2009 In Retrospect

2009 has been an amazing year of discovery for me.



I discovered that I am a woman of purpose and that my life is not just a happenstance. I am truly here for a reason and that reason is not simply to exist, but to serve others through my gifts and talents.

I discovered that you can't be angry with people for being who they are; you just have to learn to accept them as they are and decide how you will deal with them.

I discovered that I am not superhuman and I can't do everything by myself. Sometimes I need help and there is no shame in asking for it. Asking for help is not a sign of inability or weakness.

I discovered who my real friends are and who they are not.

I have learned to listen to my first instinct about things after being burned a countless number of times for doing the opposite.

I have discovered that compromising on matters that go against my morals, values and principals is not an option.

I have discovered that the word "no" is not the end of the world, but is often a blessing in disguise.

And most importantly, I have discovered that God is more amazing than I ever could have comprehended in the preceding years. My walk this year has been one that has taught me so much about God, and has also showed me that I have so much more to learn.

No longer am I afraid to be a witness to the fact that God and Jesus Christ are the answer to everything, and not in some sappy kind of way, but in a real way that makes perfect sense. And I never understood it until I got older but now that He has revealed Himself to me I am grateful.

I am grateful for my husband, my children, my family, my health and every other blessing the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me. I have learned to take nothing for granted.

So as the New Year approaches, I look to 2010 with excitement and high expectations because my God is a good God and He has never failed me yet!

To all of my family and friends: If I haven't told you lately, and even if I have, I love you with all of my heart and I thank you for being a part of my life. If I have done or said anything to hurt or offend you, I ask you to please forgive me. And if you have done anything to hurt or offend me, know that I forgive you.

I wish you peace and blessings in 2010 and going forward for all the days of your life! Enjoy life, love hard, and have a happy New Year!

This Christmas

I have to admit that this holiday season is turning out to be a little bittersweet for me.

As I watch my children's excitement grow as they count down the days until Christmas and they can open their presents, I can't help but catch their enthusiasm because, let's face it, it's contagious.

But after the excitement dies down, this year especially, I am overwhelmed with the heaviness of missing my grandmother. Delores J. Hart-Washington was her name.

I don't know about a lot of you, but my grandmother was my everything. She was beautiful, kind, loving, funny and could cook like you wouldn't believe! And she had this uncanny way of making everything, no matter how big of an undertaking it was, seem so easy. Her strength was amazing.

And no matter what was going on in my life, it wasn't complete until I was able to share it with her. She would celebrate with me, vent with me, and always had a shoulder for me to cry on. My grandmother was my champion, and she made me believe that there wasn't anything in this world that I couldn't do if I wanted to.

And since she's been gone, it's like every time the holidays, or any special occasion, rolls around I just have to try to push past a certain sadness that creeps into my heart despite my best efforts to tell myself that she's in a better place. Even though I know that she's in a better place, my selfishness wishes that she could still be here with me.

I guess I'm just saying all this to say, this Christmas really take the time to enjoy and appreciate your family. All too often we take each other for granted or let petty stuff cause us to drift apart, and for what? Nothing. Give your loved ones their flowers while they are still able to enjoy them.

So if you are harboring a grudge, let it go. If you are ashamed of something from your past that is keeping you from your family, let it go. If you have unspoken issues that need to be addressed, speak on it and then let it go. If somebody owes you money, tell them Merry Christmas and write it off as a loss and let-it-go. Life is too short.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas.
www.black-smithenterprises.com

Please No More Reality Dating...

Ok, so now so close on the heels of my kudos to television for actually putting on some quality programming, now I have to come back and bash them again.




The other night (I guess I had to be really bored) I turned the TV on and the reality show For the Love of Ray J was on. Now for the record, I have always thought that Brandy's little brother was cute and even went as far as to like a few of his songs. But after watching his show I completely lost any positive trace of anything I may have had toward him in the past.


This show, just like every other show of its kind, is superficial, raunchy and degrading to women. But due to the fact that several people I know said it was actually pretty good, I decided to give it a shot. Needless to say it ended up being another case of 'I should have went with my first instinct'.

For the life of me, I can't understand why these beautiful, and seemingly intelligent, young women would allow themselves to be exploited and degraded on national television just for the sake of obtaining a man. A man that they know will be slobbin' down and sexin' every other girl in the house right under their noses and in many cases right in front of their faces. I don't know maybe it's just me, but I don't want nobody coming to stick their tongue in my mouth after he just got done swapping spit with some other random chick. That is beyond nasty.

Not only do these women shamelessly throw themselves at this man, but he also had them running all over town inhaling chili and onion covered hot dogs, followed by grueling athletic challenges just to be the first obtain clues to get to him in hopes of getting a coveted 1 on 1 date. One girl even commented that she would eat crap if he told her to. Then another girl kept crying every 15 minutes because...well I can't say that I really know why she kept crying. I swear it was like watching train wreck that you just can't turn away from.

At 32 years old, I still consider myself to be pretty young. With that said, I can honestly say that I don't think it was all that long ago that respect for one's self was something that was taught at home. To this day my parents would collectively take turns breaking their foot off in my behind if they saw me on TV chasing after some man like I didn't have any type of home training.

Watching Brandy grow up through the years and blossom into the woman that she has become, it seemed like their parents had instilled some good moral values into them. How Ray J ended playing the role of the "playboy" just doesn't seem to fit.

