MUCK*RAKE : 1 of 7

Season of Thanks!

So, yesterday was my birthday. Birthdays are generally a time when most of us are looking extremely introspectively into our lives. We think back over where we have been and we anticipate where we would like for our lives to go. My birthday is always some where around the Thanksgiving holiday, so I am generally around lots of family and friends who’ve traveled home to be with their families as well. Yesterday, I shared with a few friends at brunch that this year I had so much to be thankful for and in fact I was the most thankful this year than I ever have before. As many know, Nov. 25^th was the day four years ago that I hopped on a plane to travel back to Dallas to get my non-profit organization moving forward. It is truly amazing that in the same week four years later, that God would allow for our organization to be featured on CNN. The day that the story aired, I received so many text messages, Facebook posts, calls and Tweets. All I could do in response to the positive feedback was to say thank you to the friends, family and strangers that were commenting on our coverage.

As I shared with family and friends at brunch, I spent the entire day saying thank you to all of these messages. As I responded, “Thank you!” “Thank you so much” “I appreciate you.” I recognized that though I was responding to man, I was actually responding to God. And once I recognized that I was saying thank you to God, the level of thanks and gratitude became so much deeper. I understood what we say in church, “If I had 10,000 tongues, I could not thank the Lord enough.” In this case over the last few days, due to both the CNN coverage, the Thanksgiving holiday as well as my birthday, I literally could not give enough thanks to God. He is so worthy of all of the praise, adoration and honor, not for what he has done but for who He really is.

My God is masterful. He has organized the calendar of my life such that I could never deny His work in my life and the power of His will. I also recognize that perhaps I have not said thank you enough to God for what He has done. It is easy for us to say thank you to God when we get major media coverage or a meeting goes extremely well, but are we thankful for the people that He has placed around us. Are we thankful for our friends and family and the small gestures of love that they show to us? Are we thankful for the individual that checks us out at the grocery store? Are we thankful for the fact that we have the ability to even go to the grocery, both in our financial ability as well as our physical ability? Are we thankful for life in general? Or to personalize it, am I, Lincoln Christopher Stephens thankful for ALL that God has blessed me with? And am I showing God gratitude by my actions and how I live my life. If I were to be honest with myself, I would have to answer and say no. But what I do know in this season, especially, is that I have an increased knowledge of the responsibility and stewardship of the blessings. It is how you treat both the gift and more importantly the giver that is important.

And as I learned yesterday in an amazing sermon from my pastor, Bishop T.D. Jakes, it is about focusing more attention on giving love (#TheUltimateGift) rather than receiving love. Here are a few highlights from that sermon:

A gifted person has a tendency to define themselves by their gift.
You cannot help people that are not willing to understand.
God will it make you love against your will you have a choice.
You cannot fast away a decision that you have to make
You keep failing at life because of it but keep on doing it. Attitude.
What will last the longest is not what you gave to them but what you put into them.
We are all experts in what we want, but have you put energy in what you give.
We all know the language of how we want to receive love.
If I ask you to write an essay on how you give love are you as articulate with how you give it as you are in how you receive it.
If you see a love giver you will always see a crowd!
You can’t spend what I have for you until I give it to you.
Love only works when you give it.
You have to be strong to love!
If you don’t understand His authority, all revelation stops.

It could be easy for one to take all of the love that has been received in someone saying Happy Birthday to you, but what do you do when it is their birthday? It is easy for someone to do a favor for you, but do your return it?

As I looked back introspectively, and truly got honest with myself yesterday, I realized some points of selfishness in my own behavior. I recognized that though I thought that I was living the bulk of my day giving back, that perhaps I was not giving enough love, or enough love to the right people. How do you treat your family when the going gets tough for you? How do you treat your family when things are going better than you can imagine? Do you make the same amount of time for your friends as they make for you? How much time do you spend on the phone talking versus listening? How much love do you give and show to strangers? All of these questions came into play as I was celebrating my day yesterday. The answer. First and foremost my birthday was not my day, it was God’s day. Everyday is God’s day. Now onto showing more appreciation and gratitude to God through my actions, language and the way I GIVE l-o-v-e.

With thanksgiving in my heart.

lcs

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Feelings

So I have been away from writing down my feelings for a while. Mainly because I wasn’t completely sure of how I felt. Not that I was out of touch with my feelings but mainly because I recognize that feelings are only but a small percentage of how we actually feel. We share how we feel with our facial expressions, our personal interactions, as well as our internal thoughts. But none of them compare to our purpose.

Our purpose guides us into the space or the sandbox that God wants us to play in. But when we get there - to our purpose - we have to examine and recognize that we have an incomparable destination to appreciate and give a level of stewardship towards.

