A New Day?

Hopeful, but not optimistic cautiously optimistic. Because over the past 8 years (really 10 when you count the last 2 years of Clinton) this Country has been in one long continuous night. "Weeping may endure for a night.... " according to Psalms 30:5. But I guess in Biblical terms 10 years could be a night. It's time for something new.




Sorry, I need more ingredients in my "We Are One"... Watch from Youtube for better video. Frankie B. from a concert in LA approx. 20 yrs ago.




Some Dusty (Shows how Mayfield had an incredibly wide range and appeal). Watch from Youtube for better video.

A Message From a Community Organizer

I don't think it's a coincidence that those who mock community organizing, also tend to be less tolerant on race, culture, tend to be more xenophobic, etc. It's also no coincidence that McCain voted against a national holiday for a certain community organizer. Now all of a sudden he's the equal rights guy too... (Can't understand how Obama has allowed McCain to steal half his platform).

The truth is... these people hold us in contempt.... The fact that Americans responded so positively to the racist code language and vitriol of the Republican Convention shows how divided America really is underneath the facade.

Hear a Community Organizer talk about sacrifice, sticking together, and discouragement.

The Internal Struggles of Mother Teresa

The story of Mother Teresa is fascinating to me - probably the most interesting story from the past week. I am someone who is spiritual but not particularly religious. For as long as I can remember I have been cautious and often suspicious about preachers and those who attempt to proselytize, claiming to know what is best for me. I believe that you don't need preachers or organized religion in order to serve God and to allow him to work through you.

One religious figure who I DID have respect for was Mother Teresa. She showed her faith and committment through her works. Now it has come to light that she often questioned her Faith.... for many years. Yet at the same time, she never allowed this to diminish her committment to helping the poor. It reminded me of the story of Job, although Mother Teresa's situation was not as extreme. But symbolically the two stories are similar.

Some say that this revelation provides more of a reason to make her a Saint, while others may say that the revelation is being used by the Catholic Church as propaganda to attract new parishoners at a time when the Church is in trouble and when its image in particular has taken a beating over the last few years. There is probably some truth to both arguments; I don't know the answer.

But I think it highlights the human spirit at its best. I suspect that she was driven by her sincere desire to help the poor at least as much as she was driven by God and the Catholic Church. After all, in the beginning of her mission, the Church was not a big supporter of her efforts.

Hear a great discussion about the Life and Internal struggles of Mother Teresa. Hear Interview with Father Brian Kolodiejchuk- Author of the new book of letters "Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light".

And was it right for the Nuns to keep her writings when she gave instructions to destroy them?

Billy Graham and black folks

WaPo reports three former U.S. presidents came together Thursday to praise evangelist Billy Graham and help dedicate a library in his honor, a $27 million complex that traces the preacher’s rise from farm boy to the most widely heard minister in the world.

My grandmother liked Billy Graham. I never understood why. I just learned today reading an article in WaPo that both former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton recalled how Graham helped bring blacks and whites together in the South through his insistence that his crusades be racially integrated. Maybe that’s why my grandmother liked him.

Or may she knew that in 1957 Billy Graham’s New York City crusade ran for 16 weeks at Madison Square Garden. Where he recruited his first black associate, Cleveland pastor Howard Jones. He received a letter from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. congratulating him on his efforts to end segregation.

My Grandmother has passed many years ago, Billy Graham is now 88. I have a new found respect for Billy Graham. It's too bad I found this new found respect so late in life. But it's never to late to have more respect for our fellow man.

His wife, Ruth, who is 86 is bedridden at their home with osteoarthritis. Graham has preached in person to more than 210 million people in a career spanning six decades. More HERE