A MUST SEE MOVIE

I watched the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" today and I must say it's a beautiful, beautiful movie! A story line with great substance and a well represented cast. Brad Pitt and Taraji Henson played amazing roles, I've attached the movie trailer below. Please go and see it. I warn you it's a tear jerker.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children....To Keep Possessions In Prospective

With Christmas just passing and everyone is enjoying their new gifts it's the best time to teach young children to keep possessions in perspective. When they began to fight over toys or complain that Derrick down the street received such and such for Christmas, remind them what really matters. Your fortunate to have a brother/sister to share your toys with, your blessed to have the gift you wanted or better yet tell them some children didn't receive anything for Christmas because their parents made the decision to feed and clothe them. Everyone gets caught up with getting the new gadget or their holiday excursions but let's keep things in prospective, there is life after Christmas and there are other families who may need our help meeting their day to day needs. We are blessed to be a blessing, some of our possessions are just wants not needs.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

HAPPY KWANZAA

OVERVIEW OF KWANZAA

Kwanzaa is a week-long, African American holiday observance held from December 26 to January 1. Timed to serve as an alternative to the growing commercialism of Christmas, it was founded in 1966 by Ron Everett, a.k.a. Maulana Karenga, African-American activist and director of the Black Studies department at the California State University, Long Beach. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one, a syncretic festival, based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations widely celebrated in Africa, around the 10th month of the year.

HISTORY OF KWANZAA

The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase 'matunda ya kwanza', meaning "first fruits". The additional "a" was added to "Kwanza" so that the word would have seven letters, one for each of the Seven Principles, or Nguzu Saba, of Blackness. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles. In order, they are:

* Umoja (Unity),
* Kujichagulia (Self-determination),
* Ujima (Collective work and responsibility),
* Ujamaa (Cooperative economics),
* Nia (Purpose),
* Kuumba (Creativity), and
* Imani (Faith).

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas to all my friends who are moms and dads of brown kids and to all my friends who are moms and dads of pink kids.

Good Read of the Month

Tony Dungy's words and example have intrigued millions of people, particularly following his victory in Super Bowl XLI, the first for an African American coach. How is it possible for a coach--especially a football coach--to win the respect of his players and lead them to the Super Bowl without the screaming histrionics, the profanities, and the demand that the sport come before anything else? How is it possible for anyone to be successful without compromising faith and family? In this inspiring and reflective memoir, now updated with a new chapter, Coach Dungy tells the story of a life lived for God and family--and challenges us all to redefine our ideas of what it means to succeed.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children....It's Better To Give Than Receive.

With Christmas and the economy on everybody's mind this is truly the season to reinforce the notion that it's better to give then to receive. Living in the society we live in, we all get caught up in what we will be giving and receiving for Christmas and we sometimes take shortcuts or fall short when it comes to giving to others. Don't allow selfishness to surface in your giving this year make your gift really special to someone. Surprise someone in need this Christmas, your blessed just to be the one on the giving end. Imagine feeling sincerely good about having cooked a meal for a family, having paid a electric/phone bill for someone in need, filling up someone's gas tank, paying for a sick person's prescription, or just offering to baby-sit for a evening, there are so many things we can incorporate in our Christmas giving and all year long. We are more blessed then we realize. Let's try putting into motion the notion of it's truly better to give then receive, you never know when you will be on the receiving end. So make a practice of planting seeds that will reap a harvest you can feel good about.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

A Call To Wise Up

A friend of mine who decided to make some positive life changes last year sent over a video on meat made by the young lady in the videos. Once I viewed it I started looking through her other video blogs and found them interesting and informative. I decided to pass them on to you, following the each one, teach one method. Enjoy!

Keyshia Cole's Reality Show

Your family may not be exactly like the Keyshia Cole family we see on television but we all know or are aware of a family of dysfunction. I love what God is doing in their lives through this show. Keyshia is helping bring her family out rather they want it or not. God has blessed Keyshia with a beautiful talent and a big heart. She's all about helping her family. Yes, they are functioning in dysfunction but I think once they have moved past the hurts, they are going to be just fine. So if you have not have seen the show check it out. It's a ministry. You will see a family in the process of being made whole. They are being healed and delivered. It's a great show. You may even shed a few tears.

Also her new album "A Different Me" is out. Attached is a video of her discussing her new album.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children....The Meaning Of Immanuel

The name delivered by the Angel to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ is Immanuel. Immanuel means God is with us. Have you ever considered the name or it's meaning. Well the next time we are praying and seeking God's hand of deliverance, we should remember that He's already with us all we have to do is invite His presence to help us get through whatever we need to get through. Seeking patience with our husbands, our children, and our co -workers, we should already know we have it. Seeking guidance in a situation, know that we already have it. Seeking a financial blessing, know it's on the way. Seeking a healing, know we are already healed. Acknowledging that God is with us brings on the manifestation, everything we seek is or will become materialized.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it' your choice. ~Delphine

Matthew 1: 23 A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us." (Contemporary English Version)

We Can Agree To Disagree

I came across these clips of Reverend Wright during the Q&A's Segment at the National Press Club last April. I must admit that at the time I didn't pay it any mind because I was so focused on the positives of Obama. Since then I've viewed Reverend Wright's speech at the Press Club and I viewed all of the Q&A segment and I must admit I agree with Reverend Wright. Not at one time did the media air any of his sermons in their entirety, they aired what would ring in our ears and it did. I applaud Reverend Wright, he's articulate, he's bold and outspoken, he's informed, he's educated, he's a veteran, and he's a black pastor ministering to a diverse congregation. I appreciate him telling it like it is, I appreciate it even if the rebuking stings the ears hearing it. Some times the truth hurt. I agree to disagree with plenty of people and still show them love after the fact so I'm telling you today I agree with Reverend Wright and all the years that Obama and his family were under his teaching, will only help them in the future.

