I'm not ashamed to say I'm really feeling this song and the video is cute. Not too old for a 9-year old. Good job. *thumbs up*
Tickle-Me Tuesday
Man-ificent Monday: Shemar Moore
This week's cutie pie started off as a model. Shemar Moore went on to become an actor. He is known for his role as Malcolm Winters in the Young and the Restless. The list of movies/television shows include The Brothers, Mama Flora's Family, and Diary of a Mad Black Woman. He can be seen every Wednesday playing Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds (one of the shows I'm addicted to). I must admit, I've always thought Shemar Moore was cute, but I think he looks so much better now, at 40, then he did in his 20s. He's definitely one of the actors that have aged beautifully (along with Will Smith, Bruce Willis, Taimak, etc).
Word(s) to describe: Distinguished! Sexy!
Inspirational Sunday
"You have endured and gone through hard times because of me and you have not given up...To everyone who wins the victory, I will give some of the hidden food. I will also give each one a white stone with a new name written on it. No one will know that name except the one who is given the stone.."Revelation 2: 3, 17
Rae's Thought: Today, I'm concentrating on the last part of these verses.
- I will also give each one a white stone... I so look forward to receiving my white stone! White symbolizes purity. The day we get to heaven, all of our blemishes, flaws, and imperfections will be no more. We will FINALLY be able to stand before the Lord, perfect and flawless. God will be able to declare us pure. Isn't that just awesome!
- ...with a new name written on it. Names are an important part of who we are...they're pare of our identity. I love my name. It doesn't have any particular meaning to it (my mom made it up), but it's unique, just like me. This verse promises us that, those of us who wins the victory - who endures til the end - will receive a new name. Our old names will be left behind. There will be no trace of our earthly lives when we go to heaven. Our earthly names, no matter how wonderful, important, or unique they may be, will be no more. The new name we'll receive will go with our new identities. It will fit perfectly with our new home, bodies, and status (status = perfect beings).
- No one will know that name except the one who is given the stone. Nowadays, while "Raenice" is still an uncommon name, I hear of more women with that name than I did when I was younger. There are different spellings of the name (Rayniece, Ranice, Raynice, etc), but they all sound the same. I can only imagine having a name as common as Mary or Emily. Oh, but when I get to heaven, I'll be the only one with my new name. It will be special because it'll be my name and my name alone!
Knowing what I've got waiting on me in heaven only causes me to praise God. The only reason why I can look forward to these things is because His Son, Jesus died on the cross for me. IIn reading this, I'm reminded that, while I may go through "hell" here - with trials, hardships, pain, etc - it'll all be worth it when I get to heaven. If I keep going and not give up, and not end my life before it's my time to go, I will be one of those victors this verse is talking about. God knows we're suffering here. Because I believe He's an empathetic God, I believe He feels our pain. He hurts when we hurt. He doesn't like seeing His babies suffer. But He is taking notes and He is building up our rewards in heaven. He's watching to see who will be the victors and who won't.
Yes, life will get unbearable at times, but God is so good that, if we ask Him, He'll give us peace...the kind of peace that'll have us smiling, even when we don't have anything to smile about or happy when we should be depressed. He's right there with us, comforting and guiding us through life. We've just got to seek Him. And when we've taken our last breath and finally make it home, He'll be waiting with open arms and a white stone with our new name on it. I don't know about you, but that's enough incentive for me to keep pressing on!
Wannabe Writers #39
Wannabe Writers is a writing group for the un-published started by Sarah at Confessions of the Un-published. It's a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Interested in joining? Click here to find more about how it works.
Where I am in the writing process: Unpublished...revising novel #1 (tentively The Incredibly Rocky Life of Zachary Barnes) and writing novel #2 (tentively Who's Got Tha Moves).
My current problem(s): No big problems. Just trying to work on plotting. I've got the characters down as well as the situation. I'm trying to work on the plot/goal/motivation in Who's Got Tha Moves. I'm also trying to decide whether or not I want to keep a certain element in TIRLZB or change it into something else. That something else would require me to make significant amount of changes. Need to figure out which element would make the story better.
