Sunday, December 18, 2005

Speakin My Mind

Greetings blog fam...

Pimpin Preachas
Did ya'll hear Michael Baisden's show about Pimps in the pulpit??? Well neither did I, but I intended to...lol (You know what they say about intentions) N e way tho I've given the concept a whole bunch of thought. I have to agree that indeed there are "pimps" in the proverbial pulpit. When I say pimps of course I don't mean in the literal sense, not saying that that is impossible, but preachers or so called men of God that pimp the people. Pimp the people for money, prestige, and favors (sexual or otherwise.) I think a major problem lies in the vunerability of those looking for God or a spiritual "experience."The desire of people to "feel" a certain way in this endeavor creates a major opportunity for manipulation. All a person has to do these days is memorize the right scriptures, the way to quote them, maybe sing a good song or two and tell people what they want to hear..and bam! the pimping can begin. Many preachers "pimp" their congregations into "sowing" exorbitant amounts of money into the "ministry" as ways to assure that God will hear them, as a way to exercise faith. I don't disagree that believers ought to tithe and give offering and that the preacher is worthy of highest pay...but some of this has gotten out of hand. I remember seeing a preacher on tv...he said to call and he'd send a package for free. I was going through something and was vunerable. I called and what he sent was a vile of "miracle water" that I was to use some way or another (I now forget) to get the blessing or deliverance that I desired...BUT, before I could open the vile, I had to send a monetary "seed" of faith of something like $25. I just threw it away, but it aggravated me.

Another example, I met a guy...I was sold on him because I was waiting for a "man of God." He did and said everything to convince me that he was just that. Once he had reeled me in, he became aggressive sexually. It threw me for a loop. It wasn't that neither of us had had sex before, but he had represented himself like he was celibate...I believed that our intentions were to remain that way. I was really damaged by the fact that I'd trusted him. It may sound laughable to you, but I know that true men of God exist that stand by their word and on the Word of God.
So this isn't to say that everyone who preaches is wrong..it's just to affirm that they all aren't right. We as lay-people ought not assume that because a person stands in the pulpit or wears a priest get up that they represent God. It is up to us to be cautious, vigilant, and prayerful...to ask God if the messenger is His own, to look at the Word of God and test what is being said AND done. I personally think Michael Baisden has a beef with the church...but the church is an institution that represents something. But it isn't the institution or the corrupt folx that matter...it is a true relationship with God. Namean??

OOOH I's Gon' b an Auntie!!!
I am so excited!! My brother's girl is having a baby (am I gon' get in trouble 4 posting that?) I hope not...daddy been knew..lol. Anyway I haven't been this excited since my own! I been keeping it in but I'm 'bout to bubble over. I'm so excited about having her (Rina) as a sister and her sister too. After some drama in my marriage the only sister I had (my in law) was prohibited...lol...from seeing me anymore. My heart was broke. I used to cry everytime I thought about it and her. But God has blessed me with two new sisters and I couldn't be happier! Also my child hood friend Danielle is expecting and my other girlfriend (whose name I can't say) She specifically forbade me from blogging about it. hehehe! So I'm gonna be an auntie 3x over! I can't wait to kiss their little fingers n toes!! And guess what ya'll...I have been asked to plan all three showers!!! I am so flattered and excited...it's gon' be so memorable. So pray for healthy babies...I am.

Check up on it!
Let me tell you what ya'll need to check up on....
Beyonce's new song and video "Check on it"
http://music.yahoo.com/promos/premieres/
As soon as I heard the song I sent an email to my croonies like...listen to this hotness...lmbo @ hottness. Then I saw the video and once again I have another reason to be absolutely enamored with my girl B.Carter, Mama B, Beju...whateva u wanna call her...that's my girl. She inspires me to get my stuff str8.(I was almost gon' tell you way too much personal information...whew, glad I caught myself) Trina's thinkin..."Oh god Chan" And Ivan lemme tell you..remember that dance I told u I was choregraphing??? Look at the video, girlfriend is helping a sista out. hehehe Ne way she is doing the dag on thing...hate if you want...but in the back of your mind you thinking...Dang Beyonce is fly...lol
btw, if you didn't know yahoo launchcast was tha bomb...you betta ask somebody!

