Woe: My People Perish

WTLN Radio Broadcast- Promoting the Importance of Fathers

2012-02-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

Tune into WTLN 950 AM on Sunday, Feb. 26th @ 8:30pm. I was blessed to conduct a radio broadcast with the Central FL Dream Center to promote Christ, my book, "Don't Quit Until You Win", the importance of dads being involved in their children's lives, & the negative consequences on them when the father is absent.

The program will also be accessible via stream or podcast @ http://www.wtln.com/.

For more details about my book and my cause, visit me @ http://www.lets-go-win.com/.

Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Free.

Count Your Blessings

2012-02-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was blessed to receive a temporary employment opportunity via a local staffing agency. I’m sure you’re well aware of the record job loss that has taken place over the past 3 years or so here in the United States. In fact, current data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 13.1 million American citizens are currently out of work.

The job in question consisted of me and 8 other out of work individuals. Some of us had been laid-off from our previous employers. Some were downsized or phased-out. One or two of the lucky ones were retired. Whatever the case may be, we were all there together to complete the task at hand. While on this temp assignment many of my fellow co-workers began to murmur and complain. Some of them felt that the job was borrowing and that the rate of pay was less than desirable. Though their argument may have had a hint of truth to it, I had to remind them of all the jobless people in the world who’d love to take any of our places.

Ironically, there were a few homeless shelters in close proximity to where we were working. Consequently, everyday around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. there would be one or two hundred homeless men and women lined up in a church parking lot for a hot meal. We could simply go down the hall and look out of the back window. Like clockwork there would be massive crowds of homeless individuals gathering daily for food.

Appropriately, I remind them that it could be worse. Sure, the job was a bit on the boring side and the rate of pay may or may not have been what most of us were accustom to. However, we should take time out to thank God for what we have. We have to count our blessings. By God’s grace, we all had automobiles to take us from point A to point B. We all had a roof over our heads. We all had clean clothes to wear and food to eat. What is more, we all had our health and strength.

I told them if they did not believe they were blessed, then go look out of the back window and see one or two hundred homeless people who’d switch places with them in a heartbeat. This quickly brought them back to reality. The bottom-line is we should be careful what we complain about. Sure, life can be challenging at times, but we must keep the faith and press through those difficult moments. Besides, someone else out there has it much worse than you do. Therefore, count your blessings. Be thankful for what you already have. Realize that your temporary setback is just a test and this too shall pass. I pray that this testimonial has been a blessing to someone today.

Have a great day!

Jerado Gaulden Sr.

Author/Blogger/Business Leader

www.woeawareness.com (Website/Blog)

www.createspace.com/3627612 (eStore)

Twitter @ jgaulden7

Devine Transformation

2012-01-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon all,

It’s a great honor and a pleasure for me to present to some and introduce to others, Minister Jerado Gaulden Sr. If you knew me 15 to 20 years ago you’d find this manifestation just a miraculous as I do. If God can do it for me; certainly, He can do it for you as well.

Visit my eStore( www.createspace.com/3627612 ) or my website (www.woeawareness.com) to get a copy of my book, Woe: My People Perish. Find out how with God’s help I was able to go from the street corners of the ghetto to a business graduate, a leader in corporate America, an author; and most importantly, a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Free.

MLK Edition of In Search of the Truth...In Pursuit Literacy

2012-01-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at FarMor Publishing's In Search of the Truth...Pursuit of Literacy event last night. I'd like to thank Mrs. Suzette Morgan of FarMor Group Inc., and Mr. Michael Kimbrough, founder of the Pine Hills Community Performing Arts Center, for having me as an author spotlight.

I will be returning on Monday, January 16th, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Edition of this event. I'll be there signing copies of Woe: My People Perish from 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. (Admission is FREE to the public). Bring out the entire family. You don't want to miss it.

Knowledge is Power: Be a part of the movement to create a positive change in the community. Visit www.woeawareness.com for more details.

Location:
Pine Hills Community Performing Arts Center
5600 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 302
Orlando,FL 32808
407-234-9619
pinehillsperforms.org
(Next to the Burger King located on the corner of Colonial Dr. & Pine Hills Rd.)

Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Free.

Why Does Negativity Sell?