Stewardship is one of the most fundamental components of our growth! Why? Because, without an appreciation of what we have already, we will never have an appreciation of where we have the ability to go. God is so good to be able to give us a glimpse of the possibilities to show us what we have the fundamental potential to achieve. Our fundamentals?

Well, potential! Potential is the most fundamental element! Potential is faith! Potential is thinking or imaging what we can do. Faith is knowing what we have to do, despite what we have in front of us!

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By far this is one of the most humbling things to happen to MGP.

locomotus:

A letter and message from our man Dan!

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∞ Aug 14th, 2012 at 2:26 pm via locomotus
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Positioning. I have never understood that word as much as I have now. And though I am in the middle of our summer advertising and marketing boot camp, I am not really talking about product positioning. ”In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization.” Several years ago, when I first started attending Bishop T.D. Jakes’ church here in Dallas, I immediately knew that I was in the right place. To this day, Sunday after Sunday, he continues to deliver a message that cuts directly into the heart of our situations, problem and promise. One particular summer around 2006, I recall him teaching a series about “Positioning Yourself for Prosperity.” One of my greatest takeaways from this lesson was that it is quite possible that we are in the wrong place and that we might need to move.

Somewhere in the sermon he mentioned the city of Chicago, which I thought was prophetic since I had been thinking about moving there. I instantly knew that God was telling me to consider a move to Chicago and I did. After that sermon I kept telling everyone of my friends in Dallas, “I am moving to Chicago.” They would ask me the who, what, when, wheres, and all I could tell them is “I do not know but I am moving.” I told my father that I was going to move and after getting a few interviews at three ad agencies, I found myself with an offer from Carol H. Williams Advertising. I was excited. One of my best friend’s Larry was about to move to London and the time was perfect to make a change as well. I needed to get into position for what God had for me. Before I left, my dad said to me, “Son, when you move to Chicago, the center of your universe will open.” And boy did it.

When I was in Chicago, I dreamed big, started writing my book (which I am still writing and you are currently reading write now), and imagined this organization that would help build future generations of young talent in the media, marketing and advertising industries. Five years later that vision has come to fruition in such a miraculous way. But I believe that it would not have happened if I had not heard God’s voice telling me to move and to get into position.

I recognized how to hear God’s voice while I was in high school. It was my senior year and I had a ton of college options on the table from Syracuse to University of Maryland, University of South Carolina, University of North Texas, and the University of Missouri (Mizzou). At the top of my list was Maryland. That was where I truly wanted to go. Mizzou was the only school, however that had offered me scholarship money. But I so much did not want to go to the middle of Missouri. I wanted to be in or near a big city and I preferred the East Coast or the South East. While driving back from my grandmother’s house in East Texas during Easter weekend, I remember praying to God and asking him, with expectation. My perspective is that you must have an expectation that God will answer you when you ask Him something and you also must set the expectation for yourself that you will obey what He tells you before He responds. As I opened my eyes from praying and asking God to show me where to go, the car in front of us (I was not driving) had a Missouri license plate. The sign. Mizzou is the choice. In that second I knew that was God telling me. In the next second the devil whispered in my other ear and said, “that aint it!” But God…. But God, knowing our end from the beginning already had a plan to make me listen to Him. In the very next second, I started listening to the song that was playing on the CD player. It was Gospel great, Karen Clark Sheard and her daughter Kiarra Sheard signing the words: If God says Go, Go. It may be on the battle field or behind prison walls, but wherever He says Go, then Go. Put your trust in Him and Go.” So off to Mizzou I went. There was no clearer answer than that song playing right at the second of my doubt. And I must say that I had a great time at Mizzou, most of which shaped who I am today, as discussed in a recent article that the school’s magazine did on me (shameless plug: http://journalism.missouri.edu/june-2012/jschool-entrepreneurs.php)

