Thursday, September 22, 2016

Tip Of A Berg Pt 1

As I am sure it is with you as it was with me all of the events of the past 10 days swirling around in my head. Totally lost sleep over it; however, being awake in the stillest of hours allows one to think. To commune with God, to pray and conduct an honest assessment. So it wasn't a really bad thing.

As the news continued to multiply over the unfortunate deaths of two unarmed men and the subsequent fall-out: rampage, opinions; riots; hate speech; call to arms; and more division; I thought to myself REALLY?

How much longer are we going to look only at the outcome and not the root cause? The cause ladies and gents is sin. Ever since Adam & Eve were ejected from the garden a Pandora's box full of ills has plagued our society. Murder being one of the oldest but not before disobedience which kicked it all off.

Before I dive any further into this discussion it is important that a few points are made clear:

  • Enforcers who break the law should be subject to the same justice as other law breakers
  • The culture of law enforcement needs to be inundated with change that reflect 1. their communities they serve 2. the consistent use of tech: body cams, dash cams (not performing acts outside of view)
  • More training on when to use deadly force and when not obviously needs to happen
  • Enforcers know who the loose cannons are in their unit or battalion..we need whistle blowers to help us help them help the community
  • Fear is never an instrument of positive change
  • Community relations is SORELY needed; trust has been broken and needs to be bridged starting with diversity on the force and accountability for wrong doing.
  • Communities need to stop listening to ANTAGONISTS; they are about their own agenda not the betterment of a community
  • Communities should think twice before allowing all of the negative emotions to flow into a radical, militant group full of diversionary tactics
  • Community leaders: Speak up, Step up, Lead by example: if your ward is poor ... choose to cut as much overhead as possible including not giving yourself a raise so that money can be filtered into opportunities
  • Education, Education and Education lead to better choices, opens up more opportunities and equates to better solutions.
  • Leaders lead start planting firms who are willing to take on new construction in desolate areas to rebuild and reclaim the community with jobs and forward growth
  • More town hall meetings where progress is measured and presented: people know when smoke is being blown their way. If you no longer care any more for the people but just the check please vacate the office.
  • Community, vote, use the tools that are available choose civic leaders who actually have a heart to serve someone besides themselves. Be involved know what is on the ballot. Come out and vote like it is a Prince Concert..
  • Community STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN: Stop generalizing All cops are not bad cops. Cops are individuals and individuals make the choice to be good or bad. But not all. Look if you see something going down and it doesn't feel right, video, video and video. Listen to an Instructor or Professional or Respected member of your community instruct you on how to handle yourselves if you are ever confronted by the police no matter the reason. 
I am saying that these individuals lack of compliance is what led to their untimely departures? NO! Arming oneself with knowledge is step 1 of protection. 

-sj

All about The Use

Anger is not bad

It can fuel my hands to create change

It can purpose my mind to attack on

the level intellectual

It motivates me to persevere until I see

What I am trying to reach

It can make me move to be my brother's keeper

And a lonely child's protector

A voice for the most vulnerable among us

Anger forces my view to narrow, then widen

And narrow again

Sometimes the answers are in plain sight

Anger can pull me into educating, sharing

And gaining allies for a cause they didn't know existed

Anger takes the sheets off and exposes my emotions

Raw, Naked, Untamed, Powerful

But if I leave it in that state it will Destroy Me

And deny Respect to my Sphere

Leaving no Inheritance

However, it still isn't a bad thing

It can't be bad nor good; it is a tool

It's all about the use of it

-sj

Broken Faces



Just a thought:

If I don't care about you Man of Clay
Why do I care when you set your house on
Fire?

If I don't care about you Woman of Earth
Why would I care when you tear up
Yo Block?

If I don't care about you Child of Fire
Why would I care about your line
When it doesn't cross mine?

None of your actions Harm Me
None of your threats move me to Change
None of your tears fill me with Compassion

So Answer me This..Why do you Waste Your Passion
On Acts that destroy and not build?

