Quotable Quote

I am at work and came across a quote that I had written down on one of my many notebook that I must have heard on my ipod or someone stated to me and thought it worthy to post.

We are not called to be popular but to be faithful.

Love Lesson #8

I hung out with two of my assistant today at the park. We had great weather today. We talked about our different relationships and I made a statement that has me thinking now.

How do you love someone enough?

Here is a picture of them at the park.

American Public Media

I am trully enjoying my new ipod. Not for music as most but for all the podcast I get to download.

I have American Public Media as one of my podcast. I was listening to it yesterday it present excerpts of a conference titled Vietnam and the Presidecy held at the John F Kennedy Library last. One of the most profound things that was said and applys to the current situation we ar ein in Iraq.

Said by Jack Valenti second assistant to President LB Johnson.

He stated three reason why we did not win the war in Vietnam (in hindsight)

1. Cannot win when public support declines. People grow tired of confusion and whose(war) end is nowhere in sight
2. Cannot win a war against an insurgency that springs form the population
3. To fight an enemy you have got to know the ancestral rythms, customs and traditionS
4. and when 40% of what the pentagon estimate is not trUE

I also must add that you cannot TRULLY win a war no matter how many troops you send if the people you are fighting for has a cause related to a deep religious belief. Peoples belief in their God/god will give them the endurance to do anything and even to die. The cause is greater than the situation.

Sabbath Health Lesson for Me

Today was health ministry day at West End and the speaker was Curtis Eakins. He made the following highlights that I will try to implement in my diet. If you want to hear the sermon in total feel free to click on the following link.

http://churchpond.com/cp05/ptv_westend_rebroadcast.htm


Journal of the American Dietic Association


certain fats clog arteries more than any other

3 top saturated fats that clog arteries ounce for ounce pound for pound
saturated fats once eaten coverts into cholesterol

1. cheese (usage gone up 145% since 1970) also have 200 300 mg of sodium
2. ground beeg (it goes up and down, ecoli goes down, akins diet goes up)
3. whole milk (has gone down people are buying 2%, skim etc.)

Each food is assigned a potential renal(kidney) acid load (PRAL) the lower the number the better the food is for your kidneys the higher the number the worse it is for your kidneys

1. fruits and vegetables have a negative number - great for kidney
2. whole grain have a plus one or plus two
3. pork, fish, lamb, beeg have a plus 7 -8 begin to stress kidney
4. cheese 18
5. egg yoke 23
6. mozarella 28
6. parmesam cheese 34

Friday Night Dinner

This week we had dinner at my house and I cooked Butternut Squash with Cumin Couscous. It turned out pretty good. I have a thing about the presentation of food. So here you gooooooooooooooo.

The Sabbath For Me

Well today I went to sabbath school and it was great. I recently changed sabbath school classes and then I went to a close friends grandmothers funeral. I realized that I had never gone to a funeral in my adult life. It was a interesting experience for me. I got thru it and I was happy to be available to a dear friend. Who is my best friend in Atlanta.

Sabbath Photo Session 2

Sabbath Photo Session

Quotable Quote from Joseph

in the midst of his therapy training he learned the following:


You can only help someone along emotionally as far as you have attained.....

Thoughts from the Sabbath School Lesson

This is taken from Monday, November 20th lesson, Referring to God's promise to give Abram a son.

Quote that I was thought was note worthy

Reminder God's mercy and grace don't cancel the call to faithful obedience (Romans 5:20-6:2)

Next Holiday Predictions

Sitting on the phone with my friend Joseph this Thanksgiving day in the year of our Lord 2006, we were chatting about predictions (targeted calculation....wish list if you will) of our lives for next year this time. So no further ado....

