It's been two weeks, and it seems like forever since I've written. Life goes by so quickly, you know?
Things have been going well lately. I spent Friday afternoon re-cultivating a relationship with a NY State Assemblyman, talking politics, and attempting to position our organization. Slowly, I'm transitioning from Director of Programs to Executive Director. The organization is still in the pangs of rebirth, but we are all encouraged about its future. Times have changed, but the organization, prayerfully, will continue on!
On another note, one of my high school friends is getting married and has aksed me to officiate. I'm so excited!! It's always an honor to participate in life milestones, whether they are birth/christening, death/dying, acceptance of Christ/joining the church, or acknowledging unity of spirit and marrying. It's all part of the cycle of life, and it's that much sweeter -- and more meaningful -- when it can be shared among friends.
So I was in a generally good mood today. Got up, went to water aerobics, and had a conversation with the teacher about the cut (definition) in my legs, kettlebell classes, and TRX workouts. Came home, took some clothes to the cleaners, picked up some books and papers for church tomorrow, and took off to New Jersey to get my car's 11,500 mile checkup done. They changed the oil, but were unable to balance and rotate the tires because the car has rim locks on it, and my wonderful dealer never gave me the key. So if I have a flat, I'm in really bad shape. I'll have to try to get a key from the dealer, then go back to Jersey to let them balance and rotate the tires and do all the rest of the stuff they do in the 11,500 checkup. I also checked on the price of a new side mirror. Seems some vandals tried to pop off the chrome cover of my mirror, but apparently were too stupid to do it right, so they ended up cracking some of the actual casing around the mirror. It will cost me nearly $400.00 to get it repaired from the dealer -- because they cracked the casing, I'll need a new mirror, and since they are power mirrors, they'll have to take it off and yada, yada, yada.... I gotta go find plan B. They even suggested that I go find an aftermarket person to do it. The guy was telling me that he recently had to replace both mirrors on some car -- they were heated mirrors, and ended up costing the person $600.00. Each. $1200.090 to replace two mirrors.
So anyway. I have to get keys to the locks on the rims. So I'll go back when that's done. The place is about a half hour from NYC, but it's nice and friendly and spacious. While sitting in the parking lot, I decided it would be easier to find a Walmart in Jersey than to come to NYC and go up to Yonkers, especially since I never need anything from Walmart; I just go for the immensity of the place. I found a Walmart about 10 minutes away from the place (and in the process saw how close this place was to Newark). I went to Walmart, got my pain relief patches and some crystal light and soda.
Then I told the GPS to take me home. I knew that a mile or so down the road was an entrance to the highway, so I questioned the GPS when it told me to go in the other direction. Still, it was Saturday afternoon, I had no plans for the evening, so I went. It called the NJ pike Rt 80 and I didn't turn on it. I went a little further down the road and turned around, noticing that the map function seems to freeze on the GPS, but the voice direction is clear.
It took me on down the highway. As we were about to get on 95 back to NYC, I noticed the typical Saturday evening into-NYC-gridlock. I've waited in it for over an hour. So when the GPS took me off some other way, I figured I had nothing to lose. Long story short, my GPS has live traffic updates, and ROUTED ME AROUND THE TRAFFIC!!! It was Saturday evening, and I got from Kearny, NJ to my home in NYC in about 20 minutes, including the time it took me to get turned around before getting on the pike. Even though it usually takes me through the Lincoln Tunnel, this time it took me through some little towns in Jersey and then on the approach to the GWB, it had me switch from the lower level to the upper level. It was like the GPS navigated the traffic maze for me!
As I was getting off the highway, grinning from ear to ear, it occurred to me that God is the same way. We may think we know "the way," or we may not understand why God is leading us in a direction that appears contrary to what we think we know. At the end of the day, God's vision is quite different from our vision. God can see the traffic ahead, all those obstacles that we can't yet see. God can take us around that traffic, around those obstacles, if we simply let God. After all, we have free will. We drive the car. It's up to us whether or not we listen to God's Perfect System, or whether we try to go it on our own.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Today was such a wonderful day!
It started very early, with a 7 am meeting. Thankfully, that didn't last long, and the person with whom I met seemed to be willing to accept my input. We'll see what the result is.
