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    jackieholness

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    Free To Be…

    Hello World!!!

    Since President Obama speech’s in Cairo, Egypt last week, I have been thinking about how Christians view and treat people who choose a different faith. President Obama spoke about preparing a path for peace between this country and the Islamic world – a sizeable feat since 9/11, Muslims have become on par with satanists it seems in this country…I think being a member of a minority group makes you sensitive to lumping people in one category, but I must confess that I, too, have found myself wondering what really goes on mosques…

    However, I do know that Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker and as followers, we have the responsiblity to attempt to live peaceably with our neighbors even if we don’t always agree with their choices – religious or otherwise…One of the ways that I live at peace with people is to learn more about them…Last year, I attended a book signing for Muslim author, Melody Moezzi. She, too, felt that Muslims were demonized post 9/11 and decided to write book to demystify Islam and the people that are a part of that faith. Her book, “War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims,” includes profiles of 12 American Muslims from various walks of life. Below is how the book is described on her Web site:

    War on Error brings together the stories of twelve young people, all vastly different but all American, and all Muslim. Their approaches to religion couldn’t be more diverse: from a rapper of Korean and Egyptian descent to a bisexual Sudanese American to a converted white woman from Colorado living in Cairo and wearing the hijab. These individuals, whether they were born to the religion or came to it on their own, have made their own decisions about how observant they’ll be, whether or not to fast, how often to pray, and what to wear.

    Though each story is unique, each is also seen through the searching eyes of Melody Moezzi, herself an American Muslim of Iranian descent. She finds that the people she interviews are horrified that, in a post-9/11 world, they have seen their religion come to be represented, in the minds of many Americans, by terrorism. These thoughtful and articulate individuals represent the truth about the faith and its adherents who are drawn to the logic, compassion, and tolerance they find in Muslim teachings.

    Moezzi, ever comfortable with contradiction and nuance, is a likable narrator whose underlying assumption that “faith is greater than dogma” is strengthened as she learns more about her religion and faces her own biases and blind spots. This fresh new voice, combined with the perceptions and experiences of her fellow American Muslims, make for a read that is both illuminating and enjoyable.

    As we all know, this country was founded on religious freedom and God, Himself, gives us the choice to choose to serve Him…I find it so hypocritical when people force their views on others, knowing that our Lord doesn’t force Himself on us…Now, don’t get me wrong…I know that God wants us to tell others about our faith…how else can the gospel reach the world…but we cannot force others to believe how we believe…and when force turns to violence…is God really behind that…

    I’m thinking of the murder of the doctor who performed abortions. He was shot and killed last Sunday in front of his church…We all know that many, very vocal Christians do not support abortion but is that a justification to murder those who perform or support abortions…Of course not…but as President Obama said (I’m paraphrashing obviously)  in his speech, extremism must be confronted and not supported…

    Here is what he did say:

    In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

    So here are my questions for you:  1. Are you friends with someone of another faith? 2. Are you friends with someone who has no faith? 3. Are you friends with someone who is agnostic?  Do you and that friend discuss your different faiths or lack of faith? How have those discussions impacted your relationship?

    I have been friends with someone of the Bahai Faith. We discussed our faiths but we never tried to convince each other to leave our respective faiths, and I was comfortable with that as our faiths was not the primary reason for our friendship. I also have friends who are agnostic as well…Now, I would be lying if I said sometimes I think to myself if only this person knew the Lord…but I’m not the Judge…

    Any thoughts?

    NEWSFLASH:

    In an effort to diversify this blog, I have decided to cover certain categories on a periodic basis…

    Shout Out To… -This category will feature different churches that have remarkable ministries in church or outside of the church…Check out my blog on Wednesday for my first official “Shout Out” in this series…

    Book Notes – This category will include book reviews of Christian books for the most part…However, since I am a bibliophile, I will also review interesting books from a varietyof genres.

    Blog Envy – As I stated in a previous post, I have a tendency to be a hater…but in an effort to evolve and become ever more spiritual, I will feature remarkable blogs in this category….Of course, I will be secretly hoping that my blog becomes more popular than the blogs I feature, but the Lord is still working on me… 🙂

    Living Single – In this category, I hope to feature people who are single but are living victoriously – in spite of the pressure in this world to be coupled up…(it even goes back to the days of Noah.)

    Soulmates – I want to feature Christian couples who have been married for 10 years or more and share the secrets of their success…

    Your Turn – As self-centered as I can be, I, of course, realize that I am not the only one who has something to say…I will ask people who have interesting views and or experiences to share them here…

    If you have suggestions for any of these categories, please e-mail me at jholness7@hotmail.com

     

     

     

     


     

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    Tavis Is Still Alright With Me…

    Hello World,

    The weather in the A has been gloriously sunny over the last few days, and I’m feeling good…listening to the birds chirping as night fades to day…”Good Morning,” I want to say to them…okay, let me stop waxing poetical and get to the subject of this post…

    As my typical custom dictates on Sunday mornings, I tuned my radio to V-103 to listen to “The Triple T (Tall, Talented and Totally Sold Out to the Lord) from Tennessee” also known as Larry Tinsley play the gospel hits as I drove to church last Sunday. (Incidentally, I worked with Mr. Tinlsey for a few months at AIR Gospel, a local record company, for a few months. Not only is he gracious on the air, he is a class act in person as well. ) Instead of hearing Mr. Tinsley’s warm and reassuring voice, I heard another familiar voice…I was a bit startled so I looked at my radio to ensure that I had tuned into the right station. But then, I heard Mr. Tinsley break in and I realized that he was interviewing Tavis Smiley. In characteristic form, Tavis seemed like he was about to stutter as he excitedly described a new exhibit which will be debuting in Atlanta on June 12.