10. New Job working in international development
9. A trip abroad....Hopefully paid for by my company
8. Meaningful relationship with someone of the opposite sex (.ie a husband)
7. A New Car...Passat
6. 4 rooms furnished (which kind of contradicts with Dave Ramsey...but a sista's got to have furniture)
5. adherence to the Dave Ramsey Total Money Make Over
4. I would like to add biking to my weekly exercise routine (which will eventually led to a triathalon)
3. "Look-Good-Naked"...this is Joseph's motto for a healthy lifestyle
2. To be more active in my church
1. More mature walk with the lord

My Financial Break-Thru

I have been listening to Dave Ramsey the last few days and he gives steps for your financial breakthrough. I have listed them here for your convenience. His website is http://www.daveramsey.com/

Here are the steps:

Steps 1-6

1. save $1000
2. become debt free, start with your smallest debt first
3. 3-6 months expenses saved
3b. save for a house
4. Retirement
5. save for college for Kids
6. Pay off the house early

Photography Session #1

Today I made a plan to get back into photography for just the fun of it. It has not been fun for me a in while but today I pushed myself to get back into it. And these are a few of the pictures from that. I have a ways to go to get back where I was and beyond but this is the first step. I took pictures around my neighborhood. I was trying to capture symetry.

Quote of the Day

This can be applied to any part of life......

I left to leave.................


Feel free to interpret

Quote.....2

it is not perfection it is progress.

per Joseph

Sabbath Lesson for Me #9

Today I went to my church West End SDA Church

Pastor Calvin Preston spoke. Worship started off a little loud. The praise and worship team I believe was a little disoriented as to what Praise and Worship is for. It ended up being more of a concert in my opinion. However Pastor Preston was awesome. His sermons' key text was Genesis 13: 10 -12. It speak about Abraham and Lot going into different directions and how Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. As you continue reading thru Genesis Lot begins to dwell in Sodom (Gene 14:12) and then Lot is at the Gate of Sodom (Gen, 19:1) signifying his prominence in the land and by the end of Genesis the angel of the Lord tells Lot to leave for God is going to destroy the city. The title of the sermon was pitching your tent toward Sodom.

It really spoke to me. The devil strokes us into sin. He does not just out right tempt us. He strokes us nd before us we are further from God then we ever thought we would be. Father help me not be stroked by the devil. I saw the devil do that to me this week however I claim victory over devils attempt to make me lost and stray away from God.

When you pitch your tent toward Sodom you loose. At the end Lot was not happy, his children loved Sodom and even his wifes' heart was there and she was lost, his spiritual life was gone and he was much poorer than when he first pitched his tent. Satan will not leave us until he breaks us or we break his hold by the word of God that strengthen us.

Father my greatest desire is to be saved. I want to experience true peace, companionship and love that I know only comes from a relationship with you. Please make me whole. Amen

Joseph and Richard

This is my best friend Joseph and his partner Richard. The video includes pictures of their recent trip to Brazil and their ski trip to Lake Tahoe.

Sabbath Lesson for Me #8

Well yesterday day (Sabbath) I went to West End the church in which as of last week I am now a member. Pastor Preston spoke. It was a great sermon.

The Title: Why does God not answer our prayers (key text Psalms 80:4-7)

He also gave the powerful accounts when God answered the prayer of his people as found in Joshua 10: tells the story of when Joshua asked God to allow the sun to stay up so they could finish fighting the Amorites and God did and II Kings 20: tells the story of Hezekiah pleaing that God would spare his life and God did and added 15 years to his life. When men and women pray to God hears and longs to answer for our good. I serve an awesome GOD.

He listed 5 reasons why God does not always answer our prayer:

1. We have the wrong Spirit (Luke 18:9- 13)
2. We fail to forgive others (Matthew 6: 14,15)
3. We regard sin in our heart, our pet sin, we defend our pet sin (Psalms 66:18)
4. We fail to submit to Biblical teachings (Proverbs 28:9)
5. Our prayers are inconsistent with God's will (Luke 22:42)

Father my prayer is that it is not important what I desire but you know what is best for me. I submit my life to Your will!!!

if you want to hear the sermon rebroadcast click on the link below and click on October 28th sermon.

http://churchpond.com/cp05/ptv_westend_rebroadcast.htm

Question

what does being in love look like?

Sabbath Lesson for me #7

I went to Berean SDA Church today. Pastor Carlton (Buddy) Byrd who is now the senior pastor spoke. It was good. I took away from the sermon how I may have failed some people who have entered and left my life. As a Christian I am to be a light in darkness. Not a flicker but a strong lasting light continually in communion with God. I feel sometimes I have become dim and in a sense compromised on what I believe. I must ask for forgiveness from those that I have done this with. They suspected that I was different and I was nothing but. Father forgive me for not reflecting your glory to led others to You.

