East Baltimore Residents TAKING ACTION!

**The video above was shared by Franktalk at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8DzrIXD-rQ **

My Daily Meditation

If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

--Matthew 6:25 - 34 (The Message)

Celebrating My Day: October 11th

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.

Psalm 61:1

The two scriptures popped up for my daily devotions on my two blogs. I smiled to myself as I thought how timely these scriptures were for me right now in my life as I celebrate 37 years of life on this earth. My journey to me has been long and difficult - filled with too many regrets, too much heartache, and too much pain. However, these years have also been filled with many blessings.

I was blessed with the opportunity to gleam from my birth mother, my step mother, my father, my three grandmothers, my two great-aunts, my two grandfathers, my three older sisters who think they are my Momma, my younger sister who thinks she is my Momma, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and extended family members who over the years have showered me with tons of love and support. I also have a host of friends and mentors - from Baltimore to Savannah to Atlanta to Miami to San Francisco - who over the years have shared their love, insight, and economic support with me. In some cases, they have become like family providing emotional, financial, and sometimes physical assistance when my blood family was unable to do so.

I have traveled across the United States and visited two continents. I have travelled to West Africa and South Africa. I have visited two Native American reservations. I have attended an United Nations sponsored conference. I have worked for some amazing organizations - all (the amazing ones and not so amazing ones) have helped me grow personally and professionally. I have participated in numerous fellowships and leadership programs which have introduced me to some of the most talented, witty, and creative people on this planet. I have launched and run a nonprofit organization which helped me plant positive seeds in the lives of youth. I have launched and run three for-profit businesses. I have written and published a book. I have had the opportunity to help empower adults by equipping them with literacy and leadership skills. I have had the opportunity to serve under pastors who walk in love and integrity. I have had the opportunity to engage in conversations with people from all backgrounds and ethnicities. I have had the opportunity to know and experience true love.

And although I have many deficits that I feel need "fixing," I am here: sane, healthy, secure, and saved. I didn't start this year with all four of these traits and too be honest I just slid into my birthday clinging on to all four. Yet, I am here and I am so thankful for my life!

Miracle at St. Anna - Don't Believe the Critics! This is one of the BEST movies EVER!

I went to the movies today to see the Miracle at St. Anna, and I was blown away by the rich story line and the superb acting. Spike Lee did a phenomenal job telling the story of what it was like for Black men serving in War World II . Don't believe the critics. This is an excellent movie that will have you on the edge of your seat - sometimes laughing, sometimes crying but always thinking about the complex messages that jump out at you from every scene. Spike Lee has really grown as a producer, and this movie is evidence of his creativity and genius.

I hope you take the time in the next week or so to buy a ticket to see this movie. We need more movies like Miracle at St. Anna that tell our story with grace, honor, and dignity. For now, let's support this movie and make it a blockbuster. If you are an educator or a parent, I would encourage you to use the movie as a teachable moment for teens or adults attending ESOL and GED programs. There are some extremely graphic killing scenes and at least one partial sex scene, so you should use good judgment and probably only encourage young people aged 14 or over to see the movie.

Wisdom Pearls...

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a book signing by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Among other things, she is the author of Know Your Power: Message to America's Daughters. One thing that struck me during her talk was her constant references to family, God, and community.

House Speaker Pelosi, a native Baltimorean, shared the story behind the catch phrase, "Know your Power." She spoke fondly of former Congresswoman Lindy Boggo who originally told her, "Know thy power and use it!" I grasped the following wisdom pearls from Speaker Pelosi's talk:

• "There is a spark of divinity in every person"
• "My parents raised me to be holy"
• "Public service is a noble cause; we all have a responsibility to help other people"
• "You must own the ground"
• "You only had a conversation, not a political action"
• "We all have an obligation to give a new president cooperation and respect; that is our responsibility as American citizens"
• "silent subjects"
  

Her talk reminded me of a Ghandi quote I keep seeing in and around Baltimore on advertisements by JHU:

"Live like you are going to die tomorrow. Learn like you are going to live forever."

