safe. Doesn't mean things will be perfect but my soul will sho nuff be SAFE no matter what.

I Think I love her LOL

I think I love her LOL

Met her on a Thursday

about 7:45pm

She is the epitome of what I like

light brown skin, well put together, didn’t say much at first, she knows our Father

and that attitude = FIYA

If you didn’t know me you’d think i’m a liar

but I can’t deny,

I can tell she’s truth.

Why do I think I love her?

I have no idea

But I think I do

Attitude that matches mine,

games and drama ha I’m guessing she has no time

but can I be honest with what I want to do?

one day be able to make sure that phrase “I think I love her” is true

maybe I’m doing the most right now

I just can’t figure it out

all I know, I like what I like

and right now what I like, walked in on Monday at 5

left me at 9

since then I can’t really say I know this chick

but with the right amount of time,

I think I’m gonna like the sound of me saying

Dang, I think I love her LOL

ha ha ha fine!

CLOSER by Greg O'quin

VERSE 1
Oh Lord, I felt Your presence
When I opened my eyes this morning
I remembered how we started the day together
Somehow we drifted apart
I need to feel Your presence all through the day
Sometimes I get weak and I want to stay

CHORUS
So I start all over again
Please Lord give me another chance
Today I want to be closer to You
Than I've ever been before

VERSE 2
Oh, Lord it's my desire
Just to please You In all that I do
Lord I want to walk just like You
I want to talk just like You
I want to live holy just like You tell me to
There are times I must admit
I fall a little short of Your word
That's when I come running and crying
Lord help me just to make it through

CHORUS

VAMP
I want to closer to You

ENDING
Today, I want to be closer to You
Than I've ever been before

Healthy Lifestyle

I'm proud to say that I'm gaining progress on this new health regiment sponsored by my nutritionist, Dr. John. Its been about 4 days since I've had any juice, sweets, and heavy starches. I love orange juice, mashed potatoes, and cheese cake every now and again. I've worked out everyday this week and worked out twice last night. I feel like I'm going to get a personal trainer to help me tone up and loose.

But you know you can't have a healthy lifestyle physically until you examine your mind and spirit. So with that in mind I have to tell you about an issue that I'm having. I'm working on really loving God and loving others as God/Jesus Christ has commanded. Today I asked myself, well how am I going to genuinely love people who although its not that you do not like them but you don't necessary like what they stand for? The answer was becoming unclear until a friend of mine reminded me of what I've been reading. BOUNDARIES, set those limits. I'll have to go into detail with you all after my limits are fully set. But until we meet again.. CIAO Amigos and Amigas!!!

Back At It

The time has come for me to get back to some serious work with my health goals. There is no better time than the present to get to work on what you want to accomplish. I began today with oatmeal from my nutritionist that has 1 gram of sugar, and 1 bottle of water. I can already tell that this new lifestyle of healthy (No starch, low carb, and extra low sugar) is going to require the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ. All I can think of is that Bible verse in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that tells me I'm not running aimlessly but for an eternal reward. Also Romans 12:2 tells me that I need to present my body a living sacrifice. 1 Cor 6:18-21 is also a good reminder that I'm bought with a price and that my body doesn't belong to just me but to the Holy Spirit who works inside of me. So my prayer as I go after my health and fitness goals is to live totally renewed by God's Word. I believe there is transformation within that!

Boundaries Chapter 6

A while ago, I started the book Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. So far I'm in chapter 6, Myths about Boundaries.

Myth Number 2 was Boundaries are a sign of Disobedience.

This really speaks to me because too many times we hear. "If you are unwilling to go with our program it shows that you have an unresponsive heart". That right there sends me through the roof when I hear that in ministry. How can I serve God in love when I'm asked to commit and out of fear I say Yes, when my heart says NO. An internal No makes an external Yes, no good. Am I serving God in love? The Word says that ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (BibleGateway.com) So if my yes to serve is really an internal no, that means I'm fearful of something which causes me to keep my hearts motives unclean. I don't believe that is how God wants me to live. So as I search myself, I pose the question to you.. Are you serving out of love or fear? If the answer is the latter, you might just have a "Boundaries" issue.

FREEDOM

This week, I attended the 2010 Youth and Young Adult Revival at The New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. From Sunday all the way through Wednesday night, it was a blessed time. I learned a lot about myself, and how I too can be and was made to be an "Unrestrained" Worshipper. For me to live "Unrestrained" it cost me some pride, attitude, habits and etc. I had to surrender it all to God because only He could take my issues and be there to fix me. Once I did that I was M.A.D.E. FREE. No longer bound by issues of past hurts, no longer willingly giving in to sin, no longer doubting my God and the power he has in my life. Lastly, I had to praise Him for being the delivering God that He is. I found comfort in Exodus 17:8-16 where God reveals himself as the banner.

