Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Foolishness of Pride!

I constantly pray to guard my tongue, heart, thoughts and soul to be careful of what I say not to offend others. I want to be treated the way I treat others. I do not always get the same treatment but I still try. I think I am in some control of my emotions but that is foolishness on my part. I am not always in control and my pride still gets the better of me. Pride lets you be stupid at the moment and then humiliates you later. Quoting Forrest Gump’s mother, “Stupid is as stupid does.” I have to pray unceasingly not to let the foolishness of pride take control. The sad part of pride allows others to take control of you. Be wary, my friend, stay alert at all times.

Obama Africanus the First - by Geoffrey R. Stone

Things to question

Obama Africanus the First

Geoffrey R. Stone 

Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago

I've been thinking lately about the persistently vituperative and insulting attacks on President Obama since 2008. It is, of course, commonplace in American politics for presidents to be lambasted for their policies, their programs, their values, and even their personal quirks. Sometimes the tone crosses the line. John Adams was accused by a political opponent of "swallowing up" every "consideration of the public welfare ... in a continual grasp for power." James Madison was demeaned as "Little Jemmy," because he was short. James Buchanan, who once declared that workers should get by on a dime a day, came to be mocked as "Ten Cents Jimmy."

John Tyler, who assumed the presidency after the death of William Henry Harrison, was ridiculed as "His Accidency." Congressman Abraham Lincoln castigated President James K. Polk as a "completely bewildered man." Opponents of Woodrow Wilson's reinstitution of the draft in World War I accused him of "committing a sin against humanity." Critics of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal attacked him as an "un-American radical." Richard Nixon was famously known as "Tricky Dick," and of course he was not "A Crook." At the height of the Vietnam War, Lyndon Johnson was excoriated by his opponents as a "Murderer" and a "War Criminal."

But no president in our nation's history has ever been castigated, condemned, mocked, insulted, derided, and degraded on a scale even close to the constantly ugly attacks on President Obama. From the day he assumed office -- indeed, even before he assumed office -- he was subjected to unprecedented insults in often the most hateful terms.

He has been accused of being born in Kenya, of being a "secret Muslim," of being complicit with the Muslim Brotherhood, of wearing a ring bearing a secret verse from the Koran, of having once been a Black Panther, of refusing to recite the pledge of allegiance, of seeking to confiscate all guns, of lying about just about everything he has ever said, ranging from Benghazi to the Affordable Care Act to immigration, of faking bin Laden's death, and of funding his campaigns with drug money. It goes on and on and on. Even the President's family is treated by his political enemies with disrespect and disdain.

If one browses even respectable websites, one can readily find bumper stickers, coffee cups, and tee-shirts for sale with such messages as: "Dump This Turd" (with an image of President Obama); "Coward! You Left Them To Die in Benghazi" (with an image of President Obama); "Somewhere in Kenya A Village Is Missing Its Idiot" (with an image of President Obama); "Islam's Trojan Horse" (with an image of President Obama); "Pure Evil" (with an image of President Obama); "I'm Not A Racist: I Hate His White Half Too" (with an image of President Obama); "He Lies!" (with an image of President Obama); and on and on and on.

Now, don't get me wrong. Every one of these messages is protected by the First Amendment, and people have a right to express their views, even in harsh, offensive, cruel, and moronic ways. We the People do not need to trust or admire our leaders, and we should not treat them with respect if we don't feel they deserve our respect. But the sheer vituperation directed at this President goes beyond any rational opposition and is, quite frankly, mind-boggling.

In part, of course, this might just be a product of our times. Perhaps the quality of our public discourse has sunk so low that any public official must now expect such treatment. Perhaps any president elected in 2008 would have been greeted with similar scorn and disdain. But, to be honest, that seems unlikely.

Of course, there are those who say that this phenomenon is due in part, perhaps in large part, to the fact that President Obama is African-American. But surely racism is dead in America today, right?

One fact that might lend some credence to the theory that racism has something to do with the tenor of the attacks on President Obama is that only one other president in our history has been the target of similar (though more subdued) personal attacks.

In his day, this president was castigated by the press and his political opponents as a "liar," a "despot," a "usurper," a "thief," a "monster," a "perjurer," an "ignoramus," a "swindler," a "tyrant," a "fiend," a "coward," a "buffoon," a "butcher," a "pirate," a "devil," and a "king." He was charged with being "cunning," "thickheaded," "heartless," "filthy," and "fanatical." He was accused of behaving "like a thief in the night," of being "the miserable tool of traitors and rebels," and of being "adrift on a current of racial fanaticism." He was labeled by his enemies "Abraham Africanus the First."

But, of course, race had nothing to do with it then, either.

Thanks in All Things!

In our seasons of challenges and adversities, let us find some time in our world of busyness to give thanks to the Almighty Father. There are people in our communities with only the clothes on their backs still able to smile to others who sometimes frown on them. Show your gratefulness by being kind and patient with others not only during this holiday season but throughout the year. Happy Thanksgiving!

RIP, Colonel Anna Amos!

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Birthday, Momma!

I miss you!

November 4, 2014, Please Vote!

If you complain about the system, do something about it, vote! Your vote does count. It will make a difference!

Women at Heart!

Valerie Burton, Columbia  Metropolitan Convention Center, September 20, 2014

Valerie Burton was in Columbia this weekend as the keynote speaker at the Women at Heart event. It was a free heart health forum and exhibition. Valorie is a life coach, author, and motivational speaker. She is also the founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute (CaPP). Even though we never met, our paths ran parallel because of her family and mine. My mother spoke very highly of Valerie. If Valerie is anything like her mom she is a beautiful person. I would like for you when you have the time to read some of her books and follow her web page.  She is very encouraging and inspirational. Thanks 'DV' for the picture!

Joe Sample - Old Places, Old Faces!!

