Women With Voices

Oakwood Baptist Church invited me to be a guest speaker

2012-01-26T18:15:00.000-06:00

Oakwood Baptist Church,

Merrivale, Southgate, London N14 4TE, United Kingdom.
Website:www.oakwoodbaptistchurch.org.uk

I am Pastor Gordon Penman from Oakwood Baptist Church in London UK. We want you to be our guest speaker at this Year DIVINE OAKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH CONFERENCE 2012 which will take place In here The UK .We are writing to invite and confirm your booking to be our Speaker at these year OAKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH CONFERENCE 2012.Other Ministers Of God are coming from Different part of the World.
The Venue as follows:
DATE:5th -7th March 2012
VENUE:Merrivale, Southgate, London N14 4TE, United Kingdom.
We came across your profile on dirt2diamonds.blogspot.com and we say it’s up to standard and we will be very glad to have such an outstanding personality in our mist for these overwhelming gathering. With your multi-talented speech more lives will come close to GOD. Arrangements to welcome you here will be discussed as soon as you honor our invitation. If you have any more publicity material, please do not hesitate to contact me. A formal Contract Agreement Letter would be sent to you as soon as you honor our invitation. We are taking care of your traveling and Hotel Accommodation expenses including your Speaker fees.
**I replied to the e-mail and received more correspondence***

Calvary greetings unto you Dorothy Guyton,

We appreciate your confirmation to be our guest speaker to our wonderful event. Without any further delay the event organizing committee have earmarked preparations on how to summon your arrival as swift as possible. Preparations are stated below.

1) Find attached is a LETTER OF INVITATION AND CONTRACT AGREEMENT which you are to sign and forward back to us via E-MAIL at your earliest convenience for proper documentation. All information you require is stated in this contract.

2) Your speaking fee is amounted to $8,500.00 us dollars to be paid on installment, first part payment of $5000.00 us dollars and second payment of $3500.00 us dollars that will be issued to you as soon as
you procure your work permit.

3) With reference to figure (2) of these letter concerning work permit the E.O.C (Event Organizing Committee) wants to notify you that due to new British rules a work permit is necessary if you want to be
bonafide for these speaking engagement and has decided to connect you with the UK BORDER AGENCY OFFICIAL with the address below.

Name: DR Britt Kelvin Smith Email: drbrittkelvinsmith@europe.com

NOTE: All expenses you make to procure your travel document shall be fully reimbursed. Make sure you forward to me a copy of your procured document for the approval of your deposit.

4) Confirm to us the closest airport to your residence for airline tickets bookings,and as stated in our previous mail,your hotel accommodation,feeding including tangible unforeseen expenses will be taken care of by the E.O.C (Event Organizing Committee). The Chauffeur assigned to pick you up from the airport is Mr Larry Williams.

5) You need not to worry about speaking equipments like microphone,megaphone,transfix board,cables and projectors as all these items will be provided by the E.O.C (Event Organizing Committee).

6)The theme of these year's conference is tagged "SHOW THE LIGHT AND THE PEOPLE WILL FIND THE WAY" While the topic you are to give a speech upon gged "THE EFFECTS OF COMPROMISING GOD'S STANDARD".We hope you should be able to enlighten the audience more about being honest and to be very well discipline so they can inherit the eternal kingdom. You are to prepare a speech as different session of crowd will be attending the conference each day.

7) You shall receive your event brochure as soon as you get to the event venue on the day of your arrival.A cab is to pick you up from the airport and drive you straight to your hotel rook thereafter a welcome dinner party would be held. NOTE:We are trying to make every necessary preparation before the event date therefore we will advice you start acting about these preparations, more so you must arrive a day before the event day. We urge you to go through the contract agreement and event preparation very carefully to the best of your knowledge for any further inquiries you can contact us via - EMAIL or Direct Mobile at +44 702 402 4745

We are so ecstatic to be having such of your wonderful personality in our midst.

PEACE BE UNTO YOU.

Oakwood Baptist Church

Pastor Gordon Penman

The church is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the London Baptist Association, our trustees are the London Baptist Property Board, and we are members of the Evangelical Alliance.

Waiting to hear more details about the work permit situation

What Happy Women Know

2012-01-26T01:24:00.000-06:00

I found this great book What Happy Women Know by Dan Baker, Ph.D which I have suggested to people on my 'Get Caught Reading Campaign' on facebook (please join in on the conversation). but there was a great tool in the book I think will free women from some self torture in their lives and it the acronym VERB

V= Victmization
E= Entitlement
R= Rescue
B= Blaming

There has never been a happy victim. We can chose to wallow or get stuck in the heartaches of life and yes, even the tragedies of life or we can find a way to transcend these rough and tumble times and channel it into something that brings meaning to your life or even better, into the lives of others.

Entitlement believes the world owes me/you something. None of us are the center of the universe and thinking so leads to us sitting around being miserable when what we hoped for doesn't come our way. Entitlement is a stunting, passive approach to life.

Rescue is waiting for somebody or something to save you; putting the responsibility onto the shoulders of someone else. You have to rescue yourself from that horrible job or not finding the right mate. You need to make the changes in your own life instead of waiting to be rescued.

Blame unloads a sense of responsibility on someone else.

In the context of revenge you become the victim of your own misery, you feel entitled to something better, you are waiting for someone to rescue you. and you can't wait to lay blame on the person who put you in that position in the first place. Chaapter 5, pages 93-96.

Happy women have to know many things, but the good point is-they are a few simple things.

I think this is a wonderful book and surprise surprise; it is not a male bashing book. It is a book more focused on how much of your energy are you going to expend on things and people that does not make you happy.

I learned how to quilt, bake, trying to can fruits, and other things because it was what all of the other women around me did and seemed happy doing. I hated quilting and baking and all of the other things that were suppose to define me as a woman and I went through the VERB dance feeling like a victim, I was entitiled to a better life that did not include sewing and sweating in a hot kitchen, I wanted my husband to rescue me and say 'oh, honey, I think you are just as much of a woman even if you can't do all of those things', and blaming myself for living in the community I actually loved and felt safe in raising my children in. Was I happy? Not in the least. Could I have been happy? Absolutly.

Happy women understand the importance of having personal power, which means their lives belong to them, and no one was holding a gun to my head telling me to quilt or can fruit. And I learned I had many more qualities that fulfilled my definition of what a woman was/is and it is a very satisfying list to/for me

New year, same old people.

2012-01-26T00:42:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the year that has a prophecy saying the world is going to end in December 2012. At the moment there is skepticism and no serious efforts to bunker down as when we were told the world would collapse in 2000.

One interesting thing I have noticed is those same people who built the bunkers and loaded up on can goods and rice in 2000 are still alive and well. The other thing I noticed is that the religious climate of doom and gloom has ramped up but does not really encourage the Golden Rule of living. Pointing out the Anti-Christ seems to be in vogue instead. In fact in the last 3 years, there has been race baiting, political diversity, economic warfare between the have's and have nots. Whether the date can be determined by man as to whether/when the world is going to end; a lot of us are living as if we want our final destination to be 'HELL' and we are even willing to advance this eternity by tourturing the living on earth.

Yes, 2012 is here and we are getting familiar with all of the political candidates running for president, but more importantly, we ae becoming more familiar with their supporters. To say it has been a jaw dropping time filled with red meat for savage animals is an understatement. I guess I am fully engaged in the blame game. America has entered a new year but we have carried over the same people dug into their ideas and their own blame games. It is always the 'others' ruining America and not 'me.'

I have heard we are in a battle for the soul of America and I think the battle is bigger and on a more intense level; we are in a battle for our own eternal souls. Crisis will come and go, but how we react to each of them will be the test. Will you pull your own hair out or will you pull your neighbor's hair out, or will you pull your enemie's hair out? And after all of the hair pulling is done, will the crisis be solved?

I suggest before December 2012, whatever you believe about this date of doom, that you would want to face this day and everyday before and after with a person (yourself) that you can be proud of. Will a large bank account make you a proud person? Will offering a kind word or assistance to someone less fortunate make you a proud person? The question and answer has to begin with you.

Opportunity is a proud part of the American dream. I say there may be a slowing in the opportunity for monetary success, but there is a wealth of opportunity to be a decent caring hunan being. Never devalue the need and importance of the Good Samaritan. The man in need did not have to fill out a questionaire to prove if he was moral, virtuous, lacked self blame before he was offered help. The value of the parable was: who was kind enough to stop and to care.

Let the movie " THE HELP" help: Black hands that rock the cradle revelation.

2011-09-04T17:52:00.000-05:00

Okay people, I think the movie "The Help" is a must see movie. A movie reviewer said it the best:
By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic"The Help" is a delicious peppery stew of home-cooked, 1960s Southern-style racism that serves up a soulful dish of what ails us and what heals us. Laughter, which is ladled on thick as gravy, proves to be the secret ingredient — turning what should be a feel-bad movie about those troubled times into a heart-warming surprise.

I am from Mississippi and to my surprise, the overwhelming majority of viewers happened to be Caucasian couples. Why was this surprising to me - because the story line was about the help, the hard working lives of black women living through a severely prejudiced time, eeking out an existence with rules that did not allow for any quality of life. The rules were instituted and guarded by whites protecting a coveted standard of living where life was easy; complicated only by how high they could rise in status and wealth.

Let me just say beforehand that much of the debate about this movie is centered on a white character being the heroine of black characters and whether the target audience was the white audience leaving them with a feel good feeling at the end of the movie. Being from the South, I walked into the theater wondering did the 'help' actually devulge their true thoughts about their employer? Was there a ring of truth anywhere in this dynamic of the Southern woman and her hired help? WOULD THE HELP SPILL THEIR GUTS????

As the theater filled and the audience consisted of a speckling of 6 black people, the question pinged through my brain "How can a white audience watch this show without shame, guilt or some sliver of embarrassment and should there be any?" The only answer I could come up with was that the white audience was there to recognize, in one of the white characters, Aunt Betty or their off the wall friend Becky who also attended Ole Miss. who successfully obtained a Mrs. Degree (husband) from college. There was laughter at the housewives as they played bridge and attended the fund raiser for the starving African children as black maids stood serving them in crisp starched uniforms living in poverty. People were identifying people they knew and socialized with up there on the big screen. And yes, I knew and socialized to some degree with some of the same housewives acting out the horrors of the 1960's overlaiden with Christian lingo of ignorance.

One thing that was amazing about the movie was the language used. There were phrases used in a movie (fictional) recreated from a book written about a time we have decided has long passed, that are said on TBN, in local churches, and yes, Fox News. When I heard these same phrases i.e. "I am a Christian and I would hurt you by helping you financially" there was no way you could have kept me from thinking about the political struggle occurring between the classes of giving the poor too much and trying to take from the rich. I could hear John Hagee shouting Scripture from his televised pulpit saying "If a man does not work; he does not eat." The movie clearly demonstrated how a man could work and still could not eat; it all depends upon who is calling the shots.

But all of that aside, the biggest revelation or illumination I had was the burning question posed to all of the "Help" - "How do you feel raising white children while someone else takes care of your own children?"

Michele Bauchmann has said and others have echoed; the breakdown of the black family. People have come to believe the black family is so dysfunctional until it was in a better condition during slavery. But what I realized is that for generations it was a black slave or black help raising, nurturing, loving, and yes, during slavery- being a wet nurse and breastfeeding white children. There are generations of adult white children who have been cared for by black women!!! Did those generations of children turn out bad or did they turn out well? Was the true determinate for their success or failure their access to money/wealth or was it the loving hand of the black Mammy that made such a strong generation?

My final question as I rode home from the movie was; did anyone truly hear the words coming out of the mouths of the characters? Did anyone hear the pain and the shear obliviousness of choice in the words uttered on the big screen? Did anyone leave the movie saying never again and we are so close to a historical repeat with the passage of policies and laws which say I am tired of looking out for the minority? Did "The Help" help? I'm hopeful as the movie has raked in 118.6 million dollars!!! People aren ot seeng this movie just once, but at least twice.

I am glad the movie has been the top grossing movie for two weeks. I hope people are laughing at the well placed humor of living and being as well as the soul crushing ugliness of the human heart. I was plesantly surprised the the movie was true in telling the secrets the races never tell to each other. There was not one person who could not relate to at least one character on the big screen. This movie was a glaring exposure of the human condition of heart, spirit, and soul at its worst and its best. I hope we recognized more than our Aunt Cill and friend Netty. I hope we could each see ourself up there doing what was decent and what was right - the hard things that shake and shape this world for the better. I hope we let the movie "The Help" help

YouTube sensation speaks up and out

2011-08-06T14:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I did it. I started posting videos to YouTube. And the shock of a lifetime happened. I discovered I have an accent. That aside, I am having a lot of fun trying to look into the camera and sound natural. Hats off to actors; they go through a lot. I hope to have a lots to comment on, but I know you need a cat or a small child to get many hits. It also helps if you do some practical jokes, which, I do not indulge in doing.

So, feel free to stop by and visit. I talk endlessly on religion, our political climate, women's issues and themes found in my books. You will be entertained, encouraged, and hopefully pushed to the point of debate.

I look forward to hearing your comments and questions at: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FDorothyGuyton&h=pAQCMlfnbAQBNIwrq74OCAoW5LNrbqt_2-Wi-NIvvUGdGGQ

Enemies Praying to the same God for Victory

2011-07-30T18:26:00.000-05:00

HAS EVERYTHING TURNED INTO A TEST OF CHRISTIANITY? SHOULD EVERYTHING BE TURNED INTO A TEST OF CHRISTIANITY? AND IF SO, WHO IS THE TESTER GIVING THE SCORE OF PASSING?

If you haven't heard there is a clarion call for all Christians to head to Texas for a day of fasting and prayer by Govenor Rick Perry on August 6, 2011. Christian radio commentator Brian fisher has said lawsuits filed by atheists against a governor calling for a day of prayer (because they believe it infringes on separation of church and state) is just another case proving liberals hate God.

With so much verbal animosity going on in the public sphere (cable news and radio) between Republicans and Democrats; my mind can not help but think about the Civil War.

Clear lines were drawn between the North and the South during the Civil War. The president was caught between a rock and a hard place and the one sure person each side could aim their venom and feel a sense they were comrades against a common enemy (a scapegoat for all anger and frustration; relevent or not).

One question historians have posed since the Civil War was the CLAIM OF GOD BY BOTH FACTIONS. How could this be possible? Could God be on the side of both the North and the South? And I wonder now, with Brian Fisher's assumption that all democrats hate God aside - can both Republicans and Democrats have a CLAIM OF GOD while being vicious enemies each fighting for victory in politics?

I address this very point in my book, in chapter two of "The Politics of Prayer." Here is an exerpt from the chapter dedicated to the topic (the book sites references for qoutes and other material):

"Involvement in politics is part of being a citizen of the United States. It is a privilege to participate in the Democratic process and I encourage every American citizen to become active in local and national elections and affect policy changes. The point I want to stress in this chapter is we are not on one side or another of politics, but we are on God’s side. Stanley Hauerwas reminds the Christian that there is a temptation, once the Christian becomes involved in politics, for leaders and people in general to convince one another that they alone are on God’s side, while those that disagree with them are completely evil. Christians can confuse political power with faithful witness.

Last year, while watching a program about the Civil War on the History Channel, I was amazed to realize both generals of the North and the South prayed to God for victory. Both of the generals were earnest and persistent in their religious request to be the victor of God for a cause they each believed in their souls. If God answered the prayers of the general of the South would that mean all of the participants of the opposition were evil and deserved to die? If God answered the prayers of the general of the North would that mean all of the participants of the opposition were evil and deserved death? Was one group Christian and the other group sinners? How could two groups with differing views on slavery both pray to God and both claim to be Christian?

Terrie D. Aamodt, in Righteous Armies, Holy Causes: Apocalyptic Imagery in the Civil War (2002), demonstrates how the theme of cosmic struggle, good verses evil, was accepted by both the North and South. The apocalyptic theme was a necessary key to legitimize their perspective cause-for and against slavery. Aamodt states, “Thanks to the aesthetic power of apocalyptic imagery Americans were able to tiptoe on the deliciously dangerous edge between the sublime and the terrible as they contemplated the glorious future awaiting them beyond the dreadful suffering of the battlefield.” Apocalyptic images were attached to the war’s horrors in song, poem, oral history, tracts and sermons.

In “The Bible and Slavery” (Religion and the American Civil War), Mark Noll asserts that the availability and widespread access and limitless use of the Bible in a society where each individual was concerned with their own growth and prosperity; framed by the conflict of slavery – ultimately led to war. Both North and South would turn to the Bible as the ultimate source in answering the dilemma of slavery, but in radically opposite manners. Northerners appealed to the spirit of the Bible (liberalism) in opposing slavery, whereas southerners appealed to the letter of the Bible (literalism) in defending slavery. These competing biblical claims helped shape public perceptions that led to secession and war.

Robert McKenzie said that Mark Noll’s views on the Civil War were those believing there to be a theological crisis and referred to Abraham Lincoln’s observation in his second inaugural address. Lincoln stated that both the North and the South had read the same Bible in which America had relied upon to build America’s Republican civilization. Noll would assert that the Bible was not as unifying for an overwhelmingly Christian people as they had believed.

Most of the Civil War Generals were Christians and very devout. The list of generals upholding religious values during the Civil War include: Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Leonidas Polk, George B. McClellan, Oliver O. Howard, and William Rosecrans. Stonewall Jackson was very religious. In the heat of battle he would stand calm and assert. "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."

William Rosecrans was a very devout Catholic. It has been said he would never fight on Sunday. Oliver O. Howard is best known as the commander who after the Civil War led the pursuit of Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce in the high plains and mountains of the west in 1877. Howard’s men called him the Praying General because he insisted they observe the Sabbath and he attempted to introduce chaplains into the military during the war. Howard also made his men observe some form of temperance, which they detested, but he also saw to their needs far better then many Union commanders.

Below are religious themes that had a major impact on the North during the Civil War.

• Belief that America was preparing the way for the kingdom of God on earth helped to inspire the loyalty of both the Union soldiers and those on the home front.

• The conviction that blood needed to be shed in order for the nation to be reborn undoubtedly stiffened the resolve of bluecoats and civilians alike to endure unprecedented

• Staggering losses.

• Without the churches' growing conviction that the hand of Providence was indicating the need to end slavery, it is unlikely that the government would eventually have embraced full emancipation as a war aim.

Protestant churches, in particular helped in the effort of Reconstruction in the years following the war. Reconstruction was based on the ideals of the so-called Radical Republicans. This was a Reconstruction in which the vote would be available (in the language of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution) to all regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Drew Gilpin Faust, in The Creation of Confederate Nationalism: Ideology and Identity in the Civil War South (1988), argues that religion played a central role in the shaping of a southern nationalism which both defended and criticized the South. It is clear that Southerners were certain God was on their side and they would be victorious because they were His chosen people.

As early Confederate victories on the battlefield gave way to a pattern of defeats, Southerners were forced to ask why God was punishing them. Perhaps the essence of southern religion’s fears in relation to the institution of slavery is summed up by Daniel Stowell in, “‘We Have Sinned and God Has Smitten Us!’

There is no doubt the average Confederate soldier was devoutly Christian. They came from families strongly influenced by the camp meetings of the Great Revival that had swept thru Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas in the early parts of the nineteenth century. Most were of Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian heritage. Many carried their Bibles from home into battle as well as a Soldier's Prayer Book.

Union soldiers carried a Soldier's Prayer Book, containing 58 pages of an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer, several Collects and prayers (many of which do not appear in the BCP, Book of Common Prayers), Selections of Psalms different from that in the BCP, and a number of hymns. It was published in 1861 by the Protestant Episcopal Book Society in Philadelphia, and was authorized by the Bishop of Pennsylvania in much the same way as were BCP's of the day.

For the Confederate soldier the basis of their faith can be found collectively as The Roman Road printed in 1861:

The Roman Road To Salvation:

Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:10 (KJV) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The Soldier's Prayer Book was a pocket sized book that contained a collection of prayers for different occasions as well as assorted hymns and psalms.

When people begin to choose political sides and equate Christianity with those choices, there is the danger or temptation of turning a cause, as righteous as it may be, into a test of Christianity by man. God has given the criterion for who is and is not a Christian. Christianity can not be judged by deeds alone even though actions are good indicators of one’s religious belief. I have heard many Christians state “I am a die-hard-Republican” or “I am a die-hard-Democrat” or “I am a die-hard-Patriot.” It would be music to God’s ears if they would say “I am a die-hard-Christian.”

Reverend Jim Walls affirms the belief that God is for all of His creation. He is against sin, but he awaits every person turn or return to salvation. “God is not partisan: God is not a Republican or a Democrat. When either party tries to politicize God, or co-opt religious communities for their political agendas, they make a terrible mistake. The best contribution of religion is precisely not to be ideologically predictable nor loyally partisan. Both parties, and the nation, must let the prophetic voice of religion be heard. Faith must be free to challenge both right and left from a consistent moral ground.”

So, as the country becomes more divided between political parties, we must remember, this is nothing new. Our nation fought brother against brother and believed in their cause, philosophy, moral conviction or whatever label they wanted to use to justify the battle. And sadly, each decided God was on their side and GOD became the ultimate weapon in the man made war. I encourage people to learn history because it has a tendency to repeat itself.

In the case of the Civil War, was it ever declared, without a shadow of a doubt who's side God was on? The Bible makes it clear WHO God stands with. He has encouraged His children to have a personal relationship with Him. That personal relationship will be seen by others, thus being a light to draw others to Him. Is this the message echoing throughout the United States? Will the August 6, 2011 call for fasting and prayer be a beacon of light turning all eyes to God? I hope it will and that it is more than a CLAIM ON GOD.

My book is available on amazon.com for those interested in reading more on the subject of prayer, wisdom, politics, and God.

Showing some skin during the tough times

2011-07-24T14:07:00.000-05:00

After Watching Joan Rivers and her stinging commentary on what celebraties are wearing, my attention was peaked when she said "hemlines are geeting longer" and the particular dress she was refferring to was just below the calf.

My mind started to reach a foggy fact I had heard somewhere at sometime about the economy having an affect on whether women wore the hemline of their skirts or dresses longer or shorter depending on the economic climate.

The news article, I was trying to remember, if memory serves me correctly, stated that dress length/economy correlation was first propounded by US economist George Taylor in the 1920s.

During the Great Depression, hemlines reached as far as the ankles

Taylor argued that women wore shorter skirts in boom times because they could afford expensive silk stockings and wanted to show them off. During a recession, however, the skirts grew longer, because the women couldn’t afford stockings and wanted to hide the fact that they weren’t wearing any.

The story said Taylor’s theory had been surprisingly accurate. In the 1920s, 1960s and 1980s, which were boom times in the US, hemlines rose. On the other hand, they reached down as far as the ankles during the Great Depression.

The stock market’s measure of consumer confidence has far-reaching implications. Fashions, such as women’s hem lines, tend to follow the market (high hem lines and high stock prices imply confidence in various areas of life). Movies such as the gangster movies of the 1930s, Godfather style movies of the 1960s, and Batman or Darkman in 1990, follow the stock market contractions of the same periods. Financial indicators such as home construction and buying, auto and major appliance purchases, vacations, etc. all follow the stock market cycles, and in fact stock market trends measure the confidence and psychological attitudes of peoples (including those who are not investors), and thus provides a convenient and concurrent mathematical measure of attitudes and a wide range of economic, political, and societal events.

So, with all of the economic turmoil going on in America these days, will we see longer dress on an everyday basis?

In 2008 this was the question on the mind of almost all fashion designers. What will women want to wear during our economic downturn? This is what the fashion community has to say on the subject.

The oldest adage about fashion and the economy is that hemlines rise and fall with the stock market. In the boom times of the 20s and the 60s, skirts were short; in the 30s and 40s, they fell. Except that, on closer inspection, even this most famous theory fails to hold water. During the wartime years, arguably the period of greatest privation in modern history, hemlines were shorter than before or after the war; in the recession of the early 90s, hemlines fell. We cannot rely on skirt length alone to track the economy through fashion.

After 9/11, upscale New York boutiques reported a surge in demand for lower-heeled shoes: on the shopfloor, they said, women were explaining they wanted shoes they could run in if necessary. The financial crisis has not had the same effect: heel heights have been rising steadily for several years, and look set to continue their skyward trajectory next season.

Betty Jackson keeps it simple. Illustration: Betty Jackson A downbeat stockmarket is not necessarily reflected in downbeat clothes. Indeed, according to fashion historian Valerie Steele, "this whole idea that fashion is a 'reflection' of the economy is a misnomer. It would be more accurate to say that fashion and art are as much a part of living history as the economy is." What happens on Wall Street, says Steele, "is mediated through the manners and mores of the time" before influencing the fashion aesthetic. In the 60s, for instance, what impacted on fashion was not so much a booming economy as "the anti-conventional youth movement" which flourished in a booming economy.

"The hemlines theory was invented back in the 1920s. But it just doesn't hold up. Take the 20s - hemlines actually began to fall in 1927, two years before the crash. They were falling by 1969, two years before the downturn of 1971," says Steele. In many cases, fashion designers appear to have an ability to read the writing on the wall, without waiting for the newspaper headlines. Between 1936 and 1939 fashion began to pick up on the rumble of warmongering, with military-inspired square shoulders teamed with lower heels. Even nightgowns sported three-inch shoulder pads. At other times, we may misinterpret clothes in retrospect in the light of world events. Christian Dior is usually credited with grasping the mood of the moment with his joyous, full-skirted Corolle collection of 1947, which launched Dior's New Look - but in 1939, before the outbreak of war, the Paris collections of Chanel and Mainbocher were both modelled on a full skirt and a wasp waist. With the war came a dampener on fashion, and the trend did not catch on until Dior revisited it.

Rosemary Harden, curator of the Fashion Museum in Bath, agrees that the notion of a catwalk aesthetic which straightforwardly reflects the economy "feels quite glib. It's much more complex than that, and I think it's important to unpack it a bit. The 20s and 60s were a time not just of boom but of liberation. The short skirts of the 20s were driven as much by the rise of sportswear as by the stockmarket. The sense of liberation cut across the social spectrum - there are photos of my grandma in south-east London wearing short knitted skirts. The 20s, like the 60s, was a time of opportunity, a time of people not feeling shackled. Opportunity led to newness and experimentation. It is connected to a buoyant economy, but the link is not as direct as people imagine."

Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys department store in New York and author of the memoir Beautiful People, is rather more blunt. The notion of fashion design reflecting the economic mood is "a total fallacy. Fashion people live in a creative hermetic bubble, and are rarely so tuned in to the political or financial vicissitudes of the world. The idea that they might have a Dr Strangelove conclave where they confer about hemlines and the economy is hilarious." Nonetheless, he says, "there is one certainty about recession, which is that fashionistas will buy less - by which I mean one pair of Louboutins instead of three."

Those expecting to find Grapes Of Wrath chic in the stores - dungarees and grubby faces as the hot new look come spring - will be disappointed. Next season's clothes are, if anything, rather more upbeat than those on sale this winter. At John Lewis, recent weeks have seen an upturn in sales of miniskirts and opaque tights, rather than catwalk-led trouser styles. It seems we are in tune with Doonan, whose advice to customers "is always to dress up rather than down, in tough times. You owe it to your pals, family and colleagues to present yourself in an optimistic and fabulous way. Remember what Quentin Crisp said? 'When war broke out, I bought five pounds of henna.' "

So there you have it. Women will do what they want to do when it comes to fashion. Whether the hemlines grow longer or get shorter; the point will always be - to look fabulous.

A Kinder and Gentler Nation or just you

2011-07-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

WHO ARE ALL OF THE MEAN COMPLAINING PEOPLE FILLING THE DAILY NEWS CYCLES?

I began wondering why are people so mean and hostile these days. Do Americans really have a lot to be upset about? We are still the country illegal immagrants risk their lives to come and start a new life the last time I checked. What is going on in America?

I once heard someone say everything they learned that was worth learning; was learned by fifth grade. When our children are born we sing them the ABC song and teach them to count to five and then to ten. We teach them their colors, birthdate, and address. Our dangerous society has forced us to teach them to watch out for strangers and to understand exactly who is a stranger.

As our children grow we reluctantly at times teach them about the birds and the bees and sex educators are telling parents to start teaching children about sex sooner than later. We get into the car with them and help them learn the laws of the driving world. We teach them all of the basics we believe they will need to be successful adults in their lives and in the world. But lately I've been wondering: 'Do we teach our children to be KIND?'

When is it exactly do we do our best to ensure we are raising kind people? In the South, many people see it as a sign of respect if young children are taught to say 'yes sir' and 'no sir.' We love to hear a 'thank you' or 'please' from anyone of any age. But all of the above pleasantries can be labled under respectful and are not indicators as to whether or not the people using thank you and please are kind. I believe the essence of 'kindness' goes deeper than words.

To do or be something one must first have a working understanding of the word, so let's look at the definition of the word KIND:

adj. kind·er, kind·est

1. Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature.

2. Showing sympathy or understanding; charitable: a kind word.

3. Humane; considerate: kind to animals.

4. Forbearing; tolerant: Our neighbor was very kind about the window we broke.

5. Generous; liberal: kind words of praise.

6. Agreeable; beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics

Now that we have the definition of what it means to be kind; we can now ask ourselves the important question whether or not we are raising kind children who will grow up to be a kind person, mate, co-worker, and or parent.

Within the family unit it goes without saying children are expected to be kind to their siblings, family pet and grandma and grandpa but who else does the parent insist the child be kind to? I do not believe there are any other names expected to be added to the KIND list outside of the family circle.

If we are not raising our children to be kind then there should not be an expectation of living in a civilized world. Remember it takes kindness to be friendly towards others. You have to be taught to have a warm hearted nature. It takes kindness to show sympathy or understanding or to be charitable toward another human being. Kindness has to be taught for one to treat another humanely, to be forebearing and tolerant of unintentional errors or even differences among people. A person who has been taught from youth how to be kind are more generous, able to give praise and to be more agreeable.

Maybe our world is suffering not so much because of the evils of the world and the people who inhabit it but because we forgot to teach our children kindness and now live side by side with unkind adults.

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12 New Living Translation Bible

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 New Living Translation Bible

I hope this world filled with unkind people can be changed and when we look into the eyes of our new born baby; I hope one of our greatest desires is that that baby grows up to be a KIND person. A kind person is not a weak pushover but a person who examples God. God wants His children to be clothed in kindness. I have met people who wanted you to know they were meek, humble, and kind so you would know they were a Christian, but I am not sure they were kind so they would interact with others and the world in a different manner filled with compassion, tolerance, and understanding.

A kind person would not mind saying: "I am kind to strangers, I am kind to people who are different than myself, I am kind to those struggling with sin, I am kind to my enemies because I am clothed in God." I believe pride and fear would keep many from embracing kindness. We all wonder what will happen if we were kind to everyone. It is a valid concern, but we should also ask ourselves what type of person are we if we are not a KIND person. What is the opposite of KIND?

The argument against being kind towards others suggests being kind means condoning wrong doing and this is in no way true. Understanding why people do what they do, because of Satan's misleading, allows you to have compassion for the person and knowing God can do a wonderful work in them the same way God did a wonderful work in you. Being kind keeps you from condemning others just as God holds off condemning you until judgement day. And just as in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, God is watching and waiting for His child to return to Him and has demonstrated through the parable His level of tolerence for that lost child as he went in search of what God knew would not be the child's happiness. At no time was God condoning the prodigal son's behavior, but kindness understood the shortcomings of the son.

Christian maturity is not easily obtained. Maturity itself is difficult for adults, but someone needs to be the grown up and grownups should have KINDNESS in their character. In the political arena, in issues that have pitted women against men in the home and workplace, and on the most segregated day of the week, Sunday; when the races/ethnicities go to their small corner of the world in their own church to worship, we can eliminate the petri dish in which unkindness grows and spreads by teaching our children the true and full definition of kindness.

Let's work together for a kinder gentler nation and let it begin by rearing children who have been taught how to be kind in word and deed.

