I AM change IAM

The Faith of Barack Obama

2008-09-14T23:54:00.002-04:00

Following Michael Hyatt, the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, on Twitter, I was excited to receive his tweet that the first 200 bloggers to respond would receive an advance copy of Stephen Mansfield's The Faith of Barack Obama. As soon as I could get to my laptop, I replied and received the book a couple of weeks later.

First of all, I was shocked that Thomas Nelson would publish this book. In my experience, they have always leaned more toward a white evangelical Republican aesthetic. Publishing this book, although it is mostly information in content, makes a statement about the shift in mindset and action amongst its key leadership. It will be interesting to see the direction of this vetted and successful publisher in the future.

Now here is my honest opinion of the book:

I enjoyed it! It was a smooth, conversational and informative read. It confirmed once again that the pursuit to become like Christ is a process rather than an event – even for our nation's political generations. I attended an event in 2004 that was hosted by Gabe Lyons, Founder of Relevate, in which he communicated many of the challenges facing the "brand" of Christianity. It was revealed that Christianity was perceived by many to be extremist, hypocritical, judgmental, too political and irrelevant. Honestly, the Religious Right over the last eight years has not done a great job at addressing these challenges, other than being more hypocritical. The book addresses these issues but does not condemn nor condone them. As I said, the book is more factual and informational, than opinionated.

Ironically, this was the same year that Obama delivered his speech that sought to inform the world that there were Christians and liberals who were Democrats. As the book captured, this was a defining moment for born again believers who had voted primarily Democrat throughout the years. We finally felt that we had an advocate of balance in the space called politics.

Obama's belief that faith should be relevant to both politics and the marketplace confirms the message I have been encouraging our leaders of faith to embrace for about a decade. It is imperative that we maintain our faith and convictions in the marketplace, yet demonstrate them in the relevance and timing of the marketplace.

These are definitely exciting times for our nation. It will be interesting to see if America makes the right and noble decision by electing Barack Obama as President of The United States.

I am thought I am.

-Rodney Sampson

E.Factor Opens Amsterdam Business Lounge, Hosts NYC Event & Launches New Website

2008-09-05T02:51:00.005-04:00

E.Factor Business Lounge in Amsterdam

From day one, we have said that the E.Factor puts the "social back in social networking". We are just as much an offline network as we are an online network for entrepreneurs and investors. With this, I am pleased to announce the opening of our first business lounge in Amsterdam.

In addition, we are launching a new website this weekend! It's definitely has the WOW factor! Our next lounge opens in SOHO in NYC on next week at Sunshine Suites, http://www.sunshineny.com/. It's FREE if you are a First Class member of the E.Factor.

Also, I can't forget to invite you to our upcoming event in NYC on September 10th, 2008, 6PM EST. We will be networking with key leaders and entrepreneurs and discussing The New Economy: Do or Die!

The other social networks are good for collecting, but we are perfect for connecting.

Looking to Expand Your Business. Consider Amsterdam.

2008-09-05T02:42:00.005-04:00

The City Of Amsterdam: Europe's Media & Technology Capital

Greetings. I have been asked by The City of Amsterdam/Economic Development Department to invite selected clients, friends and colleagues who might be interested in expanding their business in Europe.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: I am posting this opportunity on my blog. However the Economic Development Office has specific criteria for these meetings. In addition their time here in New York (and Atlanta) is quite limited. Therefore you MUST contact me as soon as possible to be considered for this unique opportunity to hear about one of the most interesting, dynamic and centralized cities in all of Europe.

The City of Amsterdam/New Companies in NYC.

The current economy has many companies experiencing their greatest expansion and new sales opportunities overseas. If Europe is on your list, we'd like to introduce you to Amsterdam, a leading city for technology and new media, and a hub for all of EMEA offices.

Starting next week, Mr. Marcos de Vries, Area Director of North America and EMEA for The City of Amsterdam's Foreign Investment and Economic Development Office, will be visiting the United States. This high-ranking business ambassador is connecting with companies interested in creating new sales streams and expanding their businesses into Europe over the next 18 months. The City of Amsterdam is interested in discuss your company's potential expansion in these areas.

The meetings will be held in NYC and Atlanta from the 10th -18th. Please contact me via email at rodney@intellectualcurrency.com or by phone at 404-567-4800 directly to confirm your interest in setting up a meeting. As I said, opportunities are limited so you need to contact me as soon as possible.

- Rodney

Happy Independence Day from Rodney Sampson & the E.Factor

2008-07-04T21:47:00.003-04:00

Today is July 4^th, 2008. In America, it's Independence Day.

It is truly the greatest day of 2008. It reminds us of the opportunity to seize your independence from lack, debt, frustrating jobs and dead end relationships.

Here are twelve simple solutions and actions that you can execute immediately to expedite the process of independence in every area of your life.