After a wonderfully transitional week at work, one in which it appears progress is on the horizon, I went to a couple of great meetings today. One was with a volunteer legal assistance program. I was able to explain to them some of the issues facing our Council, the fact that we do have a very high-powered atty on our Board, and the facility with which we could probably become clients of their organization. I have to go back and get some more paperwork, but we talked about three areas of interest to the Council. So there may be progress on the horizon. Funders are being very cooperative about providing me with the historical documents I need, both for information and to get a sense of our contractual obligations and the culture in which they were created.
So I left there, went into a 7-11 (in Manhattan!) and redeemed a $300 scratch off. I actually redeemed about 330 in scratchoffs, but the $300,00 one was the nice one. It's payday and I don't have to go to the ban for pocket change!
The law firm was near a church. It was an Episcopal Chuch, and they were about to celebrate the Eucharist. Since I am comfortable in any of my Father's houses, I came in and joined the other three women and the priest who were there. Once I found my place in the book of common prayer and could follow the liturgy, I was good. It was intertesting to note how much of the CME rituals come from the Episcipal chuch -- I always thought they were Methodist, but lots of our Eucharisc prayers are similar to those recited in the Episcopalian church. After receiving communion, we could hang around the altar for the laying on of handsl whch I chose to do.
Then I left and went upstaiirs to another fellowship meeting. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO GOD!!! I coulda been caught out there. I coulda been dead, coulda been killed before I made up my mind to come back to Christ. So I'm grateful today. Grateful that I recognize the obsession and compulsions that would rule my life, grateful that God gives me the serenity to accept thos things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Left that meeting early and went to a meeting of the City for its Contractors. They game is changeing, and I don't know if my board and staff are going to make themselves ready. But if they don't get ready, their programs won't get funded. I can do so much, but I'm tired of working with people who lack either the skills or the gumption to move forward with new ideas.
So anyway. I came home early, got a vegan japanese roll and a supergreens with added apple Drank on that as I came home, speaking to the Korean cleaner and the Egyptian pharmacist. Very nice. Came in and orderd pho ga from Pan Asian (an asian fusian restaurant) and it is just dancing in my mouth. The pho ga was good, and I had to lie down and get up soI oculd try some of the General Tso;s chiicken with sticky rice and extra spieces. Food for the gods! And not even any guilt when yoiu know you're going to knock the calories out tomorow.
Soinjg to sleep niow. Can't se this pos; ohpe it's coming out oi.
After a wonderfully transitional week at work, one in which it appears progress is on the horizon, I went to a couple of great meetings today. One was with a volunteer legal assistance program. I was able to explain to them some of the issues facing our Council, the fact that we do have a very high-powered atty on our Board, and the facility with which we could probably become clients of their organization. I have to go back and get some more paperwork, but we talked about three areas of interest to the Council. So there may be progress on the horizon. Funders are being very cooperative about providing me with the historical documents I need, both for information and to get a sense of our contractual obligations and the culture in which they were created.
So I left there, went into a 7-11 (in Manhattan!) and redeemed a $300 scratch off. I actually redeemed about 330 in scratchoffs, but the $300,00 one was the nice one. It's payday and I don't have to go to the ban for pocket change!
The law firm was near a church. It was an Episcopal Chuch, and they were about to celebrate the Eucharist. Since I am comfortable in any of my Father's houses, I came in and joined the other three women and the priest who were there. Once I found my place in the book of common prayer and could follow the liturgy, I was good. It was intertesting to note how much of the CME rituals come from the Episcipal chuch -- I always thought they were Methodist, but lots of our Eucharisc prayers are similar to those recited in the Episcopalian church. After receiving communion, we could hang around the altar for the laying on of handsl whch I chose to do.
Then I left and went upstaiirs to another fellowship meeting. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO GOD!!! I coulda been caught out there. I coulda been dead, coulda been killed before I made up my mind to come back to Christ. So I'm grateful today. Grateful that I recognize the obsession and compulsions that would rule my life, grateful that God gives me the serenity to accept thos things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Left that meeting early and went to a meeting of the City for its Contractors. They game is changeing, and I don't know if my board and staff are going to make themselves ready. But if they don't get ready, their programs won't get funded. I can do so much, but I'm tired of working with people who lack either the skills or the gumption to move forward with new ideas.
