Over 55 Years Old & Looking To Volunteer?

Join Experience Corps, an award-winning national program, engages people over 55 in meeting their communities' greatest challenges. 2,000 Experience Corps members tutor and mentor in 19 cities across the country, providing literacy coaching, homework help, consistent role models and committed and caring attention. 

Volunteers receive a $1400 educational award to use or give to a loved one after volunteering 450 hours by spending 15 volunteer hours per week at a school. The program is in over 22 schools in Baltimore City.

Independent research shows that Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-service organizations become more successful, and enhances the well-being of older adults in the process.

For more information, visit http://www.experiencecorps.org/index.cfm

Food for thought: Optimists vs Pessimists

Pessimists see the glass as half empty, optimists see the glass as half full. Which one are you? Does it depend on the situation, your mood or other extenuating circumstances? Regardless of the situation or how bleak the prospect seems, be encouraged and strive to be an optimist!

The End Of The Road - Divorce

Assuming you have been to counseling and tried everything but you can’t continue to live with your spouse, then divorce is may be the solution. Divorce causes physical, mental and financial fallout. Many years of marriage conjure feelings of failure, anger, hurt but don’t go for the jugular to destroy your soon to be ex-spouse. Focus on what your vision of separation is. It may be peace, solitude, financial independence or anything else. That is the vision that will keep you going as you work through your separation and divorce.

Work out your frustrations by talking to friends, writing in a journal, eating healthy and exercising. According to Attorney Neil Hursh, the best thing you can do is to leave the past in the past. You can't go back and undo the things you did, so this advice is best. Attorney karl kuenhold advises that one should remember that you once loved the person, so there's something or many things good about them though you may not be able to see that right now.

Also, we all know breaking up is not easy and some situations may get out of control, so do it a public place where violence is less of an option or even if there is, it will be minimal. Be apathetic and say something nice like, "You are a wonderful person but this isn’t working out."

Things go downhill when lawyers get involved so try to work things out together without a third party. If that doesn’t work, try an arbitrator and if that doesn’t work, the last resort would be attorneys. I would say though you might be tempted to get an attorney that's a shark to "take your spouse to the cleaners and destroy them." However, I would advise that you reconsider this stance if you have children together.

Remember that though in different degrees, divorce ultimately traumatizes all parties involved, so do everyone a favor by doing the best you can to be kind in words and deeds during and after the process.

Postrate Cancer Is A Man Thing

My father had Postrate Cancer. He survived, but men die daily from it. 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with postrate cancer in their lifetime. More than 27,000 men will die from postrate cancer in 2008. African American men have the highest incidence of developing postrate cancer. Early screening is the best defense against Postrate Cancer.

My Sister's Keeper

I was watching the Tyra Banks show today and the topic was about sisters who don't get along due to a myriad of issues including sibbling rivalry, men, drug addiction, competition and plain old jealousy.

Having sisters myself, I could relate on so many levels. Sisterhood is an energy that if harnessed in the right way can do immense good in the world. Nothing can uplift or deflate a woman's sense of self like a relationship with her sisters. However, many times we don't use this power for the good it could be use for.

My Sister's Keeper is an image created by master Artist Charles Bibbs in support of the Scholarship raising efforts of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Eta Pi Lambda Chapter's Manly Deeds Scholarship Foundation.

This special edition painting is a keepsake to be treasured always.

Enjoy!

~My Prayer During Breast Cancer~

Lord, I have just received the diagnosis of breast cancer

Still my anxious heart I seek to understand why

Teach me to transform my suffering into growth

My great fear of tomorrow into faith in your presence

My tears into understanding

My discouragement into courage

My anger into forgiveness

My bitterness into acceptance

My experience with cancer into my testimony and

My crisis into a platform on which I can learn to help others

God grant that one day I can embrace this time

As my friend, and not as my enemy

Written By Judy Kneece, RN, ONC

Stop worrying, Psalm 21 says you will be just fine!

With all that's going on the such as the foreclosure crisis, the financial crisis, the economic crisis and every other crises you can think of, be assured that if you are in relationship with God, you will be just fine. Have a great weekend!

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ---- that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ----- that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ----- that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death-----that's testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ----- that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies--
that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!
My cup runneth ov er ----- that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life-- that's Blessing!
And I will ! dwell in the house of the Lord ----- that's Security!
Forever ----- that's Eternity!

A Joke To Make You Laugh!

In these stressful times, humor is one of the best ways to relax ,recharge and start to work even harder to succeed. This joke is to get you smiling!

MENTAL HOSPITAL PHONE MENU :

Hello, and thank you for calling The State Mental Hospital.

