Two Weeks...and the mask cracks...

I don't write too many personal posts...but I'm going to make tonight an exception.

One of my favorite sayings is:






Ok. I have the 1st & 2nd points on lock. However, that last verb (for it IS an action word) is a point of contention for me.
Why???
It seems that when i think i've found 'THE ONE'...I actually did not.
My last relationship...though short in duration, started off beautiful & wonderful. It was ABSOLUTELY EXCITING!!
and then the two weeks came.
And slowly cracks started to appear.
Now I"m not going to put him on blast, cuz he may in fact read my blog.
He didn't show support for my blog when we were together, but that doesn't mean he won't visit it...eventually.
One of the cracks that appeared was of a mental nature.
Up/down mood swings.
Depression.
Given the fact that he was 10+yrs older I thought (imho) he would be able to govern his emotions better than what I observed.
Being around him became increasingly difficult as I had now gone from his woman to his traveling cheerleader.
I was exhausted.
I was frustrated.
And I was resentful.
I know initially, relationships are exciting. I know they can be tempestuous.
But for some reason, I keep getting played with the 'bait and switch.'
I meet these men who are nice, kind and sweet...and I swear when it hits the 2 week mark...the sweet words aren't as frequent, the calls are shorter in duration etc.
My twin One Man, blogged about having a broken heart and it's based off John Mayer's song entitled, "Dreaming With A Broken Heart" (check out Magic's video remake below-it's moving)


As a woman of the ol' school...I also want a man who's ol' school. That doesn't mean you know all of Al Green's & Sam Cooke's songs.
This means YOU KNOW HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE!!
Ladies, how many men do u know can actually change a tire?
Do u know every man I've attempted to date-cannot change a tire.
(except for my ex in Cali, and he's a pretty boy who doesn't mind getting dirty under the hood...but then again he's Belizian so that may have something to do with his work ethic. He's a police officer/mechanic)
For some reason, I AM COMPELLED to ask "do u know how to change a tire??"

they ALWAYS answer, No.
I swear, it's like a part of me dies inside.
My fear:
I get a flat tire, and call my man up,
tell him I got a flat tire,
and he asks me...did u call AAA??
NO.
I'm calling YOU...
so YOU, not AAA can change my tire, doggone it!!
I know more WOMEN who can change a tire than I do men..smh

what's going on?

This post isn't about changing tires, but its about the quality of men that I encounter.
I just think about the kind of man my daddy is.
My daddy worked OT without complaining-taking care of 4 kids, fixed our cars and neighbors' cars, I mean if there was an issue MY DADDY was called.
He was the go-to guy, a hero if you will.
My daddy was the 1st one you called, and still is.
And before anyone asks...my daddy grew up in a single mother household-who raised 7 chirren.

Now if I call a man..this is the conversation (hypothetical)
him: hey babe.
me: hey.
him: what's wrong? u don't sound good.
me: yeah, my tire's on flat, and I need to get to work. I need u to come change it.
him: Uhh, I don't know how to change a tire...did u call AAA?
me: *silence*
him: hello
me: *silence*
him: hello? Bree.
me: i'm here. And no, I did not call AAA. I called you.
him: well did u call your mother?
me: she doesn't have a car.
him: did u call ur sis?
me: she lives in Cali.
him: did you call you bros?
me: he's in Tennessee. Both of them.
him: well, what about 1 of your friends?
me: you want me to call 1 of my friends...and I have a man? Do u know how embarrassing it is to have a man, who can't change a tire? Hell, u can go online and learn how to change a tire!!
him: Well, I'm sorry Bree, i don't know how to change a tire. Do you want me to call AAA for you?
me: *click.*
him: Bree? Bree?
me: *dial tone*

*****

Where are the MEN??
I know everything's in God's hands, so please don't tell me that-I already know.
However in my humanness i still have questions that I ask aloud.
This is just one of those times.
Oy vey.
smh



Come See What's Poppin'at Bria's Own Words, my OTHER blog!

Mary J to Appear on One Life To Live...

