Posts filed under: ‘Church of God in Christ‘
I DECLARE…It’s my day…
Today was 1 of those rare days. You know the kind of day you rarely ever get. A day you wake up 
knowing that if you don’t get up at all it will be alright.
Didn’t have to rush to go catch nothing. No buses… no cabs… no car pool… no ride to the store… no NOTHING. 
No need to ask my son for the keys to the car. No need to beg-
“Can I catch a ride with you?”
“About how long for the cab?”
“Will you come by and get me?”
Yes, I woke up not having to go anywhere… or having to do anything.
I could lay there and there… and lay there enjoying the warmth of my bed.
I didn’t have worry about nothing. Didn’t have to rush off to finish this… or finish that.
Today was… and is all mine. ALL MINE… all by myself.
Nobody to say-
“Auntie this…”
Or, “Auntie that…”
Didn’t have to answer any questions.
Didn’t have to worry aboout getting caught out in the rain. Or go 
searching in my bag to pull out my sunglasses.
Didn’t have to search for my keys… lace up my shoes…. or make sure everything I needed was in my carrying case. 
Didn’t have to ask nothing… say nothing… or particularly do a thing. Just lay back and enjoy it.
A day all to myself.
Don’t you wish you had 1?
When was the last time you could say this?
They don’t come often. And for that reason I am going to end this blog, and continue to enjoy my day… with me… myself… and I.
Well, God bless… I’ve got a few more hours to this day… and I mean to continue to enjoy them.
And whatever your day is like I hope that you are enjoying it too.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
Add a comment October 24, 2011
THE TIMES…Pastor Zackery Tims and Nicholas Ashford… gone…
First Zackery Tims …and now Nicholas Ashford.
Oh, I know… I know that Nick was not known for writing and singing gospel music. But no one can deny that he did come from a strong gospel background… that sometimes even managed to show up in his song writing and way of singing.
And what songs they were. He was gifted… and what he didn’t have …his partner and later to become his wife… Valerie Simpson had. Together they wrote some of Motow’s best known music. Songs like ‘Ain’t No Moutain High Enough,’ ‘It Takes Two,’ ‘Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s 
Hand’ ….just to name a few. And I do mean just a few… because their list does indeed truly go on and on.
For a while Val and Nick could be caught holding down the evening drive-time radio slot at WBLS,in New York City. In fact, 1 afternoon I decided to drop by BLS with the hope of getting in to see Vinny Brown, an old friend and co-worker who at the time was the Program Director for the station. While waiting …to my unexpected surprise as I happened to look up… standing before me were 2 people I would have had to be totally blind to not to have recognized from the very moment my eyes came up on them.
“Val and Nick,” I heard myself say… as my head jerked back slightly in surprise.
It just kind of eased out of my mouth… I hadn’t realized they were handling BLS’s on-air drive-time shift at that time. So, I was really surprised to look up and see them, standing right there before me… close enough for me to just reach out and touch them. Nick slightly smiled at me… while Val kind of looked off.
From the time I hit college Nick and Valerie had been busy in recording studios. So, I had 
looked at and played just about every album of their’s. Definitely a sign of the time… because most of the kids don’t even know what an album was …or a 45 for that matter. But yes …I had played Val and Nick for many years. And it didn’t hurt for me to be a big fan either… which meant as often as I could I would sneak them in on my music lists rotations.
As the years went on I didn’t have to continue to ease… I just played them… back to back …or 
however I wanted. Them and Phyllis Hyman… Donnie and Roberta… Friends of Distiction… Dells… Roy Ayres… George Duke… and whoever else I wanted to program. Including
Motown’s Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye… and just so much good music… The kids don’t even have a clue… they have nothing like it today.
Nobody writes good music any more… they don’t even know what it is to have 
anything called ‘good lyrics.’ They… the kids are too busy buying beats. A lot of which are stolen from times gone… times that music like that during which Val and Nick came from …and wrote during.
Though they …Val and Nick had long since turned their attention to other things …such as going into the restaurant business… New York’s Sugarbar and I forget what their first restaurant was called …it had been on 22nd Street also in Manhattan.
And whenever traveling home on I-95… as I passed Stamford, CT… my mind would always run across them, as I knew that for a while at least they had made their home in Connecticut.
Having their number I called them once while seeking investors for 1 of my feature film projects. Though I failed to reach them initially… you will never know to my surprise… how thrill I was to receive a call back from them concerning the message that I had left. Val told me that they were just getting ready to open up another restaurant… which was to become the Sugarbar. So, they couldn’t afford to do it at the time. She appologized and told me maybe the next time.
I hung up not at all feeling let down. All I could think was… wasn’t that nice for them to take the time to call me back?
This is my all time favorite song by Valerie Simpson and Nicholas Ashford.
While living in Chicago… Millie J… used to visit a friend of mine by the name of
Jean… who was Tyrone Davis’ sister. Millie had come to town to perform and while talking with Jean… I overheard her say-
“While I was coming through the airport guess who I came across? 
These two people walking around holding hands. I didn’t even have to look twice. I knew right off it was nobody but Nick and Val.”
They had that something special… kind of like what Michelle and Obama have. A total appreciation for each other… and a desire to always be in touch with one another… as though they cannot do or bear to be without each other.
Just a few seconds ago, a friend of mine informed me that Nick had dealt with sustance abuse. Never knew that …or ever heard that. So, I don’t know for sure. I have not seen him or Val for years now. But I know their music anywhere or anyhow I hear it.
Personally, I cannot imagine Val without Nick. She loved him… and held on to him. And he loved her… and held onto her. And together they held on to each other …a profoundly good example of 2 people who truly walked in love with one another. I certainly pray her strenght in the Lord… and that of their children and other family members.
I had heard his testimony. And what an awesome testimony he had had regarding how Go
d had saved and pulled him out of a messed up life of drug addiction… and having come from a home where nobody knew the Lord. How God had put someone in his path that gave him an invitation… and 1 day for whatever reason Zackery Tims, some 8 or so years ago… called a man on his job who had invited him to come and go to church with him. And that night he got saved… and his life was forever changed.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20092873-504083.html
A megachurch Pastor having a congregation of more than 4,000 members in the Orlando, FL area… on this past Wednesday, Pastor Zackery Tims was found dead on the floor of his Time Square hotel room. The first information said… heart attack. But later information started circulating… that a white powder sustance… cocaine had been found on him.
I had long ago stopped watching him … or some reason or other. I cannot remember why… but it always seems to me that as you watch some of these television evangelists… you like them in the beginning, but then they begin to shift. And everything about them and what they are preaching changes.
I cannot say that about Pastor Tims… because I cannot remember what prompted me to stop watching his program. And it might not have had been anything with him… but a time conflict between the show schedule and my schedule.
His eyes lately were watery or shiney… glossy I guess you could say… whenever I would happen to catch the tailend or some part of his show. And I am not just saying that because I am hoping that after the autopsy is finally released… it will show any drugs in his system. Because I am not… if anything quite the opposite.
I would hate to think that he would have been drawn back… into something that he was blessed enough to have been released from. But when you think back to the events that lead to his divorce… you have to think… Well, maybe.
He was involved with a stripper for a year… that is what the article read. But if it
read a year… then it is possible that it was for a longer time than that. While he was engaging in adultry with her… it is very likely that he was also indulging in other things too. And while that relationship may have ended… and who really knows… But if he was drinking or indulging in drugs as well… it is not so likely that he also just stopped abusing either. And do note I said ‘if’… because I don’t know.
I didn’t know him… or much about him except what most of you who also watched the Word Network knew about him. But I was watching the day he leaped upon the top of his pulpit podium to dramatize something he was preaching. I did think that was very odd… and all I could think was-
“That is suppose to be holy. How could he jump up on it?”
But it would seem that not much is still considered to be holy any more in church. I see preachers with baseball caps and hats on in the pulpit… and sweat suits and sneakers. Anything it seems goes today… whatever… however… whenever. My, Lord…
Whatever happened to reverencing the house …and the things of the Lord?
UPDATE: SUNDAY, January 15, 2012…As of New Years Eve this 
year Pastor Paula White has been chosen the Board of Regents of New Destiny Christian Center. And it would seem that since the autopsy done on the body of Pastor Tims was never released to the public…that drugs had indeed been found in the blood system of the late Pastor Zackary Tims.
With the announcement of Paula White becoming the chosen replacement… Well, it did not seem to sit right with Pastor Tims ex-wife. Tims’ ex-wife claims that Tims’ and her children are being robbed of their inheritance. You can read more on that by CLICKING the LINK below.
Since I am on the subject of Pastors… and since I did write a blog on it. Let me just note here that I read somewhere… or heard it… that Bishop Eddie Long quietly settled his cases 
with the young men who had filed law suits against him, for supposedly taking sexual advantage of them while they were under his religious leadership as young teenaged boys.
The settlement is said to have been $15 million total going out to the young men in question.
Perhaps it is a sign of the times… but I
sincerely hope not.
Visiting with a niece and enjoying myself. Can’t you tell?
I have so much time on my hands that I decided to take some of it to write this blog. I rarely have much time these days. I am on assignment… and must pick up my pace. I have to stay busy in the things of the Lord. And at the end of the day… I just want to be ready when He comes.
And for as long as I can remember that has not changed.
I still love this picture… It is sooooo refreshing looking.
Speaking of which… while talking with a cousin this evening… she told me that they were buckling down for a bad storm that they… the insurance claims agents of the company she works for …are being prep for if it should hit us this week on the east coast.
Better get out and pick up a few things for just in case. And no need to wait until the last minute… do it now since you have gotten 
some advance info.
One other thing… while here. My niece took me by Dr. Martin L. King’s house and the Center for Non-Violence. Took a picture with a tour guide who informed me that every house on his street was bought by the Federal Government… and the 
only house on the street that is not owned by the Federal Government on that street is the King house… which is still owned by the King family. But the house is open for tours …which are done on the half-hour. 
It was amazing watching the people… black and white touring the grounds of the King’s house and the Center for Non-Violence. And it is all free… parking and everything without any hassles.
Mrs. Coretta Scott King was a very smart woman. A woman who was determined that her husband’s death was not going to be in vain… or forgotten. And I mean she did it… and she didn’t do it half-stepping either.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
4 comments August 23, 2011
GOT A TESTIMONY….AIM 2011… Houston
Recently I went on a trip to Houston, TX, to a church convention. A few days 
prior to the last day of my trip in Houston I realized that I was running low on money.
The day before leaving for my trip I had been out buying things here and there … you know another blouse, another light and airy dress, another pair of earrings etc… just stuff that I figured I might need on my trip.
So, prior to leaving I had already begun to tap into my hotel money.
Then while sitting in the various convention meetings and church services… I was… Well, I was giving a little here and a little there… again tapping even more into my already dwindling funds.
Realizing that my funds were way low I decided that I better call my son, and ask him to lend me the money for my hotel… because when I had finally got around to checking what was in my bank on a computer … it was further down than I had thought. I was left with only a hundred and some odd dollars.
