Inspirational...for these hard times...

SUVs at altar, Detroit church prays for a bailout

By Kevin Krolicki and Soyoung Kim

DETROIT (Reuters) - With sport-utility vehicles at the altar and auto workers in the pews, one of Detroit's largest churches on Sunday offered up prayers for Congress to bail out the struggling auto industry...read more here

So I read this article (above) and something just did not feel right to me. Now, I know no one is more righteous than the other or can actually place judgment upon another, but this event did cause my mind to wonder, as my eyebrows rose while reading this story.

So this is what went through my head today... (at the same time being the least judgmental as possible; haha, for those who actually know me.)

My initial reaction, was 'Wow...Detroit, it's always something" and that 'something' is disappointment. This city is literally in the worst position, without a natural disaster involved, and the last thing I would expect is the church to participate in such a political disaster, by displaying 3 Big SUVs in the most sacred portion of the church...the pulpit. In some churches, women are not even allowed in the pulpit.

The Pastor is quoted to say:

"We have never seen as midnight an hour as we face this week," the Rev. Charles Ellis told several thousand congregants at a rousing service at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple. "This week, lives are hanging above an abyss of uncertainty as both houses of Congress decide whether to extend a helping hand."

Now I'm no Theology major, I barely passed Psychology, nor am I anywhere near the perfect Christian, but I do know that Congress does not have 'lives hanging above an abyss of uncertainty', they (the auto industry) put themselves there. And whatever happens, will be in God's will...not Congress. We are directed, in the Bible, to pray for our leaders and officials...not TO OUR LEADERS and OFFICIALS.

Ironically one GM, one Chrysler and one Ford, all HYBRID vehicles were placed in the pulpit. Ironically these are the same three companies that are in need of a financial bail out, and their brand spankin' new, eco-friendly vehicles are donated to the church for display. Symbols of the Big Three were placed in the pulpit...the pulpit. I'm no Marketing Exec (yet), but that is called product placement...and my gut says that belongs in movies, and commercials.

So now it makes me think on another level...can this be seen as how much our world depends on earthly materials? That even the church finds it necessary to actually have SUVs parked right next to the pastor. I do not actually believe the church was praying to these vehicles, and maybe the news article did not do the church service any justice. But I would hope that the auto-workers were being prayed for, and not Congress' decision for the bailout. Which would then mean these SUVs served no actual purpose to the congregation, because auto-workers have been in distress long before the church service.

Lastly, if you haven't felt me yet...Our nation's Big Three cannot save us...but there is the real BIG THREE that will...and we call them the Holy Trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)...no SUV can fill that space, especially in the pulpit.

Tritonslostboy

www.tritonlb.blogspot.com

Congrats Lil' Wayne

So I wrote the previous blog a couple days ago...before I found out Wayne is nominated for 8 Grammy's this year. Finally talent is getting recognized! (let's not forget Rhianna won the best R&B album over Beyonce, and other more talented vocalists, lol.)

Anyway, hats off to Wayne, he's been around for almost 10 years, he deserves it.

Hip Hop is Making a Turn...for the Good

I never thought I could say this but

I LOVE HIP-HOP!

Well learning to 'love' again.
After some dark days in the late 90s to early 2000s, I directed high levels of my attention to 80's and 90's music. At least I knew TCQ, Missy, Busta, De La, Heavy D, LL, and The Fugees (only examples) wouldn't let me down...Now I am still fixed on the 80s and 90s, but I have open my heart to Hip Hop once again, and I'm not afraid of disappointment.

Jay-Z has returned on some grown-man Kanye broke the mode with '808s and Heartbreaks' Common remains poetically satisfying Pharrell, and N.E.R.D re-inventing Hip Hop and breaking boundaries...
Lupe Fiasco is carrying the 'Torch.' and finally...
I never thought I'd give props to Lil Wayne, but I have mad respect for him (although I disagree with his statements about Al Sharpton, ha ha) His lyrics are entertaining and creative. He's not someone I would let babysit my kids (if I had kids), but he's more like someone that's always up for a party, ha ha. We all have that person in our lives, and if you don't, then you should get one, ha ha.

I see this group of Artists as 'Hip Hop Revivers.' I know there are many more "reformers" saving hip hop (I.e. Q-tip, Mosdef, Talib), but I see these five as the most influential at this time.

Look out for CRS (Lupe, Kanye, and Pharrell)



____________________________________________
What constitutes as an "influential artist"?
-longevity
-respect
-cross-over...genre, culture, national, and international
-record breaking career
"Hip Hop and Rap are not synonymous" to be continued...

