For Pres. Nelson Mandela

Dear Pres. Mandela,

for all of your sacrifice, the world thanks you. For letting God use you to be a light and inspiration, He thanks you and we love you for the spirit to live and fight and to change what is wrong to make the world right. May your children who live in Africa and the children you have adopted throughout the world and who have adopted you as a Father always cherish you in their hearts. You have shown us all how to rise above and even change positions in life to make grand differences. Your strength and spirit is forever in my heart. May God's comfort and light surround you forever. 

With love sysmith

911

How do I reflect on this day? Well, should I view it as a day of somber or joy? Today is my mother's birthday and also the day that many individuals unknowingly gave their lives for the nation. Is it a day of grief or a day to see who are the real heroes?

I will call it a day to celebrate the life and times of our heroes. Little did they know that they would play a great role in our lives. My parents and those of 911.

First, let me thank God for my best friend and the carrier of my life, the ultimate heroine, my mother. She is so special to me. I am most honored to have her. I believe the totality of my happiness lies in the fact that she was chosen to be my mother and no one else. I can never repay her for deciding to continue and carry me to full term and deliver me into this world. She has guided me and taught me in the right way and I thank her for it. In all honesty there is no word to express how I feel. May you continue to have the most blessed and wonderful birthdays ever.

Now, let's turn to the day the US calls 9/11. To the families, we cannot fully appreciate the depths of sorrow or tragedy you feel. As many of the incidents including flight calls (which I may not agree with) are replied over the airwaves, we pray that God comforts your hearts and heal them in a greater capacity than you feel. Your loved ones are our heroes. Our nation is endebted to them. And even though each year when 9/11 is discussed and opens up new wounds for you, we thank you for letting us share those moments with you.

It's Been Awhile

Hello,

It's been awhile. One of the greatest things that has happened is that our lives have been enriched as the last year has passed. Let's go on a journey.

Are we wealthier this year? No, I am not necessarily speaking about money.
But affluence in love, character, family, friends, ethics, values, spiritual awareness, etc....

Think about it. In what position were you last year? How does that compare?
Where were you last year at this time? Are you in the same place? (multiple meanings)
Have you made new friends? Are you making the same decisions in the same way or have you changed and become better?

Enough....just a little nibble.........

Until next time.....Enrich yourself.

sysmith

Michael Jackson

Do you really mean that there are things beyond my control?

As we neared the anniversary of his death, some things came to mind. In particular, I thought about the poems I wrote when I was in the eighth grade. There were two about Michael Jackson. That was nearly a lifetime ago.

I celebrate his life. As a musician, I find awe in his creations. As an artist, I find inspiration. As humanitarian, I find that one individual can make a difference. As a person, I find that we all have ups and downs. As a famous entertainer, I see that we can momentarily make people happy. As a human being, I see that we all are people who have feelings, desires, and a spirit of life in common.

Yet, I still grieve his death. It was then that I realized that all things are not in my control. I had promised my nieces for years (more than 15) that I would take them to see MJ. I even had them writing the fan club and belonging to an automatic email site of his. I had them so Michael Jackson engrossed that watching him (videos, concerts, tv presentations, interviews) is a time we would become completely silent. We planned to somehow, someway get to the concerts last year and in addition, when we knew that we couldn't get tickets we were planning to just sit in the area. I had to make my promise come true and I knew that last year was the year that I was going to do it, even if it meant staging a youtube presentation or a Neverland starve out. If I had to take the three of them with my siblings and mother out of the country, I would do it. They were going to meet MJ.

This came to a crashing halt when he died. I was saddened for him, his family, and the world. As a matter of fact, my family, sisters and especially my brother, check in on me whenever there is something mentioned about Michael. My brother often says, "Well, I was going to call you yesterday, with all that MJ stuff on tv.I know how you are about him...How are you doing?" You see, there were a few things that I knew to be true. One is that I always kept my word to my nieces. So, I am upset that this was one promise I could not keep. In addition, I knew that by being his friend, he would be free....Also, I knew that he would still be alive if..(we had a special message from an Apostle for him).

However, as said, all things are not in my control. And, although I cannot bring all of my promises to fruition, there is someone who can. There is someone who is greater than you and I who is in control of everything. I am glad that that is someone to whom my nieces were introduced. They follow His lead and through him, all of their dreams are possible.

To get next to Him, they have to study, read, meditate, pray, live righteous lives, serve, and follow Him. I let them know that God is in control of everything and through Him everything is possible.

So, I have learned. Place Him first and all things will come. Although there may seem to come an end to a dream, remember you are not in control of "everything," and that some things will come when you least expect them.

Just When

Have you ever heard the saying that "Just when you are about to give up, that is when your breakthough comes"? Let me share a couple of examples with you.

There are a couple of great examples that I have heard my parents refer to plenty of times. Of course, there are the Biblical ones. Abraham, who chose to follow an order, was at the point to sacrifice his son. He gave up but just when he thought that he was going to lose one, his breakthrough came. He saw the real sacrifice tied to a bush. How about the Noah and the family in the ark? Just when they were about to give up, the dove found a leaf and they saw a rainbow - breakthrough.

Let's take a look at our lives. For the children, during the school year, just when the year is dragging on and they are about to get tired, a day off is scheduled. Just when they need refreshers, reassurance comes.

For adults, just when we thought we couldn't survive, the telephone rings and someone gives us a kind word. Just when we are about to throw in the towel, a compliment comes. Just when we are at the end of our rope, the rope grows and morphs.

The next time you think, "I am not going to make it," just remember that your breakthrough comes just when you think you won't. Someone or something is set in your path to help. It may be a kind word, a song, or a prayer.

Free Screenings

We are concerned about keeping each other healthy. Our church with the volunteering of health care professionals will provide free blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and in struction in performing self-checks as well as spiritual instruction.

Where? Westside MBC, 3427 W. St. Paul, Milwaukee, WI
When? Sunday, April 18th, 2010 right after service
Time--Service 11 AM
Health Fair--about 12:30 PM
Pastor: Rev. Darrell Marbley

sysmith

The Gift

It is during this season that we see people sharing and caring for each other family, friend, and stranger alike. Is it the expectation of something great, or the fact that we are expected to surprise one another with some object that shows we care?

Perhaps, it is the fact that we took time to think about someone else. St. Nick gives to those who have been "nice." But, do you recall the greatest gift of all? Jesus, the one who God sent. The message of love was very clear. To leave a comforting home and come to a place that appears cruel and hard, competitive and cold to ensure that someone else has joy, peace, and a way to a brand new life.

What a message!!! Can our greatest gift be to show someone else we care about them? Perhaps, our joy comes from knowing that we have sacrificed for someone else and have helped them.

We can determine who we are and what our communities become.

Have a great holiday season. :)

sysmith