Make It So Report E-MAGAZINE
EDITOR Allen Green
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donald E. Graham, Jr. Mary Daniels Simone Malone Lenora Young Phil Hughes Christine Tunstall Monica F. Hudson Letitia Chapman Carl C. Gable III, MD Patty Green
Cover Design by A. Green
www.makeitsomanagement.com
Christine Tunstall
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Chris’s Corner Writer: Christine Tunstall Black History Month 2012 – Whatcha Gonna Do? In 1926 Black History Week was born out of the dream of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It was his quest to establish a national celebration of black heritage. The second week of February was chosen for the week this celebration fell on because it was between the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. It was not until 1976 that Black History Week evolved into Black History Month. February is also the month in which the NAACP was founded. During the fifty years between 1926 (establishment of Black History Week) and 1976 (establishment of Black History Month), many struggles were unearthed, many fights were fought and many lives were lost by our ancestors who believed losing their lives would serve a higher cause than for them to succumb to the racist treatment that was prevalent in these yet to be United States. Many rights that minorities receive today were hard fought. It was a very arduous task that our ancestors undertook in an effort to make certain blacks were treated equitably. Our ancestors who fought for these rights understood, clearly, that they probably would not live to see the day when they could sit in any seat on public transportation, sit in any seat in a movie theatre, rent a home in any neighborhood, eat at any food counter, attend church, work side by side with people who did not look like them, attend any school, drink from any water fountain, speak to a woman who was not black, try on clothes in a department store, try on shoes in a shoe store, use the same bathroom as a white person, look a white person in the eye, or VOTE. Unfortunately, in the thirty six years since Black History Week became Black History Month, the fights have all but disappeared as the very people who should be leading the charge for equality and justice are otherwise occupied. Who is there to accept the torch? Too often and quite unfortunately, the demeaning and devaluing of the black race has as its culprit, many people in its own community. The self hate and self destruction that occurs in our communities every day surely has our ancestors wondering where this turning point occurred. I strongly believe when Dr. Carter G. Woodson penned his most provocative book “The Miseducation of the Negro” in 1933, he was attempting to give a roadmap for blacks on how not to succumb to the trappings that surely have enveloped and swallowed many of our people. While there will always be differing views on who is at fault for the current plight of our own community, I’d rather spend my time looking for solutions. There are many households with two occupants who have two very different, very strong views on the root cause of the cancer that has dug its nasty symptoms into many homes in our community. Truth be told, not only do the views differ on who caused the cancer, the views differ on whether a cancer/problem even exists at all. The late Michael Jackson released in 1988 a single from his BAD album “Man in the Mirror”. In that song, Michael tells everyone through the lyrics that “I’m Starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways; no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” So here we are, February 2012 and I must ask - whatcha you gonna do? Are you going to add to the problem, help fix what ails our community, lock your doors and say it doesn’t matter since it really doesn’t affect me, or,
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will you make the decision to get involved in the betterment of our community? It actually starts with that image that stares back at you when you look in the mirror in your own home. Amazon.com has Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s book “The Miseducation of the Negro” on sale for under $10.00. I believe every household in the black community should own a copy. This should be a must-read!! If at no other time, Black History Month is a great time to commit to reading two paragraphs per week of this particular book. It has approximately 200 pages. Read it with the children in your home/family. Take turns with each of you reading a paragraph until the two chapters per week are done. Discuss what the content of what you have read means. Each one teach one!! Talk to your family members to make certain everyone in the household who is legally eligible to vote is registered. If anyone in your household (or extended family) is not registered to vote, find out why. If they are missing one of the requirements, make it your commitment to help them acquire whatever it is they need during Black History Month. Lend a helping hand!! In Pennsylvania, in order to vote in the presidential election this year, which will be held November 6, 2012, you must have “a valid photo id”. This requirement is optional for the primary election in May but will be mandatory in November. We have nine months before the presidential election. We have nine months to acquire what is needed. In Pennsylvania, a non-driving picture identification cost $13.50. In order to obtain this document, you will need to complete their application (which can be obtained online), you will need either a U.S. birth certificate with raised seal; or certificate of US citizenship or certificate of naturalization or US passport. You will also need to show two of either of the following documents: a copy of your tax records, or mortgage documents, or lease agreement, or W-2 form or current utility bill. In New Jersey in order to obtain a non-driving picture identification, the cost is $24.00. You must complete the application (which can be obtained online) and pass the 6 point identification process. That process consists of showing at least one primary document, at least one secondary document, verifiable social security number and proof of address. Primary document: birth certificate or passport or active duty military photo id or