R-E-S-P-E-C-T… (AN AWARD)

Today, I’m letting this little girl help me to give some R-E-S-P-E-C-T  to each of you that this blog interacts with regularly. Her name is Johanna Colon and this video was taken in 2015 at a dance recital.    This is the 29th day of February 2016 and I’m using my extra day of the year to heap a level of praise on each of you.  Since I was given this award with no restrictions, I’m going to pay it forward… the same way.  I hope you do the same.  I have a great level of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the support you’ve given.

I know this is not customary but I must first give this award back to Xena @ blackbutterfly7@wordpress.com

She gave it to me and definitely deserves to receive my R-S-P-E-C-T!!!  I can’t say enough about this lady and the support that she has provided to this blog.  Thank you Xena.  I’m honored to know you!!!

Secondly, I have to give this award to a guest blogger on Xena’s blog and a regular commenter that I really R-E-S-PE–C-T a lot.  That person is:  yahtzeebutterfly   Kudos Yahtzee on all that you do! 

Respect Award

The other blogs that I’m nominating for the Respect Award are:

yesterdayafter.com

daintym.com

soulgifts.com.au

hitbelowthebelthard.com

simpledimplesite.wordpress.com

deanneworld.wordpress.com

spiritualjourney17.wordpress.com

seekingyoufirst.com

theutopiauniverse.com

virgobeauty.wordpress.com

cjstorm

suvarnaventures.wordpress.com

kahchoonblog.wordpress.com

visionariekindness.com

There are more sites that also deserve much respect.  Some of them choose not to receive awards.  Some of them I have perhaps overlooked on this go-around but just know, I have a lot of R-E-S-P-E-C-T for you all.  Take a moment to visit these wonderful blogs and perhaps you may make a new friend.  Much R-E-S-P-E-C-T to each of you.

 

 

 

THE DEVIL IS BUSY…

It is Sunday evening and supposedly a day of rest but… the devil has been busy today and as usual, he doesn’t care who he uses. The latest victim: The Rev. William Schooler. Schooler, 70 years old, was the pastor of St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Rev. William Schooler

According to reports, he was allegedly killed this morning during church services by his 68 year old brother, Daniel Schooler.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has reported that the shooting happened about 12:22 p.m. ET. Witnesses indicate that the violence broke out in the middle of the service while the choir was singing.

Witnesses told NBC affiliate WDTN that Schooler had just walked up to the pulpit when shots rang out. About 20 people were inside the church at the time, and chaos ensued as they escaped the building. This “domestic incident” raised its ugly head in church. But why?  To me, the last place you should go to “kill” someone, should be at church.  Are there no more “sacred” places left.  Like I said earlier, the devil does not care who he uses.  Can we all please have a moment of silence for all parties concerned.  We really need to get busy… doing the work of the Lord.

FRIDAY INSPIRATION: PART II “STILL I RISE”

Just in case you haven’t heard this one, it is awesome.  This is Yolanda Adams singing “Still I Rise”.  Okay, I’m leaving you guys alone just for today.  Talk to you soon!

FRIDAY INSPIRATION: “THE PRAYER”

I’ve heard many versions of this song.  Most of them are really good.  This is Donnie McClurkin & Yolanda Adams singing The Prayer.  Trust me, we all need it not just daily, but moment by moment.  Enjoy your Friday Inspiration.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH – LANGSTON HUGHES

The Ballad Of The Landlord

Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don’t you ‘member I told you about it
Way last week?

Landlord, landlord,
These steps is broken down.
When you come up yourself
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.

Ten Bucks you say I owe you?
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s Ten Bucks more’n I’l pay you
Till you fix this house up new.

What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture and
Throw it in the street?

Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on-till you get through.
You ain’t gonna be able to say a word
If I land my fist on you.

Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He’s trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!

Copper’s whistle!
Patrol bell!
Arrest.
Precinct Station.
Iron cell.
Headlines in press:
MAN THREATENS LANDLORD
TENANT HELD NO BAIL
JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL!

From THE LANGSTON HUGHES READER, p. 101, © 1957.
This poem by Langston Hughes grew out of conditions in New York City’s Harlem in the 1930’s. In graphic terms it describes the escalation of anger and frustration that tenants experienced trying to get landlords to make basic repairs. It is structured like an old time blues song until the final verse where the rhythm changes.

Charley Noble  spotlight-oldpoem © by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes

My Acceptance Speech

You’ve got to check out this “acceptance speech” to one of my Dedicated Blogger nominations. A lot of thought was put into this and it is both awesome… and hilarious. Here goes…………..

WANNA BE HAPPY?

Check out this music video by one of gospel music’s greats, Kirk Franklin.  This one is called “Wanna Be Happy?”  This song is on Franklin’s latest cd  “Losing My Religion”!

The song is great and the video really gives it a boos in my opinion.  It’s amazing how much life a video gives a song sometimes.  Kirk Franklin has been around the gospel music industry for many years but really struck a chord with music listeners all over the world with the  single, “Stomp”, featuring Cheryl “Salt” James (of Salt-N-Pepa).  The song was a big hit, enjoying heavy rotation on MTV and other music channels, and charting at No. 1 on the R&B Singles Airplay chart for two weeks, even making it into the Top 40. God’s Property from Kirk Franklin’s Nu Nation was No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart for five weeks, No. 3 on the Pop charts, and would go on to be certified 3x platinum. It also brought Franklin another Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, as well as three Grammy nominations.  Enjoy… and be happy.

TUESDAY INSPIRATION

This is another one of my favorite inspirational pieces to read.  It was written by Max Ehrmann and it is poignant!!!  He really addresses a lot of life’s concerns right here in this one piece.  Let me know what you think about it.  Have you seen it before?

DEDICATED BLOGGER AWARD

First of all I want to thank one of my favorites, Xena at blackbutterfly7.wordpress.com for nominating me.  If you haven’t visited her site, you must do so.  Once there, you’ll be treated properly.  Her mantra: We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident that all men are created equal.

I am so behind in getting some of these awards out.  But…. I guess there is no deadline in doing so.  Today is a very busy day but I certainly wanted to get this done.  These blogs that I’m nominating today are just some of the sites that bring me joy and hopefully studiotj does the same for them.  There are many others.  I’m doing something a little different with this award.  Instead of answering a bunch of questions, I want you to pretend that you are receiving a major award.  Let us read your acceptance speech!  There is one in particular that I can’t wait to read and I will not say which one.  Good Luck.  The nominees are as follows:

missouriadvocate.com

daintym.com

acuriousmind2013.wordpress.com

deanneworld.wordpress.com

middleme.net

virgobeauty.wordpress.com

soulgifts – Telling Tales

chapeblog.wordpress.com

marvegandah.wordpress.com

kahchoonblog.wordpress.com

BLACK HISTORY MONTH REVISITED

This is one of those must watch videos. Meet 106 year old Virginia McLaurin. Mrs. McLaurin was born in 1910 when William Taft was president.  She was married at the tender age of 14 and widowed at 17.  She has lived through 18 American presidents.

Two years ago in 2014, McLaurin received an award in her hometown, Washington, D.C. for volunteering. She spends that time with students who have mental disabilities. When she was given the award, she indicated to a reporter that her one wish was to meet the President of The United States. It took two years but she was invited to The White House this year for Black History Month.

McLaurin was so elated to see President Obama and The First Lady that she broke out in a dance.  This is truly a Black History Moment.

“I always tell people, live the best they know how,” she said. “Don’t steal. Don’t cheat.”