Merry CHRISTmas - Part II

As promised, I am back to add some more of my Christmas reflections. But before I do, let me assure you that my thoughts about how the world handles Christmas has in no way taken away my Christmas JOY! I guess because I am truly grateful for God's gift and no matter how much the world tries to distort, destroy, or demean the Christmas celebration, the significance is still there. But while I am very merry, I do find some things quite interesting and thought provoking. With that disclaimer out of the way, let's pick up where I left off.

5 - Cancelling Church on Christmas day - In case yall didn't know, Dec. 25 falls on a Sunday. Yep and there are churches all over who are cancelling service or having service on Christmas Eve. Now I am proud to say that my church will not be cancelling service. In fact, it doesn't matter what day Christmas falls on, we have a Christmas Day service in honor of Jesus. He is the reason, right? If this is correct, then what better way to celebrate than with a Sunday service. Kinda of like Easter in the Winter! But perhaps, the pastors of these churches, don't think folks will show up. Figure they will be home letting the kids open gifts brought by "Santa Claus". Nothing wrong with letting the kids open the gifts. But if Jesus is the reason, then perhaps the gifts can wait. Oh I hear ya...these kids don't want to wait until after church. They must open their presents right away. Well, if these kids are like me as a child, I was up at about 4:30 am or 5:00 am on Christmas day. I think there is plenty of time to open gifts and get ready for church.
But if attendance is the issue, then perhaps they should check out Matthew 18:19 -20. Jesus said:
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

So if only the pastor and the first lady show up, then they can have church and celebrate Jesus' birth. Collection might be a little low but hey you can get'em on next Sunday!

6 - Mourning the Living! - Now this particular reflection has nothing to do with Christmas but more to do with our soldiers in Iraq or other war zones. This has been something I have wanted to write about but didn't have time. But since I have you attention, I figure now is as good as any time to share. What do I mean by mourning the living...let me 'splain. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak with a young man about 23 who has just gotten home from Iraq. Pretty sharp kid and eventually I got around to asking him if he went to church. His answer was no, because he was an agnostic (believes there might be a higher power) borderline atheist (believes there is no God). Nope, I was not shocked or appalled and I didn't run and hide. What I did do was continue the conversation just to get a better understanding of where he was coming from.

What I learned from this young man, who told me prayer doesn't work, was that he felt life is what is and then you die. No point in hoping or praying about stuff. Imagine listening to a 23 year old talk like that. No hope, no light at the end of the tunnel. It was very sad. He equated fighting the war in Iraq and killing people to playing a video game. At least he said that is how he looked at it which makes it easier to kill without becoming emotionally involved. And then he added that they weren't really sure why they were there (contrary to what the Powers that be would have us to believe). These men and women are over there losing their souls because of duty not because they believe in the cause. And I pause to shake my head...

Yes, it is tragic that men and women are dying. But no amount of protests can bring them back. My concern is for those who survived like the young man I described who come back to the US with such a dismal outlook on life. And I am sure he is not the only one. These are young people (cause they don't want the old ones, Thank God!) over there and coming back changed forever. I am sure they see their friends and collegues dying, some of which probably prayed daily. Maybe that is why the young man doesn't think prayer works. As a frequent prayer and miracle recipient, I can assure you prayer does work...

The churches today are full of sermons about about being prosperous, living a good life, overcoming, etc...Oh no doubt we need this kind of talk in order to make it from day to day but I am not sure this is the kind of sermon that will help someone like the soldier I described. Who's going to be there for these soldiers when they come home hopeless and empty? It is just my personal opinion that we should be alittle less self-centered in our worship and more people-centered. God loves everyone not just those sitting in the pews on Sunday. And He charged us to be his foot soldiers here on earth to spread the good news.

I am not sure why the following scripture, in particular verse 22, came to mind as I typed this and I am not sure how it applies directly but perhaps if I think about what Jesus is saying, it will be more clear. Again I go to Matthew 8:18 - 22 (Matthew seems to be working for me lately...)


18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
21Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
22But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Well I want to take the opportunity to say Merry Christmas! to all the troops in Iraq. They probably won't see this blog but I am putting it out there anyway. And as you, dear reader, celebrate with your family do not take that time for granted. If you are truly celebrating Christmas, say a little prayer for those who survive this war. Pray for their physical, emotional, and definitely spiritual health.

Merry CHRISTmas - Part I

Well, it's Christmas time and (oh yeah I did say CHRISTMAS) and everyone is getting all jolly and decking the halls. Of course for me, this time of year is a time for reflection and as I reflect, I figure I may as well share my reflections with you all. And of course, my reflections are usually atypical but I suspect that you all know that by now.

So what's on the Easterbaby's mind during Christmas. Well several things so you may want to schedule a break. Just kidding! (or not)...

1 - Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas - Not sure how you feel about this but I choose to stick with Merry Christmas because as a Christian, it is the holiday I choose to celebrate. I am all for political correctness in certain situations but as an UNAPOLOGETIC Christian, I disregard all that political correctness stuff. Why? Am I rude? Nope. Now if I was strapping on bombs and blowing up people for my beliefs, then you might say I was rude. Am I going to get bent out of shape because people say Happy Holidays to me? Naw, my feeling is, that the whole controversy is another trick of the enemy to distract us from the real celebration. So I say Celebrate Christmas and be merry and don't worry about how the world sees you. Jesus says:

Matthew 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

So as long as you profess being a Christian, you will be hated and misunderstood anyway...Get used to it.

2 - The Nativity Scene - Yeah I had one and I put it up every Christmas. I had the African American version and at the time I got mine, these were rare so I thought I was really doing something when I bought it. Where is it now? I am not sure but I don't display it anymore. Don't get concerned...I still love Christmas and I still love black people but as I grow in my Christian walk, I have learned how misleading this little scene is. And as I often hear from one of my schoolmates and loyal blog reader, "if you are gonna do it, do it right".

First off - A few years ago, I learned after over 20+ years the wise men were not at the birth of Christ. Yeah I bet you are just as shocked as I was to realize this. I mean how many countless Christmas pageants had I been in and there they were with the gold, frankincense and myrrh. Well, I certainly would not lay something so heavy on you without the facts to back it up. So let's go to the book of Matthew (emphasis mine).

Matthew 2
The Visit of the Magi
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."
7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

So the Magi found the Christ child, noticed the bible says Child and not baby, in a house with just his mother. There is no mention of Joseph. Which means they didn't find him in a manger where both Joseph and Mary were. Also, according to the time the Magi told Herod, Jesus was at least a toddler why else would order the killing of boys 2 years and under. But the wise men aren't the only problem...

