Friday, October 30, 2015

The Coexistence of Generosity and Frugality


Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4

Everyone likes a bargain. If you love to shop, and most do, there is probably a sense of euphoria that happens when you get a good deal. We live in a consumer society that has become driven by competition that drives prices down and sales up, allowing us to buy more than we otherwise would or could and perhaps even should. 

Growing up, especially in the early years, I can remember our family being "heavily budgeted." We would value shop and bargain brand whenever possible. It was necessary, and it eventually became a mindset to spend the least and stretch the dollar to get the most. Even when there was no overabundance, my parents and grandparents always modeled sharing and generosity. We would take what we needed and share the rest. 

After growing older and utilizing these principles to reach a place of stability and eventual abundance, I've learned that frugality and generosity can coexist and succeed within the same framework and when equally balanced, everyone wins. This is actually how we were created to live. In our quest to be frugal, we must not abuse others who are working hard to help us have what we need without considering if their needs are being met. This is the responsibility that comes with having and acquiring. 

So when you're looking for that bargain in the business arena, or negotiating with that person at the market or the contractor working on your home, it is okay to reach a responsible price, but make sure you leave them with their dignity, and when all else fails, you will never go wrong erring on the side of generosity. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

WHERE DO YOU TOTE LIFE? FLY Musiq Totes Life to Young Women through Empowerment and Inspiration

As an artist, author, speaker, host; Cierra “FLY Musiq” Bobo displays LIFE-giving action for others in all that she does. FLY, a female hip-hop artist that creates a graceful dance between hip-hop and soul, has a beautiful voice that matches her beautiful heart--a heart that beats to give back to young women.

FLY founded FLY Spirit, Inc. as an organization with a goal to inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders. FLY is an acronym for Full of Faith, Love, and Youth; and, these three things are reflected in every aspect of the organization.  Upon meeting FLY, one can see them truly reflected in her life and smile as well.



To empower and inspire young women, FLY Spirit provides resilience education in low-income areas through weekly after-school chapter meetings, field trips, community service work, guest speaker presentations, and gender-based relationship violence prevention presentations as well as through hosting the FLY Life Girls Conference.  At the conference, FLY builds a creatively powerful environment that emboldens young ladies to step into their destiny and find their beautiful unique strengths.


FLY looks outside of herself to something bigger--to others--and challenges everyone around her to do the same.  She finds beauty in everything and totes LIFE to all who surround her through her faith, love and youth.


The idea of perfection doesn’t inspire others, 
it discourages them. 
Be a perfect example of  BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTION. 


– Cierra “FLY Musiq” Bobo


Thursday, October 22, 2015

LifeTotes empowers futures




“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11b

Over the past several weeks in this LifeTotes blog series, we have watched a discarded cement bag go from unwanted trash on the street to a valuable new creation, transformed by hard-working hands that visualized the bag’s potential and give hope for its new life.

Now what?  What is the future for this bag?  We hope that in your hands it is a treasure; used, enjoyed, and carried with pride.  We hope that it helps you carry your load, and even tote your other treasures. We hope that you see it as we do---a beautiful picture of the power of restoration.

Students at the LifeTotes dumpsite school 
with their new uniforms
A few weeks back, Jen wrote about the plans that God has for us, plans to prosper and not to harm.  These plans for the good of His children do not stop with their present day-to-day needs.  The verse in Jeremiah continues with the incredible declaration that these plans are for our future!  John 10:10 gives the picture of our future as abundant life--a life full of the love of Jesus.  This is a life so full that you cannot help but share your abundance. 

LifeTotes is committed to sharing that abundance - not only by investing our profits in underprivileged areas around the world but also by sharing the complete fullness that comes from knowing Jesus.  It is only through Jesus that our future is secure.  It is only by His power that our lives are able to touch the lives of those around us and those around the world, changing the course of their lives so that they too may know a future with Jesus. 

Contributed by Erin Parker

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

WHERE DO YOU TOTE LIFE? James Bailey Totes Life Through Developing People and Communities


With tremendous vision, effective implementation, and a huge heart for others, James M. Bailey lives by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb,” working to support programs that give youth every opportunity to succeed.  His goal is to inspire youth to rise from the ashes of their circumstances and soar towards living in their purpose. Throughout his life and career, James has been a true example of one who totes LIFE and gives to others.

In 2015, James founded one of the nation’s most innovative private equity firms, Greenwood Archer. Through a “Human Capital” approach, Greenwood Archer re-imagines the way America’s most underserved communities leverage assets, establish wealth, strengthen infrastructure, and create jobs.  James also helps lead the Phoenix Leadership Foundation in funding and developing programs that provide positive role models for youth and help them develop as leaders. 

Before Greenwood Archer, James served as CEO for the Atlanta Market of Operation HOPE, a global nonprofit organization focused on economic empowerment.  HOPE’s southeastern region now helps more than 160,000 youth, adults, and families start businesses, buy homes, raise credit scores, and increase their financial literacy.

A dedicated community servant, James also totes LIFE as he volunteers with numerous organizations, including The Wren’s Nest, Verbalyze, Inc., the Safe America Foundation, the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Advisors, the Phoenix Leadership Foundation, and most notably he serves as Scoutmaster of the Mighty Troop 100 located on Atlanta’s Westside.

Toting LIFE to others, James ensures that where there is despair, hope takes over and where there is lack, opportunity emerges.  His life is impacting many as he lives out his belief that “people matter…period.”   


Learn more at www.lifetotes.org and www.phoenixleadership.org.


Thursday, October 15, 2015

LifeTotes restores hope...




“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

You will never know what God will use to get you to do what He needs done in this world.  Over 2 years ago, God used a bag with an elephant on it to get the attention of a young woman from Georgia.  The purchase of this bag began an exciting journey of faith that would restore hope to women and children halfway around the world.   

She thought she was buying a bag that reminded her of the mascot of her favorite sports team.  Those were not God’s thoughts at all.  His thoughts were of women in Cambodia that needed a means to feed their children.  His thoughts were of the restoration of hope for these women through the dignified wage that would come with each LifeTotes bag they created.   He was thinking about a pastor who needed funds to build a school for children living at a dumpsite in Phnom Penh.  He was thinking about the hope that would be restored in that community when education became offered and accessible for all.

Today, each LifeTotes bag sewn and purchased represents hope restored for women and their families.  The LifeTotes dumpsite school emerges as a picture of hope restored for many children.

In the foyer of our church is a sign that reads ‘Hope Lives Here’.  Every time I see it, I am encouraged that even though the world around me is in chaos, Hope can still be found.  In the middle of a dumpsite with trash and waste all around stands a school that was built by God so that the community could see His love for them.  Hope lives there.


LifeTotes is all about restoring hope, a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Won’t you join us in helping to restore hope in a world that is hopeless without Him?

Contributed by Allyson Overstreet