Man of Purpose Interview with Journalist, Photographer Auke VanderHoek

Hello everybody, May I introduce to you Auke VanderHoek. He is a photographer, journalist, writer, poët, husband and a father of two. Auke is known for his love for the community in Amsterdam Zuid oost/ Amsterdam south east/ Bijlmer, and the passion that he has for portret photo's. He recently wrote a poetry book: You, me and our lives. With his special sense of humor he talks about his fascination for the human being, love, life and fatherhood. A beautiful poetry book I highly recommend. In this interview we will be talking about purpose, faith, love and relationships. If you want to be inspired, relax, sit down and join the conversation that I had with our 1st Man of Purpose Auke Vander Hoek.

More about Auke: www.aukevanderhoek.com Book: www.bol.com or order your book from the website. If you have any questions, just drop a comment. Know a man of Purpose that should definitely be on the talkshow let me know? If you have been inspired don't forget to like, share and subscribe. VisionsThoughts&Dreams NMJ

Between The Lines Of Love And Hate (trailer)

For all my creatives,

Between The Lines Of Love And Hate (part 1)

The fire that burns deep within, that screams to be release, to have a voice and to be free. That is how I feel with acting. I don't want to be like everybody else, I was created to be me.

So these last few days I was able to borrow my moms Ipad, so I immediately started to discover the Ipad and Imovie functions. And I did. I created this interesting trailer about the lines between love and hate.
Check it out and let me hear what you think of it. Only watch part 2 if you can handle it!

#IWANTTOSEEMORECOLORONMYTV


Like, Share & Subscribe for more creative works


VisionsThoughts&Dreams
NMJ

Many people believe and love God, yet don't celebrate and believe in themselves?

Woman of Purpose

You say you love God?
You say you believe in God?
But do you love yourself?
Do you believe in yourself?

"When God created you He said it was good",

Many people believe and love God, yet don't celebrate and believe in themselves?

I believe this is one of the obstacles in walking out your purpose. When God created you He said it was good, He created you unique, in His perfect image and likeness, with your unique talents and gifts yet we try to meld in and be what everybody else is doing or what other expect from us. My revelation. (I got to be honest here). We try so hard not to be like the world. But how many of us get lost in being like everybody in church. There is a culture in the world but there is also a culture in the church. We got to be careful that we do not become religious like the religious people back in the days of Christ. They all dressed the same, talked the same, walked the same and preached the same. They had beautiful words but no revelations. Their lives did not represented anything what God stands for. Love and acceptance. When was the last time you genuinely spoke, listened and show interest in that person in church but also to that man or woman outside in the world. Christ didn't look like nobody, He walked with all people, the prostitute, the liar, the thief, the prisoner and He never judged them. His ministry was also not limited by the four walls of the church building. He was out there!. He rocked His own outfit and talked totally the opposite of what the high priest were preaching. He only did what the Father told him and He embraced his uniqueness. He knew who He was with confidence. He didn't shy away from who He was and what He was born to do! And the most beautiful of His character, He never placed himself above anyone and with dignity he would also serve.

Revelation: Don't forget to love yourself? How do you do that? Start with being honest with yourself? How do you talk to yourself, How do you talk and treat other people? Are you positive or constantly tearing people down. This is a reflection of your own self worth. If you cannot celebrate somebody else that means you cannot celebrate yourself. Pray and ask God to get to the root of this and to create in you a clean heart and a right spirit. Than start speaking life into yourself, tell yourself all the things God would tell you? Start being thankful for what you have instead of looking at what you miss. Encourage yourself? Allow yourself to live and enjoy life? Eat and have a healthy lifestyle. Get rid of all the toxic thoughts and words you speak to and over yourself. Believe in yourself, take leaps of faith, listen to your heart desires and dreams. God gives you them, allow them to live. When you do that you embrace who God created you to be. Be your Unique self! You are created in His image and in His likeness. Look in the mirror and see God in you.

Genesis 1:31 
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

What are your thoughts about this subject? Have you experienced this?

Have you too forgot at one point to believe in yourself? What did this do to you and how did you tackled it? 

VisionsThoughts&Dreams
NMJ

Woman of Purpose Interview Michelle David

Woman of Purpose

In 2003 I was introduced to this beautiful black woman. She came to give a singing course at the school I attended back then. She was confident, beautiful, wearing her fro like a beauty queen. Her voice was amazing, but her love, patience and kindness made it all complete. I was so inspired by the energy of this woman. We performed that year, we all graduated and I never saw her again, until 1 day. I was at a gospel event with people like Kirk Franklin. While I was singing and enjoying I saw this lady that I knew from back then on stage. It was Michelle David. I came home, I googled her and found her. Since then we stayed connected. She has been performing, creating and doing so much as an artist. She is a real inspiration to me. Without knowing she has shown me that heart and hard work eventually pays off.