certificate of naturalization. Secondary document: valid firearm purchaser card or order of divorce decree or marriage license or US school id or US college photo id or valid federal, state of local government employee photo id card. Verifiable social security number and proof of address: high school diploma or property tax statement or ATM card with preprinted name and applicant’ signature or social security card or bank statement of record. Let us decide together that we are going to help our community realize the importance of maintaining our voice during the upcoming elections. President Barack Obama has worked extremely hard during the first three years he has been in office to right many wrongs that were in place. He needs the help of every individual who is eligible to vote to exercise that right. The republicans are counting on our community to remain paralyzed in our disgust of the process. If our ancestors had remained paralyzed with disgust, getting the message out to vote would not even be an option for our community. I ask each of you to make certain you are eligible to vote, make certain you help someone else confirm their eligibility to vote and that you invest in Dr. Woodson’s book and read it. For those who have already read it, read it again. Share it with a young brother/sister and hold a discussion about where we are now and where our ancestors were when that awesome piece was penned many years ago.
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Since the televisions sets are breaking records in many households across this country because of usage, spend one hour per day watching what I believe is truly enlightening television. “Politics Nation” at 6:00 PM with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC is an awesome 60 minutes of television. He is truly bringing to light so much information that is eye-opening and educational for each of us. At least commit to it for February 2012. That will only be 21 days of forced enlightenment. Last, I ask that each of you take your young sons, daughters, grandchildren to the movie release of “Red Tails”. It is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Go as a family. Let’s show the younger generation how proud we are of our heritage. There are so many movies that our children pile into the theatres to view each weekend, helping to break box office box history. Let’s break history with one of our movies. It’s Black History 2012 – Watcha Gonna Do??? Be Blessed!!
Our condolences and prayers go out to the Adams Family We are asking the readers of the Make It So Report to keep Elder Demetrius Adams II and his family lifted up in special prayer. Elder Adams recently lost his mother Brenda Adams of the Gospel Pearls of DC. Demetrius is one of the monthly writers/contributors to the magazine.
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It’s Time To Get Up From Here! by Minister Donald Graham Jr. We have all heard about the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-16. Here Jesus encounters a man physically, mentally, and spiritually broken and unable to walk. For years he has heard tales going back many generations about this pool, the Angel, and the healing powers of the water. He has the desire to get into the water, but has convinced himself over the years that it is beyond his ability. In fact, for 38 years he has been waiting for someone to pick him up and place him in the pool so that he can be healed of his infirmity. After explaining his dilemma to Jesus, I find it interesting how the Lord chose to respond to him. Jesus never once mentions anything about the water, the pool or the people in it. Instead he proceeds to instruct the man to do three things that he hadn’t done in almost four decades. Arise, take up thy bed, and walk! If we’re not careful we can end up viewing Jesus as insensitive in this moment because obviously if the man could walk he would have done so in the last 38 years. However, God knows us better than we know ourselves. He is acutely aware of our strengths, weaknesses, our fears and our proclivities. This is why I believe Jesus asked the man, “Wilt thou be made whole?" (John 5:6). It’s as if the Lord was really saying, “Ok I understand you have some issues, and I get the whole pool thing, but what are you going to do?” “Do you even want to get better?” How many of us have found ourselves like this man, making excuse after excuse about how hard it is to get up from where we are? How many of us have given up on a dream or God-inspired-vision because we’ve been waiting for someone to help us get there without realizing that God has already given us what we need to succeed? The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Yes Jesus knew the root of this man’s problem and he is also aware of ours. Perhaps it is really the fear of failure that prevents us from moving forward. Sometimes our past experiences cause us to believe that it is futile to even think that there is hope. We stop putting forth the effort as we begin to settle and become content with just going through the motions. When I think of the analogy of a bed I can’t help but think about our source of comfort and rest. Our bed represents the place where we lay down. Some of us remember growing up sleeping on cots or coiled-spring mattresses. Some of us have upgraded to the posturepedic pillow-top mattresses that are soft and plush. Others have been blessed with the good fortune of sleeping on mattresses with “memory-foam” that conforms to the body to ensure pressure point relief. All of these beds are supposed to provide us with an even greater sleep experience. The problem is, too much sleep is not always a good thing. Becoming too comfortable can be a hindrance to growth and often leads to stagnation. Therefore, like the impotent man, Jesus challenges us to do three important things that many of us find hard to do. Get up (make a 5
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decision), take up our beds (confront our issues) and walk (work toward resolving them). Only then will we be able to take accountability for where we are and take the initiative for where we want to go. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to wait 38 years for someone to come and help me into the water. It’s time to get up from here…tomorrow is not promised!
*(GOP aka the new Republican Tea Party) MY PRESIDENT: 1. Got Osama bin laden and majority of Al Qaeda leaders...√ 2. Unemployment rate 8.5% and declining with no help from the GOP...√ 3. 1.6 million jobs created with no GOP help...√ 4. 22 months of job and economic growth with no GOP help..…√ 5. Ended war in Iraq with no help from the GOP ...√ 6. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repealed...√ 7. Not one tax hike in 3 years...√√√ 8. Brought out the racism in the GOP...√ 9. Still carry 80% of the black vote...√ 10.Same wife for 15 years with no extra marital affairs...or open marriage√ (Hey Newt, can’t say the same can ya!) 11.Saved the auto industry and 1.5 million jobs with no help from the GOP...√ (GM now the best car manufacturer in the world) 12. Assisted in ousting Kaddafi...√ 13. Only active President to receive Nobel Peace prize while in office…√ 14. Mortgage modification to prevent home owners from losing their home with no help from the GOP...√ 15. STILL fighting for middle class families with no help from the GOP...√ 16. Reform Affordable Healthcare with no help from the GOP....√ Despite what the GOP (republicans) would have you believe the President has been doing these things and more by himself, WITH NO HELP FROM THE GOP!!!!
Obama 2012
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Pastor Young’s Corner Writer: Pastor Lenora G. Young Scripture:
I Timothy 6:12
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Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Subject: “The Fight Is On” Def.
Fight brawl – scrap – wrestle – battle come to blows – exchange of
blows – combat – stand-up fight – warfare. Fight – a word that we should recognize from our younger days – through school – through our adolescence – and maybe in our adult life. At one time or another, we have had to fight – whether it was physically – mentally or spiritually. It has always been a factor in our lives. For some of us, or should I say most of us, we’ve always had to fight. Nothing was given on a silver platter, we had to brace up – go after it – fight for it. In these last days – in this perilous time according to the scripture, we have a fight on our hands. Fight to keep our sanity – fight to stay focused – fight to stand for what is right – fight to stay on course with the Word – fight for what we believe – fight to hold on to the standards of holy living – fight to hold on to what we have been taught. “The Fight is On” The word tells us to Fight the good fight of faith – Fight the good fight for the true faith. Fight – meaning to don’t give up because of a blow to your faith. It his the enemy’s job to keep on throwing blows – it’s his job to keep adverse situations coming – it’s his job to keep speaking negativity – it’s his job to cause our faith to weaken and fade – but the Word tells us to fight the good fight of faith. What does the good fight consist of – what am I to do to keep up the good fight. Continuing to doing what is right – a good fight consist of consistent and fervent prayer and praise – fervent meaning hot – on fire – praising in spite of what you see – hear or feel. The good fight of faith – believing God is going to do exactly what He said. The good fight of faith – trusting the faithfulness of a faithful God. Great is God’s faithfulness – Morning by morning new mercies we see. All we have needed – He has provided – Great Is His Faithfulness – How great is our God – How great is our God – How great – How great is our God. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
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Profile of Christine Tunstall By Allen Green The Make It So Report a monthly e-magazine, which features information on community, political, social, religious, health and musical interest. This month the Make It So Report is proud to feature one of the monthly writer/contributors to the magazine. Christine or Chris as everyone calls her is a well-rounded, intelligent, outspoken, taken charge woman. On many Saturday mornings she can be hear on the Cody Anderson radio station WURD 900 AM expressing her opinions from child rearing to politics. Her sharp tongue and quick wit never allows her to straddle the fence. She quickly lets you know her views and has no problem telling anyone what she believes and feels about any given situation. She is a mature woman who wears many hats, mother, cook, trustee at her church, event planner at her job, all of which she excels. Chris is also a gifted writer and motivational speaker. Chris’ working career began by the time she graduated from high school working as a secretary/word processor with a small law firm. From this small beginning, she rapidly worked her way up to becoming a well-respected assistant at Dechert Price & Rhoads, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the city of Philadelphia. Chris currently works in the marketing department of Dechert where she handles events and event planning for all the Dechert satellite offices. Chris is the proud mother of one son, Jay. Besides being a gifted writer, Chris is also an avid reader. She can always be found reading a good book involving the African American struggles, successes and legacy. Chris faithfully attends the Triumph Baptist Church where she serves as Vice Chair of Trustee Ministry. Her life is intertwined and filled with religious involvement. Bible study and Sunday school are two of her favorite consistent learning experiences in church. She is very involved in the exchange of information in these classes.
Chris has a passion for cooking and loves sharing her cooking with loved ones. She thoroughly enjoys cooking meals for and breaking bread with her Godfather; Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. and he wife, Ramah when they regularly visit the Philadelphia area.
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In June 2007, Chris realized her lifelong dream when she graduated with an undergraduate degree in business administration, with a discipline in human resource management. During her time in school she established great relationships with many of her professors that continue today. To know Chris is to love her. Her infectious laugh and sense of humor makes those around her smile. Chris has no problem or hang-ups about talking to strangers on elevators, on the street or while traveling on planes or trains. She makes many friends from many walks of life. Chris can feel equally at ease with trash collectors and the United States President. I am reminded of a story she told after meeting comedian/actor Chris Tucker in an elevator how she managed to talk him out his telephone case because they both had the same initials, (CT). She had Chris in stitches. Christine Tunstall, Make It So Reports profile of the month.
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The Feel good flavor Writer: Simone Malone
Many of us make resolutions at the start of the New Year. This year, I have a suggestion resolution which involves “living in the moment?” This is the ability to be fully present and aware of yourself and your surroundings as you live each moment. Achieving this state requires observation, appreciation, patience, quiet, and the ability to turn off the clock and put away the calendar. While most of us don't experience such times frequently, this is when we feel the most alive. In theory, being present involves learning how to pay attention, and the process of getting there is far easier than you might think. There are a few simple things you can do right now to help you stay in the present and pay attention to your life experience in a very positive way. Start by setting a few quiet minutes aside each day to close your eyes and take stock of what you are feeling, no matter how good or bad those feelings may be. Don't judge your feelings, just allow yourself to become aware of the emotions behind them. Next, send your attention outward and become aware of things around you. Notice if you feel warm or cold, what your clothing feels like against your skin, the feeling of the air moving in and out of your lungs. Let the sounds around you filter through you and notice the underlying noises that you may have been tuning out. Next, open your eyes and notice the colors and sights around you in this same subtle, attentive way. By the time you are halfway through this little exercise, you may be surprised at how much you actually notice about your internal and external presence. If you try this, you will probably find that “paying attention” will take on a whole new meaning, and it will be a very nice one at that. I hope that you can take some time this week to practice “living in the moment.” I feel sure that it will change your experience in “now” time and that's not a bad goal for the year. Remember until the next time, I am sprinkling some feel good flavor on you as we live in the moment.
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They Won't Let Me In Spiritual Story by Unknown Submitted by Mary Daniels
It was a beautiful Sunday morning. People were filling the church to its full capacity! As they entered, each were given a bulletin filled with announcements, topic of the day's sermon, what songs they would sing and for whom to pray. At the end of the line stood an older man. His clothes were filthy and you could tell that he had not bathed in days. His face was covered with whiskers, for he had not shaved for a very long time. When he reached the usher, he removed his tattered old brown hat in respect. His hair was long, dirty, and a tangled mess. He had no shoes on his feet, and wore only soiled black socks to cover the sores upon his feet. The Usher looked at him turning up his nose at the old man and said, "Uh, I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid we can't let you in. You will distract the congregation and we don't allow anyone to disrupt our service. I'm afraid you'll have to leave." The old man looked down at himself and with a puzzled look on his face; he placed his old brown hat back upon his head and turned to leave. He was sad as he loved to hear the choir sing praises to the Lord. He loved to watch the little children get up in front of the church to sing their little songs. He carried in his pocket a small worn out Bible and loved to see if the minister preached a passage from the Bible that he had underlined. But he was respectful, and didn't want to cause any commotion, so he hung down his head and walked back down the steps of the big brick church. He sat down on the brick wall near the edge of the church yard and strained to listen through closed doors and windows to the singing going on in the church. Oh how he wished he could be inside with all the others. A few minutes had passed by when all of a sudden a younger man came up behind him and sat down near him. He asked the old man what he was doing. He answered, "I was going to go to church today, but they thought I was too filthy, my clothes to old and worn, and they were afraid I would disrupt their service. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is George." The two men shook hands, and George couldn't help but notice that this man had long hair like his. He wore a piece of cloth draped over his body tied with a royal purple sash. He had sandals on his feet, now covered with dust and dirt. The stranger touched George's shoulder, and said: "George, don't feel bad because they won't let you in. My name is Jesus, and I've been trying to get into this same church for years - they won't let me in either." 12
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A Healthy Body Is A Healthy Mind Is A Healthy Spirit VII Writer: Phill Hughes
Happy February everyone. Are you maintaining the resolutions you made for the New Year? If not, it’s okay as long as you get back on track. I made a commitment to be more conscious of what I consume, because I realized that food is like fuel. If you consume foods with little nutritional value, it will have little effect in maintaining a strong immune system, digestive system, cardio system and pulmonary system, just to name a few. That’s right. If you take in the good foods, it will immediately go to work to reinforce and fortify all of the working systems in the body. There are some foods that are better for you than others. I was speaking to a family member about the importance of oatmeal in the morning. Their preference for a cereal was a hot bowl of Cream of Wheat. My response to them was that oatmeal is better. At that time I didn’t know that cream of wheat is relatively high in carbohydrates and lacks any soluble fiber because the wheat is stripped during processing. This also puts Cream of Wheat high on the glycemic scale, meaning that it could contribute to an increase in blood sugar levels--a condition that some nutritionists attribute to increased fat storage. The good thing about Cream of Wheat is that it is a fortified cereal that provides a variety of minerals that are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One serving of Cream of Wheat provides 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium and 12 percent of selenium. Cream of Wheat also has a significant amount of iron--providing men with 100 percent of their daily allowance and women with 55 percent of their daily allowance. Manganese, copper and phosphorus are also present in significant quantities. Until my research I only knew the benefits of oatmeal which is made from oats and it’s a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. According to the American Cancer Society: Insoluble fiber’s cancer-fighting properties are due to the fact that it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity. Soluble fiber may reduce LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad; HDL is good. Soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch. This may be beneficial to diabetics because, when you slow down the digestion of starch, you avoid the sharp rises in your blood sugar level that usually occur following a meal. It has been found that those who eat more oats are less likely to develop heart disease, a disease that is currently widespread in the United States. The phytochemicals in oat may also have cancer-fighting properties. Oats are a good source of many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oats are also a good source of protein. Which produce are better than others? The rule of thumb here is “the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice”. Not only are the juice sweeter, but the darker fruits and vegetables offer so much more value. The Dark green leafy vegetables are powerhouse foods, calorie for calorie, probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect 13
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our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats. So for the month of February, let’s create meals with powerhouse foods. Kale and spinach, just to name a few. Choose brown rice over white rice. Select yams over white potatoes. Add black berries and mushrooms in your dark leafy salad. Include mushrooms in your gravy, soups and sauces. For those of you, who think oatmeal is bland; try it again by cutting up apples or strawberries or any fruit. Cook it in milk instead of water. Milk will give you that added calcium. These are just a few tips for February. If you have an opinion or thought, contact me at Phillville1@aol.com and drop me a line. I’ll get back to you. Until then, see you next month. And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Gen. 1-29 Let’s talk about fat.
God is not a Dictator If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). These are the words of Jesus to His disciples. If you love someone you do not want to hurt the individual. God created man and the angels and gave them free will. Free will is the ability to act or make choices as a free and self-directed being and not solely as a result of compulsion or predestination. The angels in heaven because of their freedom of choice were able choose to follow Lucifer’s and join his rebellion against God. We all know the consequence. They were all cast out of heaven. God does not force us to do anything. When God created the universe and everything that is in it He set laws in place. These laws of God, like those man put into place can be broken however, there are consequences that occur when laws are broken. The results of your actions will eventually catch up to you. As the saying goes, you’ll have to pay the piper someday. There are some that are under the erroneous opinion that God punishes us for the things that we do wrong. When you ignore the law you must suffer the consequence. For example, the laws of nature say fire will burn and destroy. Therefore, if you decide by your own free will to put your hand in the fire you will be burned. God did not burn you nor was it His will for you to be burned. The same principles apply to sin. Sin is transgression or breaking of the laws of the creator. Break the law and pay the price. Many criminals break the law of the land and get away with it for a time. However, most are caught and suffer the consequences. Many people continually break the laws of God and it seems they are getting away with it but sin will catch up and the penalty will be paid.
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Within The Promise Writer: Monica Hudson Titus 3:4-8 But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.* He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life. These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone. Let us take a beneficial look at the word mercy, the meaning is reward. Kind and compassionate treatment. Clemency: A disposition to be forgiving and kind. A fortunate occurrence. It is in the relationship that Christ gave his compassion to us, his love that we may not stand in the shadow of God's judgment for our sin's and wickedness while here on earth. We should be ever mindful of his birth and what it represents as well as his death on the cross, his blood shed for us that we might be reconciled to Him, in this eventful passage should be a reminder to the church of the Lord's sincere gesture and divine plan to make us His for all eternity. This is a living example that we as Christians should be following in our own walk, mercy which is one of the fruits of the Spirit, a forgiving character of God found so many times in the bible when his children strayed away or disobeyed His instructions. This eternal life that God wants to give us through His Son, Christ is meant for everyone here on earth that has a faithful heart in the one sent to rescue us. We must ask ourselves as His children what are we doing in character to follow this example of mercy or kindness. There are many instructions throughout the bible of how the christian faith should lead to mercy and kindness. Lamentations 3:22-24 The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance;therefore I will hope in him!"Lamentations 3:31 For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. So now we see that within the promise God is ready to give us so much more within His love and mercy are we made complete in this relationship that we should follow Him and give the same compassion to our brothers and sisters throughout the earth, this full circle of life that God has given us thorough His Son is for all, in His mercy He has made us new and our response should be of thankfulness and praise that in this mercy is love endures forever and ever. Matthew 9:13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to be merciful: I don't want your sacrifices." For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough."
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Does Sparing the Rod Still Spoil The Child? Writer: Carl C. Gable III, MD Many individuals my age and older can recall with ease moments from childhood in which their parents used corporal punishment as a means of discipline. In fact, some individuals describe those moments with a sense of awe and/or pride, claiming for example: “My momma hit me so hard I saw stars!” Others state that Muhammad Ali’s jab was inferior to that of their mother’s. For the record, my mother would not have been able to go the distance with Ali, but in the opinion of this author, her jab was certainly no slouch. My siblings and I were each victims of corporal punishment delivered by her on more than one occasion. Though versatile with many different objects, she was particularly fond of a long plastic comb of which she owned two different color varieties. In addition to corporal punishment at home, the same was offered at all of the elementary and high schools that I attended. Also, I do not recall any of my classmates discussing medication that they were taking for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Instead, students were simply called to the principal’s office and paddled, or alternatively, they were expelled. The scenario described above is vastly different from what happens today at home and at school across the U.S. In many schools today, corporal punishment is simply not allowed and children are often labeled with various behavioral disorders for which they are placed on a variety of medications. Even at home, parents who use corporal punishment must now be very careful when administering it lest they receive a visit from child protective services or a similar organization. However, is today’s approach to the discipline of children more effective than that of yesteryear? Are “timeouts” and grounding as effective as the paddle? Are children today more or less well behaved in school, at home, and at church than they were 30, 40, or 50 years ago? The answer to this question of course, depends on whom you ask. Let’s begin with a very brief look at the issue from the perspective of the medical community. According to an American Psychological Association article from 2002, there are strong associations between the use of corporal punishment and negative behavior on the part of the child. Expert psychologists who conducted research on the subject concluded that the only positive association between childhood behavior and the use of corporal punishment was immediate compliance on the part of the child. Negative behaviors included an increase in aggression and antisocial behavior among others. A more recent (2009) article from Time magazine suggests that students with disabilities are disproportionally subjected to corporal punishment compared to those without disabilities. The same article states that corporal punishment is still condoned in some schools primarily because it is “cost effective”, requiring only a paddle and no additional resources such as that of a counselor, etc. And perhaps most importantly, experts argue that many parents have difficulty drawing the line between effective corporal punishment and child abuse. Next let’s look at the issue from the viewpoint of the religious community. When I was a child, I lost count of how many clergymen I heard quote from the pulpit the words found in Proverbs 13:24: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (NIV). A handful of my friends from those days had parents who loved to hear that verse as justification for what I now know was child abuse. I can vividly remember some of my childhood friends showing me the scars and bruises on their skin as the result of an overly aggressive parent who claimed that they were 16
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only following the admonition given to them from the Bible. At the other extreme were those children whose parents had likely never used corporal or any other kind of punishment on them and the behavior of the child demonstrated that fact all too well. Even today, the interaction between some parents and their pre-school aged children in the grocery store, at the mall, and at church is appalling. I have often seen children literally telling the parent what to do instead of the other way around. Sometimes the embarrassment is written all over the face of the parent as the unruly child throws a temper tantrum and even strikes the parent, thus seeming in an odd way, to administer corporal punishment to his or her mother or father. All of the above being said, as is the case with so many issues in life, it seems that the proper approach to the issue of disciplining children is to use common sense, regardless of whether or not you believe that corporal punishment should be used. As a “victim” of corporal punishment myself, I can state with certainty that it did not leave me with a tendency towards aggressive or antisocial behavior. I do not have any scars on my skin or bone deformities as a result of the way my mother wielded her plastic combs. My parents, who were also victims of corporal punishment will readily state the same thing in defense of their parents who used it as a means to discipline them. On the other hand, there are of course far too many cases of child abuse as a result of parents, babysitters, and/or school teachers who are out of control and do not know how to draw the line between effective corporal punishment and abuse. As stated above, the use of common sense is needed. To those parents who have decided to use corporal punishment, please take the advice that you have no doubt heard before; administer it not out of anger or frustration but out of love. It is appropriate to talk to the child so that he or she can understand why you are punishing him or her. Next, refrain from using objects that do more harm than good. Paddles, plastic rulers, or the hand would seem to be appropriate objects rather than extension cords, broom handles, knives, or whatever object that is conveniently located next to you. Third, though it may not always be possible, administering corporal punishment in the company of a second parent or other responsible individual makes sense. And lastly, at least consider other effective ways to discipline a child that includes teaching him or her a lesson rather than a method that only inflicts pain. Admittedly, this is a complex issue that likely has no single right or wrong answer. But may common sense prevail regardless of the method of punishment used. References: American Psychological Association. June 26, 2002. “Is Corporal Punishment an Effective Means of Discipline?” Time. August 12, 2009. “Corporal Punishment in U.S. Schools.”