Both challenge me to focus daily on the really important things in life -like living free - and to not get boggled down with self-doubt, indecisiveness, petty arguments, reprehension, and reproach.

Random Ramblings...As Arsenio Hall Used to Say, "Things that Make You Go Hmmmm!"

I have a former colleague/friend who would always challenge people in his presence to - as he would say - be "intellectual honest" about their intentions and motives. As I encounter people... strangers on the street and get to know the people I work and/or volunteer with I am always intrigued with people's intentions and motives. Like what's up with people who know you and will search you out at an event, but don't come over to speak to you? One of my friends called them "playa haters." She described them as people who want to know what you are into and/or doing but who do not have sincere intentions of supporting you. Hmmm...

What's up with people who volunteer with other people who volunteer for the same cause but feel it necessary to create caste systems or to talk down to people they feel aren't important enough to warrant respect. The other day I witnessed an interchange between a so-called lead volunteer and a general volunteer. I was amazed at the need for this particular volunteer to assert a kind of "lead" status and watched as this volunteer talked down to another woman with more than three decades of community service, leadership, and outreach in the community. Hmmm...

What's up with people who need to define themselves by their economic status? I met someone recently who made a great effort to distinguish her "middle class" self from low-income (class) people who live in the City. When I told her I was from a low-income family and lived in a low-income community, she looked at me and said something to the effect of "that is hard to believe." Why do we spend so much senseless time dividing ourselves? Hmmm...

The other day I was at a festival selling books. I greeted everyone that walked by the table with a, "Hello" and a smile. What's up with people who just give you a blank stare and no response? Do they think a return smile or "Hello" will signal an agreement and/or interest to sell books. Hmmm...

What's up with nonprofit organizations that tell their staff and/or students that it is unlawful to register clients to vote on-site because it is against the law for nonprofits to be involved in politics? I met a really nice lady who told me that this is what management at her organization told her and other employees. Hmmm...

What's up with guys who would rather spend a lifetime being promiscuous in uncommitted relationships rather than take the time to build committed relationships with women of substance? Hmmm...

What's up with a government that frowns upon so-called "welfare states" and "hand-outs" but will create an $800 bail out for big businesses? Why is it that the rules change when wealthy people with problems need help, but when poor people with problems need help it is business as usual? Hmmm...

MEAN TO BE FREE

don't wanna be half/thing.
don't wanna be less/than/thing.
don't wanna be confined/defined/refined.
don't wanna be inna box.
don't wanna be yawn/okay/but/no/time/for/that/now/thing.
don't wanna be guilt/thing.
don't wanna be screech/thing.
don't wanna be finger/point/thing.
don't wanna be weeping/thing/fussing/thing/cussing/thing.
wanna be free/wanna be free/wanna be free.
twenty-four hours a day/
seven days a week/
fifty-two weeks a year/
straight up, dead ahead,
no breaks, no tears, no fears free!
mean to be free!
mean to be free!
mean to be free...

Written by Pearl Cleage

In the Eye of the Storm...

Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to come before you today. I thank you for your love and grace. Lord, I ask that you have mercy on the families in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Region. I ask that you send your holy spirit to protect and comfort those who have been evacuated and those who are left behind. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days

to allow my living to open me,

to make me me less afraid,

more accessible,

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch,

a promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which came to me as blossom goes on as fruit.

--Dawn Markova

AWESOME GOD!

*This video was shared by music3000videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFmODZ8KS9s&feature=related*

I Represent Jesus Christ by P4CM

*The video above was posted by justinjcox at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lotq8aOhA9s&feature=related*

Wisdom from Brother Moore

*This video was shared by BrotherMoore1 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PBs25G6RN4*

Something About a Christian Woman

*This video was shared by carpediem247365 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29ByYfsBzC0. Spoken Word by Sacramento-based Terry Moore*

The Last Lecture: Randy Pausch/Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Writing for a Purpose: The Life Lessons Writing Project

Over the years, I have found great comfort in the art of writing. As a matter of fact, writing poetry and short stories have become two of my favorite pastimes. Although I hope one day to enjoy the leisure of writing full-time, I currently enjoy no such pleasure. I split my time working as (1) an adult literacy instructor at several Baltimore-based adult education programs; (2) a consultant for several for profit and non-profit organizations; (3) a writer/editor at a new Internet-based printing company; and (4) a volunteer with two nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore metropolitan area. To say the least, I am a woman with many hats. Still, I must confess that I am probably one of a few people on this planet who actually love her work. I enjoy helping people discover and use the gifts that God has given them.

