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Inspirational Sunday

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..."
Ephesians 5:8

Rae's Thought: Sometimes, God talks to me in some of the weirdest ways. I love when He does that, though. It comes unexpected. This week's inspiration came to me during one of my walks in the park. At one point in my walk, I looked around me and saw that, in the midst of all the dead grass in the park, lay several small patches of lush, green grass. The withered, brown grass had the green grass surrounded, but it didn't take away from the beauty. In fact, it was the green grass that really caught my attention, despite the fact that there wasn't much of it.

"This," God told me, "is exactly how my children should be." Ephesians 5:8 immediately came to mind. We are told to walk as children of light. Oftentimes, Christians let the world influence them instead of the other way around. If people can't tell us apart from the nonbelievers, we are not doing our jobs...what God has called us to do. We are not living or walking as children of light. In Romans 12:2, we are told not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world. There should be a noticeable difference between the children of God and everyone else.

The children of God (lush, green grass) are surrounded by those who do not believe (withered, brown grass) everyday. The question is, are we letting dead grass take away from the beauty of lush, green grass or are we the ones making the world beautiful? Are you, as children of light, letting your light shine so bright that, in spite of being surrounded by darkness, it is you that draws attention? If you're the only child of God in the midst of a crowd of nonbelievers, would people be able to tell you apart, or are you a carbon copy of everyone around you?

 

Posts

The lack of Internet access sucks big time. I don't have the 'net at home and I haven't been able to get to a computer since Monday. Even now, I'm using my phone to make this post. Next week, though, I'll be able to have access...although, still not from my home. We're working on that. Posts will start back Sunday. *sigh*
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

 

Man-ificent Monday: Reggie Bush

In honor of the upcoming Superbowl, I decided to celebrate by posting pics of an NFL player for Manificent Monday. My original choice for the Superbowl was Jets vs Vikings, but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. Come Sunday, February 7, 2010, the Indianapolis Colts will play the New Orleans Saints. Since the Saints were my 2nd choice for Superbowl champs (Vikings being #1...unless, of course the Texans had made it), I'll be cheering for the Saints on Superbowl Sunday. So, I guess you can figure the team today's cutie pie is from. This man is too delicious for words. If you get a chance, purchase February's issue of Essence, which features him (and other cutie pies, btw). Who am I talking about? Why, Reggie Bush, of course!

Word to Describe: Yum!


 

Random Thoughts Thursday

Of course, I've decided to join yet another challenge. This time, the 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge. There's something about a challenge that makes me wanna do it. And I love reading, so I figured, why not? So, I'm joining in. Interested? Visit Kay Cassidy's Blog.

I, being the nerd I am, have more than 10 books on my list, but whatever. Some of these books are in my TBR pile, some haven't even come out yet. BUT all will get read.


  • Forgive My Fins: Tera Lynn Childs
  • Heist Society: Ally Carter
  • Don't Judge a Girl By Her Cover: Ally Carter
  • Only the Good Spy Young: Ally Carter
  • Cindy Ella: Robin Palmer
  • Geek Charming: Robin Palmer
  • Dork Diaries: Rachel Renee Russell (not sure if this is MG or YA, but I'm including it)
  • Perfect Shot: Debbie Rigaud
  • Sea Change: Aimee Friedman
  • Need: Carrie Jones
  • Captivate: Carrie Jones
  • Evermore: Alyson Noel
  • Wish: Alexandra Bullen
  • As You Wish: Jackson Pearce
  • Crescendo: Becca Fitzpatrick
  • Eyes Like Stars: Lisa Mantchev
  • Princess For Hire: Lindsey Leavitt
  • The Lonely Hearts Club: Elizabeth Eulberg
  • The Cinderella Society: Kay Cassidy
  • The Reckoning: Kelley Armstrong
  • Hearts at Stake: Alyxandra Harvey

And the list goes on. Some of these books I do plan to review. Happy Reading! P.S. I'm seriously looking for more MG/YA books for teens of color! I need more.


On another note, I'm not understanding why, after the Liar (which I'm reading now) book cover controversy, why would the publisher do it again? They drew fire for "whitewashing" another cover. The character in the Jaclyn Dolamore's, Magic Under Glass, is described as dark-skinned, while the model on the book cover is nowhere near. They've decided to cease supplying copies because the jacket design has caused offense. Ya think? Guess they didn't learn from the Liar controversy. Sometimes, things like this make me wanna self-publish, where I'll have total control over my jacket design. Either that, or fight for change in publishing...or maybe both. IDK. I'm disappointed that children/teens of color are being left out when it comes to books, whether it's jacket design or books period. This only makes me even more determined to write and publish books for these kids, so they can read about characters that look like them from authors that look like them.

 

Tickle-Me Tuesday




 

Man-ificent Monday: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson



Facts: Born in California in 1972; Father is Black Canadian and mother is of Samoan heritage; He played football at the University of Miami; Became a professional wrestler in the WWF (following in his grandfather's footsteps); The Rock's famous saying, "Can you smeelllll what The Rock is cooking!" I know this because my little 2nd graders were saying this EVERY DAY when I first taught. Started acting in 2001's The Mummy Returns and hasn't looked back since.


Claim 2 Fame: Professional Wrestler in WWF/WWE; The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King, The Rundown, Walking Tall, Be Cool, Gridiron Gang, The Game Plan, Get Smart, Race to Witch Mountain, Planet 51, Tooth Fairy, which will be released this Friday...count me in!


Word to Describe: Gorgeous!

 

Change of Plans

Due to the response to my "Miscellaneous Monday: Cutie Pie" post, I've decided to change things around a bit. I'm separating my book review and cutie pies posts. Cutie pies will start the week off and book reviews will end it. Here's my new blog schedule:

  • Inspirational Sunday: Every Sunday
  • Magnificent Monday: Every Monday
  • Tickle-Me Tuesday: Every Tuesday
  • Writing Wednesday: Every Wednesday
  • Random Thoughts Thursday: Every Thursday
  • Fitness Friday: Last Friday of the month
  • Book Review Saturday: Every other Saturday (I couldn't come up with a catchy name for my book review Saturdays).

Sounds like alot, I know. Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays may be the harder days 'cause I'm acutally writing something. The other days won't be so difficult. So, anyway, with that being said, my Magnificent Monday post will soon follow!