Really now?

A couple days ago I read an article clearly written by someone who was hurt by and bitter against the church. It was entitled How Black Churches Keep African American Women Single and Lonely. There were so many things in that article that were against the Word that it makes my head spin, mostly due to the fact that this woman is not a Christian. That makes me wonder why wrote the article at all. There are standards that we live by and they are biblical.

So I guess you can call this my critique of the article. First of all, if you are attending a church and finding a husband there is one of your top reasons for going you’re on the wrong track. You go to church for instruction, motivation, alignment, fellowship and most importantly worship. Church is not a dating service. I’m sure many people have met their mates at church because, well there’s a common interest there. Why not? It’s just like someone who meets someone at work or the gym. Common interest. Whereas you may not necessarily go there looking for someone, you may just end up meeting them there. Secondly, I do believe that if that is your reason for going to a church then yes you will end up depressed because you’re missing the point. That’s like eating an apple and expecting it to taste like a banana. You will definitely be disappointed.

I believe this is the reason Paul said I would rather you were able to be single like me because your interests are divided. People get so distracted trying to catch someone they’re not able to do the work of the kingdom. That’s why people don’t care about the world that is dying and hungry. Too busy trying to look for someone to ‘complete’ them. God is the complete you. Your husband or wife is not the missing link. They are an added bonus. Talk to a married couple and let them tell you. You can still feel lonely with someone lying next to you.

Finally, I’m getting to the last straw of people trying to figure out why there are so many unmarried Black women. If its not our fault it’s the Black man’s fault or the church’s fault or White women’s fault. I really don’t care who’s fault it is. When it comes down to it all I can do is be who I am supposed be. What I care about is if my life is pleasing to God. And I stand on the Word that says God knows the desires of my heart and if I continue to be diligent that I will receive those things and more.

ya kno?

So I was on facebook and a 'friend' of mine posted a youtube video where a singer was talking about Christians singing secular music. This friend and I have had this discussion many times before. Mainly because he wants to sing and he doesn't under any circumstance want to sing gospel. My question is why not? His is answer is that he wants to sing love songs. Is that sooo wrong? I try not to get all caught up with peoples' perceptions of right and wrong. My conviction comes from the Word and the Holy Spirit. But what I told him is that if you love the Lord, why wouldn't you want to worship? And for me secular music just doesn't help me get from day to day. Those are just some things I don't think about on a daily basis and I LOVE music.

Now on this particular youtube video the singer used the book Songs of Solomon as his reasoning for God being just fine with love songs. Well, as far as I know Solomon was married when he talked about his beloved and his lover. I'm not married. To be honest, I have a hard time reading Songs of Solomon. But I know whats in there and its beautiful. I'm sure when I get married I'll be reading it all the time. Same goes for love songs. I'm not gonna meditate on someone singing about their love for their spouse (if they're married) or their lust for someone else (if they're not). While on the subject of Solomon, if we're using him as an example: wasn't he the one that had all these other wives that turned his heart after other gods? I mean what was he meditating on? I'm just sayin.

I remember I used to be OK with listening to secular music because I was really trying to appreciate the musicality of it all. Then music got stupid and untalented. Now even when I try to go back to my old favs its just not the same. You almost gotta decipher where they're coming from. Artists can be really out there sometimes. And it may not be somewhere you wanna be. For instance I just heard one of my old favorite artists call God a she. I just don't believe that. How can I bypass that and listen to it anyway? I tried and then I just couldn't.

Now I'm not gonna say anyone is wrong or cool for listening to secular music. I'm saying how does it help you? And if you're a Christian, how does it help you stay saved? Now this particular artist in no way convinced me to pull out my old Jill Scott and start bumpin it 24/7. I gotta keep my mind clear. Nor will I condemn anyone if thats what they want to listen to. But I do feel like that music doesn't help me grow spiritually. Yeah, I can totally get with Jill sometimes. She talks about some real stuff. And sometimes I just really can't.

