The Power of Faith

The Power of Faith

For far too long, we have taught people to “believe God for” and not simply to “believe in God.” Often times, those who are simply taught to “believe God for,” miss the fullness of who He is. They, also, miss the fullness of their Christian walk. Either they receive what they believe Him for and He becomes Santa Clause or they don't receive it and He becomes non-existent. Faith is so powerful. You can use it for more than just getting a new car, new house, getting out of debt or finding a spouse. Faith can be used daily for things that you may not think about. Faith can be used to obtain, maintain and sustain a healthy self image. Faith can be used to obtain, maintain and sustain healthy relationships. It can be used to help you focus and excel in your career and education.

The key to producing this kind of faith is to go beyond just “believing God for” something and simply believing in the power and the deity of God. When you begin to have faith in God just because God is who He is, you will begin to see things in your life change. Your faith, or confidence, in who God is allows you to more clearly understand who you are. When you begin to believe that he is the King of Kings and that you are His child, you began to see yourself as royalty. Now, from this understanding you carry yourself in a way that resembles royalty. You begin to raise your standards. You begin to disregard things that are not relevant to who you are and where you are headed to. When you begin to understand that your connection with the Lord of Lords has shifted your position in the earth, you will stand squarer and walk with more confidence. But, this personal revelation only comes with your belief in God and your confidence in who He is. It is in Him that we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Apart from God we are nothing. So, before you can become who you are you have to believe in who He is.

Calvin's Poetry Corner

Welcome back to Walk By Faith. This week I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to share some poetry with you guys. I am currently contemplating putting together a collection of my poems. Prayerfully, you will like this. This one poem, in particular, is dedicated to the most amazing woman that I know. My beautiful wife, Rayanna, is my muse, my lover and my friend. See you guys soon...please enjoy...and spread the word about the blog! Calvin.

Husband

I am the head

I don’t say that to be chauvinistic

Or reduce my wife to a pair of pecan colored legs that peep from beneath an a-line skirt

She is more than a foot clad in 4 inch heels or barefoot and big bellied

I respect the part that she plays in adding wealth to my name by giving birth to legacy

She is strong because after all she is the one that has to breathe

He He Whoo, head, shoulders and legs pushed through elevated hips

She is the voice of wisdom and to hearken is wise

But, to be led solely by one who was never supposed to lead is foolish

True, it seems somewhat primitive

This idea of submission in marriage

That an attitude of servitude and gratitude increases the magnitude of love’s success

Though I respect her as an equal

And, she would be likened unto wind if I were an eagle

I know that my family is more my responsibility then hers

To some of you that may sound absurd

It is my charge to keep them warm and fed

Loved and covered

In the end my name is what they carry

I am the head

God's Assistance

Welcome to Walk by Faith. I am so honored that you took the time to visit. This week I decided to go into my archives. About a year ago, the Lord gave me an article about "God's Assistance." I decided to share it with you guys. I pray that you are blessed.

In basketball, an assist is a pass that leads to a point being scored. Without the point being made there is absolutely nothing special about the pass.

In our Christian walk, we often ask God for help. We pray that the lord would help, or assist, us to obtain peace. We pray that He would help, or assist, us with patience. But, in all honesty, it is not His help that we want. We want the Lord to do it for us. We don't want His assistance. We want Him to make it happen with no effort on our part.

A pass is an opportunity. The person who receives the pass is responsible for how the opportunity is maximized. At some point in your walk with God you will have a moment were you will say, "God where are you? Why aren't you helping?" It is at these times when you should reassess the situation. Instead of complaining, which only sours your mood, began to say, "Lord show me how to maximize the opportunity that is set in front of me."

When you start taking the perspective that my situation is God setting me up to score, you look at His assistance in a whole new light. So stop complaining that God is not assisting you. Start beginning to look inwardly and see if you are taking advantage of the opportunities, even those that seem bad, that He is affording you.

Walk By Faith!

Welcome to "Walk By Faith"

It's funny how just a few days can cause your whole mindset to change. It's funny how just a few moments in the presence of God can transform your whole way of thinking. And, it's funny how just a couple of words can purify any ill intent and cause you to get back to the heart of your own God given assignment. This is what happened to me.

When I started lifeaccordingtomypen, I did so out of frustration. I was frustrated with the reception of my book by publishers and lit agencies. I was upset that, after all the hard work I had put into it, nobody was trying to pick it up. So, after watching "Julie and Julia," a movie based on the true life story of a woman who blogged her way through a Julia Child's cookbook, I decided to create my own blog. At the time, I had no desire to blog for the glory of God. I had every intention of blogging for the recognition of Calvin. Thank the Lord for a renewed mind.

