Is their heart after God?

When God brings someone into our lives, He isn't concerned about our lists or types. His focus is on pairing two individuals, to achieve the destiny He has set for them. To ensure they fulfill the God given purpose He has for their lives. He looks at their heart, nothing more, nothing less.

When we mature as Christians, we realize love has nothing to do with what a person has or how they're packaged. The question is, "Is their heart after God?" Because if their heart is after God and they truly love Him, then they will know how to love you. Oftentimes, that individual will not even remotely be packaged according to what we desire. God's best will far exceed what and who we limit ourselves to.

© Copyright 2013-2014, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

And yes, even He hangs out in Brooklyn.

You don't have to be inside of a church, to spend time with God. He's inside of us and all around us. Just open your eyes, you'll see. Whether it's the beach, a beautiful flower, or even snowflakes. Last night, I sat on the steps of the Brooklyn Museum. I love that place.

Those steps mixed with the cool of a Brooklyn night, made the perfect place to chat with God. There wasn't any laughter going on, but definitely a lot of heart cleansing prayer. No matter where you are, God is with you. He's always there waiting with his arms open wide. He's my confidant, my heavenly father, my everything. And yes, even He hangs out in Brooklyn. :-) 

© Copyright 2013-2014, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

What are you in need of?

A few years ago, a lady approached me in a parking lot. She told me, she was about to be evicted and needed rent money. She had a daughter that lived with her. I had just finished feasting on salad and Red Lobster's biscuits. I was just about to close my car door, when she appeared. 

I asked for her landlord's number and she gave it to me. I called and he confirmed the amount she needed. At this time, I had just left my flight attendant job, was working on a show, and completely living by faith. Heck, I wasn't even sure how my 4 figure rent was going to be paid...

Before heading to church later that day, I went to the address given to me. Yes, it was dangerous. Yes, it was on Crenshaw. Yes, it was sketchy. But, I went to the office and paid her rent. I don't remember her name, but for whatever reason we crossed paths that day. 

Whatever you are in need of, give it. When you meet people who are in need, help them. I may not have had money to pay my rent, but I had enough to pay her rent. The money, wealth, and things you have, are not for you to keep to yourself. It is our responsibility to serve and help those in need. God always makes sure those who give, will always have more to give.

People are mystified why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. No matter what your beliefs are, giving opens the door to your blessings. The tighter you hold on to things, the less you will have. Open your hands up, give, and allow God to use you. Happy Sunday! :-)

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. ~ Proverbs 11:24-25

© Copyright 2013-2014, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

Greetings from NYC :-)

Today is January 7th. I just absolutely love sevens, don't you? I believe they're an indication you're on the right path. That you're in line and where God wants you to be at that particular moment of your life. So much has transpired in my life since starting this blog. It seems as though those earlier days of writing were just as much for me, as for those of you who traveled along this journey with me. 

Where am I now? I finally moved to my beloved New York City. How awesome is that?! If you've read any of my previous posts which were dedicated to my love of NYC, then you would know just how momentous this change has been for me. I moved one day before my birthday. I wanted to be sure that I started the next year of my life, in the city of my dreams. It's been awhile since I've written. I guess that goes along with the territory for such bloggers as myself. I feel for one to blog, they have to be in a blogging space mentally. I've been living a life set out exactly as this blog title states, "Passion Filled."

How can one reside in NYC and not be stimulated creatively? I do believe it's absolutely impossible. The energy of this city makes you want to be the best person you can possibly be. It's as if the streets are whispering, "Go ahead you can do it, I know you can. You know, be every bit of who you were created to be." This is exactly where I need to be at this point in my life. I'm absolutely elated that I've moved here! Well, stay tuned for future posts. It's good to chat with you today. Ciao 

The gorgeous view from my NYC balcony. :-)

© Copyright 2013-2014, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

Did he say paleonomics or paleogenomics?