In August 2008, I will have an awesome opportunity to collaborate with A Step Forward, Inc., Soulcial Solutions, Inc., and TAKE ACTION! Publishing to help participants in a local substance abuse recovery program share their life lessons through writing. For 10 weeks, participants in A Step Forward, Inc. will learn a variety of writing skills, including techniques for writing poetry and creative essays. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to submit at least one of their writings for publication in an anthology for A Step Forward, Inc.

I am extremely excited about the Life Lessons Writing Project because it has the potential to not only help people transcend their pain into healing, but it provides a constructive outlet for those in recovery to help others break loose from the chains of substance abuse. This project could benefit greatly from your support; it is in need of the following supply donations:

● 45 composition notebooks ● Computer paper ● An easel
● Boxes of pens ● Boxes of pencils ● Flip chart paper
● 10 – 15 dictionaries ● 10 – 15 thesauruses ● Stapler/Staples
● 10 – 15 USB flash drives ● Bags of glue sticks ● Colored Pens
● 45 sheets of oversized poster board paper (any color)
● magazines with pictures that depict people of color in positive ways

If you are able to donate any of the supplies listed above, please contact Lela Campbell of A Step Forward, Inc. at 410-462-6001.

To learn more about the Life Lessons Writing Project, visit www.takeactionpublishing.com.

No Hidden Agendas

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (MSG)

"God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.

Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.

You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."

Whether witnessing to the lost or ministering to the saved, we are encouraged by Paul’s example to …

a) Recognize our responsibility for the Gospel (vs. 4a).

b) Please God at all times (vs. 4b).

c) Speak with sincerity (vs. 5).

d) Be gentle like a nursing mother (vs. 7).

e) Care about people (vs. 8a)

f) Share our lives with others (vs. 8b).

g) Not sponge off others (vs. 9).

h) Behave like Christians (vs. 10).

i) Exhort, encourage, and implore like a father (vs. 11).

j) Help others walk in a manner worthy of God (vs. 12).

Source: Day 4: Caring Contacts: Living As Christ’s Disciple (http://www.theraponuniversity.org/dm1/dm1.14_day4.html)

A Soldier's Prayer

SOLDIER’S PRAYER
By Dead Prez


I WILL STAY TRUE TO MY SELF.

I WILL ALWAYS BE LOYAL TO THOSE WHO ARE LOYAL TO ME.

I WILL ALWAYS DEMAND RESPECT AND GIVE RESPECT.

I WILL PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY AND RAISE MY CHILDREN TO LOVE THEMSELVES, AND BE INDEPENDENT, HONEST, AMBITIOUS, AND TRUSTWORTHY.

I WILL SACRIFICE MY PLEASURE FOR MY PURPOSE.

STRUGGLE BUILDS CHARACTER.

I’M NEVER IGNORANT.

I’M GETTING GOALS ACCOMPLISHED.

I WILL TAKE CARE OF MY BODY AND STAY PHYSICALLY FIT.

I WILL TRAIN TO PROTECT MY SELF AND THE ONES I LOVE.

I WILL CONQUER MY WEAKNESSES.

I WILL FACE MY FEARS.

I WILL LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES.

I WILL STAY HUMBLE.

I GIVE THANKS FOR WAKING UP THIS MORNING.

I’M THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

MAY THE ANCESTORS WALK WITH ME.

ASHE.

A Poem for Father's Day!

Come Home Black Man

Come home Black man…
You who are searching for truth only to find recycled lies.

Come home Black man...
You who are struggling for release only to be burdened down by the strain of life.

Come home Black man...
You whose cynicism and doubt have bankrupt your faith.

Come home Black man...
You who are brokenhearted, disrespected, and devalued.