I've come to a place where I understand that no matter what I do I must do it for His glory. Everything that I set my hand to should reproduce God's glory in some manner and if it doesn't than I have no business doing it. It is my prayer that this blog will be a blessing to you. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read. Come back next week for my first official post. Thanks again, God bless.

Where Do I Fit In?: The Lamentations of a Young Artist

Dear Mr. Walker…
Dear Author…
Hey Guy who wrote us …

We regret to inform you …
Unfortunately we will not be able to…
You didn’t get in…

Um…so, this has been the summation of my journey as an artist. No, let me rephrase, this has been summation of my journey to get signed as an artist. What do you mean artist? I am talking about as a singer/songwriter and author.
(The following statement is full of bias)I am the author of one of the hottest novels out entitled The Gallery. I have been on a magnificent journey this past year. I met people who don’t, never have and never will exist. Yet, these characters seem so real to me. They are like family. Their names are Terry, Seth (the main character), Marshall, Donnie, Darius, Grams, Dr. Steve and Ruben. These people have become just as real as my co-workers, church family, immediate family and random strangers that I see in passing.
This has been one of the most trying years of my life. Birthing this book has caused me some extreme pain, inexplicable pleasure and a long list of other emotions that fall somewhere in between. And, I won’t lie to you, it is hard, after all the work that I have put into the book, to not have it received as quickly as I imagined.
I have been submitting query letters to Literary Agents all over the nation. I have received a couple of form letters. But, I have also received a couple of emails from actual agents. They say, for the most part, that the book is good but they don’t feel they would be a good fit to represent it. I have tried marketing as a straight fiction book, a Christian fiction book, an inspirational book and a Young Adult fiction book. No hits!
Usually, I would take this one of two ways. First, I would sulk! I would have a huge pity party about how unfair life is when you live in my world. Second, I would take this as confirmation that I was never supposed to write a book. I would probably go into my whole, “I will probably be miserable behind a desk my whole life,” monologue. But, some thing in me has changed…no pity parties this time around. God spoke to me quite frankly about pity parties, He said, “You don’t have time for them. Take a hit and get up.”
Though literary agents have not been quick to see the greatness in this piece that does not negate its value. My spiritual father, Pastor Elton Monday, has spoken into my life concerning the book on several occasions. And, all I can say is, since the man of God said it, it has to come to pass.
For years, people have been trying to figure out where in the heck to put me. I don’t sound like everyone else when I sing. I don’t write like everyone else. I am hard to label, hard to market, it seems. Coincidentally, it feels like, for the first time ever I think I am right where I need to be. I may not be on the New York Time’s Best-seller’s list now but there is coming a time for greatness. I may not be a known songwriter now but there is a coming a time where I will be able to write for artists. Though nothing outwardly expresses these things, I have a feeling that, soon and very soon, God is going to blow my mind and those who failed to find a place for me.
I got up a few minutes ago and was led to read Psalms 92. The passage speaks to the demise of the unrighteous that seem like they are flourishing. It also encourages the righteous that in due season they shall be established. What I love the most about the whole passage, comes in about verse 13…it speaks of the righteous tree bearing fruit at an old age. I believe that I have enough creativity to write vampire stories or erotica or stories about witches and warlocks, but I won’t. I can’t even say that there have not been times where I have been tempted to take a job in some questionable genres and simply use a pseudonym. All because I love writing and I am not easy to place. However, I am encouraged to simply wait until the Lord opens a door. I am contented in staying planted as a tree of righteousness. For I know, that by being planted in Him, I will still bear fruit when other trees that where placed first are dying off.

Welcome!!!!

Greetings All!

Welcome to "Life According to My Pen." My name is Calvin Walker. I am an author/poet/preacher/freelance journalist/singer/songwriter/husband/father AND NOW book reviewer. I am a new contributor to abovetvmobile.com. I am really excited! So, my blog will consist of book reviews and journal entries about this road to becoming a successful NYT-Best Selling author. My first novel entitled The Gallery just came out on October 30, 2009. It is available via eBook, please believe there will be many shameless plugs!

I look forward to getting to know all those who follow the blog!

I saw "Julie and Julia" last night and according to that movie I have 364 days until Random House is calling my phone. Then, in 4 more years, comes the movie!

Blessings!
Calvin