POEM: Goodnight, little cousin… rest in peace!
As short as life is, its lessons are long
We learn good from bad, and right from wrong
We take some things for granted; others, we prize
We say hello and sometimes too quickly, goodbye
We go through the motions, grind out the beat
We dance to life’s rhythm; we taste bitters and sweets
Life takes us on highs… and crashes to lows
But through all the trials, we’re eager for more…
There’s something to be said for a smile like yours
One that illuminates the darkness and sings silent chords
There’s a joy to be found in a voice soft and sweet
And inspiration behind a person so unique.
So heart-wrenching the thought of it all thrown away
A life not really yet lived, yet now exists in the grave
Sadly, senseless acts of violence happen every day
We hope that its evil doesn’t make us its prey…
Somehow it got you clenched in its teeth
And all that we’re left with are precious memories
Oh, how I wish you were here baking a cake
To add to family festivities on Christmas Thursday.
The tears will keep coming and the days will seem long
But you’ll live in our hearts and your beat still plays on…
You’ll be missed, Darriel… so caring and sweet
Goodnight, little cousin… rest in peace!
Not good at all…
I feel so bad for Uncle Von right now. His son, Dariel, was murdered in New Orleans on Wednesday; they found his body this morning. I can’t say that I really knew him well. I saw him somewhat regularly when Barry and I started dating back in 97-98, but he was only about 10 or so then so of course I didn’t get to know him very well. The teens didn’t too much “hang” with the kiddos. Since then haven’t seen much of him… last time I saw him was when Talia was a toddler. Barry, however… with them being first cousins, they grew up together.
Dariel was much younger so he kind of grew up under Barry, Avery, Mareo, and all of them. Barry is telling Shug right now – they were around the same age. It’s just so sad how little some people value human life. He was shot execution style. I can’t imagine what the last few moments of his life must have been like. Lord rest his soul… I pray that God comforts Unc… I believe he’s now on his way to identify the body :( That just breaks my heart to even think about it… how it could be any of our children out there running into the wrong situations. The grace of God is all that separates us from being in the same place as those who have fallen victim to bad circumstances.
Please keep the Wilson family in your prayers…
Revelation, in more ways than one…
We went to Bible study last night… between having Zoe 5 months ago and my second job, neither Barry or myself have either been able to go for quite a while but last week we sat down and made a plan and faithful church-and-Bible-study attendance/participation was part of the deal. So, we went.
Back up a bit.
The past few weeks have been pretty trying to say the least. It seemed as though things were good, then people started testing us in various forms. Now, lately, it’s only gotten worse. Becoming so distant to my own church, ministry, and fellowship I had begun to actually FEEL my spirit weakening, becoming thirsty, needing Him. My strength started to break and my patience cracked under all the pressure. I’ve started reacting to people who are testing me in the same negative ways they come at me. Not good. Nooooooot good, folks.
Not to go into detail because the details aren’t really important … these people are only pushing Barry and I closer toward our destiny so little do they know, they “control” NOTHING and they “change” NOTHING in our lives. Anything that comes our way, GOD has allowed, including their PETTINESS… all for good reason. I had lost sight of that through my frustration and am SO glad God brought me back to my senses through the wisdom of our wonderful, anointed Pastor. Rather than fuming about everything that I would love to say (bursting people’s bubbles used to be a much-enjoyed hobby of mine, but I’m NEVER going to be that person regardless of how people do me!) I am simply going to say THANK YOU for giving us the motivation we needed to get rid of our apathy and get back on the grind to achieving our DREAMS – the goals we’ve set through the grace of God and the vision of the plan He’s given us!
Anyway, alllllll that being said, here’s the recap of the lesson last night for those who wish to read on… it is the summary of Revelation and I thank God that we were present for it because it’s exactly the REVELATION that we were seeking!! God has so many better things in store for us once this season has passed; SO STAY TUNED, ‘CAUSE THERE’S MORE TO SEE!!! lol
As the confirmation of Revelation being John’s personal testimony, he says “And I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel showing me these things.” -Revelation 22:8 (MKJV) This tells us that this was not a dream or a vision. He saw these things with his own eyes, heard these things with his own ears so that he could bear witness to what he personally knew to be the truth as revealed to him by the spirit… Revelation was written to the seven churches as a cry out to those who are saved by the blood of the lamb that the WORLD needs the help of God’s chosen… but God can’t use us until we’ve straightened ourselves out first.
