Over the last two weeks, my art teacher at Harold Washington College has introduced a new media to our class to draw with… Charcoal. I must say, it’s an interesting media. This is my second drawing using charcoal. I believe I’m hooked now.

There is nothing like an old-style Baptist church service. The sounds coming from a Hammond organ, the harmony of a trio choir with a twenty-five member congregation leading their voices to 20th-century hymns, and an old-school pastor who knows how to use his voice in a way that seems like he’s singing his own hymn while reading verses from the bible can be experienced every Sunday at 11:00 a.m at the New Haven Missionary Baptist Church, 4413 S. Indiana Ave.

I was introduced to Rev. Clement J. Townsend Sr., Pastor for New Haven by the security guard that stands outside and watches the cars in the church parking lot. Pastor Townsend greeted me in the church basement as he fellowship with his staff members before service.

I was able to tithe one week of my check to New Haven in the amount of $20.00. Next week, if I’m not working on Sunday, I plan on tithing the other week to a new church as I try and find a church home.

Last week, a good friend asked me to read Mark Victor Hansen’s book, “A Miracle in Tithing.” I must admit, my recent lesson in gratitude has shown me the blessings that GOD bestows upon his faithful children.

Hansen, in his book on page 25 offers a three-month trial period to non-tithers. After reading his entire book, I decided to accept Mark’s 90 day challenge. Each week, for the next three months, I will blog about my tithing experience. If the spiritual law of tithing works, I hope to inspire others to tithe too.

Today I turn forty-four years old. As I laid in my bed this morning musing on the four decades of birthdays that have already past, I realized that each birthday, like New Year’s day, I create a personal resolution for myself; some sort of change that will improve my life. Last year, I vowed to improve some part of my health, so I began exercising and I officially and successfully quit smoking. These personal accomplishments over the last twelve months have only added validation to the idea that I can do anything once I make up my mind to do it.

This birthday, after two decades of over several dozen jobs and business ventures that have ranged from being a licenced stockbroker, telemarketer, motel desk clerk, magazine publisher, manager of Mrs. Fields Cookies, trade show sales manager, Realtor, A+ certified computer repair person, pizza driver, part specialist for the U.S. Army, bar doorman, delivery driver, network marketer, retail sales person, security guard, aspiring musician/composer/singer/producer/songwriter/arranger/superstar, rose peddler, busboy, technical support specialist, cashier, and now working back at Mrs. Fields Cookies, I’ve decided that it’s finally time to make a decision on what I would like to do as a career for the remainder of this decade. Drum roll please…

Eric P. Martin – The Artist/Photographer/Writer/Blogger/Musician/Businessman

I’ve come to terms with being a creative person. Why fight it? With the time and space I’ve now created for myself, I plan on nurturing my inner child. The challenge that has lasted for over two decades has been trying to nurture the inner child and still be able to meet financial obligations. Having years of experience, successes and failures, I now feel I have the wisdom and answers to make my heart’s desires manifest themselves.