Add These To Your Collection

These are two great albums to have. Seal takes us back to the oldies but goodies. Mary Mary are just like our day to day girlfriends and I love their new song entitled " God in Me", once you hear it your hooked. Check them both out. I know the music lovers will love both albums. All this music is good for the soul.

Beautiful People

Tuesday Tidbits

Do not owe anyone anything-except to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. I may be using this scripture out of context but the way I'm choosing to use it makes sense to me. With Christmas around the corner and the economy in the state it is in, I think it is a good scripture to remember. Christmas shopping and giving can be depressing and stressful for people who don't have the finances to afford the not so inexpensive gifts they want to give to others. I decided a couple of months ago that I was going to be frugal this Christmas. I chose to be frugal so I could give to everyone I usually give to and a few others. I also reminded myself that it is a choice to give on Christmas not a mandate. So friends let us make it known to our children, our families, and our friends that if they don't receive a Christmas package from us, that the package could not contain or hold the love that we have for them everyday of the year. And ladies as we continue our holiday shopping these next couple of weeks, remember the part of the scripture that says "owe no man any thing" and that includes the "credit card" man. We can show plenty of love if we have no debt.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

Do not owe anyone anything-except to love one another. For the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (International Standard Version)

FRUGAL means practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources.

We Need Laughter

My girlfriend Sabrina shared this with me and she thought it would be good for the blog. Being mothers of youngsters, we found these too cute!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.


How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.


What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.


Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.


What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.


What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer ?
3. Does he make at least $180,000 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?


Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.


Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a push over.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.


What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.


What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe honey brown.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Art of Noise "Moments of Love"

Old song with lots of memories attached. This was the jam back in my college days! Right alone with Prince's ten minute song "Adore", it wasn't really ten mintues, it just seemed that long if you weren't the one slow dancing. Hate to bring back some memories for you mommas but I love music.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach…Their Children While They Are Young

You don’t learn much about being a parent until you have actually become a parent. People can offer advice on parenting but until you are being a parent, rather you are a responsible parent or a not so responsible parent, you will learn or come to know that children are what they live and it’s better for them to learn what is right or wrong early on.

I’m attaching a poem that my son Idris bought home from school, they have to learn it and recite it. He called me on my way home from work on yesterday and wanted to read it to me, he began reading the poem over the phone. I had heard and read this particular poem before but it sounds different coming from your own child. I asked Idris which characteristics he thought fit him and our home, he was honest and said he didn’t know what the majority of them meant. I told him I would talk with him when I got home. I thought about Idris’s response as I drove home and thought to myself, it’s good he doesn’t know what the majority of the words mean but another part of me wanted him to know what they meant so he could confirm me – my parenting. Selfish thoughts on my part because I should be using the poem to remind me to confirm all the positives in him and staying clear of the habits that can create negatives in his life and our home.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it’s your choice. ~ Delphine


Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a busy day for me. So busy I forgot to do my weekly tidbit. I apologize, I was in a zone of busyness. Now with my shortcoming being "announced", you guys Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. We have so much to be thankful for, the big and the small, the known and the unknown, and most definitely for all the things we take for granted. Tell God and your family that your thankful for it all, thankful for everything. We are also thankful for the bad as well as the good because most of the bad experiences, God worked them out for our good.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

A Mommy Moment

Coming home late from work last night, I received a call from my son Idris telling me he needed brownies for school. I asked Idris, why did you sign me up for brownies? He claimed he didn’t sign me up that he was told to bring in brownies. While my friend was dropping me off at my car, we concluded that he signed me up. Well I went over to Publix to pickup brownie bites, they are small brownies that Publix sells in the bakery. I didn’t want to pay $3.59 for a small tub of brownies, so I opted to bake brownies. I ended up buying two boxes of Ghirardelli brownie mix for $2.79; they were buy one get one free. I walked in the house around 9:15 pm and decided it was to late to be baking brownies so I decided to do them in the morning. I got ready for bed around 10:00 and an hour or so later my husband wakes me up and tells me I need to do “my homework”, you know the wifey/mommy homework. Well to make this story a little shorter, I got up around 6:00 am this morning prepared the boxed brownie mix and placed them in the oven around 6:15. Around 6:20 here comes my youngest son Femi with two books in tow, I wasn’t there to read to him last night so I had to read to him this morning. We read two stories in about twenty-minutes, they were pretty long stories for a kindergartener this earlier in the morning but we made the best of it. By this time, the timer was going off for the brownies and Idris has finally gotten up. So I started asking why he signed up for brownies. He said, he didn’t sign up for brownies that they told him to bring in brownies. So Idris finds the note telling him what to bring in. Idris does have to bring in brownies but not until Monday. This is one of those mommy moments, all I could do was smile and thank God for my children and my patience this crisp and cool morning.

Have a great weekend.