Whatever the case may be, my one encounter with For the Love of Ray J, and all the other VH-1 and MTV matchmaker smut shows, was enough to last a life time. I just hope that one day soon, these women will wake up and realize that they are worth more than how they are allowing themselves to be treated.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

It seems like most of my posts have been focused on a lot of the negative things that have been going on, so I wanted to take a moment to give some credit where its due: Big hugs to Nick Cannon.



Over the weekend I watched a show on Nickelodeon called the HALO Awards, which was created and produced by Nick Cannon. The show was focused on rewarding outstanding teenagers who had overcome various obstacles to be active and give back to their communities. They were given cash prizes and afforded an opportunity to hang out with their favorite celebrities (like Alicia Keys, LeBron James, and Justin Timberlake) and do all kinds of fun stuff.

As I was watching I couldn't help but get a little choked up with some of the stories because these young people were truly amazing. One young man was a crack baby, who was abandoned by his mother, got caught up in the system and was on the path toward becoming a delinquent. But through the caring intervention of his middle school principal this young man finished school, went to college, and is now mentoring other inner city youth through a step program.

This was touching to me, because by me being active in the middle and high schools in my area I see how a lot of these young people are so disenchanted with education, community or anything else outside of Facebook, Twitter, music videos and video games.

We hear so much about the negative things going on in our communities with our teens that to watch something like the HALO Awards really showed that, despite it all, there are people with means out there who really do care. Nick Cannon is a 29 year old celebrity who could still be producing sure-fire money makers like Wildin' Out but he choose to do something that really has purpose, and for that I say well done.

These kids need encouragement now more than they ever did. So if you happen to come across the Nickelodeon HALO Awards on the cable guide next time you're channel surfing with your kids, take minute to check it out. I can honestly say that this is a reality show with substance and one awesome opportunity to encourage your child to explore ways to help others, and not just because they may get something out of it but because it's the right thing to do.

Education Deficit

Even though we continuously hear about the nation being in the midst of a severe recession on a daily basis, most would have to agree that one of the most disturbing parts of the whole debacle is the fact that our educational sector is suffering irreparable damage.

As legislators battle back and forth about budget cuts, the carnage continues to roll down hill until finally school boards across the state are faced with having to decide which schools to close and teachers to cut amidst the angry ranting of parents and citizens who demand to know where their tax dollars are going if not to their children’s education.

It is a sad day when decisions have to be made as to whether or not schools should be kept open, as opposed to bars and strip clubs that seem to be on every corner. While the latter are not funded by the state or federal government, you can still see the irony in the parallel.

Education is the foundation of our society’s advancement in every sector. Without it our nation is doomed to become subservient to nations who understand the importance of the acquisition and application of knowledge.

Even before we fell into this “recession” many Michigan schools, mainly those in predominately Black regions, suffered a lack of the basic necessities needed to ensure that students were being properly educated. Factors such as lack of text books, over-crowded classrooms, and little or no busing are just some of the more prevalent issues that will be multiplied exponentially if schools continue to be closed. Then what can we expect? More apathetic youth who see no purpose in getting up to go to school every day.

Maybe some of the banks that received all those unrequested billions of dollars in bailout money should be so kind as to write a few checks to jump start the “education bailout”. Or perhaps there could be a motion put into place to give large corporations special tax incentives for adopting a school. Or maybe instead of people adopting a highway, they could adopt a class to help buy some books. The possibilities are endless.

When people can go to the bar or club and blow $200-300 on drinks alone, or pay upwards of $150 just for a VIP ticket, you have to believe that a resolution for funding education and helping our children lies somewhere that is reasonably within our reach.

If ever there was a time to start thinking outside of the box, it would be pretty safe to say that that time is now.

Men, money and problems

What is the deal with rich and powerful men and their self-destructive fixation with getting caught up in sex scandals?

Do they really not realize that just because they are rich and powerful anything they do in the dark is going to come into the light? Maybe not immediately, but soon enough. Case and point: Kobe Bryant, Kwame Kilpatrick, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby and now Tiger Woods (I know it’s still speculation at this juncture, but you get the point). And way beyond that the list goes on and on.

Everyone knows that women are, and always will be, attracted to powerful men. This is not rocket science. But being that this has always been the case, and it is almost 2010, you would think that a light would go on in someone’s head that maybe, just maybe, it would be better to stick to playing in your own sandbox.

Gentlemen, let me share some wisdom with you: Women (i.e. your wife, girlfriend, significant other, or someone you have lead to believe that she is your significant other) are not stupid. And to go even one step further, women are very territorial and vindictive. So for you to think that you can continue to play in the street like dogs in heat and not get caught is pure stupidity on your part and here’s why:

1- No matter the intent of the initial hook up, when you start messing around with someone, you run the risk of them catching feelings for you and when feelings come into play women become emotional. In case you didn’t know, women are emotional creatures by nature.

2- When women become emotional they then become territorial, so it no longer matters to your “jump off” that you are married or otherwise spoken for. She will then begin to vie for more attention and time thus leading to your first set of problems.

3- And here’s the biggest one: Men by nature are creatures of habit, and when y’all start messing around you tend to change your habits; and as sure as the sky is blue, women will pick up on that immediately. Don’t get it twisted…you will slip up eventually.

So then the question then becomes: Why cheat? Be a man about yours and either tell your woman that you aren’t happy and don’t want to be with her any more or come to grips with the fact that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. That type of selfishness in relationship is what leads to a lot of domestic “misunderstandings” if you catch my drift.

If you have a good woman at home, work harder at making that relationship work before you seek satisfaction elsewhere. And if you don't have a good woman at home, and if and when you do decide to seek satisfaction elsewhere, be a big boy and have a conversation with your mate and let her know how you feel.