GOP Christian Values and stuff momma never told me about History

2011-07-08T23:37:00.000-05:00

Play dirty in your own background and leave history out of it.

It seems like I have to make this statement. Lately the news has been reporting the most outragous things. Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has gone on record saying the founding fathers worked tirelessly to end slavery. Well, history did not record all of their sit ins and rallies as they protested against slavery. If history has distorted and maliciosuly left out the endless fraught with violence struggle of the founding fathers to end slavery, then our country is being misled and we should do our best to correct the error. But, we do have concrete evidence; the Civil War, that there was a strong incentive to maintain slavery and that incentive was MONEY. Money does not have strange bedfellows; it has just who you think would be there.

Fast forward and we are in another historical period where race and money seems to be what is causing unrest in the United States once again. The cry "I want my country back" has deeper roots than the economy. We are living in a time of the 'perfect Storm' for all skewed thinking to surface. The ugliness of the political arena is the manifestation of the disease of prejudice. The ire over Obama's election breeched the levee of tolerance. Now everything that was hated at a family level is now hated on the national scene. The BLACK stereotypical life is on blast and WE are not going to take it anymore. The ills of America can be traced back to blackness: gang violence, welfare, unemployment, medicaid, abortion, the increase in the Muslim religion, national debt, laziness, illegitamate children, family breakdown, drugs and add whatever else you can think of to add to the list. Obama, it seems raised the fear that the world is headed to doom and he will lead the country to the way of the blacks, socialism, communism or whatever the buzz word is today. It is not projected as such, but make no mistake there is more going on in America than meets the eye. Ask other countries about America and why there is so much internal bickering and you will get an answer you may not want to hear. WHAT IS OUR PROBLEM?!

What is an attack on America? When a group joins together so the President fails (If he fails doesn't America fail/fall too and if someone outside of the United States hatched and announced this same scheme then it would be a hostile act of aggression against the country), when groups sign pacts after the only pact to follow in their JOB description is the constitution (treasonous at least declaring loyalty, signing oaths and such while in public office to entities)? WHAT IS OUR PROBLEM?!

Has any other president had to fight against a political party the way Obama has? His stimulus plan didn't fail; it was rejected by states headed by Republicans set on the president not helping their economic situation. The unemployment rates are slow to recover as Republicans ban together in unison across state lines to put teachers, nurses, firemen, and policemen out of work and call it breaking unions. At this moment Minnesota is shut down based on partisan disagreements. Hurting Obama hurts America. Senator McConnell said his number one goal was to make Obama a one term president. WHY? The gloves came off and yet people with this mentality say they are looking out for the interest of ALL Americans. Disagree without being disagreeable. WHAT IS OUR PROBLEM?!

CAN THE INSANITY GET ANY WORSE?

A Marriage pact was signed by social conservatives (Michele Bachmann) saying during slavery African Americans were born into a 2 parent household and since the election of a black president they are born into a single parent household. When were there black families in slavery? Women were used as baby machines and black men as studs and children; cotton pickers.What is biblical about any of this. What society are you helping and who are the members of THIS society? MY hsitory is being rewritten to make someone feel better about what? I believe when you begin to lie and believe it yourself - you are moving away from God and more towards selfish needs. God raised up a standard; a tangible to measure your Holy life by. Is America moving away from that standard? JUST BECAUSE YOU ADDED OTHER STUFF ABOUT MUSLIMS, HOMOSEXUALS, PORNOGRAPHY DOESN'T MAKE ANY OF THE SLAVERY STUFF TRUE and vice versa.

There will be dueling Bible passages for each point of view but the heart condition which God looks at will be the "truth teller" Look at the Parable of the Rich Man's Harvest Luke 12:16-20 who had a great harvest, built for himself bigger storage so he could live off of his wealth for years "take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry" God had a different agenda and the greedy man who thought of his own comfort died before daybreak. Ugliness, sinfulness, or whatever it is that makes one nurse bitterness whether dressed up in perfume and catchy names can be smelled a mile away as hatefulness. A bad 'heart condition' can't/won't be hidden forever. The question has to be asked: "What set the masses off when Obama became President?" Directly after 9/11 we did not have such an assault against Muslims, but it is believed Obama is a Muslim. Spreading the Wealth is a tag now used but remember when oil monopolies were broken for the betterment of the nation and philanthropy was encouraged for the filthy rich? Were they socialists when this was done?

Glenn Beck decided to explain to the black populous how the intent of the Planned Parenthood founder was to get rid of blacks through genecide and we should hate them. This did not shock any black people because since their introduction into America the intent was to get rid of them in one way or another after usefulness, this was just another attempt in another way and to bring up Planned Parenthood in a climate where such hate is evidenced against the first black president is the pot calling the kettle black. Michele Bachmann is giving the biggest insight into a world once theorized but now ringing true. I tell my kids the next thing to happen is the gift of blankets with smallpox and David Duke has a good chance of winning the GOP backing this election.

So, if the Medicaid, Medicare, abortions, homosexual legislation, voting rights of people released from jails, unions, and whatever else is taken away, Obama was still a president of the United States. His history has already struck and is not eraseable. What history are we as individuals and Christians writing? Huntsman, the GOP Mormon candidate, has done more to elevate his religious beliefs just by being a decent human being unwilling to delve into the slop of partisanship that uplifts no one. GET YOUR MIND RIGHT PEOPLE.

Whether you agree with me or not is not the point. the point is VOTE VOTE VOTE and read my book "The Politics of Prayer"

HEY YOU!!!!! What's in a name?

2011-05-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many years it has been exactly, but there was a time when women were addressed by the name of their husband e.g. Mrs. Tom Jones. I saw just the other day a title of a Christian article offering the subject of whether or not married Christian women should keep their surname verses taking on their husband's surname. I didn't read the article because I did not want to know the Christian spin on the subject or maybe I didn't read it because I believed I knew the Christian position on the subject. Now, I wish I had read it.

I began to think more about "What does a name say about us as women?" Does taking our husband's name make any dramatic statement one way or the other? I have often posted that one of the biggest signs that a man truely loves you is when he wants/does give you and your future children his last name; he is willing to proclaim to the world 'I love HER enough for her to be a complete part of me by sharing my name.' Lovely sentiment when viewed through my rose colored glasses. I guess there are those who will hold to the old truth of the surname being a monicur of ownership and possession.

Let's move from surnames to first names. I read the credits for movies and televisions shows and I can barely pronounce the names. The more difficult the name is to spell or say, the prouder the mother seems to be. In my family, my girls and I agreed we wanted the world to know our names and thus wanted our names to be easy to spell and pronounce. I guess vanity has its place.

I made a truly dumb statement once "Women are so hormonal while pregnant and these names they choose for their babies would not seem as cleaver once the hormones settle. Women should not be allowed to name their babies until after they are born." Did you catch it? Yeah, notice how cleaver I was without raging hormones.

I think I have said in prior posts how proud I am of my name: DOROTHY. In my youth I dreamed of the day when I would become an adult and petition the court to change my name. Somewhere along the way, I gained respect for the name I was coronated with at the day of my birth. Somewhere along the line I became DOROTHY.
Dorothy \d(o)-ro-thy\ as a girl's name is pronounced DOR-a-thee. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Dorothy is "gift of God". This ia how the Greek phrase Δώρων Θεός meaning "Gift of God looks Theodora is its synonym. Literary: the heroine of Frank Baum's "The Wonderful World of Oz", published in 1900. Writers Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Sayers; actresses Dorothy Gish, Dorothy Lamour are a few famous Dorothys.

Dorothy has 40 variant forms: Dasha, Dasya, Dodie, Dody, Doe, Doll, Dolley, Dolli, Dollie, Dolly, Doortje, Dora, Doretta, Dori, Dorika, Dorinda, Dorit, Dorita, Doritha, Dorlisa, Doro, Doronit, Dorota, Dorotea, Dorotha, Dorothea, Dorothee, Dortha, Dorrit, Dorthea, Dorthy, Dory, Dosha, Dosya, Dot, Dottey, Dottie, Dotty, Tea and Thea.

Dorothy is a very popular first name for women (#10 out of 4276) and also a very popular surname or last name for all people (#19719 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census)

My Greek name meaning 'Gift of God' has put some pressure on me. I asked myself "Was I born a Gift of God or am I supposed to live up to and become or do something worthy to be called a Gift of God?"

If words have power, as the Bible tells us, there is power in the words we speak; we can murder with our words. While on the subject of the bible, we are given definitions of the names of key people in the Bible. Many of their destinies were in line with their names and some names were changed as their destiny/purpose changed.

From 1880-1950, Dorothy was a popular name; ranking in the top 5 of names for girls. In 2000 the name bottomed out.
In Hebrew my name is spelled : דּוֹרוֹתִּי

Looks pretty good in Chinese           桃乐丝
The first section or character of my name in Chinese means peach or a surname.
The second section or character means Happy, glad, joyful, cheerful. Enjoy, be glad to, love, find pleasure in; laugh, be amused. Pleasure, enjoyment. Gladly, happily, willingly, or a surname.
The third section or character of my name means Silk; a threadlike thing; a tiny bit. A unit of weight (=0.0005 grams).

Even in numerology my name has meaning. Numerology is an ancient science which was developed by Pythagoras. Numerology offers an insight into the personality by assigning numeric values to the letters contained in names. The results provide the hidden meaning of the name Dorothy. Each letter contained in the name is assigned a number. Every number is associated with specific characteristics. Work out the value of each of the letters in your name using the following table:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A B C D E F G H I

J K L M N O P Q R

S T U V W X Y Z

Example: Cathy

C A T H Y       B R O W N E

3 1 2 8 7         2 9 6 5 5 5

Add together all the numbers of the name Cathy (3+1+2+8+7) = 21 and Browne (2+9+6+5+5+5) = 32

Then add together the values 21+32 = 53

Then add together 5+3 = 8
The numerological value, or Name Number, of the example name is therefore 8. Use this method of numerology to calculate the value of your full name and find the hidden meanings and characteristics of the name Dorothy together with any middle names and your last name. ***My number is 1 when using my first, middle, and last name.

Number Meaning & Characteristics

1 Competitive - a leader, independent, strength, creative and original

2 Diplomatic - friendly, tactful, peaceful, gentle and sensitive

3 Optimistic - Easygoing, sociable, spontaneous and humorous

4 Traditionalist - Determined, reliable, conservative, activist and organised

5 Creative - Free spirited, artistic, enquiring, innovative and influential

6 Contributor - Responsible, careful, conventional and reliable

7 Inventive - Imaginative, resourceful, eccentric, quiet and thoughtful

8 Organizer - Leadership skills, planner, strong, high achiever and sound judgment

9 Humanitarian - Compassionate, caring, charitable and civilised

The numerical value of just DOROTHY is 5:
Numerological Analysis: Represents people who are impulsive, instinctive, like changes, dynamic, need freedom and space with unconventional personality. Able to do several things at once, adaptive, charismatic and acceptable in society. Have a sense of distinction and sense of criticism. Like freedom and tend to lack a sense of time.

It is evident that when you say my name, a name I once hated, you are saying a mouthful. It doesn't have any uniquie vowel combinations and it is not a compilation of my mother's and father's name, but I think it was the perfect choice.

Money Talks

2011-05-16T02:19:00.000-05:00

There are many Bible passages that have been misquoted over and over again and one Bible misquote I have heard often is: "The love of money is evil." We may say we see the damage the love of money has manifested in the lives of celebrities and everyday people we come into contact with in our lives. But, I still would like to clear up the misquote and set the record straight. "The love of money is the ROOT of ALL evil" 1 Timothy 6:10.

With the addition of the word 'root' and 'all' our perception of money should change and we should guard ourselves from the pitfalls that the love of money brings. Many people are in an uproar, not because they are dirt poor, but because they have decreased a level or two in their economic soundness. Anyone who tries to convince you that poverty is fun would probably benefit from some sort of professional counseling. But, when we allow our financial state to determine our amount of joy in life as a whole, then we must look at what defines our happiness.

While thinking about money and the way we depend upon it and use it, I wondered was there a difference in the way women used money and the way men used money. And the answer is a resounding yes. I found there are 5 top ways each sex use their money (after taking care of the basic necessities that are common to both sexes such as rent and food) and found the differences a little eye opening.

MEN: Men don’t spend, they invest. Men don’t want something, they need it. Theirs is a future-money orientation. Men are trained to fix and provide, so they view money as a means to capture and accumulate things to add more value.

Men will spend their money on investments, entertainment, women/online dating/love, hobbies and sports, and betting and gambling.

WOMEN: Women are trained to nurture and seek acceptance and so view money as a means to create a lifestyle. Women spend on things that enhance day-to-day living. Theirs is a now-money orientation. Women are the collectors of stuff and are taught that what they need to get through life is approval. They have to look good, act good and be good.

An average woman will spend 8.5 years of her life shopping. So you guessed it, shopping tops the list of how and where women spend their money. Next we have beauty, health and fitness, love/online dating, and funishings.

There you have it. Each of the sexes have distinct spending habits to which the marketing masses can target each of the sexes in specific ways. Our purchases are the fruit that are springing forth from the branches of a root. Remember the LOVE of money is the ROOT evidenced and so I ask does our purchases serve as an indicator of our EVIL? For the man would it be the deep need for more and more money and for the woman would it be the purchase of unending beauty?

With more and more money men become more and more powerful actually buying people's opinion and loyalty; obtaining the perfect trophy wife and trading her in when she no longer fits the bill. Men even become workaholics to the neglect of wife and children. Notice gambling creeps into the bootom of the list; a force of distruction.

With more money women spend countless thousands for the perfect nose, smile, breast, butt, tummy and the list goes on and on what a woman is willing to do to her body surgically to obtain the idea of youthful beauty. When a woman will inject a poison into her face in an effort not to have wrinkles; then you know just how important beauty is to her. Not only is she interested in being beautiful, she is interested in being surrounded in beauty. I have never ceased to be amazed at a group of women telling each other how many men they are dating and which bill the man is paying freeing up money to get her hair and nails done.

Well, I have not escaped that statistic of 8.5 years of shopping. I have a love of shoes and I have contributed to the millions the make-up industry pulls in yearly. We often want to be equal to men in all things. Do we want the men's top 5 to be ours? Do we want to trade an obsession for beauty with an obsession for status?

As a group (women) we are saying alot when we are not even giving a clear voice to a subject. Our spending habits speak for us and I do not know if we are purposefully driving what our voice is saying. As I said, businesses and services follow our spending trends and cater to those statistical needs. Our spending power influences society. Our use of money actually speaks volumes about our heart. We ask everyone to see us as a serious player in the world, but someone who is so focused on looks and overall appearances may not feel capable or worthy if she doesn't look just so. Is the fruit of our root beauty alone?

Ugly Subject: We live with ugly everyday

2011-05-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

What is considered to be such an ugly subject until we allow it to live and thrive because we don't want to be exposed to ugly? RAPE

I wrote a poem that placed in a national poetry contest: "Every Three Minutes" which dealt with the subject of rape.

This is a subject women should take the lid off of and empower themselves and their daughters to guard against as they live and grow. Understanding the beast is the first step and that those targeted are not to blame. Know the truth, know the myth. Teach the truth and teach the myth.
Myth: Rape is sex, Women incite men to rape, There is a "right way" to respond to a rape situation, etc. Here is a site where you can separate fact from myth: http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/3925/myths.html

I encourage every woman, every friend of a woman, and mothers to down load this page to keep and refer to at least once a year to remind yourself that rape is real and still happens. To be informed is just another part of loving yourself.

As with all of the evils in the world, be wary of how this subject is approached so you will not instill anxiety and paranoia. Awareness is a key weapon in the battle against rape.

Womens_eNews posted 25 Facts about Rape in America and I wanted to share them with you.

1.The FBI’s definition of “forcible rape” in their Uniform Crime Report (UCR): “The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.”

2.What that definition leaves out: anal, oral and statutory rape; incest; rape with an object, finger or fist; rape of men

3.Number of men raped in any year, according to the UCR: 0

4.Estimated number of men actually raped each year, according to the Dept. of Justice: 93,000

5.Number of women raped in 2007 under the UCR definition: 91,874

6.Number of sexual assaults in 2007–which includes rapes the FBI leaves out–according to the National Crime Victimization Survey: 248,300

7.Dept. of Justice estimate of how many women are actually raped each year: 300,000

8.Number of arrests for rape in 2007 (UCR): 23,307

9.Percentage of rapes that result in incarceration: 0.35 percent

10.Number of murders/manslaughters in 2007 (UCR): 17,157

11.Number of arrests for murder/manslaughter in 2007 (UCR): 13,480

12.Percentage of murders that result in incarceration: 20 percent or more

13.Average number of rapes to every murder committed annually: 5 to 1

14.Two of the top five cities in the U.S. with the most “unfounded” (i.e., false or baseless reports, according to police) rapes: New Orleans and Baltimore

15.Percentage of rape reports deemed “unfounded” by New Orleans police in 2008: 60 percent

16.Percentage of rape reports deemed “unfounded” by Baltimore police in 2009: 32 percent

17.Percentage of actual estimated false rape reports in any given year according to research studies: 2-8 percent

18.Percentage of rape reports deemed “unfounded” by the FBI in 2006: 5 percent

19.How Baltimore police once explained their “unfounded” rape rate: “One of the things we know is that victims do lie.”

20.Percentage of rape reports deemed “unfounded” (i.e. falsely reported) by Philadelphia police in 1983: 52 percent

21.The year Philadelphia was forced to clean up its rape reporting practices: 1999

22.Percentage of rape reports deemed unfounded in Philadelphia in 2007: 10 percent

23.What a Philadelphia police officer once called his city’s sex crimes unit: “The lying bitches unit.”

24.“Reasons” women lie about rape, according to Philadelphia’s police department in 1984: revenge; free abortion; covering up truancy, pregnancy, infidelity, lost money, sexual precocity.

25.Number of people who have signed a letter urging the FBI to change its definition of rape: 2,019 (and counting)

A Mother's Worth

2011-05-06T23:58:00.000-05:00

With Mother's Day just around the corner, my thoughts began to turn to all of the things I do and have done for my children and family in general as a mother. I see all of the fuzzy feelings and tender hearted commercials trying to tell children what would be the perfect gift for mom. But is there an appropriate gift to give the one who gives their all.

I thought about Jesus and how he laid his life down for humanity so they could have a shot at eternal life. The giving of self so fully for others - others you have never met, yet was willing to die for. Moms are not up there with Jesus, but there is no other example of giving their all, including their life for someone they love, as a mother.

I must admit there are some terrible mothers out there. It isn't an easy job. but, even with their imperfections; their children love them deeply. So, for me to say 'there are some terrible moms' would be too flippant, judgemental, and down right horrible. So I separate the less than perfect mom, my category, from criminal moms.

I love listening to the commercials encouraging people to adopt. They target in on the fact that you do not have to be cool, a rocket scientist, or child psychologist to be a loving person willing to adopt a child needing to be loved.

I wanted to take the time to appreciate those who are in this institution of motherhood. Sometimes it is a thankless position of late hours and few seeable benefits. But, upon reflection it turns out to be filled with benefits. Nothing can ever compare to that first whiff of innocence-newness I inhaled the first time I held each of my daughters for the first time; that was priceless. All of the funny faces they made at new discoveries. The laughter that tickled my ears at the simplest of things they found to be hillarious and I had long ago took for granted. If I were offered millions for my mother memories, I would turn it down. So to all of the mothers out there; happy mother's day.

So how much is a stay-at-home parent's work really worth? According to Salary.com's 2010 Mother's Day Paycheck for Mom's Job, the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $117,867 for a stay-at-home mom. Not too shabby eh?

Heather Chrudimsky states that a stay-at-home moms perform many necessary duties, have important responsibilities that serve as the glue in a family/household that keeps it together and running smoothly. Their duties don't run on a 9 to 5 schedule and there is no punch out time. Below is her listing of a mother's duties.

10. Administrative assistant: run errands, answer the phone, pay bills, fill out paperwork, organize and schedule activities,
9. Chef: whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cooking responsibilities are on the shoulders of the stay-at-home - all while taking care of the kids.
8. Tutor/teacher: Time to bring out the math, science, spelling, etc. skills back out. No matter what the age, homework help is a staple in a stay-at-home mom's day.
7. Chauffeur: Whether it's to school, choir, dance, sports practice, dentist, doctor, friend's house, park, grocery store, etc., stay-at-home moms spend just about as much time in their vehicle as a truck driver.
6. Daycare provider: Kiddos are obviously a stay-at-home mom's top priority. Making sure they are busy, safe and engaged is a constant.
5. Referee: Literally and figuratively. Children fight and it is the job of mom to make sure no one is hurt and lessons are learned.
4. Doctor/nurse: Band-aids, ointment and mommy kisses - nothing cures a boo-boo better.
3. Psychiatrist: Whether is it helping little ones understand their growing emotions or healing a first broken heart - mom is always there to offer a shoulder to cry on, and give advice of course.
2. Maid/homemaker: Just call them domestic divas - name the cleaning chore, stay-at-home moms have done it.
1. Family mascot/boss: Regardless of a faimly's makeup, moms are the family centerpiece, keeping the family together, making sure everything runs smoothly and keeping everyone happy.

Seems like mothers might need regular vacation time.

What ever you decide to give your mother for Mother's Day; expensive or not, make sure you smother her with 'thank yous' and 'love yous' because this is music to a mother's ears.

A Woman's Secret Desire For a mate Uncovered

2011-05-06T00:18:00.000-05:00

Women are not in a rush to say ‘I do’ anymore and when they do finally find that special someone they are willing to marry, you may be surprised to know the science or lack thereof in how he becomes become the lucky little fellow. Below are some statistics on the marital condition of the U.S. and a few looks at how women select their mates.

by Mark Mather and Diana Lavery

(September 2010) Marriage rates have dropped precipitously among young adults ages 25 to 34 during the past decade and the decline has accelerated since the onset of the recession, according to PRB's analysis of new data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey (ACS) and 2010 Current Population Survey (CPS). The data suggest that more young couples are delaying marriage or foregoing matrimony altogether, likely as an adaptive response to the economic downturn and decline in the housing market.

Between 2000 and 2009, the share of young adults ages 25 to 34 who are married dropped 10 percentage points, from 55 percent to 45 percent, according to ACS data. During the same period, the percentage who have never been married increased sharply, from 34 percent to 46 percent. In a dramatic reversal, the proportion of young adults in the United States who have never been married now exceeds those who are married. Among the total population ages 18 and older, the proportion married dropped from 57 percent in 2000 to 52 percent in 2009. This is the lowest percentage recorded since information on marital status was first collected by the U.S. Census Bureau more than 100 years ago. Among women, the proportion married dropped below 50 percent (to 49.9 percent), so the number of unmarried women (including those who are separated, widowed, divorced, and never married) outnumber married women, possibly for the first time in U.S. history. In 2009, there were an estimated 59.5 million adult women who were married, compared with 59.8 million women in other marital categories.

Many people who are classified as single are actually in cohabiting relationships with opposite- or same-sex partners. In fact, the sharp decline in marriage has been accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of cohabiting couples, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in September, 2010.4 Cohabitation has been on the rise for several decades, but the Census Bureau links the recent increase in cohabiting couples to rising unemployment rates and growing economic uncertainty, especially among young men. Given the scope of the recent recession, many more couples are likely to choose cohabitation over marriage in the coming years

As much as we love our independence we are still a flawed and socially linked if not dependent in matters of the heart. Women pay even more attention than men to what others think about their choice in a partner, according to an Indiana University study described on Jezebel.com.

Not only do they take notice of what their friends think, but they want to know how complete strangers assess their potential partner. It's called "mate choice copying," and it's documented in many other species, especially fish and birds.

Eye candy prevails for surprising reasons. New research suggests that women measure a man's potential as a mate based on the masculinity of his features. The man who has a square jaw and a very well defined brow ridge is considered a great short-term partner because he will be adventurous, fun and exciting. He is not considered a long-term partner because he will likely be too busy with his competitive challenges than he would be on being a good partner. The woman who is looking for a long-term mate will be seeking the man with gentler features, more rounded in the face and with fuller lips. This is a man who would be less likely to cheat on his spouse, abandon them for his adventures or more. Participants in the study overwhelmingly defined the men with the most masculine features as the men with the greatest risk.

Romantically and statistically, when you look at the rebellious male figure in a story - his chiseled, square jaw and his emphasized brow ridges define him. He is extremely masculine and he is extremely difficult to entreat into a long-term relationship. According to other studies in psychology, women tend to view men with very masculine features as great flings, but hardly long term potential. These are the types of men more likely to abandon them or die young - so while their contribution to offspring is great, their potential as a mate for life is not.

There are other explanations to be offered and part of the answer seems to be how much your prospective partner looks like your dad. This is according to researchers at Durham University led by Lynda Boothroyd, who have shown that women who have good childhood relationships with their fathers are more likely to select partners whose faces resemble those of their dads.

The researchers were looking for evidence of parental sexual imprinting, a sexual preference for individuals that have some of the characteristics of one's parent. A group of women were shown photographs of men's faces and asked to rate their attractiveness. The faces were measured (using calipers) and compared to the women's fathers. The women were also asked to rate their relationships with their fathers, in terms of how much time he spent with them and how emotionally involved he was in their upbringing.

The study follows on from an earlier effort by another researcher, Tamas Bereczkei, showing that men's wives bore a stronger resemblance to the men's mothers if they had had a good relationship with them as children. The phenomenon of parental sexual imprinting has also been heavily studied in many animal species, for example zebra finches.

In the Bible, marriage and family ranks very high. With all the information above it is evident there must first be the ‘desire’ to marry. I hope we women have not given up on this institution because of a long laundry list of everything that must be perfect for us to marry, because *****NEWS FLASH****** marriage isn’t perfect. For more wonderful marriage statistics:

http://www.prb.org/Articles/2010/usmarriagedecline.aspx.

Silence is not always Golden

2011-05-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT.

Seems like the African American community would have a lot to say on this 21st century occurance, but there is a deafening silence.

We heard with loud voices the everyday American; not the academically elite or career government type, make their needs/demands known all the way to the steps of the capitol. This group was so outspoken and united in spirit and cause untill this grassroot group received their own name.

Time marched on from year one to year two of a never seen before presidency. Another group would come forth demanding to be heard on an issue that could destroy family and livelihood. The second large mass chorus of voices were those of the Hispanic community and those standing up for immigration rights. This group was what one may, if they were the risky type, call a sleeper cell.

The Hispanic population simmered for years underneath the radar of politicians. Soon census tabulations would show the increase of births and thus population of this ethnic group in America. I noticed, the increase and the forcasted first largest minority group by 2010 if not earlier pushing blacks to second place. For those not paying any attention, it occurred earlier and not later. Hispanics have made a large footprint in number and now have new political clout. If they spoke united, they could be heard because they now have voting power. Yes, there are some illegal immigrants, but there is still the power of friends of this ever growing group who are sympathetic to their plight as Americans. A majority of Americans will always root for the underdog. I have been that type of person in my daily life.

Now we are at year three and there are other voices booming across the wide world of the web. This group is the ever come lately group of women. Yes, a mistake was made. Some toes were stepped on; and when those toes are polished and often times in those totally unnecessary 5 inch heels; there should be some screaming or loud discourse going on don't you think?

All of the above groups demonstrating their vocal power before using their voting power have a bone to pick. I am not writing this to say whether it is right or wrong; I'm writing to say HEY there is a silence coming from the black community.

While Obama was running for president, I listened to male Christians try to convince me not to vote for Obama just because he was black and I was black. They said I should not "VOTE EMOTIONALLY." If my eyes did not say it, I finally did. Why do you and how dare you assume that I do not weigh the person running for president by his platform. I have voted several times prior to the first black man on top of the democratic ballot election and if no one cared how I picked my candidate then, why now? I guess in all other elections I was allowed the benefit of doubt trusted on my own to use some kind of reasoning other than the color of their tie to choose who received my vote. Why all of a sudden was I being told to leave emotion at home. Studies show candidates are voted for out of some type of emotion: he will save us, he is the kind of guy you would like to have a beer with, he's just like the everyday person, he fought bravely for our country, etc. Researchers will even tell you, handsome candidates win.

Needless to say, votes were cast, and people other than people sharing his skin color voted and elected Obama president. And now to the not so golden silence.

Where are the voices of pride in the black community? A drug free, never convicted, college educated, married man, loving father, great personality, critical thinker, team player, constitutional law expert is president. This is an example we can point to and tell our children "You can go to college, you can get married and stay married, you can raise your children in your own home, you can retain all of your blackness and still be a viable contributer to your community and nation at large."

The dreams may not be the same, but there is not one thing stopping you from having a dream and moving in the direction of that dream.

We see on a national scale that Obama is having a bumpier ride than most presidents. Some say it is racism some say it is just the discomfort of the economic down turn. But, there have been obstacles for black people and let's face it, that may never change. But, once aagain we see an example of perseverence in President Obama. If he is angered by less than enthusisatic detractors-he marches on still being true to the office he has been appointed to. He has been called names by bullies because that is what bullies do. When the dust settles, they will still be bullies waiting for fresh meat while history books across the world will write about the presidency of Obama. Some wanted the president to get angry to get tough; attributes the balck man have been stereotyped as for centuries. Attributes Obama has demonstrated are a choice not a genetic condition.

This is not about policy or politics. I don't care who you voted for. But not to stand up and cheer that Obama, his wife, and children have finally, visibly shaken the foundation of the stereotype of the 'black person' is worth giving voice to. A politcal commentator said "Obama's presidency is showing us in America and around the world - if this black man is not good enough- than what black man is?" I hope there will be other black people to answer this question. I hope the treatment of this president does not deter the black community from entering other positions of power and status. I hope the BLACK VOICE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

And as for me, I salute you President Obama for showing our black men that success is not the car you drive, how many women you have, or whether you are shown proper hood respect. Success is mapping out your life, being the best person you can be, working the extra time to go the extra distance, realizing a good woman by your side is an asset and how you treat her is part of your character, and finally realizing what has been true as long as there has been a world: not everyone is going to like/love you, no one is going to make life easy for you, there will be failures and there will be successes, but what is yours, truly yours, no one can take away from you; it will always be part of your make up. This is true no matter your color, race, sex, or political leaning.

*********A side note********* If you do not believe the first woman president (Hillary Clinton) would not have been disrespected as the first female president, then I need you to keep reading my spin on the world in my past and upcoming blogs. Reminded of the song: It's a Man's World but every man needs a good woman or a girl.

Honour Killings in United States

2011-04-30T12:16:00.000-05:00

A Maricopa County Superior Court jury on Tuesday found an Iraqi immigrant guilty of running down his daughter and another woman in a Peoria parking lot in Oct. 2009.

Faleh Hassan Al-Maleki was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing his daughter Noor, 20, and of aggravated assault for injuring her boyfriend's mother, Amal Khalaf, 41. He was also found guilty of two counts of leaving the scene of a fatal or injury accident. He stalked her. Tormented her. Threatened her and finally murdered her for not being Muslim enough. She was too "westernized." So the Muslim misogynist murdered his own daughter in cold blood. He was convicted today of second degree murder.

What exactly does being too 'western' mean? Is it about the way a person dresses or is it about personal independence? After witnessing the attack on unions speciffically those predominantly in the field of women's occupations such as nursing and teaching and not firemen and policemen, there could be a subtle attack on female independence of western women. Also as Planned Parenthood is being defunded, an institution which offers medical care targeted towards women, we must take a look to see if the voices of women are being hushed to a whisper in the United States.

There is no doubt Muslim countries have complete say even ownership of their female counterpart. Young girls are subjected to arranged marriages done by the men of the clan. The clothing women don has to be determined by the men as well as their financial security or lack there of. Women live within the guidelines and boundaries of the religion watched over by the men.

As with Christianity, we know there are tennants listed within the religious manual, i.e. the Bible, that we do not fully agree with, but in faithfulness to the chosen religion, we adhere to. The Muslim religion has the same and have followers who may not love the restrictive guidelines, but none the less follow. But what is to be done when a Muslim decides not to willingly follow the dictates of their national religion?