I believe that my newly found full freedom has released me into serving God in a new way. I'm interested to see where God leads me in my life. All I know is that I'm able to say that no matter what, He is the master of my Faith, and is the captain of my soul!

Freely yours,

Mychall L. Woods

Boundaries

Today is July the 5th and it has been a long while since I've been on blogger. I've been posting a lot on posterous which is really nice. Visit Sirmykelaflar.posterous.com to see some of my other blogs that I've written.

In light of not being on blogger, I've still been evaluating somethings going on withing my life. One thing that I found that I needed a better control on are my Boundaries. So I decided to go grasp freedom and get the book and study guide entitled Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. In this book, I was introduced to a character by the name of Sherrie. Sherrie always made time for everyone else, and put off her own responsibilities just to save face for others. Sherrie also made up excuses to try to make herself feel better. For example, "My mom needs me, she's lonely and I'm glad I could help cheer her up". However, Sherrie's mom would visit and leave depressed and bring down Sherrie's mood too. I think the most hurtful part of Sherrie's life is the lack of support from her husband when she would tell him about her feelings. They have a one sided relationship, he could always bear his will on her but would feel imposed if she disagreed or spoke on how she felt. I was reminded of when I used to be the same way with others, allowing them to impose but misunderstood and ignored when it was my turn. But I said "Never Again".

I know how to say "No". I do it very well. But I realized that I have had a boundaries problem when I can classify people into 2 areas of my life. The two areas are "I Love you" or "Go to Hell" figuratively speaking. As I read each chapter, and go through this book, I'm asked questions about areas in my life that I don't like to deal with. But how many of you know that true healing begins at those moments? I'm a witness that it does. I'm learning how to live a life that exemplifies the love of Christ with Boundaries in mind. I want to be that gate that lets out the bad and lets in good because that is not only what I deserve but it is also what I will need to be.

I only encourage those who are ready for life change to pick up this book. Boundaries is not for the weak or the cowardly. This book has examples of people that you may find yourself actually living and dealing with on a day to day basis. Does this book want you to have resentment toward them? NO. But the book does teach you how to be prepared to deal with your Boundaries and how to teach people where they stop and where you begin!

Reviewing the Story

So I'm thinking I've ran by a good woman, somedays I'm confused on if she is the ONE but we said we would review the story and when God says so then we will go. But hey life is straight! Follow me people @SirMykeLaFlair

Free Write from N.L.Y.P.D

The assignment was to do a Free Write using the words: Thanks, Compare,and Massive. So here is what I put together a few weeks ago

Thanks, Be
Thanks, Be to GOD!
Who allows me not to compare myself to others
Thanks, God, who through out all of my days
has had and will have my back, my front, and my sides
in every struggle, Thanks!
Thanks for over looking my massive faults and still seeing my needs
Thanks for being able to not just contrast me
but also compare me to your child and your friend
Thanks for allowing me to see that I can compare you to know one
THANKS!

Hello People

Hey,

I know its been a while since I've sent out an update... Whew man, busy busy busy... For my at the moment updates get to twitter.com/SirMykeLaFlair....

In the mean time I think that I've found a girl that I'm gonna like forever... I need more evidence but the confidence is thru the roof. This weekend is gonna be busy but chill, a online quiz, workout, dinner with Ashley, Church, Work and get ready for next week...

I'm out so I'll HOLLA!!!!

Well its good to be back

Hello Blog world.

I've been M.I.A. for some time and I decided to write something quick to let you all know that i'm doing fine. I'm down 22 mighty lbs. Getting in shape has become fun and essential in my everyday life. From eating better, to making sure I'm at the gym regularly. Also my time in the WORD is aiding in my growth. Why do I want to be healthy, because Romans 12:1 says to present my body a LIVING Sacrifice. Sacrifice is costly, no matter what it is. You wanna loose weight, its gonna cost you eating out, you won't be able to eat just any old thing. You want to grow more in Christ, its gonna cost you time in His Word and relying on Him daily and you take up your cross to follow this man. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY... Committing/Giving my life to God is the very best decision I've ever made and will probably make. Well that's all I have for now. I leave with this song.

Falling in Love with Jesus
Falling in Love with Jesus
Falling in Love with Jesus
Was the BEST thing I've ever, ever done!

This week

So this week was finals week and although I may have some scars and disappointments, I'm still healed and free from Winter quarter.

I'm praising God that I'm 20 pounds lighter since Feb 7, 2010... I'm walking into my 7th week of this healthy lifestyle and yes my planning still needs some more work but I"m thankful that I'm not as lazy as I was being.