Good Read of the Month

I'm a Sister Souljah fan and she has finally released a new book years after her top seller book The Coldest Winter Ever. So if any of you are fans of the sister, I know you too are ready to see where this story leads

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...That They Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strenghtens Them

In light of all the celebrating that has been going on in our homes and in our hearts over our new President Elect Barack Obama, do we truly understand the magnitude of the joy that has overflowed to the children. Children being persons over 54 years, 54 years ago many never would have dreamed of seeing a African American as President. We as a people have truly come far and it's because of our faith in God, hard work, and sacrifice. The transition will not be easy for the Obamas as it will not be easy for many of us. We must embrace this victory. We stand on the shoulders of people who lived, who marched, who died, who sacrificed that we may live and become whatever we decide - let's not become dead weight on their shoulders. Let's not forget that we can dream and be, we can dream big, becoming bigger and better than our dreams, their dreams. Obama's journey goes way beyond the dreams of his father, just like ours can move beyond the dreams of yesterday or yesteryear. Express to our children today, that they can do all things through Christ who strenghtens them and that Obama was just an example of what can be done when we believe.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Seven Day Challenge

Ladies, this Pastor challenged his congregation, well the married couples in the congregation to have sex for seven days straight. Are you and your husband up for the challenge? Have fun and be blessed ladies. We got to do our homework.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Tell Their Children...What is beautiful is not always good, but what is good is always beautiful.

Ladies, this is a quote by an unknow source but I thought it was worth sahring as a tidbit.


Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine

Still Soaking It All In - Enjoy Your Weekend

A Change Is Gonna Come

I found this on youtube and as I watched it, I thanked God for blessing me and my family. I bless him for how far we have come and for how far my children can go. It amazes me how much we think we know about our past but we have yet to truly study our history. Our history has a people. A people with a purpose that existed long before our ancestors hit the shores of America, the Caribbean Islands, and the British Isles. A people who have ties to the Kingdom of Judah, no matter what tribe we hail from. With the excitement of witnessing a black president elected, the excitement should encourage us to do more with ourselves and our history. It's important for us to know our history and to share it with our children. Passing on pieces of our story is not evidence of knowing our history. Just like the bible encourages us to study to show ourselves approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, let's get back to appreciating our people and our struggles to help us get to the future God has already ordained for us. A change has to happen in our minds, in our hearts, and in our homes. Obama can't do it alone nor did the Israelites. We have to unite in knowing who we are and from whom we come from. It's not about just knowing our African History it's about being privilege to know God, the God who created us. We are of a royal priesthood covered in His grace. The change as already come, we just have to act accordingly to the change. The Israelites wonder in the wilderness for forty years because they forgot about what God had done for them in the past - he had already delivered them from Egypt, they were right around the corner from the promised land.

Get Your Morning Fix - Friend of God

Dreams of Many Fathers and Mothers

Still I Rise! Still We Rise!

Yes We Can!

A Great Look




Congratulations! Akin Akinyemi

Now That's A Good Look

I may be overly zealous but they look so good. There is no denying that this is a good look for all of us. Get out and vote, if you haven't already. Go get your cousins, your aunties, and your baby daddies - I digressed, I apologize. I'm just too excited.

Tuesday Tidbit - Today is the Day, it's Election Day

Today is the day to vote and pray! Pray as your heart leads you but I've already voted for Obama, the other local Democrats on my ballot and Peter Bouleware a local candidate who is running has a Republican.

Just in case your interested Jamal-Harrison Bryant, Founder and Pastor of Empowerment Temple Church, is hosting a City-Wide Day of Prayer at Empowerment Temple Church. You can join in via live streaming at www.empowermenttemple.org or www.streamingfaith.com, I'm listening in now and they have took it to church. A different pastor is praying on the hour from 7 am to 7 pm. If you didn't get the chance to join the day of fasting and praying on yesterday, you can get on the praying today!

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice.~Delphine

Matthew 18:18-20 (KJV)

18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[d]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[e] loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

A Day of Fasting and Praying - Nov. 3rd

Please pray for this woman's husband and family on tomorrow. Noevember 3rd has been declared as a day of fasting for the presidential candidate among people in favor of him, join others around the world who are going to make the scarfice and lift up prayers for Barack Obama. You can do one better by fasting and praying for your family as well as families like yours. Being in America we have so much to be thankful for but many are suffering around us and in countries surrounding us. On November 4th many eyes will be watching us, let's lift our eyes and ears to God for deliverance and victory for whatever the future holds for us.

An Example To Follow

via videosift.com

Good Read of the Month

My supervisor gave me this book as a gift. I'm still reading it and I like what I've read so far. This book has stirred some controversy among believers(Christians) but I don't think the controversy has any biblical relevance thus far, mind you, I'm only half way through the book. Below is a quick synopsis of the book.

The Shack revolves around Mack (Mackenzie) Philips. Four years before this story begins, Mack’s young daughter, Missy, was abducted during a family vacation. Though her body was never found, the police did find evidence in an abandoned shack to prove that she had been brutally murdered by a notorious serial killer who preyed on young girls. As the story begins, Mack, who has been living in the shadow of his Great Sadness, receives a strange note that is apparently from God. God invites Mack to return to this shack for a get together. Though uncertain, Mack visits the scene of the crime and there has a weekend-long encounter with God, or, more properly, with the godhead.