In the United States, contrary to some teachings of so called patriotic Christians, America was set up as to allow religious freedom without the threat of persecution; and this means more than just for Christianity. Any and all followers of religion are suppose to be free to practice their religion as long as no other laws of the land are broken. Murder is against the law in the United States (I will not bring abortion into this particular discussion. Roe vs Wade was a law instituted for this particular taking of life making abortion legal and protected).

So, the fact remains, the father would have been within his rights to commit an honour killing if it had been done in a nation which allowed such an act to occur. Relocating from his homeland to the United States meant that he would have to abide by the laws of the land in which he resided. Being faithful to the rules of his culture and religion did not allow him to sit back and watch his daughter break long established rules, no matter where he lived. Within his heart, he believed he had to do what he had been taught to be right, regardless of society and what they believed and followed. As I have said before, we choose and make decisions and then we must live with, be rewarded, or suffer the consequences of as he did.

The laws of our land were upheld over religion, separation of church and state at work. For Americans, who could never understand the depth a person is willing to go to uphold antiquated beliefs, justice prevailed.

In a time in our own country where CHANGE is causing extreme growing pains and 'old ways' of the 'old guard' are being held on to in the clutches of a dying generation of power holders, there is little sympathy for those wanting to return to the old America.

The old America longed for by many, also treated women as a entity without a voice or as an object to be owned and kept within guidelines and rules decided by their male counterparts. Just as baffling as it is for us to comprehend a father killing his own daughter for becoming too 'westernized' it is just as baffling to me how anyone, especially a woman could stand and declare they want to return to 'the old America,' a time of crushing oppression for women.

Is Planned Parenthood the Enemy?

2011-04-30T00:03:00.000-05:00

In the "Alan Guttmacher Institute" it was reported in 2001-July, 37% of all abortions are performed on Protestant women: 18% of all abortions are done on born again Protestants which constitute 30% of the American adult population. The abortion index by religion during 1994-1995 was found to be: Protestants 0.69%, non-Judeo-Christian religion 0.78%, Catholics 1.01%, Jews 1.08% and persons who do not follow an organized religion 4.02%. this information was prepared by "Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, Storrs, CT, in 1995 from five Gallop polls. 2010 Census Statistics on increase or decrease of birthrates by races have not been released, but there has been a reported increase in the Hispanic population.

The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform has statistics on abortion from information obtained in the late 90's (http://www.abortionno.org/)

UNITED STATES

Number of abortions per year: 1.37 Million (1996)

Number of abortions per day: Approximately 3,700

Who's having abortions (age)?

52% of women obtaining abortions in the U.S. are younger than 25: Women aged 20-24 obtain 32% of all abortions; Teenagers obtain 20% and girls under 15 account for 1.2%.

Who's having abortions (race)?

While white women obtain 60% of all abortions, their abortion rate is well below that of minority women. Black women are more than 3 times as likely as white women to have an abortion, and Hispanic women are roughly 2 times as likely. ***note from me: if having 60% of abortions that only leaves 40% to be split by other ethnicities and it will not be more in total number only rate appears higher***** The word likely to have an abortion is not the same as 'does' have an abortion.

Who's having abortions (marital status)?

64.4% of all abortions are performed on never-married women; Married women account for 18.4% of all abortions and divorced women obtain 9.4%.

Who's having abortions (religion)?

Women identifying themselves as Protestants obtain 37.4% of all abortions in the U.S.; Catholic women account for 31.3%, Jewish women account for 1.3%, and women with no religious affiliation obtain 23.7% of all abortions. 18% of all abortions are performed on women who identify themselves as "Born-again/Evangelical".

Who's having abortions (income)?

Women with family incomes less than $15,000 obtain 28.7% of all abortions; Women with family incomes between $15,000 and $29,999 obtain 19.5%; Women with family incomes between $30,000 and $59,999 obtain 38.0%; Women with family incomes over $60,000 obtain 13.8%.

Another breakdown of statistics on abortions show which groups are having abortions

Age Group & Race

                     '72       '76      '80      '85        '90       '91       '92        '93        '94
Age

<=19           32.6    32.1     29.2    26.3     22.4     21.0      20.1     20.0       20.2

20-24           32.5     33.3    35.5     34.7      33.2     34.4      34.5     34.4       33.5

>=25            34.9     34.6    35.3    39.0      44.4    44.6     45.4     45.6       46.3

Race

White           77.0      66.6    69.9     66.6      64.8    63.8      61.5     60.9       60.5

Black           23.0      33.4    30.1     29.8      31.8     32.5      33.9     34.9       34.7

Other                                                 3.5        3.4       3.7        4.6       4.2        4.8

Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, January 3, 1997, Vol. 45 / Nos. 51 & 52. Published by Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta.

I put all of these statistics on my blog not to defend having abortions. The biblical stance on abortion would be not to have one, sorry there is no way around this fact of Christianity. I did put this information here to dispell the belief that if you get rid of Planned Parenthood you would do away with people getting rid of unwanted unplanned pregnancies. I have heard people blame Obama for abortion and I think how ridiculous to blame the president. Women choose to have abortions and women are the only one, if finger pointing is to be done, who should be pointed at.

In our democratic society people choose what they want through the process of voting. At one time in our medical history it was considered a moral sin to use corpses for medical students to study the systems of the human body, this criminal activity, so dubbed by the religious institutions went on to save countless lives. Of course abortion does just the opposite, it destroys lives. To decide to institute obstacles in the everyday citizen's life to keep them from sinning against God would take more government intrusion than anyone is willing to submit too.

The argument is; "what about the babies?" and I can understand the heart felt concern about the unborn, but the parent still has this right by law to do what they want to with their unborn child. We sit by daily and know children are being abused sexually and emotionally and say we can not intrude in on the horrible parenting skills we may be witnessing. We choose not to teach parenting skills as part of school curriculum because we may not agree with the parenting skills being taught, but we will step in on a parent's decision when it comes to abortion because that is murder and no longer a private matter.

In life we try to have things both ways and every way. I believe once you have told a person what God condones and does not condone you have done your part. We all make choices that are bad (not on such a level as aborting a fetus) and deal with the consequences and some times we must let others have their consequences of their actions.

Would I be alright if abortion was outlawed? YES. Will that stop abortions? NO. Who will follow women who's desire is not to have an unwanted child? Who will continue to police them? Who polices you to ensure you are making moral decisions in your life?

Continue to speak up for what you believe and what God wants, but remember you are not God. God does not force anyone to choose not to sin.

My greatest surprise, as always, was that there were statistics on religious women having abortions. At one time in American history a family consisted of several children often hitting double digits. Now the average is 2.1 children per household. What happened to the birthrate in the Christian household? While we continue to try and force the non-Christian to adhere to Biblical teachings, the church body needs to work on its own abortion statistics. Living by example- actions instead of just words has always worked. Jesus' earthly ministry proves this everlasting fact

WORKING WOMEN still attacked

2011-04-29T17:53:00.000-05:00

On good old facebook a question was asked by a woman: "Should women work outside of the household and do you men; prefer your wife not to work?" Well I had to respond.

My reply was family based stating that I believe the institution of family has suffered from not having at least one parent at home to rear their children. School, church, babysitter, television, etc., can not and should not instill family values, total academia, and societal laws into the sponge like mind of children.

I said if the married couple agreed, whether it was the husband or wife, at least one person should take on the responsibility for their children's development from birth to age 18.

Another facebook friend replied to me by saying that the WOMAN should be the one at home and not working according to the Bible structure for marriage. She said women should stay in their designated place and the belief of modern Christians that if an agreement is struck it makes things okay (which she said it doesn't). She said she would never consider working unless her husband was ill then she would enter the workplace.

I went back and acknowledged the Bible is the best blueprint for correct living and if it was followed the home would be healed. I pointed out that my answer was for women in general and I was proposing a solution for the crumbled family. I pointed out the fact that the question would be moot if it was meant for Christians because we all know that every Christian is married before having children and the husband would be the head of the household and what ever his income, sufficient or not, they would live within their means joyously. SARCASM ALERT

I myself became a Christian after having a child out of wedlock. Once wed, I did stay at home with my children. But, as Christian wives and mothers, what are we exampling to other Christians and non-Christians? Can we have conversations with non-Christians without placing guidelines we accepted freely (the Bible) on them and yet have solutions for very real problems? Or are we just parrots repeating what we have been told and yet do not follow ourselves?

Back to her saying she would work if her husband was ill and could not. Why does the rules dissappear when the head of the house is not able to perform adequately in providing for his family but not in any other serious circumstance? What if your husband's income could not feed the dozens of children you are commanded to bear (be fruitful and multiply), is it fine to work then? By the way, Christians are only having the number of children they feel comfortable supporting financially and even emotionally which is not biblical either (Read my book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" for more detail on this Christian birtrate hypocrisy.

Head of the household means head of the household. If a woman and the children suffer from insufficient income brought in from one working man, then the family should suffer from the husband inability to make any income. An unemployable husband is still head of the household and the woman is still the care giver and overseerer of the home.

Christians seem to change the rules for themselves but have no tolerence for non-Christians changing rules they never agreed to follow. The Bible then, seems to be for the non-Christian and not for the Christian.

If a non-Christian married man and woman cannot agree that the man should stay home and she should work, leaving her non agreed to biblical role then when a Christian man cannot work, his wife should not abandon her post. Sounds ridiculous doesn't it to let children starve just because of Biblical roles for men and women. Well, it is not. The Christians are not alone and have God to depend on in these types of extreme hardships. It is in these miracle ready circumstances that a greater testimony is given to the world: "When I follow God and His word, He is faithful to supply my needs." How can God demonstrate His great love and care for His followers, who obey His commands and are promised numerous blessings for following his statutes when they step in and handle things themselves out of fleshly fear and concerns? THIS IS NOT SARCASM. the Bible even says Christians are a strange people not doing what the world does, but depending on Him in faith.

Christian women (some) look down on the working woman as long as their husband's have a good job, but their tune changes when finacial difficulties occur and they will take that non-Christian woman's non-biblical job position in a heartbeat.

So, the reason for this post. Be careful of the self righteous stand you take with the world. Teach the Bible, don't change the message, but be mindful of the advice you are giving. We are ALL so far from following the guidelines of the Bible and we need the grace and mercy of God daily. With love, help move others as well as self into the place of maturity God would have us all live in. We can be what God would have us to be with education, support and not condemnation.

We live in a time of greed allowing the family structure to suffer. We live in a time where we pick and choose what part of the Bible we are willing to follow. If we all got it right immediately our world would be a dfferent place.

From a woman who has been a working mom and a stay at home mom, I have respect for the great intitution of womanhood and motherhood.

CHURCH FAILURE: Black Agenda

2011-04-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

The speration of church and state has allowed the church leaders to turn a blind eye to community and most importantly to family needs. When church leaders fail to have opened eyes to the state of human - physical well being of the body of Christ and citizens of a nation, sickness is allowed to creep in. When leaders instill in the body of Christ "I am able to tell you all that you need to know about living a Christian life" and do not offer tools, resources, encouragement, support, education in doing so, disease thrives.

Many black Christians as well as non black Christians live in a state of bondage of the mind. They turn to religion (as every other slave in history) for answers; for freedom. The clergy has always offered Jesus for those in bondage as the one answer and giver of freedom. As a Christian I know Jesus is the answer for the bondage of death caused by sin. The soul can have salvation and a promise of eternity with God. But after freedom one must live as a free person and that has always been difficult for the slave who has only known bondage. The Israelites wanted to return to slavery (Pharoah) under Moses leadership instead of going on to the journey of the unknown. As a slave they had the certainty of knowing their daily routine and the FREEDOM of someone else determining their life and worth. Today's black person is suffering from POST TRAUMATIC SLAVE DISORDER.

Post traumatic slave disorder reminds them in flashbacks how black people were beaten if caught reading (notice how blacks almost recoil, run from education), blacks remember how no matter how hard and long they worked they could never make enough money to buy their own freedom let alone their entire family's freedom. Even if they made money they did not know how to count it or its value (black people do not know how to handle finance, budget, invest), flashbacks to KKK riding by if they gathered together and talked about how to, together as a community, work for better living standards, laws (the only large gathering of blacks today is in the church and they will not talk about bettering themselves), flash backs to trying to vote when barriers were placed one after another, jobs lost, even lives lost (blacks will not keep up with politics and do not even know candidates or issues to vote for), and finally the heart wrenching flashbacks of families being separated and sold. Children wrenched from mothers, young girls used for breeding, big buck traded from plasntation to plantation for hard labor (no feeling of national equality, no voice in America as a tax payer too).

How can there be spiritual freedom when the mind and the essence of a people is still in bondage. Okay, if the church waves the banner of church and state are separate; how can leaders minister to family units that are broken, how can they baptize, marry, and bury people knowing they will never rise above their education level in society. How can leaders tell people to live HOLY but not tell them to live HEALTHY emotionally and physically.

Leaders should know and I know they do, that the black community is suffering. These same suffering people come to church religiously and yet are offered salvation Sunday after Sunday. How many times do they need to be saved? I went to a church that had 6 members. The same 6 people had been going to that church for 30 years and each Sunday the pastor ended service with an alter call and the 6 people went to the alter each Sunday. Needless to say I do not attend that church anymore.

The Black Agenda, the plague of the hearts and minds of the black body of Christ is not a long list or even a hellish over powering demon. It can be summed up in 5 easy titles:
1.     Health Care: black people will wait till they are almost dead before going to the doctor. We practice bad health choices, take it to the alter and go right back to assisting in our own illnesses.
2.     Poor Education: Our children barely graduate. We work hard to teach them their ABC"s and 123's before school and then don't help them with homework throughout the rest of their schooling
3.     Rate of Incarceration: We turn as blind eye to the fact our unemployed children make more purchases than employed people. 15% of blacks use crack yet over 80% are jailed for it. Over 80% of whites use crack and less than 10% are in jail for it. Areas with low graduation rates have highest incarceration rates. But, we do not need statistics to know what are children are doing.
4.     Unemployment: I have never seen a group who actually believes is they hate reading and writing that they are suppose to have a high paying job.
5.     Family Breakdown: 2 or more generations of one family living in one house without a father figure. Young men by the age of 24 with 2 baby mommas. This list can go on and on. If we are failures in our homes, guess what, we are apt to be the same in the community, work place, state, nation, country world. This is a biblical premise when Jesus said start at home and then spread abroad.

I am not preaching or being holier than thou. I say this to let anyone reading this know, this is not a permanent condition. It can be changed at any moment at your choosing. Conquering our problems begin with knowing them and targeted effort to change them. I just attended the 6th Annual Conference of the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and sat next to people who were beat and jailed for the right to vote and to be treated as citizens of America; many died. For their sacrifice I feel it is my duty not to let it be in vain. I want to live up to what people have died for me to have and I hope you do too.

Children are a gift from God. He knew and loved them first and entrusted us with them to give them kingdom instruction and the tools needed to live Holy lives here on earth. Many parents have never been told this fact. Raising children is a part of living righteously. Taking them to church each Sunday does not exempt us from our parental mandate. In the same vein, shepherds are responsible for the WELLNESS of their sheep. I must ask, how can such a religious ethnic group, who devoutly attend church and 'give an hour to their pastor' be in such a diseased condition?

It is easier to tell people to worship God in a broken condition than to tell them to live in the freedom of God and come out of bondage. It is easier to tell them the devil is busy trying to kill them instead of 'rise up' and take charge of your life and your children's lives. An old addage says "you can lead a horse to water but you can';t make him drink." Maybe that's why God used the sheep as the example of His children because a sheep will only drink if it is led to water.

Slaves pretended a lot of things in the presence of their masters. They had to pretend to be dumb for their survival. Now we have to BE educated for our survival. We have to be involved for our survival. We have to love ourselves and our brothers and sisters for our survival.

Big business has an agenda, the gays have an agenda, the Jews have an agenda, the tea party has an agenda, the unions have an agenda, the Evangelicals have an agenda; every one has an agenda. WHAT IS THE BLACK AGENDA? I hope at least it is education of our youths and ourselves. I hope it is healing the family unit, I hope it is striving for the best and highest paying jobs and political offices, I hope it is good health and a long life, I hope it is our men at home being husbands and fathers and not in the jails. WHO CAN GET MAD ABOUT THIS?

Do study on the balm of Gilead (Jer. 8:22) Sheep was of great economic value in the Old Testament. There was a disease of the brain that the sheep could contract and it could be fatal. There was as cure for this brain disease in a city called Gilead. This balm was a gum/resin like medicine used to cure a variety of diseases. If one sheep was afflicted with the disease the shepherd would walk miles to the one place where the medicine was available, Gilead. The wise shepherd knew if ONE sheep became infected it could spread to the rest of his herd. Songs have been written about the balm in Gilead and how it heals and saves, but I want you to look at the shepherd who knew the value of his flock and how serious the disease of one was to the rest of the flock and to his livelihood and shepherding ability. The shepherd would be looked down upon and shunned by other shepherds for not trying to cure his sheep. They would be angered at the shepherd allowing disease to run rampant in his flock and letting a killer disease get a foot hold in the area possibly endagering the other shepherd's flock.

The problems afflicting the black community is not "just how black people are." The problems of the black community is just what they are PROBLEMS, and as far as I know; problems are meant to be solved. I ask women who have always been present and a strong voice in many of the major movements in and out of the church, to start to sound the trumpet to save the next generation of the black community. Use the last great gathering place of blacks (the church) to instill the black agenda outlined in this blog. Instill a love and sense of necessity for reading and writing, give seminars and classes on parenting becoming a parent and the beauty of marriage and how to know and recognize love, teach how to manage money and what it takes to make a living and the difference between having enough money to survive and enough money to LIVE, show videos of where we have come from and where we are now, stop accepting drug money gifts from family, be creative, but do something. Do something until you can't.

"Man Down" by Dan Abrams

2011-03-22T13:47:00.000-05:00

What a brave man Dan Abrams must be. He took this chance to write on a subject that has been a part of the war of the sexes for years: Who is the superior sex?" He said on MSNBC that this book had to be written by a man so that the book would not be perceived as biased. "Man Down" puts all of the data on various subjects all in one place, at the reader's finger tips

Exactly what information was discovered about the sexes? It was found that women are smarter, cooler, healthier, more deliberative than men who tend to wing it, etc., etc., etc.

Women through a whole host of reasons came out on top in category after category when compared to men. I myself have been pondering the mystic of women who are placed second in command in the family heirarchy in the Bible. I'm not a feminist, but wondered why in Christianity women have a supporting role while in many pagan religions womanhood is celebrated. In history, if there was a powerful movement occuring, a woman would be in the midst of things; as we see with the birth, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In the Gnostic Gospels, Mary Magdeline is hated by Peter for her close relationship with Jesus. This gospel, which has been dispelled, fits into the history of the treatment of women.

Science has weighed in on the differences of the sexes without causing too much fall out.

Women have four times as many brain cells (neurons) connecting the right and left side of their brain. This latter finding provides physical evidence that supports the observation that men rely easily and more heavily on their left brain to solve one problem one step at a time. Women have more efficient access to both sides of their brain and therefore greater use of their right brain. Women can focus on more than one problem at one time and frequently prefer to solve problems through multiple activities at a time. Nearly every parent has observed how young girls find the conversations of young boys "boring". Young boys express confusion and would rather play sports than participate actively in a conversation between 5 girls who are discussing as many as three subjects at once!

Women tend to be intuitive global thinkers. They consider multiple sources of information within a process that can be described as simultaneous, global in perspective and will view elements in the task in terms of their interconnectedness. Women come to understand and consider problems all at once. They take a broad or "collective" perspective, and they view elements in a task as interconnected and interdependent. When deciding on war or even a president, women more than likely weigh the information in relationship to their needs as mothers or potential mother of young, teen, young adult, asnd adult children as opposed to following the loudest voice in the political arena. President Obama's large number of votes can be attributed to the mind of the woman across racial lines.

Men tend to focus on one problem at a time or a limited number of problems at a time. They have an enhanced ability to separate themselves from problems and minimize the complexity that may exist. Men come to understand and consider problems one piece at a time. They take a linear or sequential perspective, and view elements in a task as less interconnected and more independent. Men are prone to minimize and fail to appreciate subtleties that can be crucial to successful solutions. A male may work through a problem repeatedly, talking about the same thing over and over, rather than trying to address the the problem all at once. This explains why it is so easy for men to declare war or even push ecological concerns to the backburner.

I haven't read the book "Man Down" yet, but I will and post on it in a more informed manner. For now, I'll leave you with a few differences between the sexes that are pretty well known and accepted.

Women have higher life expectancy than men at birth and at age 60

There are more literate men
There are slightly more female who enroll in high school
There are more women who enroll in college
Eighty-two percent of teachers in elementary and secondary schools are women *Union cut target*
Ninety-one percent of registered nurses are women *Uninion cut target, not firemen or policemen*
Ninety-eight percent of pre-elementary and kindergarten teachers are women *
Eighty-eight percent of civil engineers are men
Ninety-two percent of electrical and electronic engineers are men
Ninety-eight percent of pilots and flight engineers are men
There are more men in the labor force
There are more women who are unemployed
There are more women who engage in part-time employment
There are more men legislators and managers
There are more women who have college degree
There are more men in prison
Female inmates had higher ratio of mental problems
Men drink far more than woman
Suicidal rates are higher to men than women
There are more male patients in mental institutions
Alcohol and substance abuse is 5 times more in men than in women
There are more men who have cancer of the brain
There are more diabetic men
There are more obese women
Men are twice as likely as women to become victims of online fraud.

No matter how superior we are men, the world will always need you.

Feeling Lucky? Feeling Green? Feeling Irish?

2011-03-17T20:50:00.000-05:00

Prayer of Saint Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, and in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I don't know much about this festive celebration; no more than the lovely color green pops up everywhere and there are a bunch of green stem wares, cups, glasses, and mugs for sale indicating a bit of drink is to be had by many.

The words Saint Patrick can be heard of course, but the little lepracan is seen about more so than the saint. Many people begin to be Irish or at least date someone Irish to garner full claim to participating in the fun. I have eyed the eye catching tee shirts on sale during this time with varied clever sayings, but believed no one would take me serious in my Irishness.

The most distinguishable thing associated with St. Patrick's day besides beer, is the color green. It is not a wimpy shade of green but a healthy robust shade of green and you will get pinched if you are found on this day not wearing anything green.

Originally, the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. It is said St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. It was an effective prop in getting them to become a Christian.

All of the luck stuff soon became a part of the festivities. There is the luck of the Irish I have heard and had no idea what it meant:

The "luck of the Irish" is BAD luck, as any reading of Irish history will document. The phrse 'luck of the Irish' was probably used in a sarcastic form when first used. Some trace the origin of the phrase to the US where, during the exploration for gold in the West, there were a high number of Irish people who got lucky, and found their "pot o' gold" in the gold fields of California, or were equally prosperous in silver mining. So now you have the pot of gold.

Luck of the Irish does owe its origin to the U.S.A.. When they arrived, they were very disliked, treated badly, despised and hated. When the Irish had any kind of success most Americans at the time didn't think the Irish were capable of such successes, so they called it luck. Hence the term "Luck of the Irish".

What does the church think about this once pagan group of people who turned from their pagan ways and embraced Christianity?: Christian leaders in Ireland have expressed concern about the secularisation of St Patrick's Day. In The Word magazine's March 2007 issue, Fr. Vincent Twomey wrote, "It is time to reclaim St Patrick's Day as a church festival." He questioned the need for "mindless alcohol-fuelled revelry" and concluded that "it is time to bring the piety and the fun together."

So as people raise their glass to drink and celebrate the greatness of the Irish people, a robust, overcoming minded people, let us remember the mission of one brave man later to be called Saint Patrick and his desire for the gospel to be spread to a people he came to love.

Everyone Wants To Lead (Joan of Arc)

2011-03-16T20:38:00.000-05:00

I was in a meeting supporting my friend who happens to be a city alderman. After talking about the plans in store for our city and whether the proposed concept was good for the city, someone said, "It has always been hard for a certain segment of the population to work effectively together because everyone wants to be the leader and no one wants to follow."

This was not a comment that did not ring true to the many people in the meeting room. I myself belong to several groups and hold various positions and have been frustrated beyond belief at how we spin our wheels and accomplish nothing. To be truthful, everyone in the organization does want to lead and can not be counted on to follow.

Being a TCM (Turner Classic Movie) fan, I spent this past Sunday night snuggled on my favorite couch to watch two versions of Joan Of Arc. The first was a 1927 silent black and white version and the second was a foreign French version, black and white from 1937, I believe. Each movie was had the English dialogue streaming on the bottom of the screen.

1920's Joan

I have seen many versions of Joan Of Arc, but never one of the two listed above. These two versions were produced using only original court transcripts and interviews found by the people of that time.

Joan was tried by the Catholic Church with the English having a vested interest in the outcome of her trial due to the fact she was helping the king of France, an enemy at the time.

Joan broke all of the rules. She wore men clothing, led men into battle, wore armor, cut her hair, and worst of all; she believed she could by pass the church i.e. bishops and pope and speak directly with God and even the saints and angels (Micheal). She was a heretic and the church was going to excommunicate her if she did not recant that she was working under the counsel of God. While in prison it was determined that her clothes may have been giving her stoic resolve so they tried to get her to put on a dress; which she refused to do. Then it was determined since she vowed her virginity to God, she was receiving her stregnth from that. In the 1937 movie Joan told a priest that the guards had tried to rape her on three different occasions. Communion was paraded before her as a bargaining tool to get her to recant.

After being tried just feet from the galleys, she recanted, but within hours changed her mind and said she was weakened by the fear of death but could not make God a liar and said her recanting was the true lie.

Joan was burned at the stake with the church and governmental officials looking on. As soon as the flames began, you could see the doubt cross the faces of the men. They had to wonder, who would go to their death proclaiming to be a servant of God if they were not. This was the action of the Jesus and later the apostles.

I thought about all of the people who want to lead. When glory, fame, fortune, and honor are to the results it is easy to want to lead, but when ridicule, torture and death are the result, no hand will go up to be chosen.

Great leaders always pay a heavy price whether you are aware of it or not. If you were to read the biography of people we consider great, there will be pages filled with pain and often times uncertainty and pure defeat of the spirit at times.

Victory has many fathers. But who claims defeat? The person who claims defeat is the one who got back up and dusted themselves off and continued onward not accepting defeat as an option, but just a bump in the road.

Joan Of Arc was a woman who led but she was also a woman who followed God. The church saw her as a threat with her nonsense of hearing and talking to God on her own. Years would pass and what the church feared at that time would still come to pass, the Protestant movement came and said we should be able to read the Bible for themselves and pray on their own.

So now I must ask myself do I know when to lead and do I know when to follow. Joan's life ended at the age of 19 in a tragic blaze of fire and smoke. She stood behind her beliefs and cause to the end. All I can say is, I can understand why men would follow her into battle

Obama Fear???

2011-03-11T06:20:00.002-06:00

Why make so much of where President Obama was born and his religion - To insight fear. But, how and why? People are usually afraid of the unknown or something that is new and thus foreign. I often wonder whether women in the pulpit face so much opposition based on doctrine or because of fear. Below is an example of what fear can look like and how a minority group like women ministers must endure.

When immigrants to America became too numerous or no longer needed for labor, fear would be employed to get rid of them going as far as to say they (the immigrants) were after the white woman for sexual gratification.

In today’s political arena, we hear a lot about the president. He does sound scary when you listen to cable shows and talk radio. It seems comforting to some to attack the president on some personal level; his origins and beliefs. Everyone is jumping on the “Hey, I’m just like you; afraid of the president and what he may do to our country.” We have heard the rallying cry of the masses to “Take our country back.” I want to know: “Take our country back to where?”

The earliest census for 1700 in the United States had 3.9 million residents of which 3.14 million were white and 700,000 were African slaves. There were less than 60,000 free non-white residents in the entire country. America was the land of the white man with women not having equality. The white man was king. It worked in 1700.
On his nationally syndicated radio show, Bill O'Reilly claimed that on the April 11 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, guest Charles Barron, a New York City councilman, had revealed the "hidden agenda" behind the current immigration debate. O'Reilly told his listeners: "[T]he bottom line is Charles Barron said last night there is a movement in this country to wipe out 'white privilege' and to have the browning of America." But in the April 11 interview, Barron at no point claimed that he and other advocates for immigrant rights are motivated by a desire to force white Americans into the minority -- despite O'Reilly's repeated efforts to provoke such an acknowledgment.

O'Reilly asked: "[Y]ou'd like the changing America to be -- the dominant people would be people of color? ... But you want it to happen, do you not? ... Do you not want it to happen? ... [T]hat's the bottom line on it, isn't it, Charles? ... You want a totally different country." But Barron responded that this was not the bottom line. To the contrary, he argued that the growing minority population is instead driving the backlash on immigrants: "You fear that ... your white privilege will no longer exist. ... And that's why you have problems with immigration. Because it's the browning of America. ... You want to stay in control. You want to stay in power." (Full transcript of the interview): http://mediamatters.org/research/200604140009

America has changed and the change is scary to many. I have a white friend who told me she could not understand all of the hostility towards Obama and was sick and tired of it. I said I can understand it. White people in history past mistreated one ethnic group after another beginning with the Indians and continuing on to include the Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Scottish, African, and German. If these groups ever joined together the white man may think retribution may be on their minds. This was the thought of white people in Africa when Nelson Mandela was elected president, but it proved to be a false assumption. Mandela brought the races together through the national sport of soccer. Payback was not a part of his philosophy. And I daresay, not on the mind of our president today.

America is changing. It is becoming more diverse and even browner with each passing decade. The thought of becoming a minority and knowing how minorities are treated would cause fear in anyone who has never been a minority. It is completely understandable.

The United States is a diverse country, racially and ethnically. Six races are recognized: White, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races; a race called "Some other race" is also used in the census and other surveys, but is not official. Americans are also classified as "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino”. White Americans (non-Hispanic/Latino and Hispanic/Latino) are the racial majority, with an 80% share of the U.S. population, per official estimates from the Population Estimates Program (PEP), or 75% per the American Community Survey (ACS)."

The majority of the more than 300 million people currently living in the United States consist of White Americans, who trace their ancestry to the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Multiracial Americans numbered 7.0 million in 2008, or 2.3% of the population. They can be any combination of races (White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, "Some other race") and ethnicities. The U.S. has a growing multiracial identity movement. Miscegenation or interracial marriage, most notably between whites and blacks, was deemed immoral and illegal in most states until the 20th century. Demographers state that the American people were mostly multi-ethnic descendants of various immigrant nationalities culturally distinct until assimilation and integration took place in the mid-20th century.

"Hispanic or Latino origin" is a self-designation made by 47 million Americans, as of 2008.

By the time the class of 2010 has children old enough to attend college, America will look remarkably different. This generation is far and above the most ethnically and racially diverse generation ever; soon, whites will not be the majority group. Interracial dating and marriage are nearly universally accepted among youths. And more young people are involved in interracial relationships themselves. The next generation that this generation bequeaths will encompass a complex mix of colors. All of this taken together will have profound implications for American society.
85 percent of people aged 18-29 support interracial marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. And, according to a 2008 USA Today/Gallup Poll, more than half of all teens have dated someone from a different race or ethnic group.

To some Obama does represent the boggieman. He symbolizes that America is different, but it is not his fault. President Obama is just simply AMERICA a man made up of different ethnic groups and a wide range of concern for all. He has been accused of changing too much too fast. The truth is there has been a subtle change occurring for years.

Even in my rural little patch of earth, there are numerous white grandparents pushing buggies with little curly headed ethnically mixed grandchildren. It is almost impossible to decipher the ethnic make up of the child; you just know it is a blend of something and the best part is no one cares. To be afraid of the black man now is to be afraid of your grandchild’s grandparent, uncle, cousin, and even brother. The next generation will not be as afraid of the Indian, Mexican, or black man.

The older generation is having a hard time living in this new America, and I feel for them. It’s like “remember when a cookie once cost five cents?” Older people always reflect on the good old days while youths are living in the present thinking about their future.

