THE HAND…

I went searching for one song and found this one. Trust me to tell you that I’m glad I did. The song is called “THE HAND OF THE LORD RICKY DILLARD & NEW G FEATURING TINA CAMPBELL. I hope you listen to the entire song especially the vocals by Tina Campbell. Tina is 1/2 of the gospel duo Mary Mary. They are both doing solo work nowadays. Erica has always been my favorite but after listening to Tina on this track, she certainly move up the ladder several notches. Please continue to pray for the families whose lives have been impacted by the recent hurricanes. Also, do what you can to help them. Every little bit helps.

THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU…

I’m posting this for a real nice married couple that I met about an hour ago. They were really good people. In the midst of us having a great conversation, I forgot to get their names. At any rate, this one is for the. “The Closer I Get To You” by Donny Hathaway ft Roberta Flack. This is when music was music……………………..

REMEMBERING THOSE IN TEXAS

This post is for those that are enduring the horrendous conditions that hurricane Harvey is causing in Texas at this time. According to reports “officials in Texas said Monday afternoon that at least eight people appear to have died as a result of the storm battering the state. That toll includes six people in Harris County, home to Houston; one person in Rockport, near where Harvey made landfall; and another person in La Marque, near Galveston”.
If there is something that you can do to help, please do.
To donate by phone to the Red Cross or to get assistance with your donation, please call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). The American National Red Cross is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross’ tax identification number is 53-0196605

You can also reach us at:
EspaƱol: 1-800-435-7669
TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095
The videos are by the following artists: “Lean On Me” – Bill Withers
“Lean On Me” – Kirk Franklin

GIVE LOVE A CHANCE…

After the TOTALLY UNNECESSARY VIOLENCE that occurred yesterday in Charlottesville, VA (if you don’t already know about it, google it because I’m not going to give that nonsense any more energy), the 44th President of the United States of America Barack Obama tweeted the following. Hopefully his messages will give rise to the love that this world so desperately craves. I’m also lighting a candle for the victims…

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion…”
8:06 PM – Aug 12, 2017

“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love…”

“…For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela 8:06 PM – Aug 12, 2017

THURSDAY’S TRUTH (LOVE SEES NO COLOR)

This is one of those stories that you just must read and it will make your day. At least I hope it will make your day like it did mine. It is profound and speaks volumes. The story is of a little girl who is taken to Target to get a present that she has been promised by her parents. What makes this story so intriguing is that this little girl’s innocence has not yet been tainted. Hopefully it will not be. I found this story on aol.com.

Child has purest response for cashier who questioned the color of her doll
BY: Alex Lasker, AOL.com

Apr 4th 2017 3:47PM

A mother of two from South Caroline took to Facebook on March 31 to share an important interaction she had during a recent family outing to Target.

Brandi Benner says she and her husband promised their daughter, Sophia, that “after 1 whole month of going poop on the potty, she could pick out a special prize at Target.”

“She, of course, picked a new doll,” Benner wrote in her post. “The obsession is real.”

But the family trip hit a small snag at the cash register, when a confused employee questioned Sophia’s choice of doll.

“While we were checking out, the cashier asked Sophia if she was going to a birthday party. We both gave her a blank stare,” Benner wrote.

The cashier continued with her line of questioning, asking Sophia if the doll was for a friend before Benner interjected to explain that the toy was a prize for her daughter’s successful potty training.

“The woman gave me a puzzled look and turned to Sophia and asked, ‘Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?'” wrote Benner. “Sophia finally found her voice and said, ‘Yes, please!'”

The cashier then replied, “but she doesn’t look like you. We have lots of other dolls that look more like you.”

Benner explained that just as she started to get angry, her daughter stole the show with the purest answer imaginable.

“Yes, she does,” Sophia said. “She’s a doctor like I’m a doctor. And I’m a pretty girl and she’s a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?”

Benner says after that, the cashier dropped the argument, replying with a simple, “Oh, that’s nice.”

“This experience just confirmed my belief that we aren’t born with the idea that color matters,” Benner concluded. “Skin comes in different colors just like hair and eyes and every shade is beautiful.”

Since she shared it on Facebook, Benner’s story has received a staggering 500,000 reactions and over 200,000 shares.

Benner even shared an update on her Facebook days later, thanking the Facebook community for being so supportive.

“Our family has received so much love, support and encouragement from complete strangers and that is just proof to me that there is SO MUCH good in the world,” she wrote.

However, she did address one problem she has observed in people’s reactions to her story.

“As I explained before, the cashier was an elderly woman and I believe she was completely ignorant to what she was truly saying,” Benner explained. “I feel like in her mind she was being helpful and making conversation with my daughter.”

She says she would rather people focus on the positive aspects of the exchange, rather than harp on the negative.

“I feel like the media is so addicted to negativity that we tend to harden ourselves and assume the worst in others,” she wrote. “But you guys, all I have seen and felt from all of this is pure LOVE!”

VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

Fitnessgrad at https://fitness9555.wordpress.com was kind enough to nominate studiotj for the Versatile Blogger Award. If you’ve never been to her site, you just must go there. Her site is all about fitness. Check her blog out and you just might get a good workout.
I am ever so grateful for her support and as we do here on WordPress, it’s time to pass it on. There are many sites who are “award-free”. I do respect their choice however, when I take time to make my nominations, I don’t take time to investigate who is/is not “award-free”. If you happen to be one of my nominees and you have an “award-free” site, please just accept it as me supporting you and what you do.

Anytime that I receive an award, I think about the first award that I received and it was from Xena at blackbutterfly7.wordpress.com
Her support really helped me to understand the WordPress process. She probably has already received this award but….here you go again.
I know that there are names that I have forgotten/overlooked but please forgive me. I have come into contact with the following sites and I wish to offer them this award as a sign of support.

AND the other nominees are………

https://beholdinghimministries.org
https://josiahharry.com
https://lifesfinewhine.wordpress.com
https://alifelesslivedblog.wordpress.com
https://thedefinitionsite.wordpress.com
https://neveradullbling.com
https://renegadeexpressions.com
https://tooncestales.com
https://christiansweightsuccess.net
https://www.ufuomaee.org
https://phoebemd.com
http://www.literaryartsreview.com devereaux-frazier
https://photopaulm.com
https://wordsinthelight.wordpress.com
https://ajibolasunday.wordpress.com

Nominees, I challenge you to find a new blogger to pass the support on to. Thank each of you again for all of the support that you give!!!

THE DIRT

Heap dirt. Isolated on white background

Heap dirt. Isolated on white background

One day earlier this week. I commented on one of my co-worker’s new hairdo (or don’t…if you know what I mean). She responded…… “YES!!! I am the queen on her throne—-looking down on all these peasants.” I assured her that she didn’t have far down to look. Her comment was that there are plenty of people that she looks down on. Of course, I assured her that on this planet, we are all the same. She on the other hand indicated that we definitely are not. I encouraged her to take time to stand near the restroom and watch how many people during the course of the day go in and sit on the same commode…..
This conversation reminded me of a sermon I heard being preached by Megachurch Pastor, TD Jakes. Jakes also has a daytime talk show. This sermon was several years ago and I’m not sure what exactly he was preaching about. I just remember the part where Jakes talked about dirt.
Genesis 2:7 King James Bible
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Jakes reminded the congregation as the bible indicates, we are all dirt. He went on to say that we may buy designer clothes…for our dirt, get a degree… for our dirt, or even get a fancy car to drive our dirt around. BUT………….it’s still all dirt. That, my friends is such a wonderful lesson in people realizing that no one person on this planet is better than the other. Right now, I’ve got to put my dirt in the shower. Enjoy the remainder of this beautiful day!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Today is the day for lovers everywhere to celebrate their love to each other. Many people get creative and go all out for this Valentine’s Day. There are some who spend a lot of money to “impress” their loved one. BUT money is no substitution for time (quality time). I once read somewhere that you can get more money… but you can’t get more time. I hope you spend some quality time today with your special someone. Today I’m leaving you with another one of those special love songs that is simply timeless. This one is a classic: Peabo Bryson’s 1984 hit “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again” Enjoy your special day!!!