The book is a short read it's only 248 pages. I've also heard some bible study groups are reading this book together and discussing it later. In my opinion, the reading of the is book can be paralleled to readings of the Purpose Driven Life or the Prayer of Jabez. So if you should read this book, email me or call me for some discussion.

Vote However You Like Video

This is too cute!

Keep The Family In Your Prayers

Man and Wife - The Obama's

I love this picture of Barack and Michelle. It's definitely a husband and wife Kodak moment.

Proverbs 12:4 (New International Version)
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...The Definition of Marriage

I recently had a conversation with a girlfriend who wanted to know how I voted on Amendment 2. I told her that I voted "yes" to Amendment 2 because I personally believe that marriage should be defined as a legal union between one woman and one man. She said, but voting "yes" to it doesn't provide or protect those who choose not to get married for other reasons. I repeated I voted "yes" and my main concern was same sex marriages. Her argument to me was that I should look beyond same sex marriage and that the government is trying to govern folks choices. I replied I'm not concerned with why people are together and who they chose to play house with, my concern is marriage being recognized as a legal union between one man and one woman and I voted to protect that. And I also said, if folk want the benefits of being married, they should meet the requirements to reap the benefits of being in a legal marriage. I'm not telling anyone how to vote on this amendment because we all have a choice. I am just trying to make a choice that serves me and my house.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...To Always Tell The Truth

You never know when telling the truth will save your life when you have often thought telling a lie would save your life. I've been around grownups, mostly grown women who lie about silly stuff. Lies they don't even remember telling, lies not even worth telling. Over the weekend my young nephew told the truth instead of telling a lie about what he did. I knew what he did but I wanted him to make the choice to tell the truth or to lie about what he'd done. He did something that would have warranted a spanking but since he told the truth, he was spared a spanking. Telling the truth saved his but just like telling the truth can save a life. Your life, my life, and many other lives. The bible says all liars and sinners will have their place in the lake of fire causing them to suffer a second death, after learning this it makes more sense to tell the truth no matter the consequences. We may not get the opportunity to repent for telling a lie. One lie makes you a liar, telling the truth makes you honest. You decide.

Be blessed and encouraged, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Psalms 63:11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Colin Powell endorses Obama

Wow! It is on! I am so excited by this race for the White House. Colin Powell stepped up and out by endorsing Obama, he goes against the Republican Party by endorsing the Democratic candidate. I was so excited by this news that I had to go and cast my vote first thing this morning and the turn out was FABULOUS. Brown folks in numbers this morning. So just in case your ready to cast your vote, early voting started this morning. Be ahead of the crowd and cast your vote today or sometime this week.



I saw on CNN over the weekend that an older brown lady who was sick in the hospital said she wanted to live to see Obama elected as President and that she wanted her vote to be apart of history. She died but not before she was able to submit her vote. On her deathbed she requested that her daughter mail in her absentee ballot, her wishes were granted and she will be a part of this historical event for all people. Consider the magnitude of her vote and the story she leaves behind for her family and other families. At one time in her life and as well as her parents, blacks were not able to vote. She made her vote count, make your vote count this year as well!

What Some People Think

It's sad but it's so true. They don't know no better and don't want know no better. The majority of what they are saying is not true. Payback is a _____ (coming). Is it true that history has a way of repeating itself? Do they really think Obama wants to put them in slavery? Some of them do, but these are our neighbors. Now you know what your dealing with so put on your game face because it ain't over. There is still a war of the races and this is surely evidence of it.

The Final Debate

Obama was so cool on last night. Some have said, it wasn't his best but I say " Mccain received one of those silent spankings ", Obama put it to him without breaking a sweat. A silent spanking is one of those spankings you get from your parents, you can explain and complain all you want but your still going to get it with a straight face at that. He was cool, calm, and collected in his thoughts. He didn't have to be aggressive in the debate, the McCain crew had been aggressive enough leading up to this debate. Obama's rebuttals were on point. Nothing more, nothing less. He dusted the Republican attics right off his shoulders and kissed his wife goodnight. Way to represent!

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children To....Love Your Enemies

It's easy to develop enemies when you have lived as long as we parents have but our hearts have to be transformed to willingly love our enemies. We must love and pray for our enemies if we want our children to do the same. I learned long ago, it's not do as I say do, it's all about doing as I do when it comes to teaching children. The majority of children mimic what they see and hear their parents do. So instead of speaking or acting negatively about your ex, your in-laws, your parents, your neighbors, your siblings, or your coworkers, just start blessing them instead of cursing them. You and your kids will benefit in the long run.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice.~ Delphine

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

The Secret Lives of Bees

This is a great date idea for you and your husband, for you and your girls, or if you just want to watch a good movie alone. It's starts on Friday and it's already receiving Oscar Buzz. I plan on seeing it. I welcome any good movie with a large brown cast.

Some other good story line movies with brown cast that have already premiered are

Miracle at St. Anns, September 25th
The Express, October 10th

I would suggest catching them during a matinee because the price of single movie ticket has surpassed three and half gallons of gas. During the day you can purchase two tickets for what you would pay for one ticket. If you can splurge on a movie night, go right ahead because these films need our support no matter what time of day we view them.