There is no need for anger on anyone’s part. There is no need for fear either. No one person owns the world, we all have to adjust, assimilate, in one way or another. Minorities have been doing it forever; it is accomplishable. Because President Obama comes from this ethnic blend he is not shocked by the reaction of the old guard and minority groups. He has been privy to the world of the white person and the black person. He understands the power and the pain of skin color and the reactions of people to both. He has been privy to the private conversations of the whites and the blacks. I’m sure he prepared himself well before he decided to step into the political arena.

Newt Ain't Cute

2011-03-10T05:52:00.002-06:00

It seems the motto of the Republican Party has become: "Slap Some Jesus On It" and no matter what you say, no matter how incorrect, hypocritical, obscene, or malicious it is, it will be okay as long as you slap some Jesus on it.

So many politicians who champion family values end up having affairs. Many who crusade against homosexuality fall in the public spotlight for being homosexual themselves. They all seem to find a Godly cause to stand loudly behind because it is Christian and stumble on the issue to make a final statement of repentance to family and God and jump right back on the band wagon. Huckabee, a religious man, LIED about where the president grew up, pandering to a conservative audience. He issued a public statement saying he misspoke but never apologized for the heart of the comment; "the president must be watched because he does not have American values" Running for president is as American as one can get. God sees the heart and knows what it harbors. People will take away from this: Christians are liars. Shame on Huckabee and this public representation of Jesus.

Newt Gingrich is testing the waters to see if he has enough of interest from people before he actually throws his hat in the ring for president. He knew his past would be a hurdle he would have to overcome.

There is no need for me to tell you the details, because Newt is casting a spell over potential voters using God to erase memories of his atrocious acts of infidelity. While prosecuting one man for a sin, he himself was engaging in the same action. While saying one man's character was flawed and representative of what kind of leader they were, he indulged in the same behavior while declaring he stood for family values.

There is no need for you to sum up Newts past behaviors, choices, and hypocrisies; in life because he has slapped some Jesus on it and that is all that matters now. This would be true if Newt himself has not been questioning whether the president was a Christian. It seems God can forgive Newt's sins (several transgressions in marriage) but there is no way this same God can be the God of the president who the president himself says he serves as a Christian.

Many joke that God only belongs to the Republican Party. Democrats, to my surprise, demonstrated for the country at the public service for fellow politician 'Gabby' that they too had access to the Bible and were familiar with its contents.

Newt tells all who will listen that his transgressions against his WIVES were due to his PASSION for his country to which he worked slavishly and drove him to sexual relationships (or at least mental infidelity) with other women. His patriotism led him to woo and win other women.

God forgives and He will continue to forgive and He forgives who He will, but the audacity of Newt to think in his head: as long as I wrap everything up in Jesus I can say and do anything.

His explanation is demeaning to womanhood. To deliver divorce papers to a wife with cancer and wrap it up in patriotism and God - Newt has not one ounce of compassion or concern for those close to him. For Newt to loudly advocate family values and bring a person up on charges for adultery; while indulging in the same behavior - Newt does not care about the other man and his family. For Newt to look into the eyes of fellow Christians and say I transgressed due to my passion for my country; Newt does not care about the people of his party and voters at large.

Newt must have employed these same strategic devices while ditching one wife and obtaining another: I do what I want regardless of how it looks or who it hurts. We do know there is repentance and forgiveness, but there are also consequences set into motion by sin. Below is an excerpt from my book "The Politics of Prayer":

David was “a man after God’s own heart” (I Samuel 13:14). He governed God’s people by God’s principles. Even though he possessed strong leadership abilities and a willingness to obey God, he was still human. He struggled with lust, adultery, and even murder. He had problems with a son trying to entice an entire nation into rebellion against him, the king.

When David repented to God for his sins, God showed him forgiveness and his fellowship and peace with God was restored. Though God forgave David, he had to live through the consequences his sins had set in motion (II Samuel 12-20), such as the death of his child with the woman he committed adultery with, Bathsheba.
We see David as an ideal leader of an imperfect kingdom. Then we see an ideal kingdom and an imperfect leader.

So Newt, and all of the others in government and the political arena, even if you slap God, Jesus onto everything; there will always be consequences for your actions. And to Newt - you ain't cute.

What Would Jesus Cut?

2011-03-10T00:30:00.003-06:00

Reverend Jim Wallis is the president of Sojourners. This is a group who are asking leaders of congress and the senate etc., to stop and think when cutting funding to certain groups or projects: What Would Jesus Cut? Of course this movement, complete with bands, caught my attention because in my book "The Politics of Prayer" I asked the reader almost the same question as the below excerpt shows:

"George Ozuna Jr. of the Learning Resources Center compiled a list of controversial issues that fall into the political sphere and issues Christians would and should care about. To say the list was substantial is an understatement. While looking at the list I began to wonder: opposition or support for which subject or policy signals without a doubt whether one is a Christian or not? Look at the list below and try to rank, by importance, from top to bottom which controversial policy would signal Christianity to society if you took up the cause:

Homeland Security
Health Insurance
Energy
Censorship
Capital Punishment
Abortion
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
CIA and Drugs ($5-600 billion per year in drug money is moving through the US economy and the illegal covert operation which maintain control of that cash flow for US economic interest).
Homeless-National Coalition for the Homeless
Crime
Death Penalty
College Drinking
Racism
Corporate Crime
Diseases, the Global Threat of New and Reemerging
Education
Environmental Health
Nuclear Issues
Prisons

How many of the issues facing our society are we to rally against if we are truly Christians? Has involvement for or against specific policies become the determinate of Christianity and if so who is doing the judging; God or man? I often hear those involved in political causes state they are doing what Jesus would do. Jesus did not lead social causes but went to the source of change, individuals. He offered them a better way of life. He offered them eternal life. Jesus’ ministry focused on the condition of the human heart and soul. His prayers were for those that were lost in wickedness, not by changing laws, but by changing lives.

When laws are changed, conduct on a large scale is enforced. Laws can be obeyed without any affect on the heart or the soul. Walter Rauschenbush, a theologian of the Social Gospel, scratched the surface of this idea when he said “What we have is a society that makes good people do bad things. Poverty and lack of education lead to crime, abuse, and addiction. What we need is a society that will make bad people do good things, a society where laws will compel selfish people to think about the common good and ensure that greedy people can only get rich by meeting genuine human needs.”

No matter what laws are instituted, it is the heart of each individual that will make the difference. The Christian does not rely on law for righteousness (right choices and right actions) but on God. The Christian that does look to government to do what is Godly or right will be a disappointed Christian."

Those who are for cuts believe financial funding for state programs make people lazy and dependent on the government. For some this is completely true; for others, the funding is a matter of life and death. Jesus said wheat and tare grow side by side almost identical until the final stage of maturity. He said He will be the one to do the separating of the two plants. The same goes for those in need and those who abuse laws, policies, and government funded programs. Christians should be aware of the big picture and not have tunnel vision. Obamacare is declared health insurance to pull the plug on grandma, but cutting funding to Medicare kills grandma too. Right to lifers state someone must stand up for the unborn, the babies. Cutting Medicaid hurts babies also. So, what is a Christian to do? Asking ourselves, What Would Jesus Cut would be a great beginning without focusing on the sinful who take advantage and abuse everything and everyone in life; they will have their day of reckoning, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

It is always hard to make Godly choices in a sin sick world, but trying to make heaven on earth; forcing everyone to live like a Christian when they have not freely made that choice, is not the answer either. Regardless what the world is doing, Christians must still remain true to Jesus' teachings.

Some say it is Christian to work hard and obtain possessions and not have to share with their fellow man (also known as Socialism). What they have worked to have is theirs and they should decide to whom they will be charitable to. In the Old Testament, there was a thing called Jubilee:

A year of celebration devoted to liberty and justice and observed every fifty years by the Israelites. During this year, Israelites serving as indentured servants were released from their debts and set free. All properties given up because of indebtedness since the last jubilee were returned to the original owners. Cropland was allowed to go unplanted as a conservation measure(Lev. 25:8-55). The edges of fields were left unharvested so the hungry could eat. No one was allowed to pick up anything that was dropped during harvesting, it too was left for the hungry.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 has a warning for Christians (notice I said Christians because the Bible is the word of God for His children)"...If a man will not work, he shall not eat." The previous verses states the apostles were telling the Thessalonians not to be idle but to work so they can be a model for others to follow. As my book tries to drive home, change begins with self. We must get past conservative versus liberal and just be Christian.

Bible shows female exploitation: VASHTI

2011-03-09T16:21:00.004-06:00

When I say the Bible has examples for all circumstances in life; you can believe me, it does.

Have you ever noticed when watching a movie the hero is fully clothed and maybe even wearing a bad boy leather jascket? Have you noticed the heroine will either have on a muscle shirt or a skin tight cat suit? Music videos are notorious for the men having on baggy jeans and a humungous jacket while the female in the video has on a skimpy dress or a two piece swimsuit. Why must women be almost nude to be considered sexy? I think having a bit of mystery as to what is exactly underneath the clothes is more tantalizing to a man and lets face it, the nudy girl is not the one he takes home to momma.

In the book of Esther, King Xerxes was showing off his vast wealth to all the nobles, officials, military leaders of Persia and Media, and princes. Xerxes ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to the upper Nile region known at that time as Cush. His display of his wealth lasted 180 days. After the 180 day display he gave a banquet in his garden lasting for seven days. To this banquet he invited the every day individual as well as the powerful. Wine flowed freely during the banquet.

While her husband was entertaining the drunken men, Queen Vashti held a banquet for the women in the royal palace. On the last day of the banquet a drunken King Xerxes ordered his seven eunichs to bring his wife bedecked in her crown so he could display her to the other men as he had done with all of his riches (property). The king was angered when his beautiful wife refused to be displayed to his court of drunken guests. The king asked seven wise men, nobles, from Persia and Media what must he do to his wife for disobeying his command.

The wise men told the king not only did his royal wife insult him by not obeying but insulted every man present and if he let his wife go unpunished other women would do as Vashti and disobey their husbands. Her punishment must be public, law, and severe. Vashti would no longer be allowed in the presence if the king and her position was now to be given to someone else. A proclaimation went forth throughout the entire land that from the least to the greatest every man should be ruler over his own household Esther 1:1ff

In this story the position of the woman is not even considered. Any husband following God, it seems to me, would not want to parade his wife, who we guess he loves, in front of a crowd of drunken men. We understand that Vashti was disobedient, but WHAT WAS THE KING. The wise men the king consulted were not concerned with a MARRIAGE, but concerned about making sure their own wives remained obedient.

In this entire account, the men did not display any wisdom. When a couple married in the Old Testament, God declared the two became one. I wonder if the king would have paraded himself around in front of a drunken hoard of people at the Queens request? I also wonder when the Old Testament defined the Proverbs woman was Vashti trying to live up to that standard and not let herself be trotted around men for their carnal delight? Who in this chapter of Esther was behaving in accordance with God's commands.

How far must a wife go in being obedient to her husband until her own soul in in jeapordy?

Nabal was a wealthy man married to Abigail. David and his army, while in his time of fleeing from Saul came into the territory where Nabal lived. David sent a messenger to Nabel reminding him that his army did not harm any of his servants when they had come upon them and asked for whatever he could spare at sheep shearing time, which David called a festive time. Nabal replied with a stern NO. David, not the least bit happy with this reply, gathered 400 men armed with swords and headed out to have a face to face with Nabal.

A servant of Nabal's told Abigail of the exchange between her husband and messenger. Abigail wasted no time. She gathered 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 dressed sheep, 5 bushels of roasted grain, 100 cakes of raisins, and 200 cakes of pressed figs loaded them on a donkey and headed out to find David. She did all of this without telling her husband of her plans. She found David, pleaded her case referring to Nabal as a wicked man and accurately named - FOOL. David blessed her and let her know she stopped the bloodshed of her husband, household and people with her wise actions. When she returned home, her husband was drunk. The next day she told him what she had done and 10 days later Nabal fell dead; struck dead by the Lord.

When David heard Abigail's husband had died, he sent word asking this wise woman to be his wife. 1 Samuel 25:ff

To examples of woman who thought for themselves. Which woman was more of a Godly woman? Being pro woman is not anti man. Being pro woman is being able to safeguard your soul and life

Women of worth stand proud

2011-03-08T15:44:00.002-06:00

Today is International Women's Day. I have been alive for some forty odd years and never heard of this day until today. I am not one that can be described as living under a rock, but I never knew there was such a day.

the reason this international day; holiday for others in other countries, is being heralded is because of the assault on women in the United States and because of the many pictures we recently viewed of women in Egypt protesting openly with their male counterparts.

No matter the reason it is now being announced over and over on the news cycles, it is amazing to know there was a day set aside to celebrate women before they were even allowed to vote in the U.S.

Every great movement of change was made necessary by a great injustice. I don't believe women discuss with their daughters and sons that the freedom their mother enjoys came from protests, pickets, and jail time by other brave women. Just as I encourage women to teach their children how and why God created them 'female' I hope we continue the dialogue to contemporary times. People have been trying to repeal equal employment opportunity laws because they feel they are only for minorities i.e. blacks and Hispanics. People, and shamefully women, forget that they are also a minority and the gals ceiling and the good old boys club don't want them in the work place either. The governor in Wisconsin is trying to piggy back a law where birth control will not be covered by insurance while Viagra is. When prostate cancer began taking out men, a quick, painless test to detect it early was found in record time while we still have relays for breast cancer.

So today on International Women's Day I ask you to stand proud and knowledgeable on what it means to be a woman. As always read my book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" to help you uncover or rediscover womanhood in all of its glory. Below is an article I found explaining this day. What a great day to be a woman and don't just celebrate womanhood one day, but celebrate it every day.

International Women’s Day began as National Women’s Day in the US in 1909 and has its roots in the now defunct Socialist Party of America. The following year, a German woman named Clara Zetkin proposed the first International Women’s Day while at the second International Conference of Working Women, held in Copenhagen. The day was first celebrated internationally in 1911 and has been observed in many countries every year since then. It was moved from its original date in late February to its current date, March 8, in 1913.
The United Nations began honoring International Women's Day in 1975, the UN-proclaimed International Women's Year. In 1977, it went a step further, adopting a resolution recognizing International Women’s Day. Since its first celebration, the UN has hosted four international women's conferences and in 2010, it created the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women – also known as UN Women.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2011/0308/International-Women-s-Day-What-s-it-all-about/What-are-its-origins

Women will not be silenced in religion

2011-02-15T16:55:00.002-06:00

Whether history will report it or not, women have been an active part of Christianity. When their voices were being silenced in one arena, women found another forum to be heard.

Many women these days who are pro women in religion and religious freedom for women, believe they have to prove the femininity of God. This is an unnecessary step. To prove God loved women and held them in high regard, one does not have to affirm it by saying God is a woman. It is irrelevant whether God is male or female, the point is He created both sexes and allowed each to worship him freely. During the Great Judgement, the man will not stand before God waiting for judgement of his female counterpart. If this is the case, I would ensure my husband would have to answer for alot.

We are individuals created to worship individually and if we worship individually there is a chance we learn individually. If we each learn individually, then we each have a different teaching (same doctrine, maybe different approach). If women are allowed to teach children, and I guess some of them will be boys who grow to become men, we could MESS up the world in a big way. We would not have to wait to CORRUPT adults as some are afraid women will, we can CORRUPT from the crib if that was our intent and great flaw in being alive.

Wisdom has to be our guide in all we do. Remember when people were killed for believing the world was round and the Church led in the killing? Wisdom should have intervened and said; "Whether the world is round or flat, God is still in control."

Here is a little bit of the early history of women as they tried to find their way in religion taken from my book: When Will Eve Be Forgiven?

Ruth A. Tucker and Walter Liefeld proposed many women were drawn to the Gnostic religion due to their restricted roles within Christianity. In Gnosticism the female presence was prominent in its theology. Here is a Gnostic poem that speaks about woman in all of its dualism, Thunder: Perfect Mind found in Jerome, Adversus Jovinianum:
…I am the first and the last.
I am the honored one and the scorned one.
I am the whore and the holy one.
I am the wife and the virgin.
I am the bride and the bridegroom,
And it is my husband who begot me.
I am knowledge and ignorance…
I am foolish and I am wise…
I am the one whom they call life [Eve]
And you have called Death…

In the developing fundamental years of Christianity, women were attracted to heretical religious movements such as Gnosticism, the Naasenens, and Montanism. The Gnostics practiced Gnosticism. Gnosticism was a religion of the second century promising salvation by means of a secret knowledge. Because it was a syncretistic religion, it incorporated elements from Christianity as well as various other religious practices.

The religion explained the existence of the world and the human condition through cosmogony that consisted of spiritual realities called “eons.” It is through one of these “eons,” by accident or deliberate intent out of malice, the physical world and the entrapped human soul were once part of the spiritual world. The physical world as we know it, according to this religion, is considered to be accidental due to the fact it has been separated from the spiritual world. The human’s soul depends upon trying to ascend back to the spiritual world it was once a part of. This purely spiritual realm is called the “plentitude” or pleroma. As the soul ascends, it must go through various celestial spheres.

In some of the Gnostic systems, the secret knowledge of the initiate was based on knowing the password allowing the soul to move through the various spheres. Because the Gnostics viewed the body and all other physical matter in the physical world as something evil, Christian Gnostics rejected the doctrine of “creation, incarnation, and the resurrection of the body.”

The Gnostics had a docetic view of Jesus’ resurrection. They believed Jesus was not real, or was made of a purely spiritual material, thus denying his humanity. Many people were attracted to Gnosticism due to its mysticism.

Crime Scene Investigator

2011-02-14T02:54:00.003-06:00

Star Trek has followers known as Trekkies and Rush Limbaugh has ditto heads, but I"m not sure if there is a name for me and my obsession; if it is an obsession.

I guess my problem began at the first BONG in the lead in music to Law & Order. It is recognized by all. I watched the original series and was one of those who tuned in to see what was happening in the lives on the streets.

My love for a good crime story was later fueled by the Steven Tyler like scream that followed the red haired man as he put his trademark shades on in the hit show CSI:Miami. The late night comedians would have their fill of making jokes at the red haired man who promised to find the killer, but the t.v. show's ratings proved; we believed his promises and held on to the end until he delivered.

I would graduate from just finding a killer with random bits of DNA left behind to profiling the killer by looking at victim's positions or the material the killer read or music he listened to. I fell in love with Criminal Minds.

These shows began to infiltrate my life. I found myself wanting to seek justice for the people who cried victim in my everyday circle. I walked into places and took note of areas that would be great potentials for harvesting DNA. Oh, yeah, doorknobs were the first thing I noticed entering and exiting buildings. Cups behind left next to chairs would send someone up river fast. Later, I began to notice people's mannerisms wondering what kind of childhood trauma they had suffered and what kind of people they would probably kill.

I became the number one investigator in my home. If my husband lost his keys, I would almost seal off a crime scene, look for witnesses to question, and go through his daily habits. When I ventured outside for exercise, I looked at tire tracks and insect markings trying to determine who-what-when the perp had been in the vicinity.

I honed these skills telling my family how valuable they will be if there was a war or some kind of natural dissaster. I believe my crime solving skills will be valuable for foraging for food or for supplies to survive. I also think my hightened knowledge of criminals will help me know who to trust and who will cut off my head for a candy bar if the times called for it.

For all of you thinking I have lost touch with reality, let me assure you this post is just in fun and is intended to pay homage to the great crime shows; which I do love.

Television has allowed us to step into places and careers we only dare dream about. The downfall is when we really believe we are qualified to inform and assist others in these fields when we do not have the proper training. I can speak the lingo of an investigator and impress maybe a handful of people, but I know; that is as far as I can go and want to go in a field that deals with criminals.

As with politics, many of us have become armchair politicians and sad to say we think we have expertise in many other fields as well. But just as I have acknowledged my lack of qualifications as a CSI agent, hopefully we give politicians a break, ministers a break, and others who have chosen a career we all believe we can do better or are quickly to give advice to.

Hopefully our access to information on the television and computers will be used wisely making us smarter but not dumb enough to lead us to believe we can know everything.

Foot In Mouth Disease replaced by..?? PHALANGES CYBERCITIS

2011-02-10T01:05:00.004-06:00

After meeting a nice young lady at a newly established club, I wanted to make sure I established some kind of friendly contact with her as I had with other members on a one on one basis. At the third meeting I made it a point to go up to her after the meeting was over and ask "When is your baby due?"

She quickly informed me she was not pregnant. Her baby just turned 5 months old the other stay and she has been struggling to lose her pregnancy weight.

My only recovery was to tell her, she was rushing her body to spring back into shape too quickly. Give it a little more time. "Are you breast feeding? There's your problem. Women who breast feed drop pregnancy weight faster. Don't use those mothers as models."

She smiled and felt better, but I felt like crap. Relaying the episode to one of my daughters, she began to cringe at the "Are you pregnant?" part knowing the rest of the story before I finished. I told her "Hey! No fair! You act like I do this type of thing all of the time. This was my first time." Not really true. But in the 45 years I have been on earth, I believe it is only my fourth time. Pretty good record in my eyes.

Everyone is familiar with the joke: Open mouth - insert foot. It is almost avoidable if you walk, talk, and breathe on this earth; sooner or later you will put your foot in your mouth.

The only good thing about these moments is they are seen or overheard on a small scale and would pass and be forgotten in time. Now enter the computer age.

The advancement of facebook and other online chat opportunities give us an opportunity to make mistake after mistake on a global scale for all of eternity to read and witness. With just one finger and the push of one button we open our mouths and insert the universe.

We make dramatic statements to have them come back to bite us years later. Republican Congressman Christopher Lee just resigned due to posting inappropriate half nude pictures of himself on Craig's List to a woman. He is a married man with a family and told the woman on Craig's List he was a 39 year old single lobbyist. This coupled with the fact he posted an article encouraging parents to be mindful of the sites online that their children visit, made for an embarrassing moment of hypocrisy. IS THIS AN OPEN MOUTH INSERT FOOT MOMENT? No. It goes beyond just the embarrassing misstep or wrong assumption, but he did open his mouth and insert his own body part to fill the gaping hole.

I have a facebook account and I think about my posts. I wonder do I want what I am about to type to have a life well after I am dead, because cyberspace makes that possible. I try not to speak on things I do not know or make comments off of the cuff when one of my emotions is sparked. But just with the pregnancy fiasco, my time will come.

The internet makes us feel larger than life, able to dance with scholars, artists, professionals, and the everyday man in words of wit, academia, and common sense. When we get it right it is good. People all over the world agree with us and tell us how smart we are. On the other hand, when we get it wrong, thousands descend to tell us we should not be allowed out in a free society with our opinions and comments.

So, today and everyday, there will be someone with foot in mouth disease. The population, I guess, should be on the lookout for the pandemic: Phalanges Cybercitis.

One finger; one button and we join the ailing masses in which a successful vaccine has not yet been found for our syndrome of having to add our two cents worth on things we just should not be involved in. There is a Pulitzer Prize waiting for the person who can cure Phalanges Cybercitis

People Are Always Looking For A Sign

2011-02-08T21:32:00.006-06:00

February 2nd has come and gone. There were many people gathered with an eye focused on one animal to give them a sign whether we would experience an early spring or extended winter.

Punxsutawney Phil came out of his house and did not see his shadow, so we will have an early spring. Phil also predicted the Steelers would go to the Super bowl.

As long as I can remember, I have heard about this animal informing the waiting masses about the season. I checked my calendar and noticed that spring will arrive in April. From years of gardening I can tell you if the calendar does not have spring in March, then expect cold whether until it shows up in April. Being in a southern state, I have always taken chances and planted certain plants before I was suppose to. Of course, I had to keep a watchful eye on the weather to be prepared to cover them up when an unexpected cold snap occurred. Today I purchased a slew of flower seeds to start indoors. I will have them in the ground by late March and pull frost duty until Easter Sunday.

Phil has had to share the spotlight with other animals in our human efforts to obtain a sign to give us some type of advantage in one thing or another or to make us feel better about our choices or the direction we are headed in.

Paul the Octopus hatched January 2008 and died October 26, 2010. His life began humbly Weymouth, England but ended in stardom. He lived his life in a tank at Sea Life Center in Oberhausen, Germany. He was known for correctly predicting the winner of each German national football team's seven matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup as well as the outcome of the final. I remember seeing him on television and lauded as a wonder.

Amani, a 37 year old gorilla picked the Saints to win in the Super bowl faceoff between Indianapolis and New Orleans. Amani is a Gorilla at the Fort Worth Zoo. It was her first time selecting a Super bowl winner.

These predictions are not life altering. But it goes to show to the length we as humans will go to have a sign to make us feel better about our choices. As with everything else in life, the Bible has a famous man who needed a sign from God to ensure he was making the right choice.

Gideon was a famous judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from oppression by defeating the mighty Midianite army with a force of only 300 warriors. Gideon came from an obscure family of the tribe of Manasseh, but he trusted God at every step of his military campaign. Well, this is only partially true.

Gideon was out threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said "The Lord is with you mighty warrior." The angel (LORD) told Gideon to go asd save Israel out of Midian's hand. Gideon quickly informed the angel (LORD) that he was from the weakest clan and that he was the least in his clan. Even though the Lord said he would be Gideon; Gideon needed more; give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Before fully taking on his mission given to him by God he requested that a fleece he placed on the threshing floor be covered with dew in the morning while all of the area around it remains dry. When that came to pass just as Gideon asked he requested yet another sign; a dry fleece in the morning and the surrounding area dry. When this came to pass, Gideon was able to go forward with the Lord at his side (Judges 3-8). Gideon is listed as one of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32

It seems man will always need some sort of sign and we look in any and every direction to find one. We ask for a sign for the serious matters of the heart and the not so serious matters of everyday living. My life would have less anxiety if I could be given a sign to tell me what are the best choices to make as a wife or as a writer. But, life is not that simple and you may end up asking for a sign to make sure you are supposed to follow the sign.

With every choice we make there will always be timidity. The only way to take the edge off of not being sure is to follow the mandates of Jesus. Some of his teachings may be hard to follow at times, but in the long wrong; they usually make the outcomes of the future a little easier to live with.

JEZEBEL SPIRIT

2011-02-03T23:53:00.000-06:00

I have seen so many women ministers, prophetesses, and so forth post on facebook their severe admonishments for women in the church with the Jezebel spirit. I was floored by how these posts said these women sat in the congregation to seduce and entice the men of the church. They have even set their sights on the highest and holiest of men; the pastor.

They go on to rebuke this spirit that has infiltrated the church and has caused it to be a place of temptation and lust. Many other women would post their agreement and thankfulness that someone was courageous enough to bring this cancerous sin to the light.

I read today the usual Jezebel spirit exorcism updated to not allowing just anyone to lay hands on you to pray and the fact that God created man first and woman second and God’s order will not be torn down by these Jezebels. I told my husband when I run across such posts that I am fearful to say anything because the language being used is already what I consider hostile and I know what would happen if I said anything then utter agreement.

I began to think, what must be occurring in these particular churches for the out cry to pray Jezebel from amongst the congregation. How many women does it take lusting after men in a congregation for a SPIRIT of Jezebel to be detected? Are the men crying out for help from this evil lustful attack? Is the SPIRIT of Jezebel finding fertile ground or is it just TAKING victims? There must be something happening on a sexual nature ???? I guess, that has launched these women on this crusade against the Jezebel spirit.

I myself started to believe I did not understand Jezebel and maybe before I question something I should try to understand it. So join me to look at Jezebel.

The name Jezebel actually means unmarried, chaste. If I were to do a quick outline this is what it would be: Daughter of Ethbaal , Ahab’s wife 1 Kings 16:31, follows idolatry 1 Kings 16:32-33, destroyed Jehovah’s prophets 1 Kings 18:4-13, plans Elijah’s death 1 Kings 19:1-2, secures Naboth’s death 1 Kings 21:1-15, and her death 2 Kings 9:7-10 and 2 Kings 9:30-37.

The story of Jezebel begins with her husband Ahab in 1 Kings 16:30-33 “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him…and began to serve Baal and worship him” We later learn that Jezebel killed the Lord’s prophets in 18:4. In 19:1 Ahab tells Jezebel about how Elijah had killed her prophets. Jezebel plots to kill the prophet Elijah because in a match between God’s prophets and the false prophets, God is victorious and kills the false prophets; which infuriates Jezebel. The prophet Elijah escapes death through God’s protection. As the chapters unfold we see Ahab go into a battle in which God wanted him to kill Ben-Hadad, but after his victory, Ahab makes a treaty with Ben-Hadad leading a prophet of God to condemn Ahab “…This is what the Lord says: “You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people’” Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.”1 Kings 20:42-43.
Again Jezebel enters the picture after her husband is sad at not being able to obtain a vineyard in 1 Kings 21:ff. Whether you consider Jezebel a good wife or bad wife, it is at her husband’s distress and refusal to eat that she takes matters into her own hands to make her husband happy. Many wives take up their husband’s cause even when he is in the wrong. Even with two agreeing and working towards the same goal, it can still be wrong and a sin.

At Ahab’s death in 22:38 God’s word is fulfilled. It will not be until 2 Kings 9:7-10 and 2 Kings 9:30-37 do we see God’s word surrounding the death of Jezebel fulfilled. Verse 37 states” Jezebel’s body will be like a refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘this is Jezebel.’” Horses had trampled her body after the eunuchs had pushed her out of a window and when they went to bury her; only her skull, feet, and hands were left; nothing to bury.

After Ahab died his son Ahaziah took the throne 1 Kings 22:52 states: “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat; who caused Israel to sin.”

There you have it; the story of Jezebel. All eyes seem to be on her even when her husband, the head of the household was the one God held accountable as the leader of the Israelite nation. God leveled curse upon curse on Ahab for his actions, yet Jezebel is the mastermind of all the evils that befell the king in everyone’s eyes. Even their son was judged evil because of BOTH of his parents. If there is a Jezebel spirit there must be an Ahab spirit. Where and how is a Jezebel spirit linked to lust? Where did Jezebel rule over her husband? Even in killing for a desire, in which King David did the same (killing Bathsheba’s husband 2 Sam. 11), Jezebel was doing it for her husband; to see him happy and in the posture of his occupation – king. Ahab disobeyed God’s direct orders and Jezebel killed prophets. It seems they both worshipped pagan gods, but no where does it say Jezebel influenced Ahab to worship idols. He knew not to marry outside of his Jewish faith, but he did so like King Solomon (1 Kings 11).

The one true thing that Jezebel was guilty of was pagan beliefs/worship and the murder of God’s prophets. This does not seem to be what those that are saying women in the church today are doing with their spirit of Jezebel. Women owe it to our history in Christianity to study the women of the Bible to give an accurate portrayal of these women. Name calling and labeling women of today without just cause is not helpful. If there is a problem with lust, promiscuity, and adultery in the church it needs to be addressed, but calling everyone a Jezebel does not solve the problem, it is just another derogatory label on womanhood. More than women worship idols and persecute God’s people and it would be a disservice to lead people to believe otherwise.

Imporvement Begins With Self

2011-02-03T16:38:00.002-06:00

There are so many things in which I wish I could take credit for. I want a wise saying or philosophy to be attributed to me. There are already so many until I don't believe there are any new ones to come up with. I want to discover the key to success that will work quickly and effeciently. Many other people have come up with their formulas, but they include things like dedication and persistence. Even though I may not be known for anything earth shattering, that doesn't mean what has already been thought of and said is a waste.

I have found many good self improvement guides by several different people. There is a running theme to them all, "Improvement Begins With Self." Whether it is being a good leader, prosperous, or being a good Christian, you must begin with self. Marcus Mosiah Garvey was featured in a newsletter in which I did not agree with the philosophy. His reasons for giving his "lessons" on bettering self are not reasons I can get on board with, but the lessons themselves are sound and I would like to share them with you. As I stated earlier, many people offering advice/instruction for improvement hold to these main points:

1. One must never stop reading. Read everything that you can read, that is of standard knowledge. Don't waste time reading trashy literature. The idea is that personal experience is not enough for a human to get all the useful knowledge of life, because the individual life is too short, so we must feed on the experiences of others.