I closed on my first home day. It was an interesting day. I started it by going for a short run and then I walked by the house to sit and look at it to make sure I wanted to buy. I could still back out and only loose $1000 compared to what I am going to pay for the house. I felt good about it and then left for the closing at 11:30 this morning. My mom came with me and she was a means of support and questions. I was thankful to have her. A few glitches came up but they were smoothed out thankfully. So by 1:30 I was the proud owner of this beautiful Victorian style house in the historic West End. I am thankful to God. This is what I wanted a house in the west end that did not require a tremendous amount of work, was affordable and a place I would be proud to call my own. I am excited about the many friends that I will get to share my home with and being apart of such a great community!

Quote.....................

Some things are just better passing thru

per Jackie per Elton John

thoughts by Leonard Nimoy

I have learned to want what I have.....


I value love because I have been lonely

Because I have tasted frustration I value fulfilment............

Sabbath Lesson for me #6

Well I went to West End today and it was good but I got lessons all day and not all of them happened in church. However the pastor did bring out one in a list of pointers to make one more intentionally focused;

pointer: Take the time to figure out what you really want

I ask this question on two levels of my life that are currently in a state of ughhhhhhhhh my personal life and my career.

For my personal life I know what I want I just have to come to terms in my mind that I do not have to fast forward the situation to get it. If it is attained to fast I will not appreciate the value of what it took to get there. Father allow me to have peace in being still.


For my career. I have invested tens of thousand of dollars in an education that I am not allowing to make a return. The whole Michigan/Tanzania situation did throw me but I need to get back in. Father return to me the passion and motivation that seems to be buried in me under a lot of hurt. I feel you giving it to please allow me to see the sunrise.

Summer Reading Update

Well I did finish reading Angels and Demons however I have not touched Gilead and I am only still half way thru The Miseducation of the Negro. I give myself till the end of July. Well shall see. Angels and Demons was really good. It is actually more controversial to me than the DaVinci Code. I think if that was made into a movie the Catholic Church would really pulls its strings at the highest levels to put a stop to. Maybe it has.........

He's Just Not That Into You

This is the title of a book writtejn by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tucillo. I finished reading it in one day is was that good. It is written in a Dear Greg format where he addresses the issue in the letter. The following are some of the many pointers that I got from the book that I have trully grown from a resort of reading. I actually checked the book out of the library however I feel I will definitely have to go buy it to have in my personal library to reflect on again and again.

1. Deal with men as they are not how you'd like them to be.

2. Don't you want the guy who'll forget about all the other things in his life before he forgets about you? page 26

3. Calling when you say you're going to is the very first brick in the house you are building of love and trust. page 27 You should be dating a man who's at least as good as his word. page 28

4. Men are never to busy to get what they want. page 30

5. Meeting someone you like and dating him is supposed to make you feel better no worse. page 32

6. Why should you feel honored for getting scraps of his time. page 40

7. The reason it's so painful when someone disappears its you have to face the fact that the person you loved had probably left you a long time before he grabbed his coat and scrammed. (key to me) page 113

8. But I guess the hope is that when a guy no longer wants to communicate with me and doesn't have the manners or courage to tell me that to my face, he's given me all the information I need. (this spoke to my heard deeply based on a current situation I an trying to see myself thru)page 115


One keep point the writers make in the opening pages (page 8) is that the reason we allow our shelves to go thru such drama is because every relationship we admise burst with a greatness that we hope to have in our own life. and the more you value yourself, the more change you'll have of getting it.

THe Fourth of July

A friend of mine referred me to a speech given by Frederick Douglas about his feeling about celebrating the United States Independence - commonly called the 4th of July. I must give this speech context. When the United States started celebrating the 4th in 1776, African Americans were slaves and thus were not at liberty to enjoy the so called independence of fellow whites.

The following is an excert from a speech Frederick Douglas gave on July 5, 1852 titled 'The Meaning of the 4th of July for the Negro.'