I had gotten my hotel at a discount rate… but even at my discount I was way short of what I was going to have to pay when I was to finally check out of it.
My son answered the phone and I told him what I needed. He got so mad at me. And he said-
“Why did you go off somewhere knowing you could not afford it?”
It was a ligitmate question… I guess. But too late for me to sit around thinking about that now, after I had spent 5 days and 6 nights in these people’s hotel.
Beside before I started dipping into my hotel money I could afford my trip… and the whole thing. But that was before I starting spending…and then started giving in those offerings that I gave in during the convention.
So, as my trip drew closer to the end I began worrying more and more about my finances. As my son had slammed down the phone on me, and said he was not going to give me anything.
Now, I was really in bind.
How was I going to pay for my hotel bill?
So, my final night at the hotel I broke down and decided that I better try calling my son again. But 
this time he did not answer.
So, that night, needless to say, I hardly slept at all. I tried to… but all I could do think about was my hotel bill.
Finally at about 3 o’clock in the morning I got up…and went downstairs to the lobby to look on the computer to see just how much money I was actually short. All I had was $133….annd my hotel bill was $494, which included the taxes and everything else they threw in. Right then and there I sighed and made up in my mind that coming to Houston had been worth it.
I also decided right then and there… that whether my son gave me the money or not… I was not going to leave the hotel without paying my bill. Even if it meant I had to go to jail.
Afterall, my hotel had been so great to me. All the people were nice… and service had been 5 star. Besides they served hot breakfast free everyday…and after 5 offer free complimentary food… which included the largest and most delicous chocolate chip cookies baked fresh and still warm. And you could eat or take as much of whatever you wanted.
No, no way was I going to stick them with the bill… or leave without paying. Not that I would ever consider such a thing. It might have been embarrassing and might have took me a while to go downstairs and tell them. But I would have rather said that I didn’t have they money… and would have hoped that they would have worked something out with me.
However, about 8:30 AM I broke down again and tried calling my son again….and this time he answered. Finally, I got him to agreed that he was going to give me some money. But the amount he told me was only $250…AND THAT WAS ALL!
Now I forced to call 1 of my other sisters and beg her for the rest…telling her that I would pay her $200 if she lent me $175. And she did.
As soon as that money hit my account… which was about 9:10 AM… I paid off my hotel bill. I did not want to risk anything coming up against that money.
At 12 noon my courtesy driver for the convention picked me up at my hotel 
and drove me to the airport. It had been a beautiful trip… my trip to Houston as I glanced out at the beautiful sky with its puffy white clouds… looking as if someone had painted them there.
I had heard some wonderful preaching and teaching at AIM. And now I was my way back home… and I didn’t end up having to spend the night in jail.
Upon reaching the airport, while waiting on my flight to be called, they made an announcement over the intercom system saying that my flight had been overbooked. They said that they needed 2 people who would be willing to take the next flight. And for doing so they offered a $400 ticket in return.
They did not have to ask me twice. I was already standing near the counter so I was the first person to the counter… not that many people rushed to get there. Just me and another woman.
And guess what?
By the time I flew out of Houston I had earned over $1,200… and it had never even dawned on me until my flight was nearing my home airport. It was $1,200 more than I had when I flew into Houston.
During the convention 1 of my brothers got me an $800 editing job for some Bishop.. .and I had also gotten that $400 cetificate from the airline, good for a whole year that I could use on any of their flights, or sell it, or give to whoever I wanted.
Just think of that…at 3 AM on that morning I had woke up restless…because I hadn’t had enough. But by 3 PM I had gained a mighty surplus.
And this is a true story… and the next flight out was only 1 hour later than my original flight.
And between my spending…I was giving until I knew I could no longer afford to put another dime into 1 more offering. But all the while I sat wanting to.
And also…another twist to this story just prior tomy leaving I had run out of checks. Tried to get some but didn’t make the bank on time. So, I had no checks. If so, I would have wrote some. But God knew….
He truly does know our hearts.
God truly is good.
Looking for some rain. It has been soooooo hot here. And very humid.
Enjoy the rest of your evening.
And let me finish by saying AIM 2011 was off the hook!
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
Add a comment July 21, 2011
Weiner as dumb as they come… sexual intrigue over the internet…
How do you jeapordize everything by getting caught up in virtual sex?
Believe it or not so many people are caught up in sexual internet encounters. They are intrigued with meeting up with sexual partners over the internet…and go rushing to get back on-line day after day… or night after night to continue their on-line internet intrigue of sexual encounters. With many of them… ‘the 
people’ doing this…ending up rushing off to meet physically with their virtual love interest.
You would not believe the numbers…
Yes, ‘the NUMBERS’ of people that become introduced via social networks over the computer is astounding. And they become so wrapped up in technical instrutments… be it their computer or their cell 
phone… their ipad… or laptop …as long as it keeps them plugged into whoever it is that is whetting their sexual appetites over those instrutments.
What is the intrigue?
What is the enticement?
What makes so many men and women crazy enough to get so deeply involved in this kind of thing?
And you would be surprised about the number of women and men who are in ‘the church’ who are as involved in this type of behavior… if not more so than those outside of the church.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-banks-20110611,0,6807419.column
I first learned of this when I happened to be downtown Brooklyn preparing to get ready for an edit session, when a older minister came swinging into the room. 
He proclaimed that he was on his way out of town but wanted to check on something over the computer. The room was lined with computers… and he fell into a seat at 1 of them… and he began talking to me as he struck the keypad to the computer.
He told me how he was meeting up with women over the internet for sex, and that this was how he was now spending much of his time.
Without any shame or remorse he began openning up pictures over the internet to show me various black women he had carried on with… and was now carrying on with. They were mostly women outside of New York… a lot of them in the south. But I was…
Well, I was shocked.
All I could think was…
“What kind of Preacher is this?”
I stood there looking down on the man… as he gleefully went about his task of communicating with these women over the internet. I could not phantom myself wanting to do anything like that.
That man had it bad… but if I thought he was bad… 1 of my sisters overtook him. 
And soon after…
Well, maybe a year or so later after finding out about her absortion in this mess… I came to find out that thousands of women had fallen into the very same trick bag. And they too were rushing off to points unknown… like crazy to meet up with men that they had become enticed with over the internet.
Not to mention the hundreds of women who up and marry strangers that they become entangled with over their computers.
This thing is an epidemic. Truly…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/anthony-weiner-wife-pregnant_n_873429.html
I don’t understand it… but I know that it can all happen quickly.
I recall when I first started learning the computer… which believe it or not really wasn’t so long ago. Oh… yes it was… now that I think about it. It was about 10 years ago… No, I think a little more.
My then lover had taken it upon herself to teach me how to get started. We had gone up over to the Black Voices’ site into a chat room.
Remember those?
Don’t hear too much about them today… since 1 on 1 conversations have proven to be far more better…I guess. You also don’t have wonder about who is talking to who. And besides the technology has improved vastly. It has become by far very much more advanced.
But back then it wasn’t all that shabby either over a period of time… basically slower… much slower.
But getting back to what I was saying… as we were sitting there at the computer… me and my lover… I got my first ‘IM.’ I didn’t even know what the thing was… it was an ‘instant message’ she told me. But it was really more like an ‘instant photo.’
Wow… this was great I thought. But my lover didn’t like it… because the woman was attractive and told me all kinds of information about herself. She lived in D.C. etc…etc… But that thang came so quick… it was just like that. And if my lover had not been sitting there I might have struck up a conversation with that woman.
But today the technology is even better… and quicker. The systems are more compact and lighter as well. You don’t need to sit at your dusty computer all night anymore. All you need is your cell phone or ipad… or whatever you have and the possibilities are unlimited.
But would you really risk it all for some lewd encounter over the internet?
I was never really a chat room person. But the 1 sister I referenced above… she stayed there. Now, she is on to the next level…social networks. First it was myspace…now facebook… and who knows what else.
She has met countless men during the course of these past …I don’t know …but I
am sure more than 10 years of being involved in this type of behavior. She is overcome by it… and sadly many many …many other women are too.
Personally, I think it is just a step up from prositution. You are just not getting paid for it. Well, maybe they are if you consider dinner and a cheap hotel constellation for your services.
Needless to say… I have spent many hours considering the actions which she takes so lightly… and prayerfully so. I find it hard to believe that anyone would trust such encounters… if for no other reason than just the health risk alone.
How do you so willingly trust people who many of them over the internet… use a bunch of alias’… and tell a bunch of lies.
And if they really had anything going on in their lives would not have to be meeting up with people over the internet.
And the worst thing about it is this…
How do you go running off to meet up with somebody you don’t even know?
And all that you do know is what they have told you… which for the most case is a bunch of nothing. Just some stuff to make you all hot and bothered… and eager to give them what they want.
Maybe, I am not the brightest or the smartest… but I am not going to involve myself with seeking out people over the internet to fall into bed with… or with the hope that they will become my husband or wife.
The old fashion way of meeting people… and getting to know people worked just fine for me when I was doing that kind of thing. And I would never be fool enough to want to risk my life… or livelihood on a virtual reality relationship of any sort.
Ev
idently, Congressman Weiner was quite proud of his lower half. So much so that he would take pictures of it and forward them out to women …and possibly young girls… over the internet.
It is all so boyish to me… childish. I recall when growing up… and it seemed that young boys are so anxious to show you their stuff. I really cannot remember how many times those of the male species had exposed themselves to me. Or tried to grab my hand and try to force me to touch something that I did not want to touch… that was attached to them.
But certainly by the time they become adults… I would think that they would have all grown out of obsession with it. But not so.
Once while standing down on the platform of the subway waiting on my train… I 
happened to glance across to the platform just across from me. There staring at me was a man openly exposed with his penis in hand and ejaculating.
I have no idea of what all the intrigue with their lower part is… but somehow those men who have not outgrown playing with themselves in public places… or flashing themselves at women… truly they need to get a life. And put their hands and heads on bigger and brighter things in this world.
And some women are just as bad… but they do it in other less obvious ways.
No doubt it is truly a spirit which overtakes people. But the Bible says… ‘be ye not enticed.’
I find nothing enticing in it. I have always shyed away from people who seemed to be too sexually agressive. I found it to be a big turn off. Today… though I do not dwell on sex… but I know that many do.
I am so happy that God released me from the trap that I was in. I used to be driven by sexual desire. It was all I could think of.
Some might say that I was a late bloomer since I had not dealt sexually until after
I hit the ripe old age of 25. But even then I was timid… highly selective… and quite discreet.
But sexual desire had me. It held me captive. But thank God… He set this captive free… and I now walk in liberty.
I cannot think of anything I would rather not do …than to once again fall prey to my old sexual ways. To be caught up in sex. It was all I would think about… and all I wanted to do. I am soooooooo happy to be free.
But Weiner was as dumb as they get.
As much as I was driven by my desires… I never did anything that would make a fool out of me.