2. Read history incessantly until you master it. This means you own national history, the history of the world, social history, industrial history, and the history of different sciences; but primarily the history of MAN. If you do not know what went on before you came here and what is happening at the time you live, but away from you, you will not know the world and will be ignorant of the world and mankind.

3. To be able to read intelligently, you must first be able to master the language of your country. To do this, you must be well acquainted with its grammar and the science of it. People judge you by your writing and your speech. If you write badly and incorrectly they become prejudiced towards your intelligence, and if you speak badly and incorrectly, those who hear you become disgusted and will not pay much attention to you, but in their hearts laugh after you.

4. A leader who is to teach men and present any fact of truth must first be taught in his subject.

5. Never write or speak on a subject you know nothing about, for there is always somebody who knows that particular subject to laugh at you or to ask you embarrassing questions that may make others laugh at you.

6. You should read four hours a day. The best time to read is in the evening after you have retired from your work and after you have rested and before sleeping hours, but do so before morning, so that during your sleep hours what you have read may become subconscious, that is to say, planted in your memory.

7. Never keep the constant company of anybody who doesn't know as much as you or (is) as educated as you, and from whom you cannot learn something from or reciprocate your learning.

8. Continue always in the application of the things you desire educationally, culturally, or otherwise, and never give up until you reach your objective.

9. Try never to repeat yourself in any one discourse in saying the same thing over and over again except when you are making new points, because repetition is tiresome and annoys those who hear the repetiton.

10. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. When you know a thing and can hold your ground on that thing and win over your opponents on that thing, those who hear you learn to have confidence in you and will trust your ability.

Garvey's 11th point is directed to African Americans, in particular, about being wary of what they read because at times, it is written by particular authors with a perspective that may not be inclusive of the black experience.

It is worthy to note though, because of our country's interest in changing the history of America children learn in the school classroom. The rewriting of history has always been an issue. People still argue on which translation of the Bible is correct or doctored. It is said that the winners get to decide what is recorded in history. Our education system running amuck is another post within itself.

The above lessons are lessons we should instill in our children as we teach them to read before they enter the classroom. Correct grammer and first impressions are something the parent shoud be deeply concerned about because it greatly impacts their child's future. Don't leave your child's future in the hands of ANYONE. Example these lessons at home so that it will be a natural part of everday life.

BISHOP VASHTI MCKENZIE BIOGRAPHY

2011-02-02T13:15:00.000-06:00

BISHOP VASHTI MCKENZIE

When Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman to be elected bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, was speaking to a graduate class at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, she said, "You have been prepared to be critical thinkers ... open your eyes and seek new ideas ... find new ways to explore new spiritual frontiers."

McKenzie was born in Baltimore, Maryland, May 1947 to Ida Murphy Smith and Samuel Edward Smith. After attending high school as one of six Black students at Eastern High School, she went on to Blair School of Journalism for a brief period before enrolling at Morgan State University (MSU) where she majored in history. McKenzie then earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, College Park and began working for her family newspaper, the "Afro- American." There, she wrote her own column, "The McKenzie Report."

While attending MSU, she met her future husband, Stan McKenzie of the Baltimore Bullets basketball team and later, the Phoenix Suns, Arizona. In Arizona, she worked for the "Arizona Republic" newspaper, and after returning to Baltimore, McKenzie transitioned to radio and television journalism hosting gospel programs on local radio stations. She also served as vice-president of programming at WJZ-TV station.
McKenzie finally walked away from journalism and enrolled at Howard University's Divinity School in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Master's degree followed by a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In 1984, she was ordained a deacon and the following year, the pastor of Oak Street AME church in Baltimore. Being first has become commonplace for McKenzie. She was the first woman to pastor the Payne Memorial AME church in Baltimore, Maryland prior to becoming the first woman to be elected bishop in the 213-year history of the church in 2000 and also the first woman bishop to preside over the council of bishops, the governing body of the AME church.

During her tenure at Payne, McKenzie secured funds for a welfare-to-work program with the State of Maryland where approximately 600 men and women were educated, trained and placed in jobs, leaving the welfare system. In addition, she led the church to purchase a building and turned it into an economic development complex, with a senior-citizen center, a Headstart program and several other businesses.

McKenzie was also active in organizing the Collective Banking Group of Baltimore, the Church Health Alliance and was president of the AME Ministerial Alliance.
Her first assignment as bishop placed her over the Eighteenth Episcopal District, which included Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa. There McKenzie embarked on a vigorous campaign to strengthen the district's infra-structure. She instituted an ambitious agenda creating computer labs, entrepreneurial projects, educational workshops for teachers, new classrooms and an increase in schools supplies, giving life and vigor to the school students.
After serving in Southern Africa, McKenzie moved to the Thirteenth Episcopal District covering Kentucky and Tennessee. She has authored several books including "Not Without Struggle" (1996) and "Strength in the Struggle." (2006).
Bishop Vashti and Stan McKenzie are the parents of three children: Jon-Mikael, Jasmine and Joi-Marie.Â

My Name in lights

2011-02-01T15:40:00.001-06:00

Well, my name may not be in lights but I was one of many authors interviewed for the month of January. Check it out at: http://SellingBooks.com/, especially if you are interested in becoming a writer.

Mothers make homosexual men !?!?!?

2011-02-01T00:54:00.003-06:00

While in Seminary I had to write a paper for a class choosing one of several books to be used on a particular topic. I cannot recall the book nor the particular topic, but I do remember becoming upset withthe author's point of view towards women. I had to decide whether to present my own analysis of the material as it related to the assignment or to present what I believed may be the beliefs of the instructor (which I did not know and would be guessing) or present a paper that would get me an 'A'. In the end I went with my own reation to the material

The book dealt with the idea of unification of various denomination and finding common ground to bring us together and letting go of the things that divide us as long as it was not heretical teachings. He presented his reasonings why this would be a bad thing by drawing a parallel between the sexes trying to say that their differences were under attack and there was a threat of manhood being lost. This made a red flag appear before my eyes. As I continued to read, his take only made more red flags dance.

He pointed to the fact that women are pushing to declare that there is not a difference between being a man and being a woman. Women have declared that they can do anything that a man can do thus emasculating men. Women have fought for equality in the Scripture by trying to erase the distinction between the sexes also and declaring Jesus as neither masculine or feminine. Women in essence were trying to become men and we should guard against the blurring of distinction between the sexes and denominations.

I believe that there is a distinction between men and women and no matter how anyone tries, there will always be an identifiable difference between the sexes. A man cannot be a woman and a woman cannot be a man no matter how hard one tries. This said, many women can successfully do things that have been catagorized as 'manly' and men can successfully do things that have been catagorized as 'womanly' I can use a chainsaw and cut down a tree as well as any man, but at the end of the day I will still be a woman. I did not cut the tree with the intent of being a man or attacking manhood. The tree needed to be cut and I could do it. There are numerous top chefs who can outcook any woman and at the end of the day they are still men. Their ability to cook at an expert level does not erase women from the earth. As a woman I could never impregnate another woman and a man will never give birth to a baby. Stereotypes may be crossed but what makes a man a man or a woman a woman is not threatened; it can be abandoned or not lived into, but not stolen.

Many women are admonished to stay in their places and not to try to take the place of the man. It is strange that there is not the same amount of admonishment for the man to stay in his place and not take the place of a woman. WHY IS IT THAT THE POSITION OF THE MAN MUST BE GUARDED SO? Is it that easy to take his place? Or is so easy for it to be stepped into? The female does not seem to be so threatened by men taking womanhood away. Where are the studies on the attack on womanhood?

In this same vein, the church takes a strong position against homosexuality. It is the gay male more so than the lesbian that seems to cause the most distress. In the book I mentioned earlier, the author launched into the problem with women exerting so much power: IT LEADS TO HOMOSEXUAL SONS!!! This caused me to stop seeing red flags and to just see RED. Not only are women trying to be men, erase manhood from the earth, now we are making our sons love men.

My paper critiqued the book for it's point on unitarianalism, but also pointed out the fact that the author wrote from a bias against women and their role in the church, society, and family.

We know that mothers have a strong influence on their children, but I think it is too simple to say homosexuality is due to the parenting skills of the mother. If we accept this premise then we must assume fathers create lesbians, guess what, that study is still out. People seem to only really care about why are men gay. It seems to be the most offensive to people, manly Christian men. I know the Bible says homosexuality is an abomination, I'm just talking about observations here and possibly hidden agendas (not conspiracies). Below is an article I ran across:
A VACCINE TO PREVENT HOMOSEXUALITY!

Women create homosexuals
Parents are easily the most important external force in the life of any child and, as would be suspected, contribute largely to the homosexual or heterosexual predisposition of their children. A professor of psychiatry at one of the nation's leading medical schools stated, "Current research indicates that the family most likely to produce a homosexual comprises a very intimate, possessive and dominating mother and a detached, hostile father. Many mothers of lesbians tend to be hostile and competitive with their daughters. The fathers of female homosexuals seldom appear to play a dominant role in the family and have considerable difficulty being openly affectionate with their daughters."

Most of the new books on homosexuality contain the report by Dr. Irving Bieber, who studied the family backgrounds of 106 male homosexuals. According to his discoveries, eighty-one mothers were dominating, sixty-two were overprotective, sixty-six made the homosexual their favorite child, eighty-two of the fathers spent very little time with their sons, and seventy-nine maintained a detached attitude toward them.

As important as the father is in the life of a child, even he must take second place to mother during the first three years of life. she feeds the baby at her breast and spends far more time with him in infancy than does his dad. Consequently, mothers actually have more to do with producing a predisposition toward homosexuality than fathers. Two kinds of mothers are particularly harmful-smother mothers and dominating mothers.

Smother Mothers
Every child needs love, but few things are worse than an overprotective, smothering affection that is showered on an infant, not for his benefit but for the mother's. Many a love-starved young mother satisfies her love hunger on her child until he is the primary object in her life. The more she bestows her affection, time, and attention on her child, the more she neglects her husband. This may turn him further from her and the child, compounding the problem.

Dr. Howard Hendricks used to say in Family Seminars which he and I held together that ' ' whenever a mother makes her son number one in her life, she begins to raise a pervert. " In other words, it is normal for a boy to be number two in the heart of his mother, for he doesn't feel threatened when he knows father is number one. But when mother and father cannot preserve a love relationship and she makes the child number one, he is in trouble. He may begin to identify with her, take an interest in feminine things, and develop effeminate mannerisms. Such concerns start early in life and are very difficult to break. One veteran homosexual in the counseling room complained that his mother was "overprotective and smothering.'' He illustrated the latter by saying, "She never hesitated to embarrass me. she thought nothing of unzipping my pants to tuck in my shirt. Between that and wiping my nose, she was all over me.''

Throughout history, researchers have repeatedly verified that homosexuals are ''mama's boys" whose mothers doted on them in their youth. Tchaikovsky, Michelangelo, and Freud are notable examples. Insecure mothers who have a need to be needed take out that compulsion on their infant or small child to the detriment of the child's personality. Some call it love, but it is not! In reality, it is a form of selfishness, and it probably constitutes one of the leading causes in the rise of homosexuality.

In recent years it has become fashionable for an unwed mother who heeds the advice of sexual permissivists to raise her child alone. I always wince when I see this, not because a mother can't raise her son alone (my brother and I were raised by a widowed mother, and my brother was only seven weeks old when Father died, so I know it can be done), but most of those girls have the wrong motive. They are usually love-starved girls who want something living to love and often end up "smother loving" a child into a predisposition toward homosexuality.

Dominant Mothers
One of the sociological phenomena of our times is the enormous increase in the dominant role of the mother and the renunciation by the father of his responsibility to lead. In some cases dominance is forced upon women because of an irresponsible husband. But nothing ruins the sexual adjustment of children more surely than an oppressive wife and mother. Such children build up an intense hostility toward the opposite sex that either makes it difficult for them to show love and affection in marriage or creates a predisposition toward homosexuality.

THIS TYPE OF ARTICLE MAKES IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A WOMAN TO RAISE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A HOMOSEXUAL SON. When trying to reach an answer to address homosexuality, it seems the mother should be removed from the household completely. Women are are threat to manhood by their sheer existence. Evidently a woman needs a referee to run interference in mothering her son to vaccinate him against homosexuality. I'm sorry, but I can not get with this article. I am over protective of my daughters and probably smothering in their view; WHAT AM I CREATING? Are women truly the scurge some would have us to believe?

In a separate article the following information was given in regards to whether mothers create homosexual children:
Scientists have studied twins to try and learn if being gay is biologically determined. Studies of identical and fraternal twins suggest that there is a genetic influence on sexual orientation. If being gay were strictly genetic, then in identical twins, there would be a 100% concordance rate for sexual orientation. But one study in 1995 found a 52% correlation for male identical twins and 22% for male fraternal twins. A study on females came up with similar results. If one identical twin was a lesbian, in 48% of cases, the other twin was also a lesbian. For fraternal twins, the concordance was 16%. (source Simon LeVay)

These studies show that people with the same genetic make up (identical twins) are more likely to share sexual orientation than those with different genetic make up (fraternal twins.) Genetics alone cannot cause sexual orientation, but they do play a part.

The Devil is Busy Sermon: Don't Believe the Hype

2011-01-31T15:42:00.004-06:00

For those who no matter when you ask them how they are doing or what is going on in their lives you always get a story, scenario, report of how the devil has been busy in their lives. Each week or month, or even day to day, the devil has done some sort of misdemenor that has affected their lives almost to the point of giving up, but they inform you they are soldiering on with faith in God, battle scarred and helpless to his attacks, they press on believing Satan won't leave them alone because that is his job, but with faith in God they will survive and try to keep on smiling. Satan broke down their car- cars break down. Satan let their lights get cut off or their child went to the principles office for fighting, husband cheated etc. There is nothing supernatural about any of these circumstances except for perception of persecution Eccl. 1:9 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

For people living like this and feeling like this you just want to find a way not to add to their life of attack by Satan. But my heart screams to say to them "You may have become depressed by life's bumps and bruises and may need to look into making sure lingering pains and stresses have not caused you to have some resolveable mental health issues, but one thing for sure is you have become depressing." You know no matter what you say or ask them before you leave their presence they are going to reveal the last thing the devil has done to them or someone close to them. HOW CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE WHO IS CONSTANTLY UNDER ATTACK; WHO HAS DECIDED TO TAKE ON SATAN'S ASSAULTS AS A LIFESTYLE AND CONVERSATION STARTER? How can you tell someone to stop blaming Satan when this is undoubtedly the only comfort they have in what truly must be a pain filled life?

JOB 1:6 “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord “From roaming through the earth going back and forth in it.”

If you continue to read this passage, Satan tells God that HE has a hedge of protection around Job and it would have to be God himself to strike down all of the blessings Job has, because Satan could not harm a servant of God’s without permission. God says in verse 12 “Very well then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

Notice Satan said he was roaming the earth causing evil, but He had to get special permission to touch God’s child, Job. Then Satan made a special bargain that actually ended with a kingdom purpose when he asked allowing removal of MATERIAL blessings from Job to SEE what Job would do. Job was disturbed by what occurred but he said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 1:20. To his wife he said “You are talking foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” 2:10

God restored Job back to prosperity even exceeding what had been taken. Job friends tried to convince him he had to have sinned to anger God to punish him, because bad things happen to bad people: SATAN CAN ONLY TORMENT A SINNER. But Job knew His relationship with God and the limited power of Satan and even when what his eyes saw confused him, he still lived in the truth SATAN IS NOT MORE POWERFUL THAN GOD and no matter what was occurring on earth, God loved those who worshipped and obeyed Him. The KINGDOM LESSON from Job: no matter what happens in your life; will you allow it to control you, dominate your life by trying to figure it out, wonder WHY to distraction of living and serving God? Job discussed and wondered for chapter after chapter what was going on. He had made his stand in the beginning to continue to serve God, but he agonizes on the WHY with others and in prayer to God. It is in chapter 38 and 41 God answers Job. God asks Job 38:2-4 “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question YOU and you shall answer ME. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I LAID THE EARTH’S FOUNDATION? TELL ME IF YOU UNDERSTAND.” If you read the rest of chapter 38-41 you will understand God created all with care precision and love. He does have all of the answers, but sometimes our focus goes wrong. GOD HAS ALREADY ANSWERED OUR MAIN QUESTION: His undying love for us in any and all circumstances whether the circumstances are the way we want them or not. That is the only thing of importance; His presence in our life or else Satan occupies our life. The ONLY thing we should hold onto with ferocity is God. Circumstances in life will forever have its ups and downs, most man made not of supernatural origin. The debate between Satan and God was HOW WILL GOD”S PEOPLE BEHAVE? Remember, God and Satan began this whole thing with a discussion.

THOUGHT CONTROL AND MIND RENEWAL

THOUGHT CONTROL
“I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Phil. 4:12 The SECRET learned was he could still serve God whether he had material things or not. Pain makes you think of self, distracts you on self, and imprisons you on your bad luck when the greatest gift is God. God gives you strength for kingdom work not to acquire wealth, good fortune, or the will to keep trying to reach your goal in life; this has been a false teaching for years by the church and other believers and this is why there are so many hurt, depressed, Christians. The verse does not mean: “I can do all things I want in my life to get all the things I want in my life for me and then I will help others with what I have with God strengthening me to do. I CAN HAVE IT ALL with God. Amen”

Philippians 4:4-9 guards your heart and mind and gives you peace. Giving Satan credit for the majority of life’s circumstances is not PEACE. This is still a state of turmoil, questioning, confusion. When discomfort, comes as it does in all human existence, the first person to point the finger to for a Christian is not outward (Satan, Christian haters). The first reflection should be on self (Eve pointed at the snake, Adam pointed at Eve and blamed God for giving her to him), then outward. I don't mean checking to see if you sinned, but just to see was the problem just man made and not a curse, attack, or punishment. The decision of action will come back to you after you have experienced something you do not like: NOW what do I do or how will I respond, react, walk out this circumstance with God? What is it that I really need to be happy? Favor, fortune, fame or God? Did God create me only to experience and take from life? Are all of my days, nights, weeks, months, years of living occupied with thoughts of only having pleasure and comfort or the Great Commission?

MIND RENEWAL

2 Tim. 1:7 “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind.” People work on the power and love but not the sound mind. How can anyone be happy if they feel their life is being stalked by Satan waiting to cause a mishap, failure, crumbling of good, crushing everything? The NIV says it is self discipline (sound mind). Self discipline is your reactions, how your mind responds and influences your actions.

“…hasn’t not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him. (James 2:5) ” “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder” (James 2:19). Read the two kinds of wisdom James talks about in 3:14-17 “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition there you find disorder and every evil practice.” We try to put kindness, love, and peace on top of our heart’s desires saying we are reaching for them like a Christian. Our ambitions and desires should be kingdom minded first and foremost for them to be wise and without disorder. How to know if it is Kingdom minded: it helps others to come to God, grow in God, be maintained in God and you may not get one thing out of it.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given as well Matt. 6:33. “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Do you treasure money, success, favor, fame or God alone and His kingdom work? You can not serve both God and money; Matt. 6:19-24. Many believe becoming a Christian and going to church on Sunday is seeking the kingdom, but it is more than that; it is a lifestyle of knowing God intimately, His nature towards sinners and His children, God’s deepest desire for His creation and how you work with Him to accomplish this great love for His creation, and that you ONLY exist to come into knowledge of your kingdom birthright, your kingdom duty, and your part and position in kingdom work (telling people what you have learned and helping them to do the same). Armed with this knowledge you will never doubt that God is with you and Satan is powerless in destroying you; the only endeavor of IMPORTANCE (knowing God). You know the ending, you are on the winning team and the little discomforts faced on earth are trivial, never lasting, because it is not this life you are concerned with having the best God has to offer (salvation). It is your next life, the permanent one that concerns you. With this attitude Satan becomes laughable with his small efforts to hurt you on earth. The biggest hurt would be to miss heaven and you are in full control of that. The economy; you cannot control, prejudices; you cannot control, who loves/likes you; you cannot control, your eternal resting place; 100% in your control. What do you REALLY care about? Where is your heart and mind?

Make your living testimony for God so great, Satan would have to have a conversation with God to mess with you and we know how that turned out in the end with Job 42:10. “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord mad him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job LEARNED from his situation, he did not get stuck at blaming, questioning, perpetual victim.

Know Your Place Woman!

2011-01-31T00:59:00.003-06:00

Below is an article I read on the subject of women in the pulpit. I took a little creative license and recounstructed the flow of the article in an effort to break up redundancy in my post on the topic. For the complete unedited article by Gerald Williams go to http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/women-in-the-pulpit-gerald-williams-sermon-on-apologetics-general-50300.asp?page=3 I enjoy presenting a male voice to this discussion whenever possible to put to rest that this is only a concern to feminists or women who disrespect the position of men within the church and family.

A WOMAN NAMED JARENA LEE WAS THE SECOND BLACK WOMAN IN AMERICA TO TRY TO ANSWER THE CALL TO PREACH ON HER LIFE ONLY TO BE TURNED DOWN IN HER ATTEMPT TO BECOME LISCENSED. SHE HAD AN INTERESTING THOUGHT ON THE MATTER. SHE WROTE...
“IF A MAN MAY PREACH BECAUSE THE SAVIOUR DIED FOR HIM; WHY NOT THE WOMAN? SEEING HE DIED FOR HER ALSO. IS HE NOT A WHOLE SAVIOR, INSTEAD OF A HALF ONE? AS THOSE WHO HOLD IT WRONG FOR A WOMAN TO PREACH, WOULD SEEM TO MAKE IT APPEAR.” I THANK GOD THAT THOSE WOMEN PIONEERS DIDN’T GIVE UP BUT CONTINUED TO FIGHT WHEN THEY WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THE PULPIT. SISTERS LIKE JARENA LEE, QUINCEILA WHITLOW, IDA B. ROBINSON, ROSA HORN, ELLA EUGENE WHITFIELD AND MARY J. SMALL.

HERE IS A THOUGHT BY DR. CRAIG KEENER FROM HIS BOOK ENTITLED “PAUL, WIVES AND WOMEN”.”IT IS A DANGEROUS THING TO TURN PEOPLE FROM THEIR CALL, OR TO OPPOSE THEIR CALL IF IT IS GENUINELY FROM GOD. ON WHAT BASIS DO ANY OF US MEN WHO ARE CALLED PROVE OUR CALL? WE TRUST INNER CONVICTION AND THE FRUIT OF HOLY LIVES AND TEACHING AND FAITHFULNESS TO THAT CALL, AND IF THESE EVIDENCES ARE INSUFFICIENT DEMONSTRATION OF DIVINE CALLING IN THE CASE OF OUR SISTERS, HOW SHALL WE ATTEST OUR OWN?”

GERALD WILLIAM'S MOST RECENT ENCOUNTER WITH RESISTANCE TO WOMEN PREACHERS HAPPENED AT A WOMEN’S DAY SERVICE HE ATTENDED. THE GUEST SPEAKER WAS A MINISTER. SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED THE COURTESY OF THE PULPIT AND SO SHE SPOKE FROM A ROSTRUM ON THE FLOOR. AFTER HER WONDERFUL MESSAGE, THE PASTOR GOT UP, COMMENTED COURTEOUSLY ON HER MESSAGE - (AS ONE DOES CHILDREN AFTER AN EASTER OR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM) - THEN HE PROCEEDED TO PREACH ANOTHER ENTIRE SERMON. WILLIAM'S RECALLS THAT HE FELT A BIT INSULTED FOR THE LADY MINISTER. IT IS HERE I WILL ALLOW HIM TO SPEAK IN HIS OWN WORDS.

AND SO I BEGAN TO SERIOUSLY WONDER WHY THESE FEMALE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL WERE TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM. AS I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THE MATTER AND QUESTION FOLKS. I QUICKLY FOUND SOME ANSWERS. A LARGE PART OF THE PREJUDICE WAS BASED ON A COUPLE OF SCRIPTURES.

I CORINTH 14:34 “LET YOUR WOMEN KEEP SILENCE IN THE CHURCHES; FOR IT IS NOT PERMITTED UNTO THEM TO SPEAK: 35 AND IF THEY WILL LEARN ANYTHING, LET THEM ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME;
I TIMOTHY 2:11-12 LET THE WOMAN LEARN IN SILENCE WITH ALL SUBJECTION 12 BUT I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN TO TEACH NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE.

IT’S AMAZING TO KNOW PAUL TAUGHT MANY THINGS THE CHURCH HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE BUT, THEY DECIDE TO LATCH ON TO THESE SCRIPTURES THAT SEEM TO DENY WOMEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREACH AND HOLD ON TO THEM FOR DEAR LIFE. LET ME POINT OUT TWO CRITICAL THINGS THAT PEOPLE DIDN’T TAKE THE TIME TO DO BEFORE THEY WENT ABOUT RESTRAINING WOMEN FROM GOD’S PULPITS.

FIRST, THEY DIDN’T DO ANY BACKGROUND STUDY ON THE CULTURE THAT EXISTED OR THE HISTORY OF THE TIMES WHEN THESE SCRIPTURES WERE WRITTEN. SECONDLY, THEY FAILED TO READ FURTHER OR TAKE OTHER FACTS, PRESENTED IN SCRIPTURE, INTO CONSIDERATION.
TAKING TIME TO RESEARCH THESE SCRIPTURES AND THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF THE TIMES WOULD HAVE REVEALED THAT DURING THE TIME THESE SCRIPTURES WERE WRITTEN - THE DEEP PARTICULARS OF THE NEW CHRISTIAN RELIGION WERE NOT WIDELY KNOWN BY EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN. REMEMBER, CHRISTIANITY WAS NEW. PAUL AND HIS ASSOCIATES WERE RUNNING ALL ACROSS THE KNOWN WORLD TRYING TO ESTABLISH CHURCHES, TRAINING CHURCH LEADERS, MONITORING THESE NEW CHURCHES AND TRYING TO HELP THEM WORK OUT PROBLEMS AND GROWING PAINS. THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON.

LETS EXAMINE THE FIRST ISSUE, THE ISSUE OF WOMEN BEING COMMANDED TO BE SILENT IN CHURCH AND ASK QUESTIONS OF THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME. READ I CORINTHIANS 14: 27-29 AND YOU’LL SEE THE BIG ISSUE PAUL IS ADDRESSING IS “ORDER” IN THE SERVICE. AS YOU READ YOU‘LL SEE THAT IN ADDITION TO ASKING THE WOMEN TO NOT DISRUPT THE SERVICE WITH THEIR QUESTIONS, HE ALSO ADDRESSES THE "TONGUE TALKERS" AND THOSE WHO WOULD "PROPHESY" IN THE SERVICE -- INSTRUCTING THEM ALL HOW TO BEHAVE THERE MIGHT BE ORDER IN THE SERVICE.

NOW, AS FOR THE WOMEN AND THEIR QUESTIONS... THEY WERE ASKING QUESTIONS TO PROBE WHAT THE SPEAKER WAS SAYING IN THE SERVICE, IN ORDER TO LEARN. MOST OF THE WOMEN WERE NOT NEARLY AS EDUCATED IN THAT SOCIETY AS THE MEN WERE. THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW RELIGION, THEIR NEW FOUND FREEDOMS IN IT AND WERE EAGER TO LEARN MORE SO THE QUESTIONS FLOWED FREELY. NO DOUBT MANY REDUNDANT AND IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. WHY WAS THIS QUESTIONING LIKELY TO HAVE CAUSED A PROBLEM IN THE SERVICE?
QUESTIONING WAS A LEGITIMATE PART OF LEARNING IN THIS SOCIETY BUT, IT HAD TO BE DONE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. THIS INTERRUPTION OF THE SPEAKER WAS LOOKED UPON AS A DISRUPTION AND RUDE... AND IT WAS. SO, SILENCE WAS REQUESTED BY PAUL. IT WAS NOT A FORBIDDING THE WOMEN TO EVER SPEAK IN A SERVICE, BUT A CALL TO ORDER IN THE SERVICE. PAUL’S POINT WAS THAT THOSE WHO DIDN’T KNOW THE BIBLE VERY WELL SHOULD NOT PACE OR RESTRICT THE SPEED WITH WHICH THE REMAINDER OF THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION WAS LEARNING . THEY SHOULD INSTEAD SEEK PRIVATE HELP (IN THIS CASE FROM THEIR HUSBANDS) TO HELP CATCH UP ON THE BASICS OF CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION OR DOCTRINE, THAT THE REST OT THE CONGREGATION ALREADY KNEW.

WOMEN FORBIDDEN TO TEACH

AGAIN, AS YOU READ THIS SCRIPTURE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE WOMEN OF THIS SOCIETY WERE RELATIVELY UNEDUCATED, ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW RELIGION (CHRISTIANITY). THE BOTTOM LINE HERE WAS THAT, IN SPITE OF THE ZEAL THAT THESE NEW CHRISTIAN WOMEN HAD, PAUL DIDN’T WANT THEM TEACHING OTHERS YET, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT YET EDUCATED OR LEARNED OR MATURED IN THE WORD THEMSELVES. HE WAS NOT SAYING TO ALL WOMEN - THAT THEY COULD NEVER TEACH OR SPEAK OR PREACH. HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE EPHESIAN WOMEN WHO WERE UNLEARNED AT THIS TIME. YOU READ IT AND THINK ABOUT THIS... PAUL DIDN’T BELIEVE WOMEN SHOULDN’T TEACH MEN. PAULS CO-WORKER, IN THE LORD, PRISCILLA... WHOM PAUL COMMENDED, TAUGHT APOLLOS, THE GREAT PREACHER (SEE ACTS 18:24) IN ADDITION, PAUL HIMSELF OFTEN MENTIONS OTHER WOMEN WHO HELD POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH. PHOEBE WAS A DEACONESS / MINISTER / PREACHER OF THE CHURCH AT CENHARAEA (SEN - HA- RAY - AH_). SHE IS ALSO THE ONE DELIVERING PAULS LETTER TO THE ROMANS. THE FACT THAT SHE IS DELIVERING IT MUST MEAN THAT SHE IS QUALIFIED TO EXPLAIN OR INTERPRET ANYTHING CONTAINED IN IT THAT IS NOT CLEAR TO THE ROMAN CHURCH LEADERS OR MEMBERS. OTHER WOMEN WHO HELD RESPONSIBLE ROLES IN THE CHURCH MENTIONED BY PAUL ARE - MARY AND TRYPHAENA (TRY-FA-ENA) AND TRYPHOSA. THEY WERE MENTIONED AS THE LORDS’ WORKERS IN (ROM 16:6,12). AND, EUODIAS AND SYNTYCHE (SIN-TI-CHEE) MENTIONED IN (PHIL 4:2).

THEN, NO DISCUSSION OF WOMEN INVOLVED IN MINISTRY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING MARY MAGDALENE, SALOME, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JAMES. THESE PRECIOUS SISTERS ARE THE WOMEN THAT GOD CHOSE TO BRING THE GOOD NEWS, TO THE DISCIPLES, THAT JESUS HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD!!!

SO NOW I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS ATROCITY AGAINST WOMEN PREACHERS HAS NO SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION. THE ONLY FOUNDATION SEEMS TO BE THE PREJUDICE AND INSECURITIES OF SOME MALE MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY. AS I ALWAYS DO, LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ AND KNOW FOR YOURSELF. THERE ARE MATERIALS AVAILABLE TO MEET ANY AND ALL OF YOUR BIBLE STUDY NEEDS. WE HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR PREJUDICE AND ERROR ON THE PART OF OTHERS, LEADING US OFF INTO ERROR LIKE THIS THING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AGAINST WOMEN PREACHERS FOR SO VERY LONG. READ TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED.

LET ME SUGGEST FOUR ABSOLUTELY AWESOME BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH THIS SUBJECT OF WOMEN IN THE PULPIT, IN GREAT DETAIL. THEY ARE...

* DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER BY BETTY COLLIER THOMAS
(Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1998)
* STONY THE WAY WE TROD EDITED BY CAIN HOPE FELDER
(Fortress Press, 1991)
* PAUL , WIVES AND WOMEN BY DR. CRAIG S. KEENER
(Hendrickson Publishers, 1992)
* WHEN WILL EVE BE FORGIVEN? BY DOROTHY GUYTON
(Infinity Publishing, 2010)

****My note******
No matter who the defender is of women being able to preach, they will encounter cultural considerations. Most of the restrictions of culture or customs of antiquity have been over ruled or nullified in regard to our male Christian counterparts, but historical customs for women remain. To ensure accurate doctrine the same guidelines for interpretation must apply across the board.

BIG LOVE Lessons

2011-01-27T21:32:00.001-06:00

If you have no idea or have never seen the HBO series called “Big Love” then you are missing an opportunity to think about and evaluate your own religious leaning; even your own particular denomination. Big Love is about more than a particular religious doctrine, it is about looking at people LIVING out their religion, something that is actually more important than your belief system.

Big Love is an American television drama on HBO about a fictional fundamentalist Mormon family in Utah who practice polygamy. Big Love currently stars Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin, Douglas Smith, Grace Zabriskie, Mary Kay Place, Matt Ross, and Cassi Thomson.

The polygamous family struggles to hide their true religious practices from the public due to polygamy being illegal. This family unit broke away from their fundamentalist family ties which adhere strictly to the teachings of the Prophet. The Paxton family thinks they can have the same basic religious beliefs as the practicing fundamentalist Mormons, but updated and more acceptable to mainstream America.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the principle formal body embracing Mormonism in today’s world. It had well over nine million members by the late twentieth century. It is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joseph smith founded Mormonism in upstate New York after he translated his revelation of “the Book of Mormon,” which recounts the history of certain tribes of Isreal that migrated to America before Christ was born.

The Mormon way of life is distinguished by order and respect for authority, church activism, strong conformity with the group, and vigorous proselytizing and missionary activity. Mormons believe that faithful members of the church will inherit eternal life as gods and even those who had rejected God’s law would live in glory.

In both of the groups of Mormons depicted in the series, the fundamentalists and the more progressives, there is one common factor THEY ARE CRUMBLING IN THEIR FAITH BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS. Each family group wants power and control. Each is willing to lie and deceive others to get what they want. Each group’s life does not shine a good light on their faith.

With all religions, it is the action of the people that draw or repel those looking at the way they live instead of the words they say. Christians have this same problem. It is not the doctrine that speaks to the masses but the way that we live and interact with others. It is our private agendas added to our religious beliefs that cause the most conflict within the society. On the show Big Love, it is not necessarily the differences of the faith of Mormonism that is destroying the followers; it is how they are living it out.

LDS Church response:

In March 2006, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) issued a public statement citing concerns over the program's depiction of abuse, polygamy, use of stereotypes, and television's depiction of moral and civic values in general. Among other things, the Church stated that, "Despite its popularity with some, much of today’s television entertainment shows an unhealthy preoccupation with sex, coarse humor and foul language. Big Love, like so much other television programming, is essentially lazy and indulgent entertainment that does nothing for our society and will never nourish great minds." In March 2009, the LDS Church stated that HBO's writers, producers, and executives were displaying insensitivity to church members by choosing to display simulated segments of the LDS Church's Endowment ceremony in an episode of Big Love. The LDS Church also stated that the show had continued to blur the distinction between the LDS Church and "the show's fictional non-Mormon characters."

BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER-GUIDRY biography

2011-01-26T23:51:00.003-06:00

I will be doing a series of biographies on several women pastors as I continue to pick up interviews from other women clergy.

As the second female bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Bishop Carolyn Tyler-Guidry was the first female appointed to be a presiding elder in the Fifth Episcopal District which includes California. She started Bible School in Los Angeles in 1977, followed by her pastor-ship of the First AME Church in Indio, California. After instituting some creative programs there, Tyler-Guidry moved on to pastor another church, Cain Memorial AME Church in Bakersfield, where she remained for five years.

Coming to Los Angeles in 1989, Tyler-Guidry was appointed to pastor the Walker Temple AME Church, a major metropolitan church with about 600 members. Her performance was so extraordinary that five years later, she became the first female appointed to presiding elder in the Fifth Episcopal District - a milestone.
Throughout the years that she pastored the above-mentioned churches, Tyler-Guidry used the skills she had acquired in Business and Secretarial Science at J.P. Campbell College in Jackson, Mississippi, her hometown, where she earned her AA degree and she later studied economics at Tougaloo College, a liberal arts institution also in Jackson, Mississippi. She had also worked for the NAACP and chaired the women's voter registration in Jackson. In addition, Tyler-Guidry's 12 years at Security Pacific Bank in California added to her wealth of experience that she used skillfully during her various stints as pastor.

Tyler-Guidry went on to become the second female bishop elected in the A.M.E. Church in July 2004 about the same time she received her master's of theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. With her election as a bishop, she is designated one of the AME's Episcopal district worldwide; her first district was the 16th Episcopal district which consisted of Cuba; the Dominican Republic; Haiti; Jamaica; London, England; Suriname, Guyana; the Virgin Islands; and the Windward Islands.
At the 48th Quadrennial Session of the AME General Conference in July 2008, Tyler-Guidry presided over the Business Session XIV. One of the items on the agenda during the sessions, held every four years, is the assignments of the bishops to the various AME districts worldwide. After the 16th district, the Right Reverend (her official title) Carolyn Tyler-Guidry was assigned as the presiding prelate of the 8th district. That district included Louisiana and Mississippi, her home state and she stated that she was pleased to extend greetings to all who visit this site and I must say that I am truly excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District for this 2008- 2012 Quadrennial.

Despite the rigorous schedule her administrative and pastoral duties as a presiding prelate entailed, Tyler-Guidry always found the time to conduct invocations, served on numerous boards and other community activities outside of the church. And though her official duties often make her relocate to different districts within the AME church structure, Tyler-Guidry calls Southern California her home. She is the mother of six children and the grandmother of twelve.

Women in the pulpit

2011-01-25T17:47:00.007-06:00

I ran across an article by a husband and wife ministry team, the Swifts, who tackle the issue of 'Women in the pulpit.' Their entire article can be found on ezine (http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-Women-Supposed-to-Minister-in-the-Pulpit?&id=1057596)

I like the way they use various passages from the Bible to bring to the forefront who exactly is allowed to teach others. They take the totality of the Scriptures, knowing that the letters of the New Testament were written separately, to deal with specific issues faced by a city at a particular time in the unfolding of the founding of Christianity. They begin by building a foundation of who the new Christian is:

To most Believers (especially new Believers who haven't been taught old customs) the verse that seems most natural (in a supernatural way!) about the ministry of women is found in Galatians where Paul says:
Gal. 3.26-28 -- Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Establishing first, who we are in Christ, is crucial on the individual level. To realize we have been freed in Christ from restrictions that bound us in culture and the Jewish faith allows us to participate in our new lives as Christians. This is the building block for all else we do in Christ.

Next, the article points out the main scripture used to show women should not be in the pulpit:
"But," many men claim, "there are Scriptures that teach the submission of women -- in marriage and in ministry!" Actually, there's just one. Our key verse is found in the letter to Timothy:

1 Tim 2.11-14 -- "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

I have tackled this passage in my book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" pointing to the goddess worship that was occurring in Ephesus at the time Paul wrote this and their belief that womanhood was to be worshipped for its life giving and regenerative essence and the male counterpart was not to be held in high regard. The Swifts also looks at key words used in the passage such as: usurp and silence. In my book I did not deconstruct the usage of the word silence, which I now believe plays an important part to understanding the 1 Timothy passage, so I will include the Swifts' exegesis of the word at this point:

In fact, "silence" is a good word to show how quickly you and I can make a wrong guess as to the meaning of a word in the Bible. After all, if women are to "keep silent", wouldn't you think that means they have to keep their mouths shut? But the Greek word used for "silence" (hesuchia) is the same word used in 1 Tim 2.2 in which we're told to pray continually "for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may lead a quiet [hesuchia] and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

The word hesuchia (according to Strong's Dictionary) describes the life of "someone who stays at home doing his own work" and doesn't meddle in the lives of others." In 1 Tim 2.2, it would obviously be wrong to say it means the kind of "silence" that we usually talking about -- you know, "pray for kings, and for all that are in authority; so that we may all shut up and live in peace..."? It doesn't make any sense.

But when you apply the correct meaning in 1 Tim 2.12, it makes perfect sense that Paul would tell women to participate in the meetings "quietly", not "meddling" with the teachings that Paul had given them about the Gospel, Jesus Christ, etc.

"I do not permit a woman to teach"... In the spiritual atmosphere of Ephesus, women (especially women) needed to sit quietly and learn. And Ephesian women needed especially to not be allowed to "usurp authority" over the men who were teaching -- attempting to perpetuate the cultic teachings of female, spiritual authority and thereby taking control of the young, Ephesian church. What Paul is saying here to the Ephesian Believers, in light of the extraordinarily difficult circumstances facing this Asian church, was that women (steeped in these false teachings) needed to just be quiet, sit and learn from the men. Remember: Paul doesn't tell women this anywhere else. It is a word of instruction for Ephesus."

For this particular church faced with the false teaching of it's time--goddess worship, the women learning about the gospel of Jesus should not speak up about the goddess and what all of the other women in the area were participating in. Women, in that area, believed that it was through womanhood that people could be saved, not a man (Jesus). To take power from the notion of powerful womanhood, it would take men leading the charge. Even if the women of that area spoke the gospel and taught correct doctrine, it would still be a WOMAN in a power position issuing truth, still keeping the image of manhood weak. Paul had to use strategy in this area of female domination and it would have to be the MAN to step up to the plate in this area if the grip of goddess worship was to be conquered. Remember, Paul did not teach this to every area he evagelized and we know he evangelized Lydia and in essence sanctioned her home church and she was the one who would go on to teach the rest of the converts in her area. There is no way to get around this fact of this home church Lydia set up Acts 16:14-15. We all pull Phoebe up (Rom. 16:1-2) as a close worker in the church with Paul. Even with two named women, very active in ministry, one instruction in the book of Timothy seems to supercede them.

Whenever there seems to be some confusion in interpretation, more in depth study should be done. One of the main things I try to gently tell people is that the words used over 2,000 years ago have undergone many 'definition' changes. What a word meant even 200 years ago does not necessarily mean the same in the 21st century. Who would have guessed that 'silence' could have another meaning other than "shut up" or "be quiet?"

Continue to seek God's truth in prayer, study, and conversation amoung saints. Read the Swifts' article in its entirety. It is sure to be a blessing in the life of those trying to reconcile this issue of women as ministers.

The Pain of Christianity: My Story Dorothy Guyton Part 2

2011-01-21T10:27:00.003-06:00

THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG READ:
I have said many times that a person must have a vision and a goal. I may have said some kind of 'happy go lucky' kind of quote or spark of wisdom like 'never give up and never give out." I remember drill sergeants screaming "Don't quit on your body and it will not quit on you" as they pushed you to do your 80th pushup.

The truth of the matter is you can get beat up on the way to greatness or success. You can be pushed so hard by people you would believe would be cheering for you until it not only knocks the wind out of you, but you’re fighting spirit as well.

I have been stung by comments from people and wondered what "I" was doing that warranted such a comment. I have had prophesied over me that I needed 'a humble spirit thus sayth the Lord.' This was after I was the only person to answer, strictly out of pity, the pleas and beggings of the prophet for people to come forth for prayer.

My latest gut punch was when a woman interrupted a conversation I was having and said I needed a covering and needed to stop jumping from church to church. How do you respond to a statement like that? What is a COVERING? And as far I know I have only been the member of one church, which I no longer attend, but visit other churches from time to time.

Maybe some more back story is needed. I am from a very small town where you are born into a church. You go there because everyone else in your family goes there. Your pastor is selected by whoever asks and you say yes so you will not hurt his feelings. People find it difficult to finish high school and will not attend any Bible teaching that requires a book, pencil, and paper. With this said, these are some wonderful, loving, devout Christians who have lived religious tradition and consider it some kind of voodoo to introduce anything new. Needless to say, the religious atmosphere is rigid and hell is the destination of those who want anything more or different. You must "WAIT UNTIL THE PASTOR DIES" because the anointed can not be removed. The Baptist are very Baptist and women are not allowed in the pulpit because they are unclean (I have heard because she has a period) and every other denomination holds very close to their tenants.

Some may assume from the above paragraph that I may have a problem with humility and they would also be mistaken. When I believed I was not being fed enough to enable me to have a closer personal relationship with God, I went to college to learn more. I did not make it an issue with my church or try to teach them all of the new wonderful revelations I was learning. Just the opposite occurred. The more invisible I tried to make my biblical studies, the more comments were being made. I heard "the Holy Spirit tells you all you need to know and man can tell you things and make you sound smart but God does not have to send you to school. People try to learn psychology and philosophy but all you need is God's word." It was more than clear that book smarts was not acceptable when it can to religion in my area.

There were many Sunday's after church that I would cry and ask my family was I doing something to warrant the comments. My family became protective of me trying to shield my=e from assaults as I tried to remain a faithful Christian and remain in the church for fellowship purposes. Good Christians wait out the devil, as pastors are prone to say when Christians are having difficulties within the church. I would become nauseous before attending church and began anointing myself with oil and having my family to pray before we entered the church doors. My children finally gave me an ultimatum, they could no longer bear to see me be under assault for no reason and they could no longer watch this unfold month after month. If the Lord told me to stay that was fine, but I was scarring them. WOW! What do you do with that?

After much fasting, prayer and tears, I finally felt peace within myself that five years was enough. I spoke to a Christian counselor who after hearing my story actually told me I was dealing with a person with a dangerous personality disorder where no matter what I did I was going to be a target of aggression. Even with this counseling, it was painful to leave my family church.

I have been searching for another home church that valued Bible study community service, and women. I was so traumatized from leaving my first church that I never wanted to get into that situation again. Needless to say, the search goes on and you are not considered a Christian or a good Christian if you are not in the pews every Sunday. People shun you; you must be a rebellious person who stirs up trouble wherever you go. I am a Christian with a SCARLET LETTER.

Now, do I believe I am the Christian people say I am or the Christian God says I am?

Paul said whether anyone believed him or not, he knew the calling God had given him (to preach to the Gentiles) and did not need anyone else's approval. He did not remain in the 'church' to prove he was a Christian, he went about his work and answered to God becoming one of the most prolific evangelists of the Bible. Jesus himself would be asked by the priests if he was the son of the devil. David, the anointed one of God, was chased for years by King Saul whose only intent was killing David. Jezebel put a hit out on the prophet Elijah.

If you are a fan of facebook, there is story after story of disenfranchised Christians for one reason or another was left with no other option than to leave the church. There are many who tell you that you must be in a church or else you are a renegade Christian. Martin Luther broke from the Catholic Church as did many other founders of denominations most are sitting under till this day. Persecution goes hand in hand for those truly seeking God.

Acts 5:41 "The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." the apostles had been arrested for preaching to the people in the temple court. In my case I was not teaching the gospel. But I was saying in a meeting that our community and children were being lost and the church would have to make a change and become involved because they were the ones who had the people's ear. Many in the meeting agreed going into more discussion on the subject with agreement from the chairperson who was a pastor. After the meeting I asked the pastor to ask his congregation, with strong encouragement, to attend a unity event meant to try to draw the community and churches together. The pastor began to explain the people were too poor and not concerned with anything and I said that has been the response from every one but could he really try to sell this as important to his congregation. "Enter pastor’s wife stage right with the comment I need a covering and to stop jumping from church to church."

I immediately became repentant and apologized for any offense. She said she just had to tell me what the Bible says.

I had a restless night of conversation with God; of soul searching. My family as usual prayed for me and became angry with others as I told them not to be. I got admonished as usual "when was I going to learn to stop throwing pearls in front of swine." I happen to be the vice president of the organization relaying the sentiments of all of the members, not my own (even though I thoroughly believe the
same).

What does one do when they are witnessing the death of their community, state, nation? Martin Luther King gave his life for his vision that was tinged with religious values. All that is needed for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. Many great ministers said they wanted to quit and throw in the towel. They say people covet what they now have but would not have survived the torment and trials they endured.

I want to throw myself a pity party, but I know I have nothing to be pitied for. God directed me to more education so "I" could have a closer relationship with him. And we know the Scripture says to those much is given much is expected or what you were given will be taken. I guard the gifting God have given me and I will not allow the three or four voices of opposition to stop me from encouraging and ministering to the needs of the greater number that have sought me out for counsel or a prayer. I will not say I love my brother or sister and watch them be misled if they ask me a question and if their soul is in danger I speak up gently in love planting a seed without demand, judgment, contempt, indignation, self righteousness or pride, because I represent Jesus and I will not be a stumbling block or have blood on my hands.

We have pretty much reinstituted the law again after we have been freed from it by Jesus. We tell each other you must do this or that in this way to be stamped publicly as a Christian. A deviation in the approach is not tolerated, we have found the one way God has approved and it must be adhered to: the Baptist way is the only way, the Methodist way is the only way, the Church of Christ way is the only way etc. and we are the only one's going to heaven. It is the outward that we must judge to know your Christianity by even though we were never intended to be the judge and the heart is what is judged by God. Anyone going against the established group is suspect. Join the church, be silent, be observant, and learn the people and the flow of operation before you try to put in your two cents. No new member instruction or doctrinal teaching; just follow what the rest are doing. If you catch on good, if not, it's your fault.

I feel at times I am living in a mad mad mad world and then I remember the Bible said this is the way it was going to be. Then you begin to question yourself; "I can't be the only sane one so something is wrong with me and they are all right?" Again take it to God, listen to Him, trust in Him and His word, hold firm to His word, live your gifted life in Him.

I guess you have guessed it is one of those days in which I need to be encouraged, a day I pray for my heart not to become hardened or bitter. Romans 13 begins under the heading of Submission to the Authorities we are told "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities..." and goes on to say God knows who is in charge and no one is in charge he has not placed there and to pay your taxes, respect, even honor. Then 13: "Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."

So in those hard times that bring you to tears; those unjust times when you were not deserving of the punishment for the crime you did not commit, when being misunderstood leaves you wounded, when you realize no one knows your heart: YOU OWE NO ONE ANYTHING MORE THAN TO LOVE THEM, and you can survive without them giving you their stamp of approval. It is God who we worship, serve, and seek to please.

FASTING

2011-01-19T12:40:00.008-06:00

Count it an honor and privilege to FAST.

There seems to be a fair amount of confusion and disagreement about how and why to fast. ; This is understandable since the bible does not give concrete guidelines for fasting. There are various passages in several books of the Bible where it is clear that there is power in fasting. I want to offer my opinion and attitude for this act of faith without implying that my view is the concrete biblical way. I hope my addressing this topic opens doors for reflection, prayer, and discussion on the subject.

Fasting is defined in The Layman's Bible Dictionary as the practice of giving up eating and drinking for a specified time, generally as part of a religious ritual in times of PERIL. Elijah and Jesus fasted for forty days (1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 4:2.

In the New Testament the Greek word is nesteuo meaning to abstain from food, to abstain from eating. Christ taught the need of purity and simplicity of motive. Fasting was the answers of Christ to the questions of the disciples of John and of the Pharisees reveal His whole purpose or method. (Mt. 4:2, 6:16-18, 9:14-15 MK. 2:18-20, LK 5:33, 18:12, Acts 13:2-3).

Matthew 6:16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

The Book of Esther is a good study on when a great national need was met by the fasting of many. An edict had been given by the king for all of the Jews to be killed. The Jews responded to this by fasting, weeping, and wailing. Mordecai reached out to Queen Esther to plead the case of the Jews to the king which would be a dangerous undertaking. Only those invited into the king’s presence could speak, those not invited faced death. Esther told Mordecai to "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is DONE I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:1-17.

In the above chapter, the life of a nation was at hand, there was a threatening danger to the lives of others as well as the petitioner of God's mercy. Notice that Esther said AFTER the fast was over, then she would take ACTION. This passage demonstrates working cooperatively with God after seeking His mercy and grace.

Another great study on fasting would be the book of Jonah. Jonah was directed by God to go to the enemy of his people in Nineveh to reach out to them one last time before God would destroy them. Jonah is famously known for his disobedience and being swallowed by a whale before changing his mind and obeying God. Jonah was tasked with telling the people of Nineveh "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." Jonah did not know if his enemy would kill him even before he had a chance to relay God's message. He had concern for his life. The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them,...The king issued a decree "Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence." Through their fasting, praying, and turning from their evil ways, Nineveh was saved. Again we witness a situation occurring on a large national scale.

Finally I would like to look at Jesus. Before Jesus began His ministry, He went off to himself for forty days to fast, led by the Spirit. It was after His fast that Satan came to tempt Jesus. Jesus was able to resist and to tell Satan to leave and go on to begin His ministry after being ministered himself to by angels. We know that Jesus' ministry was a ministry of life and death for those who listened or refused to listen. His ministry changed a nation. His own life along with those who He ministered to and led was in mortal danger.

There are other mentions of fasting in the Bible but I use these three to point to a greater good and power of fasting. I do not believe fasting should be taken lightly because of its great power. There are people fasting for cars, money, restoration of health and I will not be the one to say they are wrong, because I am not qualified explicitly by Scripture to make that determination. But I do believe that fasting is a part of the armor of God. It is a weapon to fight against the principalities of darkness. I think as with all things concerning God it is the heart-motive that matters. Fasting in the examples I used were for the greater good, extending beyond self. Supernatural power and authority was needed for a supernatural change.

Fasting is a cry or plea to the gates of heaven for God to look down on you and to have mercy from your position of brokenness and humility on the highest form. The lack of food and water is an outward sign, a declaration stating your existence is not dependent on bread and water but on the mercy and grace of the Lord. I live or die by your hands, not by any other external source.

Christians teach on the power of fasting-to get what you want. But I do not think the posture or position of fasting is taught. Fasting says I will perish without your intervention- without you Lord. Once Esther and Nineveh had come to the realization of their dire circumstances, they pulled out the most potent weapon in their communication of God to relay their dire circumstance, but after the fasting there was an action. It was not left to the supernatural power of God but I believe in and will act on my faith in the ability of God to do what takes supernatural intervention. Esther went to the king, relying of the grace and mercy of God to spare her life; which He did. The Ninevites quit their behavior which had caused them to have the wrath of God turned to them. They became different-changed, with their petition for mercy. Jesus began His ministry in the power of God knowing men would reject Him; that He was putting His life in jeopardy each day. After fasting, Jesus began His appointed mission for the kingdom.

So fasting is not a one way street of just receiving. It is asking God to be with you, go before you, open un-openable doors, and do what has not been done before as you work with Him in His kingdom. Neither of these examples were a selfish request. It went beyond the faster.

This is why in the New Testament, God is warning to make sure your fasting is not just an act of gaining attention or for manipulation and that you have right motives.

I began this post by saying it is an honor and privilege to fast. How wonderful to know that when you are at your most hopeless and helpless you can still go to God. To say to God, this situation needs your supernatural intervention on a large scale. This situation is a matter of life and death and no one can do anything about it but you my Lord. Are you familiar with the boy who cried wolf? In the three examples I gave above about fasting, there is no doubt that these were dire circumstances needing supernatural intervention. As a soldier in God's army, sometimes we take a tank into battle when only a knife is needed.

I would never try to discourage anyone from fasting. I do not have that authority. My post is mainly to praise God for saying we can turn to Him when we are at our last and He will intervene. That when we are at the darkest hour in our lives, He can be counted on to be with us. I also wanted to stress ACTION on our part. Fasting is inviting God into OUR situation, not releasing us of our duty and responsibility. So the next time you fast, know that your part has not ended with the fast, but you have asked God to do the part that you are not able to do, but continue to do what you MUST DO. Remember, most people DO fast in dire circumstances, but they are empowered through and with God to continue on and to finish the supernatural

Christian Adultery

2011-01-18T15:51:00.008-06:00

I almost titled this post "HOSEA'S WHORE" but shock value is not always needed, even though the title would fit well into my commentary on forgiveness in marriage after infidelity.

My facebook friends had what they considered to be a hot topic: SHOULD A CHRISTIAN REMAIN IN THE MARRIAGE AND FORGIVE AN ADULTEROUS SPOUSE.

One would think the Bible has answered this question beyond a shadow of a doubt, but for some reason, FORGIVENESS is really pushed and stressed regarding adultery. It seems the party offended must demonstrate their Christianity by how forgiving their heart is in this situation. I posted a reply saying that it seems marriage counseling is geared more for the sinner than for the saint. I said this because even when the one being cheated on is Christian and the spouse doing the cheating is a non-Christian, the counseling remains the same: FORGIVENESS. I also posted if the sheep is continually being bitten by the wolf, why are we instructing the sheep to forgive the wolf?

Leviticus 20: 10: "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife---with the wife of his neighbor--both adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death."

We are familiar with the adulterous woman of John 8:4 where the priest brought her before Jesus without the man she was committing adultery with to be stoned in accordance with the Law of Moses and Jesus in essence said let her go becaause you are following only part of the Law. Both guilty parties are to be stoned.

Proverbs 6:32 "But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment whoever does so destroys himself."

The Bible does not want Christians to commit adultery period. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IN EXODUS 20:14 STATES SUCH: "You shall not commit adultery." So the issue that is causing some debate is how does God feel about DIVORCE?

There is a long passage about divorcement that makes the head swim in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and the second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house or if he dies, then her first husband who divorced her is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. that would be detestable in the eyes of the Lord." DEFILED is not of a sexual nature but from touching or eating something unclean.

Matthew 5:31-32 :"It has been said 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries a divorced womon commits adultery."

There you have it. Adultery is grounds for divorce. WHERE'S THE QUESTION?

Now let's look at the prophet Hosea who God told to marry an unfaithful woman. Hosea 1:2: "...Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord. So he married Gomer..." God picked Hosea's wife and named the children that were born during that relationship. Why would God tell a chosen servant to marry an unfaithful woman?

God wanted to use Hosea's marriage to demonstrate how Isreal was like an unfaithful spouse and the kind of destruction that can bring to a 'body' i.e. marriage, family, and nation. God showed how the unfaithful goes after material things in selfish ways in 1:5 "Their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said 'I will go after my lovers who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink." 4:14: "I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes- a people without understanding will come to ruin!"

The only God sanctified marriage consisting of adultery was a marriage intended to reflect how the children of Israel had turned to satisfying their flesh, both the men and women. At the end of the book of Hosea, God states even the vilest of sins can be forgiven if the people turn from their wickedness back to God in repentence.

So, why the push to forgive the adulterer? I don't know. Is there Scripture freeing the Christian from an aduterous spouse? Yes, there is. Should forgiveness even be attempted? Well, we are told to have a forgiving heart.

My advice is to present to the couple the Scripture and after that they themselves will have to decide their next course of action. To FORCE a person to forgive an adulterous spouse or their Christianity will be in doubt is abusive and I can not see it being biblical or healthy to the spirit. A covenant has been broken and there are numerous examples of what a perosn is to do once a covenent is broken. In all of them, the person breaking the covenent has released all obligations of the other person the covenant was made with ***look at my older post on covenants***

My final word on the subject is take everything to God in prayer. Live for God and not for man and realize God's word is meant to heal the broken, not cause more bondage and pain.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

2011-01-17T23:00:00.004-06:00

Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

Being made in the image of God we must assume correctly that we all have the emotion of anger just like our creator. In the New Testament we are told not to become so angry to the point of sinning and once angered, do our best to reconcile it and not carry it over into another day.

Many male Christians have made the point of saying that the Bible has become feminized. In their minds this means that there is only flowers and rose petals of love written within its pages. They are advocating for a 'masculine' look at the truth of Scriptures that God and Jesus became angry at times.

In Matthew 21:12-13: "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." In this passage Jesus was upset because many people had come to the temples to make sacrifices that were the standard for the Jews to do at that time and were being ripped off, having their sacrifices devalued in the monetary exchange of goods by the men in the temple set on making a crooked handed profit from the devout people of faith.

Even in marriage relationships, counselors advise not to focus on the 'anger' but the issue or root of the anger. In the same manner we should not focus on Jesus' anger, but the reasoning behind His anger. Jesus, as well as God, was always upset about the way the poor and the widow were treated.

Now for our favorite friend the Apostle Paul. Paul was a straight shooter and did not care about public response when it came to his clear ministry for God. In Galatians, Paul addresses the issue of circumcision and that it was a step backwards for the Galatians in their faith in Jesus. Circumcision was instituted under the Law of Moses. After Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection, the Law of Moses was no longer to be adhered to.

As Paul gave point after point as to why circumcision no longer factored into the following of the teachings of Jesus, he said those that were teaching them such were wrong for doing so and their belief and following of such instructions were inexcusable.

One thing that struck me as I read the entire chapter was when Paul was coming to the end of his letter to the Galatians. Galatians 5:7-12:

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth...As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!"

Oh my goodness!!! Paul said for those advising you to just cut off the foreskin of your penis-I wish they would just go ahead and cut off their entire PENIS.

I believe Paul was a little hot under the collar at those continuing to preach circumcision. This example shows even great man of God become frustrated in their ministry. Paul had a problem with aggressive actions of faith before God called him on Damascus road and we can see his aggressive zeal continued as an apostle. Pretending we do not have issues with anger does not make us more holy. It is how we deal with our anger that makes us more Christ like. Paul had a powerful ministry. He was a strong personality and may not have been as effective if he did not possess all of the characteristics that made him in the image of God.

God gives us guidance in all areas of our lives, including the area of anger. I have said jokingly more than once, the holier many woman present themselves to be the more soft, angelic pitched their voices seem to be. Soon, some of them are going to be so godly until you will not be able to hear them.

The Bible has not become feminized and on that same note its masculinity does not have to be protected. Anger is a natural course of living, but its management is a part of Christian living. As 2011 has dawned, I find myself calmer, not easily rattled by things that use to push my buttons. I have always tried not to pitch a tent in the neighborhood of anger once angered. I purposefully try to find ways of diffusing my anger, not trying to win the argument or change the offender. My anger is about me in the end. I have a right to be angry but I do not have a right to allow my anger to cause me to sin.

If you found this blog while searching for ways to manage your anger; I hope I have said something to give you to think about for a moment. It is my prayer that you become released from the bondage of anger. Many people will declare almost with pride that they have a 'short fuse.' I guess we all are different, but we all are capable of anger. But we must strive to be the master of it and not mastered by it. Let's face it; if you choose to, you can be mad 24-7. There is just that much in this world to keep you involved in anger. But this is not your natural state of being, it is only one facet of a dynamic YOU. Tap into those greater parts of you that breathe life. Let anger come and go just like the wind. Your time can be filled with so many more spirit building activities.

Sexual harassment or doctrine: My Story Dorothy Guyton

2011-01-14T14:09:00.003-06:00

To begin let me state without question I am not bitter at my journey through biblical academia. I have grown leaps and bounds spiritually, but there was a price to be paid. I thought long and hard about telling my story. I asked first would it seem like backbiting against my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and second I asked would there be any benefit to telling my story. Satisfied with my answers, I think I'll let you come to your own conclusion about my reasonings for opening up.

To say I wanted to be a female minister would result in the same answer from any other minister: God does the calling whether I want the duty or not. To say I am a female minister would not be correct anyway. I believe I am more akin to Joyce Myers; somewhere in the realm of not needing a title other than servant of God. Titles are only important to those seeking position. I admit, titles help to identify what your job or purpose is, but work results can also define us too. I can be called a mechanic, have it written across my chest and never fix a car. I can talk about it and be well versed in it, but would I be a TRUE mechanic. People would seek me out looking for aid for their car because of my title. Until I produce, and produce competently I do not live into my title.

I do believe God put a restless spirit in me back in 2005 to seek to know Him more in depth. To my surprise, I found in my local community a Bible college. I became excited and really praised God for divine direction. I had never noticed the the college in all of my years living in the community and I believed God had to have had something to do with letting the scales fall from my eyes.

