Music can Teach, Inspire Thought and Comfort

I love music, I use music alot and I always felt like it had a "therapeutic benefit" but that seemed kind of weird to most. But, now that I do not really care what other people think, as much I am developing my own way and thoughts about things and plan to use music to help convey messages, calm, relax and teach people things. I really like the saying that "Music is the universal language". and the best part is there is no grammar in music!! (ha ha :)

This song is one that really gets me everytime I hear it. I think it has awesome therapeutic potential and it inspires you to get up and feel good if only for 3 minutes :). Love the acustic guitar and southern accent..!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLNZOelPZtI




I heard this song on the radio yesterday, a very painful day and it was very inspiring in many ways. The pictures in this video are really good. Listen, Enjoy, Think.... I am putting this in my Therapeutic Playlist.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb-uFCHrtPs

Answers are Relational...

Today things are so hard to define and explain because everyone has a different "understanding" and without context it is very subjective. Many believe in a god or GOD but when you have them explain what or Who God is, you can get some very interesting answers. Some are so vague and undescriptive it is sad. I struggle with this multiple understandings of God or GOD or god or "the big guy in the sky", or whoever people feel is in control of things. The ones I feel for the most are those who feel they are responsible for making this life a good one and do not know what happens when they die or think that if they live "good enough" they will go to heaven.

Recently I had a moment (okay a week of questioning and digging, whinning and just struggling in spirit over this) and I was looking at scripture and praying and was just getting. "TRUST ME" which I have already written about my feelings on this and the fear and confusion about what I am to do in the mean time. God reminded me about who actually makes things happen (the positive and life changing stuff) Him!!! He uses me and gives me the priviledge of "seeing" His hand working things and including me in it, but ultimately it is Him. WOW!!! okay.... Then He reminded me to suit up! Armor of God (Ephesians 6) and to Stand!!! Renew my mind, (Phillipians 4:7-9)

And then I found this verses.
Romans 8:24-27 (one of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28)
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seem is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we WAIT for it Patiently. In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's Will.


I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always
Pray continually;
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's Will for you in Christ Jesus.

yesterday while reading facebook, Debbie Griffith had this verse on her page: God gives peace! Make it a practice to say: “I choose to receive the peace You give and not the fear I feel." John 14:27.

And then I was reading some of my friends blogs and Beth in NC's post for today really pulled it all together and shed the "Light" check it out: http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/2009/01/light.html

We have hope because we believe in Christ Jesus. The depth of our relationship with Christ is very relative to the "coping" skills that we find and utilize, our faith (belief) in Him and His grace, mercy and forgiveness. The Truth is the light. We are called to be Light to the world. But, we don't want to blind them and overwhelm them. Remember we want them to see Christ, we can come along side them and shine the light on the path not in their face, on them and their behaviors.

Oh, what a day.... Big changes...Bad changes..Sad Changes.

What a day!!! whew... I cry and fume alot but..oh man.. today was tough. It was like someone threw hot coles on me, smeared them around and then picked the burnt skin off. OUCH!!!! and then long lasting stings..... tears.. disbelief...FEAR!!!! Oh. MY GOD!!! {I mean that, with reverance and respect I was really calling out, not just saying it like it did not mean anything}WHAT IS GOING ON!!! How did this happen! No talk about it, no bills before the house and congress. EXECUTIVE ORDER!!! {What in the heck, can he do that????, but THEY said it would take time and we would be able to block this...}

(ignorance and dependance on other peoples knowledge and understanding will hurt everytime)

See this video a women made in response to Obama's statements about pregnancy and abortion:
It is very factual and true, but does contain some touching pictures of fetuses developing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyFrGbAvfHc



This post is alittle long, but has links to the articles about Obama's Policy, what the Regan Policy was that Clinton Reversed and the Bush reinstated and Now Obama has lifted.

***If you are pressed for time, scroll down to the bottom and read up for as long as you have. BrightMindshelpinghands and Holy Hearts is researching this and compiling resources and information to make this our project to raise awareness.***

Notice the Irony here! Clinton.... Obama . Look at Obama's appointments, his policies, his attitude, his Charisma and popularity. It is so scarry!!! Unfortunately, he has "INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS AND IS GOING TO FIND "COMMON GROUND" With everyone. What happen to "If you do not stand for SOMETHING, you will fall for anything". Well the United States is falling faster than the stock market.





Today on Good Morning American President Obama's "Transparency" was crystal clear. My reservations and concerns. All the questions I asked where kicked right in my gut and it burned! really bad. Again I just sat there in utter Disbelief!!!!