Perhaps, I was a bit prudish in my ways. I had heard it said of me… that I liked doing it… but I just didn’t like talking about it. Nor was I willing to film any video tape footage of me indulging sexually… or take any photos of me naked. I have to admit that… at the time I liked to hang out at a certain nude beach… but that was the extent of my public exposure.
Once a woman sent me a nude photo of herself. This was before computers… when I opened the envelop I was horrified. I dropped that picture like it was something hot. The woman was totally naked… and she had positioned herself with her legs wide open. I will stop there.
I could barely pick up that picture. I didn’t even want to touch it to stuff it back into an envelop and forward it right back to her. How dare anyone send me such filth. I forgot what I wrote back to that woman… but it was not nice.
No rational person would involve themselves in such behavior. The man had a wife who based upon the news is currently pregnant with their first child… and he was or ‘is’ a Congressman. How could he have acted so foolishly …and so carelessly.
The Bible says… ‘what is done in the dark will come to light.’
Weiner after initially lying… saying that a hacker had done it… he now states that he mistakenly sent the photo of his lower part by error over Tweeter. He stated that when he realized his mistake he quickly tried to remove the photo. Needless to say… by that time it was a little too late.
In all of his excitement… Weiner certainly ‘exposed’ himself. It came to light…
Well, I really only got up to go to the bathroom. Never intended to write this… but I had fallen asleep with my son’s laptop resting partly on my stomach and upper legs.
So, just as I crawled back into bed… I decided to check the news headlines. And it read… ‘Weiner admits lewd tweets.’
After nearly 2 weeks of lying about it Anthony Weiner finally decided to breakdown and tell somewhat of the truth. It is kind of like John Edwards over his mistress and baby outside of his marriage… or like Bill Clinton in the White House with Monica. Or like that Senator in the men’s bathroom… something about his foot and the stall next to his.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep-anthony-weiner-denies-tweeting-lewd-photo/story?id=13736214
We have been through it before… and it always seems that if we give it a week or
so the story will change. The lie becomes a half truth… because you can’t really believe that a liar is really going to tell you the truth… not the whole or even the real truth. They only admit to just enough… but never tell us really ‘the truth’ concerning the matter for which they have become embroiled.
We never quite get the whole sorted truth out of them.
But do we really need to… or expect to?
Just know for the next time… from the on-set when the story first breaks… 
always expect to hear the lie first. And then later maybe… just maybe some part of a manufactured truth.
Do you recognize any of these faces?
Do you remember any of their initial stories?
And what was the final outcome?
Wait a minute… I think that there are a few pictures missing.
Is morality a thing of the past?
I have got to get some sleep. It is starting to rain now. I hear it lightly hitting the windowpane. Good night… rather morning…and enjoy your weekend.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
Add a comment June 11, 2011
Wolves in sheep clothing…
They are tall dark and handsome. They look like a breath of fresh air. You think they are just what the doctor ordered. But… what is really on 
their minds?
You vote these people in believing you are getting back at some other political party… when it really plays out to your own deficit.
What the people fail to realize when they listen to all the highfalutin talk made by Republicans during their campaigns to win political office… talk like government is too big… we need to cut taxes… bring down the deficit …and slash all unnecessary spending… what they need to ask is who is he or she talking about? Could it mean 
my job?
Because for the most part when Republicans talk… that is exactly who they are talking about. They are not talking about slashing anything away from the rich… which is their political base and core supporters. No….but they mean they will be going out after the poor… the hard workers … labourers …blue collar people …people who barely can make enough to make ends meet. And yes… as found out in Wisconsin… that includes unions and union workers too.
What a set-up.
In the 2010 November elections the govenor race in Wisconsin was 
between a Republican named Scott Walker and a Democrat named Tom Barrett. In that race Walker a political Republican insider after years in public service… sweeps the Wisconsin Governor’s race with more than 52% of the votes. While the Democrat, Barrett who had been the Mayor of Milwaukee, only garnered a mere 45% of the votes. 
Walker was younger, and looked like a Mit Romney type. While Barret was older, and had grey hair compared to Walker’s thick dark hair. And if 
anybody tells you looks doesn’t matter… tell them to go and take a back seat somewhere. Because it does.
Have you not heard that image is everything. It doesn’t matter whether the image is a false image or a sincere image… it just matters how that 
image comes packaged. And that will determine the outcome.
You can have more knowledge and skill than someone on your job, while outwardly they are better put together… classier… more out-going in their personality… but lack organization, effective communication skills 
and dedication… but they look better than you. Who do you think will get the job… or the promotion?
More than likely the one well put together… though they come with none of the expertise or inner skills to sufficiently do the job. They just look good… or let me phrase it this way… they look better.
How do I know?
Because most of my life I was looked over. Looked over to the 1 that wasn’t fat… better put together …and looked pretty. While she or he couldn’t carry a note to me… if they wanted to. But they got picked… and I didn’t. But in saying that… let me also say that it never made me bitter. I do not become bitter over such things. I just get better …and better. And God has worked it all out for my good.
I remember this 1 job where I was doing sales for a radio station in New York. I really wanted to be on-air but they didn’t have any openings … so I took sales. As God would have it… I didn’t know that then but I do now… I somehow became the number 1 sales person at the station. They gave me the whole of Jersey to work… and I was bringing in new accounts like crazy. 
But I also worked the New York side of the Hudson River also. And many times when the owner or the person responsible for making decisions wasn’t in the business when I dropped by… I would get his or her name and number and leave my card.
What I didn’t know was that there were times when I was out of the 
office… which was pretty much most of the time… that I got calls from businesses that I had visited… and these calls were passed on to another account executive.
Her name was Carla… and was a pretty young woman who rarely left the office. She seemed timid and often talked about how much she hated sales. The chile couldn’t sell her way out of a trash bag… so of course she was going to hate sales. But it 
never dawn on me that some of my leads were being passed onto her.
But she worked there… and on that job where you had make sales in order to earn any pay. It was commission only. So, Carla was doing something. And the something she was doing was robbing me. Because our boss had her hooked up… she didn’t have to worry about a thing. 
And it had never… ever dawn on me.
Never thought about it really… but now it hits me.
While I had to get out and hustle for my bread and butter. But she had looks… and I had that something which God bestowed upon me… something that seems to make everybody like me. When I was young I didn’t like it… because even my friends parents loved me. And I thought that was weird… and it just seemed odd to me. I had no understanding of the wonderful gift that God had given to me. None whatsoever.
People said they liked Walker because he would be good for the economy… he would turn the state around… and would cut out all of that state bureaucracy. Yeah… but what… or better yet. At whose expense?
Did anyone ever stop to ask Walker that question?
Perhaps not.
Or was it that he was younger than his oppossing canidate?
Was it Walker’s good looks and seemingly good-guy demeanor… if he has 1?
Was it how he spoke it… or the gleam in his eyes… or an easy smile?
What was it that the voters in Wisconsin fell for?
A lot of it has to do with political games. And Republicans have become the master at it.
They munipulate the people with a bunch of sweet sounding talk… laden with lies. They spew out all kinds of promises telling you how bad government is… but miss out on telling you who has richly aided in making our government so.
Long before Obama tried to save our automobile industry Republican Senators and Congressmen were laid up in bed with them… and with the lobbyist … the insurance companies …and the phramaceutical companies… the oil barons… utility companies… and anything and everybody else who could make them some money. And yes… many Democrats are guilty of doing the same.
But I do believe that there are more Democrats fighting and trying to do the right thing… than there are Republicans.
The Republicans love winning political races and turning everything around… and more times than not… to suit their owe benefits… and agendas.
I think …because I come from media… 1 of the worst things that the Republicans could have done was remove FCC Rules and Regulations regarding sex and sexual content in music… and explicit language over the airwaves. This was the Republicans doing… and the affect of it has been devastating to this country.
But it has made a whole lot of money for some… and I am not talking about the little ignorant artists or other so-called talents who believe that they are doing something. But I am talking about the kingpins in the back 
who own the companies that produce, release and distribute… exhibit and play the garbage that has worn away at the very moral fabric of this country and the world.
I will get off my soap box now… and go back to politics.
Today they come beating a path to your door… or their recruits coming seeking your votes while knowing they mean you no good. Shirt collars open and trying their best to look and smell like you… when they are ju
st a bunch of wolves in sheep clothing.
Every political race does matter. You cannot afford to become complacent with your vote. Because your complacency is being used against you.
R
epublicans know that historically most people turn out for political races which they think really matters… the big ones… like voting in a President. But they fail to take local races seriously.
But it is the local political races which will affect you the most. The local races have to do with state matters… and state matters do not take as long to come into affect as do Federal matters… which have long processes to go through before even being voted on and then signed into affect… which entails some years before actually happening even after being signed into 
law by the President.
In the case of Wisconsin …Walker decided that state workers were being paid too much, and were virtually holding the state ransome through the collective bargaining process of their union. He decided that in order to aid in cutting the state deficit he needed to 
put a restraint on the union so that the state would not be forced to issue increases in benefits or pay to state employees. Which on its surface may sound like a good idea… but at the same time it plays a major role into weakening the power of the worker’s union… giving the worker’s no voice to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’
There can be no arguement that unions have played a major role in this country in aiding voiceless employees, who were badly treated… forced to work l
ong hours without compensation or other benefits… by improving their working conditions etc.
If there had not been a dire need for unions in this country …as they are needed around the world… American workers would have had to continue to work under whatever standards …conditions and orders issued to them by the entities for which they worked for… and to do so without proper compensation and under hazardous conditions in many cases to their lives and/or limbs …without health benefits …or re-course against false firings… promotions and/or other forms of help etc… that the unions protect them from.
While running for office Walker promised to cut both the state taxes and the government spending as the state of Wisconsin was in dire financial straits.
Could Walker have come up with another plan other than virtuely 
stripping the state worker’s of their say so… destroying their right to collectively bargain (under their union) for their raises, changes in their pension plans, health benefits etc.?
Probably.
Well, how do you know?
Because other states have faced the same kind of problems… and so have individual cities… but none of them set out to destroy the unions that represented their workers. And yet those states and cities survived… managed… and eventually pulled through. New York City had to do it... Boston had to do it… you name a place that has not had to suffer some kind of re-arrangement in order to pull their city or state out of near financial collapse. Even Calafornia has and is going through it.
So, why did Walker chose to go after the states public workers and their union?
In order to shut down the power of the union. The power of the union to wheel and deal to the benefit of its members. Butt most importantly… because there is a push by Republicans to stop union support of political canidates which the unions feel they cannot trust… which mostly tend 
to be Republicans.
They …the Republicans are just not for the working class. And though in history that was different… today it is their stance… a 360 degree turn from how they throught during their early history which dates back to a pre-Lincoln.
Today they celebrate their great champion that former actor… better known as Ronald Reagan… and the trickle-down theory. Which never quite worked… and star wars. What a massive waste of government spending there. But the Republicans didn’t and don’t today in hind sight see it that way… just a bunch of short term memory people when it suits them. They loved the theories anyhow.