I registered after reading their college catalog, deciding the classes were what I was interested in. Time passed and passed and I waited to be notified of orientation day. I finally decided there was only a week left before Fall term began and I better check to make sure I had everything in order to attend. To my surprise the campus was abuzz with the last ditch efforts to do placement test for straggler students. I was told I just walked in on the last testing opportunity to become registered and would have to take the 3 hour test within an hour before staff went to lunch; was I able to? Of course I said yes, and plowed into the 100 multiple choice test on the Bible, 50 question math test, and 5 question essay test to show my writing skills. To my surprise, I scored high on all and was informed I had cleared to register for classes in two days.

Feeling extremely lucky, I showed up to register for classes the following Monday. I followed the example given in the college catalog for my Junior year class selections(already had an associate degree). I was routed from one department head to the next for approval signitures, until I came to the next to last signiture needed. This middle aged man began to ask how I found out about the college and did I know certain "black" women in the community; which I did not. It was a friendly chat before he headed off the get the final signiture needed to complete my class registration (he said).

He returned with news that one class in particular had only one opening left and a senior desparately needed the slot and would I be willing to substitute another class allowing the senior to have that last slot. More than understanding and willing I agreed and we substituted a class, I took my form myself for final approval and headed to the book store to get my books.

Almost skipping I entered the bookstore still feeling lucky to have gotten in and so ready to learn more about God and the Bible I entered the bookstore to audible whispering "That's her" "She tried to sign up for Methods of Patoring" The people began to back away from me as I claimed books off of the bookshelves and stood in line to purchase them." I felt stares digging into my back. Some faces had actually turned red. The lady behind the desk literally snatched my class schedule with the list of my needed books from my hand. I was puzzled. This was a college with adults first and a Biblical College second. Was I imagining hostility? And if not, why was everyone hostile? People talk about playing the race card, but if you are the only black person standing in a sea of white people, the race card jumps out first in its own magic trick. Of course, knowing what Christianity should be, I did not let that reasoning find fertile soil in my mind.

Day one first class; I'm the only female in a class of 15 other males. The instructor suggested we go one by one to introduce ourselves and why we decided to attend Bible College. STANDARD PRACTICE in many class room settings. My turn came and being in Bible college truth reigns "I came to Bible college because I love God and wanted to learn more about Him and the Bible."

The guy who followed me (about 43 yrs old), stood up placing his arms behind his back in military style (parade rest) and said, "This is not a Sunday school class and it takes more than loving God to be a Christian. It takes obedience to His word, and that's why I am here." Okay people I have said many times I am slow on the uptake. This man who stood up was also different than everyone else in the room. He was bald, wore a silver band on his thumb and looked like a aging rebel, so I quickly was happy that there was diversity at the college and he was in the right place for his strong views. After two more introductions, a young man about 21 asked the instrutor, instead of introducing himself, would God hold people accountable for teaching people who were not called to certain areas (I promise this went over my head because first I was not called by God for anything, secondly no where in their catalog did they say women could not attend the college or certain classes, thirdly, I BELIEVED ALL CHRISTIANS WERE NICE and this was some kind of question to do with his own personal life.)

It took me about two weeks to finally realize my presence there was not wanted. Class instructors asked about my husband everyday and why he was not at the college and could they speak with him, I was never called on to read a passage from the Bible or answer any questions presented to the class. One of my instructor's wife had a class with me and she avoided me like the plague. It was not a black and white issue it was a WOMAN issue. Jokes about denominations especially the Baptist were cracked I do believe in a joint effort to offend me and make me quit. I was not Baptist and did not care for separation of God's children using denominations. I thought the denominational jokes were childish and crude; but not even close to being something to make me quit. I dug in my heals once I realized the nature of what was occurring. My husband was very upset with me that I was potentially putting myself in unknown harms way. When Christians are wrong they are very worng and very malicious and very dangerous. There was not a place of peace for me at college or home for that 1st semester.

I spent my second month there actually fearful. I had a young man about 21 become so visibly agitated at my presence in the college that he transfered to our college brother University in another state. He caused me a good deal of internal fear. Young men raised by fathers they admire will fight to the end to protect the integrety of their father's words and beliefs. I always sat as far away as possible from him.

After completing my first semester with 'A's, carrying myself as Jesus would, being far better, gracious, loving, kind, approachable, to others than they had been, killing them with the love of God, they broke. I gave them no reasoning to be cruel to a nice godly person whose ONLY interest was learning more about her professed religion. No agenda on my part was found, after much investigation. I became a mirror in which they only saw self after a while and then finally they could see me and along with me; Jesus.

The militant guy became my in-class-joking buddy. We sat side by side in all of the classes we had together my last semester. He had a great transformational testimony for God before I had met him and after we became friends. The last semester of my senior year he was demanding instructors to let me read from the Bible in class to the point I had to poke him to make him stop, it had developed to picking status. He admired me, my husband, and my children. He was a dear friend that continued on to minister to people in jail and recovering from drugs as he did while in college at our local jail and prisons in surrounding counties.

The instructor's wife and I laughed and laughed throughout the two years that followed and she cried my final semester almost every other day at my leaving her and returning her back to her testosterone world with no shading of compassion for womanhood.

Oh, the instructor who chatted me up before removing me from my 'preacher' class was a great academic mind who transferred to another state for family reasons. I cried missing his demanding expected expectation of greatness he believed we all had in us before exam time. I learned the most in his classes.

This was my undergrad experience and I walked into seminary with many echos of this on a higher level of civility and shading but it was there. I recalled on this blog a dentist in the throws of working on my tooth questiong me as to whether I was going to preach or not and I was terrified to give an incorrect response.

I had never been exposed to ugliness, hostility, prejucice, self righteousness, pride, egotism, sexism, abuse moreson than when I enrolled in these religious institutions designed to teach about God, His nature, His word, His doctrine. But my testimony rings louder. I determined to show Jesus when no one else wanted to. I determined to learn for myself the God I served and make sure everyone else who so desired would and could no matter what anyone else said. I saw first hand the power of being and living how God has told me to no matter what everyone around me has chosen to do. I learned it is not about others it is about self and what are YOU going to do and HOW are you going to respond and are you WILLING to be uncomfortable for God and GROW and not become bitter and die.

I ask in all of our efforts to follow the word of God, are we destroying the word of God? In all of God's truth and wisdom written for man to read, follow and flourish is his seed of love being demonstrated? You cannot harrass people into following God. You cannot abuse them into believing your understanding of His word, and you can not force the Spirit filled giftedness out of a person. All avenues of God's working and sovereignty do not begin and end with you. God is going to use His creation to reach His creation and He is not going to run it past you for approval.

Many have inccorectly assumed I wanted to become a minister or pastor without asking me and I can pretty much assume without asking God was that my intentions. My true calling has it's title which is Christian. Define the duties of a Christian and decide how I can fulfil them by sitting in a corner being silent. God said we have problems because we have no wisdom. Operate in God's word but operate in it in wisdom.

Sadly to say, this Bible College that taught so extraoridinarily well, I mean sound doctrine and opened the Scripture up to me in ways I will forever be grateful, closed in 2010 due to the economy and lack of students. My final semester there issued in a new college catalog with an asteric next to courses women could not take and also classes in which the men could not take.

This horrible time, this absolutely frightening time that made me run to the bathroom three time in two years to cry, gather myself up, say a quick Psalm 23 prayer, grew my spirt and mind in ways I can only give God the glory for taking my life in that direction. I testify to the goodness of that college and how it made me a better Christian, not to any of it fewer pitfalls.

When I began in 2005, I just wanted to know my God more, I learned there was so much I did not know and would spend the rest of my life trying to know. I had no further dreams than a bachelors degree. When I entered seminary on the road to my masters degree I was nauseous and questioning could I do this. Two books later and several print ready manuscripts, I am so blessed to have encountered everything I encountered those years. I met the person God knew me as during those years and I get reintroduced yearly to this person He knows and loves. He has whispered so audibly 'BELIEVE ME TO TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE IN ME. I CREATED YOU AND I KNOW.'

Women of God, keep doing the first part of being born again in Christ Jesus, living that transformed life daily and your title will be the title proclaimed in Scripture "a new creature in Christ" that all will try to give an 'other' name, but it is the name God knows you by that matter

JOE BIDEN AND JOAN RIVERS ARE TWINS!!!

2011-01-12T16:05:00.003-06:00

Of course they are not twins. But they do share something that I know all can agree on: YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS.

No matter what these two peole say, you just shake your head, drop your head so no one can see, and grin or try to hold back a smile or laugh. This unpredictability seems to endear them more and more to people. I know people are shaking their heads and saying "No real Christian will ever admit Joan Rivers is funny because she uses such foul language." Well, she is foul, but she is still funny. SORRY There are a lot of people in your family who are foul but are the family's favorite person. Hate the sin; not the sinner.

My dear Vice President has a mouth that can fix itself to say the most surprising things; that everyone has just come to know and expect of him. Why am I talking about Joe Biden and his infamous SLIPS? Notice where our vice president is while this tragedy is playing out in the United States: Afghanastan and Pakistan. I believe it is far better for him to be there than here, because he is apt to say anything.

One thing we do know about Joe Biden is that he takes his role of father very seriously and to have an innocent congresswoman and nine year old girl shot; Joe would have definitely been primed to let his loose lips fly.

Our dear Apostle Paul can be put into this unpredictable category. Peter chimed up that he would never be one of those to deny Jesus. Okay, big foot in mouth time. Peter jumped up with sword/knife in hand cutting off the ear of a man who had come to arrest Jesus. Peter was rebuked for his action publicly by Jesus and the man with the missing ear was restored. Peter was the brave one who jumped off of the boat to walk on the water to meet Jesus only to sink in fornt of all of his peers as his exuberance waned. But, this same impulsive person, Jesus would give the keys to the future church.

Oh Joan, Joe, and Peter; our lives would be so boring without you all. I admit you all are too much for my Christian constitution, but, if I am to be salt and light, then I guess you all are some kind of peppery spice and lightening.

INTERNET: THE NEW god???

2011-01-11T12:14:00.007-06:00

"I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT, OUT OF THE LAND OF SLAVERY. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME. YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF AN IDOL (any graven image)in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them: for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and forth generation of those who hate me, but showidng love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:1-6

When a minister would go off on a tantrum telling the listening congregation that they have made an idol out of their automobile or their home, I would have to force myself not to roll my eyes. Then the minister would go on to throw all kinds of nick-knack paddy-whack into the mix as everyone was shouting and agreeing with him that "they" or "others" had made idols out of possessions. Okay, sometimes I am bad, but I reflect on my actions and seek truth to become a better person. From eye rolling to "idol" study come on this journey with me.

The word graven is Hebrew (pacal or pecel) meaning to carve, whether wood or stone , hew, carved image. There is no Hebrew definition for the word 'image' that follows the word 'graven' in the King James Bible in Exodus 20:4. Even though throughout the Bible there are 12 specific definitions for the use of the word 'image'; a pinpoint definition is not given by scholars in the Exodus usage. I checked to see if the substituted word 'idol' used in the New Internation Version of the Bible (NIV)had a definition and it also was not listed.

Thankfully the passage is clear enough that no further defining is necessary. Nothing carved out of stone or wood in any image of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the water should be made and bowed down to or worshipped. I guess we should look at the true definition of worship to have a complete study for my upcoming commentary.

KJV of the Bible uses the word 'serve' (and not worship like the NIV Bible)in this passage = Hebrew (abad). It gets a little complicated after that, because the prime root means to work (in any sense) to serve, till, enslave. Serve is used 227 x's, do 15 x's till 9 x's, servant 5 x's, work 5 x's, worshippers 5 x's service 4 x's, dress 2 x's labour 2 x's and miscellaneously 14 x's meaning bem keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, execute, husbandman, keep, be wrought. As a verb it means to serve, cultivate, enslave, work.

So the passage means we are not to bow down, work for, till for, be enslaved by, any graven image.

I will propose to you that it is not the carved image itself, (but it is the beginning), but our actions towards the carved image. We pledge our allegiance to it, we give ourselves in labor and deed to it. We wait on its command to us as in a servant and master relationship. The car, then for me, is not the idol but the one we listen to for our instruction and whose bidding we do telling us which material things (i.e. THE CAR)we must work for and have, which possession to love and admire once we have them it the true 'idol'. The worshipped thing or one tells us which possessions are worth killing for or dying for. The idol instructs us that our worth will be and can be counted as how much of the goods we have and how long we work and how hard we work to have them?

The idol, the golden calf, has always been man made; it was only given power when men believed it had the answers and looked to it to solve problems.

Enter the age of internet. It has the power to give instant fame. It can answer all questions. We work harder and longer to have more and better access to it. It is the source of all information. We are getting to the point where we are unable to function without it. It blesses those who can afford it and leaves others behind who cannot get it. It is great. It has changed the world. The only question to ask is DOES THE INTERNET SERVE US OR DO WE SERVE IT?

Remember the idol is worshipped by you. It is not the origin of evil it is the human that possess the corrupting power. We are allowing internet to raise our kids and head our lives. We cannot eat, socailize, or fuction without going into this cyber space.

BALANCE is key people. No one needs to lead a crusade to get rid of internet and computers, but just be aware of where your security in life lies. That with internet or without it you live - love - learn and continue to grow. Remember life does not begin or end with internet as we have come to believe. And mostly it should not be your source of evil as many use it to curse out or torment others with anonymously.

Just be mindful, the internet does not become your new idol, your new god.

Sarah Palin Parade

2011-01-10T20:26:00.002-06:00

What a way to start the New Year - with finger pointing. I am reminded of the Creation account in the book of Genesis. Eve pointed the finger at the snake and Adam reminded God that He gave him the woman that caused him to sin.

FINGER POINTING people have come up with the wise saying that when you point one finger at someone else there are four pointing back at yourself. Well, that is not quite right. Go ahead try it; I'll wait. There is actually three fingers pointing back at yourself, but the point is made.

Must we assign blame )other than the criminal)for the shooting of Congresswoman Gabby? Well, it will probably make a lot of people feel better. A public wrong has been done and we must find and condemn all involved. I would feel better for the guilty parties to be aware of the harm they have caused. But, as in the Garden of Eden, no one wants to be responsible for wrong doings.

I never enjoy having to step up to the plate and have OTHERS tell me I have done wrong or made mistakes. It feels better if I admit it on my own. So can we count on those who are coupable to step up and admit to wrong doing? Doubt it. There are agendas that must be maintained.

Back to Sarah Palin. She has never been my cup of tea, but she has the right to her convictions like anyone else on earth, that is until they cause others to hurt others. We know you can be prosecuted for crimes if it can be proved you were involved in the planning of it whether you executed the crime or not. The public is trying to figure out how instrumental she was in the shooting in Nevada and I say GOOD LUCK.

People have had flunkies, people willing to do the dirty part for popular people as far back as time can go. She gave them cute names to make them seem less ominous like "momma grizzles" and "soccer moms" what an innocent club to be a part of. Even the "Tea Party" sounds quaint. But was there any doubt what these people fed off of - anger, rage, hostility as distorted faces cheered and chanted. There was always an essence of intimidation involved and the name calling showed the flunky mentality. Weak impotent men were mocked as to be told to get out of the way. OUT OF THE WAY OF WHAT? A movement that was intent on bettering the people?

I don't know. Sarah Palin is pretty - the cheerleader, pageant type that people just had to be friends with. I know children go through growth and development being defined by being friends with the cool group, but I thought adults grew out of that.

Maybe I am not seeing things clearly, but I never understood the phrase taking our government back. I did not know it had been taken. What hostile aggressor came on American soil and stole our government? I am an Army vet trained to identify an enemy of our country and I never saw the enemy that overthrew our government.

Okay, I've been beating around the bush, I think Sarah Palin has been reckless and rogue ever since she was introduced to the public arena. She found a niche and she milked it. She is now rich and powerful. She USED and MANIPULATED an economic crisis. While people were fearful they were encouraged to be more fearful. FEAR IS NOT BIBLICAL. The book of Revelation was written so Christians would not be fearful but be assurred they were not hopeless or helpless.

No where in the Bible was fear of government intended to be the activating force for Christians. Judas demanded revolt; Jesus commanded love.

SARAH PALIN I do not blame you for the senseless act of violence that occurred by the lone gunman. I do blame all of the people who allowed people seeking power and fortune to use them as instruments of social unrest forgetting that we are one of the greatest nations with a system of government that does not allow any single man or party to rise to a position of monarchy. We are great because we consciously safe guarded our nation from any one person leading the masses. Any one person, not democratically elected as the leader of the free nation, who begins speaking to the masses in such a way to incite "no retreat, reload" is the danger. Everyone knows what their power is and how to exercise it VOTE VOTE VOTE. No new system needed to be heard and to live.

So, as the days go on and people stop the hate speech we will regain our sanity.

another wise saying is "give people enough of rope and they will hang themselves" This is dead on. The next year on the way to the 2012 election will see a lot of political candidates hanging themselves. Judas hung himself in the end didn't he?

Reading For Purpose Campaign 2011

2010-12-25T18:07:00.003-06:00

I am asking everyone I come into contact with to read for purpose. Pick a book that will help you to become a better you, or a better Christian, or a better politically aware person in your community. America is in crisis and it will take the individual to make a difference. I have two books that will help in this endeavor, but if you do not read my books, READ SOMEONE'S BOOK (When Will Eve Be Forgiven? and The Politics of Prayer)

For all of those who have been following my blog, I am looking forward to hearing your reviews of my books. Books are not written by authors just to say I have wrote a book. They are to make some kind of dent in the mind and lives of those who enjoy reading for better or worse.

Feedback is the life blood of writers. Whether it is positive or negative; feedback is vital. I have had several positive responses to my work by word of mouth. I would also like feedback written for others to read and mull over.

CARRIE STUBY WROTE about WHEN WILL EVE BE FORGIVEN?

Ok "E" I have to tell u that after I received a copy of your book today Will Eve Ever Be Forgiven? I began to read the book and had a hard time putting it down. I have nearly finished it. I have to say it is pretty awesome. Many things I have been saying for yrs. Great stuff. I would and will highly recommend this book to all...no matter what faith. Great job. I will give you my final opinion when done.

You can go to her facebook page to see more comments about the book.

Start the discussion. Be a VOICE in your family and community and among your friends. It was once said that for evil to flourish it takes good people to do nothing.

Merry Christmas and hopefully you will have a happy purposeful New Year

RED MOON FEVER

2010-12-20T15:01:00.003-06:00

Many people will be focused on the heavens this night. It makes you think of those shepherds who were looking up into the sky as the aNgels sang "Peace on earth. Good will towards man" thousands of years ago.

Their hearts were probably filled with fear when their eyes first beheld the wondrous sight, but just as quickly they were comforted with news of the birth of the Saviour.

The book of Revelation tells of a time when the moon will turn red. Many may be thinking - is this what Revelation was foretelling? And if it is - am I right with God?

Along with sky searching and gazing I hope there will be soul searching and gazing. Fear inspires people to rethink choices, but God has never wanted us to live in fear. He has said we were not created in fear but in power, love and a sound mind.

So as RED MOON FEVER rages have the peace of the Lord with you in this season of miracles and enjoy the wondorous sight the Lord has created as signs for His creation.

WHAT ALL THE BUZZ IS ABOUT

For the first time in 372 years, the winter equinox and a total lunar eclipse happen on the same day, and North America is one of the best spots to view the show. NASA eclipse expert Fred Espenak of the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland predicts the moon will appear bright red or orange. Unlike solar eclipses which require protective glasses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye. According to NASA, this is the first time in 372 years that a lunar eclipse will occur on the winter solstice and the next one on winter solstice won’t occur until 2094.

"LOOK TO GOD FOR SECURITY IN LIFE"
enjoy what astrologers are saying

In astrology, we look to the Winter Solstice as a time of high energy and focus. The trick is to harness these forces and make them work in our lives. Take stock of what you're working on, and find ways to make your projects even more exciting and fabulous. Study your relationships, and resolve to make them better, too. You might even make changes in the way you look or in your personal habits so you can improve your image and become a new and improved person.

In astrology, the Lunar Eclipse is infamous for bringing certain matters to a head. You can expect the results of all the things you've been expending effort on to come in, for better or worse. At work, it could be good news about an end-of-
year bonus, or a call for the interview you've been waiting for. In your private life, it could bring a decision about where you'll live, and with whom. It might even mark the day you finally realize you're done with holiday preparations, or in your love life, it may bring the warm and wonderful feeling you've found "the one", or are more enamored than ever with the one you've been with for years.

There are plenty of reasons to "pop the cork," so to speak, and it is probably true that most of the events related to the eclipse will be happy ones. That's because it takes place in the hard-core celebrating zodiac sign of Sagittarius. The sign of
the Centaur can also bring some less-than-happy truths to light, though. Look for some embarrassing behavior on the part of politicians and other celebrities to be revealed in the news, along with increased possibilities of nations fighting over
their core belief systems, particularly religion and the laws that are derived from it. Also, if you're in a personal legal entanglement, and looking for opportunities to let it come to an end that allows all parties to walk away without regret, the
Lunar Eclipse can help you with that.

SO ON THIS NIGHT OF BEAUTY AND SLIGHT APPREHENSION TAKE TIME TO MARVEL AT CREATION. REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO A PART OF CREATION AND A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OCCURANCE. RENEW YOUR MIND AND BODY FOR KINGDOM PURPOSE AND PUT ALL TRUST IN GOD

MENTORS FOR GOD

2010-12-14T14:45:00.003-06:00

Still working on getting some more interviews for this site from women in the mnistry. My book "When Will Eve Be Forgiven?" is doing well thanks to all who have purchased it.

Interviews are intimate even if the questions seem to be simple. Telling others the answers to questions learned through experience is like mentoring them. You are pouring yourself into others. The good thing about this (the interview)is that there will always be a piece of you continuing to make a difference in the world.

We don't think about our legacy often enough. We are only concerned it seems with the people we can visibly see that we have touched or made a difference in their lives. But, some of the most miraculous changes have occurred in people's lives after the person has passed on.

Art is appreciated after the artist has died and Jesus was appreciated, sad to say, after His death. iI is the way of the world.

The interviews I will post from Women Of God in ministry and even the hair interviews of those going natural and loving it will live on on the pages of time and space for generations to be affected by. Your words, your testimony, will be there for others in their journey through life. I think that is awesome and a powerful legacy.

So take the time to mentor and share with others. You may never know the impact your story, your truth may have on generations to come.

God Bless and Thank You for sharing.

Creation Stories from Africa (Believing Part 3)

2010-12-01T16:43:00.004-06:00

In parts 1 and 2 of believing is a choice; I presented the key factor for Christians believing in Christianity. We have a wonderful recorded revelation from God to us, the Bible, that is a legitimate part of human history. We are told the origins of the world and life itself within the Old Testament. We are told who to worship, how to worship and why to worship. Even with several other religions and gods availble for the masses to worship, Christianity grew and thrived and is one of the largest religions of the 21st century.

Christianity, as with other religions, come under fire from time to time from the academic community as being nothing more than unsubstantiated belief in a deity in a desparate attempt to make some sense out of the chaos of living. Undeterred, Christians have continued to stand on the Bible and all of its divinely written words that are more than mere stories but evidence of a divine God who loves and cares for His creation.

In Part 2 I wrote that there were several other religions which had their own creation account from their own god. I urged Christians not to become angered at this fact but to embrace that there are others with different beliefs and a history or written account of what they believe. Christianity is not the only religion with a rich history. This knowledge in its positive state is a testimony moreso to believing in Christianity and living a Christian life. When given a choice you have chosen Christ.

Even though there are several different religions, not all of them have a CREATION story like Christianity. For instance, in Africa, Voodoo is a religion that originated there and later spread to other regions of the world and still exists today. This is a religion but it does not have an account of CREATION attached to it. Some of the tribes who do have a Creation Story (Myth) is th eFon Cration Myth, Kaang Creation Myth, Kintu Myth, Mende Creation Myth, Mbombo, Ngai (Maasai), Unkulunkulu, and Yoruba Creation.

Voodoo is a derivative of the world's oldest known religions (many religions claim to be the oldest) which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilization. Some conservative estimates these civilizations and religions to be over 10 000 years old. This then identify Voodoo as probably the best example of African syncretism in the Americas. Although its essential wisdom originated in different parts of Africa long before the Europeans started the slave trade, the structure of Voodoo, as we know it today, was born in Haiti during the European colonization of Hispaniola. Ironically, it was the enforced immigration of enslaved African from different ethnic groups that provided the circumstances for the development of Voodoo. European colonists thought that by desolating the ethnic groups, these could not come together as a community. However, in the misery of slavery, the transplanted Africans found in their faith a common thread.

They began to invoke not only their own gods, but to practice rites other than their own. In this process, they comingled and modified rituals of various ethnic groups. The result of such fusion was that the different religious groups integrated their beliefs, thereby creating a new religion: Voodoo. The word "voodoo" comes from the West African word "vodun," meaning spirit. This Afro-Caribbean religion mixed practices from many African ethnics groups such as the Fon, the Nago, the Ibos, Dahomeans, Congos, Senegalese, Haussars, Caplaous, Mondungues, Mandinge, Angolese, Libyans, Ethiopians, and the Malgaches.

When slavers brought these peoples across the ocean to the Americas, the African's brought their religion with them. However, since slavery included stripping the slaves of their language, culture, and heritage, this religion had to take some different forms. It had to be practiced in secret, since in some places it was punishable by death, and it had to adapt to the loss of their African languages. In order to survive, Voodoo also adopted many elements of Christianity. When the French who were the colonizers of Haiti, realized that the religion of the Africans was a threat to the colonial system, they prohibited all African religion practices and severely punished the practitioners of Voodoo with imprisonment, lashings and hangings. This religious struggle continued for three centuries, but none of the punishments could extinguished the faith of the Africans. This process of acculturation helped Voodoo to grow under harsh cultural conditions in many areas of the Americas. http://istina.rin.ru/eng/para/text/508.html

Below is a sampling of CREATION stories from Africa:

1. Ngai (Enkai, En-kai, Engai, Eng-ai, Mweai, Mwiai) is the supreme God in the religions of the Kamba, Kikuyu and Maasai nationalities of Kenya. According to the Kikuyu beliefs, he lives on the holy mountain Kirinyaga (Mount Kenya).

According to the Kamba, he lives somewhere in a hiding place and no one knows where.
The Maasai of Kenya in their creation narrative recount the origin of humanity to be fashioned by the Creator Enkai from a single tree or leg which split into three pieces. To the first father of the Maasai, he gave a stick. To the first father of the Kikuyu, he gave a hoe. To the first father of the Kamba, he gave a bow and arrow. Each son survived in the wild. The first father of the Maasai used his stick to herd animals. The first father of the Kikuyu used his hoe to cultivate the ground. The first father of the Kamba used his bow and arrow to hunt.

Although Maasai people have also converted to Christianity, many still practice their traditional religion. The Maasai believe that he is the god of the sun, love and was the creator of the world; in another one of their traditions, this god married Olapa (the goddess of the moon). Leeming, David A. (2009). Creation Myths of the World (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1598841749.

2. Unkulunkulu is the creator god in the language of the Zulu people. Unkulunkulu is believed to be father of Jesus and the term "Nkulunkulu" simple means "God". Other names include uMdali "Creator", uMvelinqandi "First than everything" also is uMvelinqangi in isiXhosa language. In the isiZulu language, the name means "the very great/high one". According to other myths, it is said that he came down from the sky to fight an Evil Demon and won against the Demon on a No Moon Day. His kingdom is heaven or Xenos "The land of angels and gods of protection". He is said to have created Primus angels Litu and his wife to be guardian angels of Jesus when he was born. He is also said to have created archangel Michael, Uriel, Gabriel... He also created Eden and Eva with Adam. His first angel was Lucifer the "Devil" whom later wanted to take the kingdom but was kicked out of heaven with few other angels.

The creation stories of Unkulunkulu tell that he came from the reeds, and from them he brought forth the people and the cattle. He created everything from land and water to animals. He is considered the first man as well as the parent of all people. He taught the Zulu how to hunt, how to make fire, and how to grow food. Leeming, David Adams; Leeming, Margaret Adams (2009). A Dictionary of Creation Myths (Oxford Reference Online ed.). Oxford University Press.

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_religion#Creation In the Yoruba creation myth, Olódùmarè (also called Olorun) is the creator. In the beginning there is only water. Olódùmarè sends Obatala to bring forth land. Obatala descended from above on a long chain, bringing with him a rooster, some earth, and some iron. He stacked the iron in the water, the earth on the iron, and the chicken atop the earth. The chicken kicked and scattered the earth, creating land. Some of the lesser gods descended upon it to live with Obatala. One of them, Chameleon, came first to judge if the earth was dry. When it was, Olódùmarè called the land Ife for "wide". Obatala then created humans out of earth and called Olódùmarè to blow life into them. Some say Obatala was jealous and wished to be the only giver of life, but Olódùmarè put him to sleep as he worked. But it is also said that it is Obatala who shapes life while it is still in the womb.

4. Mbombo, also called Bumba, is the creator god in the religion and mythology of the Kuba of Central Africa. In the Mbombo creation myth, Mbombo was a giant covered with white skin who had the form of a man.

The story of Mbombo's creation tells that in the beginning, Mbombo was alone, and darkness and water covered the all earth. It would happen that Mbombo came to feel an intense pain in his stomach, and then Mbombo vomited the sun, the moon, and stars. The heat and light from the sun evaporated the water covering the earth, creating clouds, and after time, the dry hills emerged from the water. Then Mbombo vomited once more, bringing forth nine animals: the leopard, called Koy Bumba; the eagle, Ponga Bumba; the crocodile, Ganda Bumba; the fish, Yo Bumba; the tortoise, Kono Bumba; a black leopard-like animal, Tsetse Bumba; a white heron, Nyanyi Bumba; a scarab; and a goat named Budi. Mbombo also vomited many men, one of them all white like himself who is called Loko Yima.

These nine animals went on to create all the world's creatures. The heron created all flying birds but one, the kite, and the crocodile created snakes and the iguana. The goat, Budi, brought forth all the horned animals, the scarab all insects, and Yo Bumba, all fish.

Three of Mbombo's sons then said they would finish creating the world. The first to try, Nyonye Ngana, vomited white ants, but died after. To honor him, the ants went deep in the earth for dark soil to bury him and transformed the barren sands at the earth's surface. The second, Chonganda, created the first plant, which in turn gave rise to all trees, grasses and flowers. And Chedi Bumba, the third son, made the last bird, the kite.

Tsetse Bumba caused trouble on the earth so Mbombo chased him into the sky where he became the thunderbolt. This left people without fire, so Mbombo showed them how to make it from trees. Once the creation was complete and peaceful, Mbombo delivered it to mankind and retreated into the heavens, leaving Loko Yima to serve as "god upon the earth".The woman of the waters, Nchienge, lived in the East, and her son, Woto, became the first king of the Kuba.

What can be gathered from many of the CREATION myths is that man h as always believed there was one greater than himself that had created the world he inhabited. Man knew in some way there was honor due to this Creator. As I have said before, even when man gets some of it wrong or may not have an opportunity to be witnessed to, God has said even nature will testify of my existence.

Believing is a choice (Part2) Oldest Religion

2010-11-30T22:14:00.006-06:00

Religion goes back as far as human civilizations. Nobody knows what the first religion was. The Egyptians predate the Jews, The Mesopotamians predate them. The Chinese predate them…

The religions with a creation story often claim to be the oldest of the religions since the world began with that creation and with the god or gods of that particular religion.

Others say that animism would be the oldest known type of religion. This is a primitive religion, which sprang up independently in many areas of the world, but in most countries has mainly been replaced by more formal religion. In animism, spirits are considered to inhabit familiar objects in the landscape. For example, Australian aboriginal beliefs probably go back 60,000 or more.

Many scholars have suggested that remnants of animal worship survived in Judaism and Christianity. Satan was a serpent; Jehovah, like Osiris, was worshiped as a bull; Christ was the lamb of God, and the Holy Ghost appeared in the form of a dove. As you can see, all of these are animals represented by spirits inhabiting them; which is what animism is. However, these are only symbols of the worshipped object, and are not worshipped in themselves as would have been done in true animism.

