An interview with Accomplished Author and Minister, Troy Major
As we begin the month of July, I want to welcome another dynamic and multi-talented author to BK Nation—Minister Troy Major, He is the proud author of two life changing books, “Spared” and “Experiencing the Benefits of God….From the Streets to Peaks.” I purchased his latest book, “Experiencing the Benefits of God” and the only thing I could say after reading this book was, “Homerun.” Major knocks the ball right out of the park with this inspirational book of discovery. He puts his whole heart and soul into this project and reminds us that there are indeed benefits to walking with God. Whether you’re married, single, divorced, young or senior, mother or father, this book has something for everyone. I consider this a “must read” book so I invited Minister Major to BK Nation to give us more insight into his book, “Experiencing the Benefits of God.”
KLR: Minister Major, it’s an honor having you join us at BK Nation today. Before we talk about your book, tell us some interesting things about you that most people don’t know.
TDM: Most people don’t know I am a huge boxing fan and I like country living.
KLR: Which Christian authors or clergy, pastors, theologians, etc. have influenced you the most and why?
TDM: Miles Monroe: his viewpoint on the Kingdom of God. Donald Goines: He is not a Christian author but I love his writing style because it allows you to visualize his writings.
KLR: What or who inspired you to write your latest book?
TDM: A friend that I grew up with inspired me to write this book, because he turned away from God to continue in his former life. Experiencing the benefits of God is a huge factor in maintaining a relationship with God.
KLR: How has your personal faith journey influenced your writing?
TDM: My personal faith has caused me to experience the promises of God; I’ve read about in the bible.
KLR: How do you approach writing for both Christian and non-Christian audiences?
TDM: My approach is to not hide my experiences and share my story. As believers and non-believers, we all have similar experiences.
KLR: Now let’s talk about your book, “Experiencing the Benefits of God.” As Christians, we know all of God’s benefits are important but which benefit stood out the most to you as you were writing your book?
TDM: The benefit that stood out the most, is living by faith. If we lose faith, we lose everything.
KLR: Through the testimonies you shared with the reader, I thought your book did an excellent job of giving the reader hope. Would you care to elaborate on that point?
TDM: As long as you have hope you can experience God’s grace and mercy and that will change your life.
KLR: What advice would you give to aspiring Christian authors?
TDM: To write for everyone not just believers; as you are inspired by God.
KLR: Where can BK Nation purchase your books?
TDM: On Amazon and myself.
KLR: Any final words before we end the interview?
TDM: God is not a respecter of person, what God has done in my life and so many others; he will do in yours. Jesus is the only way! The truth and the life; there is no other.
KLR: Minister Major, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your book with us today. As customary with our guests, you will be receiving a signed copy of my book, A Time for Courage, compliments of yours truly. May the Blessings of God continue to overtake you and your family.
Historical Events in the Month of July
1, 1863 - Beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
2, 1788 - Congress announced the United States Constitution had been ratified by the required nine states and that a committee had been appointed to make preparations for the new American government.
3, 1775 - During the American Revolution, George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
4, 1776 - The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.
5, 1775- The Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition expressing hope for a reconciliation with Britain. However, King George III refused even to look at the petition and instead issued a proclamation declaring the colonists to be in a state of open rebellion.
6, 1775 - The Continental Congress issues the "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms," outlining the American colonies' grievances against British rule, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.
7, 1898 - President William McKinley signed a resolution annexing Hawaii. In 1900, Congress made Hawaii an incorporated territory of the U.S., which it remained until becoming a state in 1959.
8, 1776 - The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence occurred as Colonel John Nixon read it to an assembled crowd in Philadelphia.
9, 1868 - The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The Amendment defined U.S. citizenship and prohibited individual States from abridging the rights of any American citizen without due process and equal protection under the law. The Amendment also barred individuals involved in rebellion against the U.S. from holding public office.
10, 1973 - The Bahamas gained their independence after 250 years as a British Crown Colony.
11, 1804: Vice President Aaron Burr fatally wounds Alexander Hamilton in a duel in Weehawken, New Jersey, a defining moment in early American political history
12, 1943 - During World War II, in the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history took place outside the small village of Prohorovka, Russia. About nine hundred Russian tanks attacked an equal number of German tanks fighting at close range. When Hitler ordered a cease-fire, 300 German tanks remained strewn over the battlefield.
13, 1923 - Hollywood Sign Dedication (1923): The iconic Hollywood Sign was officially dedicated in the hills above Hollywood, originally reading "Hollywoodland."
14, 1918 - Quentin Roosevelt, a pilot and son of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, was shot down and killed by a German plane.
15, 1815 - Napoleon surrenders to Captain Frederick Maitland of HMS Bellerophon after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
16, 1945 - The experimental Atomic bomb "Fat Boy" was set off at 5:30 a.m. in the desert of New Mexico desert, creating a mushroom cloud rising 41,000 ft. The bomb emitted heat three times the temperature of the interior of the sun and wiped out all plant and animal life within a mile.