And can anybody believe that they …the Republicans are out against Obama’s pledge to up-grade our infrastructure and bring rapid mass transit into the states as it is aboard. 
Yes, Republicans are lining up to say that they will go against it.
Hmmm… wonder how Obama’s ideas would fare if he were a Republican?
And I won’t even say that other thing… that has to do with color… but it plays a big factor. It just would not do to have a black man’s stamp on such a big historic thing as that. It would be big… a rail system that
cuts down commuter and travel time by shaving off hours on long distance ground travel? Adding ‘zoom service’ to commuter service… Come on, that’s big. And it means big money… money that I am sure that the Republicans would rather see in their control and in the hands of their many friends.
Can you imagine if Obama came out talking about spending money on a project… 
hmmm… say ‘star wars.’ The Republicans would have been all over him… even more than they are right now… and that’s kind of hard to beat.
Think about it trying to beat the 
Russians into space was utterly riddiculous. The laugh is on both sides… as space cannot be conquered. It will forever be an item of mystery to us… as much as the deepest of depths of the sea.
Seeing how the Republicans stay on Obama about the Health Care Reform Bill …Guantanamo Bay… to you name it… just take your pick… no matter what he does. If he had come up with a star wars idea they would have 
chewed him up…and laughed themselves into stitches while doing it.
Here it is Obama comes up with highly sensible ideas like improving our country’s infrastruction and instituting a rapid mass transit system in America (which really could bring about tons of new jobs) …they bawk… and say they won’t support it. Those Republicans.
It i
s sad when you vote somebody into office… then realize… you made a mistake. The same thing happens in churches… somebody gets appointed to fill a vacancy left by a passing pastor… or 1 who has moved on. The replacement is fine for a short period of time …but gradually he or she starts making their moves. And they …the congregation begins to find out that the person just wasn’t who or what they presented themselves to be… but now it is too late. So it is in Wisconsin.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_wisconsin_budget_unions
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/02/republican-walker-defeats-barrett-win-wisconsin-governors-race/#
God bless… may you enjoy the remainder of your day.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110311/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42076054#42080998
Was up last night and caught the news over the internet about the 
tsunami that struck Japan. The news piece said that the tsunami caused an earthquake that was the strongest ever in history… 8.9 in magnitude. I could not help but think of just how close we are coming to last days and times.
I know you probably do not want to hear this. But it is true… devastation 
upon devastation. There can be or is no other explaination for it.
You may say global warming… changing climate … and the changes with our eco-systems is causing them. And that may appear to be the case… but there is something greater operating who is orchestrating it all.
http://www.euronews.net/nocomment/2011/03/11/8-8-magnitude-earthquake-hits-japan/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110312/ap_on_re_us/us_japan_earthquake_pacific
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake
“…a thousand shall fall at thy side, and 10 thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh to thee.” 
We pray for the people whose homes, families, jobs and lives have been impacted and turn around by this massive devastation.
Though I didn’t write anything on it… the devastation that hit Australia earlier this year with massive flooding… did not get pass me.
Truly sad… we cannot imagine. Our hearts go out…
UPDATE: Monday, March 14, 2011… What a massive devastation. And now radiation problems from their nuclear reactors being breeched due to
the earthquake.
And now our West Coast shores are being bombarded as a result of the tsunami that hit Japan as well… from California to Oregon and Washington State. Not to mention Hawaii…
My… We’re now being told it was he 4th most powerful earthquake known ever. And thousands have been washed away… and was said to of the 
magnitude of 9.0.
I am keenly aware that people read this blog all over the world. And I often see comments from folks in the European Union, Asia, the Baltics and Australia etc… Thank you all for taking the time to read what I have to say. And may God bless you and your families… and it is my sincere hope that God is keeping you and your families from all hurt and harm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12102126
The Church of God in Christ recognizes and mourns the passing of 
Bishop Chandler D. Owens… one of our leaders.
http://www.jacksonadvocateonline.com/?p=2569
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em 
, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
Add a comment March 12, 2011
Serena sick… Young aspiring athletes… Extremism…
I don’t know maybe it is because I have become somewhat disappointed in both Serena and Venus in the last few months… that when I looked at my blog 
stats yesterday…and the day before… I just never payed any attention to all the hits for info on them. As a rule I do pay a lot attention to what people are hitting my blog in search of. But for some reason not to the hits for information of the William’s sisters.
But this got pass me…until today when I happened to see the title of a internet news headline… reading that Serena was sick.
The story read that Serena had to go into the hospital following the Oscars due to a blood clot in 1 of her lungs. And it said that this past Monday it seems that Serena had to undergo…what they called ‘medical treatment’…. but sounds more like surgery for what they are calling ‘hematoma.’
It definitely sounds serious… and certainly reason for great concern.
We certainly pray for Serena and her family.
No matter how much money we may amass… it may aid in getting the best possible medical attention… but it cannot compensate for life without pain or health issues.
What would you rather have… money or life without pain or illness?
In looking over other news pieces over the internet lately… which has basically become my only means of regularly reading todays news… it seems to me that most of it is geared towards todays new up and coming rising athletic stars. Be it football or basketball… or whatever have you… though mostly football and basketball… it strikes me like…
Well, to me… like they are robbing candy from a baby.
Most of these new talents are nothing more than just kids that they are running after today… many are barely in junior high… or what they call today… middle-school. And they are running after them waving money… jewelry… and everything else that they can in order to get the young hopeful’s attention. And that of their parents also.
In fact, 1 mother was so gun-ho over what they were promising her and her son… that she signed his papers for him. They call that forgery… and it is punishable by the law. And she did it so she could commit her son to a certain college.
And today it is such a big thing just watching to see what school certain of these young hopefuls will be going to. And it means big money… endorsements… and all kinds of business to certain schools. Not to mention the attention media and otherwise to the school and/or college campus as well.
Whether it is an athletic francise… or national pro team… or some high and mighty college… these young kids… babies really are being sought out and after to their own demise whether they know it or not.
A young kid in junior high… or–or in middle-school, if you must… has no business having his or head turned towards looking for a big pay day sometime in 
their foreseeable supposed future. Rather their minds should be centered on their education. They should be concerned about making good grades and geting out of grade school… and then on to college.
These kids today… the chosen few… are being scouted far too young. They are being spoon fed on a bunch of hopes and far away dreams that may never come into being. The promises may 
simply not materialize for most of them. And this is a very real fact.
Then what?
Where will they turn?
What will become of their lives?
Sure LeBron made it. And so didn’t Moses Malone.
But success is certainly not guaranteed to a bunch grade schoolers who may show promise today… but may not be able to step to the mark as 
they continue to grow and develop physically. Or not grow… or not be able to stand up to the pressures of pro sports and all the baggage that those pressures bring into the life of many professional athletes.
And these kids are developing over infated egos… and attitudes that will sooner or later destory them and kill any promise that they may or may not have really had. But mouth and arogance got in the way of what might have become.
A key basketball player at Brigham Young University found out the hard way… that the same way they can put you up… they can take you down. And even if it costs them a season.
There is a message to the below story LINKED here. Never get too big for your own breeches… because somebody inevitably will show you who is really the boss.
There is just so much extreme extremism in America… it is just hard to believe.
What crazy church would want to picket the funeral of U.S. military men and women who have sacrificed their lives for this country… to be outside the funerals carrying signs decrying America …and saying things like-
“Thank God for 9/11.”
Or… “God hates America.”
What sick perverted people would be doing that?
It is as insane as saying you are pro-life and you go out and blow up an abortion clinic filled with pregnant women in it.
It is contrary…and insane. And it certainly is not Christianly.
There is nothing about such acts that can be proclaimed as being holy or saintly. The people who set about enraging people to go out and to do such things are just people who are full of nothing but the devil.
And though I usually do not speak in such terms… the truth is the truth. And 
this is truth telling-time.
I felt the same way about preachers who loaded up buses to take people to capitol hills to protest gay marriages.
These things are just foolish.
Putting people of buses and travelling to the state capitol did not change 1 thing.
T
here is ‘sin’ in the land. There are ‘evils’ in the land. And none of this extremism attitude is addressing any of the real issues. This is why the devil is called ‘the great deceiver.’ He takes people’s eyes off what they really should be paying attention to.
There are some real core issues in this country and around the world that are in dire need of addressing. And they …these issues… go beyond self preceived notions of what is or is not sinful… or a greater sin.
Why should every American soldier have to endure a bunch of crazy people targeting their funerals in that small Kansas town… or anywhere is this country… causing nothing but more grief for their already grieving families and friends?
Is there not enough chaos and unrest all over the world without us here in America causing ourselves any more than what is necessary?
Soon people will be in the streets searching out their neighbors… and brother will be against brother. It is prophesy.
So, some beserk preacher… and it is funny all these little un-named and unknown preachers coming out of the woodwork wanting to make some kind of stir that will land them on ‘Good Morning America’ or ‘Nightline’… or some other television show. Then they’ll write a book …get an agent and go out on tour.
Going back to my original thought… these beserk little preachers trying to make a name for themselves… go out and stir up their congregations feeding them false doctrine… and backward ignorant thinking.
We serve a God of love. Who tells us to seek peace with ‘all’ men.
During Biblical times were there not homosexuals?
Did Jesus target them?
Did he set out to get them?
Did Jesus even preach against them?
No. Because we serve a God of love. Who says with ‘love and kindness have I drawn thee.’ And do note those words… ‘drawn thee.’ Not tried to chase you away… or antagonize you… or belittle or berate anyone.
And anyone who acts in such a way is not of God. But serves that other master… no matter how much they would debate this.
Well, God bless…hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. It is now March… time certainly is marching on… and seems to be geting away from us. It is flying by so quickly… fleeing.
Some time during the course of your day just take the time to look up and observe the beauty has planted up there for you to enjoy.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2011
Add a comment March 3, 2011
Mind games…
After meeting up with the religious nut in the back of my parent’s yard… I strongly believe that people today are looking for some ray of hope… some divine saviour to remove all their woes and care away.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/645182.stm
The man spoken about in the above news LINK… looks very much like the image we have all come to recognize as Jesus Christ. He walks around barefooted and in a robe. His hair is 
about the length of the hair we have all seen in those pictures and statues of the supposed Jesus. And he leads people to believe that he is Jesus… but he never discloses his true name.
They call him “What’s his name.”
They marvel at him and look upon with reverence… as if they truly believe that this man walking around trying to pretend in the most obvious ways that he is Jesus re-
born or something.
Well, going back to our neighbor in the house behind us. This man believes that he is Jesus too. Truly.
And not only does he believe it… but he tries to force the thought down my throat.
There is but 1 God. And clearly whether most people believe it or not only 1 Jesus Christ… who will eventually return. But he is not here yet.
I am not foolish enough to believe that the guy behind our house is the second coming. Who often tells me that God spoke to him and told me that he should come and rake or otherwise clean our yard. All this… while asking me to kiss him.
What kind of God would have me to do that?
Not the 1 that I know.