The Egyptian religion can also be considered the oldest religion. Its origins date back beyond 3000 BCE.

When trying to determine the oldest religion, researchers take into consideration who had the oldest written language. Since Sanskrit is the oldest written language, as far as religion being written down, and as far as organized religion is concerned, it would be Hinduism. It is said that when Rama appeared, according to our calendar, it’d be a million or so years (not sure the exact date, but it’s a long time!) And Krishna, god himself according to the Vedic scriptures, appeared here 5,000 years ago. Buddha, about 500 B.C., Jesus, about 2,000 years ago.

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all Abrahamic related religions. Abraham dates back to 1800 BC. Abraham was told directly by God that He would be the God of his people in Genesis.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest writing (not religious) found on clay tablets dating back to the 1st millennium b.c.e. He was a Sumerian king. For this particular area Ishtar would become the most important goddess of Babylonia (Mesopotania). The Easter holiday includes egg rolling which was actually a ritual performed for the goddess Ishtar for ferility purposes. Many Christians today refuse to celebrate Easter but prefer to call this time the Passover (the time of Jesus' death and resurrection) http://www.hermeticgoldendawn.org/ciceros-babyloniantarot.html

BELOW IS A TIMELINE LEADING UP TO THE JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN RELIGION

4000 BCE
Earliest date attested to composing Rigveda.
4000 BCE
Estimated by the summing of ages of kings and families in the Judeo-Christian Holy Bible, 4000 BCE represents the time when Adam and Eve were first given souls after God's image. This marks the end of the sixth day that God took to create and form the world.
3000 BCE
Sumerian Cuneiform emerges from the proto-literate Uruk period, allowing the codification of beliefs and creation of detailed historical religious records.
2494 - 2345 BCE
The first of the oldest surviving religious texts, the Pyramid Texts, are composed in Ancient Egypt.
2150 - 2000 BCE
The earliest surviving versions of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh (originally titled "He saw the deep") were written.
2000 - 1850 BCE
The traditionally accepted lifetime of the Judeochristian/Islamic patriarchal figure Abraham. Likely born in Ur Kaśdim or Haran and died in Machpelah, Canaan.
1300 - 1000 BCE
The "standard" Akkadian version of the Epic of Gilgamesh was edited by Sin-liqe-unninni.
1250 BCE
The believed time of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt. The first books of the Torah are composed
950 BCE
The Torah begins to be written, the core texts of Judaism and foundation of later Abrahamic religions.
393 AD
The Synod of Hippo, the first time a council of bishops of early Christianity listed and approved a Biblical canon.
405 AD
St. Jerome completes the Vulgate, the first Latin translation of the bible
1500 AD
African religious systems are introduced to the Americas, with the commencement of the trans-Atlantic forced migration.

It is clear to see there is a long history of religions. One of the great things about Christianity is that it managed to thrive and flourish even amoung many ancient beliefs. To nullify the origin of religions from different regions is not necessary as many religious people tend to believe. Having discussions on various religions from around the world going beyond the bounds of "THEY ARE EVIL" should be a part of the Christian experience. Many young adults go off to college believing that their particular religion is the only religion and others randomly choose to worship sticks and rocks. These young adults were never told that other religions have an old and sacred origin that goes beyond praying to sticks. In their belief systems their faith tells them to believe no matter what else they are presented with also. For some, their eternal soul is at stake to them in the same way as the Christian believe's. The young adult may be shocked to find these people, who may live spotless lives, in comparison, is doing no more than they themselves. The CHOICE of who they worship is the difference.

For me to choose to worship the Christian God was a decision of heart, mind, and soul. Many continue to separate academia from religion (which I do not believe are enemies of each other), but the book knowledge of various religions made my faith even stronger. I was exposed to the knowledge of several gods and still chose my God. To me that is a great testimony. Given complete and total choice; I still decided to worship the God of Christianity.

Being an African American, I never was exposed to the religion of my ancestors. I studied how the Indians and African slaves were evangelized in the United States. Many Christians at that time were afraid to share the gospel with the slaves because it teaches in the freedom of Christ and fellow man. They feared if the slaves were aware of this they would become Christians and want to be considered fellow brethrens of the slave owners, and expect freedom, so the Indians were the better evangelism candidate. This bit of history reinforces the great gift of free will and choice valued in the Bible.

I have looked at some of the creation myths from various areas of the world and would like to share with you some of those myths. I will start with some of the creation myths from Africa.

You believe because you CHOOSE to believe

2010-11-29T11:16:00.002-06:00

Many people laugh at Christians for choosing to believe in a God they cannot see. Secular society will use education as their reasoning for saying faith in a deity is for those of no or lower education. Once science is introduced faith should crumble in the eyes of the educated. These statements are met with anger by those who do hold their religion dear. In many of my rants, I myself become angry at Christians who believe higher education causes young Christians to walk away from their faith.

Since the introduction of God in the Bible, He has offered creation a choice. Moses, who heard the voice of God in the burning bush, came from an upbringing in Egypt that was filled with a pantheon of gods to which images of their likenesses were made. Yet Moses chose to follow and obey the God He had never seen, or no one else for that matter. He believed because he chose to. Abraham wasn't any different. His brothers made the idols for worship of gods for the community. Yet, Abram heard the voice of the invisible God and chose to follow him.

The God of Israel, in that time to many, was just one more God added to the pantheon of gods, the difference was in those who chose to believe in God. Can you imagine when Jesus lived he was just seen as a little boy in a town and then one day he declared He was the Son of God with an offer of love and eternal life? Well, the Jews did not make a choice to believe that message while the Gentiles embraced it

Since the begining of time man has attached a higher being as being in control of the things that they themselves could not conquer. In their lack of or little knowledge, they knew there was something greater than themselves. That feeling still exists today. The origin of ALL has never been fully explained by science.

The Theory of Evolution has been presented and has points in it that has pushed mankind to a new level of understanding. The flow of thought is logical and feasible. But it cannot answer every question and yet many choose to believe it. In the Big Bang Theory there are valid points. But who created the matter that exploded? Again we are faced with a choice in what to believe. Who has and where are ALL of the answers?

Christians being exposed to secular education will not cause faith in God to crumble. No matter what is presented to any person, a choice has to be made. There is someone or something greater than man and this universe. There is something or someone that began before man and the universe. Ususally science is only true if it can be reproduced and no one has reproduced another universe yet complete with life.

In Christianity we are offered an answer for the unanswerable. We are given one supreme being who says all began with me. I'm going out on a limb here, as you know I am prone to do, and tell you a secret of mines. In man's quest to gain some control or order of life and its seemingly randomness, man created gods. There were gods for everything. Man pleaded, bribed, and manipulated these gods in an effort to have them act favorably to them in a world that could sometimes seem hostile with droughts, sickness, and death.

Well the Christian God seems to have been aware of these activities of man because His first commandment "You shall have no other gods before me" Exodus 20:1 tells man not to worship any other god over Him. The ten plagues were directed at the 10 different gods the Egyptians turned to for particular worship and assurance of favorability. God said those gods were only capable of individual acts whereas He was the all sufficient God over all and able to do all. He demonstrated He was the one true God. There were those who even killed their children in an attempt to ensure the gods would answer their prayers. God of Israel said I am greater than them and require less.

God offered love to His creation which other gods did not. You may say there was still a need for rules, the Israelites biggest stipulation was sexual morality. Okay time for another choice- sacrifice of a child or sexual morality? God had rules that needed to be followed as any operating society does. Is there anywhere in the world that is not governed by some type of law? As a parent who deeply love my children, I do have guidelines they are required to follow.

In the end a person believes just because they choose to believe and that is the bottom line. It is not out of stupidity that man accepts an offer of love and assurance from a source they know exists without explaination by limited man. It is the height of intelligence that says there is something greater than that which can be seen with the eye that made all that you see that exists. Is it a stupid choice to believe in something beyond ourselves? No more than it is to believe there is some form of life on other planets that we have not found yet. That belief rests on the fact that we can not be the only forms of human life in the universe.

All science can do is study and try to explain what is already in existence. It has struggled in its completeness in explaining the origin of what it is studying. Science says from nothing came something. God says from nothing I creeated something. These are your two choices and God allows us to choose. But He also said nature itself testifies to my existence. And it is to that very nature - evolution- that science turns to to explain the world.

Don't run from explainations or explorations of what is truth. God did not run from it, He said let me reveal this truth to my creation. God can stand up against anything man can come up with, remember we are in His image. Let your children be exposed to various creation myths; God can handle it. Let people make the choice of God freely. Have faith in God that He is just that compelling and able to draw His creation.

I wrote this post because I am fully aware that Christianity is not the oldest written religion and there are many creation stories in may parts of the world. That is fine with me. I made a choice of what I wanted to believe with this full knowledge.

In an upcoming post I will present the timeline of the evolution of written religion and some samples of those creation stories. I myself will not settle all of the questions that are out there. But the biggest question of heir being something greater in the world than all of us is settled in my spirit and mind and I have choosen to say it is the Invisible God who said He was the "I Am."

God's Wisdom: Don't be your own worse enemy

2010-11-15T09:39:00.004-06:00

Excerpts from my book: "The Politics of Prayer Daily Devotional"

WISDOM

Truth, knowledge, and wisdom are only effective when put into action. Luke 2:52 states Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. Wisdom was his intellectual growth, stature was his physical growth, favor with God was his spiritual growth, and favor with man was his social development. Wisdom was a major part of Jesus’ life and should be a part of every Christian’s life as well.
It takes wisdom to pray for our leaders and ourselves. It takes wisdom to make the right choices when engaging political issues. When making choices on political issues we may ask ourselves:
1. Does it help my witness for God?
2. Am I motivated by a desire to help others to know Christ?
3. Is it against a specific command in Scripture and would thus cause me to sin?
4. Is it the best and most beneficial course of action?
5. Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person?
6. Am I acting lovingly or selfishly?
7. Does it glorify God?
8. Will it cause someone else to sin?

WISDOM QUOTES
“A wise old owl sat on an oak: The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?”

“The highest form of wisdom is kindness.”
The Talmud

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.”
David Starr Jordon

“A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate depth of his ignorance.”
Gian Carlo Menotti

“We must become the change we want to see.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.”
Kahlil Gibran

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.”
Cicero

“One of the greatest pieces of economic wisdom is to know what you do not know.”
John Kenneth Gilbraith

“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
William James

“The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom is a happy mind.”
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

“Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.”
Immanuel Kant

“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
Mohandas K. Gandhi

“Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.”
Norman Cousins

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
Saint Augustine

“The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to question, and by seeking we may come upon truth.”
Pierre Abelard

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”
Thomas Jefferson

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
Abraham Lincoln

“By three methods we may learn wisdom; first, by reflection, which is noblest, second, by imitation, which is easiest, and third; by experience, which is the most bitter.”
Confucius

“A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.”
Chinese Proverbs

SOLOMON
“As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father, David saying; ”You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel” (I Kings 9:4-5).

Solomon should have been a man to be envied. He was the first king to sit on the throne of a kingdom at peace, he had been given divine wisdom by God, he built a temple for God (a center of Jewish religion), and he was richer and more prosperous than any king in any surrounding nation. This should have been enough for the man who had it all, but it wasn’t.

Solomon’s downfall came from within the walls of his home; his many wives and their many pagan religions. He married 700 hundred women for political reasons and consorted with 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3). Solomon, in his old age, began to do as his wives did and worshipped pagan gods and built high places of worship for those pagan gods. For Solomon’s sin, God said he would take the kingdom from the hands of his son; all but one tribe would he leave for his son for the sake of his father David.

The lesson to be learned is to be mindful of our associations and how we conduct our private lives. Solomon was his own worst enemy in a time of success and grandeur, he destroyed himself. It is easier to blame our problems on government or others, but we must also look at ourselves.

REFLECTION
I encourage you to incorporate prayer for your leaders into your daily prayers asking God to give them wisdom to lead. Wisdom goes beyond just knowledge; it encompasses the ability to make the right choice at the right time. Wisdom is only effective when put into action. Pray that your leaders, as well as yourself, will have the ability to know what is right and to do what is right.

PRAYER LIST FOR THOSE WHO NEED WISDOM

Pray for Christian leaders: Pastors, Apostles, Bishops, Prophets, etc.

2010-11-12T08:47:00.002-06:00

ExceRpts from : daily devotional "The Politics of Prayer" SECTION TWO

PRAY FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever….Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscious and desire to live honorably in every way” (Hebrews 13:7-8 and 17-18). We are instructed to pray for our Christian leaders.

It is never a time of rejoicing when a member of the Christian body falls from grace. As a member of the body of Christ we are called to pray for one another. “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone brings him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20).

I encourage you to remember to pray for religious leaders whether they have made it to the heights of maga-church pastor, international evangelist, televangelist, or country minister. No one is past the warning Peter gave in I Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” To keep our focus on God and what he would have us to do, we must pray for one another to make wise choices as we engage the political arena. We should pray for governmental leaders, spiritual leaders, and fellow Christians.

When we pray for fellow Christians we should :
1. Be thankful for their faith and changed lives (Colossians 1:3)
2. Ask God to help them know what he wants them to do (Colossians 1:9)
3. Ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9)
4. Ask God to help them live for him (Colossians 1:10)
5. Ask God to give them more knowledge of himself (Colossians 1:10)
6. Ask God to give them strength for endurance (Colossians 1:11)
7. Ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness (Colossians 1:11)

POLITICS
The word politics comes from the Greek word politika. It is defined as:
1 a: the art or science of government b: the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government. The last few years, America has witnessed drastic changes in the political arena. Some changes and policies instituted have been for the better and some have been for the worst.

The Christian community has championed many causes and has been a strong voice for Christian values. The political atmosphere will forever be a battleground for doing what is right and for doing what is popular. No matter the outcome of politics, the Christian must remain focused on God and his instructions to behave out of love and mercy and to remain prayerful at all times.

POLITCAL QUOTES
“America is always a land of promise in an election year.”

“If you lie to people to get their money, that’s fraud. If you lie to them to get their votes, that’s politics.”

“In national politics it’s not so much how you play the game as it is who’s keeping score.”

“Fortunately for the country, neither political party can possibly be as bad as the other insists it is.”

“We’ve now switched from the New Deal, Fair Deal, and Square Deal to the Ordeal.”

“Millions of Americans don’t vote. They figure they can’t earn their keep under the Republicans and can’t keep what they earn under the Democrats.”

“Politics is the art of obtaining money from the rich and votes from the poor on the pretext of protecting each from the other.”

“The Russians accuse us of being a warlike people because they have been reading what the Democrats and Republican are saying about each other.”

“There are two kinds of Americans: one hopes the government will do something for them, the other hopes the government won’t do something to them.”

“The mess in Washington shouldn’t be blamed on one man. It took real teamwork.’

“Separation of church and state could hardly be more complete. The church teaches that money isn’t everything and the government keeps telling us it is.”

Qoutes from: E.C. McKenzie
14,000 Quips and Quotes, (Grand Rapids: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1980).

PETER
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).

After Jesus’ death, Peter became the recognized leaders of the leaderless disciples. This had to have been a stressful position to have due to the fact Christians were being persecuted for the threat they posed to the pagan society rules of living. He was one of the great voices before and after Pentecost. But Peter was far from perfect.

Peter was known for speaking without thinking. He was quick to dispute Jesus’ claim that he would soon deny he ever knew him. He was also considered to be brash and impulsive. We can not believe those would have been the traits of one of Jesus’ inner group of three. Peter later found it difficult to treat the Gentile Christians as equals.

To us Peter would seem to be just one big mess, but Jesus saw something else. He needed someone with the enthusiasm Peter had, he needed someone who could follow, and Jesus needed someone who did not start out as a perfect person. Jesus needed someone who was real. He needed someone who could be changed by love, thus demonstrating the glory of God, which is “love.” He needed someone to demonstrate the ability of God to forgive, save, and transform.

REFLECTION
I encourage you to incorporate prayer for your community and Christian leaders into your daily prayers. There are numerous vices leaders must watch out for as they guide those they have charge over. The vices include: Sexual immorality, impurity, passion, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissentions, arrogance, envy, murder, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, carousing, fraud, adultery, homosexuality, coveting, stealing, and lying. Pray these vices will not be a temptation or stumbling block for your leaders.

PRAYER LIST FOR COMMUNITY AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Veterans Day: reminder to pray for leaders

2010-11-11T11:42:00.005-06:00

The following post is an excerpt from my yet unpublished companion piece to "The Politics of Prayer." It is a daily devotional where you can actually write down leaders from various positions in your church, community, state, and nation to pray for daily. I am waiting to see how many people purchase the book "
The Politics of Prayer" before releasing the daily devotional booklet.
This is SECTION ONE entitled PRAY:

There is not a tried and true way to pray. Many suggestions have been given as to how a person should pray, but the technique will vary from person to person. The “how” to pray is not as important as the “you should” pray. I found a suggested pattern of prayer that has been helpful to me that you may want to use as a guide in helping you clear your mind and focus on prayer.

Ten simple rules on how to pray by Deane Edwards, President of The Hymn Society of America (published in 1958):
1. Pray where you are. God is present everywhere and ready to listen.
2. Pray when possible in a quiet spot where you can be alone. It is well to fix your mind deliberately on God, apart from confusing distractions.
3. Pray to God simply and naturally, as a friend. Tell him what is on your mind. Get help from the prayers of others.
4. Pray remembering the good things God has done for you. Reckon up your blessings from time to time and give thanks for them.
5. Pray for God’s forgiveness for the unworthy things that you may have done. He is near to a humble and contrite heart.
6. Pray for the things that you need, especially those that will make your life finer and more Christlike.
7. Pray for others, remembering the situations they confront and the help they need.
8. Pray for the world and its need, asking God to bring better things and offering your help to them.
9. Pray above everything else that God’s will may be done in you and in the world. His purposes are deeper and wiser than anything we can imagine.
10. Pray, and then start answering your prayer.

I love reading quotes about prayer and I found a few to share with you:

“God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.”
John Wesley

“Most men pray for power, the strength to do things. Few people pray for love, the quality to be someone.”
Robert Foster

“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”
F.B. Meyer

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
Oswald Chambers

“Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”
Allen Varlett

“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”
D.L. Moody

“Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.”
Benjamin Franklin

“Our prayers must mean something to us if they are to mean anything to God.”
Maltbie D. Babcock

“To pray in Jesus’ name means to pray in his spirit, in his compassion, in his love, in his outrage, in his concern. In other words, it means to pray a prayer that Jesus himself might pray.”
Kenneth L. Wilson

Studying men of the Bible in which God favored reminds us of our own stregnths and weaknesses along with God's mercy, grace, and love for us. Let's take a look at a man whom God loved:

King David

“And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel” (II Samuel 5:12).

When David took the reigns of Judah and later became king of all of Israel, the territory he ruled over was not a kingdom of peace, it was fractured. David would turn the divided kingdom into a strong united power. He took independent tribes and joined them into a centralized government. The territory David reigned over would go from a people without a centralized place of worship to having Jerusalem as their place of worship. This growth and change did not come without struggles.

David was “a man after God’s own heart” (I Samuel 13:14). He governed God’s people by God’s principles. Even though he possessed strong leadership abilities and a willingness to obey God, he was still human. He struggled with lust, adultery, and even murder. He had problems with a son trying to entice an entire nation into rebellion against him, the king.

When David repented to God for his sins, God showed him forgiveness and his fellowship and peace with God was restored. Though God forgave David, he had to live through the consequences his sins had set in motion (II Samuel 12-20), such as the death of his child with the woman he committed adultery with, Bathsheba.
We see David as an ideal leader of an imperfect kingdom. Then we see an ideal kingdom and an imperfect leader.

REFLECTION
I encourage you to incorporate prayer for your national leaders into your daily prayers. Galatians 5:22-23 gives you qualities every person should long to have as part of their character and are the by-products of living for God. These qualities are called the fruit of the Spirit and include: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul says there is no law against the gifts of the Spirit. We should prayerfully ask God to help our leaders to have these qualities when we pray.

Make your own prayer list of local and national leaders to pray for.

For Colored Girls; a window into the soul

2010-11-06T11:25:00.007-05:00

Movie critic Alynda Wheat of People Magazine, Nov. 15, 2010 said that the movie For Colored Girls "...fueled a dangerous fallacy that black women are perpetual victims and black men border on villainous...I can't help but wish those tales were better told, and with something resembling hope." I couldn't disagree with her more.

When the movie "Precious" came out a relative of mine said she was embarrased for white people to see the movie. She said now they think we are all like that. I told her from my view of the world many families are hiding abuse of various kinds from numerous people behind closed doors and society tells them your story is too horrid for us to deal with. Keep it to yourself. All that is needed for evil to win is for good people to do nothing. Just think, if someone else's reality is too crude for you, think how difficult that reality it to live in. The shame and guilt must be overwhelming.

People have many opinions and are willing to share them (i.e. me). There are those who believe people should only adopt children of the same race. One psychologist stated "If you do not have people that look different than you, or people who look like the adopted child at your dinner table regularly, then maybe it would not be a good idea to adopt a child of a different race." I think that is something to consider. Bottom line is there are so many children waiting to be adopted into a loving family that race should not be the deciding factor.

I have also had the delightful opportunity for people that are not of my race or my religious denomination to explain my race and particular denomination to me. They give me the history and how the mind set of African Americans developed and how and why my denomination came about and MY way of worshipping. Now, these particular people are proud of their understanding of various ethnicities and denominations and they should be. I applaud them for even having a superficial understanding, but no one knows better than the source. We should not let our academia and observation form our conclusions about others because God is the master of individuality.

I have heard in the last two years many Christians express their disappointment at black Christians for voting for Obama as they say "Just because he is black." I have heard pleas from AFR (American Family Radio) hosts for black people to call in and 'explain' why they would vote for Obama and against God. My thought would drift to "They obviously do not have any close black friends to ask this question and if they do have balck friends, then they may not be as close as they think they are because black people are cautious who they let in to the true mind of a black person as are other ethnicities" BELEIVE IT. We all keep secrets from one another based on ethnicity and even gender.

There is a certain code of silence in all ethnicities. The book "Black Like Me" really relays this fact in the black community as a white man living as a black man diacovers. Many of my close white friends have told me that conversations are different when only Caucasians are present and the reply is 'ditto' for all ethnicities. WHY AM I SAYING ALL OF THIS YOU MAY ASK?

Because of the movie "For Colored Girls" This movie took the lid off of the human experience and exposed all of its ugliness in delicate penetrating poetic artistry. All of the complexities of existence were boldly tackled. The human response to pain and reaching a point of saying 'No more' screamed its way off of the movie screen. SECRETS that cross all walks of life and must be denied at all cost. THIS MOVIE ENTERED THE REALM OF LIES THAT SAY:"These are the problems only THEY have"

The movie wasn't intended to spin a tale it was an attempt to let people in on what takes a person to the brink of suicide a place all people say they would not go, but when the constant drum beat of life deals you less than roses and fairy tale endings that are promised you are left with... WHAT? Those on the outside looking in do not have the scars of the mounting assault. They come in fresh at your end point. they say "There was a better solution." But in these tales of these women on the big screen, we wanted to flee from their lives, we wanted to scream, to lash out, everything but LIVE in it till the rainbow came with a happy ending. Suicide is not the final and best answer for any problem, but what about those people who come to that place and yet have to tell others of this terrible ordeal that words cannot adequatly describe. Pats on the back and future promises seem out of reach or else those suffering surely would have reached them already. The movie delivered on its promise for me "Pain exists, cruelty exists, brokeness exists, and there are many people in that phase of living."

Tyler Perry's movie was intermingled with sheer unabated searing pain but had shadows of laughter masterfully interjected. Those who entered the movie theater to be entertained, came face to face with at least one familiar life situation or one familiar character. People laughed at the images of self in similar situations, they ohhed and awwed at the snatch of the heart the presence of the black male induced, and cringed at the tumble we take when it all comes crashing down or crashing in.

People who want to understand people across racial lines and within racial lines must see this movie. it was not just the experience of colored girls. When you seek to know the 'whys' behind a person's actions think about the pain behind some of those actions. The women in this movie were pushed; some by their own self inflicted wrong decisions and some just victims of another's damaged life and mind.

Each woman in that theater watching those lives careen out of control and finally to some liveable conclusion, could relate. I would love to be in an audience of all white women to see their reactions. I would love to sit in an audience of Hispanics to see their response to the movie. I believe womanhood shares something that goes beyond ethnicity. The characters and their experience were situations faced by many women whether anyone is willing to admit it or not.

There are many war vets returning home right now and many families in chaos this very day. Suicides are on the rise and yet movie critics want a hopeful ending? Someone has to show some reality sooner or later.

The poem on the rapist was beyond description. What happens to the psychi of the woman who does everything right and yet everything can go so horribly wrong. the poem said she was gaurding herself against the stranger and it was the friend she let in that caused her harm. What hopefulness is there for her? Women are raped by people they know all of the time and have the hardest time convincing others it was an assault because they KNEW them. Where are the roses and happy endings for this truth?
The dualing poems on 'I know you' and 'You don't know me" were masterful. women date men and make them into the men they would like them to be in their minds. A cool aloof man who lacks intimacy is labeled the strong silent type. We hang in there to be the ONE he opens up to and he moves on before he opens up. They tell you they they have a quick temper and we say he is so jealous with a giggle as if that is a true sign of love. We don't KNOW half of the people we deal with and are surprised when things go wrong. I always tell my daughters "Believe a person when they tell you they are crazy; they probabley are."

This is a movie for generation after generation of women to share. Don't just watch it, discuss it with your daughters and the men in your lives. Heal and be prepared to heal as life presents the opportunity. Closing your eyes and saying that could never be me allows it to be you. formulate your plan for life and these cruel situations as best you can so you can do your best to have that hopeful ending.

The November 2, 2010 Voting Cult Atmosphere In Politics

2010-11-01T06:52:00.004-05:00

With voting at the forefront of the news and the individual's minds, I decided to address a concern I have been dancing around in some of my posts. It seems that many people are susceptible to the influence of people in positions of authority not thinking for themselves. The media has been accused of being too liberal flooding the airwaves with their particular leanings. The Tea Party has been accused of fear mongering; scaring their members into action. If true, each of these groups are exhibiting cult like tendencies.

On American Family Radio, I have heard hosts tell people not to even listen to the President when he speaks, not to allow their children to listen to him, and recently not to listen to any reports on the Rally To Restore Sanity. When someone begins to suggest what you listen to, there may be a problem. When any group gets all of it's information and entertainment from one source, there is a chance of brainwashing. Most people are unaware when they are being brainwashed or manipulated so I decided to define it for you. Many religious organizations morph into cults. But, they are not the only group that can do so. In my book "The Politics Of Prayer" I offer two religious/political groups that went astray: The Peoples Temple and The Jones town Massacre. They began in a climate of frustration and upheaval much like the climate of today. Before going to the polls and as you remain active in politics, keep an eye out for organizations with cult like leanings or followings.

A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers. Although most people think of cults as being religious, they can also be found in political, athletic, philosophical, racial or psycho-therapeutic arenas.

The mind control, or brainwashing, exerted by cults often take the form of at least several of the following elements:

A totalitarian control over the lifestyle and time of its members - Many cults tend to dictate exactly what its followers should read, eat, how and with whom they should spend their time, and even what they should do in off hours. This totalitarian control is necessary for the leaders to indoctrinate the followers in everything they do, and is also an attempt to separate them from anything not associated with the cult. This is why cults often live together in groups.

****Pushing the news outlet you get all of your news from*****

A charismatic, self-appointed leader with complete authority - Cult members are taught not to question the teachings, practices, or ideas of the leader. Many cult leaders truly are charismatic people, and are able to influence people to believe them. It is common that a cult member is not told everything up front when joining the group, but that they are taught increasingly controlling ideas and teachings as they go. In the case of some of the more well-publicized cults that have come and gone, it is also common that the leader's ideas and demands evolve over time, becoming increasingly controlling and restrictive. One very clear identifying element dealing with the leader of a cult is that the leader will always focus the attention and veneration of the members upon himself or herself. At the heart of a cult usually lies a very self-centered and self-seeking person.

****One person to whom you turn to for the final word, word for the day, issue to get behind, influence over thousands to repeat what they say word by word"

A focus on withholding truth from non-members - Many cults teach their followers to be completely open and truthful within the group, while at the same time they are encouraged to be secretive and evasive when questioned by people outside of the group. This is another form of mind control-instilling guilt in the members if they hold anything back within the group. The members are taught that outsiders wouldn't understand or that they would only make fun of the ideas and practices and requirements for living within the group. Only specially-commissioned members are appointed to recruit members from outside. New members are usually encouraged to keep silent or even lie, especially to their families and close friends.

**I am the ONLY one who cares enough to give you the truth. If you even listen to others you are are a trader to the group****

The three elements listed above are very successful ways to create a group mentality, an us-against-them way of looking at things. This is essential for any cult that wants to keep its members. The more afraid of the outside world the members become, the more strongly and faithfully they will keep within the safe fold of the cult.

For those having difficulty understanding what is a cult and what is not, it is best to keep in mind the idea that cults generally B.I.T.E — that is, they use:

* Behavioral,
* Informational,
* Thought, and
* Emotional control

to obtain and maintain their flock. These four components are guidelines. Although most cults practice these four aspects of mind control, not all will practice them to the extreme.

* On Behavior Control
* On Information Control
* On Thought Control
* On Emotional Control

What is the Overall Effect?

What matters most is the overall impact these thought-stop processes have on a recruit's feelings, will, and ability to make personal choices. A person's uniqueness, talents, skills, creativity, and free will should be encouraged and not suppressed in any healthy group. Cult mind control programs seek to mold recruits into the image of the cult leader(s), although the recruits may not be aware of this. This process is called "cloning" from a psychological perspective.

Recruits' "new identities" within a cult are the result of a systematic process that works to dissociate them from their previous identities, including beliefs, values, and significant relationships. The end result is the creation of a dual identity: a dominant "cult identity" that is constantly at war with the subconscious old identity.

****You are for us all or nothing" Completely liberal or completely conservative.****

Taken from Steve Hassan's Combatting Cult Mind Control (Park Street Press, 1988). Visit his web site: http://www.freedomofmind.com"

The language of the totalist environment is characterized by the thought-terminating cliché. [Slogans] The most far-reaching and complex of human problems are compressed into brief, highly reductive, definitive-sounding phrases, easily memorized and easily expressed.

***Obamacare, socilism, take our country back, tea baggers, fix news, etc.***

The cult invents a new vocabulary, giving well-known words special new meanings, making them into trite clichés. The clichés become "ultimate terms", either "god terms", representative of ultimate good, or "devil terms", representative of ultimate evil. Totalist language, then, is repetitiously centered on all-encompassing jargon, prematurely abstract, highly categorical, relentlessly judging, and to anyone but its most devoted advocate, deadly dull: the language of non-thought. (Page 429.)

n a television interview, Dr. Robert J. Lifton also said that cults exhibit these characteristics:

* The guru is worshiped, rather than the principles or doctrines (on which the sect is supposed to be based).
* The group exhibits thought-reform-like characteristics.
* The members experience heavy exploitation from above.

Loading the Language
Controlling words helps to control people's thoughts.

The group uses black-or-white thinking and thought-terminating clichés.

The special words constrict rather than expand human understanding.

Non-members cannot simply comprehend what cult members are talking about.

Be careful not to limit yourself in obtaining information or data. If the disciples boxed themselves in to only what Jesus said while on earth, Paul would not have been a part of the Christian relationship because he ministered to the Greeks. Most things that are good for humanity is expansive and not for a select group, as is the case in Christianity - it is for all - come as your are.

There are guidelines to becoming a Christian, but even the Bible says to test the people, to compare what Satan is offering, to study the bible to convince your free will of your choice. The members of the religion of Christianity are told how they are to treat others in love in different stages of maturity. Christianity is welcoming not threatening, demanding, or isolating.

Take time for self reflection.