U.S. Can Now Give Federal Funding to International Family Planning Groups That Provide Abortion Services


See it for yourself : http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=6716958&page=1





As a result of the policy — which is named for the city in which the Reagan Administration first announced it at the 1984 United Nations International Conference on Population — some groups, including Planned Parenthood organizations in Romania and Columbia, altered their activities in order to qualify and continued to receive funding. But at least 16 developing nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have been affected, with all NGOs in those countries denied U.S. funding to help provide contraceptives and other much-needed services. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1873794,00.html?iid=tsmodule





National Origin of Foreign-Born Children Adopted by U.S. Parents, 2002











See the full article: http://www.prb.org/Articles/2003/InternationalAdoptionRateinUSDoubledinthe1990s.aspx




{Notice anything interesting????} Notice the countries that were effected by the Mexico City Ban. HMMMM!!!! Worth noting McCain adopted a child from China. Republicans mentioned adoption during the campaign. Most "Middle Class" and Wealthy families have adoption coverage or personal funds to adopt. Obama wants to "redistribute the Wealth" evidently that distribution is going to be overseas.. Remember the Wealthy tax cuts are expiring soon. and new tax laws are being written. HMMMM!!!!!!


WHAT??? THE U.S. GIVE!!!! to INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING GROUPS ...Abortion Services. This is not just allowing abortions, we already do that here in the United States of America, were most have the essentials like clothes, food, and shelter. No we are giving money to INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES that provide and educate on Abortions in FOREIGN COUNTRIES!!!! Abortions have decline in the United States, but there are children left without loving parents in the foster care system. But, now we have to spread our "RIGHTS campaign throughout the world to countries where women have chosen to value life take the sacrafice of childbirth and give up their babies for adoption instead of killing them before they are even recognized as children or abuse and mistreat them like the women here in the United States do. What is this going to do to the adoption programs? Why is it called a choice when the other side is not properly educated?


The Abortion issue here in the United states is Pro-life/Pro-choice. I laugh and ask, how can you choose when you do not have two options? it is to end the pregnancy by process of elimination based on the information the women knows (or has been told by others). Adoption is lengthy, scarry and if the family does not support the decison they could be kicked out and cut off. Where are they supposed to go? How are they supposed to pay for the prenatal care and the delivery? Even if they have insurance there are still out of pocket expenses. Pregnancy does not always come at the best times and with all the answers. This decision is usually made when the woman finds out she is pregnant and is scared and confused. If she had some processing time to think, if she had funding options, information, resources, someone to talk to that would listen and help her without worry about how this affected them. Why don't we have better programs??? Where are the "christians" and all those that oppose Abortion??? Look in the phone book for Pregnancy Hotline, Mental Health is a joke. In crisis where are people supposed to go???


We cannot "Make" people choose one way of the other, but we can offer information, options: "We can get you a place to stay, healthcare for you and the baby," (working mothers and married women of a household over $20,000/yr GROSS (before taxes){$833.00/2 weeks) will not qualify for assistance!!!!)


What are we doing to help prevent abortions? Preaching that to the women that they are less than human and they are sinning and shame on them! {NICE}

Another View of Motherhood (the one most see, thanks to the media)

These women are overwhelmed and scared, life as they know it is changing. Life is hard enough, they already do not have things they need and they have to bring another mouth into the world. Another responsibility. Motherhood is an awesome gift, but not when you are not healthy, are alone (even married women suffer isolation and unsupportive spouses and families). The vision of having your body stretched and all the side effects you hear about are not on many womens list of the top 10 things you wish for. If they work, this decision is very difficult, suffer through being uncomfortable, oversized (some jobs are not suitable for pregnant women) and risk loosing their job or being reassigned to another position. Then when the baby comes it is 6 WEEKS!! without pay for most people! for those that live from paycheck to paycheck that is 3 pay checks, 1 month and a pay period out of the next.

All the diapers and formula and other needs. It is no wonder many choose to not go through it... Information is scarce here in Carolina. The clinics are not "accessible" to anyone that is need of treatment, even if you get in you wish you had not gone there. The treatment is less than professional, even when you are paying.

Adoption is not well educated and easily accessible to all women. The parental rights here in the States prevent many babies from being adopted and force them into foster care where they are bounced around because even when a foster family wants to adopt them into their family they are not able to because of the lengthy and messing process of severing parental rights and keeping them severed. Look at all the horror cases of American Adoptions gone wrong and the biological parents getting the children back legally or terrorizing the adoptive family. Why not put money to the Foster Care and Adoption System here in the United States and take care of our own Child Abuse and Neglect epidemic before you make in a genocide on child. What happened to the saying "Children are our future".



