Over or Under...Um I'm not really sure...but i know I appreciate it being there!

Over or Under...Um I'm not really sure...but i know I appreciate it being there!

(1 John 5:14-15). 

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him"
 

So a thought came to me while I was putting a new roll of toilet paper on the roll...

Yep you know it the question and debate that still continues in households and has even been questioned on Facebook and other social media outlets

Should the paper be pulled over or should the paper be pulled under.

I have seen strong arguments for both and I have even heard of some folks been awoken in the middle of their good sleep, with a person shaking a roll of toilet paper at them and screaming about their error in putting the roll in incorrectly!

We've gotten close over these past many post and I am here to let you in on a little bit of more of me and how I think.

I REALLY DON'T CARE, which way the roll rolls - I just need you to replace the paper when you notice that there is clearly only one square left...I mean come on who only uses one square!!!

Yes, yes this does have a greater connection.  Welcome to my mind, because I pondered this I thought I wonder if that God thinks about our prayers.

Does he concern His self with our posture - you know hands together. eyes closed, hand holding if there is a group, or is it the intention of our hearts the mustard seed of our Faith that moves his hand.

Don't get it twisted i have prayed on my knees, laid flat out on the floor, holding hands in the traditional prayer circle...

Just as often I have prayed eyes wide open squeezing the steering wheel, face down on my work desk, standing up, sitting down, and even curled up in a ball.

The light hearted point, the intentions of your heart is the depth of your faith. 

Pray pray pray pray...whether it's over or under pray!

Some Things Change...Some Things Stay the same or the other way around LOL

Some things change and some things never do...One of my Favorite lines from one of the Matrix movies

  

I know very little about the Civil War...but because I love outdoor activities and festivals I found myself standing in the middle of a camp at a Civil War reenactment.  I had been looking for something to do and the sign said Free and Civil War Reenactment and well it had me at Free.

I walked around a large Civil War Camp where there were big pots of food cooking, sleeping soldiers under trees and flags just a flying

Wait a minute ... that flag just a waiving appears to symbolize that just maybe it was a flag not really in my favor...If you don't know what I mean check out one of my earlier blog post "You know I'm black right?" 

Yes there I stood in the middle of the confederate camp, walking around taking pictures with Confederate soldiers, learning about the battle and learning lessons from many of the very nice soldiers who gave great stories and knowledge on how things were back in the Civil War.

I laughed as I headed out of the Confederate Camp in search of the Union soldiers, knowing that times had really changed.  That walk I just took three modern day past history really wouldn't have likely been so enjoyable.

The Union soldiers were too far away, so I didn't make it to them before the battle began.  Based on sheer numbers I'm positive this was a battle that they did not win, but you all know we won the war.

There is still racism in the world without a doubt but as I sat next to a sweet little girl who was the opposite color of me and as she smiled and played with my sweet little girl I thought to myself maybe one day, just maybe our skin colors won't even have a name...We will be defined by our character.

Some things Do Change

Hey Baby what's your sign...?

Hey Baby what's your sign...My name is Nene and I'm an Aries

Proverbs 1: 1-3

King James Version (KJV)

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

² To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
³ To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

Don't freak out because you see a zodiac sign, hang in there and enjoy the ride because it leads to my Father.

Back in the day when everything was cool baby - digging on him digging on you time frame.  Depending on your style you may have rocked an afro or long and straight hair.  I won't date myself I'm just saying I remember, that there was a song out in 1977, by the Floaters, titled Float on!  If you know the song I know you are smiling right now at the memories of dancing to it.  If you don't know it, I will happily add a link for your listening pleasure.

The song begins with the smooth line of " Aquarius and my name is Ralph !" and  Ralph goes on to describe the type of woman he likes and the other members of the group fall in line with their zodiac sign and the female qualities they are looking for (Keep in mind this is 1977, so the female qualities were based on character like carrying yourself like Miss Universe, loving everything and everybody, and being a woman of the world - funny how times have changed - I know another blog another day)

Back to zodiac signs...I would be a liar if I told you oh no I've never checked out what was going on in my horoscope from time to time.  If there was romance on the horizon based on the moon phase...blah blah blah.  The funny thing is when I did read them at the beginning of the day, I would forget what the darn thing said and never even think to look back for accuracy. 

Every now and again I would read it at the end of the day to verify accuracy and I would laugh at just how vague they could be and I'm sure that some of that applied to some Aries out there.

Today it struck my funny/blog bone as I thought Huh horoscopes predict how your day will be but they never give you specific instructions on how to handle your day.  So when it says you are in for a financial windfall it sure enough doesn't give you lottery numbers or advise you on how to approach your boss to get that financial windfall.  And when love is in the air according to your horoscope - Your walking around smiling at EVERYBODY!  Because one could be the one.  But how can you know the qualities of the one.

What this got to do with your Father (You know your daddy who Art in Heaven)- Senetra? 

Well I'm glad you asked...Let me direct you to Proverbs a book that is in a really good book, written by a very Wise King (I'm not sure what his zodiac sign was but I know who his director was)  31 chapters a life lesson for every day on how to handle what life throws at you whether romance is in the air or the sun is shining on your finances.  It's interesting to know how your day might be it is WISE to know how to handle whatever comes!  Proverbs check it out!

