The Barber Shop Chronicles

By Travious L Goines

For many Black men in particular, barbershops are safe spaces to discuss issues that directly impact their lives and the lives of their families: racial profiling, police shootings of me, racial discrimination in the workplace, and so much more. Today, in some areas, it is common to find men and women of various ethnic groups doing excellent jobs with the clippers. This has opened the door to hear a woman’s perspective and wisdom on topics that may arise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Travious L Goines
• Release date: Feb 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9780578347523

Travious L Goines

Travis has been called a talented, tell it like it is, passionate and presenter. His passion for sharing wisdom, education, and knowledge to see lives change has impacted many. His skills and impactful training have brought him before churches of various denominations, men’s groups and conferences, local juvenile detention centers, and adult prisons for men and women.Starting his journey in the 1980s Travis was mentored under the late John Ennis in Philadelphia, PA in his first church, Salvation Deliverance Tabernacle. Mr. Ennis was a husband, carpenter, World War II veteran, mechanic, Hammond B3 organ player, Bible teacher, and spoke Spanish as a second language. Later in his life Travis would encounter other mentors such as Dr. Bill Bennett, founder of Mentoring Men for the Master (Wilmington, DE) and the late Lieutenant Colonel Gregory O. Evans, retired Army.Travis holds an MA degree in Online Instructional Design from Capella University and is presently pursuing a doctorate from Master’s International University of Divinity (MIUD). Travis was also ordained as Minister and Elder in his former church Practical Living Ministry of Woodbridge, VA. Travis received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Christian Life School of Theology which was founded by Dr. Ron Cottle. Later Travis continued his studies by taking a few courses at one Dallas Theological Seminary satellite campuses where he gained additional understanding of the Bible. Travis continues to read, research, and apply principles that pertain to everyday life. He believes in a relationship with God, NOT religion, which has brought harm to many good people.Travis is a Certified Professional Life Coach, (CPLC) and has experience in training, developing, and creating applicable courses. His skills, talents, and speaking abilities have allowed him to train in various places such as intelligence communities, the Pentagon, and with men's groups. Today Travis continues to be mentored by mature men in his life, as he mentors others.Travis has been married to his wife, Terri, for over 26 years and has been blessed with three beautiful children. He is an active minister in his local church, Mclean Bible Church, located in Northern Virginia. In 2015 he published his first book, "A Good Word for Every Day," and he is currently working on his fifth book.

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all of my mentors who taught me formally and informally at the barbershop. There have been men like ‘Baba’ who taught me how to develop my chess skills and about my heritage as a Black man. He introduced me to Mr. Hakim of Hakim's Bookstore and Gift Shop located in West Philly when I was a teenager.

I would also like to mention Zak who allowed us to record the ‘Fathers and Mentors: Barbershop Series’ which can be heard on the podcast along with additional content for those who wish to grow. https://www.agoodword4today.com/

Finally, to all of the people who have never walked into a barbershop outside of their ethnic group or have never taken the time to walk in the shoes of another man, shame on you! We are all a part of one race, the human race.

For more information about the author, including workshops and personal male biblical mentoring, go online to: https://www.agoodword4today.com/

Also listen to my podcast: https://anchor.fm/Agoodword4today.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Disclaimer: The names of the characters in this book have been changed to protect the innocent.

Thank you to all of my supporters who encouraged me to continue to write.  I also want to acknowledge those who came to the website and listened to the podcast, watched the videos, purchased merchandise, and much more.

I am not writing to sell products but to change lives. How can I partner with you to change lives? Reach out to me: [e-mail]

I take no credit for any graphics, but I have permission to use them for the purposes of this book.

Narrow-minded people have one perspective. You must learn to protect yourself, observe the signs, learn how to communicate to them that they are tripping, and don't get addicted and caught up in their drama. You have to weigh your pros and cons. What are your nonnegotiable ideas in this relationship? What are they? Have you had those discussions about reoccurring things that come up in your relationship that you have been ignoring? God cannot use a hard heart, fixed attitude, and stubborn thinking. A person needs to be open to God's will. Have you ever heard the story of the Sower, or should I say the farmer, talked about in the Bible? Let's take a journey.

Barbershops have been a long-standing fixture within Black communities for decades. They have become beacons of hope, friendship, and spiritual enlightenment—a place where people from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can freely share and express their thoughts and ideas without judgment.

For many Black men in particular, barbershops are safe spaces to discuss issues that directly impact their lives and the lives of their families: racial profiling, police shootings of me, racial discrimination in the workplace, and so much more. Today, in some areas, it is common to find men and women of various ethnic groups doing excellent jobs with the clippers. This has opened the door to hear a woman’s perspective and wisdom on topics that may arise.

For more information about the author and for workshops and personal biblical mentoring go online to:

https://www.agoodword4today.com/

Also listen to the author’s podcast:

https://anchor.fm/Agoodword4today

Introduction

Have you ever heard the story of the Sower, or should I say, the farmer?

My mother once told me a story about planting seeds in her garden; she told me that planting seeds is like planting ideas in the heart. Please consider the story of the Sower from the Bible. The story begins with the farmer planting seeds in his field. The seed represents God's Word; we represent the soil. Some of God's Word takes root in us, and His will grows within our soul. However, some of God’s Word is lost, carried away by the wind and choked by the weeds of life. God gives us the ability to make our own decisions in this life. God has taught me these three blind spots that have caused me not to see when He is speaking to me:

We Have to Learn How to Hear

The issue does not lie with God's message; rather it is my lack of ability to understand and discern what He is saying to me. To walk in God's kingdom, I need to follow His will and not my own agenda. The daily challenges we encounter in our lives represent the concerns in our lives: family, relationships, finances, and fitness. I must strive to continually apply God's principles to enhance my purpose on this earth.

Well, I like this translation, said Zachery (who spoke with a strong Alabama accent). It speaks to me, and I ain’t studied the Greek, Hebrew, nor Aramaic languages.

Listen! A farmer goes out to plant seeds in his fields. However, as he was planting the seed, some of it