Please select from the following options menu:

If you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.

If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.

If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want,
stay on the line so we can trace your call.

If you are delusional, press 7 and
your call will be forwarded to the Mother Ship.

If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully
and a little voice will tell You which number to press.

If you are manic-depressive, hang up.
It doesn't matter which number you press,
nothing will make you happy anyway.

If you are dyslexic, press 9-6-9-6.

If you are bipolar, please leave a message after the beep
or before the beep or after the beep.
But Please wait for the beep.

If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

If you have low self-esteem, please hang up.
Our operators are too busy to talk with you.

If you are menopausal, put the gun down,
hang up, turn on the fan, lie down and cry.
You won't be crazy forever.

If you are blonde, don't press any buttons.
You'll just mess it up.

This coming week is
National Mental Health Care week.
You can do your part by remembering
to contact at least one unstable person to show you care.

(Well, my job is done . Your turn!)

First Class Singles Part I

Cheryl Martin is an accomplished media personality who gave this sermon at Set The Captives Free church in Maryland. It was an inspiring speech and I thought I'd share the information in a series with my readers. For more information on Cheryl Martin, please visit her website at http://www.cherylmartin.org/index.html

Cheryl Martin: First Class Single

This is the season for singles to be first class singles. When I say single, I’m talking about that you are single, if you have never been married, you are divorced, you are a single parent or you are widowed. If you are between the ages of 16-66, it is my prayer that from this day forward whenever you wake up in the morning, you will look yourself in the mirror and declare “I am a first class single”.

What does it mean when I say I am a first class single? First of all it is a mindset. How ever you see yourself, other people will take that cue from you and respond accordingly. Proverbs 23:7 says as a man or woman thinks in his heart, so is he. First class means exceptional, a cut above, not mediocre, first rate and I believe we as Christian singles should have higher standards because the God we serve has a high standard.

Everything God does, he does with excellence and it is exceptional. We are his children, so that means if we are to represent Christ, we are his ambassadors, so people are going to get an impression about God based on how we conduct ourselves. This means if we are his representative, we should live by his rules. We must govern our lives by a higher standard because we are first class. So I encourage you this morning to raise the bar high. To be distinctively different from this culture in how you approach your life, and in how you live out your singleness. I believe that Christian singles should be the most confident singles walking the earth. We are to be the most confident singles, not depressed and not needy, because the God of the universe is our father who is busy orchestrating only his best for us.

Our singleness is not a mistake, it’s not a curse but it’s simply a course or the road we are on today. Now we don’t know how long we will be on this road. It’s not a mistake because God never makes mistakes; all of his ways are right, so that means he didn’t forget you or give your package to someone else. You may have thought he was your good thing because psalm 84:11 says he will withhold no good thing from those who walk upright. You thought she was your good thing. There were times when I thought he was my good thing, but he kept walking and he didn’t get that memo. I asked God what happened, but I had to go back to what psalm 84:11 says. I thought he was, but he was not in agreement so he was not God’s good thing for me.

So how do we make the most of this season of singleness since we are on this road of singleness and we don’t know how long we will be on it. How do we make the most of it and be first class? I want to share with you six foundation principles for being a first class single, that we can apply in our lives and if we can line up with these principles, they will help us when and if it is God’s will for us to be in a first class marriage.

Speak Kindly To People!

I have encountered so many people whose words were like venom. They didn’t care who they cut down while speaking. They say they are expressing their opinions, but there are many ways to express an opinion without offending others.

Some say everyone should develop thick skin to handle what people say to them, and they may have a point, but the other side of that is some people who you are mean to may appear to be taking it in without responding. You may call them whimps because they don't have immediate responses, but they bottle up their anger, till one day, they explode in a Columbine style shoot out, then you ask if people are crazy. Yes, they are the crazy product of an unkind world. If they would only lash out against the people that were mean to them, I would say well it's none of my business, unfortunately, they lash out against everyone in sight at that point in time which may or may not include the person(s) who got them upset in the first place.

Another thing is so many dreams have died and die inside of people daily because someone or many people uttered negative words to them that discouraged them. The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is that little extra effort. A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up and going on for many people. So remember to always speak kindly to people!

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week October 19-25

The National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is October 19-25 2008, once again it's time to remind our college friends and kids of the dangers of combining alcohol consumption with activities such as driving, decision making. Please see the website below for more information.

http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/ncaaw.asp

The Many Forms of Discrimination

Regardless of what some people would like to believe, discrimination is very real. It's not the way it used to be but it's still here none the less. It is much more real to the victims than the perpetrators or uninvolved people. Though the most talked about and probably experienced is racial, there are many others such as Sex, Genetic Information, Religious, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, and Ancestry or national origin.