Come home Black man...
You who have abandoned your destiny and surrendered to an erroneous fate.

Come home to true love – pure, warm, and complete.
Come home to the everlasting gleam of divine light.
Come home to the ultimate sage and the greatest of all mysteries.
Come home to the grace of forgiveness and true liberation.

Come home Black man...
Come Home!

God is waiting patiently for your triumphant return.


Lynn Pinder © November 2007

Against the Odds!

They said he wouldn't make it.

They said his campaign wouldn't amount to anything.

They said the political machine wouldn't let it happen.

They said America was not ready for him.

They said it was impossible for him to win.

Yet, against the odds -

Barack Obama has become the first African-American, Democratic Presidential candidate and has proved that with God ALL things are possible!

CALL TO ACTION: We Can't Let Our Young People Starve

Dear Friends,

As I watched the news last night, I was moved by the actions of a group of young people from Baltimore who launched a hunger strike as a last effort to force the City of Baltimore to provide $3 million dollars in support of a youth initiative that would employ older youth in Baltimore to tutor young children. These young warriors – the epitome of youth development - are dynamic, articulate, and engaged in a righteous fight for justice. Their actions and behavior are in direct contrast to another group of older youth who also made the news last night for their viscous attack against a young barbering student last week.

As I sat watching the two stories, the urgency in the demands of the young people participating in the hunger strike pulled my heart strings as did the response of our City leaders. I heard the following comments from our City leaders: “The money has been allocated. We don’t have $3 million dollars. We’re willing to work with the young people if they will compromise.” And I wondered why should our young people have to compromise? These young people are our leaders today. Why can’t we – the adults – figure out a way to invest in them?

Although the City of Baltimore may not have the funds to support another youth initiative, it has access to wealthy business partners who might contribute financial support if they were asked. Corporations, production companies, developers, and investors - like the Ritz-Carlton, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc., the Marriott, Constellation Energy, the producers of the WIRE, and HBO - could easily write-off the expense of another youth initiative in Baltimore without it ever having to be a burden on the City’s “rainy day” budget. If one were to do the math, only 20 corporations, production companies, businesses, developers, foundations, and investors would need to contribute $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people on the hunger strike. A sponsorship of $150,000 by 20 corporations, businesses, developers, and investors could easily turn into a win-win situation and an awesome long-term investment for everyone in this city.

As Baltimore transcends into a city of renaissance, its leaders must think outside the box in terms of supporting a variety of viable initiatives to provide positive youth development for the older youth and children of this City. We need to ask our City leaders to rethink their response to these young people. I hope you will join me in taking the following actions in their support:

1. Email and/or call City Council members (the email addresses are above/telephone number is 410-396-3100). Ask City Council to find 20 corporations, production companies, businesses, developers, foundations and/or investors doing business in Baltimore to invest $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people of Peer to Peer Youth Enterprises;
2. Email and/or call the Mayor’s office (the email address is above/telephone number is 410-396-3100). Ask Mayor Dixon to work with the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Partnership, other quasi-governmental agencies, and commercial partners to invest $150,000 to support the youth initiative as proposed by the young people of Peer to Peer Youth Enterprises;
3. Forward this email to at least five other people. Ask family, friends, and colleagues to email and/or call City Hall and to forward this email to at least five other people.
4. Pray. Pray that we, adults, step up and take more responsibility for taking action to alter the educational and economic realities of the young people in this City.. Pray for the health and safety of our young people. Pray for more economic and educational opportunities for the parents and caregivers of the youth of this City.
   

We all have a responsibility for enhancing the lives of children and youth in Baltimore. These young people who are participating in this hunger strike have organized and come together with an impressive plan. They deserve to have nourishment for their bodies, minds, and spirits. Let us adults - come together and fulfill our obligation to them.

Sincerely,

Lynn Pinder
http://www.thetakeactionnetwork.com/
http://psalmsofthedaughter.com/


(The pictures above were copied from http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.protest31may31,0,5185493.story and http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.protest31p120080531053544,0,3884865.photo. These young people are not affiliated with The TAKE ACTION! Network)