Mary J. Blige to sing on ABC soap opera


NEW YORK - Mary J. Blige is returning to "One Life to Live."

The Grammy-winning singer taped another appearance Thursday on the ABC soap opera. She last visited the fictional town of Llanview in July 2006 to perform hits from her multiplatinum album "The Breakthrough."

For her second cameo, she'll be a surprise guest at a Sweet Sixteen birthday party for Starr Manning (played by Kristen Alderson), ABC said. The episodes are set to air Feb. 15 and Feb. 18.

Accompanied by her band, Blige, 37, will sing "Just Fine," the Grammy-nominated single from her new album, "Growing Pains," as well another track called "Hurt Again."

"It's absolutely amazing to be integrated into a soap opera I've watched since I was a little girl," Blige said in a statement. "I am beyond thrilled to be welcomed back again."

Nelly Furtado, Chris Botti, Erykah Badu, Timbaland and Keri Hilson have also performed on the show. source

****
Thank goodness for Youtube!
I'm not a soap opera fan (anymore), so I won't watch her performance on One Life To Live-but I know some stranger will look out for me and upload it to Youtube.
She's definitely making her rounds and I ain't mad at her.
However, I WILL be mad at her if I found out she had something to do with
steroids.
Not that Mary J, cares.
But I know Mary J wouldn't dare dabble in that mess.
Go 'head, Mary.


**scroll to the bottom and get Recognizd! Sign my "Slide Guestbook!"

In 2008, I promise to...

Dance More...

Eat more spiritual food...

Reach out to the youth (more)...

Sing more...

Spend money wiser...

Embrace my family ( uh-oh)...Stop hiding...

LOVE the big girl that I am (and what?!) :)...

Praise HIM, regardless of how I feel...

Pray more often (forgive me, Father)...

Add 50 pgs to my book-in-progress (have 100 pgs now!)...

Fam, what are your aspirations for 2008?

These wonderful works of art were created by the gifted hands & minds of: Monica Stewart, Tim Ashkar, WAK, Laurie Cooper, Annie Lee, Frank Morrison, John Holyfield, Edwin Lester, Jamal Scott. Their works may be viewed and/or purchaes at Brown Horizon Art.

"Shysters & Perverts in Jesus' Name" The Larry King Live Edition

Paula, get on your face and repent before God, and take your cohorts with you!

The Real Reason Jesus died on the cross for us according to Mega Preachers:
because God wants us to have more cash!

(thanks Ann B!)

Paula on Larry King:
I've viewed a clipping of the Larry King Edition of S &P (Paula White) and all I have to say is: This chile has sho' nuff been prepped. She doesn't miss a beat.
Pasted-On smile? Check.
New Veneers? Check.
Mini-face lift? Check.
French Manicure? Check.
Soft spoken answer?Check.
Repeating a question, while you search for an answer? Check.

Paula was soooo comfortable in this interview, she even leaned in onto Larry's desk as if they're old buds (because she knew she was in control of herself). I'm sure they will be since he simply GLOSSED over the scandal surrounding Paula.
If it was Paul Edwards-Detroit radio talk-show Paul Edwards Show, Paula would've pulled a Dr. Jan...took that microphone off, walked out of the studio and ride off into the sunset!

The most disconcerting aspect of this show was not Paula...well not Paula per se...it was the clips that were aired. Paula was at her finest moment, walking up and down the podium, head going back and forth, shoulders getting ready to the do the "bankhead bounce" and then...
the camera pans the audience. Who's out there? US. An arena full of BLACK FOLKS lappin' that mess up like hound dogs!
What is it about desperate black people and megachurches?? What can charlatans, witches and warlocks do for you besides expedite your ticket to hell?
You BETTER RECOGNIZE,
there's only one gospel, one Truth,
and his name is Jesus.

Watch Video Clip

and/or
Read the Transcript

On Tomorrow's Episode of "Shysters & Perverts in Jesus' Name," Paula White: Will She Acknowledge Christ??

On the next episode of " Shysters & Perverts in Jesus' Name"...