So in conclusion because I could go on all day, I think of this verse Faith comes by hearing, and by hearing the Word of God Romans 10:17. Whatever you are hearing and hearing will become what you believe in.

rotten

I think about how spoiled we are these days. My air has gone hay-wire and the upstairs of my apt is like a gym. I got in the car this morning and blasted the air. Looking at Milyaka I said, "Remember when people were used to sweating?" Granted, I don't think it was triple digit weather back then. But today we go from air conditioned room to air conditioned room and can't stand being in the heat for 2 minutes. I thank God for technology, but its made us very spoiled.

We feel so entitled to have things. Talking to a friend about why certain things aren't happening in his life despite his hard working efforts made me realize that he felt like some things should just fall into place. An A for effort. But in reality, you don't just get an A for the effort. You get an A when you have prepared and effectively put the answers in the right place.

I was just talking to Milyaka last night about this same thing and she made it more concrete for me. She said, "People think being spoiled is material and getting everything you want in gifts. But really its thinking that you are owed what you want." I've just began to realize that this is an ultimate source of unhappiness. Its like we have forgotten that we come into the world with nothing and everyone has to work for what they have. Whether that means putting your foot to the grindstone, having difficult conversations that you don't really want to have or sacrificing what you want in order to show someone else love.

For us Christians its like we forgot the Word says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." I believe thats in Job. I'll look it up.... Hold on......Ok here it is...I was wrong its Psalms 34:19. Anyway, the part we seem to concentrate on are the afflictions. Not that we are righteous, nor that God delivers us out of them all. And you know what? When stop you stop feeling so entitled, you begin feeling grateful and thats when you begin to see things fall into place.

just a thought

I met a guy once on the plane from VA to Memphis. I remembering seeing him in the airport. I'm not sure who started the convo, but me knowing me I'm pretty sure he did. He told me he was going to visit his girlfriend and so we didn't get any of each others information. I just remember that was a great conversation because I don't talk to strangers on planes. From time to time I just think about him.

admission

I....am.... a product junkie. I will be glad when I actually finish a jar of something other than conditioner. But I can hardly contain myself from trying new ones. I saw yesterday that Trade Secret was having a half off sale. It's sad. So I'm sitting here watching One Tree Hill and I'm about to do my hair so I'm trying to use 2 or 3 things at once.

true love

My friend and I just finished watching a movie called Timer. I first saw the preview on Hulu and then found it on my new fav site Netflix. Awesome concept of a movie. It takes the match.com phenomenon to another level. This company thats looks like a cross between a t-mobile store and an Apple store where you can go and get this timer implanted on your wrist to tell you exactly when you will meet your soul mate. The main character's timer is blank which means her soul mate hasn't gotten his timer yet. Which kinda makes her crazy wondering when and where he is.

So it kinda got us thinking...if you could know when you would meet the ONE, would you want to? And even if you do know, you could still definitely screw it up by not being open to loving someone. I think of characters like Joan from Girlfriends who had chance after chance after chance and she still managed to mess things up by being desperate or jealous. She was the perpetual single girl and after a while i was like please just find somebody!

Also I'm wondering can you be just too picky. I mean I know what I want and some things I'm not really willing to compromise on. Height....I know thats a soft spot for some men, sorry. Relationship with the Lord, I just can't have the same fight again and again. And when it comes to beliefs its a struggle if the person you want to be with doesn't know what your talking about.

I would love to see some options...Trust me, I haven't seen any. Cole actually suggested I practice my flirting. I know how to use the tools when the time comes. I just don't want to waste those tools on someone I wouldn't normally give the time of day. Nor do I want to get someone's hopes up, thinking there's something there when there's not. I like to be very clear on my intentions. If I like you then you'll know.

night time

I'm so bad at routine, thats probably why I write here so randomly. I'm good at random. Well, my first attempt at a roller set with perm rods was a complete fail. Mostly because my hooded dryer is broken and I really have no idea what I'm doing. I figure the more I practice and when i replace my dryer it will finally work out. I was gonna try those 3-strand twists, but I'm tired. The only reason why I haven't passed out yet is because I'm nosy. I had to get on facebook, finish watching this movie I started earlier on Netflix and talk to my bff's. On top of that, I got into facebook stalking and you just never know where thats gonna take you. So yeah, I'm fighting to keep my eyes open and that's all I got for now.