Legendary pianist Joe Sample, who
was known for pushing the boundaries of jazz music, passed away Friday night in
his hometown of Houston
at the age of 75, his family announced on Facebook. The keyboardist, who
collaborated with artists like Miles Davis, B.B. King, Marvin Gaye and Steely
Dan, was best known as the founder of the Crusaders, a quartet that popularized
a soulful, funky sound in the 1960s and ’70s. Rest in Peace!

Cece Winans - More Than What I Wanted

Thank you!

We see miracles happen everyday but we do not notice them until they affect us or someone close to us.  I want to take the time to say thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Bates for being a miracle.  To God be the glory! God bless you and be with you, always!

Prayers in Time of Sickness!

Prayer in Time of Sickness

O Jesus, You suffered and died for us; You understand suffering;  Teach _(Name)_ to understand _(His/Her)_ suffering as You do; To bear it in union with You; To offer it with You to atone for _(His/Her)_ sins and to bring Your grace to souls in need. alm _(His/Her)_ fears;  increase _(His/Her)_ trust. May _(His/Her)_  gladly accept Your holy will and become more like You in trial. If it be Your will, restore _(His/Her)_ to health so that _(His/Her) may Work for Your honor and glory and the salvation of all men. Amen.

Mary, help of the sick, pray for me.

*** You may use this pray for others. If praying for yourself; (Name) and (His/Her) can be substituted with (Me).

Prayer for the Sick

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the Sick, we turn to You in this time of illness. O dearest Comforter of the Troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with Your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in Your hands. We place our sick under Your care and humbly ask that You restore Your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your holy will and know that whatsoever You do, You do for the love of us.  Amen                                         

Source: A Collection of Favorite Prayers

*NEW* Marvin Winans - Draw me Close to You / Thy Will be Done

What Am I Supposed To Do Now, Lord?

What are we supposed to do when we go through adversity?  We seek God’s answer through prayers and supplications but we still do not hear from Him. It seems the more time we give, the longer we wait.  I know that it is God’s timing not my own but I can not help it since I think worldly.  I also know for a fact that God has not brought me this far to leave me now.  When we get too comfortable we do not want to change.  In fact, in our comfort zones, we take things for granted and when you take things for granted you do not miss them until they are gone.  When we face a crisis, we tend to look at the crisis instead of looking at God who is bigger than our crisis. Sometimes we do not see the good in things because we are concentrating on the bad. We lose sleep, weight, cry and get depressed when something in our lives change from what we were used to.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat realized that he was about to face three armies and the odds were three against one.  Jehoshaphat realized his helplessness in the midst of this crisis. Fear gripped him because he knew that he could not stand against this united force. This great multitude was more than he could handle. He openly declares this to the Lord, "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us" 2 Chronicles 20:12. He recognized that he was helpless in this midst of this crisis. He acknowledged that he could not deal with this crisis on his own.  Jehoshaphat accepted the fact that he was helpless and nothing in his own power could change it.

This sense of helplessness compelled him to pray, "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." 2 Chronicles 20:3. He prayed because of his helplessness. And he did not mouth a superficial prayer. He prayed with intensity in this crisis. The text says that he "set himself to seek the Lord." He then proclaimed a fast. This fasting would only intensify his praying. He poured his heart out to God because He knew that only God could help. The root of this intense praying is his helplessness. That is why it is crucial to realize our helplessness in the midst of the crisis. The acknowledgment of our helplessness will drive us to pray. It will motivate us to seek the Lord and depend on Him for His strength, His solutions, and His direction. Helplessness is not a hindrance to prayer. It is actually a help to seeking God. Let our helplessness drive us to seek God. We cannot handle the crises of our lives and that we must pray as we face them and grow through them.

Our response to a crisis is often to find a solution. We try and work it out on our own to relieve the pain. Sometimes our pride makes us think that we can handle the crisis. Yet, our first response to a crisis should be to commit to seeking the Lord. The commitment of our heart must be, "Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are fixed on You." Our commitment must be to pray and wait on the Lord. There are times that God will answer us immediately in the midst of a crisis. Then, there are other times when God’s answer comes later. We live in an age of fast food, drive-through banking, and instant communication. We are used to instant gratification. As a child of God, we will be required to seek Him and wait on Him and His timing. Sometimes we will have to seek Him intensely and wait for Him. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7.

Jehoshaphat praised God in the midst of his crisis. He put his confidence in the greatness of God not in the power of man.  We need to do the same, concentrate on God’s character and love for us.  Remind him of the promises He made to us and accept His will.  The real pain is leaving our comfort zone for something better.  In the end, Jehoshaphat did not fight the battle, a loving and merciful God did.  In fact, God told Jehoshaphat to stand back and watch. God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer for help. His command was clear, "Listen, all you of Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. God promised victory if they would trust in Him and stand firm. They experienced victory because they sought God, listened to Him, and obeyed Him.  Keep in mind that our battles can be sickness, drug independence, financial, marital and other issues that can cause crises.

When we are in the midst of a crisis, we must remember whose crisis it is. We must understand that it is God’s crisis. It is God’s opportunity to work in powerful and unique ways in our lives. This is His occasion to reveal Himself in new and fresh ways to us. It is His circumstance to show us how much He loves us and cares for us. I am not saying that everything that happens to us is good. There are a lot of crappy things that can happen to us. The crises that we face in life can be agonizing and devastating. Yet, at the same time, they can be opportunities for God to work in us, speak to us, and change us. They can be times for God to show us Himself as never before in our lives. We do not have to drown in fear and discouragement in the midst of crisis. Understand that this is God’s opportunity to work in our lives. The crises may be bad, but God is good. No matter how hard life gets, God is always good and merciful. He can take the crises of life and use them for His own glory and our good.