So, I do not entertain the man. Because I recognize that something clearly is wrong with him. And something is wrong with the guy in Hazelton, PA… who believes he can walk 
around in a robe, wear his hair down to his shoulder, while walking around barefooted , speaking in a soft voice while all the while pretending in some less than subtle kind of way that he is Jesus Christ.
It is a con job. And it comes at a time when many people are unsure about a lot of things… such as whether or not their house will be foreclosed on… how they will get the money to heat bill… or will their children be able to stay another semester in college… or whether or not they will be able to find another job.
In times of hardship, distress and unrest we all look for something. But it is not the time to reach out to 
people pretending to be something which they clearly are not. And could never be.
Perpetrators come in all sizes, shapes and forms. And 1 of the biggest type of perpetrators… even since
Biblical times have been those who wanted to pretend like they were and are holy… while seeking to do evil.
In the Appalachian Mountains of this country live some of the countries mo
st tested people. People who have been used, abused and exploited for more than just capital gain. Made to 
drink and bathe in dirty contaminated water, while sucking in air full of cancerous and poisonous pollutants… in places that used to be so prestine, so pure and so clean.
Now, in walks this man… “What his name.”
On the political front I received a call from a friend of mine last night saying-
“What do you think about your President?”
I really didn’t at first know what she meant. But as she went on she expressed her disapproval of Obama caving in to the Republicans concerning the Bush tax cuts.
It seems she had been watching a lot of TV lately… following closely those debates where everybody sits around debating every turn or statement and action that Barack Obama does.
I told her that it seemed to me that there were a lot news shows lately that seemed totally dedicated to critiquing any and everything Obama did or said… especially every policy and word he utters. Yet, as dumb as George Bush was nobody sat around disecting every little thing he did. And clearly somebody should have.
If we voted Obama in…then we should be willing enough to allow him to do his job without all of 
us standing over him with a whip. Or by allowing others to get us to try and second guess him… on everything.
Who can work like that?
Who wants to work like that?
Oh, ye of little faith. Politics is about making concessions. It is all about give and take. It is the first rule of lawyering and anything else where there are 2 opposing sides.
Without subcoming to part of what the Republicans wanted millions of poor people and out of work people would suffered otherwise while Republicans having a majority vote would still be able to push through whatever they want to.
I believe Obana to be shrewd and a strategic man. A man who makes no moves or plans without thoughtfully weighting them out fully and all their possible ramifications. With all of that being said…
“Let us all please let him do his job without all of us falling prey to what news media and so-called would-be experts would have us believe.”
As dumb as George W. Bush was… and as much of a liar he proved himself to be… he never suffered 
this much scrutiny and lack of confindence as is being levied against Obama. Or disrespect either. Far be it that a black man should succeed or prove to be successful in the office of the President of this country.
I am very sick of hearing… that Obama does not know what he is doing. It is very very easy to sit in a seat over in a corner or somewhere and say that.
Don’t fall for the lies… and fake analyses. They are only meant to belittle and berate him. And to make Obama appear ineffective and unknowing… and worst of all ill informed. He’s bigger than that.
I’m looking forward to great things from what history will prove to be a great man… and perhaps our greatest President.
It has started snowing here. And it has been soooooo cold.
Today I stayed mostly in bed. But finally I started feeling guilty. So, I got up and started stirring about.
I have got a ton of boxes laying about. I am trying to clear up the house a bit. I figure if I do a little a day I might just get it all done. So, I am working on it.
Forgot to mention that last Saturday… are you ready for this?
Last Saturday I got my first royalty check for my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE. Can’t believe it. Wasn’t much… but it is just the idea that somebody read… or is reading my book. I really hope to get some feedback on it if you are 1 of them. Thanks so much.
And I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was great… filled with lots of family, friends and food.
And I do note the passing of Elizabeth Edwards who loss her battle against cancer just a couple of days ago. There is 1 thing about strong women they never let anything take them down. Not heartache or disappointment… or even sickness.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
Add a comment December 11, 2010
Albertina Walker…. gospel legend in a big way…
When I went up over the internet tonight I wasn’t at all surprised when I
saw something come up with Albertina Walker’s name in the title. I felt that it was an announcement about her having passed… even though I hadn’t heard anything on it until that time.
But I had noticed in seeing Albertina in various video footage and on a television program that she seemed weaker… a bit more sickly. The television show I saw her on was a reception honoring her.
It is nice to give people flowers while they are yet alive. That is what these people at that event had come to do for Albertina. And she seemed so humble as she sat in her wheel chair bleaming up at them all bearly able to speak.
Sometimes, when you begin to age and fall off the horizon people turn away from you. They forget your name… who you are… or who you were. But Albertina Walker did more for gospel music than just sing it… and sing it with a passion. She knew also talent when she saw it… and could pick voices… people with unspeakable gifts by way of their vocal cords. It is through her that such notable 
gospel artists, such as Shirley Ann Caesar first caught our attention… when she began performing with Albertina’s group, the Caravans, at a very young age.
http://woldcnews.com/national/woldcnews/albertina-walker-passes-away-at-81/
Also part of Albertina’s group, the Caravans, was Dorothy Norwood… who is still on the gospel scene just like the Queen of Gospel Music, Shirley Caesar. Bu
t the Caravan also included some other great and mighty powerful gospel singers… such as Inez 
Andrews, Rosetta Stone and others.
In fact, I was surprised to read in the annoucement of Albertina’s passing that I found in my email today… that James Cleveland also got his start under Albertina Walker as well.
I also did not know that Albertina Walker had been a protege of the late
and very great Miss Mahali Jackson. What a background… what musical history… and what gospel music history. My mother …and I guess everyone about her age and older…all loved Mahali. She was truly an icon.
While I was working at a radio station in Jersey some years ago… I got the opportunity to see Albertina perform. The show was at a small church some place in Newark, New Jersey. I got there early because I wanted a good seat… so I was there to see when Albertina first walked in.
Albertina came walking in …in this fabulous full length fur coat. And ever since having seen that coat… I have had my sights on buying me a fabulous full length fur coat ever since.
That coat was talking. It was absolutely beautiful. And I could tell that it was also absolutely expensive.
And it looked fanastically marvelous on Albertina.
The show was promoted by 1 of the other radio announcers from the same radio station that I worked for. His name was Herman Amish. .. I call it because I know a lot of people know him, as he was popular on the gospel circuit. Especially with the old timer gospel acts… because Herman did a lot of gospel promoting in and around Newark area at that time. And he knew almost all of the gospel acts during and before that time… as he had more than likely probably booked them for a show 1 time or other.
But of all the shows that Herman had done… it was Albertina Walker’s show that I went to. I had long admired her voice and her musical skills and genius when it came to relaying feeling in her songs. But I never knew she was a song writer too. Albertina wrote “Please Be Patient With Me” …and personal favortie of mine… “Joy Will Come.”
I will never forget that when my mother passed Shirley Caesar had released “Joy Will Come” on her then latest CD. And it was a duo with Albertina… there is nothing like it.
I have hunted high and low to find that CD ever since. Because it gave me so much comfort at a very low time in my life… to hear it. And I would sit at that radio station playing it over and over…and over again just crying and thinking about my mother.
There are few real song writers any more. And even fewer real people with true talent.
Truly, Albertina may have been gone from the scene for some time but her imprint will linger forever in gospel music… and its history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Caravans
This morning a true gospel legend passed… and her name was Albertina Walker. She passed due to respiratory failure. She was 81… and has now gone on home.
I don’t know about where you live… but the weather here has been unpredictable. For a few days it has been wet and cold… then suddenly it is unbearably cold.
At any rate the leaves are starting to change colors now. So, I guess we are really into fall now.
Hope you have a great weekend. I understand that it is supposed to be a 3 day weekend. Guess I’ll run around tomorrow so I can rest all day on Monday. Definitely, sounds like a plan.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
Add a comment October 9, 2010
Bishop Eddie Long…can it really be true?
I have been thinking about this all day. Since last night, really. Ever since my son called me to tell me this story it has been on my mind.
I really can’t begin to phantom any of this. I hardly know where to begin. 
And it is not that I am soooooooo in love with Bishop Eddie Long.
The truth is I know little of him really.
The first I ever saw him…he was part of Bishop Paul Morton’s Full Gospel organization. He had been one of the speakers during one of the Full Gospel Convocations…him along with Bishop Larry Trotter, whom I really loved. The man preached.
I guess that is the problem.
They can preach. And many times we get so carried away with their ability to preach that everything else about them somehow gets around us. Even when it is glaring at us.
We exalt people because of theatrics…and their ability to spin ‘The Word.’
Clearly, charismatic…Eddie Long was and is a master at what he does, and
has been doing. I loved his ability to speak to the ‘everyday man.’ Whatever that may mean.
Well, it means to bridge through to the masses. To have the ability to reach the man in the street in a way that is clear and understandable to him regarding God, how we should live, and what God desires of us.
I have no idea of whether or not these allegations are true. But the truth of the matter is this. It does not look good.
No, it just does not look good at all. And when these type of charges start emerging against anyone…they only get worst.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/22/national/main6890214.shtml
When the charges against the Priests in Massachusetts got started it was just 1 person. Then it grew to more…and finally it ended up with more than 92 cases of people claiming that they have be abused by the Priests in their Parishes.
In my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, I state that I have come to realize that it is not the Church which is under attack. But God bringing some things to light…or to our attention, if you will.
Though my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, is basically a fictional novel…at the rear of the book I state some things which God has revealed to me. Much of which has to do with Pastors and ‘so-called’ religous leaders… mega churches… prosperity… women… etc…
This is not to say that I am talking against Bishop Long. But one does have to 
wonder. And because of our discerning spirit…or ‘supposed’ discerning spirit… somehow it rings as true. As much as I would love not to believe it…something in my gut says-
“Its true.”
I recall the last time that I watched Bishop Long’s broadcast on Streaming Faith…maybe a couple of months ago. During that broadcast he took the time to bring out onto the stage…or pulpit…but at New Birth it seems more like a stage. But anyways…he brought a young man out from the choir who he refered to as “1 of his spiritual sons.”
This young man was one of the youth leaders of Bishop Long’s church in Atlanta, who 
had recently won some type of national recognition on “America Got Talent”…or something. The boy…or young man stuck me as being possibly gay. Or so I thought in the back of my mind.
But then I am told by a friend that I am always calling somebody ‘gay.’
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/21/robinson.complaint.pdf
But having been ‘gay’ and having lived in ‘the life’ for some more than 25 years…it is hard for me not to spot it no matter how closet-ted it may be.
Besides I am told that ’you can spot’ …whatever it is that you do…or used to
do. That is to say that an alcholic can spot another alcholic or an ex-alcholic…or a drug addict another drug addict or ex-addit…even if it might be difficult for someone else to pick up on certain things about them.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-tv-in-national/bishop-eddie-long-scandal-divorce-info-pastor-denies-2010-controversy-videos
In fact, that was not the first time that I had heard Bishop Long make mention of his ‘spiritual sons,’ as these legal charges against Bishop Long are being brought against him by some of his alleged past… possibly near-present ‘spiritual sons.’