This past weekend, my aunt, Rev. Bell made some pretty profound statements about the birth of Jesus and I must say after listening to her and thinking about this navtivity scene...Hmmmmmm, I have a few more observations. For instance, I have never had a baby but I imagine that Mary wouldn't be looking so fresh as she does in these scenes. I mean, she just had a baby without pain killers on the floor of a stable. And as my aunt, Rev. Bell pointed out...the manger (which is a feeding trough) was probably not as clean as we like to think or show with the bright golden hay.

Another thing is, these scenes always show a little baby that looks about 3 or 4 months old with his eyes wide open and hands outstretched. Now I have seen many newborns and none of them look like the baby Jesus in the manger scenes.

So I guess you are wondering why I make a point to bring this all up. #1 - Contrary to what the world believes, being a Christian is not for the weak. Look at Mary and Joseph. She was unwed and pregnant with an unbelievable story as to how she got that way. Then she had to give birth in a stinky, stable. Joseph had to have faith that what Mary told him was true and marry her pregnant and then deliver the baby in the stable. I say, we would be hard pressed to find a man and woman who could handle this type of pressure. #2 - If we misrepresent the nativity without a thought, what else do we do as Christians that misrepresent God. I bet lots of things. Like I mentioned before, if you are gonna do it, do it right.

But don't get me wrong, just because I choose not to display my lovely nativity scene doesn't mean you can't display yours. It is a personal choice for me. And besides, this nativity issue is minor compared to what we have really done to Christmas.

3 - Here comes Santa Claus - Oh yeah I am going there! Now I know what yall are going to say...Sherry you don't have kids so you can't understand why I must let my child believe in Santa Claus. You are right, I don't understand. Sure, I was told there was a Santa Claus and I even got a few pictures with the jolly old dude. But that was my parents choice. When I do have children, there will be Christmas but there will be no Santa Claus. Why? Because if gifts are given, the children will know I bought them. That's right, give credit where credit is due. Also, when kids find out you lied about Santa, will they doubt your word as you try to explain to them about God or Jesus??? Are you following me on this? Now I was a pretty bright kid and I didn't associate finding out Santa wasn't real with there being no God. But the world was a pretty different place. Nowadays, our children need to know who God is more so than who Santa Claus isn't. I know it is cliche but JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON. Once again, you do what you have to do for your house and your children. One favor though, when I have a child, promise not to call child protective services on me okay?

4 - Are the needy only needy during Christmas? - Oh we go all out to prove to ourselves we are kind, caring people during Christmas with our "adopt-a-family" programs and "feed the hungry" campaigns. Who are we kidding? The other 364 days of the year, the needy still need US. I do share some guilt because I don't do all I should BUT I don't do anymore at Christmas than any other time of the year. When and if I am presented with an opportunity to help then I do it and that might be on June 25. What's my point? My point is, sure Christmas is a time for giving because God gave us the best gift. However, if we were really interested in showing God our appreciation, we would make a point to take care of those less fortunate more often than just during Christmas...

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Well, I think I will end here and give you all a break. But I have more to say, as always, so I hope you can join me here real soon for more.

Until then Merry CHRISTmas!

Being Thankful

Well Thanksgiving is two days away and there are plenty of things to be grateful for. I want to share with you a few things I am thankful for. But this is no ordinary list. I mean of course I am grateful from my family, friends, health, common sense, salvation, etc...that generally goes without saying. But I feel the need to tell you of some things I am thankful for that most people probably take for granted. So here we go:

1 - I am thankful for caffeine. Now I now somebody is saying caffeine is not good for you which is true but these past couple of weeks, caffeine in the form of tea and soda has been there for me. Oh yeah, I went the coffee route with a double shot of expresso one day. That really got me going. Hmmmmm...should coffee be legal?

2 - I am thankful for gift cards. With the holidays coming, the crowds are growing. I am so glad I can just pop into a store and buy a card and leave the other bewildered shoppers to eat my dust. Plus you don't have to pay tax on a gift card...what's not to love? Oh I can hear somebody say that's sooooo impersonal. Okay...when you receive your gift card this Christmas, please send it to me, I would hate for you to keep such an impersonal gift.

3 - I am thankful for drive through car washes. I hate for my car to be dirty but either because of time or laziness (I say time), I am not able to wash my car myself. Sure I sacrifice having all the bugs and dirt removed and the windows not being smeared, but what can give me a better warm fuzzy than being able to hand the car attendent a whole $1 after I have walked around the car a couple times inspecting and pointing to left over drops of water. The smile they give me is priceless.

4 - I am thankful VCRs are still cool. Don't get me wrong, I have a DVD player but it has the VCR on it and I am still able to record "All My Children". Streaks, lines, bad video...I get all that but nothing like being able to fast forward through commercials. An hour long show without commercials is 40 minutes. So in essence the VCR put an extra 20 minutes back in my life.

5 - I am thankful for "e-cards". Now if you can't see the benefit in this...something is wrong. How cool is it to send someone an animated card for just about any occassion without buying a stamp (BTW - e-cards are probably the reason the price of stamps are going to $0.39) But what can I say, e-cards are the way to go. But never fear, I still intend to send out my Christmas cards the old fashion way because it's what I do.

6 - I am thankful for automated change machines. Have you ever used one of these? Long gone are the days of getting those little paper coin rollers and putting one finger in the end so you can get the pennies to go in flat. This usually takes a few tries. But NO MORE! You take your change and dump it in the machine and it counts it and gives you a receipt. Well there is a catch. You pay like $0.08 on the dollar. But hey show me a convenience you don't pay for.

7 - I am thankful for alarm clocks on cellphones. If naps mean nothing to you then this ain't gonna mean much. But if you have to take naps, let's say at your desk at school and you want to be sure and wake up before your next class...just set your little alarm on your cellphone and WA-LA...Ring Ring Ring. You are up and outta there. Piece of advice, I would not try this on the job, napping can get you fired.

8 - I am thankful I am not a teenager in 2005! For one, is it me or are the young people today more funny looking? And whoever said each generation gets weaker and wiser is probably not alive today. Weaker and whacked is more like it. All I can say is some may see getting older as not so good but think back to the good ol' days and you'll be glad you got some years under your belt.