Now look at these women in these FOREIGN countries who have so much less than woman have here in the United States, yet they have had no choice to end the pregnancy before. Thousands of babies have been adopted by American Families. There are orphanages full of children that need homes but are not adopted. This policy is about the quickest and easiest thing. The United States way of dealing with issues is to Claim a Right to do whatever you want and then through money at the quickest, easiest and most popular solution. We love to vote on stuff, being a Democracy and all.



US cuts funding for condoms in Marie Stopes' African clinics http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/04/usa.internationalaidanddevelopment

If our money is going to a solution, lets make it a solution and not just an answer. Paying for the abortion is not a choice that should even be on the sheet. That is not an educated decision, that is a selfish and quick fix. Pay for contraceptives, Pay for medical care, Pay for education of ALL the women. How about funding the Adoption programs and make it easier for those that want the children to help these women and quickly adopt these children.

***If you know of local organizations that help pregnant women, comment with the information. I am researching several opportunities and areas of interesting resources and will post it when I get it put together. This is going to be a project of Bright Minds, Helping Hands and Holy Hearts
www.brightmindshelpinghandsholyhearts.blogspot.com if you are interested in helping, have information to share, need help or know someone who does, comment on there (comments are moderated and personal information will not be posted) or Email me directly.******

Your Health is Your LIFE!!!! Take Control

Wow, I was sitting here doing school work and the Oprah show came on and it was a really good show on Women's Health--Menopause with Robin McGraw. HOLD ON!! It is not what you think!! Just because you are not of "THAT" age or you have gone to the doctor and they told you "your within normal limits" it does not mean you do not have a hormone issue. There are other hormonal issues besides estrogen and progesterone; there is adreniline, cortisol, DHEA and when these are out of sync it is not fun nor are you "Healthy". This is a subject near and dear to my heart {LOL} and always on my brain. I started having issues when I was in my 20's!!! and then the bottom fell out when I had my first (and only) child.

The link to the Oprah shows website, click on todays show to see the discussion:
http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20090114_bioidentical

Menopausal description and symptoms (this site does sell stuff, but the information is good) http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/

Hormonal Information and another option for treatment from a Medical Doctor:
http://www.onlineallergycenter.com/treatments/hormone_imbalance.htm


Hormones has caused alot of health issues for me and I was misdiagnosed for years, most of the time my hormone levels were "within normal limits" but the relationship between the two where vast and the symptoms of an imbalance we present but, it was not "thought to be significant enough to cause the problems it probably did not help them and exacerabeted them" so the doctors did not tell me about it, they just put me on antidepressants since that is one of the prescriptions that they give women who are going through menopause. I felt like they were saying it was all in my head and just shut up and took my medication like a good little (blind and ignorant) patient. Within a few months I was much worse and feeling very sick, loosing memory, having alot of other issues, passing out, having panic attacks and no reason why. Still doctors did not tell me anything and hormonal imbalance and kept blaming my weight, axiety/depression and insomnia for my complaints. I decided if I was going crazy I wanted some of those fancy medical terms and to join the support groups. I started asking questions and doing some research and finally started finding some answers.

The doctors' never really explained anything, never mentioned any findings for how I was feeling. They treated me for hormonal conditions and with hormone and I did not even know it. My uncontrollable migraines where related to hormonal issues and were treated with DHEA for awhile and I was cured! (14 years later, but whose counting)
All this to say, research you health concerns on a reputatible site, go to the library, talk with your physician, they do work for you.

Your healthcare should be a partnership between you and the providers. Know what medications you are taking, what they do, why you are taking it, things that can interact with that medication. Some foods are also contradictory with some medications. This is your life, and how well you are able to live it, be a part of the decision making process. Be informed. Be Knowledgible and Be active it improving your health.

Awesome New Site!!! At the Well..In Pursuit of Titus 2

My friend, Jenifer at By His Gracehttp://byhisgraceministry.blogspot.com/ turned me onto this site. Thanks :)
http://www.titus2atthewell.com/

February 2. and to kick-start the fun and encouragement they are having "door prizes"

Here is what you could win...