Two Great CDs to Add to Your Collection

Two great cds to have on repeat play. Both cds take you some place, whether it reminds you of the old you or makes you dream of having the guts of the women in the songs. I like them both so that's why I'm suggesting you go and get 'em. It's music made for women. Enjoy brown moms, we all need our get away or moments music. You can go and listen to samples on Amazon or any other music link. You can also see the music videos on Youtube. These are two good cds to have.

FAMU's Marching 100 on CNN

A Great Episode of "The Game"

I loved the show "The Game". I love all the actors/actresses and I love the topics the show covers. Watching this episode was emotional for me for so many reasons but I was really moved by points Tasha made on being a single black mother, Derwin wanting to be a responsible father, and the way Melanie and her roommate decided on sisterhood/friendship rather then falling out over a man. Watch the show if you get the chance, you may or may not get out of it what I did but it's a episode worth watching and sharing for so many reasons.

Love it! Obama Youth

I don't know how and why this video is causing such a negative stir over the Internet. It's a positive thing for the boys involved. Based on the recital alone these kids know more then the average person knows about Obama's health plan. Kudos to all the adults involved and God bless the boys.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms to Teach Their Children...Things of the Bible

Do you remember all that you were taught as a child? Do you remember all the things of the bible you were taught in Sunday School? It's amazing how so many things come back to memory when your doing an adult study. Rediscovering and understanding the foundation of what you believe. Your first real taste of getting to know God in all HIS wisdom. For all of you bible readers, most of you already know the stories and testimonies of the new testament actually piggy back off of the old testament. Most of my adult life, I have said I wasn't able to read or get into the old testament because it was so boring to me. Well I think differently now. I was challenged by my supervisor to read the bible in it's entirety and I'm proud to say by the end of the year, I will have read the whole bible - in less than a year I might add. What's interesting, I wasn't bored reading the old testament or the entire bible, it just reminded me of all the bible stories I heard as a child. I think the difference is now that I'm reading it wanting to walk away with something. I'm seeking understanding and directions to God. Friends, I'm renewing my mind. I'm being transformed because of the renewing of my mind. I'm walking in wisdom and a new understanding of HIM. I am now understanding the purpose of the Psalms and the Proverbs. I am now understanding the eight beatitudes of Jesus and why he spoke in parables. I have now discovered the inner strengthen and obedience of Ruth and Esther and the rewards of being a woman who listens. I now understand Solomon's blessings of wisdom and wealth. I also now understand David's favor and his legacy. I'm studying the things of the bible to show myself approved, so I won't be foolish enough to walk in untruth. I am building a everlasting relationship with the Creator. A relationship that started as a child when I was first introduced to things of the bible.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's a choice.~Delphine

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Why We Should Always Save and Practice Living Below Our Means

This is an eye opener for any and every American consumer. Why it's important to start making changes in our spending and living habits like yesterday.

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

SNL on The Debate- This is Hiliarious

This is hilarious. I know it's a mockery but it's funny! Tina Fey is the splitting imagine of Governor Palin, she's a natural mimic of her. They could pass for twins.

Israelis and Israeli-Americans for Barack Obama

I enjoyed this! I hope you do as well.

Vote Barack Obama on November 4Th.

Get A Earful of This

I'm posting this video because I think it's a good song. I haven't gone country but I can appreciate any style of good music. Listen to the words of the song. It's a great song about growing up and missing those younger years.

Enjoy and give me some feedback.

Tuesday Tidbits

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...Greater Is He That Is In Me

Greater is HE that is in me, than he who lives in the world. The words of this scripture offers food to a any challenged soul. No matter what the task or the temptation that lays before us, we should always remember that we are equipped for victory because of the greatness that resides in us. HE is greater than any obstacle in this world or any stronghold we may battle. Let's spark a fire by teaching our children to start taping into that inner strength by exercising their faith in God. If we truly believed and acted on our belief that greater is He that lives in me, than he who lives in this world, imagine how much better it would be for the generations to come.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (KJV)

The Economy's Effect On Me

For the past four months, I've been parking my car and hopping on a bus to take my 13mile one way trip to work. Riding the bus, takes some planning but I'm loving the extras. Hopping on the bus five days a week has saved me a total of $580 dollars over the past four months. I have saved $120 dollars in gas per month and saved another $25 dollars per month on parking fees. Get this my employer supplies me a monthly bus card so that saves me as well, the monthly bus card is like $42 dollars a month. Thank God my employer is dedicated to the "Going Green Initiative". I'm going green and enjoying the greens. Me not driving as much saves on my car and it's overall maintenance as well, less driving means longer life for my tires, my brakes, my engine, and it saves me on the scheduled oil changes. This small change frees up my time and my money. I can attribute the growth in my reading to the daily bus rides. I read while I'm on the bus. Now since the economy is affecting or will affect all of us, we all need to start making changes some place(s). Another thing I've done is joined three other women in a what we call a "dinner swap". So I'm only cooking a few days a week, to be specific I only cook on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Dinner is delivered to us on the other days.(smile) I have not seen much of a savings in grocery since the price of food is on the rise but I am truly enjoying my free time during the evenings. Ladies, I'm only sharing the benefits of my small life changes to encourage you to make some small changes as well. Small changes that could produce bigger results. The current economy as effected me in a good way and all it took was me trying something different.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice ~Delphine

What If I AM A Black Woman

This video is one of those oldie but goodies. Enjoy!

Invisible Mother

I received this from a dear friend and it warranted being shared with you. It's encouragment for all the mothers who may sometimes feel like they are not appreciated. Enjoy!