9 - I am thankful for the online bible. Oh I bet whenever I added bible verses to my blog, yall thought it was just coming outta my head, right? "That Sherry knows her bible" I can hear yall now. I do know a little bit but I am no bible scholar. What I do know is how to go to www.bible.com and do a search on key words. (Free plug for the website...check it out and you too can amaze your friends!)

10 - I am thankful for BLOGS! I could not have ended this list without a shout out to the blog makers of the world. Where else can I let everyone know what is on my mind and not have to worry about being interrupted?

Oh yeah, I am thankful for you too dear readers! Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

No Bling Bling???

I used to love the NBA. Remember MJ! Ahh yes...But now, if I never see another game, I will be okay. Why has my attitude become so callous? Glad you asked...

I am so tired of hearing about the NBA players complain because they have to where suits to work. SO WHAT? People who work at McDonalds have to wear uniforms for a lot less money. I am sure they would like to wear their regular clothes too if they could. And if you have ever worked in a restaurant, you know how those uniforms start to smell even after a good washing. I remember I had a job at the Limited and in order to work there you had to wear their clothes. Now, the Limited was never a cheap store plus I was in college so spending money on that brand when I had perfectly good clothes seemed ridiculous. But I needed a job and they hired me. So I bought and wore their clothes to work. Now I know NBA players make more than the $4.25 I made at the Limited.

So if I had them in a room, I'd stand on a chair so I could be eye level and yell "Quit your whining, you big babies and go buy some suits! It is only when you are on the job anyway. You don't see McDonalds employees sporting those smelly uniforms at the mall."

Like I heard a radio DJ say, when you work for someone else, you gotta follow their rules. Now why don't these multi-millionaires spend less money on the bling and put it together to start their own league then they can run it how they want.

Now I read online some players say asking them to conceal their bling was racially motivated. NO...not responding to Katrina's inner city stranded is racial. A SC educator refering to black children as "yard apes" is racial. Saying that aborting all the black babies would lower the crime rate is racial. If these guys want to rally around a racially motivated cause I am sure there are plenty. As much as I like wearing my earrings, when I interned at Phillip Morris, I could not wear them...But I didn't call for the ACLU to plead my case.

Anyway, if the NBA players of today want to know what real bling is, tell them to ask MJ who has 6 NBA championship rings. That is really the bling they work for, right? Or is it not about the winning anymore just the money?

Wal-Mart or Target?

This past Saturday in my book club meeting, the ladies had a discussion of which department store was better - Wal-Mart or Target? Well, if you all know me, then you know I am not about to say Target is better - oh no. In fact, I am going to give you undisputable evidence why Wal-Mart is better than Target. So here goes the TOP TEN: (just like David Letterman)

10 - Target has a "bullseye" and a dog with a bullseye on his eye as a logo. As opposed to the Smiley face that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. A bullseye is not a good thing - okay people! Just ask that man in the silhouette at the shooting range! If I had a bow and arrow, that dog's eye would be toast!

9 - Wal-Mart has an endless supply of cash registers like "25" to Targets "5". No, they are not all open but they are there if ya need 'em! And they have self-checkout registers too! Ha!

8 - Wal-Mart has real GROCERIES. Target has some junk food and some high price toilet paper.


7 - Wal-Mart has hypnotic powers. When you go in for one item, unknowingly, you will come out with about 20 more things you suddenly "realize" you need.

6 - Wal-Mart has 2 bathrooms. If you can't catch the one in the front of the store, you can always hit the one in the layaway section. An abundant supply of bathrooms are very important to me...

5 - Wal-Mart has an automotive shop. You can get cheap tires, cheap oil changes- any car, any time. And you can pay for all the stuff you were hypnotized into buying while you waited, at the automotive cash register.

4 - Wal-Mart gives you those little umbrella baggies when it is raining...You know so the water won't run on the floor making it all slippery. Now if they give you something to put on your wet feet, they would really have a concept.

3 - Wal-Mart is a perfect place to practice "diversity" training. You can find just about any ethnicity you want in Wal-Mart. It is like the "melting pot" of department stores. All they need is the Statue of Liberty with the Smiley face of course!

2 - Wal-Mart has lower prices than Target on every item any day of the week! Hands down!

AND NUMBER ONE REASON WAL-MART IS BETTER THAN TARGET....drum roll puh -leeze...

1 - Wal-Mart has "Wal-Mart greeters"!!! A position in which I aspire to hold in my golden years. "Welcome to Wal-Mart! Need a buggy?"

*This blog is dedicated to the Target lovers in the Piedmont-Triad R.A.W. SISTAZ book club!

Serving 2 Masters

“I see life as both a gift and a responsibility. My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help his people in need.”—Millard Fuller

Who is Millard Fuller? Good question...He is the founder of Habitat for Humanity. I was watching The Today Show and all last week they were building houses through HFH for the Hurricane victims. This morning, they presented a family with the keys to what will soon be their new home. I believe it is a wonderful organization and I have on a few occasions been able to help build one of these homes. YES! There is a family who has a window installed by yours truly and some nails holding up the roof. Scary thought, right?

Anyway, I have heard the story of Mr. Millard Fuller awhile back and I thought it would be interesting to share. Here's the link to the entire aritlce but I wanted to provide an excerpt:

http://www.habitat.org/how/millard.aspx

A Life Changed by God:
From humble beginnings in Alabama, Millard Fuller rose to become a young, self-made millionaire. A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and the University of Alabama Law School at Tuscaloosa, he and a college friend began a marketing firm while still in school. Fuller’s business expertise and entrepreneurial drive made him a millionaire at age 29. But as the business prospered, his health, integrity and marriage suffered.These crises prompted Fuller to re-evaluate his values and direction. His soul-searching led to reconciliation with his wife and to a renewal of his Christian commitment.

The Fullers then took a drastic step: They decided to sell all of their possessions, give the money to the poor and begin searching for a new focus for their lives. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a Christian community located near Americus, Ga., where people were looking for practical ways to apply Christ’s teachings. The Seed Is Planted With Koinonia founder Clarence Jordan and a few others, the Fullers initiated several partnership enterprises, including a ministry in housing. They built modest houses on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes. Homeowner families were expected to invest their own labor into the building of their home and the houses of other families. This reduced the cost of the house, increased the pride of ownership and fostered the development of positive relationships. Money for building was placed into a revolving fund, enabling the building of even more homes.