My question this week: Is everyone participating in NaNo? I'm not sure if I am. I guess I should make up my mind since I only have a week left to decide. If I participate, I think I'll do it as a NaNo rebel, where I can bend the rules a little bit. I'll more than likely participate. My NaNo name is creativeangel, if you'd like to buddy me!
Man-ificent Monday: Elie Maalouf
I found this week's cutie pie by accident. He is Elie Maalouf, a model from Zahleh, Lebanon.
Word(s) to Describe: Gorgeous!
Tickle-Me Tuesday
Funny, yet so disgusting! If the bird just pooped on my shirt, would I really look up with my mouth wide open??? NO!
The Next Dan Rather - Watch more Funny Videos
Man-ificent Monday: Larenz Tate
This week's cutie pie is actor, Larenz Tate. Menace to Society, Dead Presidents, Love Jones, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, and Crash are just a few movies he's been in. Can I just say that I LOVE Larenz Tate? He's a beautiful man! *swoon*
Word(s) to Describe: Swoon worthy, Fine, Lawd hamercy!
Inspirational Sunday
"You have endured and gone through hard times because of me and you have not given up...To everyone who wins the victory, I will give some of the hidden food. I will also give each one a white stone with a new name written on it. No one will know that name except the one who is given the stone."
Revelation 2: 3, 17
Rae's Thought: These two verses hold so much meaning, that I'm going to split this inspiration into two weeks. Today, I'm concentrating on the bold part.
- You have endured and gone through hard times because of me and you have not given up. Life is hard. God doesn't promise us that life gets easier once we become believers. Sometimes, it may even be harder. I mean, as if having to cope with worldly battles isn't enough, we also have spiritual battles. We have an enemy who doesn't want to see us succeed in Christ. He's going to do whatever he can to keep us from reaching where God wants us to be. Make no mistake...you will go through hard times. It's a given. God sees you struggling. He knows you're going through hard times. He also sees whether you're enduring or not. Keep up the race and you will be blessed.
- To everyone who wins the victory. Verse 17 isn't talking to just anyone. It's written solely for those who win the victory. Now, remember, because Jesus died on the cross, we're already victorious. So, who then, is this verse talking about? Those who endure to the end (Matthew 24:13); those who persevere through life (James 5:11); those who keep running the race, even when it gets difficult (2 Timothy 4:7)...these are the ones this verse is talking to. I don't know about you, but this is one club I'd want to be a part of.
- I will give some of the hidden food. What is the "hidden food" this verse speaks of? Other versions call it "manna", which is said to be a cake or bread-like substance. When I read this, I'm reminded of the fact that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Those who win the victory will be able to have Jesus for an eternity. We get to hold Him and bow at His feet when god calls us home. It's hidden because only those who know of Jesus and believe will be able to see Him face to face. His glory is hidden from unbelievers.
Wannabe Writers #37
Wannabe Writers is a writing group for the un-published started by Sarah at Confessions of the Un-published. It's a place where future authors can ask questions, share stories, and get feedback. Interested in joining? Click here to find more about how it works.
Where I am in the writing process: Still writing Who's Got The Moves (aka novel #2). I haven't worked on it this week...no good reason, just haven't. I am participating in a mentor thing online that the online writing group I belong to is doing. I love it. The author that's mentoring me has given me some good stuff to look at in order to make WGTM better. Since I'm only on chapter 2, I think I can go back and incorporate her ideas. I'm excited!
My current problem(s): I am in need of a critique partner or critique group. I had one, but life got in the way and everybody had to bow out. Things didn't work out with the critique partner I had. I need a second pair of eyes to look at my writing (both novel #1 and novel #2).
My question this week: Does anyone know of good critique groups I may be able to join? If you know any that meet in Houston, that would be even better, but I'll be happy with online groups, also. Is there any place I can find a critique partner?