So anyway. I came home early, got a vegan japanese roll and a supergreens with added apple Drank on that as I came home, speaking to the Korean cleaner and the Egyptian pharmacist. Very nice. Came in and orderd pho ga from Pan Asian (an asian fusian restaurant) and it is just dancing in my mouth. The pho ga was good, and I had to lie down and get up soI oculd try some of the General Tso;s chiicken with sticky rice and extra spieces. Food for the gods! And not even any guilt when yoiu know you're going to knock the calories out tomorow.
Soinjg to sleep niow. Can't se this pos; ohpe it's coming out oi.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
What is Wrong with People?
This little girl, Amanda Cummings, felt so battered by life that she threw herself under a bus. A tragedy. The family sets up a facebook page in her honor. Understandable. But then internet trolls start coming onto the site and making horrible, disrespectful comments about the girl. How can people be so unthinking and disrespectful? I didn't know the girl or anything about her, but her family has suffered a terrible tragedy. Why would anyone want to taunt people in their time of grief?!?
Then there's the case of Danny Chen, the Asian Army private who was bullied and either committed suicide or was beaten to death. I don't remember the specifics, I just remember that he had to endure racial taunts, and suffer racially-motivated humiliation because he was Asian.
I'll admit that, as an African American, my first thought is to say "suck it up." (Please read on before you judge). I often look at the behaviors exhibited by African Americans today (heck, I look at the behaviors I exhibit), and wonder "would you have lived through slavery times?" It's easy to be a smartass and a loudmouth today, but if somebody's cracking a whip on your back or if your life is literally not worth anything, it seems to me that the behaviors would change. My point here is that people can endure a whole lot more than they think they can.
And I realize that thought is harsh and politically incorrect. But it's my thought. I also realize thankfully, that our present society is kinder, gentler, and more evolved than it was a couple hundred years ago. We're positioned higher up Maslow's pyramid, I guess, so the bottom we can touch is also higher. Or something like that. I'm not a social scientist, and I tend to rely on Jesus as my Doctor, Lawyer, Psychiatrist, and Counselor, and generally recommend Him to others. I know everyone ain't into Jesus (remember the whole "religious not spiritual: debate,) and that, sadly, some people suffer in ways so extreme that the only option apparent to them is suicide. God rest their souls; I pray their and their families' comfort. I don't get why people would want to taunt them.
And even for those who are stronger -- there's the case of the soldier, I believe he was a Marine with a Purple Heart, but he was definitely a military man, having recently served in Afghanistan. He went to a Philadelphia Flyers game and made the mistake of wearing either a Rangers or an Islanders jersey -- I don't remember which one, just that he wore the jersey of an NY team. Those famously friendly people in the "City of Brotherly Love" sucker-punched and attacked this Marine, landing him in the hospital. The guy goes to Afghanistan and fights the Taliban for his country, only to get beat up by a bunch of drunken Philadelphia hockey fans. Philly, y'all ought to be real proud of yourselves for that one.
I know it's not a Philly thing -- I know those are actions of a few idiot individuals (who probably won't even be man enough to man up to what they've done). But it still begs my original question: What is Wrong with People?
Have we really devolved to the point that we will taunt strangers in their time of grief, will harass others who are different, and will do bodily harm to strangers just because of the clothing they wear? Are these signs of a civilized society, or are these signs of a sin-sick and thirsty world, one that yearns to know of a Love so Powerful, so All Encompassing, so Redeeming, that everyone, no matter their past, can come and sit and sup and have a Brand New Beginning?
Why does no one see it? Why does no one get it? What is Wrong with People?
Then there's the case of Danny Chen, the Asian Army private who was bullied and either committed suicide or was beaten to death. I don't remember the specifics, I just remember that he had to endure racial taunts, and suffer racially-motivated humiliation because he was Asian.
I'll admit that, as an African American, my first thought is to say "suck it up." (Please read on before you judge). I often look at the behaviors exhibited by African Americans today (heck, I look at the behaviors I exhibit), and wonder "would you have lived through slavery times?" It's easy to be a smartass and a loudmouth today, but if somebody's cracking a whip on your back or if your life is literally not worth anything, it seems to me that the behaviors would change. My point here is that people can endure a whole lot more than they think they can.