Praise God for being the Potter who shapes and molds our lives even through adversity. Praise God for being the generous God who pours out His blessings on us in the midst of adversity. Praise God for being the giving God who supplies our needs even in the midst of crisis.

I love you and appreciate you. God bless!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Rest In Peace, Joan Rivers!

Joan Rivers dead at 81! The native New Yorker, who became almost as famous for her unapologetic love of plastic surgery as her barbed humor, never recovered after going into cardiac and respiratory arrest Aug. 28. Melissa Rivers decided to take her mother off life support at The Mount Sinai Hospital eight days after she arrived at the facility.

Opportunities!

I don’t know where this precept came from but think about how many opportunities we already missed. That's the joy of learning from experience, you are never too old to learn something new.

"Think about the people in

YOUR WORLD.

There will be opportunities

every day

for you to open your arms…

To the ones you love…

To the strangers you don’t know.

They just might see a light in you that

will give them a

reason to believe in something bigger

than themselves…

Someone bigger than us all.

That’s something…

Something

worth leaving behind."

Anon.

Look Unto Jesus!

We are challenged to look beyond things and people.  Things and people can distract us from our God-given purpose in life.  The enemy wants us to concentrate on what we are going through not beyond our situation.  We have come through some things that even caused us nightmares but we did. God sometimes put us in a position to confront our fears. God wants us to turn our fears into faith.  We need to look to Him not to things or people because they can not do what He can.  We innocently rely on the wrong sources.  Sometimes we have to disconnect from these sources and connect with Jesus! We may consider our “arrival” in society as being successful with all the accouterments that we acquired along the way.  We forget the people who prayed on their knees every night and stuck by us everyday for asking God to help us.  We do not have a clue what situations they were going through because of their selfless love and faith.  The first sign of struggle that we had to face we cried out our woes and lose hope.  The enemy wants to destroy us and wants us to think we are alone. What happened to our faith?  Many people have gone through worse stuff than we have and they still do not give up.  They are not alone! They know that God is with them. They know the author of their faith is Jesus.  What Jesus starts, He finishes!  If the Lord will not fix the problem, it can not be fixed.  Our problem is when we want God to resolve our problem when we want it done. We forget that we are not in control and want our situation taken care of right now.  If we stay in faith, we will realize that it is not our timing but the Lord’s. The miracle is coming and for all we know it may already be there!  We get too caught in up in stuff that we do not even notice until afterwards.  Keep our eyes on Jesus and look beyond our situation!  And when your breakthrough comes, get on your knees and thank the Lord for His love and mercy. Do not forget this time and all of the times He has brought you through your struggles.  We all are living testimonies! Let us call on the name of Jesus! He did not die in vain for us! His love and mercy endures forever!

Focus!

Look beyond your situation. We focus sometimes on the wrong things.  Philippians 4:8; Think on positive and good things. Focus. Will we waste time focusing on the negative? We are more than conquerors. Deut 28:6; We are blessed coming in and going out. Find the good in the negative. We are children of the living God, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  God has blessed us with life. Change your focus. Job 22:28; Believe and decree! What are you focusing on? Look beyond your situation! 2 Kings 6:20; Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” We look at situations in the natural but not in the spiritual. Elisha's servant saw a disaster but Elisha saw a miracle. What do you see? The difference between Elisha and the servant was the anointing. Anointing allows you to look at the situation but not focus on it because you can see the hand of God working on your side. If the Lord is keeping you, why are you worried?  Praise God in the midst of your situation! The anointing destroys the yoke in your life! God has an army all around you! Do not be discouraged! Can you look beyond your situation? Can you see the miracles? Can you say that you trust the Lord?  Do you believe what you say? Focus on what God will do, not what the devil is doing. Lord, thank you for working in my behalf!

Do Not Let Fear Control Our Lives!

The enemy operates even more at your spiritual high. Be prepared for the enemies at what you think are your greatest moments. Jesus fed the thousands and the apostles were elated. Yet, after the miracle Jesus told the apostles to get on the boat and set out for the other side, he will be with them later. That night, a great storm took over their euphoria and they became frightful. They forgot who they were with and the miracle they left. Fear overwhelmed them and seeing Christ walking on the water that night scared them, too. They were afraid that he was a ghost. We all will experience fear sometime during our lives but we can't let it overcome us. When Peter was on the water with Jesus, fear almost caused him to drown. Christ asked why he doubted him.  Like Peter we become fearful because we don't think God will help us. We focus on the fear than focus on what God can do. Do we doubt the goodness of the Lord? Job 3:25. Job was afraid about his circumstances. Here are a few tips.

1) Look out for the unexpected storms that pop up in our lives. Don't give up in the middle of the storm, go through it! Don't let the storm stop you from your destination. Sometimes we go through things to see what God can do. The unexpected things bless us in unusual ways. 2) God sees our struggles and He knows when to show up. Sometimes the blessing is in the struggle. Do not despise your position. We are where God wants us to be. 3) We must look beyond our fears and keep the faith. Remember that His Hands are on us. Keep your eyes on Jesus because the enemy wants us to look elsewhere. In the midst of what terrifies us the most our eyes should be on the Lord, our God. We can not let fear control our lives! We must trust and keep our faith in God!

Rest in Peace, Don Pardo!

Don Pardo, the television and radio announcer whose distinctive voice-over style was widely imitated and recognizable on Saturday Night Live, died Monday in Arizona at the age of 96.

Tuning In To God’s Voice!