Sure she will be hurt and may even fly off the handle, but in the long run she will respect you for your honesty. Or you can continue to be dishonest and play games and run the risk of getting your wig split. The choice is ultimately up to you, but be sure to diligently consider the repercussions of your actions for the latter.

The Thrill of it

Has there ever been something in your life that you wanted so badly that you could literally taste it, and the closer you got to obtaining it the more you began to salivate and anticipate the ultimate thrill of what it would actually feel like to savor the victory of obtaining the object of your affection?

And then just as you finally wrapped your hands around whatever it was that you'd spent so much time pursuing, the only thing you felt was...nothing. Not to say that you weren't happy to have achieved your goal, but the feeling was nothing like you thought it would be. No fireworks, no explosions, no tingle...just nothing.

I can't say that this has happened to me very often but when it did I found that in most cases that, for me, most of the thrill was in the chase. I've always been the type of person who loves a challenge. If you dangle that cake in front of my face and tell me that I can't have it then you just better know in the back of your mind that I'm coming for it...full speed ahead.

I used to wonder if that particular trait was a strength or weakness for me. Now that I sit and really think about I would have to say that it's a little bit of both. Is it classified drive, obstinance, or both?

I have aspired to do many things in my life and I can honestly say that I have accomplished a good number of them, by the grace of God. And now that the goals have been reached or I'm lingering somewhere in the middle, I find myself wondering what was it all for?

I'm not ungrateful and I'm not proud...I just wonder. Always wondering what my next thrill chase or mountain climb is going to be.

I have honestly discovered that my true gratification comes from the simplest things: watching my children grow, spending quiet time with my husband, and marveling at the things that God has been revealing to me through His Word. Don't get me wrong...I am very grateful for all of my blessings and take nothing for granted, but I am happy that I am finally learning to see the bigger picture.

Maybe I'm just rambling on this one but I really do wonder about this kind of stuff sometimes. Does this ever happen to you? If it does I would love to hear about it.

The Truth will set you free...if you accept it

This past weekend, a very dear friend of mine invited me to her church to view the latest installment Min. G. Craig Lewis' series "The Truth About Hip Hop pt. V" (which you can order at www.exministries.com), and needless to say that, much like I was with his other DVDs, I was very disturbed by some of the information that I heard.

For those of you who may not know, Min. G. Craig Lewis' 4 previous installments pretty much outed several people in the hip hop world who have given their lives to Satan in exchange for money fame and fortune. People like Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Earth, Wind and Fire and Beyonce were among the many that he named as those who have become part of an intricate plan to usher in the worship of Satan among millions of unknowing children and adults who worship these artists through their music, with all of it being backed up by Biblical Scripture.

In part V, Min. Craig goes even deeper to give in depth background as to the spiritual principals and channeling that is used to allow spirits to use these people to gain the level of fame that they obtain. The way that he explains and documents his material is very compelling; so much so that, in my opinion, there is no way you can not see the obvious truth of the matter.

I know that it is hard for people to believe that their beloved superstars would ever do anything to lead them astray, and then there are those who think that we are just reading too much into stuff and should loosen up but the truth of the matter is that this stuff is real!

Min G. Craig Lewis:
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=btY-CzERhmY

Remember, Lucifer was the angel of music(Eze. 28:13 ...the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created), so why is it so hard to believe the he would use music to lead people astray?

If you just listen to the lyrics of many of these artist, they are telling you exactly what they're into. It's also in the way they dress. Don't be fooled. If the adults don't see it then how can we protect and teach our children?

It's not just the preachers, people in the hip hop world know whats going on; don't think they don't.

For Hip Hop News & Entertainment at DimeWars.Com

Kanye sports baphomet


Beyonce sports baphomet and positions herself into a pentagram


Jay Z sports shirt with famous Aleister Crowley quote on it


Rhianna throws up her devil sign

And the list goes on and on.

People, if you believe the Bible is truth then you know that the days are quickly growing shorter. I can no longer turn and blind eye and act like I don't see or understand what is going on around me.

I finally understand that my God-given gift lies in the written word and that is what I must use to help spread the Word and bear witness to Jesus Christ who is and always will be the head of my life. I must be obedient in writing whatever he lays on my heart to share with others and that message is this:

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then I pray that He will lay it on your heart to do so immediately. Not tomorrow or the next day, but now. All you have to do is believe that he is the Son of God, that he died for your our sins and confess with your mouth that you are a sinner and ask him to come into your heart and save you. That's it.

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believe on him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 3:23-24- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For my mature Christian brothers and sisters, I pray that you will get a chance to watch this amazing video so that you too will be made aware of the things that are slowly but surely taking over our children.

I have to admit that this is hard for me because I love music and I love the industry. But in order to be obedient I must do what is right and not what feels good because my life depends on it and yours does to.

Please take this seriously. Do your own research and be honest with yourself. If it doesn't matter to you, then I respect that. But if it does, then please act accordingly; share what you have learned with someone you love.

I'm not crazy...other people are

Over the years, starting when my first book came out, people always ask me why I choose to write about the topics I choose to write about. And then after they read the books they would tell me they were a little worried. Let's face it...if you have read my books, especially the last one, you know that they are pretty dark. But rest assured, I'm perfectly normal.

But while I will readily acknowledge that my books are a little on the dark side, you would also have to admit the they deal with real issues that happen every single day.