And I realize that thought is harsh and politically incorrect. But it's my thought. I also realize thankfully, that our present society is kinder, gentler, and more evolved than it was a couple hundred years ago. We're positioned higher up Maslow's pyramid, I guess, so the bottom we can touch is also higher. Or something like that. I'm not a social scientist, and I tend to rely on Jesus as my Doctor, Lawyer, Psychiatrist, and Counselor, and generally recommend Him to others. I know everyone ain't into Jesus (remember the whole "religious not spiritual: debate,) and that, sadly, some people suffer in ways so extreme that the only option apparent to them is suicide. God rest their souls; I pray their and their families' comfort. I don't get why people would want to taunt them.
And even for those who are stronger -- there's the case of the soldier, I believe he was a Marine with a Purple Heart, but he was definitely a military man, having recently served in Afghanistan. He went to a Philadelphia Flyers game and made the mistake of wearing either a Rangers or an Islanders jersey -- I don't remember which one, just that he wore the jersey of an NY team. Those famously friendly people in the "City of Brotherly Love" sucker-punched and attacked this Marine, landing him in the hospital. The guy goes to Afghanistan and fights the Taliban for his country, only to get beat up by a bunch of drunken Philadelphia hockey fans. Philly, y'all ought to be real proud of yourselves for that one.
I know it's not a Philly thing -- I know those are actions of a few idiot individuals (who probably won't even be man enough to man up to what they've done). But it still begs my original question: What is Wrong with People?
Have we really devolved to the point that we will taunt strangers in their time of grief, will harass others who are different, and will do bodily harm to strangers just because of the clothing they wear? Are these signs of a civilized society, or are these signs of a sin-sick and thirsty world, one that yearns to know of a Love so Powerful, so All Encompassing, so Redeeming, that everyone, no matter their past, can come and sit and sup and have a Brand New Beginning?
Why does no one see it? Why does no one get it? What is Wrong with People?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Err, let's try that one again...
One of the great blessings in life is, I believe, one's mental capacity. And we all know we use only a fraction of our brains. Still, it never ceases to amaze me to discover what my mind can do when my conscious mind is not aware. The other night I discovered a post I'd made while sound asleep. I deleted it, and will try again, now that I'm awake.
A dear brother and twin soul, Pastor Dale Wyrick, is currently on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. While he's not nearly as verbose as I am, he's detailing his pilgrimage here: http://holylandpilgrimage2012.blogspot.com/.
I'm including it in case people surf in from the Christian Index, the official new organ of the CME Church. A friend Facebooked me tonight to tell me I was in it, so I guess that means they published my article on last November's trip. If you're interested, please feel free to click on the links for November, 2011. I made daily blogs.
As Pastor Wyrick states, it's important for the morale of people now living in Bethlehem (which is in Palestine and illegally occupied by Israel) to know that Christians around the world remember and support them. And contrary to how it may sound, this isn't about politics; it's about justice. It's just not right for any people to live under legally-enforced apartheid.
Anyway. That's another conversation. I just wanted to make a post to welcome Christian Index people to my blog, and to give a shoutout to Brother Dale's blog. I can't wait til we organize a CME Church trip to the Holy Lands. I think that'll be AWESOME!!!!
A dear brother and twin soul, Pastor Dale Wyrick, is currently on pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. While he's not nearly as verbose as I am, he's detailing his pilgrimage here: http://holylandpilgrimage2012.blogspot.com/.
I'm including it in case people surf in from the Christian Index, the official new organ of the CME Church. A friend Facebooked me tonight to tell me I was in it, so I guess that means they published my article on last November's trip. If you're interested, please feel free to click on the links for November, 2011. I made daily blogs.
As Pastor Wyrick states, it's important for the morale of people now living in Bethlehem (which is in Palestine and illegally occupied by Israel) to know that Christians around the world remember and support them. And contrary to how it may sound, this isn't about politics; it's about justice. It's just not right for any people to live under legally-enforced apartheid.
Anyway. That's another conversation. I just wanted to make a post to welcome Christian Index people to my blog, and to give a shoutout to Brother Dale's blog. I can't wait til we organize a CME Church trip to the Holy Lands. I think that'll be AWESOME!!!!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Starting the New Year, NY style....