What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms- of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

For the complete text of the speech please visit the following website:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h2927t.html

Love Lesson #9

Maybe he's just not that into you

a relationship book title by Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo and I thought it was pretty interesting concept and I was wondering when do you know that someone is really no longer interested in you.

Movie Quote: Paradise Now

Sometimes the most courageous act is the one you do not do!

Love and Life Lesson

I have no regrets I made the best decision I know based on the information I had at the time!

A book that continues to give

I read many books and decided today due to a friends ambitions for the summer to set some goals of my own and that is to read two books a month. So I started today by reading a book that has gotten me thru many ups and downs in my life it is Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. I will read more thought provoking books however I had a moment of reflection today that required me to be reminded of the places I have gone and the places I will go. My mountain is waiting and I plan to uproot it, move it and replant it on my own terms.

Books for the month of June are

This Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Life Lesson #13

You may think you are ready to be hurt again but I realized today more than ever that one can never be prepared to be hurt or disappointed. When someone hurts or disappoints you it hits to the core of your sole but then the question lingers would you enter into it again if you knew the end result. Essentially was it worth it?

Sabbath Lesson for me #5

Well I receivedthe message meant for me at church today before the pastor even got up. This week I have had the opportunity to interact with someone whom I think is pretty awesome and has the potential to be in my life into the near future. I guess I must provide background of sorts. I have felt that once everything was completely over with what happened in Tanzania the Lord would open up opportunities for me to meet someone. I felt I kind of have. I know that is a lot of pressure to put on someone but I think he can handle it. Smile Joseph!!!. The thing is at church today before the pastor got up the choir sang a sung with the following line:

'The wait is over, it is my time to walk into my SEASON. '

It is my season and I am so excited about walking thru it and having someone with me!!!

Devotional Thought for me- Waiting on God

We must understand that there is a peace and a rest when we are at the point in our lives where from our standpoint we are not going forward. Sometimes when we are stopped God is giving us the opportunity to see our character. Another point to remember is that the path God desires from us to go in does not include sinning against HIM!!!

Love Lesson

It is not about finding the right person but being the right person

overheard on a Pod cast by Joseph

Interesting Food Stamp Facts

The average food stamp allocation in Pennsylvania is 89 cents per person per meal.

The average food stamp allocation in the commonwealth of Virginia is 85 cents per person per meal.

The average food stamp allocation in Georgia is 89 cents per person per meal.

I invite you to partipate in the Poverty Diet project. It is desinged to show you the realities of living on food stamps

http://www.vaumc.org/repository/ChurchSociety/PovertyDiet.pdf

Sabbath lesson for Me #4

This is just one statement that stuck with me today as I traveled from Westend to Buckhead for a mission spotlight that tugged at my heart to travel abroad and work and learn about a culture and respect it. Even thought I totally enjoyed the presentation I must present a side bar.

So often I think whenever you mention that you go to some country that has not been westernized people always think you went as a missionary. I find that so insulting. Just because a country has not been westernized does not mean it is your mission field. The United States is a mission field. There are countries on the continent of Africa, South and Central America and Western Europe that look like any city in the so called western world however they also have a culture, a way of life and a respect for their fellow human being that speak to your heart and show you the humanity and love of man. For instance in Ethiopia there is a hug of embrace that that is so beautiful I find it difficult to put into words. The embrace can last minutes depending on the length of time the two people have seen each other. It happens between and within the sexes and individuals minds are not so perverted that they would think that they are gay. The same is true in Tanzania where people hold hands I think it is awesomely beautiful

okay sorry for all of that my lesson is this:

What God has called you to do He will also equip you to perform!!!

Places I want to Visit!!!

1. pyramids and cruise down the Nile in Cairo, Egypt
2. rainforest Costa Rica
3. the outback Sydney, Australia
4. dog sledding in Alaska but travel there on a cruise

Forward message worthy to share!

I receivd this message as a forwarded email and thought it was worthy enough to post.