Case and point: I just read a story on cnn.com today about a 15-year-old boy who was doused with alcohol and then set on fire by a group of his peers because he reported them for stealing his father's bike. They called themselves punishing him for being a "snitch".




Click here to read the story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/02/teen.burned.recovery/index.html

Not to mention the group of teens in Chicago who beat the young honor roll student to death in the middle of the street while dozens of others watched and, even worse, video taped it.



And the list goes on and on. I'm not crazy...I don't make this stuff up. While my stories are fiction in premise, the stories themselves happen all the time. Just turn on the news on any given day.

Truth is stranger than fiction, people. We are living in a day and age where compassion and empathy have all but become a thing of the past. It used to be that you'd turn on the news and see adults doing crazy things, now the kids seem to have them beat.

Something has got to change. Me personally, I write my stories because the things I see that happen in the world sometimes bother me so much that writing is the only way for me to make sense of it all. But one thing is for sure...I'm never at a loss for material.

Until next time, keep praying and be blessed.


www.black-smithenterprises.com
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Chris Brown's closure

Chris Brown recently did a very personal interview with Angie Martinez on New York's Hot 97 station that I found to be very tasteful and honest.

In the interview the singer spoke very candidly about his remorse with respect to the domestic violence incident with Rhianna and about how he still has very strong feelings for her. He also went on to say that while he doesn't expect the world to forgive him, he is working on growing and trying to be a better person.

Video Link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnlux7o91D0&feature=player_embedded



While I don't support domestic violence in any shape, form or fashion I have to honestly say that I believe that Chris Brown has been tried enough in the public eye. He and Rhianna have resolved their situation and really that's all that really matters. What happened was between them and, as a woman, I applaud her for ending the relationship because usually violent relationships don't just magically turn healthy.

But now after months of speculation and talking about it, I agree with Chris that it is time to let him move on with his life. If you choose to like him or support his career based on his actions it is totally a personal choice, because at the end of the day the only person he needs to answer to for his deed is God.

More Kanye WTH (What the Heck) News

Ok, it's no secret that I am not a big Kanye West fan. Not that I know him personally or anything, but I'm basing that opinion solely on the things that I have witnessed him say and do on various occasions. (Namely most of the award shows he's attending over the past few years)

Now, with that said, I think that it would be safe to say that Kanye is definitely in need of prayer, comfort and counseling from his friends and family because the man seems to be on the brink of a serious melt down.

I just recently watched a short film that he did on sandrarose.com and while I still don't understand what the hell this film was supposed to be about, I found it to be a very compelling look into what this man is experiencing at this point in his life.

Here is the video:

We Were Once A Fairytale from M. Fantu on Vimeo.

You know the saying that life imitates art? Well, this is a very scary parallel. So here's my take on the video:

Obviously the club scene is showing the perceived image that he has of himself as a star and how he feels that other people do and should perceive him. The blurry focus is symbolic of his distorted view of the world and how it sees him. The fact that his music is playing in the background is to further show that he is a star and should be acknowledged as such, but his reaction to his song being playing shows that he still can't believe that he has achieved the amount of success that he has.

The scene where the woman walks in and seduces him is to show how the industry seduces you with sex and beauty only to leave you drained and alone.

Then he stumbles into the bathroom and throws up: I guess that means he's sick of it. Then he goes on to cut himself open to pull out a critter (for lack of a better word) which symbolizes the fairytale perception of the industry, which dies when he signals the critter to kill itself. (thanks Deanna!)

Wow! All that to say what? Is this a cry for help? I think so.

Pray for Kanye yall.

Check out the video and let me know what you think.

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Life's Lessons

I remember when I was younger and Mike Tyson first hit the scene as a boxing phenom, I used to think that he was indestructible. Although I didn't know much about boxing at the time, I knew that he had a reputation for knocking people out in very short periods of time. So to me that made him cool.

Then rumors surfaced about him abusing his then wife, Robin Givens, who I also liked from her role on "Head of the Class", and from that point on his popularity with me began to rapidly decline.

Then from there it seemed like Mike Tyson was always in the news for doing one crazy thing or another, and then he became the bulky, dim-witted boxer, who had a comical lisp that was fun to laugh at when comedians made fun of him on SNL and other late night talk shows and comedy skits.

And then came the biting incident and then the rape that landed him in prison for 3 years and so on and so forth...

I say all that to say this...yesterday I watched Oprah's interview with Mike Tyson and as I watched the man that I used to laugh at and judge sit on Oprah's couch in front of millions and bear his heart and soul, I felt deeply ashamed of myself. I felt ashamed because I laughed and judged him without knowing anything about him or what he had been through in his life to cause him to be like he was.

All too many times we formulate opinions about people we have never met based on what we see and hear in media, but what we have to stop and realize is that the media is a big machine that thrives on drama and propaganda. Some of which is true, a lot of which is fabricated, and the rest of it may just be surface information. Since it is not always possible to tell which is which we need to learn not to buy in to every thing we see and hear, learn to be discerning and do your own due diligence with respect to matters that are important to you.

Oprah's interview with Mike Tyson reminded me of one very important thing: we are all human. People in the public eye have problems just like everyone else and they need compassion, help and understanding just like everyone else.

And to Mike Tyson, I thank you for sharing your testimony with the world and forcing us to take a close look at ourselves.





Link to watch Oprah's interview with Mike Tyson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf3-A9jPjag

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According to some YouTube blogs, the government is setting up to have roadblocks, quarantines and other methods to force people to take the swine flu vaccine or they will be sent to concentration camps.