SOLUTIONS	ACTION STEPS
Connect with people who think like you.	Join Efactor.com today and connect with 50,000 likeminded entrepreneurs. It takes 10 seconds and it's FREE.
Invite others to connect with you.	Log in, complete your profile, GOTO your Control Room and create your network. It takes 10 minutes.
Get the affairs of your life in order.	Become a Premium Member for $15/month. Connect with a real live insurance agent and save up to 50% on your premiums for health and life.
Free your mind and create a new business idea.	As a Premium Member, you will soon be able to sell E.Factor Premium Memberships and get paid! You can also innovate your own idea and offer it throughout the E.Factor network for FREE.
Develop your business plan.	Connect with our E.Factor coaches on creating and developing a winning and fundable business plan.
Raise capital for your business idea.	As a Premium Member, you can request financing for your business from more than 100 investors on E.Factor.
Open the doors. Sell your products or services.	Keep networking. Normally, the people who will connect with you on E.Factor are truly interested in your business.
Grow your business. Expand your idea.	Continue networking. Bring value to people daily. Sell your products and services with people in mind. Connecting them with E.Factor automatically brings everyone connected value.
Make money.	Sell your products on E.Factor, locally and globally.
Manage your money. Prepare you future.	As a Premium Member, you can contribute monthly to your retirement plan in preparation for your future; and the future of your family. $50 per month can go along way if you start early and keep it up.
Do well. Help your local and global community.	Give to yourself first. Give to your favorite charity or non-profit. Give to your local and global community.
Have fun and experience new things.	Connect with E.Factor members as you travel the globe. As a First Class Member, you can meet with them for FREE in E.Factor Lounges across the world.

Remember, to do these things daily. Independence is not about the event, it is about the process.
Your entrepreneurial coach,

Rodney Sampson

The process begins with the prophecy

2007-12-06T04:11:00.000-05:00

This prophecy was delivered to Dr. Rodney Sampson in the summer of 2001 by Bishop Veron Ashe at the Kingdom Dominion Summit in West Palm Beach, FL hosted by Bishop Harold Ray.

Everytime my wife and I focus on it and listen to it, we hear new revelation and relevance from God.

What prophetic or futuristic prediction have you been given. Did it seem as if all hell broke loose in every area of your life? The process has begun and you must remain faithful to it.

iamthefulfillmentofprophecyiam

Putting the veto by President Bush to Senator Ted Kennedy's "Hate Crimes" Legislation in Perspective

2007-12-04T21:43:00.000-05:00

In response to the recent promize by President Bush to veto Senator Ted Kennedy's "hate crimes" legislation:

The "hate crimes" legislation that is being promoted by our Democratic politicians as an attachment to the Authorized Defense Spending bill is not just for the advancement of the homosexual agenda as stated by most conservatives. I would suggest that Black citizens are placing pressure on these politicians to perpetuate the policy they suggested they would fight for while they were campaigning, particularly with the increase in various levels of racism and hatred that are being perpetuated throughout the US.

Here is the issue. Upon research, you will discover that the homosexual citizens in the US are placing the same form of pressure on these politicians; and thus were able to attach "additional legislation" to the hate crimes legislation which created non-negotiable terms for conservative, Republican policy makers. With this, the issue became very, very complicated. I am sure that in its purest form, President Bush or any of his evangelical supports would not support open hate, racism or discrimation by any person or group against another. To think otherwise would be un-Christian. Note: Christianity in the 21st century doesn't have a good brand, but that it is another blog. Gabe Lyons, do you care to jump in here and discuss the current state of the brand of Christianity and its perception by the "unchurched" in America.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase of publicized "hate crimes" against blacks and minorities in this country. Note, I state publicized. This includes everything from nooses hanging from trees, unfair criminal and civil indictments from our legal system to predatory lending in the form of illegitimate interest rates and branch managers deciding to hold good checks for another 10 days.

This is my opinion and advice. It is long overdue for the majority of people in this nation to just stand up and declare their dislike or misunderstanding for Blacks, whether it is individually or as a people. No more pretending. The minority communities should focus on becoming economicaly sound, ultimately with the rebuilding of their respective communities as the outcome.

At the end of the day, decades of policy and legislation have not and will not change the hearts of men. A man or woman has to want to do that. It's not easy. It's like any other potential vice in life. Some people can just sincerely stop "cold turkey". It takes others a life-time and their families longer. Civil rights legislation has only provided a slight amount of hope for those who want to achieve a dream - the American dream - which was never intended for all to experience. The American Dream that was articulated required that one group work and build this country for free (ie. blacks or poor people) and be unequal; and the other group benefit (certain classes of whites, not all, and those with money). So, with all groups striving for equality, it would suggest that no one could realize this dream.

Learned and exposed people understand that equality and inclusion actually increases everyone's chances of achieving their respective dreams. Success is built on relationships. The more authentic relationships you have, the more opportunties you have for success.

Our churches should be the forum where whites and blacks can come together in open focus groups to tell each other how much we dislike, hate, despise, fear or misunderstand each other. Once this truth is declared in an open and transparent environment, then the process of healing can take place - if each side wants it. Then, everyone will know where the other side stands.

This is my challenge to the white and black church in America. Let's make it happen!

Dr. Rodney S. Sampson

2005-02-25T18:06:00.000-05:00

Atlanta business man and thought leader, Rodney Sampson, www.rodneysampson.com
Rodney S. Sampson I