This is my new and I totally plan to get it very soon even though I won't be able to wear it until the fall. And believe me it looks even better on me. Plus I have a bangin leather skirt to wear it with. I passed it up the first time and it came back to me! Now tell that ain't meant to be....

Random

so for the past couple days or shall I say weeks, I've been working like a maniac. I'm in retail if you didn't know and we had a floorset that was supposed to be over at midnight and I got out at 3:30. Then I had to be back at work at 9am. I was definitely praying on the way to work not to crash. I somehow made it through the day, chatted with Cole for a few mins and proceeded to pass out until about 1am. Which brings me to why I'm up at nearly 4am blogging.

On my last off day that I didn't post because I pretty much forgot what I was gonna say, I think I was doing my hair. Thats my new hobby and obsession. I'm trying to rock this natural thing for real now. I was faking before because I would always wear it straight. So since I'm up, I found myself on youtube watching natural hair videos trying to get some ideas. I'm also trying to figure out if I will get up and get something to eat.

Anyway, I think I'm gonna try 3-strand twists on my hair. Everyone talks about the 2 strand twist and for some reason parts of my hair still want to be straight. Its probably from all those years of faking it. I mean I wasn't getting a relaxer but it was never in its natural state. And to tell the truth if you look at pics when my hair was relaxed and then when it was natural, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But it feels different to the touch. Its much softer now, I wouldn't go back. Not even for the convenience of it. So I'm thinking if I do the 3 strand it may come out curly as I want it.

Hopefully I can get to sleep soon because I want to be able to enjoy some of my day off. Maybe if I eat something it will help. A grumbling stomach does not help you sleep at all.

Became a recent member of Netflix. Love it. No more viruses trying to watch illegal movies. Which I should of known better anyway. When you're accountable to the Lord anything you try to do out of the will, you get caught. At least I do. I can't step outta bounds for nothing. That's cool with me though. As for Netflix, I watched Sparkle. definitely a classic. Its just one of those movies that remind me of my childhood. I probably should have never watched this movie as much as I did, but nonetheless it has some great lessons in it. And for some reason just between me and you, it makes me think of candy....always has and it makes me hungry. I know...real fat. I'll take it.

I'm just gonna end this post right here because I think I can go on for awhile making twists and turns in the conversation and I'll probably lose you so hopefully it won't be too long until my next post.

Testimony

Telling my testimony always ends up making me feel retrospective. I would every time I tell someone, that I learn something new as well. I re-read my journal from college and whats crazy is that even though technically I was there, it was like an out of body experience. I feel and think completely different now.

It is a blessing that you can do a complete 180. People can look at you now and not picture you doing the things that were so common to you once upon a time. I can't say that I was the wildest person, but the change that happened was inside more than anything. The change was in my thoughts, my moods, how I felt about my surroundings. All of those inner workings made a tremendous difference in my life.

These are some things I want implement into my life this year:

1. Learn to become an obsessive saver. My savings needs to become fat by the end of the year.
2. Become an obsessive blogger. I think I'm doing pretty well by blogging two days in a row.
3. Become an obsessive neat freak. Its just never been a habit. I don't I'm a slob, just tired and a lil disorganized.
4. Become more concerned about spending time with others. I usually just hang with who comes to me. Now my fam wants to talk about me. But you know what? Thats a two-way street people. Two- way!
5. Become obsessed with paying my bills. Good for my credit.

Gotta talk about this one

So I'd been hearing all this buzz about the new Boondocks episode. First if you don't watch the Boondocks you gotta know that its satire. Meaning that it exposes truths using sarcasm, irony, humor and pretty much making it so offensive it cannot be ignored. Now the Boondocks was taken off the air for a while because of some of its subject matter. I believe it was the episode that portrayed BET as a weapon to destroy all Black people. I've wondered that myself sometimes. With shows like Tiny and Toya, its not giving us a lot to aspire to. Maybe you too can get knocked up by a rapper and get your own TV show. Then you will be successful......

Anyway, this particular episode the Target happens to be a Tyler Perryesque character. He pretty much uses Jesus to create this genre of theater and film in order to get men to sleep with him. Now I don't know about the gay part with Tyler Perry. I've had my suspicions like everyone else, but I have been saying for years that Tyler is just pimpin Christians and churches for ticket sales when neither his films nor movies have been godly for years or ever really. They merely give the image of going in the direction of Christ but don't see it through to the end.

I tried to give him a chance guys. My last attempt was Why Did I get Married Too? I can't tell you how furious I was walking out of the theater. I felt completely cheated. It was as if Perry threw something together because the sequel was highly anticipated and he knew the ticket sales would come flooding in. It was extremely wack, full of unnecessary drama and left with no real ending, but whatever. And I would probably wouldn't have been so hard on Tyler if he was just presenting himself as a black film maker, but he said he was representing for Christians. I have to hold him at a different standard.

I realized while watching this episode of the Boondocks that 1) People need to recognize a fake. Even outside the church they can see Perry is not genuine. 2) There is no real reverence for the church or Christ. He's a punchline, a means to an end. It truly saddens me.

I still believe that people will miss a lot of what this episode had to say. Not only was it presenting that Tyler Perry is gay, but people will still do anything to be rich and famous. To fulfill their own selfish desires they will use God or create their own religion. One of the characters even said and I'm paraphrasing, I'm tired of where I am. I wanna be famous and if that means I have to degrade myself, I'll do it. What will it take for people to see the light?

Surrounded by love

I've just been so overwhelmed by my friends in the past couple weeks. I wasn' t even tripping about Valentine's day but then I got a package in the mail from Tiff. A big box of assorted V-day candy, a card and a cd. It was awesome. Then yesterday Cole got me my very own Ipod touch! That's been on my wishlist for a very long time. Today I felt terrible and I jus felt the concern from all my girls. Now its not all about the gifts although I love to get em. They don't have to get me anything. And even though I am not in a relationship right now I don't feel cheated because of all of them. Oh it's emotional people.....

What I would do for a sewing machine

I have for years wanted a skirt or something that looks like this.... Thats just a great outfit. She makes me want to step up my game. Of course I have promised that I wouldn't shop, BUT I have the pattern for this exact skirt. Along with a button up shirt that I could make over and over and never run out of white shirts! But alas I don' t have a sewing machine. Anyone willing to donate, my arms are open for a Singer.

Making the Crooked ways straight

So my newest adventure is dealing with some foreign things in my mouth. I got braces. Something I've been wanting since I was 10. And boy was I re-thinking this decision yesterday and it was only day 2. I got the invisalign braces which means you can't tell by looking, but there is definitely a change in my speech. The hardest part was first dealing with the pain of having them squeeze my teeth, then taking them out to eat and they hurt worse after putting them back in.

It has put an end to my snacking. I gotta plan meals out now. I hope this doesn't cause me to lose more weight. I can't afford it! But I thought I was more pain tolerant than this. Am I being a punk? I'll just suck it up for this life long dream of having a perfect smile.

When I was younger I wouldn't show teeth at all in some of my pics leading to some of the worst pics you've ever seen. Then in high school I figured out that it didn't work so I just began smiling, gaps and all. I'd become comfortable with it after a while, but when the opportunity arose to change my situation I took it.

So here I am today, trying not to get addicted to pain killers, planning my next meal and sucking up the pain.

On this day

Got off of work this morning at 4am. That was the plan, but I just wanted to get out early. Really happy about the way the floorset went. That's what we were doing there last night. We got everything done, everyone stuck to their assignments. The thing about being the point person is that you are expected to do dual roles. You have to finish your work and tell everyone what to do, all while being prepared to be interrupted millions of times. All in all it was a success because we finished everything in the allotted time. I don't think I've ever seen that in all my days of retail.

So today, after sleeping until 1 pm I still haven't done anything thing I planned to do besides writing this blog and cooking myself a humongous breakfast in the afternoon. So I think now I shall go put some clothes in the wash, tidy up a bit and go to my moms.