I have also heard Bishop Long call Bishop T. D. Jakes
his ‘spiritual father.’ Whom I am sure by this time has sought him out to assist him regarding this matter.
Just how much collateral damage these allegations will bring about is uncertain. Sometimes just the shear allegations are more than enough to make everyone run to the hills and dissert you.
UPDATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2011… Nooooo, not so for Bishop Eddie Long’s congregation. They are sticking by him…while Bishop Long has vowed to fight this to the very end. Though I heard that maybe some negoiations have now taken place. And maybe some paying off may take place.
In searching over the internet for information on this story, I came across something on Bishop Trotter which shocked me. It is the title to one of his books….”My Wife, My Mistress, My B–ch or My Whore.”
This stuff is too wild to even be fiction. This is why we are informed in the Bible to put our trust in God only…and not man. We can admire them…respect them… and give them honor as being our Pastors. But at the end of the day many of them fall very short.
Another item on the radar is about Kim Burrell.
Has anyone heard this story?
Kim Burrull has left her church, Nelson Temple Church of God in Christ, in Houston, to start her own church. And has declared herself to be a ‘bishop.’
Kim’s church which she stated in an radio interview will be called ‘Love and Liberty Fellowship Church.’
It seems that Kim Burrell is determined to remain controversial.
There is definitely a war going on.
Perhaps, when the Bible said that ‘there would be wars and rumors of wars’… some of the wars that it was referring to would not be as traditional wars. But perhaps some mighty great ‘spiritual wars.’
One other note on Bishop Eddie Long…one could say that he was… and still 
is a ’Preaching Icon.’ There are hardly any current Preachers who do not duplicate at least one thing or way that Bishop Long routinely says something. Often now you can a Preacher or 2 saying “Look at me.” Another Bishop Long line that is widely used by others is the word ‘scared’…Eddie Long’s way…‘skarrr-ed.’ Then there is…”I’m not afraid of nobody in here.’ And the list goes on.
It will interesting to see just how many of these sayings survive this latest religious scandal.
UPDATE: On Bishop Eddie Longe saga… What a shame. It really sadden me… in regards to all parties.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/bishop-eddie-longs-wife-claimed-vicious-abuse-divorce/story?id=11765648
A 4th young man has levied accusations against Bishop Eddie Long. When these kind of allegations come to light there are usually more. The probably
is… this. When the door is open… as this door has been opened many more may come forward. And it may or may not be true regarding all of them… but the door is definitely open for more allegations to come.
One of the first things one has to believe is this. Whenever someone states something about you …or says something about you…or that you said…or did which is not true… the natural and first response from you is to call it a ‘lie.’ But this is yet to be said on the part of Bishop Long.
UPDATE: Monday, October 24, 2011…Trouble upon trouble for Bishop Eddie Long.
http://elev8.com/news/orethawinston/new-birth-church-members-sue-bishop-eddie-long-video/
Well, hope that you are enjoying this weather. For the past 2 days it has been very hot here.
Yesterday I went to our state fair. I only go to eat the food. I love fried dough…and the sauage with onions and green peppers…and mustard, of 
course. I also can’t leave without buying a large fresh squeezed lemonade. And the only thing I missed…was the mini donuts.
I just didn’t feel like walking that far to get
them. Otherwise, they would have been had. But after eating all of what I had already bought…
Well, who had the energy?
But I am sure 
missing those mini donuts now.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
6 comments September 24, 2010
Busy…but not forgotten…
Yes, I have been busy…but I have not forgotten you.
Often, in fact, I formulated blogs in my head. It is just that they have not quite made it to the printed form. And soon those thoughts faded away… lost forever in the recesses of my mind.
It gets like that…getting busy, I mean. You get so caught up in something else that everything else… Well, almost everything else falls by the wayside.
Then just this pass weekend 1 of my sisters had a heart attack. Well, needless to say that can really send you into a tailspin…if you weren’t already into one. So, I have been busy…and now I’m into a tailspin too.
There is something about having to deal with one’s mortality that will
force you to view your own…your purpose… life… things done …and things yet hoping to get done. Then there are those things which we don’t want to do but somehow feel lead to do. And to tell you the truth that is what for pass couple of days I have been wrestling with the most now that all of this has happened.
For a while now I have had a feeling that I am been lead to preach… as in ‘Preacher.’ So, I began to not only read my Bible but I also started to study it. You know that scripture that says…
“Study to show thou self approved…”
So, for the pass I don’t know what…over 2 years or so… I have been studying. And recently I began videotaping a television program for Public Access…a series about learning to study your Bible.
But when my sister suffered her heart attack it now seems that I have just been stalling…trying to put off the eviable.
It is not that I don’t want to do it. No, not that…though that is kind of it 
too. But I lack the confidence to do it. I can’t remember scripture…though I do believe that as the Bible says…
“He will bring it back to our rememerance.”
Yes, I do believe that. And He has shown me that He does and will do it. But it is just that… I don’t really want to preach.
I mean I have been in radio, introduces acts at concerts, promoted different events… But…but this is different.
So, as busy as I claim that I have been… Well, I haven’t been all that 
busy. I have just been laying around…low key…thinking about what it is that God is asking me to go out and do. And down deep inside…I really don’t want to do it.
But I feel I must. And then again I am afraid if I don’t… Well, I’m afraid of what God may do to me… or my family. And that is what I think my sister’s heart attack was all about.
I don’t think it was about her at all. But that it was about me …and what I am not doing.
How can you be instant in and out of season if you really lack what you think you need?
I know that God would not send any of us out without fully equiping us
to fulfill His need. But yet I can’t bring myself to want to go out into the streets and just start preaching.
How can some people do that?
All of my life I think I have been prepared for where God wants me to 
be. Somehow He trustes in me. But I have no trust in myself… or maybe in Him as I should.
Pray my strength in the Lord that I decide to walk in the steps that God has ordered for me.
Yes… I have been busy. And maybe later I will tell you all about it…but now I am going through something.
God bless…
If you want to read some excerpts from my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, you can go to my website…. www.bsmith101.com . But before you do just let me tell you that the site is very much under construction. So, it is a long ways from being complete or anywhere near what I want… not even close to it at this time. But slowly…but surely I know it will be something that will meet all our expectations.
So, if you would please bear with me…I would appreciate it very much. But you can at least read some excerpts 
from my book there. And if you desire to order my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, please do so here in my blog…as I can’t get that link to work.
My book is also available via authorhouse.com, barnes&nobles.com, amazon.com, filedby.com and a variety of other outlets…including ordering it through your local bookstore.
I have not officially launched the sale of my book yet. But while I was down in Charlotte for AIM, our church convention…guess who purchased my book?
Dorinda Clark Cole. Yes, that is right. ‘THE’ Dorinda…of the Clark Sisters…the COGIC gospel singing sentations.
I still can’t believe it. Dorinda bought my book!
I was trying to give her a copy of my book to give to her sister, 
Twinkie…and Dorinda said to me…
“No, I ain’t going to give Twinkie nothing. If 
Twinkie wants your book she is just going to have to come and get it for herself. But I’ll buy your book. I support people of the Kingdom.”
Yes, that is exactly what Dorinda said to me. Amazing.
I only sold 1 book at AIM and it was to Dorinda Clark Cole. Amazing.
Here is my book trailer that I created last summer… Now you get a chance to hear my voice and to see a bit of me as well. And please keep in mind…that by profession… I am a radio announcer…and a filmmaker. It does make a difference.
I’ll tell you more about AIM in another blog…and I do have lots to say. It was 
so inspiring and fantastic listening and watching all the women and men of God… and speaking with many of them of as well.
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK this LINK to purchase my book. You do not need a paypal account to purchase, and you can purchase using a debit card. And remember you can read a few excerpts from my book by going to …. www.bsmith101.com …Thank you.
I am just hearing that Walter Hawkins passed while we were down in Charlotte. I never heard anything about it while I was at AIM, a Church of God in Christ conference. He had been battling cancer my son informed me.
It is hard to believe. I never knew him or met him…but I was quite familiar with his music and that of his brother and ex-wife. Who in
the gospel world is not familiar with them?
His brother, Edwin Hawkins and his ex-wife, Tramaine Hawkins…both gospel giants in their own rights as well. 
What a great lost to this Kingdom on earth with a the lost of such a tremdously marvelous
and anointed voice as Walter Hawkins.
Walter and Tramaine Hawkins, his ex-wife, had 2 children and also some grand-children from their union together
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2010/07/gospel-great-walter-hawkins-di.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/13/AR2010071306089.html
What a great lost.
Luckily my sister realized that there was something wrong. I later found out that she drove herself to the hospital where upon checking her out…she was informed that had she not come she would have died.
Her heart was in such bad shape and she did not know it. In fact, just last weekend we were all happily in Philly for a large family gathering celebrating the life of the matriarch of our family ‘at large’… our Great Aunt Kate. But who would have guessed that in the midst of my sister’s chest a time bomb was ticking.
If you would like to know some symptoms of an on-coming heart attack CLICK these LINKS below.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/women.htm
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/healthmedical/a/womensami.htm
Be safe and keep yourself monitored by getting regular check-ups… and don’t forget to tell your doctor…
“What about my heart?”
It seems they check almost everything else but that when it comes to women. And more 
and more of us are dying from it.
My mother did. So, if heart failure runs in your family it is never too soon to start having it check.
And lets all start eating a little bit healtier.
Well, God bless…again.
UPDATE: July 29, 2010… My brother just mentioned this to me in passing. I was not aware that the current Musical Director of the Church of God in 
Christ International Choir, Judith McAllister was even married…or much less that her husband had been indicted for fraud.
One could say that when it rains it pours… Since becoming the head of the international musical department of the Church of God in Christ Dr. McAllister has been faced with one problem after another.
http://www.1800gospel.com/2010/05/husband-of-judith-mcallister-indicted-for-fraud/
There was the issue of Kim Burrell wanting to go secular… and also I think the issue that the music department has lack a certain level of spiritual direction that it once had under it former leaders. None of the songs seem to connect any more. There seems to be a lost in ‘the anointing’ that had 
long been a marker… a brand specific almost to the COGIC church which it had since its founding, some 103 years ago… being the largest and one of the oldest Pentecostal Churchs in the world.
Last year when I sat in on a workshop held by the COGIC scholars at AIM…my brother spoke on the topic of spirituality in the music. It was something that 
he said Bishop Mason was very particular about.
In the part of his dissertation, my brother wrote that Bishop Mason, the founder of the Church of God in Christ, wanted the music to come alive and be felt deep down within the soul of the people. That is something that under Judith McAllister the National COGIC Choir seems to have lost. The songs had no depth… no feeling …no emotions… nothing that brings tears to your eyes… or moves you as the songs once had.
I don’t know but someone came up on this site saying that Dr. McAllister has decided to step down from her post as the International Director of the COGIC 
Choir..though they said ‘removed’. I guess all of this might be following the allegations surrounding her husband… his arrest and indictment. He 
was a Special Agent employed by the FBI and stationed in Nashville, TN… who I guess you could say ’decided he wanted more out of life and decided to take it.’