I went for my two mile walk around the lake today!  Walking helps calm my thoughts and take time to appreciate the beauty of nature.  I use the time to meditate, reflect and enjoy a peaceful walk.  I noticed that the shadows among the pathway were different than my early morning walks.  If it was not for the recognized landmarks, I thought I was going a different way.  It’s interesting how shadows can deceive you.  They cast doubts and fears like the same kind that cast fears and doubts in our lives.  Once they take over, they mislead us and often cause us to make wrong choices.  Fortunately, some of us manage to get back on track but not with any help of our own.  When we look back on the rough areas in our lives we sometimes thought that we would never make it, but we did.  Do not think that we were responsible for getting back on the path.  God loves us so much that He will not let us fail if we stay faithful to him as He does for us.  It is my choice that I tune in and listen for that quiet voice.  He will keep me on the right path and lead me in the right direction despite my trials.  Like Joyce Meyers said, “pray that we can see the treasures in our trials.”

Chow-Chow, the Emperor’s Guard Dog!

  

On my walk I met a very kind gentleman with a beautiful black Chow.  Her name was bear, even though she looked like a small lion.  The Chinese name for Chow-chow is puffy-lion dog. Bear weighed 89 pounds and very docile.  While Jonathan and I talked, she stretched out and relaxed.  In fact, Bear did not get up until three young ladies approached her directly and wanted to take her picture and pet her.  That was the only time that Bear barked, she did not care for people she did not know to get close to her.  Her fur was black and shiny and very soft according to Jonathan. 

We had a very interesting conversation, Jonathan was cordial and entertaining.  He has an ebook on Adjuster Stories.  You can guess that Jonathan was an insurance adjuster supervisor and wrote about the various experiences he had contact with.  Go to the website www.AdjusterStories.com Joshua, a Navy veteran has the right voice and tone for the talking book.

RIP, Lauren Bacall!

Lauren Bacall transitioned at 89 years young on August 12, 2014, after suffering a stroke at her home. Rest in Peace!

RIP, Robin Williams!

Robin Williams was found dead Monday, August 11, 2014. He was 63 years old. Rest in Peace!

Shirley Caesar - You Stayed

THE LION KING Broadway Cast Takes Over NYC Subway and Sings 'Circle Of L...

Curtis Mayfield The Making Of You!

My Prayer To You!

I pray for a speedy recovery, my friend.  I pray for good health and prosperity.  I pray that you take the time to appreciate yourself. I pray that whatever struggles you are going through you will overcome.  I pray that you find the inner strength to always maintain your confidence.  I pray that you will continue to fight against the destructive habits that try to destroy you and continue successfully to stay away from them.  I pray that you find divine guidance obtain wisdom and understanding.  I pray that the transition you are going through means you are mentally and spiritually growing on your journey. I pray that your grudges towards others will be removed and that peace be restored.  I pray that someday you will find the courage to forgive those that offended and hurt you. I pray that you will be united with the people you love long enough to tell them that you love them.  I pray that you learn to be grateful for the small things you are given as well as, the bountiful.

Analysis of Dissecting an Onion!

 God was skinning me layer by layer like someone peeling a thick onion.  One layer at a time peeled to each membrane that separates the onion’s layers.  Like a skilled surgeon, methodical and meticulous, he exposed my faults.  Parts of me were exposed that I did not know I had.  I could not tell the difference between pain or fear because both were overwhelming and unbearable.  I felt vulnerable and there was nothing I could do about it.  I felt like a baby who could not fend for itself, waiting for someone to take care of me.  I was broken.

Fear and distrust drove me to be the type of person I am.  It also kept me from being the type of person I should be.  I kept out people with interests different than mine and I thought they had other reasons to get close to me.  You are a great friend until you are no longer needed.  Most of us learned it the hard way. Don’t try to analyze me, I had a great childhood and loved my family and friends. 

I grew up in a time when society was segregated.  As young children, we could not understand why we could not drink out of the same water fountains as the white children.  We could not go in some restaurants but through the side door or servants’ entries.  I remembered my first trip to New York was waiting for the bus in a dusty baggage area instead of the clean waxed floor and air-conditioned waiting room as our counterparts.  They even had a water fountain, soda and a snack machine.  Our people would pack brown bag lunches for us filled with fried chicken that could last the duration. We had other snacks that would keep us full to avoid going in stores in unfamiliar towns.  We had to sit in the back of the bus.  Trains were not that different, it did get us to our destinations faster, but we were still told to sit in special box cars.  Blacks had to sit in balcony section in the movies but it never bothered me.

There were two societies back then, Negroes and Whites.  I look back and think of the labels we had from Colored, to Negro, Black and now African-American.  Black and African-American seems to be interchangeable now.  Senior black men were still called boy and whatever name that seem to fit at the time.  It was common not to be seen on the same social level. 

The Supreme Court ruling in 1896 in Plessy vs. Ferguson that separate facilities for whites and blacks were constitutional encouraged the passage of discriminatory laws that wiped out the gains made by blacks during Reconstruction.

On June 7, 1892, 30-year-old Homer Plessy was jailed for sitting in the "White" section of the East Louisiana Railroad. Plessy could easily pass for white but under Louisiana law, he was considered black despite his light complexion and therefore required to sit in the "Colored" boxcar. When Louisiana passed the Separate Car Act, legally segregating common carriers in 1892, a black civil rights organization decided to challenge the law in the courts. Plessy deliberately sat in the white section and identified himself as black. He was arrested and the case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Plessy's lawyer argued that the Separate Car Act violated the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments.  The Plessy decision set the precedent that "separate" facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as they were "equal." The "separate but equal" doctrine was quickly extended to cover many areas of public life, such as restaurants, theaters, restrooms, and public schools.

Many blacks are passing for white.  Why not?  They don’t want to be treated as their darker complexion brethren.  The master during slavery discriminated but didn’t see anything wrong with sleeping with the slave women.  Mixing enough can change the complexion of anyone.  The people you might think are white just might not be who you think.  Comments about being Blacks being the racists are nonsense.  They are distractions from the real racists.  When you are considered a second-class citizen, inferior and lazy that does not make you racists.  It makes you angry because you never had equal treatment because of your skin color.  No one can decide in what race or family you will be born in, no one.