The bible says the following about money.
Matthew 6:24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (NIV)

This verse pretty much explains why Mr. Fuller's, while becoming rich, life was taking a turn for the worse. I know what some of yall are thinking? If his marriage was on the rocks, why didn't he just leave? That is the easy way out and I think he realized what was most important in his life and it wasn't the money. Oh but I wonder how hard it was for them to sell all they had. Despite what has been said, being a true Christian is not for wimps! What did Jesus ask the rich man to do? But he couldn't do it.

Mark 10: 20 - 25 - 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Kudos, Mr. Fuller for being obediant! For the skeptics, I must say the benefits and rewards of his actions, speak for themselves. http://www.habitat.org/

Next time you forsake what you hold nearest and dearest, whether it be family, friends, or your morals, to earn an extra dime, remember Millard Fuller and this piece of scripture:

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)

Ball of Confusion

The song "Ball of Confusion" was written in 1970. Not doubt the Tempts were addressing the choas in the world during those times. But I must say that the 21 century has about as much choas as any other era of the history of the United States of America. This may not be the opinion of others older than me but I can only speak on what I know. Anyway, I found the words to the song Ball of Confusion and thought I would see if anything had changed from 1970 until 2005. You know there are those who think we have progressed. We're so much better off because of technology and so much smarter than back then. Hmmmmm...I don't know about that. True, things are made to be more convenient but has the world gotten any better morally or spiritually - I tend to say No. Anyway, let's look at the song...my opinions are in RED!

The Temptations—Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 1970

People movin' out,
People movin' in.
Why, because of the color of their skin
Well, so much for overcoming Racism...Not much has changed there (i.e. Federal repsonse to Hurricane Katrina victims).

Run, run, run, but you sho' can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
Gotta get that revenge. Everybody was all fired up after 9/11 to go to war with Osama Bin Laden. So GWB sends troops to IRAQ! Hey, wait a minute...is Osama in Iraq?

Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Vote for me or I will just steal some votes. Either way, I win!

The only person talkin' about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Is anybody really talking about love thy brother?
And do teachers still care about learning? Teachers may be more interested if parents would parent, they made more money and had military survival training to protect themselves from these out of control children of the corn.

Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration,
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
Segregation - yep in the school systems and especially on Sunday! Obligation to our nation - yes soldiers - You signed up voluntary remember so you have no right to question why we are at war. At least that is what the war supporters are going to tell you. They'll say "Free Iraq and bring back some oil...if you die, it's your duty to your country. And if you come home hurt, you might get some assistance."

Oh yeah, that's what the world is today, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
the sale and the price...without medical insurance you may as well hang it up.

Young folks walkin' around with their heads in the sky
and their pants below their butts showing their ol' raggedy underwear...

The cities aflame in the summertime and, oh
The beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul
We can't even stop little kids from getting guns shooting each other. What makes us think we can exercise gun control in the nation?

Shooting rockets to the moon
Tax dollars at being utilized to the fullest. Let's go to the moon, who cares if the earthlings are starving!

Kids growing up too soon
and not getting the proper beat downs...Hello...psychiatrists, time out is not working!

Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
If more taxes didn't fix things then why are we still saying they will in 2005.

So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Read the book of Revelations and you will know where the world is headed.

Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion, oh yeah
That's what the world is today, hey
"Great googamooga!" I didn't know that phrase was in a song!!!

Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment's rising fast,
WHOA if this ain't 2005, I don't know what is!

The Beatles' new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live
Is in an Indian Reservation
Funny that the reservation is the safest place to live considering the Native Americans were called "savages".
And the band played on

Eve of destruction, tax deduction
City inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand
Population out of hand
Suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills,
People all over the world are shouting "End the War"
People are still shouting "End the War". In fact, they are marching in DC as I type this blog!

And the band played on
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion,
That's what the world is today (in 2005), hey
No progression as far as I can see from then to now. How is that possible?

Hurricane Kat - No Greater Love

Yes, I am still actively watching the developements of the victims of FEMA...oops! I mean Hurrincane Katrina. I watch not because I like to see the suffering but I am so touched by all the love expressed to these people by others. Strangers - black, white, green, purple - the color doesn't matter, they are lending a helping hand. Homes' doors have been open to strangers. I saw where one man came to Houston saying he was going to get jobs for people at his car dealerships. One family has taken in 20+ people. Even the celebs are stepping up, not with just money but with their time. Needless to say, I turn into a bigger cream puff with each touching story (but don't tell anybody, they may think I'm soft)...

All this makes me think about the WORD of course. I think the way we are acting towards each other now, is how we are suppose to act all the time. After 911, Americans grew closer to each other and called on God's name. It lasted for about 5 minutes...Then we were back to being selfish, loveless, and caught up in our own worlds...but the bible warned us about this type of behavior...

2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5 - 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

WHOA! Does that sound like the world we live in or what? But guess what, I guess God must see something in us that we don't see in ourselves. I guess because He made us and His spirit is in us whether you believe in Him or not. You see, God is Love and since we were made in his image, then we must be love too. Basically, we are all made to love but because of sin, we make choices not to love. We think we have it all figured out but our Creator knew from the beginning and he knows what's in us. It is just we get stubborn so it takes a tragedy for to reveal what we are really made of.

If you ask me (I mean you didn't but that's besides the point), it takes more than just "doing my job" to be able to spend days without food and water in awful, dangerous conditions trying to save the lives of people you don't know, at the risk of dying yourself. I have seen people quit jobs for less stress than that. What makes a person open their home to 10 to 20 people some of which are strangers? What makes a man sleep in a hospital without food, water, lights with stranded dogs because he made a promise to the families to take care of their pets? It takes more than just guts for 3 college students to drive from NC to the Gulf Coast and risk being arrested for faking Media ID passes to get past the National Guards in order that they might rescue some stranded flood victims. What makes your heart ache for complete strangers who are suffering?

It is not a mystery and these aren't trick questions. It is because of love. And with the world being so messed up, we might forget we even know how to or want to show love to our fellow man. But God knows what is in us and that is what He asks of us. Now that we know we can do it, let's just do it and put aside the other foolishness.

John 15: 12 - 13 says: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Hurricane Kat - The Aftermath

Well, I can say this has been one week that I wish could be erased from the history books. I have been so drawn to the stories although it is really made my heart heavy. Of course, the more upset I get about the rescue efforts overall, as individuals, people are really stepping up. So when I feel down about it, I think of the real heros and heroines and I feel better. I have had a lot to ponder over this week and of course I have come to share my thoughts with you all. Because #1- you guys are great listeners and #2 - that's what the blog is for...