If someone treats you unfairly because of any of these reasons, you may be a victim of discrimination. Though I’m not one to condone any type of injustice including any form of discrimination, in life you must choose your battles, so I would say sometimes it’s not worth fighting discrimination or any other injustice for that matter. In many situations where other options are available such as finding another job, you might as well move on because you can trust me on this, you don’t want to be where you are not wanted.

Even if you fight tooth and nail to get into or stay in an environment, will you enjoy yourself and thrive in that environment or will you be ostracized and isolated? We all want to be in environments that we thrive in. Though we often don’t like to believe it, being rejected in an environment may be the way the forces of nature let you know where you are is not where you ought to be at that point in time. I have experienced this first hand so I know……

Till next time, have a great week!

Chapman's Ten Commandments Of Love

1. Love thyself - Care for and nurture yourself, then seek love from others.
2. Get your house in order - Stop the fantasies about what others owe you. "Rescue fantasies" don't create real and lasting love.
3. Respect love's power - Remember, love is not a medicine for all your emotional ills.
4. Thou shalt not indulge in negativity - Redifine your love together and work to make positive change occur.
5. Thou shalt ask and you will receive - Ask directly for what you want and you will receive. Learn to be reasonable.
6. Thou shalt love unconditionally - Determine the difference between what you need and what you want to show love.
7. Neither a follower or a leader be - Real love works best when both partners share power.
8. Within the confines of marriage, thou shalt enjoy healthy sexual pleasures and emotional intimacy - There's no room for shame.
9. Thou shalt not throw the first stone - Humans make mistakes, better referred to as growth experiences.
10. Thou shalt not allow fear to destroy good loving - Confront your fears honestly and remember to attack the problem and not the person.

The Dating Process.....

6 weeks : I love U, I love U, I love U.
6 months : Of course I love U.
6 years : GOD, if I don't love U, I wouldn't have proposed to you!

Back from Work:
6 weeks : Honey, I'm home.
6 months : I'm back!!
6 years : What's for dinner??

Gifts:
6 weeks : Honey, I really hope you like the ring.
6 months : I bought you a painting; it would fit the motif in the living room.
6 years : Buy yourself something.

Phone Ringing:
6 weeks : Baby, somebody wants you on the phone.
6 months : Here, for you.
6 years : The phone's ringing.

Cooking:
6 weeks : I never knew food could taste so good!
6 months : What are we having for dinner tonight?
6 years : Again!!!!

Apology:
6 weeks : Honey muffin, don't you worry, Ill never hold this against you.
6 months : Watch out! Don't do it again.
6 years : What's not to understand about what I just said??

New Dress:
6 weeks : Oh my God, you look like an angel in that dress.
6 months : You bought a new dress again???
6 years : How much did THAT cost?

Planning for Vacations:
6 weeks : How does 2 weeks anywhere you please sound??
6 months : What's so bad about going to Istanbul on a charter plane?
6 years : Travel? What's so bad about staying home???

TV:
6 weeks : Baby, what would you like us to watch tonight?
6 months : I like this movie.
6 years : I'm going to watch ESPN, I can stay up by myself

Having A Healthy Baby.......

No one wants to have a baby with low birth weight.
No one wants to have a baby who lives in ventilator.
No one wants to have a baby who struggles for the first months of life.

Everyone wants a baby that is happy and healthy, but you must do what it takes to have one.

Want more information about having a healthy baby? In DC, call 311 for more information.

MLK, Jr's Children Battle Over Mother's Love Letters

MLK, Jr's children battle each other for rights to mother's love letters which could fetch big payday!

The late Coretta Scott King who died January 2006 was married the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. They had a romantic relationship and kept the letters of his love for her. Now with both of them deceased their three living children are battling each other in three seperate law suits over the rights to publish the letters in a memoir.

The King family are in discussions in Atlanta, GA to determine what should happen to the letters. Though this should be a private matter, the decision regarding the love letters was opened to the public according to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville.

This is really about a power struggle between siblings," said Dr. King eldest son, Dexter just moments after the court hearing. "I've included them, but they've excluded me. They're the ones who are trying to change or rewrite history. This is not something I asked for. This is not something I started."

Dexter King, who was featured on CNN, disagrees with sister Bernice King about their parents' legacy

Dexter King, who heads up King Inc., - the corporation which oversees the rights to his father's works - spent the summer negotiating an alleged $1.4 million contract to publish his mother's memoir. The book is said to be co-written by Rev. Barbara Reynolds, a journalist-turned-minister who recorded conversations with Coretta Scott King prior to her death.