Proposal 8 Musical...very interesting...and hilarious.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Beyonce...My Endorsement

So on a lighter note...I would like to publicly announce that:

I have endorsed Ms. BEYONCE Knowles.

This Sasha Fierce album is the maturity I've been waiting for. No more of that "Crazy in Love" and "Ring the Alarm" hollering and screaming all the dang time. I can actually enjoy her voice for the majority of her album. Before, all I had was "Me, Myself, and I" and "Emotional" ( I sound real weak right now, but I'd rather listen to a woman's voice in my ear than a dude, if I choose to listen to R&B).

There is no one, today (that is sane and drug free) that has the talent that's even close enough to hold a candle to...NOT ONE.

So why am I now "open" about this? First, it was this album, and then I saw this "Single Ladies" video. I used to ignore the song, just because it was another hollering and screaming song...but this video is amazing, by far her best video.

Since 1998, with "No, no, no", she hasn't stopped the hustle, and obviously hasn't looked down either...10 years going strong, keep it up.

I watch it on mute sometimes...the choreography is great ;)

This is where she got her inspiration...which is even more awesome!

HAT'S OFF TO YOU...

That Darn McDonald's Commercial: Please Hold the Black Face

Slaves Helped Build the White House

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In January, President-elect Barack Obama and his family will make history, becoming the first African-American first family to move into the White House -- a house with a history of slavery. In fact, the legacy of American presidents owning slaves goes all the way back to George Washington.


A carpenter's roll from 1795 includes the names of five slaves named Tom, Peter, Ben, Harry and Daniel.
3 of 3 Twelve American presidents owned slaves and eight of them, starting with Washington, owned slaves while in office. Almost from the very start, slaves were a common sight in the executive mansion. A list of construction workers building the White House in 1795 includes five slaves - named Tom, Peter, Ben, Harry and Daniel -- all put to work as carpenters. Other slaves worked as masons in the government quarries, cutting the stone for early government buildings, including the White House and U.S. Capitol. According to records kept by the White House Historical Association, slaves often worked seven days a week -- even in the hot and humid Washington summers.

Read more here

Michele Obama's history reveals slavery

DIVORCE: Which Home for the Holidays

The holiday season is known for the time we all like to spend with the ones we love. But what about this obligation to choose with whom we'd rather spend our time, like our parents?

Who is "we"? We are children of separated families- divorced parents.
Growing up between two homes has been difficult, confusing and exhausting. It's been difficult having to travel from one house to another- across town, states, or country. We have to miss out on summer vacations with friends, birthday parties, and those fun 'once in a lifetime' moments.

Unfortunately, this is not the position nor decision we chose to make for our lives...it was made for us. Whether this decision was directly or indirectly made, a choice was provided and we had/have to oblige.
What's confusing is spending majority of our time with the custodial parent and their family, at the sacrifice of our visiting parent and their family. Those moments when spending time with the visiting parents' family becomes tense because you haven't seen them in years. Asking a distant relative,"how are the ladies doing across the street from you, that sit on the porch?" and finding out they have passed away years ago, is a rude awakening of how distant we can be from our separated families that were once united.
What makes things worse, is when parents cannot even be under the same roof together; when we have to hurt one parent in order to make the other parent happy, by 'selecting' which parent we'd 'rather' spend our time. This confusion only makes us want to be further away from home because we'd rather be by ourselves than hurt our parents that we love so much.
I find it common, personally, that when people 'fall in love' they have dreams and expectations of each other...and maybe, one day, children will be involved when the time is right. What exactly is the right time? Do 50% of our parents get married too early? Or did our parents make each other a priority above us? Did they decide to divide the family, because they didn't love each other anymore, therefore not allowing this family to exist? Did Mom or Dad not meet expectations to provide for the family?

I'm sure there are many justifiable reasons for divorce...a home is not a 'home' if the walls are not supporting the roof. Whatever the reason, "we" should take our current positions in consideration as we make further steps towards love, marriage and family, while keeping God first.

Some of us are blessed that we have not experienced such a division where we were "forced" to choose which parent to spend our holidays and seasonal breaks, at the expense of the other parent. Unfortunately a choice had to be made. We should be grateful for the relationship our parents created for our benefit. Although the marriage did not work out, the family is still able to exist.

I truly believe that once we decide to commit ourselves to our loved ones- in God's name- that we become a priority to each other at that point of marriage. As children are introduced into this union our priority shifts to the responsibility of managing the family, where the child comes before anything else. If divorce is the ONLY option in order to maintain a healthy family, then so be it. I learned the secret to Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith's marriage is that they will not allow divorce to be an option to resolve any troubles in the relationship...only at death will they part...they promised God. Of course this is easier said than done, but it should be embodied by all of us.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry