Courageous Movie Trailer

Needless to say, I can't wait to see this!!! Comes out September 30th

CNN: 'Can I touch it?' The fascination with natural, African-American hair by Lisa Respers France

'Can I touch it?' The fascination with natural, African-American hair

I cannot begin to describe how many times random people have asked could they touch my hair. Unless it's a really close friend, it really irks me and makes me feel uncomfortable like I am some sort of specimen. Everyone has hair; I have never asked to touch anyone's hair before...I also have had people who did not ask--which just makes me angry regardless if I know them or not. Hair is hair--chill out and keep your unwelcome hands to yourself!! (If it's a little kid, it's different. Kids are supposed to be curious--I just make them wash their hands first.)

An awesome Praise & Worship album!!

I bought the album Introducing the City Harmonic, The City Harmonic's freshman album, after I first heard this song Manifesto on a local christian radio station. I completely love every single song on this album. =) Even the booklet that accompanies the album is really good with statements about the stories and background behind the songs--it's really encouraging!

Perseverance ((From the archives))

Getting rid of the pity party and learning to encourage myself is the hardest thing of all
But with my back leaning, I remember God asks us to dig deep
I stand up, do an about face, and turn my face against the wall
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ, Second Timothy Chapter 2 Verse 3

The devil comes to steal, kill, & destroy. He desires to hurt me; sift me as wheat
Longsuffering can be defined as long and patient endurance of injury
With God’s iron will, I’m a chisel against the grain, the devil cannot stop me
Since Jesus already prayed for my endurance, I owe him as much to keep persevering

As horrendous as life can be, it is so easy to choose to give up
But you got this, just keep on keeping on, and hold your head up
As gruesome as the cross was, not even Jesus passed over his cup
Wait upon the Lord renew your strength, pick up your wings, and mount up

Remember to wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart
I hope the importance is made evident in the words that I impart

Scriptural References:
2 Timothy 2:3, John 10:10, Luke 22:31-32, Matthew 26:39, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:14

Bearden Juxtaposed with Dunbar

Romare Bearden, The Prevalence of Ritual: Mysteries, 1964

We went over this artwork today in class, and it reminded me of We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

  WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
    It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
    This debt we pay to human guile;
    With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
    And mouth with myriad subtleties.

    Why should the world be over-wise,
    In counting all our tears and sighs?
    Nay, let them only see us, while
            We wear the mask.

    We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
    To thee from tortured souls arise.
    We sing, but oh the clay is vile
    Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
    But let the world dream otherwise,
            We wear the mask!