FIVE BELOW
Listen here...and listen good. I might be late...but if you have a five below in your vicinity..... RUN to it! I walked in the store today...and I'm not sure what my face looked like, but the store associate quickly said to me, "Is this your first time here?"...all I could say was "mmhmm" Hehehe. Everything in the store is $5 or below (hence the name) and they have a bunch of fun stuff in there. Today I bought 39 items....wonder how many items I'ma buy next week.

Alrite lemme go...I got more to talk to ya'll about later. I hope you are enjoying tha season!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

I've been gone

Hey everybody!!
If you been praying for me to move...good news, I'm in another place. I been away getting settled and trying to get back online to check in with you all. Thanx for all the comments on my last post, I just had to get some things off my chest...lol

But I'm all better now. I'm gonna rep Christ, but to each it's own.
I'm still prepping for the season. I'm happy. Sending cards to folx I haven't seen in a long time, planning to visit my pops at his new crib and having a get together with my peeps. Exciting stuff.

By the way...what do you want for christmas???
What two things do you want most?
1 thing that is fantasy and another that is feasible?
I'd say that my fantasy gift would be to record with D'angelo or Beyonce'.
My more feasible gift would be, well this song might sum it up..."it's so good, loving somebody...when somebody loves you back!"
hehe...
But on the real my Christmas will be happy..if my kids are happy and healthy and all my loved ones are well.

I'll be back, sorry I was away so long!

smooches!!

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Officially the Season!!


For those of you who don't know me personally...Christmas time is magical to me. My parents created a quiet frenzy around the holiday that has never ceased inside of me. So opposed to many of you scrooges out there..I am elated!
My girls and I will be hitting up whatever hot spots (ie..the places with the sales..lol) tryna make Christmas happen. I think the most amazing part of the shopping..is the time we spend together. I mean I shop alone..but get me and Trina and Dan together...whew u better watch out! lol
On black Friday...I almost passed out in the mall because I hadn't slept for 24 hours or eaten for 12. But I was determined...lol
Oh and ps...Treen, I'm so mad that I missed the gallery!!

But for real tho
Let me speak my mind a little...more frank than normal. I am honest with you all about my faith, but I try not to be too incorrect politically.
Oh well....
There is talk now of some states changing the name of the Christmas tree to the Holiday tree. This is happening because some people feel "left out."
I'm sorry to say this but...so what!
When Hannukah comes around...I feel left out. But so what? I am not a Jew. When Ramadan comes through...I'm left out. (Even tho that's kinda okay for me, with all that fasting...lol) But so what...I'm not a muslim.
So what that unbelievers feel left out. America so widely celebrates Christmas because this nation was founded on Christian ideals...maybe not Christian behaviors...but at least a basic belief in Christ.
So today we celebrate a watered down Christmas...but CHRISTmas never the less. But Santa hasn't stolen enough of the Lord's shine...now we gotta take Christ off the tree?... (which by the way was never really a Christian symbol) I'm pissed off! Yeah I said it. I'm down right angry.
Christians...that is followers of Jesus Christ in general are a joke.
We aren't taken seriously, when we stand on what God says...we are called bigots and intolerant. When we say there is one truth we are considered nieve and closed minded. It is said that we have faith in an antiquated old book manipulated by white men....
But our holidays? Those most precious and hallowed?
We have allowed the world to encroach upon...to steal the holiness...to attempt to erase the real meaning of Christmas...(and even Easter.)

Well...I may not be able to do much besides pray, vote.But I will spare not and cry LOUD....If you feel left out..it is because you are!
BUT, you choose to be.
Christ was born, lived, died, and rose again...and is alive today so that we can live a free and abundant life. This world is perverse and things aren't always gonna be perfect..whether you are a Christian or an agnostic...but what I have is the hope beyond my troubles of Jesus Christ.
What we all have is the unmerited and unconditional love of the Lord...but everything else is up to us.
I'll be blogging throughout the holiday season, but I just wanted to kick it off...letting you know where I stand.

I love you all and be blessed!!