Pastor and/or Life Coach-is that possible??

Due to the regurgitated vomit (i.e., lies, distortions & untruths) that seems to be shared among pastors... I like many other Christians who seek truth and will not accept heresy as gospel, am unlikely to step into an edifice. And if I do, it won't be that of a Pulpit-Pimp. Therefore,I seek God in my private time, listen to church sermons (not those found on CableTV ) and learn more about the Lord utilizing various online resources. *check outmy blogroll* Thanks Phil! and Thanks Ann!

Having said that when I visited the church called The Old Black Church , don't let the name fool you...this church is for errybody, I read the "bulletin announcement" stating that Paula will be on CNN's Larry King Live tomorrow, November 26, 2007, 9pm EST. If you desire you can send Paula an email via CNN and there's a chance yours may get read: send Paula an email

Because Larry isn't Christian (he's Jewish) he truly doesn't understand the issue between Paula and her cohorts and the church. So I know he will not throw questions at her that can be construed as "offensive" or hard-hitting, unlike my favorite Christian radio talk-show host, Detroit's own Paul Edwards. Paul interviewed her and asked how is it possible two Christians are unable to work out their marriage? And out of leftfield Paula used a distraction tactic in order to take the focus of her and her web of lies. Paula retorted, the least Paul could've done was ask about her dying "daughter." She said her daughter has 3, 4 stage cancer and is dying...truth is , Paul Edwards wasn't aware of the young lady's illness, it's Randy's daughter and if she's concerned about the young lady--why's Paula doing this book tour?? Remember, she'll be on Larry King tomorrow. Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Paula?!

Paula can not justify the path she has now chosen. As most false teachers can't when they're confronted by someone anchored in the Word.

How to Identify False Teachers, Profits,Pastors, etc
from The Foolish Galatian Blog via Independent Conservative
characteristics of shysters in the church
We must work out our "own salvation with fear and trembling"
Phil 2:12b, and stop leaving it up to these false teachers to do it!

Dr. Jan Adams aka "Jack The Ripper"*: What A Piece of Work! *thanks BC :)

What A Piece of Work

On the same day as Dr. Donda West's funeral services, Dr. Jan Adams will be on Larry King Live. Hmmmm. I don't expect Larry King to be sensitive to the West family's grieving, I mean...they're not Tammy Faye, but this couldn't have been scheduled ONE DAY AFTERWARDS. It's a live show for goodness sakes.
Many people are clamoring to be on Larry's show-why, I haven't a clue. His questions are truly elementary-but I digress. It's too bad that yet again, common decency continues to elude Dr. Jan Adams.

I will not watch the airing...I may jump through the screen and choke both of the men, so I'll wait until afterwards and read any relative articles.
I can be objective-for those interested the show airs tomorrow, November 20th on CNN at 9pm, ET.

Seeeeeeeee?

Larry King's promo

The "Dog" on Larry King Live

The Dog looks like a Puppy

I would be prone to believe Dog when he said used the N-word not in a racial way, IF HE HAD NOT SAID on the phone call, if Lyssa brought home a F-ing N*gg*r, we'd all be mad-paraphrasing. There was no way to misinterpret that part of the conversation...however, I've decided to move on.

This video is 7:05 long...but it leaves you hanging in the end. If this fallout is what it took, in order to make The Dog a changed man...i'm all for it. I did feel sorry for him in this interview. The man looks like a whipped...well, a whipped Dog!

I forgive him--and i'm extending an olive branch as a gesture (see pic at right)>>>
I have other stories to get angry over and to seek justice for!

Here's the interview--YOU DECIDE:

You Better Recognize...Church is turning Worldly!