Float on The Floaters



Proverbs 1 the best place to start 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1&version=KJV


 

Praise...I know it's rough...Praise...I know it hurts...Praise...I see your tears...Praise

Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

I was taken aback by an amazing kidnapping story.

First the article made me quite angry and sad that there are people in this world who harm innocent kids.  I don't watch the news often, but when I do I am pressed down by what I see.  People who are angry at one another just because.  Heck like the last Batman movie I saw said, "Sometimes crazy doesn't even have a reason."

Anyway enough of that let me tell you about the amazing joy in this kidnapping.  Apparently this child in Atlanta was playing in his front yard when a man drove up in snatched him.

Sorry I got a side track again. Remember when we were young and the entire town was your playground.  You could play in the woods, next to a field, on any sidewalk, and you were safe.

Ok seriously back to the story.  The child was held captive for about three hours.  In those three hours he sang over and over and over and over and over and over and over again - Every Praise by Hezekiah Walker.

Over and over and over and over again - until he was set free unharmed.  Simply put he got kicked out of the car.  The man couldn't take it anymore!  The child said the man was cursing at him.

Point one he didn't sing save me Jesus...He didn't sing help me Lord...Bless his heart he didn't even call for his Momma.  I ain't gonna  to lie.  I am all the way grown and I would have called out for Momma.  But this child sang a PRAISE song! 

Point two - God dwelled in his praises and the devil couldn't take it.

Hezekiah Walker is a famous gospel singer and he was so moved by the child's act that he went and met the little boy.

Life is hard things don't always go our way.  Sometimes you wonder if you can get any lower, but I tell you what Praise him anyway!

Point three - I'm going find me a song and a verse that I can apply to some situations.  Uh maybe you should too!...Your life depends on it.

The Article

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/10-year-old-sings-gospel-song-defeat-ga-kidnapper-article-1.1761282

The Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uph7WaFNHU&feature=player_embedded

I know a boat load of people but only a few ride in my ship (Friendship)

I know a boat load of people but only a few ride in my ship (Friendship)

Proverbs 18:24

King James Version (KJV) 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

I’ve been blessed to live a few decades and walk this earth with the knowledge that I truly have some ride or die flight or fight laugh or cry praying  arguing  hugging supporting  friends (The blessing is in the singular the favor is in the plural).

The word friend is defined as:

• friend/frɛnd/ Show Spelled [frend] Show IPA

noun

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.  

3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?  

4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.

5. ( initial capital letter ) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.

*http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/friend

But what the word friend truly means is personal and much deeper.

My friends and I have had some comical situations that are classified and not to be spoken of again and some sad ones that God truly got us through together.

With Facebook (which for the record I am not knocking Facebook in anyway because when used properly it can be a blessing to family and friendships, and on occasion my dinner table)   you  may have several friends on Facebook and hundreds following you on other social media outlets. Like little kids we want to have lots of friends. It is sort of funny because I know  we all get excited when we get a lot of people who like  our picture or our post, its almost an addictive form of approval.  Again I AIN’T Knocking Facebook!  What I am presenting is a dose of Real, on there.

  I instill in young folks this thought, you really only need one true friend like David, one that is like a brother to you.  Everyone you have beyond that is an extra blessing so honor those relationships with compassion with love in faith and with loyalty. 

In the oh wise words of the rap group Whodini on the Escape album released in 1984 (YIKES) Friends how many of us have them.

All glory to God and oodles of thanks for those who I truly call “FRIEND”

Walking in Son Shine

Walking in Son-Shine 

Oh the day finally came today on April Fool's Day of all days when the calendar date of spring and the beautiful Spring weather converged to bring forth an AMAZING 82 degree day here in the city.

I know some of you may be grumbling because your still watching snow melt, but don't worry I have seen what's coming for you and it is full of cherry blossoms, red cardinals, and the awesome smell of honeysuckle.

I'm from the North, but I have become a shrimp and grits eating,  Sun Drop soda drinking true southern girl.  I like my chicken fried hard and my winter's mild.  To become a true southerner I had to commit to certain saying like, "Bless your heart!"  and "Yawl".   People make fun of these sayings, but quite honestly to me they are poetic and romantic, but that's a conversation for another day.

Today I sat warming up the Echo (don't judge she is an all weather warm up vehicle)  and I watched as people were exiting my office building.  I wish I had a video camera to show you the darkness turn to light. 

Most of us spend all day in the office, we eat at our desk and look out the window at the beautiful sky and before we can fully convince ourselves that we can take ten minutes to go outside, the phone stops our fantasy and its back to the grind.

So it was beautiful to see the gloomy faces as they came out of the shadows of the fluorescent lit hallway and opened the door into sunshine and warmth.  Grown adults showed child like smiles as if it were the end of a school day and they were free to play.  These hard working adults carrying briefcases full of work to take home and tilted their heads up to the Carolina blue sky!  They walked smiling to their cars.  The day may have been rough but God's art work and weather creation made all the stress if only for a moment ALL GOOD.  Ok maybe some of the joy was that they were headed home, but I believe the warm weather fed our souls.

Take the Son (this is not a typo) with you and you can always walk in sunshine.

Walking in Son-Shine