Warning - This is gonna be a long blog. I may have to have a sequel and a pre-quel like Star Wars.

1 - I realize that I have alot to be thankful for and nothing to complain about. I mean we thought about the stuff we complain about on a daily basis. Let's say, traffic was heavy this morning on your way to work or wherever. Did you gripe about it? I know you did. Hmmmm...I guess it beats being stuck in a traffic jam trying to out run a Category 4 Hurricane, huh? Imagine being stuck and not knowing if you will get away in enough time.

Wonder if anybody grumbled about having to go to work today after getting a good nights rest? I guess it beats working around the clock for a week with no food, water, and in horrible conditions trying to save lives and being shot at. Not to mention, wading through water filled with dead bodies and diseases. Talk about something to complain about. If these things are not at your place of employment, then all I can say is be quiet and get to work!

Just the other day, I was in Wal-Mart irritated because they didn't have my beloved "LeBleu" bottled water. Why, why, why...was all I could think as I shook my fist at the WalMart security cameras. After my tandrum, I finally and reluctantly picked up some Aquafina. But I guess I should probably be grateful that there was any kind of water for me to drink considering bottles of water in New Orleans are hard to come by and would be greatly appreciated.

Your parents/children/relatives getting on your nerves. Did they drop by unnannouced for short visit? Were you upset? Perhaps they should have piled in 11, 12 deep with all they have in the world, no where to go and no idea of when they were leaving. And guess what, they don't have any money to help pay for anything they use in your house. Imagine! Makes getting ill about a brief unexpected visit sound trivial, huh?

Single women, you know how sometimes you complain about being lonely or when no man pays you any attention...wonder how the young lady felt as she got unwanted attention from young men who tried to rape her when all she wanted to do was survive and then have to watch her brother shoot one of the rapist in the head. Not getting noticed isn't so bad after all, huh?

We get upset when somebody lets out a little g-a-s in our presence which after 2 seconds, it gone. Wonder how we would feel if our whole environment was a neverending stench? Next time, roll down the car window and get over it...

Got anything to complain about? Yeah that's what I thought...

2 - Did anybody see Kanye West's comments? I stayed up as long as I could to hear what he said but fell asleep. But all was not lost because at 4:30 am I woke to hear Kanye say 'George Bush doesn't care about black people'...Ever wake up in the middle of the night and hear something crazy! That was absolutely the funniest thing I could have heard at 4 in the morning. But hey, he said what alot of people have been thinking since the 1st election. However, we say it at home or in the barber/beauty shops but on LIVE NATIONAL TV? If we never see or hear from Kanye again, we will all know why...can you say Jimmy Hoffa? (If you don't know who that is, get a history book)

3 - Harry Connick Jr. is my new best friend!!! I mean I liked him in Hope Floats and my friend/sister Stacy introduced me to the Harry Connick Jr Christmas CD and I thought, he's alright. But bless his heart, he's been down there wading in the toxic water saving people. He's so heartbroken. I just think when tragedy happens, being a celebrity means absolutely SQUAT! So remember that the next, you get caught up in what some crazy celeb does. I mean is this situation, has anybody thought about what Bobby and Whitney smoked or if Tom Cruise jumped on another sofa? You go Harry!

4 - The Governer of LA is not my new best friend. What's up with her saying she needed 24 MORE hours to decide if she need Federal help? HEL-LO? Okay LA citizens, when you all rebuild and move home and it is time to vote...I dare you to re-elect this woman.

5 - Ray Nagin the mayor of Nawlins is probably gonna go missing after this crisis. He cussed out er'body on a radio broadcast. I knew it would not be long before he snapped, because prior to his outburst, he was looking kinda crazy. You have seen those people with that borderline insanity look before. No...okay maybe I only hang out with psychos. Anyway, I am not being mean saying he's gonna go missing, he said so himself. See for yourself:

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said he's feeling better about his city, he feels confident he has gotten the attention of Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President Bush, but he said he fears the Central Intelligence Agency may take him out because he's been yelling at these officials.
He didn't say it once. He said it twice. Last night he told a reporter for the Associated Press: "If the CIA slips me something and next week you don't see me, you'll all know what happened."
Today he told interviewers for CNN on a live broadcast he feared the "CIA might take me out." - WorldNetDaily.com

Nagin, well, I guess you will be soon joining Kanye and Jimmy.

In reference to the above picture, what do you think either man is thinking in the picture above in their heads. Nagin is probably thinking "I just want to twist your hand right off your wrist" and GWB is probably thinking " ".... (Sorry Bush supporters, I had to go there!)

Well, this ends part one. More later. I still have plenty to say.

Hurricane Katrina

I am always in awe of the strength and damage caused by hurricanes. And it seems Katrina has left her mark on the southeastern USA. My heart certainly goes out to the people in LA, MS, and AL. I can only imagne based on the images on the news as to the devestation caused. Of course being who I am, I always find things to ponder or contemplate on in every situation and Hurricane Katrina is no different. Therefore, there are a few things that come to my mind as I watch her fury from the comfort of my warm dry home...

1. Who decides who gets to be the news journalist who has to report on the hurricane while standing in the hurricane? Do they draw straws? Do they pick on the rookies? Have you guys ever watch these folks? They are being blown all over the place but three things remain constant - (1) They will have one hand on the mic and the other trying to keep the hood of their rain jackets from blowing off. These folks are yelling in the mic "The winds are very strong..." NO KIDDING!!! We can tell by the fact they are being whipped mercilessly by the wind. And at what point do they realized they are soaked and keeping that little hood on doesn't really matter. (2) There will always be the faithful cameraman sidekick who doesn't seem to have a problem with the wind. Because the camera seems to capture every riduculous moment of the anchorperson. (3) These folks are invincible. 200 million casualties can be reported but you never hear of an anchorman death.

Here are some good ones:
One reporter, no kidding, stood outside and then finally said "I'm getting out of here, the roof of a building just blew right at my feet!" Does it really take almost getting hit by a roof to realize you shouldn't be standing outside? I mean if it is not okay for anybody else then hello???...but I guess that is where the invincibility factor comes in. Do they get hazard pay? I wonder if the networks have taken out a little extra insurance on these guys...

Or how about the idiot reporter who runs out into the storm and crouches behind a big blue mailbox so he "could see what was going on". HEL-LO, could he not see the 140 mile per hour winds? Maybe the flying debris or car floating down the street, wasn't indication enough. And he runs from under a sheltered of a building to hide behind a mailbox??? Why did they have all those people evacuate, they could have just called the USPS to bring in thousands of big blue mailboxes.

