The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey

 

 

GAINS FROM A SIDE GIG

     From time to time, one may find themselves working a ‘side hustle’, better known as a ‘side gig’.  Back in the day, a second job was referred to as ‘moonlighting’.  Nevertheless, a side gig can bring in some extra, needed income during hard economic times.

     It may also serve to gather information to give one a ‘leg up’ when times get better.

     In my neck of the woods, I’ve been blessed to happen across a wide variety of young folks working the side gig of delivering groceries.  A few were young Black brothers who had just finished college and earned their degree, or, others who were at differing portions of their college careers.  Of course, I tip them well.  I also take the time to talk with them as the opportunity presents itself. 

     Sometimes, I give them ‘success’ books from my own personal library.  Sometimes, I pass along articles and magazines that will help these young brothers down the road.  Bottom line? Someone took the time to encourage and help me to be successful; it only makes sense to do the same thing for someone else.  During my ‘beans and biscuit’ days, I learned how to listen, observe, and watch my elders and superiors while keeping my mouth SHUT and my words few.

     One must learn to joyfully carry water for someone else before others will carry water for you.  Life is cyclical.  There is a season for young men to learn ‘the social graces’; there is a season to show what you have learned, and there is a season to teach and pass that knowledge on to a new generation of young men who are starting out on the road of career success.

     God has provided the home for the training of youth by their parents.  However, He has also provided wise elders in many a city who have mastered His teachings, received the Lord’s blessings, and have become successful in an upright, righteous manner.  Sometimes, a side gig is a great way to access many of these elders who you may not ever meet during the routine hustle and bustle of life.

     An elder in many a community does not have to ‘shout’ about their successes in life.  They do NOT have to advertise, nor will they ‘chase you down’ to tell you about what they did to have success arrive on their doorstep.  However, my young brother, you will recognize that ‘spark’ in their eye and wisdom in their voice when you meet them.  Be wise, take the time, make the effort and chat with an elder while on your side gig.  You may get more than a tip when you and he have finished your business.  You just might get the inside track as to how to make it to the next level of success in your life.

     Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996.  To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.

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Rev. M. G. “Mike” Ramey (Retired) served as the Certified Modern Street Gangs Specialist & Media Consultant of “The Gang Line”. He had been interviewed in the U. S. and abroad on radio, television, and Internet about the dangers of Modern Street Gangs since 2007. His writings on Modern Street Gangs abound in print and online. Previously, he served as an award-winning broadcast journalist, producer, and TV/Radio talk show host. He has also served as a staff writer, section editor, and syndicated columnist. Ramey has won—or helped to win—some two dozen journalism awards and citations. He also holds a Police Citation for Citizen Bravery from the Indianapolis Police Department (1986). Ramey is also married, an Ordained Minister (Retired) and a KJV Bible Teacher.

Ramey is a Certified Modern Street Gangs Specialist with Certifications in Law Enforcement (2006), Non-Law Enforcement (2010), and Gangs & Cults Ministry (2017). He also has endorsements in K-12 Gang Issues and Transnational Gangs. He also carries Specialist Ratings in Cult/Occult Crime, and Transnational Human Trafficking. Ramey has also served with several International anti-gang ministries, including Gangstyle.com of Washington state (2004-2009), Thug Exposed Ministries of California (2010 to 2015) and Bishop Outreach Ministries of Florida (2010 to 2015).

In 2011 “The Gang Line” offered training and certification coursework for those interested in becoming certified Modern Street Gang Specialists: Training approaches the anti-gang ministry field through the combined use of spiritual (biblical principles/discipleship) and criminal (gang members and gang crime). From 2015-2017, Ramey served as an Advisory Board Member for the School of Criminal Justice at Harrison College, Indianapolis, Indiana, with a specialty of Organized Crime & Gangs. From 2017-2019, Ramey served as a Bible Teacher to at-risk detained juvenile offenders at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center with his own Bible-based Curriculum centering upon Biblical Life Skills taught from the Book of Proverbs.

Rev. Ramey’s skill set includes having been a veteran substitute teacher (Secondary Education), a college instructor for two Bible colleges in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, a Probation Officer (Intensive/High Risk & School-Based) with the Marion County Juvenile Court, and a peer grant reviewer of anti-gang grant programs with the U.S. Department of Justice (2010). He also created, designed, and taught the course “Modern Street Gangs: Developing Urban Ministry Strategies—UM-190” at Crossroads Bible College, Indianapolis, Indiana (2009 & 2010). In 2013, Ramey served as a post-production Consultant for Chick Publications’ national anti-gang comic: “Black Angel”. It was translated into Spanish in 2014.

Ramey has written extensively on the topic of Modern Street Gangs with two Internet columns: “The Gang Line” and “The Gang Line Blogger” which abound in cyberspace. In a post-pandemic society, the motto of The Gang Line still rings true: “Spiritual Solutions for Spiritual Problems!”

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