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!