17, 1898 - During the Spanish–American War, Spanish forces surrendered at Santiago de Cuba
18, 1947 - President Harry Truman signed an Executive Order determining the line of succession if the president becomes incapacitated or dies in office. Following the vice president, the speaker of the house and president of the Senate are next in succession. This became the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified on February 10, 1967.
19, 1863 - During the American Civil War, Union troops made a second attempt to capture Fort Wagner near Charleston, South Carolina. The attack was led by the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, commanded by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who was killed along with half of the 600 men in the regiment. This battle marked the first use of black Union troops in the war.
20, 1969 - A global audience watched on television as Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first step onto the moon. As he stepped onto the moon's surface he proclaimed, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" - inadvertently omitting an "a" before "man" and slightly changing the meaning.
21, 1970 - The first Earth Day is celebrated, raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting conservation efforts.
22, 1934 - Bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents as he left Chicago's Biograph Movie Theater after watching the film Manhattan Melodrama starring Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. Dillinger was the first criminal labeled by the FBI as "Public Enemy No. 1."
23, 1904 - The first ice cream cone was invented by Charles E. Menches at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.
24, 1945 - At the conclusion of the Potsdam Conference in Germany, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman and China's representatives issued a demand for unconditional Japanese surrender. The Japanese, unaware the demand was backed up by an Atomic bomb, rejected the Potsdam Declaration on July 26.
25, 1898 - During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico, which was then a Spanish colony. In 1917, Puerto Ricans became American citizens and Puerto Rico became an unincorporated territory of the U.S. Partial self-government was granted in 1947 allowing citizens to elect their own governor. In 1951, Puerto Ricans wrote their own constitution and elected a non-voting commissioner to represent them in Washington.
26, 1944 - The U.S. Army began desegregating its training camp facilities. Black platoons were then assigned to white companies in a first step toward battlefield integration. However, the official order integrating the armed forces didn't come until July 26, 1948, signed by President Harry Truman.
27, 1953 - North Korea and the United Nations sign armistice to stop fighting and divide Korea at the 38th parallel.
28, 1932 - The Bonus March eviction in Washington, D.C., occurred as U.S. Army troops under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton, attacked and burned the encampments of unemployed World War I veterans. About 15,000 veterans had marched on Washington, demanding payment of a war bonus they had been promised. After two months' encampment in Washington's Anacostia Flats, forced eviction of the bonus marchers by the U.S. Army was ordered by President Herbert Hoover.
29, 1775 - The U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps is founded, establishing a legal framework for military justice.
30, 1864 - US Civil War, Siege of Petersburg: Union General Ambrose Burnside fails in an attack on Petersburg, Virginia, in the Battle of the Crater.
31, 1790 - The U.S. Patent Office first opened its doors. The first U.S. patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins of Vermont for a new method of making pearlash and potash. The patent was signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
America-250 years Old and Still Going Strong
The 4th of July, or Independence Day, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the American colonies asserted their right to self-governance and independence from Great Britain. It symbolizes the birth of a nation founded on principles of liberty, equality, and democracy, and serves as a reminder of the courage and sacrifices that shaped the United States
For many, it is a day to celebrate national identity, honor history, and appreciate the freedoms that define American life. For others, it reminds them of the ongoing challenges, social justice, and the work still needed to ensure equality and opportunity for all citizens
As for me, it’s a time of reflection, wondering what were the thoughts of each member of the Continental Congress when they first heard the immortal words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
These words characterized the American spirit then and it still does today. To put it bluntly, we are all created in God’s image and it is He who ultimately gives us these precious rights. That means we can use our God given knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue our personal and professional dreams and ambitions, we can worship and serve our God without coercion from a government entity, and above all, we can enjoy the freedoms and liberties that this country provides through the sacrifices and courage of our men and women who serve in our United States Armed Forces.
So when I wake up on Independence Day, my first action won’t be to attend a family reunion or fire up a grill, it won’t be to watch a baseball game or participating in a hotdog eating contest, nor will it be to attend a fireworks event. My first action will be to kneel before Almighty God and give thanks for allowing me to live in a beautiful country where freedom and opportunity abound.
We’ll be 250 years old on July 4th and by the Grace of God, we’ll be a much stronger and better nation for the next generation. Happy Independence Day BK Nation!
FINAL THOUGHTS
The month of July brings so many new and exciting opportunities in our lives--family gatherings, summer events such as going to theme parks, attending city-wide festivals and maybe even starting a new hobby. For those of you who enjoy cognitive activities that challenge the brain, I recommend trying word search puzzles. To get you started, I have uploaded five wordsearch puzzles on my website. You can download them by clicking HERE. This month’s theme is Famous Military Battles in July. Enjoy your summer and look for my next newsletter in August.