Did he say paleonomics or paleogenomics? I'm still reflecting on a conversation I had with a dashing fella earlier. Dashing is such a wonderful word, I had to use it. lol I visit my local health food store, quite a few times a week. I always see this fella, since he works there. He looks like he's either a writer or graduate student. Every time he sees me, he makes it a point to say "hi" or smile. That's about as much conversation as we've had, mostly due to the fact that I'm usually wearing my earphones. I have no idea why, even though I have absolutely no music playing. I guess I subconsciously want to be prepared when my phone rings. I don't know. But anywho, today I walked into his line. He said the usual "hi" and I responded with "hi" and probably a smile. I'm always smiling.


He began ringing up my items and then all of a sudden, he starts telling me about a seminar he attended a few years ago. He went on to discuss the speaker and how he foretold many of the things, in which African Americans are experiencing financially at this time. In the midst of this random conversation. He had my complete unadulterated attention. It was like I saw him of the first time. He mentioned the church where the seminar was held. The church he mentioned, was my church. What a coincidence?! I said, "I go to that church, do you?" He said, "no" he attends somewhere else, not sure where, for some reason I checked out a bit after he said, "no." Maybe I was still processing this random exchange. It was such an engaging conversation. Even if he was doing most of the talking. I enjoy listening to men talk. When I come across an expressive man, I'm usually quiet. Most men seem to keep things in. So, it's a special occasion when you find a talkative one. Especially since I've been seeing the guy for over a year and the furthest our conversation has gone was, "hi." All of a sudden I was intrigued.

A lady walked up and interrupted his enthusiastic recap of the seminar. I stood there for a bit and then told him, I would look into the things he mentioned. I know he said something about paleonomics. Initially I thought he meant paleolithic, I'm such a foodie. I went home and googled the speaker he referred to and paleonomics and nothing came up, only paleogenomics. I continued my day filled with errands and the such, occasionally reflecting on this spontaneous exchange. How is it that we can see someone a few times a week over a year time span, yet not see them at all? I noticed this man today.

What I take from this experience is, just how important intelligence and conversation are. The inner man speaks far louder than the outer man. Prior to this exchange, I really didn't have insight into who he was, but today, well hey he completely and enthusiastically showed his inner self. And that my friend, is attractive. Inner beauty is real beauty. The right personality will have you shining like a true star. Intelligence is everything. 

Before I go, I have to tell you. As I was about to take my grocery bag out again for another store run. I happened to notice that I had a small magazine from my church in the bottom. Well, this dashing fella bagged my groceries, and guess what? He saw that magazine with my pastor on the cover. That explains the coincidence and the all of sudden random enthusiastic rambling. I guess he saw his moment and seized it. You know what, it worked. Next time I go to the store, I'll see him. I mean see him as in, well...really see him.


© Copyright 2012-2013, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

Give it away and see what happens.

Have you ever been in a position in which you wanted to help someone, but wasn't quite sure how. In today's age we look for individuals to help. At least that's how I view things. When someone has their hand out, do you help them or continue walking as if they didn't exist? Helping someone isn't just about you giving. It also frees you up for more blessings to come into your life. In many cases, you have to let go of what's in your hand, in order for something to come to you. Are you willing to let go? Are you willing to trust that God has more in store for you? He's simply waiting for you, to let go of what you have. 

The missing ingredient for experiencing blessings, is giving. Many believe you have to get to give. When in reality, the exact opposite is true. You have to give to receive. Whatever you need in life, giving is the answer. If you don't believe me. Try it, try it for 30 days. Whatever you have a need for, give it away and see what happens. If you need love, give as much love to others as you possibly can. If you need friends, be as friendly to others as you possibly can. Whether it's money, clothes, etc...Give what you have and see what happens. 

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV

© Copyright 2012-2013, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.

Sing as loud as you can.

Love the ones you love. Smile at the ones who bring you joy. Dance with those who have open arms. Sing as loud as you can. Why? Because this is it. This is your life. Today we're here, and tomorrow we're gone. In the grand scheme of things, nothing really matters except happiness. Be happy. Love hard. Laugh loud. Travel far. Dare to dream. Follow through on your dreams. Live. Love. Be happy. And love again. :-)


© Copyright 2012-2013, Juan Hagger. All rights reserved.