Ever heard the saying, “You can’t help anybody else if you can’t help yourself.”? That’s kinda what this means. If you still have JEALOUSY in your heart, you can’t help the world… because you don’t want to help somebody you are jealous of. If you still have HATRED in your heart, you can’t help the world… because you don’t want to help somebody you hate. If you are still SPIRITUALLY APATHETIC, you can’t help the world… because you are neither hot nor cold, but “sometimey” in your spirit and well, you can’t just help the world “sometimes.” If you still have STRIFE in your heart, you can’t help the world… because you can’t help the world on your own terms and you can’t compete with other people on the same team as you! Waywardness is not what God needs from His people – to say that you want the success of God’s Kingdom but that you only want the success of God’s Kingdom if YOU can be leader of the choir… well, that’s strife.
Who has more wrong with them in their heart – the drug addict/alcoholic who enters the church high/drunk seeking the help that even in his drunkenness he knows that Jesus can only provide, or the uppity “church folk” who whisper of how ashamed he should be to stand in that state in the house of the Lord? Think about it. Judgment belongs to the Lord. However, love and compassion is what He has commanded from YOU.
SIDENOTE: BUSINESS does not exempt you from this requirement. Period.
Back on track… John writes this letter to the churches (and keep in mind that WE are the church, not a building or a group of us – each Christian is a part of Christ’s church) urging them to GET IT TOGETHER for the sake of the lost because if WE who are knowledgeable about God’s expectations can’t even clean up ourselves, then we are among the lost! You can hide your shortcomings from the world and leave the world thinking you are something that you’re not (*read that sentence again – it could do you a world of good… pun fully intended lol*) but you cannot hide from God. He knows the things you’ve claimed to quit, but haven’t. He knows the things you’ve claimed you don’t do, but do. He knows the prayers you’ve promised others without intention. He knows every FAKE and LYING element of every fiber of your being and you can’t hide from HIS judgment. John’s reason for this letter to the churches was to warn them NOT to get caught up in, or spotted, by the sin in the world which soooooo many of them (then and still now) had already fallen into while still “posing” as Christians in the church and still believing they had it all together – or acting that way anyway!!
After greeting and warning them, John goes on to explain to them what is going to happen in the world as a result of sin (aspects of God’s judgment – revealed through the seven seals and the seven trumpets):
- Wars and rumors of wars
- Famine in a time of plenty… SIDENOTE: Did you know that 4,000 children ages 12 and under die of hunger in the US every year? Hunger… in the US.
- Mass death… SIDENOTE: Holocaust, tsunamis, 9-11, Katrina, etc.
- Disease… SIDENOTE: Did you know that 1,700 people die every day as a result of complications from the AIDS virus? Did you know that 9,000 people die every day as a result of addictions to drugs and/or alcohol?
John also talks about a vast pollution of the earth… so massive, in fact, that 1/3 of the earth becomes unable to sustain life. He then moves on to the creature deemed the “antichrist” – a servant of Satan who rises to power using miraculous signs and economic threats to turn believers away from loyalty to Christ by convincing them that he will save them. I’ve run out of time as I have to finish getting everyone ready to leave for school, daycare, and work… I suppose my main emphasis is simply to GET IT TOGETHER. Too many, um, so-called “Christians” are doing their good works for self-gratification and don’t stand to glorify God through their lives and the example they set as representatives of Him. Your STATUS in the world doesn’t impress God. Some of the wealthiest and most “successful” people are just as lost as they could be. The sad thing is when you can hop into a relaxing shower in your custom bathroom then cover yourself with expensive fragrance, throw on a $300 shirt and think that covers up the dirt. Some things just aren’t washable without the blood of the lamb.
Have a blessed day… and don’t just ACT like a Christian. Be one.
God has such a great sense of humor…
I had quite an evening… if I didn’t have such a good sense of humor, I’d probably be suicidal! LOL I finished up invoices and stuffed and stamped them here (at work) about a quarter til 5 and had to get it all to the Post Office by 5. I left the post office and went and paid 2 bills. I didn’t realize my gasoline display was on AVERAGE MILES PER GALLON and not DISTANCE TO EMPTY!!!! So I thought I had 26 miles left so I thought to myself, “I will get gas on my way back to the office before I go make the bank deposit.” (I didn’t have it written up or copied when I left and since I have until 6pm to deposit it, I thought I would just wait…) WRONG! I broke down (ran out of gas) on the side of Hwy 33 where they are doing construction so it’s very congested and there is NO side of the highway because they are widening it and there is about a 2′ drop on each side… So I turned my hazard lights on. Even so, EVERYONE WAS STILL HONKING AT ME!! I was like whyyyyy are you honking? I can’t go anywhere LOL!! There is a reason these FLASHY LIGHTS are on and I’m not MOVING after 2 cycles of GREEN LIGHTS and about 5 minutes of being stopped in one place. One word: DUH!!!