The fact is that not much has changed in our society now.  Racism is a learned behavior and it passed down from generation to generation.  Somewhere within that generation it will stop.  How can a nation built on immigrants escaping from the abuse of their country find the time to be intolerant towards others, especially, when greed abused the Native Americans that already lived here and took their lands?

Jim Crow was the practice of discriminating against black people, through a set of laws passed in the Southern states, after they had earned their freedom from slavery.  These laws were enforced with extreme prejudice. Blacks could not vote until the late 60s. Congress responded to rampant discrimination against racial minorities in public accommodations and government services by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Act also included some voting rights protections: it required registrars to equally administer literacy tests in writing to each voter and to accept applications that contained minor errors, and it stated that persons with a sixth-grade education were sufficiently literate to vote. However, despite lobbying from civil rights leaders, the Act did not prohibit most forms of voting discrimination.

There were so much hatred towards people of color and it hasn’t changed much now.  I find it extremely perplexing that there have been so many polls on the Obama Administration and how they seem to cast fear in particular segments of society.  I question comments that he is “half-black” when I never seem to hear that he is “half-white.”  This is the mental block that not many people will admit.  The real fact is they do see him for his color and their fears are about what this black man will do to America.  A small section of society gets the most news.  The media loves these polls because it makes them money and stirs up hostilities.  The truth of the matter is if Congress had actually set out to work with the President, the polls would give different numbers.  Is it that easy to forget what the republicans stated that they will do everything in their power to make this a one-term President?  They decided that they will not work towards bringing America together, but separating it with partisan politics.  Personally, ask Mitt Romney and Eric Cantor about the polls.

Yet, I hear how much blacks hate whites just as much as whites hate them.  Do two wrongs make it right?  Instead of speculating why not talk to the other person civilly you might find that the frustration and disgust they feel about their unfair treatment.  A man might not have power and authority but if you disrespect or take away his dignity, you don’t know what to expect from him.

I have learned that hatred can come from the people you least expect.   Always, keep an open mind and do not be judgmental.  I experienced my own when I attended boarding school in New York.  My first night when I pulled my sheets back for bed, I found a small sheet of paper on my pillow that someone had written, “N*###h, go home.”  I don’t want to dwell in this area of racial hatred and discrimination too long.  We must learn not to stereotype everyone because of one or two people.  There are good and bad people in all areas in society.  You have to put the bad memories behind you and move forward.  Otherwise, it will stunt your spiritual growth.

“Be careful for what you pray for, you might get it.”  Depending on what you prayed for, you might get your answer but not the way you expected. God does have a sense of humor but not man’s sense of humor.  He will give you an answer and even though it was not what we expected, it was even better.

I started seeing my spiritual growth when my mother passed.  The day before she died, I knew it.  There was something deep inside of me that I felt.  I hugged her for the final time and told her it was okay and how much I loved her.  I also told her that I could not stay, I’m going home.  I’m not cold-hearted or insensitive but I could not bear seeing here leave.  I believed that my mother knew it because when I returned home, my brother called me and told me that she also went home.  He stayed in the room with her.  My mother meant a lot to me, she was my anchor and rock.

I learned a lot about treating people with respect and dignity from her.  It takes some time but it doesn’t hurt to be nice and kind.  She told me to always be true to myself.  It has gotten me into some serious situations and took a toll on me.  But I learned from the mistakes I made.  Yes, “this too shall pass.”  What was miraculous about some of these situations I never noticed when my “morning” came.  I was focused on the situation than God.  But, by the grace of God I was able to move on.

How often do we take our blessings for granted?  How often do we feel in control when the pressures of life burden us?  We can do one of two things; stay in faith and confront the situation or we can give up. We concentrate our time on the problem that we forget who is able to overcome them.  During these times, we don’t make the time to even notice our blessings just the adversities.  Even then, I have taken my blessings for granted.  I often thought of myself as being special, God’s favorite.  Yet, we are all children of God.  Somewhere along this journey being tossed back and forth with life’s stormy waves we forget that we are all children of God.  The fact is, we think that because of our failings and faults, God could never forgive us.

Jesus had his group whom he trusted and they were a lot worse than most of us.  But, they developed a relationship of love and trust with Him because they knew He would give them another opportunity to redeem themselves.  Their loyalty overcame their distrust.  They recognized Jesus’ vision and did their best to carry it out. They knew that they would face failures and obstacles but they trusted Christ enough that He would see them through.

It’s hard to convince someone that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when he can only see darkness.  If your life is miserable don’t make mine miserable, too.  Some make it worse by hurting themselves or others by taking the easy way out.  It’s not worth it.  The losses are greater than the loss they face.  We are all chosen for a purpose and some of us accept the challenge.  Of course, we don’t always know what that purpose is.  It’s a gut feeling that makes us passionate about what we do.  That’s why some people do so well in areas that we don’t think we can.  But those that are passionate about what they do are fulfilling a purpose that they were called to do, meant to do and get it done successfully.

Isn’t it interesting, that some people know early in life what they want to do?  Some are called to service, helping others. Others might have seen something traumatic happen in their lives and seek to do something positive about it.  It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you are doing it for the right reason, to bless others.  To follow your dream requires a lot of dedication and commitments that at the first adversity, we give up.  We may not get national or local recognition for the things we do for others.  Does it matter? We are doing something good for the kingdom of God.

My layers are being peeled back for reasons greater than my understanding.  All that I’ve been through have been for a reason.  I believe that you are never too old and that it’s never too late to do what you were meant to do and be.  Our bondage is limited to the way we think and our attitudes towards adversities.  We were meant to encourage, inspire and motivate each other to improve lives for all of us.  Humility, love, tolerance, patience and forgiveness, to name a few goals, are something to work towards.  They are not easy to achieve but we can try.  It takes sacrifices to work hard for something worth having.  It is no doubt that the enemy of man will do everything to distract our focus from achieving our goals.  That’s why we can’t do it by ourselves.  We must submit to a higher authority, our Creator within us, to help combat the works of the enemy.