Michelle is a gospel/soul singer, actress, tv, radio host, vocal coach, director and media producer. She is an all woman. She traveled around the world with different musicals and gospel shows like Mama, I want to sing, The Golden Gospel singers, The Sound of Motown, Mahalia and other great shows. She has been singing vocals and supporting singers like Diana Ross and Micheal Bolton. Since 2000 she is one of the beautiful ladies of Big Black and Beautiful. She also performs as a solo singer with the band Gospel Sessions. Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions. Keep your eyes and ears open cause Gospel Sessions Vol.3 is coming out very soon. Michelle David an all woman. A woman with a sound of inspiration, of life, of love and purpose.

If you want to read and know more about Michelle David, her shows and cd’s check out the website: www.thegospelsessions.com follow her on YouTube: Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions.

Or visit the FB pages: Michelle David: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.david.355

Or go to Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions: https://www.facebook.com/michelledavidandthegospelsessions/

For cd’s and songs go to: www.bol.com - https://www.bol.com/nl/p/gospel-sessions-vol-1/9200000039560662/

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-gospel-sessions-vol-2/id1091904208

Want to know more about: Visions, Thoughts, God given dreams, Talents, Gifts, Faith Journey and Divine Purposes join the group in Woman of Purpose on Facebook. (The one connected with NMJ Productions): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1863733543947130/?ref=br_rs

VisionsThoughts&Dreams

NMJ

More Of You

More of You describes my thirst and hunger for more of God's presence. The more we seek Him, The more He stretches our mind and heart desires into the things that are above. What do we have if we have the whole world but don't have God? Nothing. We should never settle or be content with where we are with our walk with Christ. God is everlasting so in this life we will never figure out all of His goodness, all of His greatness, all of His love and all of His mercy. Our assignment and responsibility as Christians is to seek Him more and more so we can hear His voice and walk in alignment with Him, to complete the plan He has for our lives.

More of You came forth after prayer, or actually while I was praying with my face flat on the floor. I was in tears cause I was tired of me and myself standing in God's way. I was tired of reading about all the promises and not seeing it come to pass, or seeing just little victories. I know and have always known in the core of my bones that God is real. No theory God, but a true living God. If you have ever had an encounter with God, you know, that you know, that you know that God is for real. He will speak to you in a dream, through a person and even through non believers. God can, and will use anybody or anything to answer a prayer or to get to your soul.

The reason we can't hear him is because all of the distractions in life. Television, Social Media, Music, Work, School. We do so much nowadays that we get uncomfortable to be with ourselves. When it's still and quiet, and the only thing you can hear is your own heartbeat. We don't know what to do with it and turn on music. We get on social media, call or app our friends. Anything to beat the silence in and around us. And that is exactly what God needs. That we come to the child within us, that is willing, that is open, that is pure. He wants us to come back to the heart of worship. That doesn't mean God wants you to be perfect. He want's you just the way that you are. With all your imperfections and flaws, with your hurt, with your pain, with your anger and with your jealousy. He just wants you to come at His feet and lay it all down and that you surrender. Surrender to His plan, surrender to his will for your life. He that formed you in your mother's womb knew you before you were born. He who know's you better than you know yourself, He knows exactly what you need to be happy, to be whole and complete.

It's important for us as Christians to know that we cannot find our happiness in things, we cannot find our joy in things and we cannot find our purpose in things if we don't find ourselves in Christ first. In him we find our true identity. In Him we live, move and have our being. When we find ourselves in Him, he will show us the hidden gifts and talents that lives within us. In God we will find the keys to unlock the gifts and talents to our purpose. We won't find it outside God. Yes, you may find a good thing, but you don't just want a good thing. You want the things from above. By that I mean you can have good things, but everything has a season and will pass away. You want your God given purpose that will lead and bring forth life. That is the ultimate goal of being called and chosen by the Lord. God didn't call or choose us to be like the world, but to show and represent His kingdom. He called us to show His unconditional love and to share words of life. We have been called to be the light in the world, to be the salt of the earth. We have been called to be like Christ.
Many times we pray and ask God to use us in a mighty way. We pray for miracles, signs and wonders, but we don't want to spend time with him. Or we just have instant fast prayers, and I use to do that too. But there is a reason why Christ woke up at dawn to pray. We cannot expect to walk in God's power if we don't make time to work on our relationship with Him. I am not saying that I am perfect, cause I am not. I do know that if we want more of the great I am, we have to seek him more, pray more, and really hunger to become more like His son. Less of ourselves and more of Him. I came to this point when I got tired of me, myself and I, me living in my comfort zone, tired of trying things on my own, in my own strength. I really wanted to see, hear and feel God's presence more than anything. God said it in His word. He is the everlasting God. He who was, is, and is to come. So I knew for myself if I couldn't hear Him, If I couldn't feel Him, I had to do some self research. I had to surrender and lay it all down at His feet. And yes, the atmosphere started to shift, things started to change. He has been renewing my mind and I have been hearing His voice so much clearer and louder. I am so enjoying the presence of The Lord and where He is taking me. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but it can only be revealed if we stay close to Him. If we seek Him and stay in alignment with Him.