So since Christmas, I've been sick. Trying to play it off, but every spare minute I'm in the bed, energy zapped, and lately my voice is so hoarse I can barely be understood. The people with whom I spent Christmas have come down with bacterial pneumonia; I decided I didn't have it because I went to the steamroom and "sweated it out.."
So I'm walking around the house talking to myself and decided I didn't feel like going out. Of course, then I went out. Two things influenced my decision to walk. First of all, I'm parked in front of the house, on the Monday-Thursday side of the street. (Mind you, I pay $200.00 per month for a parking space, but that's on Park Avenue. When I can get one in front of the house, I do. When it's on the correct side, it means I don't have to get up at 8:30 tomorrow morning to move the car. So that's reason 1 that I'm walking. Reason two is that I had a buncha stuff to do: I wanted to go to the drugstore, wanted to get some coffee, and perhaps some cupcakes.
What I found is that no matter how you think you feel, if you can get up and walk a mile or so, you'll feel better. And if you can't, you should probably go see a doctor. I don't have the sweats any more, and have been doing mega doses of Emergen-C. I also was able to stop at the health food store and get a super green juice, which is always good for flushing the system.
I went to the health food store and to a couple of drugstores, only to find that they were all out of Buckley's. Good thing I have a slight tendency towards hoading: I have at least two or three sealed bottles of the stuff here in the house. I went through one bottle yesterday, anmd will drink some more tonight. It is vile, but if you can suffer through Buckley's and your cold hasn't gotten better, you need to see a doctor. Like I said, I went through a bottle of it yesterday. If my treatment tonight doesn't produce a marked improvement, I'll go....
One of the worst things about being under the weather is that food doesn't have any taste. I tried to eat some lobster salad with pita chips, but it all tasted like cardboard. I did get some cupcakes this evening, and they are full of flavor bursts, but they're also all carbs and I didn't want to eat too many.
So I'm eating some nuts now.
Last night the Giants played the Cowboys. I'm not a football fan, and kinda like the Cowboys, but when there's a contest against an NY team, I have to go with NY. The Giants led 21-0 at halftime. They let the Cowboys score a coupla times in the second half, but still won by something like 31-14. It would appear that I'm enough a New Yorker to always favor the NY teams.
I have to chill out and get ready to drink some more nasty Buckly's, go to bed, and pray this dreadful cold leaves my system....
So I'm walking around the house talking to myself and decided I didn't feel like going out. Of course, then I went out. Two things influenced my decision to walk. First of all, I'm parked in front of the house, on the Monday-Thursday side of the street. (Mind you, I pay $200.00 per month for a parking space, but that's on Park Avenue. When I can get one in front of the house, I do. When it's on the correct side, it means I don't have to get up at 8:30 tomorrow morning to move the car. So that's reason 1 that I'm walking. Reason two is that I had a buncha stuff to do: I wanted to go to the drugstore, wanted to get some coffee, and perhaps some cupcakes.
What I found is that no matter how you think you feel, if you can get up and walk a mile or so, you'll feel better. And if you can't, you should probably go see a doctor. I don't have the sweats any more, and have been doing mega doses of Emergen-C. I also was able to stop at the health food store and get a super green juice, which is always good for flushing the system.
I went to the health food store and to a couple of drugstores, only to find that they were all out of Buckley's. Good thing I have a slight tendency towards hoading: I have at least two or three sealed bottles of the stuff here in the house. I went through one bottle yesterday, anmd will drink some more tonight. It is vile, but if you can suffer through Buckley's and your cold hasn't gotten better, you need to see a doctor. Like I said, I went through a bottle of it yesterday. If my treatment tonight doesn't produce a marked improvement, I'll go....
One of the worst things about being under the weather is that food doesn't have any taste. I tried to eat some lobster salad with pita chips, but it all tasted like cardboard. I did get some cupcakes this evening, and they are full of flavor bursts, but they're also all carbs and I didn't want to eat too many.
So I'm eating some nuts now.
Last night the Giants played the Cowboys. I'm not a football fan, and kinda like the Cowboys, but when there's a contest against an NY team, I have to go with NY. The Giants led 21-0 at halftime. They let the Cowboys score a coupla times in the second half, but still won by something like 31-14. It would appear that I'm enough a New Yorker to always favor the NY teams.
I have to chill out and get ready to drink some more nasty Buckly's, go to bed, and pray this dreadful cold leaves my system....