So finally 2 men got out and pushed me into a parking lot … bad thing was, I was only 1 block from a gas station! I was so mad haha but I couldn’t do anything but laugh because that’s just so typical of things in my world LOL Barry was in Wal-Mart getting groceries so he had no towers on his phone and couldn’t answer. But, one of our co-workers happened to be still at the shop so he brought me some gas and he pointed out very nicely that I should probably fill my tank up PRIOR to my errands… I was like I HAD NOT THOUGHT OF THAT – GREAT SUGGESTION (rolling eyes) LOL So I filled my tank up (*by the way, I’m loving this $1.97 a gallon thing – I got 255 miles with like 25 bucks and my tank is almost full!*) But, in all of that, I forgot that I intended to do the company bank deposit when I got back from the Post Office… I ended up getting back here about 5:50pm and as soon as I walked in my office, I realized the deposit hadn’t been made – bank closes at 6!!!
I grabbed the checks and a deposit slip, ran a copy of them real quick and bolted out the door, locked it, and made it to the bank AS THE LADY WAS PULLING THE BLINDS DOWN in the drive thru!! I MADE IT! :) Tell me I’m not superwoman LOL!!! Moms can do ANYTHING haha So through all that, I managed to get my bills paid, get the invoices out, fill my tank up, and do the bank deposit all in time LOL I also got myself something to eat on the way back :) I’m gooooood! Me and God were chatting on the side of the highway LOL!!! I was like Lord, I bet you are just realllllly enjoying this, aren’t you? Ya think this is just hilarious, huh? LOL He likes to watch me work my way out of things I think haha Such a kidder, He is. But hey, for all the mistakes I’ve made… I’m sure He’s due some amusement at my expense LOL Fair enough haha
I see more of His favor than anything so I can’t be upset when trials come… And He takes care of me through those too! LOL Soooo that was my evening. I’m back at the office now, finished eating… about to put my things up and be DONE for the day! lol What a life I live LOL!!!
We’re back to burning churches?
This breaks my heart.
Burning of black church ruled arson
Authorities are investigating if it was a hate crime
SPRINGFIELD – The fire that destroyed a church being built for a predominantly black congregation was intentionally set, law enforcement officials said yesterday.
The timing of the fire at the Macedonian Church of God in Christ building early Wednesday morning – just a few hours after Barack Obama’s landmark victory – caused the church’s leader, Bishop Bryant J. Robinson Jr., to question whether it was a hate crime.
But federal and state investigators have not been able to determine from the evidence whether it was a hate crime, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said at a news conference attended by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. All potential motives are being investigated, he said.
“We know it’s arson. We know it’s a very serious crime and we’re going to do everything we can to identify the perpetrator and to prosecute that person or persons responsible,” said Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett.
He said whoever set the fire could face federal charges, depending on what the investigation uncovers.
“Arson is a particularly heinous crime,” said Springfield Police Chief William Fitchet. “And when a church is targeted, it tears at the very fabric of our community. It attempts to destroy the doctrines upon which the Republic is built.”
The church is moving from King Street to a new building on Tinkham Road, which was about 75 percent complete when the structure was set ablaze.
The fire that began shortly after 3 a.m. caused about $2 million in damage, leaving a skeleton of wooden beams and tin roofing surrounded by piles of debris.
Robinson said yesterday that he was burdened by the knowledge that the congregation had been “delayed in the fulfillment of a vision,” but expressed confidence that the church would surmount what he described as a tragedy.
“We have not been denied. We will build that church,” said Robinson, sighing as he leaned on the lectern. “Again.”
Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield extended condolences to Robinson and his congregation and called for a show of public support to “send a message” condemning arson.
Coan declined to say whether authorities had any leads on suspects. The officials did not detail the evidence that led them to suspect that the fire had been intentionally set.
“Let’s move forward from today and collectively solve this horrific crime,” said Coan, who encouraged the public to contact local police or the Arson Hotline, 1-800-682-9229, with any information. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered for clues to solving the case.
State Police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are assisting local police and the state fire marshal in the investigation.