From that I have always learned how to listen to God telling me something. He told me to get into position again when I asked Him where I should go after running Rock The Vote in Chicago in 2008. His answer, move to Dallas to start Marcus Graham Project and I did. Since then I have picked up some old hobbies, such as photography. In high school, photography was a hobby of mine, which actually got me interested more so in careers in communications and media (as well as the movie Boomerang of course). This past weekend I had the opportunity to use a potential latent talent to accompany some friends of mine, Skip Murphy and Co., to Bishop T.D. Jakes 35th celebration of his ministry. It was a grand affair that could only be compared to the Oscars, truthfully. At first I was hesitant to go because a) I felt like I might not do well in shooting this event, which I promised by friends I would do and b) I was missing a kickoff event for our students summer mixer that we have been doing for 4 years now. But I kept thinking, I must be here for a reason. Well, that reason became super clear as I started to see some of the attendees of the event and had access to speaking with them. I was SO blessed to be able to share with Karen Clark Sheard how her song helped me to understand how to listen to God’s voice. I was blessed to be able to see Author, Preacher, Speaker and Sony VP of Production De’Von Franklin, a man whose book, Produced by Faith, has inspired me to seriously pursue my interest in branded entertainment (mostly tv) and to not be afraid to take my faith with me even into Hollywood. You, yes you reading this, have to get his book. it is life changing. Especially to hear his story about how he climbed the Hollywood ladder at a young age without compromising.

Those were some amazing things. But the biggest blessing, was being able to ask T.D. Jakes a question. I had media access to the event and when it was time to ask him a question, I was the first to raise my hand and ask. Knowing that we had such a small amount of time to ask him, I had to position myself and stand in a place where he could not only see me but I could also have a clear shot, since I was there to film the event. I did not know what I should ask him, but the second I started asking him the question, God gave me the words to say. I first said THANK YOU. Then I went on to share with him that a sermon he preached helped me to position myself. I wish I could have told him how TRULY that sermon made an impact and domino effect on my destiny. Whew!!!! But what I asked him, as you will see in the video above was, “How do you feel God is repositioning you.” As I looked directly at him, fairly nervously, camera shaking in my hand (thank you Canon for making a product that doesn’t reveal our nervousness), I awaited his response. As he responded and said, “I have no greater passion at this moment to empower the next generation.” In my mind I marveled at the thought that the answer to his question was at the core what God has called me to do which I recognized from re-positioning my location from Chicago to get the vision and then back to Dallas to carry the vision out. It was confirmation in so many ways. It was God telling me, keep going. It was God reminding me of the power of positioning and being in the right place at the right time by FIRST asking Him where we should go and then GOING.

I will end this blog post rather abruptly by asking a question to you: How will you re-position yourself. I would love to hear some replies on this so that we can collectively touch and agree through social media, that our dreams come to fruition.

Publicity: Counterproductive to Ministry

This morning, I was studying Luke 8 and refreshing my mind about all of the miracles and healing that Jesus performed during his ministry as a young 30-something. One of the things that stuck out to me was that all of those that were healed had faith in knowing that God (through Jesus) would heal them. Jesus indicated to them that their faith healed them. It made me think about my belief system and whether I truly had faith in knowing that God would fix whatever situation that I was going through. Sometimes we believe, but we really don’t believe. We hope, but we don’t trust. It gave me an even deeper understanding that in everything faith, you know that “substance of things hoped for” and that “evidence of things you can’t see”, should be at the core of our belief system. I am talking real faith, like the preached you to say, “when you know that you know that you know.”

The other thing in the end of Luke 8 that stuck out to me was the fact that Jesus instructed the parents of the young woman that he had brought back to life that “they should tell no man what was done.” When I read the footnote it explained that “further publicity at this time concerning a raising from the dead would have been counterproductive in Jesus’ ministry.” If Jesus had been the type of person that was concerned about fame, he could have easily used this publicity to draw more attention to himself instead of his ministry. It reminded me to ensure that any time we receive publicity for the work that we are doing, to be thankful, but don’t spend too much time celebrating in the publicity and to double down on the work. The work that God has sent you to do should be the focal point. Celebrate later. Work now.

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therealdefinition:

So many of you know Gods original name for Satan was Lucifer before he and a few angel thugs tried to jack the Holy out of His Holiness and were then cast from the heavens… The name Lucifer translates as “The Shining One…”

… kind of gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “all that glitter ain’t gold” huh?

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∞ Jan 17th, 2012 at 3:05 pm via therealdefinition
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One Year Ago (4/24/2007)

From: Lincoln Stephens [mailto:lincoln.stephens@carolhwilliams.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:33 PM
Subject: One Year Ago ….

… I moved away from Dallas in the GREAT STATE of Texas to the city of Chicago. Time has gone by incredibly fast, but I guess it does so when you are “having fun!”   This has been an incredible growth experience.

God has blessed me tremendously in this past year. I was able to learn so much about myself. There is something to be said about having some alone time, living in a spot by yourself. I have never lived alone before I moved here and I took full opportunity in that time to listen to God, pray and reflect on my life and make plans for the future.

As I looked back on the year, I realized how much God allowed me to accomplish (or at least start). A couple of things that I am most excited about is writing my first book, entitled “One Night My Bookshelf Spoke to Me” and starting my own non-profit, entitled Letters To Brian, mentoring African American men between the ages of 17-24 and started my own LLC – The L Group (Thanks Gov!!!).

