A Prayer For The People Of Haiti

O Lord,
In this time of need, strengthen me. You are my strength and my shield; You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. I know, Father, that Your eyes go to and fro throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts long for You. The body grows weary, but my hope is in You to renew my strength.
I do not fear, for You are with me.
I am not dismayed or overwhelmed, for You are my God. I know You will strengthen me and help me; that You will uphold me with Your righteous hand. Even as the shadows of illness cover me, I feel the comfort of Your strength, Or Lord.
Amen.

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The Power Of Faith

This weekend I had a chance to take a break from school work and treat myself to a good movie: The Book of Eli. Initially, I was really apprehensive about seeing The Book of Eli but I am happy that I did. This movie was by far one the best I’ve seen content wise.

I am not going to reveal the movie for those who haven’t seen it but it is definitely a conversation piece. All the actors were great, especially Denzel. I immediately smelled an Oscar cooking while I was watching this film and the Hughes brothers are very talented directors. There were so many parallels dealing with sin, power and faith—this book would make a great paper or independent study topic.

I walked in the theater oblivious to the fact that some people use the word of God as a way to try and take over the world—negatively. I walked out of the theater realizing that my faith is my life. My faith represents me and the scripture (The Word of God) protects me from evil doers.  The Book Of Eli is a masterpiece.

I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians.”---Francis Ford Coppola

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“I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians.”---Francis Ford Coppola

This Is Why I Have Been Absent Lately

As you can see I added a new button to the side of my blog, where I have made a pledge to read the printed word. Right now I am reading Jane Austen: Persuasion and I will be reading more books in the near future, so bare with me folks.

My Pledge Is As Follows: We support the printed word in all its forms: newspapers, magazines and, of course, books. We think reading on computers or phones or whatever is fine, but it cannot replace the experience of reading words printed on paper. We pledge to continue reading the printed word in the digital era and beyond.

If you want to take the pledge and stick to the pledge, click on the button below.

Let It Go!

Psalm 31:1-3 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

As I prepare mentally and spiritually to go back to grad school, I need you all to pray for me! Over the holidays my life has taken a turn, not anything detrimental but it was shaken up a bit. Along with the New Year, I had some decisions to make. Basically I cleaned house! Those who wasn't supportive, or who were negative had to go. People who kept me down, had to go too! Sometimes starting over can be scary but it can be good for your soul! So with that being said, just keep me in your prayers and everything will be fine!

BTW: Here's a great testimony that I heard on the radio two days ago and it was right on time (I know T.D. Jakes did this sermon a few years back)--seeing that I had just cleaned house for the New Year! Enjoy!

Let It Go For 2009 (courtesy of VI03)

By T.D. Jakes

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There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

LET THEM GO!

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.

You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of goodbye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in goodbye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains...

LET THEM GO!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...

LET THEM GO!

If someone has angered you...

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...

LET THEM GO!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...

LET THEM GO!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents...

LET THEM GO!

If you have a bad attitude...

LET THEM GO!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...

LET THEM GO!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......

LET THEM GO!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...

LET THEM GO!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed...

LET THEM GO!

Get Right  or Get Left, think about it, and then...

LET THEM GO!

Doing It BIG In 2010!

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"GO BIG OR GO HOME"

I am taking on this mantra for 2010. The statement is very bold and speaks volumes and I LOVE IT! As I was doing a little New Years Resolution Searching I decided to scrap the whole Resolutions thing and just have a set mantra that I will follow throughout the year. After looking at my teaser New Year Resolution list; at least two out of the three things on the list will occur. I will be teaching at the college level this summer and I will be running a small marathon. The other two: graduating from my master's program and getting married--well one is bit of a stretch ( I let you guys decide on which one). Lol But I will set my normal goals and do my best achieving them with the help of my 2010 Mantra "GO BIG OR GO HOME"!

With that being said I hope you all have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Bringing 2009 To A Close.......

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and got everything they wanted!  Guess Santa thought I was a bad girl this year, because I did not get everything I want but nonetheless, I am blessed! :) But now we are heading into the new year and I am trying to get my thoughts together on my New Year's Resolutions and my goals for the new year 2010! So while I continue doing a bit of Resolution Searching I will leave you with a teaser of my New Year Resolutions. CIAO!

Christmas Cookie Recipe

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Are you making some cookies for Santa? Well I know I am! Being a fan of sugar cookies, I am sure Santa will be a fan of them too! Since I don't have the title of the "World's Greatest Baker" I decided to turn to the great All Recipes Website, where I found a great sugar cookie recipe. Hope you enjoy it! 

Sidenote: I will let you all know how my version turned out or better yet I will see if Santa could leave a quick note before he goes off into the night!

Prep Time: 20 Min

Cook Time: 8 Min

Ready In:  3 Hrs

Ingredients

    * 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1 cup margarine, softened
    * 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    * 2 eggs
    * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

   1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the sifted ingredients until fully absorbed. Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.
   2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
   3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are barely brown. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 97 | Total Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 9mg

Recipe courtesy of All Recipes