There are some things on my mind that I would like to share, but I'm gonna hold off on that for now. And with this post I have succeeded my blogging from last year! So here's to many more. I'll tell you one thing though. Be careful what you say!

What is your gift?

I was having a conversation with my friend the other day about what we want to do with the rest of our lives. We were talking about the career goals we have. I said, “I can do a lot it’s just whether I want to use my gifts or not.” I received my degree in marketing and I am still very intrigued with business. And she said, “I thought you wanted to design.” I just don’t know if I want to have to create something on schedule. I do draw. I’ve even considered going to design school. I also sing, but I don’t wanna be a singer. She asked this thought provoking question: Do gifts have to be used where they are seen? So I decided to ponder this question for myself because I don’t know any of y’all.

Well my personal view on gifts is that they should be used to glorify the Lord and not ourselves. That’s one of the reasons I’ve never wanted to be famous. I know many people who can sing and then are asked, ‘Why aren’t you on the praise team or choir?’ myself included. Don’t get me wrong, I love to sing and I love music. But does everyone need to hear me? I have a friend who is wonderfully anointed at leading praise and worship, but I think that may be all people would see when they look at her. I think people get tired of being exploited for their gifts. But that’s not my case.

I’ve never really taken the time to develop the natural gifts I have. I just simply do…or don’t. Now the Bible says to use your gifts to help others. I know this because I just looked it up. 1 Peter 4:10. Sidebar: I wonder if celebrities think they are helping others…then again that may not be their motivation.

Back to me: Perhaps I simply want to sing for my own enjoyment or just as worship. Or dance in my living room. How worse off would the world be if we had never heard or seen Michael Jackson? I guess we would never know. It’s almost like that ‘if a tree falls and no one is around to hear it’ riddle. You still have a gift, whether people know it or not. I think what is important is that the right people get to see it. Those who you are supposed to help achieve their next level should experience your gifting. At the end of the day we are all people who want to be special and unique. Just because your gift isn’t on a stage doesn’t mean it’s not special.

Ready for the Weekend

I'm really not though. Because the weekends are not weekends for me. I'm never off and it will be a while until I do have a real weekend off. Two of our lower managers have put in their notice. Which equates to more work for me. I'm off tomorrow but I just know I will be receiving a phone call. Those are the breaks.

And now I'm looking forward to a real grown up move. Buying a house! And for some reason I never really planned for this, but its happening. Just like graduating from college. Its kind of just the natural progression. I am looking forward to decorating a whole house. Even though I've never been the decorator type. Thats more my mom and sister. I have a fashion, but interior decorating is a whole other genre.

this new sleep schedule

Sometime somewhere I got used to staying up late and now I can't go to sleep before 1am. Yet I can't do anything productive while I'm up because I just know I should be asleep.

Back to the grind....

My vacation is officially over. Back to working every weekend, dealing with some range of craziness and resisting the daily temptation of shopping at my store. I just realized that I'm probably one of those people I get mad at for not answering the phone or returning phone calls. There a few that I have yet to return today. Whoops.... But this is why. I don't like talking on the phone when I'm in the car with people or at someone's house. I also don't like calling people I want to talk to when I know I'm not going to have enough time to actually talk to them. And there is the occasional case of forgetfulness.... ah well.

Back to work now. I found out today that I have a new assignment starting as soon as I get back. I really have to tighten up my organizational skills. Perhaps that will be my reason to blog. I think I mascaraed as a person who is organized but I'm not really. I want to be organized to the point where people can pick up where I left off and not be lost. Where I know how to time things out and do them efficiently. Where does that begin? Its all in preparation. So I think I'm good for starting out even thinking about this. Now I gotta put this into practice.

Randomly, this night owl thing is starting to get old for me. I like to be up early. I know I'll get more things done if I start early, but I never do get up. Sleep almost always takes priority. And I really don't like to be rushed getting dressed even though I don't take very long. Then I wait too long to leave the house because I like my house and I just don't want to leave.

Well that was therapeutic! The first step to recovery is admitting to the world you have a problem. And if you can't tell, I do have a problem. Think healing thoughts and pray for my recovery.