Perhaps if I saw Your Energy, Your Will, Your Intellect,
Your desire, Your hands Lead Me To The Promise Land
*how to care, * brotherly love, * human compassion, * how not to racially profile
* how to understand your speech, * how to earn your trust and respect, * how to build a partnership,
*how to work with you not against you, * how to show me the door when I don't comply

Then I would be more apt to follow

-sj

We must be the change that we want to see

Brewed Awakenings Local Author Fair - September 24th

Brewed Awakenings is Hosting a Fall Local Author Fair!

Come and Join me along with many different authors with a variety of genres!

It is open to the public and FREE! 
Food and drinks available for purchase at coffee house (delicious)
Books Available from authors for purchase
Many accept: Cash, MC, Visa...

10 am - 2 pm

Danville, Va * A hop and skip up the road


Borrowed Pearl

Borrowed Pearl:

He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep;
To gain what he cannot lose.

- The Late Jim Elliott
Inspirational Christians.org

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Reprise

The summer has unofficially come to an end! The family has returned from its' whirlwind trip to the Midwest; and we are struggling, just like many of you, to adapt to our new schedule. On the bright side, Myles did not fight us to go to school..come to think of it he was rather excited! WHAT????? This is the same kid who would hold onto his bed like a cat; screaming, kicking and falling out because he was over school and had terrible separation anxiety. Thank you Jesus that he has grown out of all of that. Thank you God that you have shown me his triggers to prevent meltdowns in the first place.

Oh where was I? Oh yeah the whole schedule thing.. I thought we were doing quite well considering we just touched down on Monday and school began on Tuesday. Nate is a soldier even though he has a harder time adapting to change than Myles. Vacation was amazing. I love the hometowny-ness of Greenville. People still speak to you whether they know you or not; folks try to know the names of your children and are very involved in their day to days. Vegetable and fruit stands are plenty and there are not alot of restaurants around because people cook and still share Sunday dinners.  That piece of Americana has not changed despite the chaos going on around it.

I came to be refreshed. To touch my home base. To be filled with the familiar sites and smells that go along with it. I love sitting with my Parents watching television, cooking or dining. Listening to funny stories that live in our past; hearing the rambunctious laughter as we meddled thru the details of one tale while quickly recounting another. That is my home.


I soaked up all of that positive goodness because I knew when I returned home my battles would be waiting for me.

-sj

Monday, September 19, 2016

UPDATE!!! BOUGHT LESSONS

BOUGHT LESSONS IS AVAILABLE FOR PRESALE PURCHASE! AVOID SHIPPING CHARGES BY ORDERING DIRECTLY FROM:

www.degreesofperfection.com


Thursday, September 8, 2016

A note of Love!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4WC_YZAuw

For those who are deep in the struggle today....know that you are loved

-sj

Wisdom Pearl

Wisdom Pearl

Even Drummer's miss the beat

-sj

Weighted Breathes

If all you can do is breathe

Then do what you must

To keep your movement

In a forward progression

Challenges are impartial

They are Unfeeling

They don't discriminate

They just are

I wish I could take them from Me

From You

But that is not how we grow

That is not how we learn

That is not where we show our Strength

So breathe, Child

Betta is around the Corner

And Yesterday will swallow

The struggle of today

That is the nature of Time

Breathe without weight of Regret

Acknowledge what is needed

But don't stay where you shouldn't

Accept your self as self who makes

Errors

But breathe to release frustration before it

Turns into Merciless Conviction

Breathe, knowing you are loved

With the Dawn you get to start again...

-sj

Wisdom pearl

Wisdom Pearl

Better is around the Corner
So keep moving Forward

-sj

Wisdom Pearl

Wisdom Pearl:

Set your goals HIGHER than you dare to imagine!

Even if you don't reach them; you are still closer to them

Than you were without them.

-sj

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Wisdom Pearl

Wisdom Pearl:

One Day You Will Dance on Your Mountain!

Do Not Fret....The Lion of Judah is With You!

-sj

Seasons! Pt. 2

 Seasons! Pt. 2 Romans 8:28 says 28  And we know that in all things God works for the good  of those who love Him , who [ a ]  have been ca...