Well, if you hadn’t heard, Oprah is back! Instead of her beloved “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the talk show that had the whole world tuning in, she is now the host of “Oprah Lifeclass.” Her new show is a hybrid of an advice column, a talk show and a webinar. The show debuted last Monday. Her five lessons (show) were: “The Power of the False Ego,” “Letting Go of Anger,” “You Become What You Believe,” “The Truth Will Set You Free” and “Joy Rising (The Car Giveaway.”
In each lesson, Oprah pulls segments from her 25-year talk show to illustrate her advice for the lesson, and she also incorporates new interviews to demonstrate her points. Instead of an audience as the backdrop, she often speaks directly into the camera as if she is speaking to each viewer directly. After each show, viewers can chat with Oprah and her guests online at her website via Facebook, which is really cool. Oprah and her guests read the comments as they are flooding in and react to them in real time!
To the discerning viewer, Oprah was always a teacher although she was known as a gifted talk show host all of these years, but in this new show her true purpose is illuminated.
Will Oprah’s new show help to save her OWN network, which despite Oprah’s success in everything else she endorses, has lost viewers since its debut in January? Hmmm…not sure…What say you? Did you watch? I watched her new show on Monday and Wednesday. Below are a few of the videos from her new show that caught my attention…
Any thoughts?
From Lesson 2: Letting Go of Anger (Best- Selling Author Terry McMillan on Letting Go of Anger After Discovering That Her Then Husband Was Gay)
From Lesson 3: You Become What You Believe (Why Oprah Knew She Would Never Be a Maid Although Her Grandmother Was A Maid)
From “Occupy Wall Street” to the divorces of friends, 2011 has shaped up to be a year of change – and not necessarily good change for a lot of our fellow travelers on this earth…Having experienced some tough times in my own life, I’ve learned to consult the Word of God to inspire me and give me the courage to face my life daily when it seems easier to keep the covers over my head and sleep all my troubles away…
1. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 This verse is my absolute favorite verse in the entire Bible because in this verse God promises that He is working together all of my circumstances (good or bad) for my good. The only caveat is that we must love Him first…
2. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. ” Proverbs 3:5-6. It is so tempting to try and figure out why certain things have happened to us, but I have learned in some situations that it is pointless to endlessly ruminate. Instead, it is more powerful and ultimately sane to trust that we are walking on an God-ordained path, a path that only He knows where it will lead…
3. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I remember when someone first told me that I should give thanks to God for all things – even bad things…I was like, “Yeah right. I should give thanks to God for being fired from my job, not being able to pay my mortgage and not having enough money to fix my car.” But I did what I was advised to do, and it really helped me. When we give thanks to God for all of circumstances, we acknowledge His sovereignty. And God has shown me over and over again that He is more than able to work it all out…
4. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 I have learned that God is always with me so I don’t have to succumb to terror and discouragement! Instead, I can focus on the strength and courage that God will give to me if I only ask…
5. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” Psalm 23:6 This is God’s promise that goodness and mercy will permeate all the days of our lives – no matter what it looks like now…
6. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Sometimes, just some cold, hard cash would go a long way in solving our problems. I have discovered that the Lord will provide for all of our needs – even financial – when it is needed. I remember a time when I was in between jobs, and a close friend paid my mortgage that month!
7. “…Weeping may endure for a night. But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. There is no doubt about it. No one is immune from tough times. But tough times don’t last forever! Joy will come in the morning!
I hope these verses inspire you to be resilient as they have inspired me! The Bible is filled with Good News if we would only crack it open…Also, sometimes God speaks through other good books…Check out “Where Will You Go From Here? Moving Forward When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned,” by certified personal and executive coach Valorie Burton. (Incidentally, I interviewed her for my book.)
Also, please also take a look on my new interview series “Resilience & the Bible” which includes:
My favorite gospel song that inspires resilience…”This Battle is Not Yours” by Yolanda Adams…I got to meet her someday and thank her personally for this song because it has me blessed me sooo much over the years…
Ummm…I love Georgia Fall weather…The leaves are turning although it’s still warm enough to wear sandals…at least during the day…and all of the humidity of summer has evaporated…just.love.it.
But the weather is not the subject of today’s post…A few days ago, I read a Q&A with Tamera Mowry-Housley of “Tia & Tamera,” the reality show on the Style Network in which viewers are able to see Tia Mowry-Hardrict as she navigates her first pregnancy while Tamera, her twin sister, prepares to get married for the first time. Unlike other reality shows, this one actually has redeeming value and something to offer other than unabashed materialism, contrived girl fights and downright debauchery.
So last week, on the YBF (Young, Black and Fabulous) gossip blog, Tamera dispensed advice for brides and discussed interracial dating (her new husband Adam Housley is white) and why she decided to be celibate before marriage…
One question and answer really got my attention:
You mentioned on your show that you and Adam decided not to shack up. Does that mean you went the Sherri Shepherd route and decided not to sex it up either?
I’ll be very honest. (Laughs embarrassingly) We decided, it was both of our decision, not to live together for religious reasons. I’m being very honest. We actually didn’t wait before we got married to be intimate…but we did wait 3 years. (The two have been together for 6 years). I wanted to do what felt right for me. I became re-virginized. It’s something that just felt right for me. It was just a personal choice. And even after being intimate, we decided as a couple to be celibate until the wedding.
So do what do you think about Tamera’s decision to be “re-virginized,” particularly after she already had sex with her fiancé? Throughout the Bible, you can find many references to virgins…And even in popular culture, virgins have made a name for themselves with movies like the HIGHlarious “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” or the Madonna classic “Like A Virgin.” But hardly anyone talks about “re-virgins.” What are the benefits of choosing to celibate after you have had sex…Is it truly possible to stop once you have sampled the goods, particuarly with the person you intend to marry? Does it offer any benefits? Where the re-virgins at?