A brand new blog facelift valued at over $50donated by Doodlebug DesignsA custom blog card (or mom card, if you don’t blog) design, valued at $30. You’ll receive a high quality .jpg, .png or .pdf file – you can do the printing yourself or have them printed online or locally – the options are endless. Print only as many as you need!The file is yours to keep.donated by Simply Amusing Designs

"Fill 'Em Up!" ... a "cookbook" for parents to use with kids which includes a devotional/Bible study that goes along with each recipe.donated by Heavenly Homakers

A signed copy of the book "The Devil in Your Garden"donated by Natalie Witcher from I AM (not)

A digital scapbook dowload packagedonated by The Digital Scrapbook Place

A $25 Starbucks gift certificatedonated by At the Well

Change will Come .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYzIe7_tx9Y&eurl=http://blog.mlive.com/earwax/2009/01/bettye_lavette_performs_at_ina.html&feature=player_embedded

This was a cool performance! of course, it is JON BONJOVI!!!
Bonjovi was on the Oprah Show today and talked about the future. Maybe now that he has endorsed it and said the same things people are going to give it a chance.

This site has so other good commentary and links to articles and stuff
http://blog.mlive.com/earwax/2009/01/bettye_lavette_performs_at_ina.html

If we truly want change maybe we need to take another performers advice, Michael Jackson had a line in one of his songs, "Man In The Mirror", that said to "I am going to start with the Man in the Mirror". We can make a difference. We need to be praying and showing God in real and passionate ways.

People are searching in the most desperate ways, there want change, they want to do something, okay scripturally we know they "don't have to work to be saved", but give them their freewill! Let them work and do for others and teach them later to fully understand salvation while they are working. While they are walking around trying to find something to make them feel better, they are not hearing the words anyway.

The gospel is presented in almost all church ministry activities, they hear it, the must receive it and believe it. Get the involved.. included.. informed...inspired..

A Day of History: 44th President Inaugurated--1st Africian American President

http://www.youtube.com/inauguration




Today is a day of Historical Importance. Very different views across all the ethnic groups and political beliefs. I am not politically savvy and prefer not to discuss such inflammatory topics. Where ever you stand on any of the other issues surrounding the election and now inaugration of the First Africian American President. At 12 noon today, like it or not he became The President of the United States of America. He is now The President and should be respected as such. If you want to make sure he does what he promised use the system and become very friendly with your House of Representatives and Senators.

There should not be as much "trouble" getting things done since everyone has unanimously endorsed Obama and his theories and plans to fix the economy and social problems we have. Many of the Senators echo his policies and therefore they should be ready to start laying things out tomorrow. They had a month of "transition" with the Bush Administration. They had their celebrations and now it is time for business. Good news is there is no snow in Washington DC, no day off due to weather, so they should show up to work tomorrow and start working things that they promised.

If you are not celebrating, well that is another post. You should be refreshing your memory about what Obama has laid out as the problems he is ready and able to change immediately. What did he promise today? Listen to his speech with an open mind and listen to educate yourself and prepare to get involved and make the changes that are needed. Many of the things in his speeches are logical and are biblical.

Oppression, Wealth and luxury while others suffer and are hungry is condemned over and over through out the Bible. Many Civic minded people argue that this behavior is hard to understand. How you can literally throw away money and unused food when some have nothing is just heart breaking for those who care for people in poverty to understand.

Isaiah 3:13-15 lays out these issues and the thing that should unite us is God's promise to judge leaders who lead corruptly. This can ease alot of pain in many situations. IT SAYS: "The Lord Stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people. The Lord will enter into judgment wotj the Elders of His people and His Princes: "For you have eaten up the vineyard; The Plunder of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing My people And grinding the faces of the poor?" Says the Lord God of Hosts. We have to Trust and be patience, and remember vegence is God's not ours!!!

Notice like many other issues, the majority are behind this presidency. Did you notice CBS is using the Obama phrase "Yes, We Can" and have his iconic colors in their advertisements. Several of the sitcoms have Obamic themes in them. Starbucks just started a "volunteer/ community service reward program", banks and mortgage lenders and "making offers to homeowners in jeopardy of loosing their homes refinancing options". As Christians we need to be careful how we express our views and feeling. We need to participate and be the light, still speak in truth, but make sure we are also speaking respect and unity.

We need to be praying, God is still in Control, he allowed this to happen for a reason and we need to walk the walk and talk the talk of confidence in the true Ruler, not just of this country but of the World, Universe and all creation.

OUR GOD REIGNS, IN GOD WE TRUST!!! is still our countries moto and can remain on our money and buildings if we fight to keep it there. Christians are supposed to be the majority, we need to refine our priorities and strengthen our resolve, unify and STAND ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST OUR SAVIOR!!!

North Carolina Snow Storm 2009-- Good for some; uncomfortable and dangerous for others.