Now the question is: If this vaccine is SUPPOSED to be good for us, why are they forcing us to take it? Why isn't it optional like every other flu vaccination?

The answer is that the swine flu is a big fat conspiracy to fool people in to voluntarily submitting to population control and moving us toward the one world government that is prophesied in Revelations.


Prior to writing this post, I had been hearing rumors about this and then a friend of mine sent me this video and after watching it my heart was convinced that this woman was being truthful.



Then after watching this video: http://www.loveforlife.com.au/node/6636 I went even further to watch a expose done by 60 Minutes in 1976 that explored the propaganda behind the Swine Flu epidemic during that year and the government issued mass vaccinations. Although at that time the vaccination was not required, with the extensive marketing tactics that were used many people voluntarily took the shot.

As a direct result of the vaccination shot more than 4000 people suffered neurological damage that caused paralysis in some and death in others. Now right here in 2009, history is threatening to repeat itself but at a much great expense.

Many people take these things lightly and attribute the messengers as being radical or heretics, but the fact of the matter is that if you call yourself a Christian and you recognize the Bible to be the true Word of God then you must take what it says at face value.

After you watch these videos, read the book of Revelations and hold what you see and hear up to God's Word to see if it holds true. Test it for yourself and then make your decision and do with the information what you will.

Rev 1:3 states: Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

What's in a name?

It has been said that words have power, and if that is true then it would stand to reason that names also have power. So, it is with that thought in mind that this segment is presented; to provoke thought.

We see so many individuals in mass media and in our society who have names that perpetuate negativity, and if one were to stop and really pay attention you would notice that many of these individuals are living lifestyles that are directly related to the names that they have chosen for themselves.

For example: Cory Miller, a.ka. C-Muder of No Limit Records, was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder; R. Kelly, a.k.a the Pied Piper, who named himself after a mythical character who was famous for hypnotizing children with his music and then leading them to their deaths, was brought on charges of having sex with underage women; and Earl Simmons, a.k.a DMX (which stands for Dark Man X), who has been arrested countless times for various reasons and not to mention that his mental status has often been called into question.

Let’s go a little further and explore the names of some of these companies who have fallen prey to the name stigma: Death Row Records has had a reputation for using violence as means to intimidate its artists and employees in too compliance, not the mention the death of famed rapper Tupac Shakur; Bad Boy Record label CEO Sean “Puffy” Combs has seen more than his share of legal problems that have stemmed from his “bad boy” antics; and let’s not forget the Murder, Inc label, who wisely changed their name to The Inc. after Irv Gotti narrowly escaped going to prison for money laundering and allegedly having knowledge of a murder plot against rapper 50 Cent.

Coincidence? Not likely. In each of these instances the name held a befitting outcome. Whether those involved began to buy into the premise of the names they were associated with or if the name itself was a driving force behind the mayhem that ensued, it stands to reason that maybe, just maybe, that there is power in words which ultimately manifests itself in the names that we are given or choose for ourselves.

So it is with that thought in mind that people need to start giving more consideration to what they call themselves or what they allow people to call them. There is enough negativity in the world, so let’s start speaking more positivity into existence.

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Jay Z and Sasha Fierce

Ok, now I know that some people are getting ready to be really upset with me but some things just have to be said.

Now, I have never been a big Jay Z fan and I officially stopped supporting him when he started calling himself God and I watched The Truth About Hip Hop series that minister J. Craig did and I heard the song that he did that said blasphemous things about Jesus when it was played backwards. But just recently my sister put me up on an 11 part expose that was posted on YouTube by a guy who calls himself the Forerunner, and in this series he is breaking down the intricate scheme behind Jay Z's music. Needless to say that as I sat at my computer and watched the complete series, my mind was blown.

The Forerunner goes into how the 3 Blueprint albums outline his steady progression as a Mason, with each one commemorating his advancement to the next level. He explains the symbolism behind the 3 horizontal lines that appear on the album cover of The Blueprint 3 and also in the video We Run This Town.

I mean, I already knew that Jay Z was involved in some kind of Satanic activity but the extent that was revealed in these videos was definitely an eye-opening experience. The devil is alive people and he is gunning straight for our children through hip hop music.

He who has ears let him hear.


Click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDgUTQYEIas

In addition to watching the videos exposing Jay-Z's intricate music blueprint for his own personal agenda, I also stumbled upon several exposes about how his beautiful wife Beyonce and her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, fit into the program...

Now, let me just say this. I am, or was, a huge Beyonce fan. I think that she is an incredibly talented young woman who had limitless potential. But when she came out with the whole Sasha Fierce motif, the first thing that popped into my head was split personality.

If you watch this 5 part series by Ainesis3, you will see how Beyonce's alter ego is more than just a fun way to play off her mischievous onstage persona. The post goes in to great detail about how Beyonce herself said that Sasha Fierce was born when the song Crazy In Love was made, and then it goes on to say how she also said that in the beginning that she did not like Sasha Fierce and would not associate with her if she met her off stage. (Disturbing right?) Then it goes on to explain the symbolism behind the Crazy In Love video and many of her subsequent videos as it relates to demonic possession and initiations.

Click here to watch the the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqYfYSRZZk

I'm saying all of this to say that we really need to wake up. People are following behind this couple and basically worshiping them and what they really need is prayer. There will always be the majority who will say that we are reading too much into this propaganda but if you actually take the time to watch the videos and hold what they are saying against scripture. Test it for yourself.