2. 25% of the oil comes from LA! Which means, just because Katrina didn't leave some of us homeless from the winds and rains...by the time the gas prices go up, we'll all have to sell our homes just to buy gas. If my monthly gas costs ever get higher than my car payment, I might have to buy a bicycle.

3. I bet those folks being housed in the Superdome aren't really concerned about race, religion, ecomonic status or any of the other things that causes racism in this country. They are all just 9000 hot, hungry, wet, red-blooded Louisanians, and as Brian Williams put it alittle "aromatic" which a nice way of saying a little "funky". Hmmmm, kinda sad that it takes something drastic to make us realize we are all the same.

4. THE LOOTERS! C'mon people. On the news, they show these looters pushing buggies full of stolen stuff through flood water. What in the world are they going to do with this stuff? Can you say "WATER DAMAGE!" So not only have they stolen stuff they won't be able to use, they are caught on tv doing it! So now they are going to jail. If you are gonna steal something, steal a boat!

5. Finally, man seems to have been able to do a lot of remarkable things, space flight, cloning, atomic bombs, miracle drugs, etc but stop a hurricane with its mighty winds and forceful downpours, I don't think so! Which lets us know, the CREATER of the Universe is still running things and we need not forget it!!!

Jeremiah 25:32 - Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 30:23 - Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

Amos 4:13 - For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.

Nahum 1:3 - The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

In God We Trust...

Earlier today I received an email which addressed the issue about "TRUST". What exactly is trust anyway? And can you ever say in all honesty, you trust someone 100%? I know for a fact that I have trust issues. I am working on it though but I can admit it. But I bet if some of you were asked, you would probably say "Oh yeah there are people, I trust completely" (i.e spouses, best friends, etc...) But I tend to think that there is a limit to how much we actually trust other people. What does this mean for our relationship with them if we admit we don't fully trust them?
Reason I say this, well, nobody is perfect so how could we say for certain, that this person won't do something to break our trust. The other reason I am a skeptic is because if you can say there are people you absolutely trust, then you most definitely gotta trust God, right? He is not a man that he should lie (Numbers 23:19). Okay this post may not be for everybody but for those of you who proclaim to have a relationship with the Lord, do you trust him?

Our US money says, IN GOD WE TRUST! (If you don't believe me, check out a coin, don't have one, I have provided one above for your visual inspection). What exactly does that mean considering we don't trust God with our money...(ex. tithes) And what does it mean when we ask God to deliver us from a situation and we continue to worry and dwell on it? And what does it mean when He told us He would fight our battles for us but we take up our own brand of revenge? And what does it mean when He told us in Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee but yet we still feel lonely or want what other people have instead of being satisfied with what we have. Or what does it mean when He tells us in Isaiah 43:25 - I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. But we find it hard to forgive ourselves for the sins we asked God to forgive us. Do we really believe He has forgiven us? None of these apply to you, hmmmm...

What about this? God says in Isaiah 53:5 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. But we run to the doctor for every ailment and pop a pill for every headache.

Don't get me wrong, I am stepping on my own toes. Like I admitted previously, I do have trust issues and until today I thought my issues were just with other people but the more I thought about it, I realize I must have a trust issue with God too. And that my friends, is not easy to admit...

Who wants to be Bobby Brown?

Yep, I know in an earlier post I said I would not watch the show Being Bobby Brown but I got coerced into watching not 1, not 2 but 4 episodes. So who has seen this show? Oh my goodness! This show is ridiculous and sad all at the same time. Okay let's start with Bobby. What happen to the "Mr. Telephone Man" Bobby? He is always drinking, cussing, and looking confused as Whitney talks trash to him. I can say he does spend time with his kids. He has four but for some seem to think he has more than that.

Although I don't think he can do anything with Bobby Kristina. Now I don't like to talk about children but could they please get that child a hairstylist. I mean her parents have money, or so they say...and I know there are some good hairstylist in Atlanta. But in the episodes I watched, she looked real thrown away. I think she must be raising herself. But she ain't going hungry cause little sistah girl doesn't look like she has missed a meal. But it's not the hair or the chubbiness that turns me off from this child. It is her smart mouth. When she said to her mother, "leave me alone before I hit you". I was like "oh no she didn't say that to her momma!" But considering the momma...

Now let's talk about Miz Whitney. She is a few people short of a full house if you know what I mean. I know yall think Bobby cause her ghetto-fabulousness but I don't think so. All she does is smoke and cuss. And what's up with the wigs? Now I can go up the road to Beauty World and get a serious no nonsense wig and look like a movie star. Her wigs look so raggedy and unwashed. Ugh...But I guess the same person who does Bobby Kristina's hair is doing Whitney's. And in all of the four episodes I watched, she was only looking decent once. The rest of the time, she just looked a hot mess. Poor Whitney! I hope since she he has been back to rehab, she has gotten herself together. I bet when she does get straight and she looks back on these shows, she will be like, Who in the world let me look and act like that?

All I can say is after seeing Being Bobby Brown, I can't say I would know why anyone would want to be Bobby Brown.

The NBTF, TJMS and Winston-Salem

It has been a minute since I have posted to this blog. But I got caught up in the festivities of the National Black Theater Festival, www.nbtf.org, held every 2 years here in W-S. Black Celebs from stage, screen, and tv come together to participate and enjoy black theater.

Now these plays are not the like those plays we are used to like "My man is a dog but I am still blessed and highly favored..." Yall know the type. These are very well written entertaining plays. I had the chance to see The Jackie Wilson Story again. It was very good. Chester Gregory II, who played Jackie has a awesome voice. After hearing him sing LIVE, it makes you wonder how these other raggedy artist (i.e. Usher, sorry I am not a fan) ever get recording contracts, while the real singers never get to reach the fame and fortune of these average singers (i.e. Beyonce - sorry I am not a fan). OT - I wish Whitney Houston would get herself together and save our ears. I refuse to watch "Being Bobby Brown." But I digress...

Anyway, I also saw a one man show called Emergence-SEE. It is hard to describe but it was about a slave ship appearing at the Statue of Liberty and the effect slavery, etc has had on black america. It was real deep and the brother had a lot of valid points. I just wish more young people could have been there to hear what he had to say. OT - there were so many white t-shirts, baggy pants, and gold teeth downtown W-S this weekend. For the life of me, I can't understand the fascination with gold teeth.