2012-01-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

A good friend from the organization, Get into the K.N.O.W., prompted me to write this blog in response to his FB post regarding negative programming in the media. Unfortunately, we are inundated in multiple genres of entertainment and advertisement with negative programming. This is exactly why Reality TV is such a booming business. Regrettably, society tends to enjoy chaos and the world takes great pleasure in profiting from it. In fact, the messier; the better; which is why millions of Americans flock to their television sets on a weekly basis to get a mind full of confusion. This comes in the form of a healthy dose of Basketball Wives, Jersey Shore, Tiny and Toya, Mob Wives, Kate Plus 8, House Wives of Atlanta (as well as, all the other housewives shows), and the list goes on.

Furthermore, this propensity for negative programming is exactly why positive mediums such as music, movies, books, etc… tend not to be as popular or profitable as their negative counterparts. Sadly, if the message is uplifting very few want to listen, watch, or read. However, if the message is about sex, violence, drugs, cursing, or murder, the masses tend to tune in. Something is seriously wrong with that. You know what they say, “Junk In, Junk Out.”

Negative programming only makes the Laws of Association and Attraction work against you. Therefore, I’d like to join my friend by giving this public service announcement: {WARNING: Be very careful of what you expose your mind to. If you are a parent, be very careful of what you allow your children’s minds to be exposed to.} The bottom-line is we become what we think about. It is written, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” -Proverbs 23:7. Therefore, I ask, “What’s on your Mind?”

God's Uncomfortable Silence

2011-12-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you’re praying and believing for breakthrough and God gives you that period of uncomfortable silence? That’s a question I’ve had to ask myself recently. In this instant society of fast-food and fast checkout lines, we also want God to move immediately on our behalf. Constantly getting instant answers to our prayers would be great, right? However, it does not always work out that way.

God moves on His time. Besides, He knows what we need and when we need it; far better than we do. As I reflect on my life, testimony after testimony of God’s favor comes to mind. Did every incident work out like I wanted it, when I wanted it? No. But they always worked out for my good. Thus, providing me with a teachable moment, not only for myself, but also for others.

Awarding winning gospel signer, Donnie McClurkin, has a song that fits this scenario perfectly. It’s titled “Stand”. A portion of the lyrics go, “Yes, after you’ve done all you can. You just stand.” Many times our biggest triumphs come following these periods of uncomfortable silence. It’s the quiet before the storm if you will.

It is written, “And let us NOT be weary in well doing: for in due season we SHALL reap, if we faint not” –Galatians 6:9.

Indeed, the wait and the silence are sometimes uncomfortable. It may even seem like a lost cause. However, if you stay the course, have faith, and wait on the Lord; you shall reap in your due season. I pray that this is a blessing to someone today.

Sincerely,

Jerado Gaulden Sr.

Author (Woe: My People Perish)

www.woeawareness.com

Bad Associations

2011-12-30T12:02:00.000-08:00

The power of association has a major influence in determining the direction of an individual’s life. The Law of Association suggests that we become like the people, places, and things we most commonly associate with. George Washington once said, “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your reputation. It is better to be alone than in bad company.” Countless individuals have found themselves in bondage to drug and/or alcohol addiction, incarcerated, unemployed, lost, performing unspeakable acts, or in the grave, due to their association with bad company. Don’t be deceived into believing you can be amongst the negative crowd and not become like them.

Proverbs 6:27 asks, “Can a man carry fire next to chest and his clothes not be burned?” In other words, can an individual associate him/herself with danger i.e. bad associations and not find themselves burnt by the consequences of the relationship? Pondering this thought brings to mind a great question. Why do individuals associate with people, places, and things that will ultimately bring them harm? Is it because their faked out by the sparkle of the fool’s gold? Many have been deceived by the temporary benefits of bad decisions. Does anyone consider that the wino was probably once the cool teenager who drank a little bit? Does anyone consider that the crack addict was once the charismatic high school student who smoked a little pot? Does anyone consider that the prostitute was once the pretty girl who occasionally wore questionable clothing, used her looks to get her way, and partied with the wrong crowd?

If only they could have seen further down the road. They would have realized that the sparkle of the fool’s gold was counterfeit and would not last. They would have realized that the sparkle would eventually turn into an ugly undesirable tarnish. It is written, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals” -1 Corinthians 5:33. Therefore, choose your associations wisely.