As I close out this post, I must share that I was reading Chapter 3 of "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and its discussing God's love for us and how we are to view our relationship with Him. The command in Matthew 22:37-38 is to Love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind and heart. But the author asks do we Love God just because of what He does for us? Or do we love Him because of who He is? Thinking about this makes me realize that when I sing the words of this song, they embody my total being of How I feel about God and not just His Blessing

I love YOU, Lord

and I lift my voice

To worship YOU,

OH my soul, rejoice

take joy MY KING in what YOU hear

and let it be a sweet sound in your ear!

HMMMM

Something I wrote just now

Hmmmmm, I never thought well not never thought, but didn't think the day would come when I'd meet a WOMAN a REAL WOMAN, whose EGO is as hot a s the sun. Its funny how this all begun, a dinner, a simple dinner where at a big table she was the only 1 realized she had class, no seriously she had class with me Con Sci 2 4 3 So I got to put a name to this beautiful face I'd say her name but I think that might be a lil indignant or out of place. We text, and talk, and text some more textin' so much that my blackberry froze (I just had to get a storm lol) you know I'm inquisitive, not nosey but I know there are some things she hasn't told me like I wanna know about her past life, what was her favorite child hood tv show, or places that her and her mom used to go was she a bully, or has she always been this nice and sweet what was it like the day she met God? or what song are you singing if your dreamin of your favorite song? These are a few questions I have and the answers I seek Hmmmmm soon I'll know one day I'll find out tho....

I LOVE THE SUN

Today is a beautiful day... I'm going to take my finance final... Do well on it... and then go to work... I did have high hopes of going to choir rehearsal but work is understaffed so i'm gonna go in to make sure we have enough staff to cover the shift. Still a great day tho, I feel it

Finals Week

Hey gang! Its Finals week so i've been working and studying but the bulk of it all is over. I've got a finance final left on Wednesday. A few more days and I will be free and on spring break. AAAAHHHHH

OH HOW WONDROUS WEEKEND

This past weekend was an O HOW WONDROUS weekend.

I'm down 15.2 lbs in a month and working on being down another 15.2 by April 8th.

I went to a good Omega Psi Phi Frat. Inc probate show and got to see all my peeps that I hardly ever see in life

I ministered with the New Salem Mass Choir and we sang my song O How Wondrous

AND I found a new gym to go to on OSU campus and I can park right by the door, there really is NO EXCUSE NOW.... I think I can be in that gym everyday and not playing...

Still looking for some people that want to play tennis in the spring and summer so HOLLA AT ME

Choosing your Response

This week I had an issue in my finance class. The teaching assistants had double graded my paper and took off double points. NOT GOOD! So my initial reaction was to cuss EVERYBODY clean out about the situation. But God had told me on Sunday, "Stay committed to me and I'll see you thru times of transition". So I became silent about the issue, didn't complain or voice any opinion vocally but in my head I wondered what the outcome would be. Then today March 4, 2010 I went to see my teacher in expectation of just correcting the 15 missed points but my teacher pointed out other grading errors and I walked out with 35 total points added back to my assignment which took me from a F to a C-. Now I wonder what life would have been like if I had of chose to cuss and fuss and not be professional, or better yet what damage would have been done to my Christian witness. I may be the only Christian that my teacher meets and I refuse to give God a bad name based off of how my emotions rage. God Thank you for your calming peace, that speaks LOUD when I'm in Silence.

I got a New Heart

This is the speech that I'm going to read at my best friend Cherrise's Bday dinner.

I got a New Heart!

Those are the words that really began our friendship.

A few short days after your 24th bday in 2009, I met the esteemed Cherrise Gayle, Director of Youth Events in the Life Development Dept. at the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church lol

Thru 2009, we looked at struggle in the face, dealt with it and laughed about it the whole way.

From hitting the High St. strip, Bus trip to NC, the many lunch and dinner outings we had, conversations of Hot Topics, and most importantly our life Challenge to be what God has already said we are, it has been a privilege to hit the pavement running on this Romans 12 quest.

25 is a mile stone that I will soon reach in 3 years myself. But you're the encouragement that assures me that unless God comes to get me first, then I will make it to 25. Not because of merit, or character but because of God's favor, mercy, grace, and faithfulness. One song signifies this very moment is "Marvelous" because I've seen God do some marvelous things in and thru you. Do we need to go back to July 22nd, 2009 @8:23:32 pm when you Helped us All Believe at the YAYA revival... Ok nuff said lol What I love most is the fact that when people enter into your life, they don't have to like you or love you but what they automatically know to do is RESPECT YOU. To sum this all up, I'm glad we are real, truthful and honest, ride or die, bust a brick in that window, set the house on fire and then go shout up in the church, BEST FRIENDS!!! lol HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

~Mychall L. Woods

This week

So this week was a true challenge. 2 midterms, 1 assignment. Work, Choir, and working out, whew I'm getting tired just thinking about what I've dealt with this week. But I thank God for Change. In the past I would look at tasks and give up before I even start, but now I know that with God we ride or die together. Amen!