Invisible Mother......

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously, not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated suma cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England .

Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.

It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. One day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Good Read of the Month

It only seems appropriate to have this book as the selection of the month since we're in the final days of the Presidential Campaign. I read this book a couple years ago at the beckoning of a friend. It turned out to be a pretty good read. At the time I knew nothing about Barack Obama but after reading it I knew at least where he had come from and where he was headed. Like most memoirs, it started out kind of slow but it's a book well worth reading. I purchased a copy for my son Destin but he never gave me any feedback, so I figure he didn't read it or he didn't enjoy it. Which brings me to this, I'm not getting much feedback from you brown moms regarding the books I've suggested we read so if you've read any of the books I've selected and posted. Let's make a date to discuss them over coffee or dinner. I know we all have our busy schedules but I have gone from reading one book a month to about three books a month and you can to. Reading is relaxing and informative no matter what your reading.

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...We Are the Company we Keep

A scripture in 1 Corinthians says, "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character." What does that mean? I figure it means we are the company we keep - the byproduct of whatever our company is.(smile) If we stay in the company of thieves we will probably become known as a thief. If we hang with liars, we tend to tell lies ourselves. If we keep company with persons who cheat, we are prone to become cheaters as well. Now I am NOT saying that every single person will become the obvious product of their environment/company but it's a good chance they will. Most habits and characteristics in people are usually nurtured. Like the ole saying goes " If you lie down with fleas, please expect to come up with fleas". This goes both ways. If you want to be a winner, stay in the company of winners or those who strive to be winners. Birds of a feather flock together. So let's teach our children, that the company they keep is usually what they will become. Encourage them to seek good company.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~Delphine

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (KJV)

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV)

Brown Moms Who Bleach Their Brown Kids - Foolishness

Ladies, I came across this video of Tyra's Show on bleaching. The women on the panel, I have no words beyond SELF-DESTRUCTION for them. They don't know their true beauty, they don't know that their black is beautiful. These women/mothers have deeply rooted issues. There is nothing natural or beauty enhancing about what they are doing to their appearance. They are truly in the dark! Nothing compelling came out of their mouths regarding why they choose to bleach themselves or their kids. They are full of foolishness. They are ready to undergo medical procedures to lighten their skin even when their told it could be life threatening. Thank God the procedures are FAKE, well that's what Tyra said. Who knows it may be offered in other countries like Brazil or Asia. One woman said she would forgo paying her monthly bills so she could afford the procedure. What am I missing here? Why not move to Alaska or Russia, were the climate can help in lightening your skin?(lol) It's cheaper. I feel sorry for all the women but I feel much more sorry for the ones with kids. The mindset of these disillusioned people/parents. If this isn't parental abuse or dysfunction - I don't know what is. People embrace the skin you were born in. Love your brownness/blackness. Embrace YOU and not who/what the next man is. Everyone is beautiful in their own way especially brown or black skin people.
As someone of the other persuasion may say "black is black" no matter what shade of black you are.

Jamal Bryant on the RNC and Sarah Palin

Speak Black Man! For those of you who have listened or watched Jamal Bryant deliver a message or speak and enjoyed the deliverance. Here's your Jamal Bryant fix. He confirms the obvious for some and provides revelation to others. Speak Black Man!

Barack your Vote on November 4th!

Obama Handling His Business - Part 4

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen

The Lord's prayer is the manner in which we should pray. This is a guide Jesus said we should use/follow in addressing the Father in our prayer. It's recognizes who He is and that we desire His will for us. It offers thanks for all He has provided to us and for us. It encourages us to forgive and seek forgiveness so we can receive forgiveness. The prayer leads us to seek God's presence, because in His presence we can not be so easily tempted, His presence can keep us from going astray. In closing, it acknowledges God's kingdom, His power, and all His glory. The Lord's prayer as carried me through some tough times. I appreciate knowing how to pray, especially when i needed to pray.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice. ~ Delphine

Obama Handling the Business - Part 2 & Part 3

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children To...Follow Their Hearts

Have you ever heard your child say they want to be this or that when they grow up? Well my children have surprised me with some of jobs they want to take on. I use to try and redirect them by saying why don't you become a doctor or a dentist, even a lawyer. I don't want you to become a rock star or a zoo keeper. Well God placed on my heart to nurture them where they are, even if their stuck on being a alligator trainer when they grow up. Allow them to follow their hearts, if their dreams are to be something or somebody I didn't want to be or never thought about being. God can use them in whatever role they decide. He laid on my heart to encourage and support them in their dreams of being someone or something different then what I'm use to seeing or hearing. As I watch the political campaign and watch my kids idolize and support Barack Obama. I think did his mother encourage him to follow his heart. I believe she did and look what happened. Barack Obama is following his heart and pursuing his dream of becoming President. Let's start today, if we haven't already, encouraging our children to follow their own hearts and not what we have in our hearts for them. Our heart's desire should be to see them happy and successful in whatever their hearts lead them to do.

Be blessed and encouraged, today it's your choice. ~ Delphine

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7a)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6)

Obama Handling the Business

Obama on The O'Reilly Factor handling the business. Bill was asking some "need to know" questions with a condescending attitude but Obama held his own. This is the man we need to be President. Obama handled it with class and this is just the first part. The interview is so good, they had to break it up in parts being feature a day/night at a time. Way to go Barack, a smooth operator. Don't let them rattle you or see you sweat. Barack Obama is the man.