These artists are being used as vessels to set our young people up for destruction and opening them up to Satan, and if we who claim to know the Lord don't recognize the enemy when we see him then we will not be able to withstand his attacks.

Read, study and pray. Tomorrow is not always an option, we must prepare today.

Be blessed.

MTV VMAs- A Night to Remember

Its official, Kanye West should have his celebrity pass revoked until he learns how to act in public. His blatant display of ignorance on the MTV Video Music Awards was just another nail in the coffin of what is turning out to be a disaster of a career.

I don’t know if his rantings and temper tantrums are a desperate cry for help, but what he did to Taylor Swift was deplorable and should not go unpunished. He should be banned from all future award shows and he should issue a public apology for his actions.

Had this situation been reversed and a white person had jumped on stage going on about how Taylor Swift should have won while Beyonce was standing there clutching her trophy in bewilderment, we all know that all hell would have broke loose. So yes, Kanye should be held accountable in some shape, form or fashion because his arrogance has gotten way out of line and he is in desperate need of a reality check.

Moving on…

Lady GaGa’s performance started out as extremely entertaining but ended up being macabre, to say the least. The blood, gore and spread eagle piano solo could have been done without. Pink did a great job with the flying trapeze act; she gets major kudos for originality on that one. And Jay-Z and Alicia Keys closed the show out in style.

I would be remiss not to recognize the Michael Jackson tribute as being A-1, as Madonna’s speech was very touching and Janet’s dance tribute was right on the money. Other than that, I have to say that Ms. B earned herself another notch in the class department for her selfless act of kindness in allowing Taylor Swift to reclaim her moment during her own acceptance speech for Best Video of the Year.

Overall the award show was attention grabbing, to say the least. With mock prayers to Satan, Lil Mama bum rushing the stage during Jay-Z’s performance and a host who should have been replaced two years ago, despite some of the sincerely great moments, the show was almost like watching a train wreck that you desperately try but just can’t seem to turn away from.

These award shows have gone from being events meant to honor the hard working people in the entertainment industry to being publicity gimmicks to see who can generate the most dialogue on Facebook and Twitter. Hopefully, someone will gather the courage to find more tasteful ways to engage the masses in what used to be good quality programming.

Nice try MTV, but better luck next year. On a good note; you guys still came out looking better than the BET Awards.

Let men be men

Just recently I watched a video on Facebook where a grossly overweight man paid homage to Beyonce's song "Ego" by reenacting his version of the video. Needless to say, what I saw was very disturbing. I would even go as far as to say it made my skin crawl more than a little bit.

Want to see it for yourself? http://slide.com/t/7/5/Lkb0D8cK2mYF. Brace yourself; it's not pretty. But I digress...

How I long for the days when men were real manly men, and if they really weren't men...they still acted like it.

I can't make it clear enough how irritating, and disturbing, it is to see the steady increase of super-divalicious sissy boys who aspire to be Beyonce! Men are built to be hard and strong, not soft and feminine!

Just to be clear; this is not a rant about sexual orientation. I am simply saying that if you are a man; act, walk and talk like a man. If you are a man who believes that you were really meant to be a woman, please indulge in that fantasy in the comfort of your own home. We don't need to see anymore of your homemade movies posted on Facebook or YouTube.

Women are already traumatized by the downlow syndrome. Now the woes of single women are multiplied because in the midst of what has already been called a "shortage" of men because many of the ones who are left in the fishing pond are skipping around doing the "Single Ladies" routine.

Give me a break!

All I'm saying is: Fellas, if God made you a man...be a man. Any man will tell you that its not attractive to see a woman act like a man, so let me be the first to tell you that it's not cute when guys do it either. (Act like a woman that is.)

Yeah, its funny sometimes to watch Madea cut up in a movie or see Shanay and Wanda be jackasses on TV, but at the end of the day even Tyler hangs up his wig when he goes out in public.

Straddling the Fence

It was recently announced that the Lutheran church became the 2nd major Christian group to liberalize policies governing who can minister in the faith; namely homosexuals. This new ruling gives local congregations the authority to choose ministers who are in “lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”

Now, it is clearly understood that America is the “land of the free and the home of the brave” and that our Bill of Rights afford us the luxuries of free speech and the freedom to practice religion the way we choose, but it stands to reason that if the basis of Christianity is built upon the principals of biblical text then that is what it should adhere to.

The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is wrong. There is no gray area with respect to that matter. As a matter of fact, two cities were destroyed with fire and brimstone by God for that very thing. So how, in good conscious can a Christian church approve this ruling and the Christian body as a whole not speak out against it?

The institution of the Christian church has become a mockery in our society because, even though there are still a lot of fundamentally sound churches, many of them have foregone the teaching of the Bible in favor of trying to be “politically correct”. They don’t want to offend anyone because in doing so, they fear they may lose money in the collection plates. But the bottom line is that many of these churches are straddling the fence.

What would happen if a group of followers of the Muslim faith decided that they wanted to make it ok to eat pork, despite the teachings of the Qur’an? It would never be allowed to happen! The Muslim faith would be in an uproar if such a thing was ever even considered.

Even Buddhists and Hinduism have lines that will not be crossed, yet followers of the Christian faith continue to make concessions and compromises and it has to end. Stand for something and stick with it, or stop calling yourself a Christian church.

No, no one is perfect but wrong is wrong. If you believe that the Bible is the Word of God then the principals should be preached accordingly and accepted without compromise. If you believe that that killing, lying and stealing are wrong, and you agree with according to your belief in the Bible, then you can’t just arbitrarily decide that you don’t want to accept that homosexuality and abortion are wrong just because it doesn’t fit your agenda.