Life with Jesus…
At some point, as Christians, we all realized a time in our lives when our world was void of God… missing His purpose for us as well as his teachings and in turn missing His blessings! To go a step further, many of us have also realized that regardless of all the Bible studies and church sermons and “God things” we fill our lives with, we still are not living our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him… whether it be that we are not faithful to Him, don’t have significant faith in Him (and those are two entirely separate concepts, so please don’t confuse one with the other!); whether we are not obedient, don’t exhibit love and understanding and compassion, are not living to minister His good news to others, backbiting, lusting, gossiping, or just plainly making the same simple mistakes over and over; whatever the problem is, it’s time to realize that speaking of Him and making His Word align with our lives is not going to cut it. A life like that is NOT a life with Jesus.
God’s Word is not to be compromised – it is YOUR LIFE that should compromise in order to align with His Word, not the other way around. Will we all always fall short? Definitely. Will we all always make careless mistakes, say things we don’t mean, and miss the mark with opportunities He’s given us? Of course. Will we ever be perfect? Nope. Never. There is a huge difference in acting and being. Many people do a great job of acting the part – only God knows who is actually up for the challenge and who is LIVING a life up to par with HIS standards… Who else knows? YOU! You know if you are acting or being. However, in our world today it seems as though as long as we convince others we are “being” that ends up being acceptable for us. Uh, uh, uh… If you spend your time trying to create an image before others, you are only wasting your time and you are ignoring the One in your life who actually matters – the Lord.
Am I perfect? Hahahaaaahahahahaaaa!!! Oh, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. That is a hyterical question LOL Noooooot by ANY means am I anywhere near being perfect. What makes me comfortable with that? Well, I suppose my willingness to evaluate and reevaluate myself, admit when I’m wrong, repent, learn, and move forward knowing that I will make more mistakes but committed to learning from each of them all the while continuing to move forward in Him! Oh, boy… Have I ever cheated? Stolen? Cursed? Broken a law? Been dishonest? Hurt someone intentionally? Been selfish? Acted out of hatred, greed, envy, or anger? SURE I HAVE! Proud of any of that? Not at all. Ashamed of who I am. Not at all. God has given me opportunities to grow and I am thankful for them. Some of His tests I passed… many I failed, miserably. The point is that when we fall flat on our bums, we have to seek Him and let Him be our guide as to how long we should stay down, how we should get up, and where we should go from “here”…
THAT, my friends, is a life with Jesus. A life of comfort and peace, confidence and help, love and learning, mistakes and repentance, acceptance of who we are as well as acceptance of others and the decisions they make, a life spent loving everyone no matter what – and not judging them, but embracing them along with their flaws, sins, and misunderstandings and LOVING God into them! Talking at people about God doesn’t help them love Him… being human, living a REAL life full of pains, joys, frustrations, excitement, tears, laughter – a full life… a life of abundance and scarcity, a life with ups and downs… a life in which a significant amount of time is spent in prayer, leaning on God, and trusting Him to carry us when we are too weary to walk as well as trusting Him to carry others. We cannot save people. God never left us with that responsibility – He sent us a savior… a pure, perfect savior. The only thing He asked from us is that we believe in Him – that we trust Him and live a life of FAITH. He asked of us not that we be PERFECT, but that we have a desire to be obedient because of our faith and that we do our best to follow Him. He asked that WHEN – not IF, but WHEN – we mess up, that we apologize and allow Him to forgive us – BUT that we must forgive others in order for Him to do so. He asked that because of our faith, that we live a life driven by LOVE – not judgment or arrogance.
Simple enough. So, in the words of Martin Lawrence, “What the pro’lem is??”
This just absolutely makes me sick…
DAYTON — University of Dayton officials said Tuesday, Aug. 5, they are considering charging student Justin Schaffer for a violation of the Standards of Behavior for posting offensive information on his Facebook page. The 19-year-old son of Republican Senate candidate Bob Schaffer of Colorado on Monday apologized for an entry that had the words “High Five … Who’s Gay” over a photo of a waving Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. It also had a picture of the Pyramids with the words “Slavery Gets (expletive) Done.”
A Marianna, Fla., middle-school teacher has been suspended for 10 days without pay after he wrote a racially charged interpretation of a commonly used phrase in the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama. Howard wrote an acronym with an explanation on a dry-erase board in his class Sept. 26 at Marianna Middle School. It said, “C.H.A.N.G.E. — Come Help A (N-word) Get Elected.”
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???????????
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