I want to encourage you, if you are feeling like God is not there. If you feel like He is not answering your prayers. Seek Him. Be honest to yourself and talk to him, just the way that you are. God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten son to die for this world. Keep your eyes on Him and seek Him above all. Cause what do we gain if we have the whole world, but lose our souls. Even Christians walk away from God and go into the world to seek for joy and happiness. Temporary solutions. Only in Christ, we will find everlasting joy and happiness. I just want to encourage you to stay close to God and continue to seek Him more and more through prayer, through fasting, by reading your word and worship. God will answer.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

VisionsThoughts&Dreams
NMJ

Faith

Since I was a little girl I breathed faith. Although I could not see, I knew that there was something greater. I believed that what you could think, dream or fantasize it had to be possible. I still believe that if you can dream it, fantasize and believe it. You can make it come true. Why I always felt such a strong power in believing and in having Faith I do not know, but I thank God for placing that awareness in my heart. One thing I do know is that Faith has always been my focus in life, my rock to push on and to believe in the best of life and in the impossible. Now that I am richer in age, I am fascinated by the subject Faith. I love to read about Faith and I soak up all the preachings of TD Jakes about Faith. I just can’t get enough of that subject. I believe Faith has to do with my purpose. It is Faith that always makes me stretch forward. It is Faith that doesn’t want and doesn’t let me settle. It is faith that keeps my soul alive. Through Faith I live, through Faith I create and through Faith I believe I can do all things.  

I’m not here to say that it’s always easy. Believe me when I say I had moments I cried, I screamed, I got upset, got angry, didn’t understand anything of what was going on. Didn’t understand anything of God’s plan. But everytime He showed me that He was right there. He would send someone to bless me. Or He would give me a word through a preaching. A little child at work would say something special or would ask me to pray with her. Or a colleague would say how much I have blessed her. God always finds a way to show His love to you. He would show me His kindness and everytime I had to go back on my knees and humble myself. The funny thing is that after my crazy childish act, God would always give me my time to cry and after I cried my eyes out, He would say: When you are finished, I want you to get back up, put your head up high and don’t quit. Here I felt Faith pushing me to continue. To continue not to give up and not to settle for mediocrity or less. So through all the pain I still felt Faith pushes me to go further or to dig deeper within myself. There are treasures God placed inside of us that can only grow and bear fruit through pressure. Just like a diamond. Only pressure can make a diamond. Test and trials may come, but we have the promises of God that He would not leave or forsake us. And we have the promise that when we keep our eyes on God through the season of test and trials we will reap the fruit of our faith. We will be rewarded after the storm is over. Isn’t that a beautiful promise to hold on to Faith no matter what.

So I want to encourage you, no matter what you are going through right now. God sees it all. He knows it all. He is right there by your side. Pray and ask him what He wants you to learn from this season? What is inside of you that you feel you have to do? Sometimes we are being pushed to dig deep within ourselves because the gifts and talents, the answers are already there. There is always a reason for our seasons. Don’t give up believing, don’t give up on your dreams, keep your head up high. Know that after the season is over through Faith you will be rewarded for your Faith in God.

Faith: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Hebrews 11:1

Be You

Soul whispers in the morning

Write without apologizing

Dance without limits

Speak without fear

Breath without ends

Share without a tear

Be U-nique without a shame

Dream without monsters

Live without blame

Hope without doubts

Love without war

Rise, and don’t forget to shine

Live and don’t forget to be you

Rise, Live and Shine

Being you!

(NMJ)

Merry Merry Christmas xxxxxx

I wish you all a merry merry Christmas. Laugh more, forgive more, and love more. Drop a message and let me know what lesson you are taking with you that you have learned the last year. What is it that you want to take to a higher level in 2015?

Bijlmerpark Theatre

Upcoming friday 7 and saturday 8 November @ Bijlmerpark Theatre me and other great poets will be sharing some of our latest works. Be there! I will be talking about love. Here is one of the poems that I will be sharing.

The Beauty of a woman

Once I gave my heart away to a man who didn’t know how to appreciate love. At the end he gave me back my heart, broken and full with scars. I was walking around in circles, going back and forth trying to put the pieces back together. But just like a mirror, once it is broken the scars will always be seen. Until I met my Father and He decided to give me a new heart. And taught me some words of wisdom:


I made every woman like a queen, to be treated as royalty; I gave every woman the wisdom and the knowledge to think and to teach generations to generations that a woman has the strength to stand on her own feet. Not to be depended upon or desperate for the love of any man, because love and life come from me. A woman is made to be treated with dignity and respect. Not only in the beginning when things are always fun, when he spoils you with diner by candle light, with cards and roses but also in those times when there is rain and storm.


So to every woman give yourself the time, because he can be here today and try to walk away the next day. If he is worth it he will appreciate and give you your time. And if he is the one he should love you fulltime, over time, all the time. Just like my father said, you are a queen and should be treated as royalty and don’t settle for anything less!

Nadira