His sister, Bernice, refuses to allow the love letters which are currently in her possession to be published because she opposes the book. She says her mother was against Reynolds writing a book about her and that the love letters are property of the estate of Coretta Scott King, which is controlled by her.

She also issued a statement that asked for public understanding in their private matter. "We are saddened that we are forced to make public statements about family matters that should be handled privately," Bernice King's statement read. "However, as our father taught us, we must respond to unjust criticism ... Our stand against the publication of the memoirs of our mother ... is not merely a family feud but rather our ongoing attempt to protect and maintain the integrity of our mother's legacy. Although she is no longer here to speak for herself, it is important that the integrity and validity of her voice be reflected."

Penguin Group, the New York City-based publisher which is a division of Random House Random House and owned by Pearson PLC, has threatened to cancel the book contract if Bernice King does not provide the love letters by Friday, October 17, 2008.

Many people in the Black community are angry at the King siblings for what they feel is a mishandling of their parents legacy especially because the King family are considered to be African American Royalty and are held in very high esteem.

Do you feel the letters should be published or not? Add a comment to share your thoughts.

NRPA Congress & Exposition

October 14-19 2008 the NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association are having their congress and exposition in downtown Baltimore.

If you’re a park professional. An urban planner. A concerned citizen. Why is NRPA important to you? Because parks and recreation is important to you. For more than 40 years, NRPA has been the voice advocating the significance of making parks, open space, and recreational opportunities available to all Americans. That makes NRPA your organization.

Please visit the website at www.nrpa.org

Dickey's Barbecue Pit Is The New Restuarant In Town!!

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is the new restaurant in town that has some great bbq and sides. I was there today and boy was that a scrumpdiliumpcious lunch. They have free ice cream too!

Their food is lip smackin', finger lickin', rib ticklin', knee slappin', foot stompin', and great tastin'. They are also very moderately priced and have great coupons that even makes it cheaper.

Now is the time to visit Dickey's. In Maryland stores are located in Frederick, Crofton and Beltsville.

Visit their website at http://www.dickeys.com/ for more information.

Words of wisdom about loans

Never loan out money you can’t afford to lose financially or spiritually. Financially, meaning your account won’t be in the red if the loan isn’t repaid or spiritually if you will feel bad if it isn’t repaid. It is always better to give who ever asks you for a loan, a financial gift of any amount you can afford instead.

A word is enough for the wise...

Tyler Perry Keeps Moving On Up!

Tyler Perry is one man I admire for his can do attitude. He is one of the many people that inspire me because the brother gets things done. He doesn't fit any hollywood mould nor does he come from a family of entertainers, but I guess after having to live in his car while struggling to be a success, he promised himself to stay at the top of his game and boy is he......Read below for the latest on another of this brother's many successes. I wish him many more...

History was made Saturday night, when 39-year-old Tyler Perry became the first African-American ever to launch his own major TV and film studio. The sprawling complex, which includes more than 200,000 square feet of studio and office space and sits on 30 acres that once housed Delta Air Lines' finance, reservation and computer center. Perry will shoot his TBS sitcoms House of Payne and Meet the Browns along with other film projects at the studio, reports the Associated Press.

At one point, Perry unveiled a special surprise for veteran trailblazers Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Cicely Tyson: each actor has one out of five studio soundstages named after him and her. "Is this my wall?" joked Poitier – as Winfrey dissolved into tears. "I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me," said Poitier, 81, the first African-American to win a Best Actor Oscar, for 1963's Lilies of the Field. The fourth soundstage will be named after Quincy Jones while the fifth is still unnamed.

TGIF & I Nominate XXXXXX For President

It's Friday!!!!! I know that doesn't mean a weekend off for some us but hey as long as some people get the weekend off I'm good because I hope to join these 5day work week folks at some point, not!

Moving right along, this website is non-partisan but I came across this video and I thought I'd share. There are a bunch of name brand celebrities and an up and coming one, Zoe, the daughter of Lenny Kravitz (Singer/Rocker) and Lisa Bonet (Cosby Show/A different World). She looks like Lisa to me.

http://www.dipdive.com/dip-politics/wato/

Some phrases I pulled from the video are below because they got me thinking about what the next president needs to do:

1. Change the negative perception of America to the world - Change America's Face To The World.

2. Someone who will clean up someone else's mess while not creating any of his own - We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For....To Clean House

3. Can do attitude even if it seems like it is a longshot, in the face of doubt and insurmountable opposition - Yes, We Can...... be Change Agents!!