Snow Storm 2009! 4 years to the day of the "Big Ice Storm of 2005"

Bitter -Sweet Moment. It is beautiful and fun to watch others play in it, but yet it is so uncomfortable for me and dangerous for Chris and others who have to go out in it to "do their Jobs". Oh, be still and quiet my frantic spirit.

Well, like most bad weather events, Charles and I are at home, but Chris had to go into to work!. No he is not a doctor, or police office or any public safety or service worker. No he has to go see wrecked cars?????? The wisdom of having employees in Retail, and non-essential services have to go out on the road to "Serve Customers" is quite crazy. Especially here in the country, the roads out of our neighborhood and the 15 miles to the main road are quite dangerous. Ditches on either side of road and very isolated. Speed is also a concern. On sunny-day days most people around here drive 10 miles over the speed limit and they do not have the wisdom to slow down so that makes things even more scarry on days like today.

The snow is beautiful and fun for some but for others it is a bitter-sweet thing, although it is beautiful, it makes thing very cold, which is not good for me and it makes driving very dangerous which is a double edge sword for our family. Chris always has to go out in the bad weather and risk his life to see wrecked cars of people who "choose not to drive to the body shop and will not declare where they are going to have their cars fixed" sometimes he gets to his "non-driveable" appointment to find the car is not available because it is being driven (URGGG!!!!) if they can drive it where they want, why can't they drive it to the body shop?????? or why aren't people concerned about the safety of others and will agree to wait until the weather is better and when the estimate can be done better when the car isn't covered with snow or mud (yeah he has to go out in the pouring rain too!). Trying to be joyful and confident in God having Chris is his hand of protection. But, seeing the power of stupidity and prideful arrogance and disconcern for others makes me very sad and angry.

Hoping everyone suits up with wisdom and a respect for the weather. Slows down!!! and drives sensibly so that everyone can get to work and back home to their families. A little patience and resistence to radically change lanes and make foolish moves on the roads without thinking about giving others the response time needed.

People go out that do not know how to drive in this stuff and cause accidents. Employers and Supervisors that require people to come to work that get into an accident should bare some responsibility. The state police have put out advisories to "STAY HOME" that should force employers and supervisors to close businesses. If everyone stayed home the amount of people needed in the grocery stores, gas stations and police departments would be decreased greatly. But, if there is a chance to make a dollar, the companies will open there doors. Very irritating and sad to risk peoples lives to make a buck, and people get restless and decide to go out exploring and accidents happen. There should be a special indicator on licenses stating they have been certified safe driving in snow and ice (they are different) if you do not pass the test you should have a restriction on your license (sunny day driving only!!!). I just sit here and pray that those that have to be out in this mess are safe and that those whom are not able to drive well will stay home and not put others at risk.

Remember where you were when the Snow storm of 2005 hit? Many were stuck in their cars on Capital Blvd when the State Dot SHUT IT DOWN!!!! what???? no notice, they just closed Capital Blvd so they could get the salt/sand trucks out. The storm kind of snuck up on them. Check out this site that has pictures from the 2005 storm, it also has the radar pictures and weather information about the storm, which is very interesting. http://www4.ncsu.edu/~nwsfo/storage/cases/20050119/

Charles and I were in Virginia, we were enjoying the sunny, clear skies and eating lunch with my mother, sister and nephew. My cell phone rang and Chris was kind of excited and asked where I was, I told him I had not left yet, we were eating and then jumping on the interstate to come home. He said, "Oh, no your not!! stay where you are, the snow beat you home" I was like what??? it is not snowing here in Virginia (North of Carolina), how is that possible, It came from the west and is moving North, you all will get it soon. The scarry part was I hung up to respond to the news that I was staying in Virgina, and Charles and my nephew started yelling, "It is snowing!!" I was like it is going to snow tonight, and they were like now it is snowing now!!!. Sure enough a few flurries we falling. Later that night the snow fell and we staying snowed in with my family for two days. Back here in North Carolina, Chris had to work all day, and got out in the traffic on "CAPITAL Blvd" not knowing that they had closed the road, since they did not bother to announce it on the radio. Just traffic was bumper to bumper and not moving for hours. People were running out of gas, it was horrible sitting in Virginia, and having him here trapped on the road with no where to go. He was finally able to cross the median and turn around and go back to Downtown Raleigh and get a hotel room, so he was warm and safe. He had to go to the store and get stuff and clothes for the next day because he had to go to work (the brillance and compassion of the company is mind blowing!!!) but you do what you have to.

Well, hopefully this storm will be over and all will be safe, until our next storm in three or four years.