Paused?

Much ado is being made of the latest victim of Aaron McGruder's Boondocks--Tyler Perry. Don't believe me? Google "Boondocks Tyler Perry" and read the listings. From blogs to newspapers, everyone's talking.

I can blog on this topic from many angles. My poison? The concept that McGruder is mocking Christianity in this episode. I'm actually chuckling right now. Anyone who can watch this episode and see mockery of Christ is missing the point by about a mile and a half.

The truth is this--Tyler Perry throws in a bit of Christianese for his fanbase. This suits him in two ways: 1) His fans think he's keeping it Christ. 2) His casual viewers regard his movies as "positive" because he mentions God. The only problem is that his attempts at being positive by including a few "God is good" lines is that he is mocking God. At least that's the way I see it. Some of his attempts are down right blasphemous. Sorry. Well, no...I'm not sorry.

The episode is on point in so many ways that it's ridiculous. It is what it is.

Other thoughts on Tyler Perry can be found here.
Peep the Atlanta Journal Constitution article here. Be sure to read the 18 pages of comments.

More on TP later.

Doobie, doobie, doooooo

1. The countdown is on. We're moving in a little over a month. We've got tons of packing to do.
2. I've been on Realtor and Weichert like crazy, trying to figure out if we should buy or rent...still moving.
3. Gave Monica some practice on my hair. She did a good job. I haven't had another person's hands in my hair since 2006. Relaxing!
4. Speaking of Monica, she was a raw foodie for 6 months. Said she would think about revisiting it in 3 months if I want to try it. *pondering*
5. Chuckling over people who were born in raised in Southeast GA putting places in the midwest or north as their "hometowns." How does this work? You were born here, attended elementary, middle and high school here...then you went to college an hour away...BUT you are from (insert a different place)? C'mon son.
6. Can't decide which camcorder to buy...
7. I'm going to order Valana Minerals as soon as I hit the post button. We'll see how it works out. I want to "liberate my face!"
8. People come and people go and then they come back again...'tis life...I'm cool with it.
9. I'm actually getting nervous/anxious about going to this reunion thing. Almost to the point of not going. I need to grow up. I know.
10. J. Nicole is supposed to be coming down on June 18. I'll believe it when I see it....yes, JB...I'm talking to you.
11. *yawn*

Romans 4:17---->Stop half quoting. A much needed repost.

I saw the following on FB yesterday:

"As long as you....speak it into existance you wil receive it?" No...smh.

This made me think of something I wrote a few years ago. The following is a repost of a repost of a repost, originally posted at my myspace blog on 2007 on the butchering of Romans 4:17.
_______________________________________________________________
Gotta write this, because I keep seeing people who are building an entire doctrine from a paraphrased HALF QUOTE.

People often say "Speak those things that are not as though they were." People often use this paraphrased half quote as a means of promoting positive speech and the believer's ability to speak things into existence.

Nothing wrong with speaking positive, but here's the problem. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE VERSE SAYS. Let's begin this examination by reading what the ENTIRE verse says in three different versions.

"...as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the GOD in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." English Standard Version

"..As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the GOD who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." New International Version

"...(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even GOD, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." King James Version
Okay, now WHO is the subject of this verse? Who has the ability to "speak those things that aren't as if though they were"?

GOD. The answer is GOD. GOD has the ability to speak things into existence; not man (whether he be a believer or not).

I know it's a popular doctrine, but let's be clear...Romans 4:17 DOES NOT say that any creation of God, redeemed or otherwise, has the ability to speak things into existence. We are not little gods. God is holy and righteous. He tells us himself in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Our God is altogether unique!!!

Now let's read Romans 4:17 in context. Let's check out verses 13 through 25, so we can get the full meaning:

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

So in reading this, we see that there is no mention of ANYONE being able to speak things into existence but GOD. You will probably also notice that verse 17 and surrounding verses are discussing FAITH in Christ, not your ability to "speak things into existence." A small section of a verse has been brutally butchered and promoted as meaning something altogether different!

Still not convinced that God is the only one that can speak things into existence? Check out the parallel verses for Romans 4:17. (Hebrews 11:19, John 5:21, 1 Corinthians 1:28, Hebrews 11:3, etc.)