Therefore my nominee for president is Mr. Change Agent, the man for the positive restructuring of America. Since the run for the office of the president has come down to a popularity contest, and regardless of eloquent speeches, good looks, dapper suits and attack ads going back and forth to discredit one another, I honestly don't know who after he is sworn in will be the best president.

Therefore, my nomination is again for Mr. Change Agent. My prayer is may the best man, who will lead this country in the right direction win and till the person assumes office and does a good job that we can see, we are all just speculating for now.

Enjoy!

Book Club - Book Suggestion - Wide Awake

What would happen if all of us discovered our God-given dreams?

What would it look like if we lived our lives in such a way that everything we did - every choice, every act - was used to fulfill those dreams?

If all of us began to live wide awake, the world would never be the same.” – Erwin McManus

Wide Awake: The Future Is Waiting Within You by Erwin Raphael McManus addresses this topic.

Creative minds and visionaries are challenged by this book and its theme which encourages people to bring the broken things of the world to the cutting room floor and explore what remains: the raw, often-hidden beauty of the human story.

“The future is not waiting for us. It is waiting within us! Maybe you have been asleep. You have unfulfilled dreams and longings. If you’re dead, let Jesus raise you up to new life. If you’ve been sleepwalking, it’s time to wake up and start dreaming wide awake.” --Erwin Raphael McManus

“Wide Awake is about discovering the dream that fits your life and making that dream your life.” --Erwin Raphael McManus

Awaken The Hero:
There’s nothing like feeling fully alive and dreaming wide awake. People are the most underused and undervalued resource on the planet. The world needs you to find the hero within you. We can’t afford for you to sleep through your dreams. There is a hero within you waiting to be awakened!

Think carefully and answer the questions below:
1. Many of us struggle to find a dream that doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare. Or we find ourselves shipwrecked when our dreams come true, but they were nothing like what we thought. Have you ever experienced the nightmare or the shipwreck?

2. There are too many amazing people with unfilled lives and unfulfilled dreams . . . I may not know you personally, but this I know about you without question—there is a hero within you waiting to be awakened. What does and challenge awaken in you?

3. People are the most underused and undervalued resource on the planet. What do you think about this assertion? What convinces you of that?
4.If you live a diminished life, it’s not only you who loses, but the world loses, and humanity loses. What responsibility does this perspective shift onto your journey and purpose?

5. The difference between fame (actions done for self) and greatness (actions done for others). Very few are meant for a life of notoriety, yet all of us are meant for a life of significance. What is a significant life to you? Is that a worthwhile goal to live for?

6.There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for you and me to wake up and get out of bed. Is your soul searching for its hero? What will you do this week to live wide awake?

I haven't read the book, but I have personally been told many good things about it. Some churches have even created discussion groups to study and discuss the book as a series. However, since I haven't read the book myself, I have to rely on other people's reviews which I got from Amazon.com. The reviews are below. Please remember that different people like different books, so don't be persuaded not to read the book because of some of the negative statements made in reviews.

Review 1 - This book is for the depressed
This book is for the depressed. This book is for those who feel they are trapped in the mundane. This book is for those who feel they are just slogging through life, not really experiencing, not really living. McManus inspires, pushes, compels, and challenges you to dream, explore, create, adapt, and live your life.

In Wide Awake, McManus connects living life to the fullest to the teachings of Christ. So often we think that our Christian lives should muted, reverent, holy, and that we should just step back and let God control our lives. McManus reminds us that Christ came to bring life, and life more abundant, and that we could be living our life to the fullest.

The author does challenge some commonly held ideas in mainstream Christianity. Even if you don't agree with everything McManus says, Wide Awake will challenge you to rethink your philosophy of life and your purpose for living. A must-read for every Christian!

Review 2 - Motivational Talks with Little Biblical Teaching
I am probably one of the few young, evangelical ministers in the United States to have never read a book by Erwin McManus. Having heard good things about McManus from a wide spectrum of people, I happily agreed to read the advanced preview copy of his forthcoming book, Wide Awake: The Future is Waiting Within You. On the back cover of the preview copy, McManus is described as a "husband, father, writer, futurist, activist, artist, and spiritual and cultural leader." After reading such a flattering litany of titles, I dove into the content of his new book with high hopes. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed.