On Friday, if you listened to the Tom Joyner Morning Show, then you know he was airing the Sky Show from Winston-Salem. And the Winston-Salem-ites did turn out in glorious ghetto-fabulous fashion. Yep, I was there too. Tom, Jay, Sybil, Ms. Dupree and Myra J. were all there and we got to hear the bands Con-Funk-Shun, Midnight Star, and the SOS band. They all were real good. However, Midnight Star kept giving a shout out to "Greensboro". How can you not know what city you are in? But it was 6:00 am!!! Anyway, the show was very entertaining.

I was also able to see a few celebs (James Avery - Uncle Phil, Jeffery the butler both from Fresh Prince). And guess who? Ralph Carter, yes - Michael Evans, was in the house. I should have asked him to read my blog. Maybe he could have added some perspective to my Good Times topic. Anyway, I did not get to see my "boyfriend" Lamman Rucker, formerly on As the World Turns, currently on All My Children which is my fav. soap so I always got a tape ready to record.

Oh yeah, they had the International Vendors Market too. Now you know whenever you have a black event, you are gonna have vendors. No fish sandwich or cheap T-shirt stands though. These vendors had some expensive stuff!!! So I bought absolutely nothing!

Well, I guess I gotta wait until 2007 for the next festival. Maybe next time you can join me and we can become blinded by the GOLD TEETH together!

Oh yeah - one more thing - A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT:
Friends please don't let friends wear outfits that are too small or too tight! Just because it was made in your size doesn't mean you should buy it and wear it!

Is it true Wal-Mart?

Most of you who know me, know that I love Wal-Mart! And when I retire I am going to be a Wal-Mart greeter. Hey, you gotta have dreams!

But is Wal-Mart exploiting children? I hope it isn't so just like I hope Michael Jackson is really innocent. But I have to ask myself, if there comes hard core proof, will I stop shopping there? A life without Wal-Mart...I can't say I remember what that was like. How do they manage to outsell everyone else? Or is this a ploy to cripple Wal-Mart because they are dominating over the competition. Is this a ploy by TAR-GEY' I mean Target?

Wal-Mart is no different from anything else that exploits anybody. So why are they being targeted? There are alot of battles out there that need to be fought. One thing I can say for those who are opposing Wal-Mart, they are standing up and defending what they feel is right. Most of us talk a good game but when it comes down to it. We'll say "Wal-Mart is terrible for doing this" as we stand in the 20 items of less checkout line. I do have to punish Wal-Mart for bad business so maybe instead of going there 3 - 4 times a week, I will cut it down to 1 or 2. That'll show'em.

In all seriousness, what we have to decide is who is being hurt by the choices we make. If in fact, children are being used as cheap labor, then Wal-Mart needs to correct this ASAP and we should support those who have the guts to take a stand. We need to decide if saving a buck or two is worth it.

In the meantme, can somebody point me to the establishment which is doing everything right all the time, I need to shop there? I didn't think so.

You Go Condi!!!

Forbes magazine has published a list of the World's Most Powerful Women. And Dr. Condoleezza Rice was picked to be number one. Now I am not sure how you feel about her considering her affiliation with Pres. G.W.B. or her style (but the hair is improving). But if you are a woman and an African American woman, you gotta admit this is kinda cool. I mean, do you think in Dr. King's dreams that he saw a black woman named the most powerful in the world in the year 2005?

And when Forbes picked the women in the World, they weren't talking about the USA only. Sometimes I hate the "In the World Lists" because it only includes folks from the USA. And guess what, despite what we believe over here, we are NOT THE WORLD! Anyway, I digress...Condi tops a list of women who are running things all over the world such as in Wu Yi, the Vice Premier, former Vice Mayor of Beijing, China who is #2 or Megawati Sukarnoputri (I challenge anybody to pronouce that name) who is the President, Indonesia coming in at #8. Oh yeah, our girl Oprah is on the list too! Not sure what happen to my name...Must have just been an oversight. I'll contact Forbes after I finish this post...

So be sure the next time you see some young girl who is feeling like she is not going to make it, tell her she can be whatever she wants to be. Or if you as an adult are letting your circumstances put a block on your destiny then think of where we've been and where we are now. Not quite there yet but hey you gotta start somewhere! Anyway, think of Condi and know being #1 is attainable!!! No matter what color you are!

If a Man Wants You!!!

I received this email just today and I thought it was very interesting. I thought I would put it here and add my own spin to each "Do" and "Don't". But first off, have you ever wondered why it is necessary for women to keep reminding themselves about things like this. I wonder if men sit around and discuss or share emails on how to avoid being in a bad relationship with us women. But for some reason, we as women are always on guard and advising one another on how to avoid making mistakes. Of course, God said in his WORD through the Apostle Paul that there would be days like this. 2 Timothy 3: 1 - 7 says:

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

The original email is in BLACK...Any additional comments by me are in RED.

1- If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay. So for heavens sake don't think having a baby will keep him! Getting child support can be a nightmare.

2 -Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you but of course we sometime ignore what is being said because it is not what we want to hear.

3- Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be. First you gotta realize and accept that it's not meant to be.

4- Slower is better. What's that saying about the race is not given to the swift...

5 - Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. Unless that man's name is JESUS!

6 - If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Does this even work? Being friends that is...

7 - Don't settle. Enough said!

8 - If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Untie that knot! The days of Lynching are over!

9 - Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. You can by walking away then it's better!

10- The only person you can control in a relationship is you. And we don't even do a good job at that so what makes us think we can control somebody else.

11 - Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently? I ain't gonna touch this.

12 - Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Now why wouldn't you have your own set of friends? You need somebody to help beat him down if he acts up. His own friends ain't gonna help you do that.

13 - Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. I don't think any of the ladies I know will have a problem with this...

14- Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later. In other words, don't go telling him all your dirt cause he sure ain't gonna tell you all his! Unless of course that man is JESUS and he will never bring it up again. Psalm 103: 10 - 12 says: 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

15- You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within. Romans 12:2 says 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. YE means you not somebody else...

16 - Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are.... even if he has more education or in a better job. And don't think you are more important than him either for the same reasons...

17- Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Not sure what a quasi-god is...but hey don't but him on a pedestal cause he ain't perfect.

18 - Never let a man define who you are. How could he do that? Pray that you already know who you are.

19 - Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. I know there's some women don't really believe this...if they did they would not get mad when their "borrowed" man steps out on them.

20- A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. Chris Rock says watch how he treats his mama and you will know how he will treat you.