I am convinced that we all have been given unique gifts. It’s up to us to find a way to use them.  We must be respectful and patient of others who may not share the same thoughts as us.  We don’t need people around us who can’t believe in us.  We don’t need the negativity.  Yes, we are chosen for a divine reason, we are not the only ones who believe in ourselves.  Our Lord believes in us and gives us the ability to comeback from our setbacks. 

To The Surviving Family Members of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17!

Our prayers are with you and the innocent victims of those that express hatred for all things good!  We pray also for civil unrest around the world and here in the United States!  There are too many areas to name!

Childlike Faith!

“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15  (NLT).

Close your eyes for a minute, I hope that you are not driving while reading this. Think back to a time and place when you had no concerns or cares.  All that you wanted to do was just eat, play and sleep. Our only world was the one around us where we did not even know about paying bills, taxes or buying gas. Our parents took care of all that and many other grownup things that did not stress us out. We did not stress out too much because our priorities were different and we expected the grownups to take care of problems.

As a little boy, I played stickball in the street, climb trees, rode roller-skate go-carts and took risks never thinking of the consequence because a children we weren’t afraid of anything except the boogeyman. For those children who were blessed to have a father or grandfather in their lives while growing up seemed to have that their father or grandfather could do anything. They were bigger, stronger, and smarter who gave us just about whatever we wanted. They also got the biggest dinner plate but that was okay because they had to be strong. They also issued the discipline when mom felt that she could not get through to us.  

As I grew older with responsibilities, those worries that my parents had came rushing in. I had a job that I no longer enjoyed. I had bosses that I could not trust and my fears and doubts began to seep in. I felt overwhelmed and frustrated.  A door was closing and I could not keep it open.  The peculiar thing about it is that I had prayed for a change.  I just wanted it done my way. I forgot my faith in the present while too busy thinking about my future. I had bill collectors that didn’t care as long as I paid the bills on time. I had overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges but believed that God got me through even though my faith was not as strong as it should have been. As the years passed by, I began to dwell upon the days of my childhood, searching for the antidote to cure all those fears that were making me lose my way. My antidote was approaching God with childlike belief.

When I was young, I did not need to worry, my parents would take care of my problems.  I would bring my problems to them and expect them to handle it which they did. I had not developed my faith in God at the time but I sure had faith in my parents. I did believe in angels because of the pictures I saw with angels standing behind little children.  Also, my mom told me that everyone had a guardian angel especially children since they are innocent to the world's demands. The world has a way of leaving scars inside of you if you are not prepared. My memory of angels revived when they began to show themselves to me in adulthood. I knew they were angels because strangers walked up to me to tell everything will be alright and God is with you.  They were people I never met and never saw again.  It was at those moments that begin to lead me back to dependence in God.

My faith is growing stronger day by day but it is not easy.  My faith knows that God is always beside me and is always concerned about my well-being.  As I begin to let go and lean on God, I am becoming the man God wants me to be. I still have those days those worries try to overtake me -yet I refuse to be defeated. The pressures of this world want us to take our focus off of God.  He is my fortress and I will walk anywhere He leads, knowing God will never leave me.

So, the next time you feel yourself caught up in the fear of this world, close your eyes tightly for a moment and picture that child who walked without looking over their shoulders; the person you were before the world took it’s toll on you.

Today I pray that as you approach those trees in your life that remain unclimbed, you will grab onto a branch and go to new heights. I pray that God will never let you fall. And most of all, I pray, that as you are transformed through His will, you will have “the light of the world” right beside you every step of the way.

RIP, Meshach Taylor!

Meshach Taylor in Los Angeles in 1989.CreditImage by Nick Ut/Associated Press

Meshach Taylor, the actor best known as the friendly colleague of four Southern women on the popular sitcom “Designing Women,” died on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at his home near Los Angeles. He was 67.

Rest In Peace, Bobby Womack!

Bobby Womack passed on Friday, June 27, 2014 at 70 years of age.  His music will continue to live on in our hearts!

Bobby Womack - Harry Hippie

Bobby Womack - Thats The Way I Feel About You

Bobby Womack - "If You Think You're Lonely Now" Rest In Peace!

Thoughts About My Blog!

I started this blog some time ago to keep a journal about the things that happened in my life.  Instead, it expanded to a place for my opinions and thoughts.  Any way you look at it, this is my forum for sharing my feelings about what affects me.  No, I’m not talking about sensitivity I’m talking about the things and people that have affected me. I think we all have the same way of thinking but may not have the opportunity to put it on paper.  Some of our thoughts and actions are very confidential and we don’t want or need anyone to criticize us about the way we are.  There are lists of reasons not to record what we think or do.

I do this because I hope that it can help someone.  I’m not sure people even read my blogs but there will be a time that could help someone face their challenges and avoid making the wrong decisions.  For me, the blog is a platform to express myself, spiritually, emotionally and socially.  Notice that I did not say financially. You can’t talk about something you don’t know.

One thing we all know is that people and environments around us shape us into who we are.  We also know that if we develop our attitude it can help us change for the better.  We learn something from everyone in our journey of living, sometimes it’s good and sometimes not.  Sometimes what we thought was good for us turned out not being so good at all.  We can carry the not-so-good with us and wonder why we attract negativity to us.  We can put that mess behind us, forgive and move forward.  I learned after time that the people that “surprised” us did not care or lose any sleep for their offenses.  I also learned that I was not any different from them. What made me think that I was any better?  I have affected lives, too. I don’t recall losing any sleep on what I did but I can remember staying up at nights thinking about what other people did to me.  I hope you get the point.