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children That...God Honors Work

Teach our children that God honors work. So we should encourage them to honor God in their work. Teach them that we get out of work, what we put in to our work. In other words, "you reap what you sow", "sow a lot, reap a lot". We all have encouraged our children to apply themselves and to do their best in their academic studies as well as sports to reap the rewards of doing their best. Rewards of possible academic scholarships and athletic scholarships, the payoffs of years of hard work. Just like we encourage them to apply themselves in these areas, we should encourage our children to work at honoring God in all areas of work. We are works of God and since God honors us we should honor Him in all of our areas of work. It's work being who God made you to be. It's work being a parent, a child, a sibling, and work being whatever or whoever but let's honor Him and our work by being the best we can be at it.

Be blessed and encourage today, it's your choice.~ Delphine

Michelle Obama at Democratic National Convention

Just in case you missed her keynote address at the Democratic National Convention on last night here it is. I love Michelle's presence. A woman on the move with her husband. Go Barack, Go! Go Michelle, Go! Yes, We Can!

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms So They Could Show Their Children How To...Ask God For The Things They Need.

Today's tidbit is short and sweet. Not too many words from me but some clear verbiage from the bible. The scripture that teaches us to ask God for the things we need, Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV.

Ask, and it will be given to you: seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

We should never know not what to pray or give the excuse that we don't know how to pray. Trials and tribulations push us to prayer while the bible contains all the words we need for encouragement, guidance, understanding and some answers to our prayers. A guide for everyday living.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice.~ Delphine

Ateyaa's Hair and Brow Beauty Tips

Ladies, I love this sistah's confidence and her southern personality. She has shared some really good beauty tips and had the patience to record them. I love her hair style and look of her eyebrows but I no longer have the time nor have I had the patience to do what she does with her hair or her eyebrows but for those of you who do. Enjoy! I'm currently enjoying my natural hair and style. The videos are good but their also quite funny to me!

Good Read of The Month

Lately, I've been into reading memoirs and I've come across some really great ones on brown folk but I really enjoy reading the ones on brown women. Brown women who have overcome all types of obstacles and came out on top. There is a lot to be said about the inner strength, the spiritual zeal, and the natural beauty of brown women who have overcome. So this month my suggested read is "No Woman No Cry My Life with Bob Marley" by Rita Marley. It's a great read. Let's talk about it once you read it.

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...Being Prepared Is A Part of God's Will For Us

As I reviewed the school supply list and all the other papers that come home the first week of school, I thought about all of what it takes to become a successful student and a successful school. Getting the necessary supplies and filling out the different forms prepares the students, the parents, and the administration for whatever lays ahead. All it takes is preparation. I don't think we will ever be fully prepared for all that life brings but as I pondered "preparation", I thought that those school supplies could prove to be handy in a grade of excellence on my son's first reading or writing assignment. Having my contact information would prove to be a necessity for the school nurse needing to report a accident that involves my child or if my child is sick. Friends, it is God's will for us to be prepared, not worried but prepared. For example, planning meals help make dinner and homework assignments more manageable during a busy week, having a resume on hand surely helps when a last minute job opportunity presents itself, having an emergency fund is great for unplanned or unexpected expenses, an umbrella tuck away in a purse or car is good for unexpected rain. My tidbit for today, just try to prepared for whatever may come and teach our kids to do the same.

Be blessed and encourage today, it's your choice.~Delphine

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...All Things Are Made Possible with God.

And if they ask you how do you know that tell them because the bible/scriptures say so. Knowing these scriptures have carried me through a lot of things and once I start doubting, I just start reciting what I already know to be true - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me and so can everybody else. Let them know that when we are weak, He is strong.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice.~Delphine

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

2 Corinthians 13:9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.

A Vote For Akin, Is A Vote For Leon County

A friend of my family is running for Commissioner At-Large, I ask for your support in this endeavor on his behalf. Check out his website for more information on Akin and what he hopes to bring to the table. Let's not guess who's coming to the table, let's elect who comes to the table. I know it sounds corny but I have Bernie Mac on my mind. He starred in the modern day remake of Sidney Poitier's famous movie "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". R.I.P Bernie Mac.

www.akinforallofleon.com

Back to business. Early voting starts today if you want to beat the August 26th crowd. Also do your candidate research, we have a lot of brown folk running. Let's help some brown folk get in office by casting our brown vote.

www.leoncountyfl.gov/elect/index.asp

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...The Meaning of Writing The Vision

We have all heard the scripture from Habakkuk 2 about God answering the prophet Habakkuk's question about the suffering of Judah by telling him to write the vision and make it plain. Just in case you don't remember the scripture, Habakkuk is told to write the prophecy of events and what God spoke to him so it won't be forgotten and he's told to make the writing plain so any and everyone who reads it can understand how his cry/prayer was answered. I think from the way I have heard it in the past, it may have been taken out of context or I heard it wrong, but being told to write the vision and make it plain is very powerful. We can do just that by writing our career/personal goals down, keeping a diary, keep journals of our prayers, organizing our bank statements, and by arranging our liquid assets. I believe this is part of writing the vision. For example, it could be your vision of getting a higher degree or starting a different job by going back to school, a vision of losing weight by jotting down what you eat and how much you exercise or how much weight you've lost, a vision of achieving finical freedom by keeping a spread sheet/record of your debit and credit. You writing down and acting on all the steps to reaching your goals, makes it simple and plain for you and others who share the same vision. Hence, your writing the vision and making it plain. Ladies, God forbid that I've misread, mislead or misinterpreted what I've read because that is not my intention. This is just my understanding of the scripture after I read it in it's entirety. Read it for yourselves because as part of the scriptures says, "people parish for a lack of knowledge". I'm just trying to get a better understanding of what I've been taught and of what I'm learning to give my children a better understanding of what I know to be in God's word .