I do not know if it is true or not…that she has stepped down but if so… Her husband is facing 19 counts of fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud etc…etc… which all totals more than 340 years in federal prison. To that…all I can say is I really did not see what was wrong with the COGIC International music Department as it already was anyways.
http://www.justice.gov/usao/tne/pr/2010/May/McAllister%20Press%20Release.htm
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
Add a comment July 29, 2010
It’s not all about me… or you… Good & Evil… Pastor Sheryl Brady’s new home… women in ministry…
Pop culture I guess has its place but in glancing back at some of the title of 
blogs I have written…it strikes me that most of them are s
heer junk.
What do I care about Mary J’s hair styles?
Or whether or not Venus wants to show her behind off during the recent tennis tournment in Paris?
Can’t even think of it’s name now…that’s how much it really matters to me.
Or what about this…
Why should I care whether or not Gary Coleman was murdered or not?
Because… Well, because I guess way down deep there is a part of me that does care. Though recently I was called non-caring… selfish… self-centered… and not kind. Now, that really hurt. 
I’m not kind?
I’M NOT KIND???????
How dare anybody tell me that I am not kind. All the money I have spent. All the things I have done. And they say-
“I’m not kind?”
This has been eating at me since I heard it. Which was roughly about 3 weeks ago at 
my brother’s graduation. But I have just been trying to play it off…like it didn’t bother me. But somewhere back there in the far crevices of my mind it has lingered. Periodically it would pop up and I would push it back out of my mind. And I would just refuse to acknowledge it…or that it even really mattered to me to have heard that.
But it did.
My weapon against it came to mind from Biblical text… how the Bible says that they will call evil good …and good evil.
Well, why not?
It seemed to fit… and fit perfectly. I after all I do not consider myself to be a bad …mean …or even an evil person.
Yes, I have had to do some things. But never without cause or justification. Some I didn’t want to do… but I did it thinking I was forced to. 
So, then too as many people as I have given to… poured out myself to …gave to when I didn’t have it to give… Then so… how is it that I should be considered ‘not the kind one?’
Well, if you give from the heart you do not walk around talking about your giving. You just give.
You give because you see that somebody needs. You give because you are compelled to… and you respond to the force which compells you to do so. You give without expecting anything in return. You give not seeking a slap on 
the back or a pat on the hand. You just give… because- Well, because there was something you saw… you sensed… you witnessed… and your heart opened up …and you just gave.
It could have been a word… that is what they call ‘a kind word.’ Or it could have been financial. Or it could have been of your time …or a token of your wisdom… if you have some. But you gave it to meet a need in someone else.
And so, at the end of the day you do it without seeking fame or glory.
So, yes. From time to time you are bound to be not called ‘the nice one’ or ‘the kind one.’ Because you gave while no one was looking …and you weren’t looking for them to be so… being you sought not recognition. You just gave…and it made somebody’s day… and probably your’s too.
So, it’s not all about me …or you either. It is about others.
And who cares whether others recognize your giving …or your caring …or your kindness …or the level of outpouring you share with and to others.
But God knows. And in the end that is all that matters.
God bless… and do what you can… for others. And forget about what is …or is not being said about you.
It really doesn’t matter. It truly doesn’t. And now that I have said all of that… I don’t know why it bothered me so much …not being called ‘the nice one.’ Or was it ’the kind one?’
I really can’t even remember now. But boy did it eat at me. But now God has spoken into my spirit …and after writing this …releasing all those feelings of self-evaluation and trying to figure out why I was not being called ’the nice one’ …or was it ‘the…-’
Oh, never mind.
I am just going to work to be better …and increase my caring and giving. And give from my heart and not expect anything back, including somebody calling me ‘the nice one’ …or is it ‘the…-’
It is truly not important. And I thank you for listening while I sorted this all out. Because it really really isn’t about me.
Who knew that Wanda Sykes was this short?
And I do mean shorrrrrrt.
When she is not going on and on with all that foul language she can be pretty funny. But she and Sade were quite adoreable in that little skit don’t you think?
Now, on to this.
I fell to sleep messing around with my son’s laptop computer last night and 
woke up listening to Pastor Sheryl Brady preaching on the Word Network, a religious television channel. I guess it was her excitement that woke me up. She was bubbling over with glee about having moved to 
Texas, and becoming part of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ ministry as pastors under him, she and her husband, of a North campus addition of the Potter’s House.
As I listened to her it struck me as being odd. Because I could not understand. Was she saying that she had left her own church… as in desserting it… and them…those people who had joined her church, the River Church, down there in Durham, North Carolina?
And was she saying that she was now in Texas serving up under Jakes?
Yes, it struck me as odd, indeed.
Because for 1 I just could not… and do not understand what could have precipitated such a drastic decision or move?
http://blogs.bet.com/ontv/thegospelaccordingto/2010/04/following-up-sheryl-brady-eric-mcdaniel/
Having heard Paula White on several occasions call T.D. Jakes her spiritual father… who played a great role in bringing her onto the national scene via his used to be annual event called ‘Woman Thou Art Loose.’ No where as near well known or as popular on the higher national church preaching plain… one has to wonder if the switch to come up under Bishop Jake was due to a desire on the part of Pastor Sheryl Brady, to emerge on a higher level of the national urban religious scene… if you care to call them that. Or more simply state… preachers that appeal to the vast numbers of African American worshippers.
While in this exchange Bishop Jakes also adds to his cross-over appeal by appointing Brady and her husband, who are white, as the head of one of 
his churches. With Allen, TX as the place where they are now currently ministering… having a population of about 83,000, whose income is for the most part upward to $188,000/per year and beyond. Which might answer why he offered the Brady’s that location as opposed to openning up a Potter’s House extention in North Carolina, where they came from…or somewhere in ‘the hood,’ meaning where more black folks are.
Speaking of which… ‘Woman Thou Art Loose’ that is. I was privy to being at the last one to be held in Houston, TX, 2003. It was the one where Juanita Bynum came and got down on her knees appologizing to both Bishop Jakes and his wife regarding her falling out with them… which had ended up with her going into court against him claiming that ‘Woman Thou Art Loose’ was her brain child, and I guess some other things as well.
I do not know how the law thing worked out. As at the time I was not saved or following such things, and I knew nothing about either of them really. Nor was I following anything religious at that time… far from it. Thank God…I can say differently today.
But I enjoyed that conference very much that September of 2003 in Houston. I was quite impressed by the entire operation… and boy was it well organized. I sat though it taking all kinds of mental notes… from the camera layouts…to how the camera jibs swinging high in the air above the crowd grabbed all the great shots. It was crowded in that arena… packed in fact…and it was not a small place with its retracting roof.
It was loaded with women…upstairs…down stairs…all aound…from corner to corner… and all on the main floor… all hotels had been solidly booked and sold out. Women
had travelled from all over the world to be there…Africa… Germany… France… LA… Boston… and Brooklyn… etc…etc… And many of them were annual re-turners… women who organized their schedules year in and out just to be in the midst of ‘Woman Thou Art Loose.’
And it was worth doing so.
I was amazed… even down to the short circuit tv cameras beaming the servic
es out to women in prison… and giving us an occasional view of them cuddled around tv screens watching us and listening to the mighty women who walked and talked upon that stage.
It really was something. And if they had not moved the event to Atlanta and mixing it with the men …and children …I would have certainly considered returning again and again to Houston myself.
But what I really recall is how I listened and watched Juanita 
Bynum preach about how big headed she had become… and how she blamed it all upon listening to others. While I watched it I knew I had become a part of something special.
How many people go back and get before a packed out arena to cry and declare ‘I was wrong and out of order.’
When she got through there was not a dry eye in the house. And I was crying 
right along with all the reast of them. T.D. Jakes was crying… his wife was
crying… Paula White was crying… her husband was crying… Everybody in the place… and all on that plateform was crying. And yet I wondered if what I was watching was real?
And no sooner had T.D. Jakes pour that oil and anointed her, Juanita got up and quickly proclaimed to every woman who had a checkbook to write 
a check for $100.
So, I wondered how could she go from crying and begging forgiveness to so quickly switching gears and start demaning money?
And did those women do exactly what she told them to do. They got on the 
elevators… ran down several flights of staircases and swarmed the arena floor rushing the stage with their checks in hand.
And what a mad rush it was. With checks waving all in the air. Checkbooks
open… running…weeping women… charging forward… women running towards that stage and trying to fill out their checks all at the same time, while trying to not get knocked down by the droves of other women doing e
xactly the same thing.
So, I have no doubt that the fame …and glory of it had a lot to do with it. With the Brady’s quick departure from North Carolina to the green lawns and fresh humid Texas air in Allen.
Now, that I think about it… it might have been a $1000 that Juanita told them
to bring and lay it upon the altar. I can still hear her saying-
“Come now! I don’t care where you are come now!”
And they came. While I on the other hand was going in the opposite direction.
Well, I better get off this computer. I’ve got a studio shoot tomorrow… and I do not know about you… But for some reason there just never seems to be enough time in my schedule any more. Time is truly flying by us. We go from one week into another without any real lapse of time it seems. Before I know it…it is Friday again… then Monday and the week is done. Just like that.
I may well be at the Book Festival with my book, THE BISHOP’S WIFE, this year as I just got my invitation from them. And also from the LA Book Festival… it 
seems that I just might get around to doing some book touring this year after all.
It is not like I haven’t been planning for it. But it is like I said time is flying. And all my other obligations are definitely keeping me busy. Maybe by this weekend at least an ‘in construction page’ may be up on my website page. And hopefully the links will work.
I am working on it. Because I have noticed that some of you have started looking for it. So, let me assure you that it is sooooon coming, praise the Lord.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em , co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK the photo to my book for the LINK to purchase my book. Thank you.
Add a comment June 17, 2010
Venus’ Illusion…Gulf Oil Spill… Obama at West Point… and Lena Horne passing
When I read the story I knew I was going to be writing a blog on it. At 
first I chalked it up to something not clicking in their heads. And I said ‘they’… because first it was Serena and her nude layout in Esquire magazine.
Now here comes Venus with her illusion.
Had I wrote this blog about Venus and our outfit 
yesterday I would have been far more harsh than my thinking is today. Because between yesterday and today my mind came across something.
I thought about my young indiscretions. Things I did in my youth that I would never do or think to do now. Foolish things…some even down right ridiculous. But I did them.
And the thought came to me how I used to love going out on this nude beach in New York. Where I didn’t mind taking it off…and didn’t think 
twice about doing it.
And I wasn’t embarassed about either…nor did I think anything wrong about me doing so. Getting almost naked…top off and letting it all hang out while I laid in the sun and walked along the rolling waves.
So, when I thought of this I re-thought what I was going to say in this blog. I am now a little more tolerant of youth…and yes they do…do crazy things…we all sometimes do and have too.