If you decide those are things that you wish to partake in despite the fact that your beliefs teach that they are morally wrong, then that is your decision. But don’t try to make it seem like everyone else is wrong because they don’t agree with you. Pick a side and stop straddling the fence.

A Foot in the Mouth

In this coming week's edition of the Michigan FrontPage, we are featuring an interview with the rapper Young Dro. So that I don't spoil the experience for you I will say that the man really needs artist development and media training. And to be fair, it's not just him.

Many of the artists that currently dominate our radio stations and television screens are just plain ignorant, for lack of a better word. Not only have many of them exhibited the fact that they can barely read, they also spew debaucherous drivel to our young people in the lyrics of their music, and they have no grasp on the English language.

Obviously, it is understood that slang is the universal language of self expression amongst young our young people, but it needs to be understood by them that there is a time and a place to speak in that manner. These record labels need to go back to the days of old when artists were groomed to be able to function in the media, and speak intelligently about who they were as artists and the image that they are supposed to portray.

If you are selling yourself as a gangsta rapper, a pimp and hustler, then when a reporter sticks a microphone in your face and asks you why your lyrics degrade women and promote drug usage, ideally, you need to be able to address that question with some semblance of of intelligence. If that's your message, then don't get shy and embarrassed about it when someone calls you on what comes out of your mouth. Know your product, know yourself and what it is that you stand for. If a question from a stranger makes you feel that you need to sugarcoat your response, then maybe you need to rethink the image you are selling.

Ignorance is not cute. Learn when and where to be about business and when and where to be about foolery; especially if you are in the public eye. Like it or not, you are a role model for the simple fact that somebody's kids is looking up to you. Blacks are already often looked upon as less than in White society when it comes to competing, we don't need to give them anymore fuel for the fire.

So artists, at the very least study your craft, examine yourself and read a few books to help you get a firm grasp on the English language so that eventually you can take your foot out of your mouth. Otherwise, don't look to blame the media when you come out looking like an idiot. After all, we can't print it if you don't say it.

Look for the Young Dro interview in this week's digital edition of the FrontPage which drops this Wednesday at www.frontpageconnect.com.

www.black-smithenterprises.com

Hot Ghetto Mess!

There was recently a video posted on YouTube where 6 women in Oakland, CA walked into a beauty salon and began to beat the brakes off of a woman who was servicing a client. Two of the six women mercilessly beat this woman while one woman video taped it and the other three stood and watched.

Video link: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=6858547

Now, what would compel 6 grown women to gang up on one person in this manner? And to add insult to injury, this was a group of Black women. As if we don't already have enough negative stigma to deal with.

As I watched the video, I couldn't help be feel disgusted and embarrassed that whoever taped the assault thought it would be cool to post it online like a badge of honor. Grown-ups should be able to find more constructive ways of dealing with their problems than violence. The shear savagery in which this woman was beaten sent chills down my spine.

I mean, at one point one of the assailants grabbed the victim by the hair and began to kick her in the face. I don't know what the woman did to set the mob off, but I'm sure that whatever it was it could have been settled in a more civilized manner.

Seriously people, what is this world coming to? These women should be ashamed of themselves and they should definitely be punished for their actions because if you can take the time to video tape yourself committing a crime and then post it online, then obviously there is no remorse.

Much prayer is needed, folks. Just look around you. The world becomes more and more violent and desensitized everyday. Read Revelations and strive to understand it. There's a blessing in the pages.

www.black-smithenterprises.com

My Rememberance of Michael Jackson

As the world mourns the passing of Michael Jackson, I take the time to reflect on what impact his legacy and music had on my life.

Michael Jackson personified, for me, what music and entertainment is and should be. My first recollection of music is that of my mother playing songs like ABC, Stop, the Love You Save, and my favorite J5 song, Goody Girl. I would sit for hours listening to those songs over and over again trying to memorize the harmonies and duplicate the melodies.

Then when I was seven Thriller came out. That's when I started to notice how cute Michael was, and it was that year that I swore that I was going to be Mrs. Michael Jackson when I grew up. I remember drawing a mustache on Brooke Shields because she had the nerve to be in my man's poster which hung by my bed close enough for me to kiss every night.

From that point on, I began to gravitate to Michael Jackson's music. I loved the way he sang his songs with so much feeling, emotion and melody. That's always been what did for me musically; music and harmony. Everything about most of his songs was memorable to me because of the way he sang it, the arrangement of the lyrics, the add libs, everything. That's when I decided that I wanted to be a singer and began trying to write my own songs.

Human Nature, Lady of My Life, This Place Hotel and Can You Feel It for some reason were all songs that caught my ear, and Man in the Mirror always made me a little emotional right at the part when the choir begins to sing. Not to mention the countless other songs that I spent hours memorizing and mimicking, but never could seem to get quite right. Ah...the memories.

I smile when I think of the backdrop that Michael Jackson's music has contributed to my life and my aspirations to write because I wanted my songs to sound like his. I often dreamed of him one day singing a song that I'd write just for him. Then I think of his life and how troubled he must have been.

To live your life in the public eye is a burden that Michael Jackson was forced to bare from a very young age, and I truly believe that he dealt with it the best that he could. For all his quirks and perceived eccentricities, he was always true to himself. He did not pretend to be anyone but who he was.

Even though his passing was an unexpected shock to the world, we must all realize that death is the one thing that is promised to all. Beneath the surface of the superstar, Michael Jackson was a troubled man who was beautifully human. I can only hope and pray that he was at peace with God and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior before he passed so that his soul can have rest with Him in paradise.