Be blessed and encouraged, it's your choice.~Delphine

Habakkuk2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Happy 47th Birthday Mr. Obama

I had to add this one too....



Such a beautiful brown family.

Commentary: Why it matters how black women wear their hair

For too many little black girls, it was a childhood ritual, like pouring make-believe tea.

I would take a pajama top, drape it over my head, and with its sleeves trailing down my back, pretend that the cotton nightshirt was, instead, a flowing mane of hair, like the Breck girl's, or maybe Jaclyn Smith's on "Charlie's Angels" -- neither of whom looked a thing like me.

Now mind you, I was no self-hater. I grew up with scholarly, professional parents who instilled in their children a love of blackness that ranged from the muted to the bellicose; from the dashiki my mother sewed for me to match the one worn by my father, to the Liberian middle name Monsio they bestowed upon me at birth.

But as much as I was black, I was also American and a girl who wanted to be called pretty, and in the 1970s, I knew that to be cute you were supposed to have long, lustrous hair.

Historically, long, straight tresses -- along with pale, white skin -- defined beauty in the United States. Black women, our complexions the hues of a cocoa rainbow and our hair often kinky and short, didn't fit the Eurocentric ideal, and we were made to feel less soft, less lovely, less womanly.

Hair became a thing that we obsessed over, searing it into contrition with hot combs and lye, and assigning it the attributes of good (straight/wavy) and evil (naturally nappy.) Indeed, Madam C.J. Walker, a black woman widely regarded as America's first black female millionaire, earned her fortune devising products and techniques that made our hair "behave."

But while black women may spend the equivalent of a small nation's gross domestic product getting our hair woven, twisted, or permed, it is not sheer vanity that drives us. Rightly or wrongly, the broader world sometimes sees our hair as a window into who we are. Right or wrong, hair does matter. And as Michelle Obama, a black woman who may become the next first lady, undergoes scrutiny, some African-Americans believe there is no better time than now to examine how black women are frequently prejudged and mischaracterized.

It's not surprising. In a society where stereotypes remain a convenient shorthand to sum up others, something as simple as the way a black woman wears her hair could hardly be innocuous. Wear twists or dreadlocks in some circles and you might be seen as too independent, too different -- too black. I know women who have purposely unbraided their cornrows before a job interview to ensure that a hairstyle didn't cost them a job. It might have been a nonissue, but they weren't taking any chances.

In my first book, my co-author, Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden, and I spoke of the "shifting'' black women have to do, straddling the tightrope between race and gender, constantly having to put others at ease, and endlessly dodging the minefield of stereotypes. Call out a wrong, and you're angry. Speak too loudly and you must have been raised "in the ghetto." Perform a task less than perfectly and you're unqualified.

Ponder for a moment the controversy surrounding Michelle Obama, most recently caricatured with her husband, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, on the cover of The New Yorker. Her well-coiffed hairdo is not usually a topic of discussion. In fact, her elegant style is often likened to Jackie O's. But on the New Yorker' cover, which satirized many of the smears leveled at the Obamas by some conservative critics, she sports an afro -- along with an assault rifle and battle fatigues.

Some blacks believe that Michelle Obama, with all her complexity, is being reduced to the age-old stereotype of the angry black woman. They view many of her detractors' comments as updated versions of the critiques historically leveled at blacks who made whites uncomfortable. When some of her critics call her arrogant, do they mean "uppity"? Is she unpatriotic or simply "not like us''?

And yet, there is no denying that society's attitudes and perceptions have evolved with time. There is a tolerance of diversity in personal style as well as ethnic background that didn't exist even a generation ago.

Black women in particular are more fully embracing the versatility of that distinct aspect of their beauty -- their fabulously kinky hair.

I doubt many little black girls today are putting nightshirts on their heads and pretending to be Britney or Miley. At least I hope not. As for me, I do straighten my locks, but it's out of habit rather than any deep-seated feeling that straighter, longer hair is prettier than my natural 'fro.

In fact, I'm contemplating a change -- sporting my kinky crown of glory full-time. And I'll greet anyone who questions it with a modified quote from the 19th century abolitionist and suffragist, Sojourner Truth -- "Ain't I -- still -- a woman?''

Tuesday Tidbit

God Made Moms To Teach Their Children...God Gave Them Brilliant Minds

God gave us all brilliant minds, we just need to learn to accept the blessing of a brilliant mind. I once read that our talents are gifts from God and that what we do with our talents are our gifts to God. Start encouraging yourself, your husband, your children, and all the others around you to skip, walk, or even run in their brilliance. No matter what the area(s)of brilliance is in, encourage someone to embrace and use the brilliant mind that God gave them for HIS glory.

Be blessed and encouraged today, it's your choice.~ Delphine

Matthew 25;14-29
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.