I have truly found happiness here in Chicago. I found myself. And I grew much closer to God. I wanted to take some time out and thank a few of you semi-publicly because you have truly helped make this transition much easier and have added so much to my life (or in some cases, given me life).

Mom & Dad - Thanks for being a constant support. I feel your prayers effecting me everyday. I also realize and see the efforts of my upbringing in my professional, personal and spiritual life. Thanks for laying down the foundation. Now it is up to me to build upon it! And dad, you were right, Chicago is the center of my growth, and boy I have grown. Oh and your check is in the mail. LOL!

Derrick - Thanks for being the example of not being afraid to leave home, travel abroad and expand the network. Though I was in high school when you left home for NY, Toronto and Amsterdam, I was watching you the whole time and I took notes. I am learning so much just by watching you – that is why I am single. Ha ha ha! Thanks big bro!!!

Savannah & Chandler – Thanks for checking up on me and encouraging me. Derrick and I move forward in what we do to be an example for you, but you both have also been examples to us at times. Who says you cannot learn from those younger than you. You two are the best sisters anyone could ask for!

Larry- When you said, I am up and leaving Dallas to London, I said to myself, “I guess I need to get my act together and pursue my dreams as well!” I am not sure if I would have truly thought about moving as seriously, as soon as I did if I did not follow by your example. Memorial Day 2007 – Dallas TX – start of the Global Tour welcoming you back!!!

Leah – Who knew that I would meet (again) such an amazingly talented woman a month before I was leaving. Thank you for encouraging me to leave and telling me that it would work out here! It has definitely worked out here! Only thing that would be better is if you were here to share it!

Marvis – My twin brother from another mother!   Since day one in college you have definitely been there man and I appreciate it more than you know. Thanks for always asking me about the book, I am working on it! You will definitely be getting a shout out! Keith and I will be out there soon to visit MN.

Governor & DeMarco – My “other” older brothers – Gov- I was telling Morgan the other day that I truly value having some older accomplished brothers to look up to. Between my real brother Derrick, my dad and you two gents, I have some of the best examples to follow. Let’s keep each other encouraged. This is just the beginning.

Kobie, Jeff, Rob and Sacramento - Thanks for opening up your home to me when I first got here. Though we were not roommates for very long, I appreciate you introducing me to CHICAGO.

To my crew in Dallas (Wylie, Torrey, Chris, Jamar, Erica, Dee and Macus)– I miss y’all man. I can’t wait for you to come visit me out here in the Chi! The streets will never be the same.

Kimmy, Kyla and Lashell – Thanks for being the only friends so far from Dallas to visit me. When you see the guys above in the streets, let them know who kept it ganster in the Chi!

To my boys here in Chicago (Roger, Jeff Tate, AJ, Akil) - Thanks for picking up where my boys in Dallas left off. I enjoy hanging out with you folks not just because we all can hold our liquor – LOL – but because I think that y’all are some of the best people I can surround myself with – honest – trustworthy – and genuine. What’s up on Brazil!

Jen, Kali, Tanisha, Sharisse and Chrissy- Well, I guess we had to pick up where college left off. Though we have taken it a little further. Not everyone remains as genuine of friends as you ladies have since 1999/2000.

My co-workers – Will, Arlene, Dawnyell and Chrissy (again..why do you get two shout outs) – Though I said co-workers you folks are truly my friends and family. We fight like family and get back together like friends. Y’all are the best! Without you guys everyday, work would just be work. With you guys, it is an experience.

David – Thanks for inspiring me to move forward and write my book. Let’s continue to encourage another!

Collies – Thanks for leading me to my church home – that was the last crucial piece of me making Chicago home.   God will bless you abundantly for bringing yet another to Christ.

Lastly, to Frances & Velisa - Thanks for giving me soul! When I came to Chicago I had a clear vision of what I wanted to find. Though I have not found the same type of soul in music that you give the folks in Dallas, I can still get my head right everyday, with THE NEO SOUL Café. I can’t wait to see you this weekend!

Okay, well I think that is enough! I love you all and wish nothing but good things, blessings and miracles to come to all of your lives.

The story is not over. The past is. The best has yet to come!!!

Lincoln

Lincoln C. Stephens
Account Executive – General Motors

875 N. Michigan Ave :: Suite 2750 :: Chicago, IL 60611
Direct :: 312.836.7935 :: Cell 972.897.9985
Email :: lincoln.stephens@carolhwilliams.com

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