And for all that he created that contributed to my life and the lives of those around me, I thank him.

Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson. You will never be forgotten.

A Note to Single Mothers on Father's Day

 This is an encouraging note for the single mothers out there on Father's Day. I know that it must be hard to be a single parent and God knows that I would never pretend to know what you go through on the daily trying to do it all alone, because I know how difficult it is to do it with 2 parents in the household. But in the case of the single mother who has a baby daddy who actually takes the time to spend time with, care for, and be a father to their children...please don't play vindictive games with the kids.

Don't use the child to "whip" the father for past wrongs, punish him for not being with you, finding someone new, get more money or get back at him for being happy without you. It's not right. Your child should not have to be deprived of a father because your feelings are hurt, because guess what? You are not only hurting that man, you are destroying your child. Children need their fathers! Little girls develop much of their self-esteem and perception of themselves through their relationship with their father. Little boys pattern who they aspire to be after their fathers; and don't get it twisted...a woman can not teach a boy to be a man. Try as she might, she will fall short somewhere.

It breaks my heart to see how many men close to me suffer in these types of situations when it is so unnecessary. If you have a child with someone, you have to learn to put your differences aside for the sake of your children. They didn't ask to be here so don't make their lives miserable because you feel that you have a point to get across. You may not think that they notice, but trust me they do.

 Ladies, I know the load is often heavy so don't make yours harder than it has to be; if your baby's daddy wants to be a father--then let him. Men cry too and they love their kids just like we mother's do. With all the dead-beat loser dads populating the Earth, real dads need to be celebrated...not broken down and discouraged.

So keep that in mind this Father's Day season and give that guy a call and let him know that all his good efforts have not been in vain. Heck...there's still time to wish him a Happy Father's Day and really mean it.

www.black-smithenterprises.com

Did I Make a Mistake

Ok, so here we are just a few days away from the historical swearing in of the first African American president of the United States. And I, like millions of other voters, got up early and went to the polls to make sure that I did my part to cast my vote for Barack Obama, not because he is black but because I felt that he was the best man for the job.

But now as I watch each day unfold with a new announcement as to who will fill the various spots for this or that for the inauguration, I have to wonder...did I make the wrong choice?

I made myself get past the fact that Barack supports abortion (which I am adamantly against), and I explained away the fact that he essentially deserted the man who pastored him for more than 20 years because the media started giving him a hard time. But now that reports have revealed that he will allow Eugene Robinson, an openly gay pastor,to deliver the invocation at the inauguration kickoff event in effort to present balance for the gay community I really find myself wondering if I lined up behind the wrong person.

As a Christian, this really convicts my heart because the bible blatantly says that homosexuality is wrong. There is no sugar coating it, that's what it says. And while it is not for me to judge anyone's lifestyle choice, I can not endorse it. And to see a man who claims to be a pastor, a man of God chosen to lead God's people to Christ stand in a pulpit and openly proclaim that he is gay and be proud of it is a mockery of the calling he is supposed to be answering. And then for the man who is going to be my president, my leader, to endorse something that he knows is wrong (because Barack does claim to be a Christian) just to pacify a group of people leads me to wonder what other issues will he compromise on just to keep people from being mad at him.

Barack's whole campaign was based on change and I brought into that. But while I believe that he has the potential to be a great catalyst to getting our country back on the right track, the fact still remains that we need a strong leader. Someone who is not afraid to do what's right no matter what people say. This country was built on the principals set forth in the bible, and to throw those out because of convenience is like ushering in a platform for complete chaos and loss of morality.

It was the bible that tells us that it is wrong to steal, kill and lie. And if someone were to propose that a known liar or serial killer proudly stand up speak on behalf of the president America would be up and arms. For those are not badges to be worn with honor. So if we accept open homosexuality in the pulpit, then what's next? The man in the pulpit is supposed to be helping to deliver those who suffer from that affliction.

I don't know. This is just something that has been on my mind very heavily. Tell me what you think, because I'd really like to know.


www.black-smithenterprises.com

A Year in Reflection and Looking Ahead

Well, 2008 is officially over and I have welcomed 2009 with open arms. It still amazes me at how fast time goes by after you reach adulthood. 2008 was a whirlwind year filled with a lot of accomplishments (I finished my third book and completed my first feature film), a year of growing pains and learning experiences.

I have learned that God is always in control no matter how much the urge to worry persists; I have learned to really appreciate my family for who they are in spite of my perception of who I think they should be; I have been blessed with the job of a lifetime as the editor of a publication that I love; I've gained some life long friends and said good-bye to some bad influences; and I have learned that no matter how hard things get, you have to always keep pushing forward. Your problems do not define who you are, they help shape you into the person that you are destined to be.

So in 2009, I pray that God will continue to prosper my family in spirit and in health. I pray that he will strengthen my marriage and watch over my children. I pray the He will give me the wisdom and courage to do those things that I know that I should.

In 2009, I will not waste time on things that do not matter and I will work hard to be the woman that God made me to be.

I pray for all of you reading this that your lives will be enriched with love and happiness, but most of all that you find yourself in Christ if you haven't already. If you have haven't, all you have to do is ask Him.

Jesus is everything, and with each day that passes I realize that more and more. The growth is not easy, but as I stated earlier...you have to keep pushing on because nothing worth having ever is. As this world grows darker, my desire to allow his light to shine in my life grows stronger. And for that I am thankful.