If you could sum up Wide Awake in two words, it would be something like this: "Wake up!" People are going through life with unfulfilled dreams, experiencing a "little bit of sadness" every morning (xii). McManus wants to "awaken humanity." He believes that in every person there is a hero "waiting to be awakened." He looks at every human as "pre-great" (xiii). The little bit of sadness we face in the morning is our "soul searching for its hero (xv)."

Review 3 - Christianity Reframed - Mediocrity Challenge!
How can people be awakened? McManus turns to eight essential attributes that characterize people who live their dreams (Dream, Discover, Adapt, Expect, Focus, Create, Enjoy, Invest) and every one of the attributes is something that people must discover from within. Each chapter unpacks one of the eight attributes, usually with illustrations that help readers picture the kind of life that McManus is describing.

Wide Awake contains some helpful advice. McManus doesn't sacrifice character in order to emphasize the principle of adaptability. He emphasizes the importance of integrity and the necessity of living according to firm principles. Occasionally, he offers good insight into certain stories from Scripture. For example, in the story of Peter walking on water, McManus points out the fact that Peter was distracted by something he couldn't see (the wind) instead of firm in his belief in Someone he could see (Jesus) (128). Preachers will benefit from some of his memorable illustrations, like this one that compares coconuts and peaches:

"Some of us are more like coconuts - hard on the outside and hollow on the center. But we need to be more like peaches - soft and fuzzy on the outside but solid as a rock in the middle." (77)

But even McManus' good insights are often mixed with theological affirmations that leave the reader perplexed. In the space of just two paragraphs, McManus can say something terrific (like "The way God changes your life is by changing you") and then something out in left field ("The only future you will give yourself to is the one you believe can happen") (95).

The main problem with Wide Awake is that it bounces back and forth between pastoral counseling and motivational lingo that borders on Gnosticism (your power is within, etc.). The problem McManus' readers are dealing with is not sin and depravity. In fact, McManus thinks the church talks too much about sin and guilt (143). The main problem is unfulfillment and sadness (22, 28). Salvation and satisfaction are found in your living out your story (160).

McManus' writes much about the importance of dreams, but he leaves them undefined. Wide Awake needs more eschatology. The "dreams" that McManus wants to awaken within us are not grounded in anything other than our own minds. The dreams we have are of "a life, a world, a future so beautiful that it takes your breath away" (116). Yes. Our vision of the coming Kingdom should inform our dreams for today, but McManus never links our dreams to the Kingdom of God. Readers will pour whatever meaning they want into his vague category of "dreams" and "a beautiful future."

My advice to pastors and church leaders? Skip Wide Awake. If you're looking for motivational thoughts to push you ahead in the direction you already want to go, then Wide Awake will do the trick. If you're looking for challenging biblical teaching that will ground your dreams in Kingdom reality, you'll have to look elsewhere

Check out these writers, they are masters of their game......

I know, I know, it's hard to find the time to do anything talk less of finding the time to read a book but if you can find the time, even if it's just for 5 minutes everynight before you go to sleep, you will find it very rewarding. Below are some authors who are masters of their game in Science Fiction writing. Please do pick up a book by one of them. I know times are tough and you don't want to add book purchases to your expenses, but remember that you can always borrow books from your local library so you don't have to buy them. Happy reading!

Science Fiction
Douglas Adams
Piers Anthony
Catherine Asaro
Greg Bear
Ben Bova
Ray Bradbury
David Brin
Lois McMaster Bujold
Orson Scott Card
C.J. Cherryh
Arthur Charles Clarke
Philip K. Dick
Robert A. Heinlein
Frank Herbert
Elizabeth Moon
Andre Norton
Frederik Pohl
Kim Stanley Robinson
Robert Silverberg
Margaret Weis

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday in some circles is known as "Hump Day". The name comes from the work week being similar to a hill. On Monday and Tuesday you are climbing, on Wednesday you are at the pinnacle or hump, on Thursday and Friday you are climbing back down to get to the valley or the weekend which is the end of another week.

For some of us, that is not our reality as we work non-stop, seven days a week. We don't even know what day of the week it is when we do come up for air. However, considering all that is going with the economy, we should be glad we are productive citizens of the world who are making an impact in our work places and spheres of influence.

Here's wishing everyone a happy "Hump Day" or "Wonderful Wednesday," which ever you prefer, have a great day!

PNC Bank Virtual Wallet & Wallet World Promotion in Philadelphia, Baltimore & DC

PNC Bank is promoting two new products:

Virtual Wallet: Provides online banking tools that make banking easy, convenient and fun. It's an easier way to manage your money online.