Good Black Men are indeed all around us. We pass them on the streets, in the malls and the halls at work. Most we can`t see because we don`t know what a good Black man really looks like. He usually isn`t flashy enough or rich enough to turn our heads. He might not wear a suit or push a Lexus. He might not have a "body like Tyson with a Denzel face." But, as you mature, you realize it`s better to find someone who`s got our back rather than someone who turns your head. A good Black man doesn`t agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. He doesn`t just tell you what you want to hear and do the opposite. He doesn`t declare how sensitive, sweet, caring, sincere, he is (he won`t have to because it shows). He has his own opinions and yours may clash, but he doesn`t have to degrade you to prove he`s right. He even admits at times to being wrong, especially if you are willing to do the same. A good Black man is not going to meet every item on your checklist. He is human with frailties and faults mixed in with all of his wonderful, strong attributes. He needs your love and respect. He needs to feel that you don`t live to "catch" him doing something wrong so you can declare, "Aha! I knew you were a dog!!" A good Black man isn`t insecure about his women having great achievements. In fact he is her number one supporter and becomes disappointed with her when she begins to lose herself, for the sake of "not hurting his feelings, or I just want to make him happy." His happiness comes with seeing her excel in her dreams and accomplishing her goals. For as she excels and is exalted, a good woman will bring her good Black man right along with her. A good Black man doesn`t necessarily give you a huge birthday or Valentine`s gift. He shows his love in the ways that are comfortable to him. Don`t judge him by TV standards. No one is really living a fairy tale. You`ll miss out on your own fairy tale by buying into the myth that our men are no good. It`s just not true. Black Men, we salute you, and thank you for who you are and all you`ve done. Pass this along to some of the "Good Black Men" you know and a few women that need to read it... so that they can recognize a Good Black Man........

Interesting Fact

The average single person with no children spends $31.75 a week on food/groceries.

Wear Sunscreen by Mary Schmich

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the powerand beauty of your youth until they've faded.But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos ofyourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how muchpossibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future.Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective astrying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind thatblindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.Do one thing every day that scares you. Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.Remember compliments you receive.Forget the insults.If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.The most interesting people I know didn't know at22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees.You'll miss them when they're gone.Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funkychicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body.Use it every way you can.Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.Read the directions,even if you don't follow them.Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the peoplemost likely to stick with you in the future.Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle,because the older you get, the more you need thepeople who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before itmakes you hard. Live in Northern Californiaonce, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.Accept certain inalienable truths:Prices will rise.Politicians will philander.You, too, will get old.And when you do, you'll fantasize that when youwere young, prices were reasonable, politicianswere noble, and children respected their elders.Respect your elders.Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.But you never know when either one might run out.Don't mess too much with your hair or by thetime you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.Advice is a form of nostalgia.Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal,wiping it off, painting over the ugly partsand recycling it for more than it's worth.But trust me on the sunscreen.

note

I have been thinking about something that Pastor Bushner mentioned in passing yesterday at Madison. He referred to the text found in

Isaiah 54:17 (Whole Chapter) that states : No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.

It reminded me in a way that I have not thought much about and that is that weapons will definitely be formed but they do not have to prevail. I thought that was pretty deep.

Health Tip #2

The following tip is part of an ad campaign for a gym in Chicago. I wish I had taken a picture of the billboard.

Look good naked!

Health Tip #1

This tip is actually apart of an ad campaign for Kaiser Permanente


Be your own cause!

Love Lesson #8

I listened to Madison Mission on Churchpond.com. Rupert Buchner was the speaker. He stated the following:

The insitution is not the problem it is flawed sinful individuals who enter into marriage without the ability to change.

marriage is ministry. It says I am going to minister you, you are going to minister to me. We are both flawed. God allows you out of all the people in the universe to see stuff in this person that no one else will see therefore you have to roll your sleeves up and minister to this person unfortunately most people run. and start saying she/he is not this or that. that is not the problem. If you went into marriage whole whatever he or she does would not matter.

marriage is after you finish dating. dating is just gathering data after all the people you interview and check out and because you are so complete and together you are not going into marriage because you co dependent or need a relationship but because I am so together I need somebody to put my togetherness on. I go thru the list of all the people and I sort. Do not go into the relationship thinking she/he will change.

Love lesson # 7

The following quote is found in Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen White in Chapter 15, the Marriage of Isaac based on Genesis 24.