Are Mega-Preachers Scandal-Prone?
Friday, Sep. 28, 2007 By DAVID VAN BIEMA, time.com

Gospel singer and preacher Juanita Bynum performs at BET's Celebration of Gospel IV at the Orpheum Theatre on January 20, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
Chad Buchanan / Getty
Article Tools

Juanita Bynum's story may read like soap opera, but her travails are a reminder of the longtime magnetism between celebrity Pentecostal preachers and scandal. The 48-year-old regular on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) made her reputation with a sermon renouncing pre-marital sex to search for a holy partner. She appeared to find one in a minister named Thomas Weeks III, wed him in a $1 million on-air ceremony, and together they went out to preach and teach the perfect Christian marriage. Then, in August she accused him of badly beating her in a parking lot (he has been charged, but claims he "walked away" from the confrontation), and said she planned to seek a divorce — and to become the "new face of domestic violence." A dramatic reversal of fortunes, certainly, but hardly the first in her particular corner of Christianity.

Bynum's misfortune coincided with the divorce by an even more popular Pentecostal figure, Paula White, and her co-pastor husband Randy, of the Without Walls International megachurch in Tampa, Fla. Divorce, once a taboo in evangelical culture, is now a fact of life. But the Whites' apparently no-fault parting appeared so matter-of-fact — few details were offered, and neither partner seemed to take a time out from preaching — that some grumbled about the unchristian notion of marriage as a convenience. Then there was the drugs-and-call-boy-abetted exit of marquee-name Pentecostal pastor Ted Haggard from his leadership of the National Association of Evangelicals. Clearly, Pentecostalism is facing testing times.

Some suggest that the risk of high-profile meltdowns may be in the very nature of Pentecostal leadership roles. "There's a lot of soul searching in our movement right now," says J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma magazine, because of the spectacle of highly successful preachers losing their way. "There's a saying, 'Your anointing can take you to a place where your character cannot sustain you.' I'm hearing that a lot more often these days."

"Anointing" refers to the Pentecostal belief not only in the conversion experience, but in a "second anointing in the Holy Spirit" that bestows such gifts such as speaking in tongues, healing and prophesying. From its emergence in Los Angeles exactly a century ago, it has tended to be exuberant, physical and generally more theologically adventurous than its evangelical cousins. And despite thousands of pastors and churches that pursue their joyous vision without taint, scandal has dogged some of its most prominent figures. Among the best-known were the late 1980s downfalls of televangelists Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart: Bakker, who was undone by charges of fraud, and Swaggart who was caught with a prostitute, had preached a "theology of prosperity" suggesting that there would be divine rewards in this world for those who donated to the ministry.

Some critics, such as Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Convention's Southern Theological Seminary, see the movement as hardwired for scandal. "The Charismatic movement is so driven by emotion and by passion that it sometimes lacks both theological and moral accountability (inserted by Ivent-I agree!)," he says. Others, such as Tim Morgan, an editor at Christianity Today, see it as a more organizational problem — the absence of the kind of internal oversight common in mainline Protestantism and more recently in non-Pentecostal Evangelicalism. "Quite a few of these independent churches feel they are beholden to God alone," says Morgan.

But Anthea Butler, a professor of religion at the University of Rochester in New York believes Pentecostals are no more trouble-prone than other Protestants. "The same sort of thing is happening to Baptists and Presbyterians," she says. "Except for one big thing. They are not media figures." Notes Charisma's Grady: "There's something about someone who is excited about the things of the Holy Spirit that makes them want to get up and proclaim it" — often on TV. "But you'd better have character, or there's going to be a national scandal."
Many supporters and critics of the Pentecostal movement agree that a troubling factor is the recent resurgence of the prosperity theology (known, among other terms, as Word of Faith or neo-Pentecostalism), which introduces a material aspect to worship that could be an inducement to sin. (even the "unsaved" can see that!)