Read more about this and other relevant topics in my book, “Woe: My People Perish. Available at Barnes & Noble (.com), Amazon.com, Borders.com, etc… For additionally availability info and upcoming events please visit my webpage, www.woeawareness.com. Thank You!

Drug & Alcohol: The Equal Opportunity Destroyer

2011-12-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Ch.11, Drugs & Alcohol: The Equal Opportunity Destroyer, “Substance abuse is undoubtedly a major issue which plaques every facet of our society. Make no mistake about it, Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It attracts, cripples, kills, and destroys regardless of an individual’s race, creed, economic, or social status” –J. Gaulden (Woe: My People Perish).

Below are some disturbing Drug & Alcohol FACTS noted in Woe: My People Perish:

Ø Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

Ø More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before the age of 15 eventually become alcoholics.

Ø Adverse reactions to prescription drugs cause an average of 32,000 deaths annually.

Ø The “War of Drugs” incarcerates an average of ONE MILLION Americans every year.

Ø Alcohol is a factor in approximately 41% of all motor vehicle deaths.

Ø There were 1,663,582 drug arrests in 2009

Ø The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

Ø Tobacco leads the way in the cause of death in the world. Tobacco use causes the death of a staggering 435,000 Americans annually.

Need I say more? Like I said in the beginning, Drugs & Alcohol KILL & DESTROY. However, our Heavenly Father doesn’t desire for us to live in bondage to addiction. He desires to set the captive free. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man” -1 Corinthians 10:13.

Read more about it. Get your copy of Woe: My People Perish today. Available at www.woeawareness.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Amazon.com (Paperback and Kindle Edition), Long’s Christian Book & Outlet (Altamonte Sprs., FL location), and www.createspace.com/3627612. Be a part of the MOVEMENT.

Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Free.

Unforgiveness

2011-12-29T11:06:00.001-08:00

Ch. 17 of my book, Woe: My People Perish is titled Unforgiveness. The choice to forgive or not is decision we must all face at some point in our lives. Usually, it’s not so hard to forgive when it’s someone we love i.e. a relative or close personal friend. We may be upset with our loved one for a season, but eventually we’ll get over it & choose to forgive them. However, when the act of wrong-doing comes from a stranger, enemy, or outsider the decision to forgive becomes complicated, undesired, & difficult. As a result, many of us choose not to forgive at all.

But, What Would Jesus Do? It is written, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” –Matthew 5:44. That sounds wonderful, but for many of us the act of forgiving is easier said than done. Why are we commanded to forgive in the first place? Shouldn’t it be ok to despise those who have lied, cheated, cursed, and stolen from us? Well, that’s great question. In fact, one of the disciples, Peter, questioned Jesus regarding forgiveness. He asked, “Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Besides, forgiveness is good for the soul. If allowed, anger, strife, and bitterness can linger within an individual’s soul for years or even decades. While there, they can cause a multitude of health concerns and consume the psyche of the person holding onto the unforgiveness. To make matters worse, the person they’re upset with goes through life happy as can be and sleeps like a baby.

More importantly, it is written, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” (Matthew 6:14-15). Like it or not none of us are perfect. Somewhere along the way, we have all done or said something that hurt someone else. Certainly, we don’t desire for that person to go through the rest of their days despising us. Moreover, we want our heavenly Father to forgive us for our wrongdoings. Therefore, choose to forgive.

Read more about it: Get your copy of Woe: My People Perish today. Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Free.

Available at www.woeawareness.com, www.createspace.com/3627612, Barnes & Noble (.com), Amazon.com, Borders.com, Long’s Christian Book & Outlet (Altamonte Springs), etc…

No More Excuses

2011-12-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

The 18^th and final chapter of my inspirational memoir, Woe: My People Perish is titled No More Excuses. I found it appropriate to close with this topic for many reasons. Excuses hold so many individuals back from accomplishing their dreams. Life is full of its challenges, road blocks, and bumps in the road. However, those things are only deterrents. True enough, they may make the goal or dream seem out of reach or insurmountable; however, they don’t actually stop us from achieving it. We only stop ourselves. Many times it’s the excuses that we allow to infiltrate our minds that ultimately suck the life out of our efforts.

