Stephanie's Book Club

"Chosen & Destined" by Patricia Haley.

As I was strolling through the book heaven named Barnes & Nobles I spotted a book named "Chosen" that had this fine man on the front. Like really fine, here take a look http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Patricia-Haley/dp/1416580506. I must confess that I do judge books by their covers, I have passed on books that have dull or boring covers. Pardon me, I digress. So anyways, the cover caught my eye initially and then when I read the description of what the book was about I was hooked. Patty (yup I've already nicknamed her) decided to write a book using the biblical story of King David & King Solomon as her base. I don't know about you but I love to read modernized Bible stories! When trying to figure out who the different characters were I found myself reading these books and The Bible (The end of 1st Chronicles & 2 Chronicles ) simultaneously. Patty did an amazing job and I recommend these books 100% to anyone who loves intrigue, mystery, suspense. She gives a fresh outlook to the age-old tale of two of the best Kings in the history of the Bible.

A Season of Waiting

Not settling for less than you deserve is a blessing & a curse. I see all these people in relationships and want that for myself. Then I remember that because I waited for the right one, what I have will last. So I'm in a season of patiently waiting for him from Him. I'm taking this time to perfect myself so that when the moment comes I will be ready. #ahardpilltoswallow

There's so much going on that I have to break my blogging ban...stay tuned for more

Love Will Set You Free...

We have picked up the work, and we do what we can to watch and pray. The patterns seen by the first continue. This time, however, no one has forced us to do this, he greatest blow to all of humanity has been to destroy the truth. Men make children from one bed to the next. These children grow up without the love of that man. The men move through life without learning the power of loving through the eyes of their children. Woman have become strong resilient, unbreakable. In many respects this is good, for who will care for the children if they are too weak to do so? But their hearts have hardened to the peace that surpasses understanding. They go from one man to the next looking for the love that they didn't find in the last. Hardened by the cycle of their life, they turn away from their mother's love, who in their later years find the true meaning of this life. Unable to connect, these women, mothers, and daughters, and sisters, are not able to pass what the learned to one another. Passion rules the day, and love must be held at bay. Even the sweetness of our passion is kept secret because we have now learned shame and hatred over humanity and peace. We can no longer merely watch and record. The chosen ones must stand up and be counted. We must be the light for others to see. We must stand in the gaps. It's time to speak truth to power, to walk in love boldly. Fear no one. Tell of the peace that comes in knowing who we are and whose we are. Love your children. They don't have to come from you to belong to you. Love your parents. They have hurt in ways that you won't because they loved you. Love your mate. Spend as much time and energy keeping them as you did trying to get them. Love yourself and your community, your people. They are one in the same. Above all, love God, your creator, your maker. Love God more than you love his world and the things of this world. They will not last. But love never fails. When you get love, are walking in love, have learned to be loved, teach it to others. The time is now.Are you the one, the chosen? Will you walk with us? Will you stand in the power of love?

This passage is taken from Bertrice Berry's "Jim & Louella's Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy" and it touched my soul so deeply I had to put the book down and cry for a minute. Love conquerors all...

Sunday Randomness

*singing* Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me...all of my days

Trying to supress the feeling of home sickness creeping up

Thinking about actually sticking to my weight-loss New Year's Resolution this year

Thanking God for providing me with eternal friends

About to watch Waiting to Exhale (one of my favorite movies)

Day-dreaming about waffles, cheese eggs, and turkey bacon (Oooh Glory!!!)

Putting my feet on the path of my Purpose

A Glimpse Inside My Mind...(A Calandra Original)

Penned a few lines in class of something that was on my heart. This song explains it best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrrHJYxDyyA

Pornography distorting my mind. Clouding my thoughts. Fogging-up my judgement. My forbidden fruit, my kryptonite,my addiction forever. It perverts my thoughts on sex. What was once pure and ordained for marriage is now sick and twisted. Like Paul when I want to do good I end up doing wrong. Fingers typing without my consent. Thoughts being processed without my permission. Imagination bursting in without first knocking or being invited. "Jesus take this burden"I pray multiple times during the day. The enemy trying to steal my purity, trying to reduce the importance of my virginity. Curses being wrapped around my future because of my past actions. Just one drop of that Atonement blood will release me of my bonds and free me to live in the purpose He has for me. I want a long and blessed marriage. So I must walk the narrow path that many take. I want God's Favor. So I must remain near the Cross. What he meant for evil, God meant for good. His grace allows me too "confess my sins so I can be healed". Well let the healing begin! Jesus lifted the 2-ton weight off of my shoulders so now I can stand up straight.*breathes a heavy sigh of relief* Head held high and feet marching on towards the goal...

"Good and Bad Hair Whether You're Dark Or You're Fair...

Chris Rock was bold enough to make a documentary about a touchy (literally) subject within the black community : A Black Woman's Hair!! In his movie "Good Hair" he touches on an array of topics that Black females face everyday. Topics include : weave, natural-hair, perm, and the image that Black females project within the hair community. Also, the Bronner Brother's Hair Show and all its antics makes an appearance too.

First let me start by saying that I thought the movie was fantastic! It was funny to see our hair experiences broad-casted to a wider audience. Prior to me viewing the movie I had heard mixed reviews from twitter, facebook, and other blogs about the content of the movie. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little skeptical upon entering the movie theatre. Aside from Chris Rock's hilarious narration and interviews the documentary was extremely enlightening. The good Reverend (Al Sharpton of course) brought up an excellent point in the movie: Black females contribute tremendously to the hair industry, so why aren't there more Black owned hair businesses? Better yet, why aren't we supporting the Black businesses that are in existence? *puts up church finger and excuses myself* Preach Reverend!! Black people have struggled with this "supporting our own" issue for centuries, and at some point it needs to be addressed in depth and handled properly.

Once I was told that I had "good hair". What does that mean? Isn't all hair good? Why isn't natural hair promoted as much as straight hair? (Natural hair is freedom by the way! lol) This movie peers into the way Black females in particular tie our self-esteem/confidence into our hair will do just about anything to make sure our hair is on point! Also how females (or the S.O.'s of said female) will pay astronomical amounts of money just to have their hair done. This movie is a must-see and a guaranteed laugh factory. India.Arie sang it best "I am not my hair!I am not my skin I am the soul that lives within!" If only 85% of the Black female population knew that truth...