    America I AM: The African American Imprint highlights 400 years of African American contributions  to our country through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music. The four-year traveling exhibition museum, which nationally debuted in Philly, will be housed at The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center from June 12 through September 6. The exhibition was developed with the collaboration of  The Smiley Group Inc., Arts and Exhibitions International and the Cincinnati Museum Center. It seems like a must see!

    Here are some of the highlights of the exhibit according to the Web site:

    •    “The Doors of No Return” from the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, which enslaved Africans passed through to board ships to the “New World”
    •    The typewriter Alex Haley used to write the groundbreaking book, “Roots”
    •    Objects representing the African-American troops that fought and impacted the outcome of major U.S. wars
    •    Malcolm X’s journal and personal Koran
    •    The door key and stool from the Birmingham jail cell that held Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he authored “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
    •    Frederick Douglass’ clothing and letter from President Lincoln that enabled him to move among Union lines recruiting black soldiers
    •    The robe that Muhammad Ali wore during training for the “Rumble in the Jungle,” where he defeated world heavyweight champion George Foreman.

    Through a partnership with Northern Trust, 10,000 free tickets will be distributed to Georgia youth. Also, in partnership with Wal-Mart, discounted tickets are available at 125 Georgia Wal-Mart locations. (My nephew and I will be in the house! ) Atlanta-area seniors will also be able to visit the exhibition for free through various city programs courtesy of Wal-Mart.

    Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster (www.Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000). Tickets are purchased for a specific date, and will be $12 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-17; and $8 for seniors over age 65, as well as for groups of 10 or more.  For more information about the exhibition and tickets, visit www.AmericaIAM.org.

    Tavis said that he has worked on this project for several years, and I am deeply thankful for his efforts. People must have thought I was a strange child as I spent hours reading books about slaves as a third grader, but I had a seemingly unquenchable desire to know more about black history. Maybe it was because I was the only black child in my class and felt I didn’t quite fit in among the white students. How I would have loved to view this exhibit back then! Thankfully, I can go now, and I hope y’all do too.

    Now, I know that Tavis has fallen out of the good graces of many black folk since the Barack Obama election controversy, but all is forgiven in my eyes. His life is clearly dedicated to the empowerment of black America without apology or compromise…y’all need to stop trippin’ and give him love…

    Any thoughts?

    P.S. Apparently, Atlanta is the only stop in the Southeast so y’all from the surrounding states better include the A in your summer plans or you will miss out!

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    Check-In: God Has Got Our Back

    Hello World!!!

    As of tomorrow, the month of June begins. Can you believe that 2009 is almost half over? I can’t! It seems like just yesterday that I was pondering my goals and dreams for the new year…So how are you doing on your goals and dreams for 2009? My spiritual community and I have a phrase that we use to determine how one another is doing. That phrase is “checking in.” You can “check in” with yourself and with other people.

    For the purposes of this blog, I will share some of the “checking in” I have done with myself over the last week.  One of my goals for the new year was to start saving money consistently. Wonders of wonders, I have actually been saving! As I take out my tithe out of my paycheck, I also subtract my savings…My savings account isn’t huge, but it is growing. I also wanted to take a finances class or seminar to learn more about finances and become financially healthy. Well, I am proud to say that I now have a financial coach. So I am on track in that area! Another one of my goals is to make this blog the best it possibly can be. I’m working on that…My goal is to post twice a week…This month I haven’t done that…but I’m getting back on track…I also want to expand what I cover on this blog…I don’t have a “game plan” yet for that endeavor, but I will work on that during the  month of June. I have also wanted to find a career mentor, but I haven’t been able to find one yet…I hope to work on that in June…we’ll see…

    Another one of my goals was to go to five journalism networking events this year…I have attended two so I feel pretty good about that…I need to attend three more and make sure that I utilize contacts that I make at each of these events. And networking for me is not only about working to advance my career…I have learned that it is important to network to help others as well…Another one of my goals was to stay on top of my daily mail and e-mail…Not looking good…I have over 900 new e-mail messages in my inbox and stacks of mail I need to go through…I know it’s important to look at each of these each day, but I get sooo overwhelmed sometimes…Anybody got any tips for making this task more manageable?

    So that is a little bit of my “check in.” How are you doing? Have you remembered to dream and dream big? Have you written down your goals? Have you made your vision boards and posted them within easy view? Have you consulted others who may be able to help you achieve your goals? In my experience, it is only with the help of others that I can achieve my goals and dreams. My friend, Dr. Pam Thompson, has begun a series, “Blue Lights in the Basement,” in an effort to “take psychology and life coaching to the streets.” I attended the inaugural session on Friday and what I learned there I think will help me achieve my dreams and goals for this year and beyond…

    But let’s face it…sometimes things happen in our lives that we aren’t prepared for that can derail our goals and dreams…Many people have lost their jobs this year…I have experienced that before…It’s not fun for sure…But when that has happened to me, I have learned that God has got my back, and I have always moved onward and upward…(Yes, it has happened to me more than once…) Let  me share a portion of the sermon that my father preached for the New Year’s Eve service. He preached on Hebrews 13:5-6. This passage is from The Message version of the Bible.

     5-6Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

       God is there, ready to help;
       I’m fearless no matter what.
       Who or what can get to me?

    And here are some of the notes that I took from the sermon:

    1. Don’t look to money as the source of your supply. If you have a lack of money, that is not the end of the story.

    2. Our Heavenly Father is the source of your supply and is able to make a way out of no way.

    3. Face the New Year with contentment.

    4. Face the New Year with courage. We are not alone on our pilgrim journey…

     No matter what, God has got our back…

    Any thoughts?