PNC Wallet World: The virtual adventures of Kash & Flo is a new online game that provides consumers with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with PNC and win grand cash prize of $5,000 and other great prizes such as a new scooter or 46" LCD Screen and daily prizes of mp3 players, music and restaurant cards. The game is at game.pncvirtualwallet.com

So don't be alarmed if you are approached in the above areas by people promoting these products and giving out give aways!

Terrific Tuesday!

Hi there,

Amidst all that's going on, the race for the presidency, home foreclosures, the shaking up of wall street, it is very easy to become anxious, confused and lose focus. However, this is the time to be extremely focussed to achieve one's goal, regardless of what the goal is. For many of us, our goal now is to hold on to what we have such as our homes, cars and jobs. This financial situation has raised our anxiety levels drastically as we don't know what the future holds.

We all have our issues and problems but stressing and worrying about them does nothing good to our system. It actually makes us sick by lowering our immune systems and making us vulnerable to opportunistic diseases.This is not what we want because that adds to what we already have going on.

To help me get through these times, I remind myself of some quotes that inspire me to keep on, such as where there is life, there is hope, tomorrow is another day and the sun will come out tomorrow....

I hope these quotes help you have a Terrific Tuesday as well!

Marvelous Monday Joke!

An obviously stressed out and tired looking lady walked into Starbucks and
said "I'll have a cafe mocha vodka vallium latte to go please!

Maryland Community Calendar - October

Free Event
12 - 4pm Saturday Oct 11th
Harbor Hospital Womens' Health Expo at Marley Station Mall, Glen Burnie MD
This free event includes:free health screenings, seminars, interactive displays, prizes, give aways and much more.
Location: Center Court

Free Event
6:30 to 8:30 pm Tuesday Oct 14th
Join Pam Rumney from the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society at North County Area Library 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie as she demonstrates the best ways to research your local family history both online and offline. Bring your own laptop and the library's wireless connection for part of the program. If you need further information, please contact the library at (410)222-6270.

Kinda Free Event (Children ages 2-17 $5, Adults attending with children - free)
Sunday In The Park, A day of "not so scary" family fun
12-5pm Sunday Oct 26th at Centennial Park
Activities include: Trick or Treat Trail, Pumpkin Patch, Games, Ballon Artists, Face Painting, Pony, Boat & Train Rides, Crafts, Live Entertainment and Much More!
For a complete list of events and activities call (410)313-7275 or www.howardcountymd.gov/rap course #(3007.101)


Free Event
9:30am to 5:00 pm Saturday, Nov 1st
The Eunice Clement Sligh Foundation, Inc presents Developing the "U" in Success, A day of information focussed on making you successful at Catonsville Public Library, 110 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228. This is a free event which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. Registration deadline Oct 25,2008. To obtain additional information Phone (410)419-1002 email: success@ecsfoundation.org website: www.ecsfoundation.org/success.html

Verizon's How Sweet the Sound Tour

September 26th was the day the How Sweet the Sound Tour stopped at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. The tour is the search for the best church choir in the America. The churches in the competition were:

1.New Hope and Life Church of God. Capital Heights, MD.
2.Brydges. Upper Marlboro, MD.
3.Miracle Temple Non Denominational Church. Washington, DC.
4.Southern Baptist Church Praise and Worship Center. Washington, DC. *Small Choir & Overall Winner*
5.Union Temple Baptist Church. Washington, DC.
6.ARK Church. Baltimore, MD.
7.Greater Canaan Land Church. Gretna, VA.
8.The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Silver Spring, MD. *Large Choir Winner*

It was an annointed event as all the choirs sounded great and the choir robes were a feast for the eyes, however The Redeemed Christian Church of God's choir stood out with their African Inspired outfits of brightly colored long skirts and headwraps.

The MC was Donald Lawrence and judges included gospel heavyweights, Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker and Matt Anderson.

There were many activities for guests to partake of including: gospel karaoke, gospel showcase, youth choir celebration, audience text messages to the screen and the artist’s gallery.

The artists’ gallery featured paintings by artists from every city on the tour. The paintings included One Accord by DC resident Donald Coleman, which was commissioned by Verizon was featured prominently. Verizon’s commitment is not only to find talented choirs but talented artists as well. Calvin’s works which have been referred to as “endowed with an aura of originality and poetic whimsy” are fast becoming sought after pieces. To download this wallpaper to your phone: Text “HSTS” to 8940 Standard texting rates & a $1.99 charge applies.

Tickets to the show are very affordable at $5 and $7 each.