I want to close by saying there is nothing wrong with positive speaking, BUT please don't think that in saying you will get a BMW that God has to give you a BMW. Doctrines like these only serve to create a materialist world view among Christians that can only lead to destruction. We, myself included, have to examine ourselves to make sure we are after his heart and not after his hands. God will bless us materially, but if it's your main priority, please turn back to God.

So, if you are a professing Christian who needs material possessions as a sign that God is real or that you are blessed, I beg you to check out Hebrews 11. Here's verse 1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things NOT seen." *side note: The "faith" here is referring to our faith in God's promise of salvation through Christ Jesus* Don't be like Thomas who needed to TOUCH the holes in the hands of our Savior to believe that he had resurrected (John 20:24-29). "Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed." (v 29). Instead rely on the word of God, which is our Father's self revelatory work, proclaiming both his existence and his plan to reconcile his people to himself.

Seventy times seven (Ramble in paragraph form)

You have not loved me. You haven't sought forgiveness and it's obvious that you don't think you've even sinned against me. What's worse is you call yourself a Christian, one who seeks to glorify God in your actions. I don't want to forgive you. You do not deserve forgiveness.

I'm struggling to forgive a few people. Really struggling. I have to admit that the mere sight of them bothers me. I avoid them intentionally. I am hardly civil towards them. What on earth do you do when you don't want to forgive someone. What do you do when it seems like you can't forgive someone?

If I give myself enought time to sit quietly and ponder the question, the word of God rushes over me like a stream. I'm reminded of how Christ died for me before I sought his forgiveness for my sins against him. How he showed his love for me by enduring the wrath of God in my place while I was still his enemy. How he knew no sin but took on my sin. How I didn't deserve his forgiveness.

Yet, I still feel like Peter who asked the Lord, "how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" The Lord answers the same way, every time..."I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." I don't like his answer. To keep it real, I hate his answer. Then I ask myself how I can who I am to withhold forgiveness when I've been forgiven so much? If the only wise God, creator and sustainer of all things, with whom I sin against daily, even sinning in my unwillingness to forgive someone, can bear with me and has already forgiven me, through Christ, in love, how can I withhold it? How can I say I love God and hate my brother?

So then, everytime I think someone doesn't deserve forgiveness, I'm reminded of how I don't deserve forgiveness either. I'm reminded of how I've failed to seek forgiveness. Everytime I think the italicized words in the beginning of this ramble about someone else, I should go look in the mirror and say them to myself. Afterall, I'm guilty of the same, aren't I? Calling myself a Christian, yet sinning against God and the brethren?

I'm sure my pride makes it difficult to obey and put his words into practice. The truth is I esteem myself too highly. I thank the Lord for bearing with me and bringing his loving kindness to my remembrance to convict me of my own sins (including unforgiveness). I'm not saying forgiving someone is easy once you remember all this. I'm saying it's necessary and reasonable based on the love Christ shows us. I pray the Lord helps me to forgive out of love and reverence for him.

Other stuff:

Colossians 3:12-14 (English Standard Version)

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."


1 John 3:14-16 (English Standard Version)
"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

Leviticus 19:17-18 (English Standard Version)

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (English Standard Version)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

SDG.

Oh Leh do It!

1. Watched two episodes of The Office (Season 6) on nbc.com last night. Still funny.
2. Day 16 of P90X...go figure.
3. Remembering being 17 and not being able to imagine what I'd be doing in my late 20s. Now I'm in my late 20s and can't imagine what I'll be doing 5 years from now. I need a window into the future.
4. Mama said there'd be days like this.
5. Do not give your children rhyming names.
6. Speaking of names, stop with the accent marks, hyphens and crazy spellings ("Quevine" instead of "Kevin") or just ignore me...name your kids whatever you want. 
7. My kids always make me feel better...they're cool like dat.
8. Sermon Audio is a cool place.
9. Why on earth does anyone deal with this in a so-called worship service...I mean, for real. I couldn't even get through one minute...heard of this guy on Fighting for the Faith and Wretched...Blasphemous.
10. This Ergun Caner thing is beyond crazy.
11. I love my husband.

J.Nicole's Rules for weddings.

Glo: I'd look silly as heck with some shiny weave on my head....just silly. Being nappy is my "look."

J. Nicole: Let's make one thing clear-my wedding is not the day for you to express your individuality. There are rules. Rule #1: You will have 10% body fat.