The excuses and self-limited thoughts are sometimes our own. However, from time to time it’s the excuses and self-limiting beliefs of others that ultimately kill our hopes and dreams. My Bishop calls these individuals “dream stealers.” He reminds us constantly to be careful about whom we share our dreams with. Consequently, in the process of writing this book I didn’t tell anyone outside of my wife and children. In fact, I didn’t share what I was doing with anyone else until I was on the final leg of completion. Why? Because, I didn’t want to give anyone the opportunity to tell me that I couldn’t do it, remind me that I didn’t know how to do it, or tell me that it would be a big waist of time, money, and effort. Besides, I made my own internal doubts to battle with. I did not need the doubts of others to overload my thinking. True enough, I did not know anything about writing a book, editing, or publishing. Nevertheless, I had a will to learn. I had faith. Moreover, I had Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Henry Ford once said, “If you think you can or think you can’t, either way you are right.” What do you dream about? What goals do you have that keep you awake at night? This leads to my next question. What’s stopping you from achieving it? Like many of us your goal may be something like weight loss, owning your own business, financial freedom, going back to school, obtaining your college degree, or working your way up the corporate ladder. Whatever it is, go after it with tenacity. Don’t be robbed of excuses anymore. Make your motto for 2012, “No More Excuse.”

I wish you much success in the achievement of your hopes and dreams. Read more about this and other meaningful topics in my new book, Woe: My People Perish. Available at www.woeawareness.com, Amazon.com, Borders.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Long’s Christian Book and Outlet (Altamonte Springs, FL), www.createspace.com/3627612, etc…

Political Wickedness

2011-12-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

Ch. 15, Woe: My People Perish is titled Political Wickedness. Per statistics, the current unemployment rate in the U.S. is 9.0% or 13.9 million Americans without jobs. Sadly, in this dire economic environment, politicians continue to bicker, disagree, and delay. As a result of this horrific jobless rate, Americans are also losing their homes, cars, and way of life. People that were once middle class now find themselves in homeless shelters.

When is it time for our political leaders to put pity disagreements to the side and do what’s best for the American people? When is it time to do something that may not be popular with their respective parties, but right for the citizens of this nation? It is written, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). When will they learn? Take heed political leaders; Division only leads to desolation. Let’s work together to climb out of this economic pitfall. American is still the Land of Opportunity.

Read more about this and other important topics in my new book, Woe: My People Perish. Available at Barnes & Noble (Barnes & Noble.com), Amazon.com, Long’s Christian Book & Outlet (Altamonte Springs), www.createspace.com/3627612, and my personal webpage: www.woeawareness.com.

Clean on the Outside

2011-12-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ch 10 of Woe: My People Perish is titled “Clean on the Outside”. This concept was inspired by Matthew 23:25-28. In this particular verse of scripture, Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees out for the conduct. In fact, He refers to them as hypocrites and compares them to a cup or dish that’s only clean on the outside. Moreover in verse 27, He compares them to whitewashed tombs which, “indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Unfortunately, there are many individuals today who go through their daily lives in the same manner. Outwardly, they appear clean. On the exterior surface one might find a person(s) with a great job, notable status in the workplace, church, and community, a nice home and automobile, and the finest clothing, etc… However, like the scribes and Pharisees some are unfortunately polluted on the inside. If it were possible to take a glimpse on the interior one might find lies, deceit, addiction, scandal, adultery, greed, thievery, and the list goes on.

Nevertheless, I don’t come to judge. That’s not my place. Besides, I’ve previously battled with my on internal struggles that were contrary to my exterior image. We all have at some point in our lives. Verse 26 says, “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Thank God for His grace and mercy. Today, I am also clean on the inside.

If you have a dirty little secret and/or habit that you’ve been wrestling with, give it to God and let Him cleanse you on the inside. “For the battle is not yours, but God’s” – 2 Chronicles 20:15.

Read more about this and other intriguing topics in my book, Woe: My People Perish. Available at www.woeawareness.com, Barnes & Noble.com, www.createspace.com/3627612, Amazon.com, Borders.com, Long’s Christian Books & Outlet (Altamonte Springs), etc…

Additionally, visit my webpage, www.woeawareness.com to blog on this and other chapter topics or to order our favorite Woe Awareness novelty items. Thank You!

Have a great day!

Jerado Gaulden Sr.