Yes, I think it bad taste the choice that Venus made in her design of her tennis outfit for the French Open, in making it appear that she wasn’t wearing underwear…and thinking that it was cute… or comical… or sassy…or sexy… or even stylish.
I would never, however, compare my removing my top and enjoying a day out on the beach to being on center court in Paris at the French Open with tons of TV and news cameras flashing at me.
Nor would I ever say that what Venus chose to wear before a crowd of people…mostly upper middle class and above…and mostly white… was in good taste… or for prime time viewing. 
In fact, thinking about it made me think of Josephine Baker and her 
bananas…and the scathy way she used to dress when she performed. I very much think that if Josephine were alive today that she might re-think wrapping bananas around her waist and shaking her stuff like she was crazy.
I have always held that both Venus and Serena were great role models in all aspects of their careers…not just for young girls and the young ladies within our own race, but also to those outside of it as well. That is…up until Serena posed naked and now Venus stepping out on the courts wearing something…wanting to give the illusion of being naked.
It is all rather a bit too much for me to take at this time.
They have burst my bubble…
What are they thinking?
First Serena…then Tiger…and now Venus.
It was nice while it lasted. It used to be such a pleasure picking up the newspaper…or watching the news…or catching stuff over the internet about them. Now all 3 of them seem to be falling from the mark… loosing their barings…and the 
standards they once set for themselves… that they once up-held. And that they are now dropping down by the wayside.
My father would call it…going out of the world backwards. He was great at saying that…and especially to me. Perhaps, it has much to do with why I am as I am today.
But maybe it’s been too much money?
Too much fame?
Or maybe it is just their youth…
Or too much pressure being Black…and being so in sports that many Black people did not participate in…and then landing on the top of it. Sports which had typically been dominated by non-Black athletes…and here you go ending up being the top money makers…highest paid athletes in their games…grossing the highest earnings as a male atheletic… and as female athletes.
What an achievement. I am sure that it must come with plenty of scars… hurt… and lots of anguish. Particularily, when you were just starting out. Nobody within those circles liked you then…much less loved you. You were just a dark spot coming into a lilly white game that nobody believed would bloom and grow up dominating…and then becoming number 1.
Yeah, that had to be hard. Going out on courts where everybody snubbed you…and didn’t want you anywhere around in their ‘white only’ club houses. But then gradually over time and championships all of that changed. They came to know your name…wrote stories about you… wanted private interviews with you… and a few even sought you out for sponsorships. But not as many as you could have gotten…and should have gotten…if you were white.
But you aren’t white. Never been white…and I’m hoping never wanted to be white. But now you are ‘in like Flen.’ They can’t deny your talent… or your gifts from God. But you still remember the
pain…the time when… When things didn’t seem that they were ever going to get to where they are now…but yet you kept pushing… kept reaching …striving… and achieving.
At the time it may have seemed like a great idea when Venus sat down and decided to design it… but to take black lace and create something which looks more like a ladies bustiea was never ever a good idea…when it was her intention to wear such an outfit out in public.
Why would Venus want to go out on center court…on a world stage looking like a cheap downtown hustler or prostitute?
All I can say is…. blame it on her youth…perhaps the times.
Young women today see nothing wrong in baring it all…wearing as little as possible… or wearing their
under clothes outside in the street…and call it ‘fashion.’
Nor do they see anything wrong or filthy in wearing their pajamas out in street. Or the boys with their pants hanging down to their knees.
There is something very wrong with the way culture and fashion seem to be clashing today. Standards in etiquette, style and class have all taken a back seat to the tasteless, classless and raunchy. And it doesn’t seem to matter 
how much money you make… or whether you are our new set of athletic supper stars… or new found musical talents and movie stars of today.
All tattooed out from head to toe…and pierced all over the place. There was a time only a chosen few rebellious outcast doorn the way out hair, blacken finernails, body piercing and tattoos. But 
not now. It’s your daughter and my nieces and some nephews…and practically all the guys who play 
professional basketball and everything else. And every drummer…and groupie alike.
Used to be that everybody was searching for their own ‘unique’ them. Now it seems that everyone wants to be like everyone else. Marked up and grossly ‘un-individual.’
I feel sorry for Venus…Serena… and Tiger. They seem to have lost their way. Once they were champions…now I am just not all that 
sure any
more.
No one could ever say that she wasn’t a class act. No, they could never say that about Lena Horne. Always beautiful…and sassy… she had an air of proudness about her that could not be mistaken.
Can’t say I personally met her…but I once did have an opportunity to catch her in a performance at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was an opening when the seniors of Sixth 
Grace United Presbyterian Church decided to sponsor a trip to catch Lena in her finale show she was on tour with. Though I didn’t really want to go…by the time I got in my seat and Lena started to perform I was more than happy to be there.
I had never really thought much about Lena Horne as she was before my time. But the show was a retrospect of her life in the entertainment business, obstacles she had encountered, her determination to make it to the top in spite of…and it was filled with 
plenty of spunk and humor. I thought about Lena for days after that show… I loved it. I had absolutedly loved that show and fell in love with Lena. And all those seniors who draged me there loved it too.
I remember Mother Emma Turner so well. She just would not let me say ‘no.’ Nor would Mrs. Ripperton…Minnie’s mother…they teamed up on me. And so I got a wonderful opportunity
to see and hear a legion. Someone I think I had seen her on the old Ed Sullivan Show several times…and had certainly seen in a couple of old movies. But that 
night even as an older woman…Lena was radiant and still just as beautiful.
Lena Horne passed recently a few days ago…and I had never known she was a native New Yorker. A Brooklyn girl in fact. I guess that accounts for why she had so much spunk and a wonderful attitude. And boy….did she have attitude…and in a good loving way.
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-207_162-10003452.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/arts/music/10horne.html
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/10/theater/20100510-hornebroadway.html?ref=music
Got a ton of hits today regarding this story. So, I decided that I would comment on it.
This is the story about the ex-Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick who just got thrown back in prison by a Judge who decided that Kwame hadn’t really learned his lesson…though he contended that he was changed and 
had become a ‘good guy.’
So, Kwame hires her as the personal assistant to the Mayor. And somewhere along the line they began carrying on romantically…texting messages and meeting up in various hotel
rooms…then chatting about it in their text messages…him and Christine.
All of this while Kwame was taking the city for a ride…and living large…and I guess a little too large. For which the City of Detroit is demanding restitution. Well, they demanded it back in 2008 when the city took him to court…sued him… and then sent him to jail for 2 months. But 
Kwame after paying $140,000.00 against a $3 million debt…claimed that he had no more money. And did not the court find out otherwise.
BAM!
Now, he is back off to jail again. And as you can see in the top courtroom picture of him…he is none too happy.
Being a supposed lawyer himself it is hard to see how Kwame failed to be more careful…smarter…or act wiser.
I have to agree with the woman below in 1 of the youtube clips.
“When you are voted in by the people you have a moral responsibility to the people.”
And you also have a debt of service…which should not be converted into a self-serving attitude.
There is something about power…if you are not careful you can become too full of yourself and abuse it. I think that is what happened to Kwame…he became too full of himself. And then started thinking he was untouchable.
I have to say that after watching this footage I feel sorry for her… Christine Beatty. Almost everybody deserves a chance… and an opportunity to be forgiven. We have all done some foolish things. I know that I have.
It is highly unlikely that Ms. Beatty will resume her studies in law…or become that lawyer. But perhaps she will… sometimes these kinds of things come to prove to us who God is… and to make us better…stronger and more determined to succeed… and to labor to do the right things.
I wish her well… both of them really.
Some of us have to rise up out of the pits of hell to find ourselves and our true calling in life.
Worst oil spillage ever?
I thought that the oil spill that hit Alaska some years ago was the worst. 
And based upon what I hear the effects of it are still being felt. Perhaps it is time…or way past 
time that a little more time and oversight should be spent on ensuring that these type of things just do not happen. And at the very least certainly not to this extent.
The oil spill that hit Alaska in 2009 was due a boat transporting oil owned by Exxon. The Exxon Valdez ran aground spilling nearly 11 million gallons of oil upon a clean and scenic Alaska water way. Now the BP oil company is currently dealing with a oil rig which exploded killing 11 of its workers releasing an inestimable 
amount of crude oil which is now beginnning 
to wash up on the shores of Louisana and Florida. And is threatening to not only damage the Gulf and its coast line but also that of shores on the Atlantic Ocean side.
It is terrible seeing the birds covered with oil trapped down under the weight of it covering them, near dead in the muck of muddy tar like waste just waiting to die. The pollution that has filled their air, shores and an ever enlarging area destroying lives…and undoubtedly causing plenty of soon to come health issues. And while destroying the beauty of our dear Mother Earth.
Besides having to deal with the news of the oil spill President Obama was at West Point this past weekend delivering their Commmencement Speech. He has grown to not look Presidential but also sound it.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/37519216#37521148
Though in reading the story I could not help but notice how whenever the writer spoke of the President…he always used the lower case ‘P’ …like when he wrote ‘and the president…’, as opposed to a capital ‘P.’ Which in the past has always been the custom in this country when refering to our Presidents in print. And that is why it always leaps out at me now whenever I come across it this way. Because I am not accustom to seeing that done at any other time in reference to the President of the United States.
It would the equivalent of using a lower case ‘q’ whenever someone wrote something in reference to ‘the Queen.’ Which is a definte no-no…just ask the British. You never see that…nor did I ever see a lower case ‘P’ ever being used in newspaper articles or anything else in reference to our other Presidents… past Presidents of the United States prior to Barack Obama. That is until this time. To be sure Barack Obama is ‘our’ President…and he definitely got voted into the White House. He is owed the respect that is due him as any other man who has operated in that capacity. And I have read several articles now written with that lower case ‘p’ when refering to him…and I find it to be a slap in his face…an insult and total lack of respect.
It speaks volumes as to the state of mind and hidden agendas… and bias feelings which still exist here in this country. And I do speak of racism.
At least Barack Obama got voted in…whereas George W. Bush stole his way into the White House. And what a set-up that was…not to mention a mess he created of this country under him.
Now, if they…those newspaper columnists and others could refer to George W. Bush in their writings…their news articles and the like with a capital ‘P’…then I see no reason why they have a problem and cannot do so when refering to President Obama. Who by the way…got voted in…and by a resounding number.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/25/louisiana.spill.town.hall/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/louisiana-oil-spill-2010_n_558287.html
I am so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open.
I started this blog near 7 PM and it is now 5:45 AM. And I really can’t go a step further.
So, I will say…good-night. And hope you enjoy your day…and some time later today I will go over this blog and try to weed out the errors.
I can’t do it now…because I just can’t keep my eyes open. It gets like that sometimes.
But I just had to try to finish this as so many people have been hitting my blog to check on some things. Now, I feel much better…because it is done. And if I think of anything else I will add it later. Good-night….
And…God bless.
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK this LINK to purchase my book. You do not need a paypal account to purchase, and you can purchase using a debit card. Thank you.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
2 comments May 26, 2010