Glo: *cautious pause* Okay. I can do that. What's next?

J. Nicole: Rule #2: Teeth will be as white as a piece of notebook paper. Cosmetic dentist references available upon request. Please request.

Glo: *cautious pause* Ummm...okay. I can do that. What's next?

J. Nicole: Rule #3: You must pass the Brown Paper Bag Test. If you need assistance in this area, i can provide links to purchase extra strength hydroquinone.

Glo: *silence*

J. Nicole: Rule #4: Manicures and pedicures shall be approved by me. No acrylics, no nails past the nail bed. No french-this isn't Magic City. Clear or pink coat only.

Glo: But my nails grow in "french" naturally. What should I do?

J. Nicole: *continuing list* Rule #5: All dresses must be approved by me. It must be black and floor length. Choose from the following designers: Valentino, Christian Dior, Chanel, Gucci. If financial assistance is needed to purchase the dress, I will provide coupons.

Glo: *shaky voice* Okay...but...ummm..coupons. I don't think they have those....

J. Nicole: *continuing list* Rule #6: No children are allowed on the premises. This includes all bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremnoy and reception.

Glo: *narrows eyes* Ummm....well. We don't have any children yet....but I mean....we might by then...

J. Nicole: *clears throat, ignores Glo, continues to speak* If you do bring your child(ren), they must remain in your vehicle or outside for the duration of the event. No exceptions. Babies can stay on the porch...

Glo: *growing impatient* What if I don't agree??? That last rule is very rigid....and...*cautious pause*....cruel.

J. Nicole: *flips hair, takes a deep breath* I'm open for suggestions.

Glo: *cautiously* Ummm...well they are small human beings in need of adult supervision. Perhaps a nursery would be better??? And what about my nails?? They grow in white.

J. Nicole: Hmmm...perhaps I could do an on site nursery with three nannies! *smiles big* I like that! So glad I thought of it. And you can just use a nude polish to tone down your natural white tip.

Glo: *indignant* And what if I refuse? Some of these rules are a bit much.

J. Nicole: *blank stare, brief thoughtful pause* Oh.

Disclaimers:
Glo was not harmed in this conversation. J. Nicole is not getting married anytime soon. Glo and J. Nicole have issues. J. Nicole is about 87% serious. This was a text convo, so actions have been added for effect.

Thangs on my mind.

1. I need to do my hair.
2. Speaking of hair, look at hers.
3. On the hunt for new blogs and Youtube subs. *yawn*
4. Might hit up the Atlanta Food Rave. Shout out to Tony doing his thing in the A.
5. Spoke to JP about the open mic thing. Wheels are turning.
6. Can't believe I've made it to day 12 (or is it 13) of P90X. Bring it! I'm on a stretch or rest day...I'll post pictures at day 30 if....they are worth posting.
7. Bobby's home in about a month. My Mani Bear turns 6 in June. My little Dre turns....ummm 2, LOL in July and the 2 year anniversary will be here before I know it.
8. I want a tattoo. On my wrist. #dontjudgeme
9. Trip Lee's new song. Ummm....well...very poppy. Not feeling the autotune/vocoder on Jai's voice. Hope the whole album doesn't go in the same direction as the last TRUTH album (poppy/futuristic/epic sounding). I instantly heard the sample, thought of another song that sampled the tune and did a little research. It's the first part of Pachelbel's Canon in D, transposed to a different key...I tend to hate obvious samples. All that said, Trip is a good rapper. I know the lyrics will get the job done in the end.
10. Saw Iron Man 2 and Date Night. Both were pretty good for what they are. Iron Man 2=A-, Date Night=B-.
11. I wonder if I should pretend to be 16, enroll in a high school in the midwest and get a scholarship to Stanford, Columbia or Yale or something. I'm sure I'd make straight As, knowing what I know now.
12. I ate a single scoop waffle cone from Brusters the other day and hated myself for it. For the record, that wasn't a doggon single...more like a triple. I'm sure they gave me too much. And on top of that, I was a 1lb heavier the next day. #fail
13. Proud of one of my graduating seniors. She applied for a full time position with the American Cancer Society making pretty decent money. Of the four applicants interviewed, she was the only one with actual experience. The other folks had business degrees but zero sales, management or fund-raising experience. She's a criminal justice major. Read 'em and weep!
14. Another one of my kids left a frantic message on my voicemail talking about needing advice. I call him back and it's about a job decision. AWWWWW. So glad he'd even ask me my thoughts on the situation. I'm pretty sure my kids are what keep me going. The best thing about my job is them.
15. Snagged this from E. Money's FB status replies. Get demotivated! Look at the "Blogging" tagline. SO funny...and for me...SOOOOO true.
16. *exits*