Practitioners of prosperity philosophies of varying intensity include some of the biggest names in Pentecostalism, including the Whites, Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar. None of these has had trouble with the law, although in 2006, after years of fencing, Joyce Meyer Ministries came to agreement with local authorities to pay 52% taxes on parts of its headquarters, which the county had maintained were a business. Nonetheless, Hank Hanegraaff, a non-Pentecostal evangelical broadcaster who calls himself the Bible Answer Man, expresses concern "about people out there emptying out their bank accounts so their daughter with leukemia can be healed." He recently read on the air a editorial by Grady denouncing "Celebrity Christianity," which described the case of an unnamed female evangelist whose appearance contract included a five-figure honorarium, a $10,000 fuel deposit for a private plane, a five-star hotel, room-temperature Perrier and two bodyguards. The column ended, "May God help us root out the false apostles ... who are making the American church sick with their.... money-focused heresies." (is J-lo or Diana Ross preaching now?!)
But Pentecostals tend to be forgiving of their preachers' lapses — both Bakker and Swaggart are back in the ministry, for example — because of a theological distinction between Pentecostalism and more austere forms of conservative Christianity. Says the University of Rochester's Butler: "Calvinism is [God's] grace, one time. This is grace after grace after grace. You can mess up a thousand times."


Many supporters and critics of the Pentecostal movement agree that a troubling factor is the recent resurgence of the prosperity theology (known, among other terms, as Word of Faith or neo-Pentecostalism), which introduces a material aspect to worship that could be an inducement to sin.

But Pentecostals tend to be forgiving of their preachers' lapses — both Bakker and Swaggart are back in the ministry, for example — because of a theological distinction between Pentecostalism and more austere forms of conservative Christianity. Says the University of Rochester's Butler: "Calvinism is [God's] grace, one time. This is grace after grace after grace. You can mess up a thousand times."

So, will this forgiving trait help Bynum keep her flock? (Does Juanita have a herd of sheep, that she failed to speak in those myriads of interviews??) Yes, say Butler and others. "Where else can you say that you were the church Jezebel," marvels Butler, "and then recast yourself as a pure, holy single woman living a godly life, then all of a sudden you get married in a big elaborate wedding to a bishop, with 40 bridesmaids and then go off and have a ministry with that husband and tell other church couples, 'This is how to love your husband because we got it right'? — and then your husband beats you up in the parking lot, and now you're an advocate for domestic violence?"

Yet Harvard African-American studies and religion scholar Marla Frederick says many of the women with whom Bynum's preaching resonates have seen just as many reversals as in their own lives, and they yearn for a God who will ride the roller coaster with them. "Pentecostal faith is really about the power of the Holy Spirit to instantaneously transform life," she says. But she admits she personally is troubled that "taking a personal story and turning it into a narrative of triumph also becomes something that can be marketed for profit." (Everyone saved or not, has drawn the same conclusion)


Indeed, beyond the scandal of the moment, Pentecostalism has produced a culture of superstar preachers whose lives are always at risk of being turned into something close to secular entertainment.

************
We, the Church, might as well walk around with sunglasses on in order to hide the bruises and black eyes we're getting from the public. As the bible says in Romans 3:23 "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory." That's true, however the trouble arises during willful disobedience. Why does it take a public exposing by God, in order to get people to do right??

I'm willing to wager $5, that every name (not the "christian celebrities" ) were most likely not Christian.

You Better Recognize...the world is not only watching, they're talking too!

Ivent

info reviewed @ Hicktownpress.com

Suze Orman...

Suze Orman on Larry King Live-CNN

Suze Orman on Larry King Live!

Although it's not Financial Freedom Friday-tomorrow is an exception, Financial Expert Suze Orman will be appearing on Larry King Live, tomorrow Oct 1st @ 9pm, EST on CNN. For those who are cable-less, satellite-less, wait a few minutes after the show-you know it'll be uploaded on You Tube in no time!!

Not only is she knowledgeable in her area of expertise, but she's facinating to watch.

Unfortunately, some of us has to go to class tomorrow, therefore I will not be a part of the festivities! If anyone has any thoughts regarding Suze O's appearance on Larry King Live, please post your thoughts !

You better recognize-financial advice is timely ANY DAY of the week!

And pray for me-I have Algebra for 4 (that's not a typo) hours!

God bless you!

Ivent

God's Word For the Day...

All the commandments which I command you this day you shall be watchful to do, that you

may live and multiply and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

source: Christ Notes

*****************************

What does this scripture mean to you?

You better recognize, how God works in your life, work, job, family etc.

Ivent