SUPE OF THE WEEK

So at work on Sunday, I was chosen to be Supervisor of the week. I guess I really do take my job seriously. To be honest, I committed my work to God as it says in Proverbs 16:3, so I'm guessing with dedication, God is honoring another one of his many promises. Thank You!

So far the week is off to a good start, I don't know how God is working things out but I tell you, He is really turning some things around for my favor. I just have to hold up my end of the deal and seek Him daily and turn from anything that doesn't bring Honor to His name. To sit here and type those words is one thing, but to apply them to my life is where the growth begins.

~Mychall OUT

It's been a while

So today has been an interesting day. I overslept, have homework due tomorrow, no biggie, and I have to work tonight to make up some hours and get further on a project. Also, i have to address an issue that seems to be bothering a lot of callers. Meanwhile i'm sitting here with the pseudo wife, Ashley. We're supposed to be studying but I'm blogging and she's on her phone. Productivity at its finest. Holla at me on twitter @MykeeManLaFlair in the meantime!

~Peace, Love and All those good things

So How are you Spiritually?

The other day a friend asked me "Mychall, How are you spiritually? Are you healthy? Are you growing? I was so baffled by this question because I've never ran into someone who just brings that up in casual conversation. I am a Christian, and this is one of those times where I realize that I need to do an inventory of what God has shared with me over my lifetime. Also, this is a time to share what I've learned because my friends deliverance could have been in something that God shared with me. The Bible teaches that if anything is excellent or praiseworthy that my mind should be set on these things. (Phil 4:8) and goes on to say "Whatever you have Learned or heard, put it into practice. (Phil 4:9) That is why I ask you my friends, How are you spiritually? Spiritual growth is what matters the most because its the direct communication one can have with God. Now i'm NOT a perfect person. I'm in the construction process. I challenge you, as you are under you construction process with God, to remember what He has shared with you. Change up the conversation, change up your thinking. Think above... So thats just some of how I feel and now you ask How am I spiritually? My answer in the process of becoming RESTORED!

Come into His presence

Some Praise and Worship for today!

Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
And give Him praise, and give Him praise
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
Your voices raise, your voices raise

Give glory and honor and power unto Him
Jesus, the name above all names

Repeat all 2 times, then 2nd part

Jesus!

BEST SATURDAY EVER

Today, I got my hair twisted by D. Frank ministry. Went to Benihana for lunch with Ashley, which was DIRT CHEAP. Went to Polaris mall to sneak up on my friend Taneishia, and ended up blessing my friend Ashley today. It was a teaching moment, I offered and paid for her to get her hair done because I knew she wouldn't have time to do it herself when she got home. It was a good way to get in some pseudo-husbandly skill practice, while showing a friend that I actually do care and will back up a critique with a contribution. I'm proud of myself

So I think I give too much benefit

So I'm on FB and I discover a friend of mine talking about how people have a problem with him being happy in his new, originally secret lifestyle.... I'm not sure if he is addressing how I asked him about his "Secret" lifestyle but trust me buddy, I stay with the kitty cat, its always in my mouth lol so I'm not worried about how you are talkin to no boy...

We'll understand it better

By and By

We are tossed, set, and driven on this restless sea of time

somber skies and howling tempests

oft succeed the bright sunshine

in the land of perfect day, when the midst have blown away

we will understand it better

BY and BY

I'll be singing this hymn as I graduate from The Ohio State University on December 12th, 2010

WORE OUT

I'm at home wore out, the only thing better than making this taco salad is my WORD time set for tonight. The next best thing is gonna be talking to Brittany Shelton

MY LIFE MY LIFE MY LIFE

Today has been a good day, even tho I gave in an bought a turkey club sandwich from the cafe in the thompson library. I'll just have to extend my wait time on March 1 to make up for this mishap today.

Valentine's Day is coming up and I'm asking myself Do we as people value real love or the thought of being in love? I wish i could get a concrete answer on that....

So Today

So i'm in class thinking about how hungry I am. I can't eat out or buy any fast food so when I leave class today I've got a meeting but I want to go to the store to pick up some healthy snack type food from Krogers. I may decide to text someone to keep me occupied if I get bored in this class. OH THE MAKINGS OF THE MYCHALL.. oh and don't forget twitter.com/IamMADDblack follow me now and continue to check out the blogs of my life tmlw-mylife.blogspot.com I love this whole bloggin' thang

LATE AGAIN

When its 9:13 and class starts at 9:30.... #FAIL for being ontime but #SUCCESS for being there by 10 lol

GOOD MORNING

HEY WORLD,

It's the Gentlemen, The Mychall L. Woods showing everyone who reads this (even the haters) some mad luv and spreading some peace. Feel free to send me a follow request on twitter.com/IamMADDBlack yeah buddy, do that! Well I'm outta here for now. Peace

Ok So I'm a Blogger now