Despite what you might think, we are not on this journey alone and actions affect others just as they affect us.  We have to face our inner selves and ask the strong questions.  What do we want from life?  How will we get it?  What will we sacrifice?  Who will this affect?  How long will it last?  Who can we trust to share our life with?  We can achieve our biggest dream, lose everything else to get it and we are still not guaranteed that we can even keep it.  We don’t even know how long we will even live to enjoy it! We need to figure out a way to get along with each other on this planet and make it happen. What is worth our objective?  Some objectives can be either success or getting into heaven.  Both are not easy but success does not have to be measured in dollars. What is your joy? You know what I’m talking about.

Each moment we live and breathe we should be grateful that we have another opportunity to do and be better!  Each day is a learning experience and I pray that we can get the best out of it!

Official My Heart Sings Video by William McDowell

Congratulations Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient!

President Barack Obama shakes hands with retired Marine Cpl. William "Kyle" Carpenter after awarding him the Medal of Honor, Thursday, June 19, 2014, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Today, June 19, 2014, Corporal Carpenter was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama at a ceremony in the White House in Washington, D.C. Corporal Carpenter will be the eighth living recipient to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marines. He was medically retired as a Corporal due to his wounds. Carpenter is credited with attempting to shield a fellow Marine, Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio, from a grenade blast in combat operations in Afghanistan on November 21, 2010. He lost his right eye and spent over two years recovering from other injuries. Both Marines survived the blast but suffered major injuries. Corporal Carpenter is currently attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13 NIV).

RIP, Casey Kasem!

I remember listening to Casey and the Top 40 many years ago while I was in the inventory.  He kept me awake when I drove home from the naval base in Virginia back to South Carolina. His signature sign-off was, "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."  You did good, Casey!

 

Happy Father's Day!

I commend you honorable men who sacrificed and got things accomplished with the best of your abilities to provide, protect and care for your families!  God bless you!  God bless the father's that are stressed, weary, exhausted, hurt and frustrated by dealing with the demands of this world to be responsible role models for their children.  God bless the new fathers who had no previous models to accept the new role of being responsible for the children they have brought into this world and will just have to follow their instincts and not abandon their loved ones. God bless the "baby daddies" to accept their responsibilities and stop making excuses for not having their own father in their lives.  We can not ignore the women behind all of these men who encourage, support and engage in a truthful, honest conversation to let these men that they are not in this world alone.  Faith with time and patience are just a few requirements to make men strong.  God and prayer at the forefront of any relationship with make us all stronger.

RIP, Ruby Dee!

Ruby and Ossie - Photo by Chester Higgins, Jr./NYT

Another phenomenal woman, Ruby Dee transitioned to a higher level. Ruby Dee passed today at 91! She's meeting with her husband, Ossie, about a new stage play which they will be again the leading characters. Ossie Davis, also her stage partner passed away in 2005 at the age of 87.  Ruby and Ossie participated in 11 stage productions and five movies during long parallel careers – the two together they helped pave the road for two generations of black performers.  They were also both active in civil rights and a classy couple. They were the Ashford and Simpson of the stage. Our prayers are with them and their family!

Nothing As Powerful As A Changed Mind - Bishop T. D. Jakes!

Time spent well worth listening to!  You are never to old to listen and learn.  Some of us are still learning the hard way.

June 6, 1944 – D-Day!

In preparation for the invasion, artillery equipment is loaded aboard LCTS at an English port. Brixham, England.
1 June 1944. Photo by Nehez. SC206438

Today, June 6, 2014, marks the 70^th anniversary of the military term D-Day which a planned military operation began. June 6, 1944, was the day that allied forces joined together to take the fight to their enemies in Western Europe. The US, with the British and Canadian forces, some 156,000 of them landed on five beaches spreading along a 50-mile stretch of France’s Normandy area. It took a great deal of planning to deceive the Germans of the invasion but it worked. Nevertheless, there were thousands of casualties and some 4,000 plus deaths.  These brave people gave their all so that we can have the freedom we have now. Franklin D. Roosevelt was President at the time but died in 1945. It was the time that WWII was coming to an end.

Despite the freedoms, we have some of us have taken them to the extreme.  We disrespect our current President publicly with no apologies because of free speech.  Even though if we had lost the war would our free speech be abolished?  Would I be able to write this blog?  We have the right to bear arms but in some areas in America we can flaunt it in the government’s face and take our guns in public settings not under threat but intimidating to others. What will happen when good guys stand their ground against other good guys? Will a misunderstanding be resolved peacefully or with gunplay? How many innocent people will be affected? What do we do when our politicians are more concerned about their personal interests than for the people? The real winners are the arms dealers. They promote fear and increase gun sales. A vote is a powerful weapon when you have thousands, it can change the political environment. Let's hope people use common sense.

The President is facing more controversy for trading a soldier for five terrorists. I don’t have the complete details on how Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was captured and the reasons behind it. It seems that he might not get a hero's welcome. He might not receive anything favorable. But he is home! As for the terrorists, have we forgotten the drones? If anything, those guys will be looking over their shoulders as long as they live.  Our combat soldiers returning home will carry much more than that for the rest of their lives.  They lost friends, fellow soldiers and seen things they couldn't help but see.  The VA and their families will have to deal with PTSD and other mental disorders that can put those soldiers on the edge. Pray that they don't commit suicide or homicides.

We also need to be concerned about the shootings and stabbings here in America. There is a litany of murders taking place across college campuses and homes.  First Responders have to be extremely careful while carrying out their duties.  I wonder if those soldiers who died for this country in past and current wars expected this kind of reaction from the people and country they died for.

Kingdom - Common featuring Vince Staples! Adult language!