21 - All men are NOT dogs. TRUE!

22 - You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two way street. In other words, take the words "DOOR MAT" off your forehead!

23- You need time to heal between relationships...There is nothing cute about baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship. And we know we will take our issues and carry them around even after we asked God to put us at peace. Why do we do that?

24- You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals...Look for someone complimentary...not supplementary. Yeah cause two halves is 50% and 50% which means each person is missing 50% of something else.

25 - Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right. Yeah but after a certain age, dating can be a waste of time if it ain't going no where.

26 - Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him- he takes it for granted. Too late - we have cellphones!

27- Never move into his mother's house. Unless mama is rich and got a big ol' house with servants.

28 - Never co-sign for a man. Or co-sign with one unless he's your husband. At least that is just my opinion.

29 - Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get to know others. I guess this means it's okay to have your own "little black book" but don't be a hoochie mama!

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

One of my favorite hymns is "It is Well with My Soul" by Horatio G. Spafford. One day I was feeling alittle out of sorts, so I went online to find the words to this song to inspire me. Well, as I was looking I came across the story of Mr. Spafford and thought it was interesting at the point in his life in which he wrote this song. I now have a new appreciation for the words. Anyway, I was feeling pretty good today but there maybe someone who needs encouraging. So here is a brief history of Horatio Spafford and the Words to the song, "It is Well with My Soul!"

This hymn was written following a series of major traumatic events in the life of Horatio G. Spafford. The first was the death of his son. Shortly after the death of his son came the great Chicago fire of October 1871. Spafford had invested heavily in real estate along the shores of Lake Michigan and his holdings were wiped out by this disaster. Feeling a need for a vacation for his family and desiring to join his friends D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey in an evangelistic campaign in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. Due to a last minute business development, he remained in Chicago and sent his wife and four daughters ahead on the S. S. Ville du Havere. His plan was to join them a few days later. While crossing the Atlantic, their ship was struck by another ship and sank in a matter of minutes. All four of Spafford’s daughters died in the tragic accident. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks later, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired him to write the words to this beautiful hymn. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief may befall them on earth.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Discovery Crew - Please send food

Well, the Discovery has made it safely into outer space. Here at school, folks were gathered around the TV waiting for the ship to launch. I was asked if I was excited and wanted to see the launch. And I guess being in the engineering field, I probably should have been all up in the TV. But I told them no because I feel like the money can be used to do more here. Yes, Yes, research is good. At least I must think so since I am doing it...right?

But here's my feelings about this - couldn't those millions of dollars be used to feed some hungry children or provide some medication for the elderly who have to choose between food and medicine, or provide support the families of the troops overseas. None of these apply to you...well how about using the money to help lower the gas prices or pay the teachers more money to teach these unruly children!!!

Anyway, I hope while in space the crew of the Discovery will discover an abundant supply of space food that will end world hunger. If not, then perhaps we should evaluate our priorities on what is important...Is the USA, a sheep or a goat???

Matthew 25:31 - 46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Good Times Marathon

I have been watching the Good Times marathon on TVland all weekend. Right now I am looking at the Penny episodes where she is being abused. I remember watching that as a kid, and I was like scared of that mom and that iron. I don't know if I have ever looked at an iron the same. (that and the wire hangers - not from Good Times but that other mom beating kid movie...the name escapes me.)

Can you believe I fell asleep on the James is dead episode? I miss Florida's famous last words (yall know 'em so I won't repeat).

Anyway, what I have learned so far from this marathon:
(1) James Evans Sr. was an angry man. I don't know how Florida put up with that. It's a wonder he hadn't died way before he did from a heart attack.
(2) The family never locked the door because Willona always just walked in. This is funny since they live in the ghetto and always talked about crime.
(3) Janet Jackson was a pretty good little actress, what happen?
(4) If tv adds 10 lbs, I wonder just how skinny JJ really was?
(5) Inflation is something else! In one episode, James Sr. was exciting about making $4.35/hour. And in another JJ won $2500 in the lottery and the family thought they were rich! Nowadays, $2500 might get you a tank of gas!!!
(6) Hair pieces and wigs have come along way. Willona had some awful wigs.
(7) When Florida was on her honeymoon with Carl, JJ and Michael still slept on the couch! Wonder why? Florida's room was empty.
(8) After all the time spent cooking, wonder why Thelma's never improved? Like they say practice makes perfect.

If I learn anything else, I will let you know. The marathon isn't over yet!

Is it just BET?

Last week I saw on the news a story where one of the local ministers in my city is calling for a petition and boycott of BET. http://www.wfmy.com/search/search_article.aspx?storyid=45234

He is calling for BET to revise their programming for more educational programs and less videos and other programming with questionable material. Well, why I agree BET could do better (remember the days of Donnie Simpson- the good ol' days)...in fact I hardly even watch BET...but is a BET boycott fair? Let me explain...

My question when I heard of this preacher's efforts, is why stop there? There are alot of things wrong with tv. Not just BET. I mean there is so much garbage on tv on just about all the channels. Even the cartoon network, after a certain time at night, has garbage on it. Letters/petitions should be flying to every network (except maybe Disney, I think they may still be okay). Now I believe we are responsible as adults for what our children take in. And this includes the adults who work in entertainment. I wonder if they let their children watch some of the stuff they produce??? Anyway, I think it is unfair to blame only BET for corrupting our kids.

Whose fault is it when children kill?

I recently read this article entitled "8 year old charged in baby's death". In essense, a 8 year old boy kicked, punched and beat his 7 month old sister with a 2 by 4. Someone asked the question "Where is God when stuff like this happens? He knows what is going to happen before it happens..."

In response to the question, here was my opinion on the subject:

God is always here but the devil will use whoever to do whatever! That is why it is important for adults (not just parents - the community) to start teaching children about God as early as possible. It is still a matter of free will to make the right decisions even in an child. We can't blame God only ourselves because He has given us the WORD to follow and we don't. God gave us permission to chastise our children but we don't because we say its wrong. But what does God say?

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:15 - Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13 - Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

Proverbs 23:14 - Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 13:24 - He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 29:15 - The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

So now we have babies killing babies. I guess if it upsets us, wonder how grieved God is???

What are your thoughts?

WELCOME to my blog!

I finally have a place to put all the things that are on my mind. I usually send out bulk email when I have a thought and want to share but now I am a blogger. Welcome to my blog spot! I hope you have as much fun reading as I am sure I will have reading your responses. Sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride into the MIND OF THE EASTERBABY!