Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Why is the ‘Real Face’ of Jesus Controversial? The Real Christmas Story…

Hello World,

Today marks the fourth Sunday of Advent as we celebrate the birth of Jesus THIS FRIDAY! Every year I always struggle to get into the true Christmas spirit amid the commercialism of this holiday that would have us skip over Thanksgiving and plunge headfirst into racking up debt to buy our family and friends happiness…During this season, I have to retreat and reflect on Scriptures such as Seven Scriptures to Remind Us that Jesus is the Real Reason for the Season…so that I am reminded that the original Christmas was about how God enabled his son Jesus to come to this earth in the form of a baby born to a Jewish couple in the Middle East…

That is why I am a bit perplexed that medical artist Richard Neave’s rendering of the real face of Jesus has gone viral! Although my earliest recollections of portraits of Jesus featured a man with blonde hair and blue eyes which I probably learned about in Sunday School and or the private Christian school I attended as a child, I stopped believing those depictions were accurate once I understood the Christmas story even as a child. That was probably around the time that I read “The Diary of Anne Frank” and began to study world history. My deductive reasoning led me to believe that Jesus, while in human form, must have been of a darker hue and looked similar to those who live in the Middle East…That would only make sense…

Still, I love that that forensic science is now backing up what was clear to me…Below is an excerpt from the article “The Real Face Of Jesus” on popularmechanics.com.

For those accustomed to traditional Sunday school portraits of Jesus, the sculpture of the dark and swarthy Middle Eastern man that emerges from Neave’s laboratory is a reminder of the roots of their faith. “The fact that he probably looked a great deal more like a darker-skinned Semite than westerners are used to seeing him pictured is a reminder of his universality,” says Charles D. Hackett, director of Episcopal studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. “And [it is] a reminder of our tendency to sinfully appropriate him in the service of our cultural values.”

Neave emphasizes that his re-creation is simply that of an adult man who lived in the same place and at the same time as Jesus. As might well be expected, not everyone agrees.

Forensic depictions are not an exact science, cautions Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz. The details in a face follow the soft tissue above the muscle, and it is here where forensic artists differ widely in technique. Galloway points out that some artists pay more attention to the subtle differences in such details as the distance between the bottom of the nose and the mouth. And the most recognizable features of the face—the folds of the eyes, structure of the nose and shape of the mouth—are left to the artist. “In some cases the resemblance between the reconstruction and the actual individual can be uncanny,” says Galloway. “But in others there may be more resemblance with the other work of the same artist.” Despite this reservation, she reaches one conclusion that is inescapable to almost everyone who has ever seen Neave’s Jesus. “This is probably a lot closer to the truth than the work of many great masters.”

And furthermore, I hope this rendering of the real face of Jesus encourages many of us to get off of our cultural high horses regarding refugees coming into this country particularly at this time of the year...This meme says it better than I can…

I’m not saying that we don’t need to be cautious because we absolutely have to be in this time of terrorism. But for that those of us who profess to be Christians, our actions have to be rooted in love and not fear…

Can I get an Amen?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Engagement Enigma: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 2 Episode 2 Recap…

Hello World,

I was wondering when the BAV writers were going to address that Tara got engaged in the season 1 finale of “Born Again Virgin” and they did in last night’s episode. If you don’t remember all of the details of Tara’s engagement, please see “Crushin’ & Cussin’: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 1 Episode 8 & 9 (the Season Finale!) Recaps.” Well, in the true “over-the-topness” that we’ve come to love in Tara, she is “turnt” about planning her engagement party. The only problem is that Enrique, the man to which she is affianced, is mysteriously missing from her plans – hence my title “Engagement Enigma.” (Y’all like that, right?). Exhibit A: Tara gives invitations to Jenna and Kelly, whom she asks to be her maids of honor (also known as “indentured servants in pretty dresses” per Kelly) to mail, but her fiancé’s name is nowhere on the invitation…No bueno para Enrique…

But working as “indentured servants in pretty dresses” is not the only thing that Jenna & Kelly worry about in this episode. Since Kelly quit her job last season (again, see my recap above for the details), Jenna must share her “work space” (basically, the kitchen) with Kelly. While Kelly is accustomed to a more professional environment, Jenna has a “process” she must go through before she starts her work day. This “process” includes dancing in the kitchen to Kelly’s irritation. As a writer, I get the “process.” (The “process” is comprised of the habits, behaviors, etc. that you do to coax your creativity to come out and play so to speak. My process includes a cup of tea, rocking back and forth in my chair like I’m an idiot and 10-minute naps…don’t ask me why this works, but it does…) Anywho, Jenna and Kelly argue about working out their mutual work space so that it works for both of them…

Despite their differences, Jenna and Kelly are united in their desire to meet Enrique, since Tara has yet to introduce him to them. She finally brings him over, but after meeting him, they are more puzzled than ever. First of all, Tara knows more about planning engagement parties than she does about Enrique. For example, she thinks he is from Spain when he is from Puerto Rico (I love Old San Juan by the way.). He went to Columbia University not NYU as Tara thought. And he speaks French in addition to Spanish and English. Jenna suggests that Tara read an article titled “Am I Marrying the Man or the Ring?” but Tara is too busy planning her engagement party to focus on minor details. She announces that she has booked Chef Roblé to cater the party even she though used to “hook up” with the chef, the engagement party will be held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and she will be arriving in a helicopter sans Enrique. When Jenna continues to try to confront Tara about focusing on the engagement sans Enrique, she accuses her of being mad that she got engaged without having to give up sex. Ouch.