Common is an intellectually, socially-conscious rapper. "Kingdom," his latest song, is a profound exploration of religion and violence in Chicago. Harsh language but very thought provoking.  This is the first time I ever used sound cloud. Our young people are longing for guidance and love!

A Time to Remember by Joyce Meyer!

Joyce Meyer

"Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" Mark 8:18

I have often said I think we forget what we should remember and remember what we should forget. Jesus chastised the disciples on one of their journeys because they had forgotten about a miracle He had done. They had started out on a trip and suddenly remembered that they had forgotten to bring enough bread. He then began to chastise them, asking if they had forgotten when He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread. Had they forgotten another amazing miracle when He fed four thousand with seven loaves? Had they remembered, they would not be worried about going hungry because of not having brought enough bread with them.

If we would remember the miracles God has done in our past, we would not so easily fall into worry and fear when we face new challenges. When David was facing Goliath and nobody was encouraging him, he remembered the lion and the bear that he had already slain with God’s help. Because of remembering the past, he had no fear of the current situation.

Are you facing something right now that looms before you like a giant in your life? Is it illness or financial lack? Is it relationship problems? Is it something you have never done before and you don’t know where to begin?

The truth is that it doesn’t matter what it is because nothing is impossible for God. Take some time right now and recall some of the things He has helped you with and brought you through in the past. Think about and talk about those things, and you will find courage filling your heart.

RIP, Maya Angelou!

Maya and Oprah

A phenomenal woman has gone to her real home. Her purpose on earth has been fulfilled.  Ms. Angelou overcame many obstacles and turned them into successes. I don't think life was easy for her, I believe she found a way to channel her challenges in such a way to make them acceptable in all of their forms. There will be many more words and expressions forthcoming about this phenomenal woman from the media. Ms. Angelou is a prime example of making lemonade when life has given you lemons.  Stand up and recognize the phenomenal women that are around you everyday!

Memorial Day, More Than Just Another Day!

Arlington National Cemetery

Monday, May 26, 2014, was Memorial Day!  This is a day of remembrance and tribute to the military personnel who gave their lives for our country. These brave men and women should never be forgotten for their unselfish actions. I feel that those still in service are being unappreciated. Granted some branches of the military are not facing immediate combat danger but that does not mean all are not facing dangerous situations.  Do you realize even boot camp can be a danger zone for some people. The rigors and disciplines that a soldier, airman or sailor will undergo can be stressful and burdensome but they are necessary for future survival.  Pray for those that survived combat might have lost their limbs and minds from the damage that war leaves behind.  They have seen things that will never be forgotten! Memorial Day is more than just a day for being off from work and cooking out!  It is a time to reflect, a time for people to think about families who will never see their loved ones again because their family members gave the ultimate sacrifice so that others can cook out, go to the beach and have a great time being free.  Let’s make time everyday to pray for our family members and those in the military.  Just like them, our lives can change in seconds.

To My Closest Friends!

I have not forgotten you!  I appreciate your texts and voicemails but I'm not ready to talk.  You are so kind and loving but I know you have questions and I'm not ready to answer.  The important thing is your health.  I pray that you are taking care of yourself.  I am undergoing a spiritual growth and revelation that I have not experienced in several years since my mother’s transition.  I have accepted and embraced the Will of God who orders my steps.  As you know, I always wanted to be in control of my destiny but I now realized that God was always in control.  I appreciate your concern and patience but I am well and blessed.  You will be hearing from me soon enough.  God bless you and take care of you.  Thank you for believing in me!  I know that you are there for me if I ever need you.

Some Things Never Change!

2014 is still the same as 1914.  Blacks have their places in society and they are not always in leadership or in authority. Some people will never like a particular group of people in any position!  It is hard to change the pattern of that kind of stinking-thinking.  Some won't even take the time to try. Like Wolfeboro Police Commissioner Robert Copeland in New Hampshire said, in an email that Obama "meets and exceeds my criteria for" using the n-word. Life is short and people still have time to hate. This man is 82 years old! Times are changing and there are people who don't like the changes.  Since the President's election there has been quite a few folks who won't admit that they don't care for him because of his skin color.  It has always been about disliking his policies but never openly admitting that they don't care for his color, too.  I don't like what the Commissioner said but at least he is honest compared to others about his dislike for the President.  We can agree that we will disagree.

Follow-up - Mr. Copeland resigned Monday, May 19, 2014.

Try To Stay On The Right Path!

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Psalm 23:3).

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face (Psalm 5:8).

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies (Psalm 27:11). 

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

The longer we live the more choices we have to make.  We can get distracted by choosing something new and different as we progress with knowledge, experience and skills.  We get to a certain point that we believe we are responsible for our own destiny and in some ironic way, we are.  Ironic, because we make choices on our own and refuse to take responsibility for the consequences if the action results in failure.  We all reach forks in the road that can change our lives.

I have walked on these same trails for years and just recently realized that the paths I have been taking have been the same.  But I noticed that along the way tree roots are causing the concrete sidewalks to crack and become unleveled.  Some parts are being overcome by the natural growth around them and the areas are starting to look the same. You can get lost if you’re not careful.  In fact, I did get lost when I reversed the direction that I usually walk.  It took me 4 ½ hours to find my way back where I started.  I prayed sincerely to God to help me find my way through these unfamiliar areas.

Is this so different from our own lives?  Everything seems to be going just fine until we get off track or knocked off our feet.  It could be due to our own choices or reasons beyond our control.  Nevertheless, our faith is tested.  We don’t know if our demise is due to the enemy’s distracting techniques. We could be getting closer in our walk with God and the devil knows it or it could be God steering us in the right direction because we were already on the wrong path.

We don’t know why God is leading us a certain way.  We may not understand the reasons behind our challenges.  But God will make up for our ignorance by the Holy Spirit.  We’ll get the victory if we be faithful and trustful in His divine guidance.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:115).