One day I'll actually do a real blog post but right now...ramble, ramble, ramble

1. I should be blogging about something else but I'm not.
2. Sometime things are just so ridiculous that there's nothing to say...you're just left speechless....
3. What comes around, goes around.
4. "Ask" not "axe."
5. Very cool video talking about the effects of pH levels on hair. She's informative but also a bit snappy.
6. Speaking of pH levels, did you know the pH of the skin is slightly acidic? Weirdly cool.
7. Also, I found out my face soap is too alkaline/basic...whatever...
8. Okay so...you're making me go to SixFlags. You inform me that I have to pay for my own ticket. AND I have to drive my own car...4 hours...with other people's kids in my backseat. What part of the game is this? This is a real question. At least I love rollercoasters.
9. Blah blah blah...blah blah blah blah...
10. So let me tell you how the Lord is schooling Goos and I...well, actually I can't discuss it fully because we're still working through it but...Let's just say patience and humility are being worked in us and we are being put through the fire. According to the word, we'll come out as pure gold. Amen and Amen.
11. Been looking over old sermon notes about envy, forgiveness and competition.
12. Speaking of envy...E.Rich cut all her hair off. Yaaaaaaaaaaassssss. Sexy baby! 
13. What's wrong with Atlanta, man? C'mon Hawks...c'mon...
14. Tim McGraw is performing tonight at Paulson...woop woop. Not a fan but it's still pretty cool.
15. *poof*

Caffeine is a drug plus digression

I'm supposed to be doing "water only" again this month and have already fallen off the wagon. I had at least 3 Cokes and a grande caramel frappe on from Friday to Saturday. I arrived at work and the coffee in the kitchen was calling my name but I overcame the urge. My head has been hurting since noon. I finally typed "caffeine" in Google search and little helper thingy gave me several entries for caffeine, including "caffeine withdrawal". I click on it and read the short article and comments. Can you figure out the major symptom? Crazy headaches....*sigh*. I didn't realize my headaches from the first "water only" go round in January were due to withdrawal symptoms. I can't believe my body literally NEEDS a Coke.  

1. This weekend was dope. Fun hanging out with mom and Shantel. Saw the Ohio Players, Mint Condition, Cameo and Charlie Wilson. I'm now sold on live bands...and Stokely Williams is a beast.  "See Mint Condition in concert." CHECK!
2. Live it. Love it. J.Nicole.
3. I've decided against blogging on the P4CM shirts. Content with being united in the essentials.
4. Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door on Friday. I was excited they finally visited (Kingdom Hall is 5 minutes from my house). The discussion began fine but then one of the women got upset with me and decided to end the visit. I was really surprised because I can honestly say that I was VERY respectful (NICE even). *sad*
5. It's so funny to see people go through the "cage stage," especially folks who weren't buying it in the past.
6. Doing well staying away from the message boards.
7. Spent all day at the Gray's yesterday. Home away from home.
8. Lions and Liars=dope. Favorites so far are Me, Myself and I, Revolutionary Died and Oh Well. His first album was about 2-2.5 stars out of 5. I'd give this one a 4. The We Can Be More song and video have major crossover appeal.
9. Finally going to start Strange Fruit this week. Borrowed it from the library in December.
10. Do not spend your money on a ticket for Clash of the Titans. Supreme let down. We went to the midnight viewing on Thursday/Friday. BOOOOOO!
11. Speaking of movies, finally watched Stomp the Yard last night. No comment.
12. We're still talking about moview, right? Repo Men was...hmmm....worth RENTING. See it during matinee hours if you have to see it in theaters. Cool twist, but there was no chemistry between Forrest Whitaker and Jude Law. Forrest tried but I wasn't convinced.
13. Go Butler! Boooo Duke!

Before going into the concert venue. This is a picture of a picture....haha

Love!