Recipe # 12: Gospel and Non-Gospel Music

Thinking back to my church days, and I thought about the music and the lifestyle, and being a person that is really big on music, I would listen to all kinds of music that peaked my interests, including alternative, pop, hip-hop, soul, some funk, etc. As youth coming up in the church, we were always encouraged to listen to Gospel music, and that "music of the world" is evil and that is how the Devil puts evil things into you through the music. Well, I saw on BET the other day, Yolanda Adams singing Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing." I love ,e some Yolanda Adams. She has a beautiful voice and makes amazing music. I am sure that the Devil is not putting evil things into her because she sang that song. I am pretty sure that a lot of our Gospel artists listen and jam to the latest non-gospel tunes, and even use some of it as inspiration for the Gospel music they make. I love music. When it's really good, it hits you in the soul. It can make you cry or smile, happy or sad; it can inspire you, no matter what type of music it is. I was listening to some Kirk Franklin the other day, and it had been a while since I had listened to any gospel, and "Imagine Me," just touched my heart. You don't have to be a Christian to enjoy Gospel/Inspirational music, and you can be a Christian and listen to non-gospel music. Just a thought.

Live. Laugh. Love.

din-din

Recipe # 10: Father's Day Tribute

I know I'm a few days late on this blog, but it came to me that something needs to be said about the fathers of the world. I really feel like dads tend to get a lot of slack for their roles. I know that not a lot of us do this, especially on Father's Day, but dads seem to be second fiddle to mothers. It seems as though Mother's Day gets a lot of hype and advertising than Father's Day. I hear a lot of women saying Happy Father's Day to single moms, but I hardly ever hear anyone saying Happy Mother's Day to the single fathers. Yes, there are single fathers out there. My father used to be one of them after our Mother passed away, until he remarried. He took care of the three of us while working full time and helping to teach us responsibility and all the things parents teach us. He's not perfect, as no one is, but honestly, if I had to choose a dad, I would choose mine. Hands down.

As well, single mothers that are keeping their children away from their fathers: what the hell is wrong with you? Why would you deprive your child a relationship with his/her father? And I am talking about fathers that want to see their kids and help grow them up in the world. I'm talking about the fathers that, although he and the child's mother are no longer together, he makes a serious, full-hearted effort to keep in touch and regularly see the child and continue building a relationship. Not only is the father feeling the pain, but the child is going to eventually feel extremely deprived of a relationship with the father. It is so disgusting to hear stories about men that can't see their kids because the mother will not let them. It is so unfortunate, and to all those fathers out there that are being deprived of being fathers, I hope that your Father's Day was a good day and that you felt blessed to be a father.

And to my dad, I love you so much. I couldn't have made it this far in life without you. You helped make me the woman that I am today. Bless!

Live. Love. Laugh.

din-din

Recipe # 8: Cheating on your partner or cheating on yourself?

This one is gona be short. When you cheat on someone that you love, in essence, you are cheating on yourself. You cheat yourself out of would have been a good relationship. And in the end, you end hurting yourself as well as the person you are with. My bf made a good point with this in a discussion we were having the other day about infidelity. He said that should a person think about cheating on their partner, they should really put it into perspective for themself that in essence they are cheating on themself. They are actually robbing themself of the chances of continuing a good relationship with the person they are already with by stepping out on them. And in the end, end up alone because once the ish hits the fan that you've been unfaithful, chances are that there will be no chance or reconcilitation, especically if one has cheated before. so before thinking of cheating, regardless of what the situation may be with you and your current partner, remember: you are not only hurting your partner, but yourself. Just a thought.

Recipe # 7: Everyone has a choice.

Everyone has a choice. So with that, we think that we have total control over our lives. "Well, I chose to do it, so it's been done," or whatever it is one might say. And in that, we think God only has some control; God has all the control. I was thinking about this and I thought that if God knows all things before they happen, then would He not already have a solution or outcome for whichever choice we make? Of course; it makes sense. Think of it: we can chose to Love God and do His Will and Law, or we can choose not to. Either way, the outcome of whichever choice you make is not in your control, hence, Free Will. We have the Free Will to make the choice and accept the outcome. But the thing about it is is that if we pay close attention, God has given us the things/information/signs to help us make the better choice. And to add to that, if we make the wrong the choice, recognizably to ourselves, God Loves us so much that He gives us chances to make another choice for the better. The offer stays open. This all came to mind when I said the Serenity Prayer the other day and stopped myself because, to be honest, I was afraid to admit that I only have control over my choice but not the actual outcome. But then I stopped myself again and reminded myself that I was never in control of the outcomes of my choices, period. I was only in control of the choice. And I need to acknowledge that God is in control of my Life. It will go much easier, too, if I put my full faith in Him at all times and trust that I know He wants what is best for me. The strength is also in asking Him to help make the right choices, and in accepting and acknowledging where He leads you because it does hurt when it looks like you aren't going in the direction you thought you should go. But that's the flesh, and the flesh is weak and very changeable. I'm not tryna get all religious; just thought I'd share some Spirituality on here. Feel free to leave a comment.

Live. Laugh. Love.

din-din