True love is a high and holy principle, altogether different in character from that love which is awakened by impulse and which suddenly dies when severely tested. It is by faithfulness to duty in the parental home that the youth are to prepare themselves for homes of their own. Let them here practice self-denial and manifest kindness, courtesy, and Christian sympathy. Thus love will be kept warm in the heart, and he who goes out from such a household to stand at the head of a family of his own will know how to promote the happiness of her whom he has chosen as a companion for life. Marriage, instead of being the end of love, will be only its beginning.

Sabbath lessons for me 3

The actual take away from the sabbath sermon for me came at a Bible study I attended afterwards however I will share the topic of divine worship.

First expressing my love to God is called worship.

6 Steps were mentioned in expressing love to God

1. sing to God (Psalms 95:1)
2. talk to God thru prayer ( Psalms 116:1-12)
3. listen to God (John 10:14,16)
4. publically identify with God thru baptism and communion ( Matt.5:14-15, Romans 6:3)
5. be commited to God (Joshua 24:20-22)
6. give to God ( Acts 4:32-35)

my personal comment relates to the last point, giving to God and it was stated that tithing is undesignated giving. I know sometimes when we see someone in need and we do not have the money we may say lets use our tithe to help that person but that is not tithing that is charity. Tithe belongs to God. It means coming to Him and laying it at the alter with no presumption on its exact usage. I thought that was pretty interesting!

Good Friday

I was reading my devotional this morning and it said something that stuck out to me. It was one phrase that stated 'some women(people) do not know the end of the story.' It is Good Friday which refers to Christ crucifixion and the coming Sunday on which He rose and which many memorialize His resurrection by attending church on this day however that is another story. I took so many things away from that one thought. I thought about the people that were in Ann Taylor last night shopping for their Easter outfit. For many this will be their one trip to church all year and I wonder do they know the end of the story that the gift of Christ life, death and resurrection should be celebrated each day and that celebration should cause us to live a life of submission to Him. I think about the different things that has happened and continue to happen to me and I think about the fact that I do not know the end of the story. My prayer has always been and continues to be Father do what you have to do to save me and if (it does not have to but if it should) it should cost me my social, professionally, financial standing so let it be!

Shakespeare's Hamlet 3/1

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action. - Soft you now!
The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remember'd.

Sabbath lessons for me 2

I went to Buckhead today. I am still in the battle of decision as to what church I will make my home and be involved in. When I am at Buckhead I have to get involved in something where as at Westend I can come and go and no one will miss me and there is some comfort in that as sad as it may sound.

I went out with a friend this week and he said the word that has decribed what I have been feeling off and on since September it was DEFEATISM = Acceptance of or resignation to the prospect of defeat. And the moment my feelings had a word, a definition I knew I was greater than that because I know God has called me for greater. I know God has great plans for me. My mom has told me that all my life and now I see that more than ever that it true I have to believe that God will finish was He has started and called me to be and do. I wait in expectation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In addition Keith said something really deep today he stated that the faster we move the more we miss. I do not want to miss anything on my walk thru this life. I do not want to miss the sigh of a friend who is going thru something but is not at the point of telling me because she believes I do not care. or a project at work that I am looking forward to it being over that I miss something vital that could make it better and I do not want to miss the opportunity to get to know each person God will placed in my life to bring me to my point of Expectation.

Money Lesson #1

Let your assets create your revenue stream...

I choose this picture as my birthday picture. It has the great Chicago skyline in the back drop. 

my birthday lunch with Richard and Joseph in Chicago at Pasta Bowl in Lincoln Park. The food was okay however the company was spectacular! 

Its my 30th Birthday

I am 30 wow. It has been a good day. I got to spend it with great friends in Chicago and my mom and Luther got me the best unexpected gift ever. I am so thankful. I look forward to the year to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

browsing around at the VW dealership in Chicago 

Chicago Day #2

Well the conference has been great. I have enjoyed the meetings. There has been a lot of emphasis placed on nutrition and providing quality product to our partner agencies. I hope to share that with the food bank when I get back and receive buy in. We shall see. It also made me think about returning to Emory and finishing the MPH program with a Nutrition emphasis not just for the Food Bank but to further secure my career path to work in international food security.