Meanwhile Kelly has taken “work from home” to another level as she hires an assistant Morgan who shows up in their kitchen one morning. Now, when Jenna wants to speak with Kelly, she must make an appointment through Morgan which is obviously ridiculous. This takes their tiff over the top! Tara, on the other hand, is forced to turn down a lil bit when she discovers the botanical garden is booked and that she has been banned from the establishment! She finally decides to get Enrique’s input about the party. To her surprise, he suggests they skip the engagement party altogether and just tie the knot. Now, Tara is confused. For all of her excitement about being engaged (AND she has been engaged eight times before), she has no actual experience with being married…She realizes she is committed to being engaged but marriage is a different commitment altogether…LOL…A good thing to know before getting married…More to be revealed in future BAV episodes obviously…

Kelly and Jenna demonstrate their commitment to their friendship when they finally work out their work arrangement. Kelly admits she is “freaking out” now that she has quit her job and is trying to build a company, and Jenna, who is still trying to build her blog readership (I know all about that), understands the struggle…

So what did you think of this episode?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Finance Expert Terrell Dinkins Hopes to Bridge Gender Wealth Gap Through New Book “One Bucket at a Time”

Join Dinkins at Her Book Launch Party at The Commerce Club THIS Thursday!

Hello World,

‘Tis the season to spend! But if you’re careful, you can still have some money to spare after Christmas!

Ever since I worked with a financial coach back in 2009, I’m all about staying on top of my finances! That’s why I’m excited about introducing you to financial advisor and wealth empowerment speaker Terrell Dinkins, MBA, who has written a new book to help empower women when it comes to their finances. One Bucket at a Time: A Woman’s Guide to Creating Wealth , which costs $15.99, will be available starting Thursday, December 17, 2015, when the public has an opportunity to meet and have books signed by the author during a book launch party just in time for the holiday season. The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Commerce Club at 191 Peachtree Street NE, 49th floor, in Atlanta. The first 50 attendees to buy a book will receive a special gift! To register for this free event, go to eventbrite.com.

Below is my interview with Terrell Dinkins.

1.How did you come up with the name of your book “One Bucket at a Time?” What does it mean?

The buckets represent the multiple streams of income we should create or fill throughout our lifetime to carry us throughout retirement and beyond. There is order in when we should fill our buckets. I explain the importance of this order in my book. Each bucket of money we create will be used at different intervals throughout our lifetime. There is also meaning to my book cover. The rain represents saving and being prepared for the storms we might encounter in life.

2. What inspired you to write your book? Tell us about the process of writing your book. How long did it take? How did you conduct your research?

A business colleague encouraged me to write the book sooner rather than later. Writing this book was on my bucket list (no pun intended). I just had not planned on doing it so soon. When my business colleague heard the message that I gave to my clients (my bucket approach system to wealth building) she said, “You need to write a book. The message should not be reserved just for your clients.” It took me about six months to write the book and conduct my research. The statistical data I included came from various sources, to include other authors and articles I have found. I reference all of my sources in the book. I also include my personal story and other encounters and experiences I have had with clients to teach lessons to others.

3. What do you hope women will take away from the book?

I hope women will realize that they must act now to prepare for the future. So much of the financial household weight will have to be carried alone due to divorce, widowhood or being single. Be smart about your financial choices and learn how to create balance between lifestyle and saving for a rainy day.

4. How did you get interested in building wealth and financial empowerment? What personal experiences fueled your interest in these topics?

Ever since I can remember, I have always been intrigued about wealth building. As a child, I daydreamed like any other child about what it would feel like to not have to worry about money and, of course, live in a big house (typical childlike thoughts). I always did a pretty good job handling my money. I’ve always been a saver (yes, even in kindergarten). My mother always told me to make sure I put something to the side just in case there was an emergency. I listened. No particular personal experiences fueled my interest. The interest has always been a part of me.

5. What happens during your “Women and Wealth” workshops? How often and where do you host them? What is the cost?

I come up with different financial topics that I think might interest women and talk about them over wine and hors d’oeuvres. As an example, one of my presentation topics was called “Don’t Leave it All at The Mall.” I presented this topic during the holiday shopping season as a reminder to women of the importance of keeping a budget for holiday spending. When I started my practice, I thought having a free workshop would help me reach more women and it did. I was told by a few male colleagues that I was wasting my time. I never felt like I was wasting my time. I found a few women who wanted to change their financial situation and that was what mattered the most. The workshops were held once a quarter at my office. I did have to cut back on the workshops because my practice did grow and I no longer have the extra time that I used to have because of the growth of my practice. The workshops also led to my speaking and sitting on panels for other organizations. Speaking to other groups still allows me to get my message out without having to host the events on my own. Because they were free, you did have the occasional person who showed up at every event because they were free. Not many, but a few.

6. What is the No. 1 habit or behavior that women can do right now to get them on the path to building wealth and financial empowerment?

Create a budget. If you do have a budget, review it every month when you pay your bills. Make revisions to the budget and don’t set it in January and forget it for the rest of the year.

7. Since it is the Christmas season, what is one tip that can be used to save at Christmas time?

Set a dollar amount that you plan on spending for all of your holiday gifts. Once you come up with this amount, determine who will get what percentage of the pie.

Terrell Dinkins is a financial rep with Peachtree Planning Corporation in Atlanta. She graduated from Georgia Southern College with a BBA in finance (minor: banking), and earned an MBA from Mercer University Stetson School of Business and Economics in Atlanta. An Atlanta native, Terrell completed the Executive Financial Planning Program from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business in Atlanta.

Terrell is an active member in civic and community organizations to include the Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Tau Epsilon Omega Chapter), and The Twenty Pearls Foundation.

For more information about Terrell, go to terrelldinkins.com or onebucketnation.com.

Any thoughts?