Everyday I'm Hustlin

There is a hip-hop song by a rapper named Rick Ross called Hustlin’. The hook or chorus of the song has as its anthem “Everyday I’m Hustlin’” I can totally understand the sentiment now that I am working to get my first book in the hands of those for whom it’s written. Because many people have attributed nefarious connotations to the concept of hustling or its urban derivative hustlin’, lets use definition of hustle that I mean in this context. “Hus·tle: to proceed or work rapidly or energetically; to be aggressive, esp. in business or other financial dealings.”

I have always been a bit of a hustler (based on the above definition). For instance, during my middle school years I lived in Camden, NJ. We were very poor, so to get a little extra money I would buy candy from the corner store (you know it’s an urban area when you have a corner store) and sell it to my classmates. I would mark up the price to make a modest profit. There was a need in the market, and I supplied it. I was so successful that other students started doing the same thing. Eventually the school developed its own store. Hustlin’.

While in college to support myself, I had several hustles. I noticed that numbers of young ladies were wearing calf and/or knee high leather boots that would be easily scuffed. None of them wanted dull and scuffed boots. So, I started shining shoes. Also as a resident assistant, I had one of two refrigerators in the facility, and I started selling drinks and snacks while undercutting the overpriced vending machines. I also learned photography in high school and started taking pictures for events and even parlayed that into a freelance job with another local college. Hustlin’!

Now, I have a new book! College Impact: Empowering Collegiate Christians for Campus Influence. I am hustlin’ again. While serving as a college pastor for over 10 years I have notice that many good church kids leave for higher education and never return to living a healthy Christian life. Then, I saw many collegiate Christians struggling to find a way to make a difference on their campuses. So, I wrote this book to meet both of those needs. The difference is, I really believe in the products end goal. The goal of the book is for collegiate Christians to awaken to the full life in Christ and touch the live of others for the Glory of God. It’s all about the Glory of God! That is something that is worth hustlin’ for.

So, now I find myself talking to people about the book, so that students will live for the Glory of God. I am asking friends and loved ones to tell others about the book for the Glory of God. I am looking for news outlets and bookstores to take on the book for the Glory of God. I am asking college ministries, Christian schools and conferences to embrace the book for the Glory of God in the lives of college students. Yes, Everyday I’m hustling, Everyday I’m hustling… “Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands.” Isaiah 42:12