Joseph and Richard arrived today. I look forward to enjoying some time with them and site seeing around Chicago.

First full day in Chicago 

Life Lesson #12

Perfect does not exist............

Question for Readers

Can their be geniune love without commitment?

Please click the comment button so I can know your response. Thanks!!

Sabbath lessons for me

God desires to save me more than anything. Father do what it takes to save me. Thank you for what you are already doing.

If the Father gave me Christ, why would He not give me everything to be victorious over sin.

gossiper- sharing something with someone who is not a part of the problem or the solution

Real friends rejoice in the blessings/victories of friends even when their blessing/victory has not come yet


We must always speak the truth in geniune love....

I just had my natural hair cut for the first time. I have had natural hair since November 2003 and I love it!!! 

Life Lesson #11

Hurt people hurt people.....

words can hurt more and last longer than actions. Forgive me.....................

Life Lesson #10

Vengence is a lazy form of grief

per Nicole Kidman in the movie 'Interpreter'

LIfe Lesson #9

Higher than the highest human thought is Gods' ideal for His children.

author unknown

LIfe Lesson #8

If we did not know the blessing on the other side of pain it would be torture. That is not God's way.

Sabbath sermon by Keith

Life Lesson # 7

Prayer is the answer to every problem in life.
It puts us in tune with divine wisdom,
Which knows how to adjust everything perfectly.
So often we do not pray in certain situations,
Because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless.
But nothing is impossible with God.
Nothing is so entangled that it cannot be remedied
No human relationship is too strained
For God to bring about human reconciliation and understanding;
No habit so deep rooted that it cannot be overcome;
No one is so weak that he cannot be strong.
No one is so ill that he cannot be healed.
No mind is so dull that it cannot be made brilliant.
Whatever we need, if we trust God, He will supply it.
If anything is causing worry or anxiety,
Let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for healing, love and power.”

Author unknown, Review and Herald, October 7, 1965

Love Lesson #5

The opposite of love is not hate it is indifference..........

Life Lesson #6

I John 2:19

They came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us.

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you cannot make them stay. let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means their part in the story is over. And you have got to konw when people's part in your story is over so that you do not keep trying to raise the dead.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

taken from T.D. Jakes New Years Sermon, Let it for for 2006

Life Lesson #5

Living in Expectation

When we honor God by doing what He ask of us He will honor us

per Luther

Life Lesson #4

Do not play with people who have nothing to loose per Shecky

Life Lesson #3

Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different.....

Love Lesson #4

Sometimes loving someone means loving them enough to let them go..............

Love Lesson #3

Never make someone else your priority when you are their option.

per West End SDA Church church bullentin

Life Lesson #2

Whenever you have to consult with other people for an answer, your're headed in the wrong direction. per Oprah in the What I know for Sure section in O' the magazine March 2006

Sabbath Sermon for Me........

Job 1:6-22
Tells of the story of the Lord’s servant Job. Satan tells God that Job only continues to serve Him because of the hedge the Lord has placed around him. God invited Satan to test His servant Job and that He would decrease the hedge however Satan could not touch his life. In one day Job loses his cattle, his livelihood and his children. How Job responds testifies of his relationship with the Lord, he falls to the ground and worships God.

When I think of my life and recent events I can only say the Lord has had a hedge about me and kept me anchored in Him. That anchoring is the result of a faithful mother, Christian education and true friendship during the past 12 months where I have experienced the power and fear from dominating sources. Only by the grace and mercies of God and the hedge His has encamped about me that I am able to see that I must fight for the civil and human rights of those that are unable to speak .

God wants to show us what true love looks like. I am thankful for the love of my mother and Luther, best friends Joseph and Tara and the best psychologist I know, Keith.

Love Lesson #2

Your looks may capture me but your intelligence will keep me.......

Life Lesson #1

When your behavior and beliefs are not congruent one has anxiety. per Joseph

Love Lesson #1

Intimacy without love and commitment is empty.......

My Life Unfolded

My Life Unfolded
Our own power has gotten us where we are are now, God desires for us to go further.

Satan wants to discredit us to the world by placing temptations that entice us in front of us/

a good picture day...