Excerpt from Unloveable: A Stripper Goes to Church

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We pull up to this stadium called a church.  I swear there are more parking spaces here than the basketball arena downtown.  It is so big they have police officers and parking attendants directing traffic.  There are even letters on the scattered light poles so you can remember where you parked.  I look at Nahlia, “Are you sure we are going to a church?”

“Mom, stop being silly.”  The attendant directs us down row five of section ‘L.’  As we drive around, I notice all kinds of cars: Range Rovers, Maseratis, Hondas and hoopties.  Most of the expensive cars are parked in reserved spaces.  “Mom, you’ve driven most of these cars.”  There is so much I could say that nothing comes out.  I just join her in laughter.  We park in the last spot at the end of the row.

As I slam the rusty door shut, Nahlia says, “See, mom, we are dressed just fine for church.”  She is right.  The woman pushing the stroller is about Nahlia’s height and looks like she might be just a few years older.  Her miniskirt has so much thigh showing that I could have worn it on stage any night.  I just moan to myself, as I take Nahlia’s hand and grip it tightly.

Nugget of Wisdom: Purposed to Soar

Orville and Wilbur, known as the Wright brothers, created the world's first successful airplane.  They did research, made the plans, bought the material and, finally, built it.  Now, all that was left was to fly.  Out of all the things they did up until then, the only dangerous part was flying.

Planes are safest on land, but they were made for the sky.  Don’t let fear keep you grounded when your purpose is to fly.  God's intent for your design and creation is for you to takeoff and soar!

Taking off,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: Love's Armorbearer

In the Bible, Kings and generals have officers, known as armorbearers, serving them. These officers are selected because of their bravery to bear their leader's armor and to stand by them in dangerous situations.  They would be willing to risk everything to ensure that their leader survived.

I say to you very simply today...Be Love's Armorbearer!  Far too often we allow Love to be battered on the battlefield of life.  We should take a stand against all of Love's opposition and fight back against those who attacks its existence with words or deeds of bitter hatred.  Let Love Live.  Wherever you go (work, church, home) YOU have the power.

Serving Love,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: How to Appreciate God

A rich man went on a quest to find the most elaborate gift for God.  While traveling through mountains, deserts, oceans and forests, he finally comes across an old woman who inquires why he looks so frail.  When he tells here about his quest, she says, "The one who gives a gift for the child blesses the parent."

The simplest way to appreciate all of God is by appreciating all of God’s creations. The more you can appreciate and love the diversity of others, the more you can appreciate and love the mysterious diversity of God.

Appreciating you,

Byron Jamal

Keep Moving Forward

CONSISTENT steps in the RIGHT direction are what make the difference between failure and success. Even if they are slow steps, painful steps, even hesitant steps...just keep moving forward. Your destiny awaits!

Nugget of Wisdom: Hopeful When Helpless

Two sheep were separated from the flock while traveling through the woods.  Unsure of which way to go to rejoin the others, the two sheep must determine what to do next.  The larger sheep says, "We're helpless out here.  We might as well decide what we will do until we die."  The smaller sheep says, "We're not helpless.  We just need to survive until the Shepherd comes for us."

Just because you feel helpless doesn’t mean you should feel hopeless.  There’s always hope even if you can’t see the help.  You may feel like a defenseless sheep in your situation, but remember that God is a Shepherd who always returns for the lost sheep.  So, don't lose hope in your crisis; the Shepherd is coming.

Hopeful,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: The Certainty of Success

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, which led to his 27 years in prison.  After his release, he worked toward the reconciliation that helped lead the transition toward multi-racial democracy in South Africa.  Four years later, he is serving five years as the first South-African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.

This underscores the truth that success is not relegated by how many wins you have under your belt; it is mandated by purpose and secured by destiny. Stopping is the only way you can’t succeed.  Don't quit!  Your success is certain.

Certain of Success,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: Just Love Me

Truth can be a powerful tool or a dangerous weapon, because it is often based on one's perception of their reality.  The argument of truth was used to both support slavery and the free the slaves.  A man's truth led to the sexism; a woman's truth pointed to feminism. 

These and other interpretations of supposed "truth" occur every day.  They lead to many of our disagreements and misunderstandings.  In dealing with others remember that you cannot demand that someone change what they believe to be true or false.  You can only demand that they love you despite their belief.

Loving in spite of,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: Overcoming the Discouragement of the Present

On his way to a party, a man passes by a homeless boy who looks hungry.  He stops and asks the boy if he would like to come to the party as his guest; however, the boy, feeling his attire wouldn't fit the occasion, rejects the man's offer.

We can allow our pasts to hinder our progress.  Like this boy, dirt and all other forms of defilement can make us feel hesitant to attain what is purposed for us.  You could be like the prodigal son, sitting in the pig pen of your life, but don't let where you are discourage you from looking toward where you’re going.  Get up and believe that where you are is necessary for the place you're about to walk into.

Determined,

Byron Jamal

Nugget of Wisdom: Look Both Ways

When I was first learning to drive and approached my first intersection, the driving instructor told me to look left, right and then left again.  I asked why do I look left twice and right only once?  He said, "You are going to get hit by the car that's left far more often than the one that's right.  So, you need to look out for what's left more often so you are safe."

Crossing the street can be much like our relationships, we are more prone to encounter what is left than what is right. Make sure that in the process of finding the right people to interact with you don't settle for the ones that are left.  Look both ways, but look left more to avoid preventable injuries.

Looking,

Byron Jamal