The remaining tour schedule is as follows:
Oakland 10/10/08
Los Angeles 10/13/08
Memphis 10/02/08
Houston 10/06/08

If you are a Verizon wireless customer V CAST the music service allows you to download music directly to your phone. The expansive music library includes songs from Smokie Norful, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Selah, Chris Tomlin and many more (please note:charges apply).

On a personal note, I would like to encourage someone today. The lead singer for the Redeemed Christian Church of God choir, Mrs. Yetunde Famogun is a personal friend of mine. After the event, she testified to how God moves even with our inadequacies. She was informed about the competition late in the game so they didn’t have a long time to practice before the date of the event and many other challenges they went through to pull together the choir and perform at the event. They did what they could to prepare, believed and went to the competition in faith, and they won the Large Choir prize of $10,000.00. The lesson here is never doubt yourself. Be prepared, be prayed up and show up!

Below are images from the event, enjoy!

Trojan Evolve National Tour

We all know that in a perfect world where married people stay faithful and unmarried people stay celibate, we wouldn't need condoms. Since the world isn't so perfect Trojan, the makers of Trojan condoms have put together a national tour. This national tour is aimed at helping to promote safe sexual practices and combat the current sexual health crisis in the United States by educating young adults about sexual health and carrying condoms.

The Trojan "Evolve" campaign is designed to spark awareness and dialogue about the state of sexual health in America, provide an opportunity to advocate for change, and encourage people to take personal responsibility over their sexual health by pledging to “USE A CONDOM EVERY TIME.”

What does “evolve” mean?
Trojan is asking every single person in the United States to evolve and use a condom every time. An “evolved” person is someone who is educated on the dangers of unprotected sex, cares about and is respectful of his/her own sexual health and that of their partner and is prepared and comfortable carrying condoms. Trojan’s goal is to “evolve” one person at a time in order to create a more sexually healthy America.

The current sexual health statistics in America are as follows:
1 in 4 American’s will contract an STI by the time they are 25 years old
65 million Americans are living with an incurable STI
3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States occur every year
750,000 of which are women under the age of 17
40% of unintended pregnancies lead to abortions
There are approximately 1 billion unprotected hook-ups by single Americans every year

Please encourage people you know especially college students to visit the tour. The tour stops are at institutions of higher learning. The schedule is as follows:

1. 9/23- UMASS Dartmouth
2. 9/24- The Roxy
3. 9/25- MIT
4. 9/29- UCONN
5. 9/30- URI
6. 10/5- Syracuse University
7. 10/7- University of Maryland
8. 10/8- John Hopkins University
9. 10/10- University of Delaware

Check out www.trojancondoms.com for more information

A GIRL’S NIGHT OUT, THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Hello & welcome to my blog!!!!

St. Agnes hospital hosted A GIRL’S NIGHT OUT, THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE event at the Columbia Sheraton on Wednesday October 1st. Now in its third year, this is an annual breast cancer awareness dinner presentation by physicians, health care professionals and breast cancer survivors.

When breast cancer is diagnosed early it is 95% curable, thanks to self breast exams, the latest diagnostic, treatment and genetic breakthroughs available. Diana H. Griffiths, M.D, Medical Director of the St. Agnes Breast Center led a panel of medical experts, survivors and health care professionals at the event. I was pleasantly surprised as these humorous speakers had concise presentations filled with entertaining cartoons which made the information easier to understand for everyone. Their passion for their work was aptly communicated to the audience. Kira Eyring, Regional Mission Delivery Director of the American Cancer Society presented the Terese Lasser Award to the staff of St. Agnes Hospital.

Guests later viewed a great short film by Nicole Johnson titled “Stepping Into The Ring” an inspiring story of one woman’s fight against breast cancer. The short film was followed by a discussion of the emotional battles breast cancer survivors face.

I have never been to St. Agnes hospital but I was very impressed by everyone’s pleasant attitude and the organizer’s attention to detail. For example, the location was pleasantly decorated in pink and white, the three course meal was delicious, the person with the next birthday at each table was asked to take home the center piece as a pre-birthday gift, prizes were raffled off and each person was presented with a single pink rose on our way out of the venue.

We all left feeling much more special and informed about breast cancer than when we arrived. I would definitely recommend St. Agnes Hospital and this annual event to anyone who has cancer or is a cancer survivor. Their website is www.stagnes.org

To the good people of St. Agnes Hospital, please keep up the good work!

The picture below is of all speakers at the event and me.
L-R Back Row: Dr. Griffiths, Dr. Ahn, Mary Capano, Kevin LaMartina & Jennifer Broaddus.
L-R Front Row: Nisha Isaac & Susan Majek
Image provided by Maximilian Franz www.photomaxllc.smugmug.com