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Chefs King Feast Submitted by Patty Green On Sunday, January 8, 2012 the 83rd Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began with a kick-off event entitled the Chefs King Feast. Patty Green, founder of PattyCakes – R –Poppin collaborated with the King Center towards the 26th Anniversary celebration of the National King Holiday by serving as the coordinator and providing the selection of chefs as well as the necessary tasting's for the event. The Chefs King Feast featured local chefs preparing their favorite dishes. In celebration of King.Week.2012, we were so excited as we collaborated with PattyCakes -R- Poppin’s consortium of chefs and bakers for the presentation of this magnificent event. From collard greens, smoked turkey to sweet potato soufflé and international cuisine dishes, we enjoyed the most scrumptious Sunday meal in the heart of the King Historic District. The Chefs King Feast allowed the community to break bread together and included was a special musical tribute with inspirational songs of praise. With the showcase of local chefs presenting their finest cuisine, the event was a treat for chefs, performing artists and the community alike. Ms. Green’s hard work and dedication in the field as a pastry-cook and event planner is noteworthy, and the celebration would not have been fulfilled without her presence and participation in this historic event. Carol Lloyd – Executive Liaison to Special Projects
Patty Green
Changing the World, One Cake at a Time PattyCakes World Founder PattyCakes Competitions/ PattyCakes To You Charity Founder PattyCakes Divine Dessert Designers Philadelphia- Atlanta PattyCakes -R-Poppin - Wedding & Speciality Cake Consultant PattyCakes Exquisite Events Upcoming Cake Competitions Wedding Cake Decorating Class & Competition - April 22, 2012 Chef Dana Herbert Instructor Hilton Hotel Atlanta Mini Designer &/Down Home Style Dessert Cafe Competition 2012 June 24, 2012 When Women Cook - September 2012 Hyatt Hotel Atlanta PattyCakes Creative Cake Competition /By Sea October 2012, Phila. PA 18
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Giving honor to where honor is due. Children Submitted by Letitia Chapman Have you heard the saying, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. In other words, no matter where or how far you go, the course we take may have bends, turns, curves and even some potholes. We may even fall through some of the holes, but we know that we can get back up again and continue to run the course. Well this is not just a saying it is scriptural, it can be found in the Holy Bible (Proverbs 22:6). These teachings have been passed from generation to generation in my family. I am grateful for the up-bringing; this prepared me to be the parent I have become. Sometimes our children don’t excel to their highest potential, because we as adults don’t instill in them the true values and purpose of living, and how to stretch out for the greater. Oft times we listen to the news and gossip about all the negative that is going on, that’s why I would like to take pride in honoring my children, Pvt. William Henry Chapman-Washington age 21 this month, Land Combat Electronic Missile System Repair Tech. Thanks for your bravery in serving our country. Also he formed his own Christian rock band, in 2009, winning various talent events. The band left the Mariana Bracetti Charter School with their first music trophy. He also was known for different art work throughout the building, being known for his art he carried these talents to the National Guards where he now is serving. A’cqura ( Kiki) Chapman age 19 this coming April. As a little girl starting in a career of Fashion at 5 yrs old with Patsy Smith Fashions & Tish K’nai Productions…so with no doubt why should she win as one of the best dressed prizes, 2nd place at her High School Prom. Fashion is still one of her endeavors, but Early Childhood Development is her present her goal. Genial I. Chapman age 2 Birthday March 12. My Grand-Daughter. In day care since June 2011.
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Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint 200 Peachtree Street, Suite #L05 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 - (404) 230-5853
www.kembacofield.com
Kemba will be performing at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint on February 19, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. This is a Sunday evening but I know you won't be disappointed. There are four dynamic musicians playing with Kemba so the "Soul of Jazz" will flow while they reach out and touch many other genres. Looking to see you there. This quartet is amazing... All professional musicians and all wonderful gentlemen. Tyrone Jackson on Keys Joel Powell on Keys Kinah Boto Ahyah on Drums Daniel Solammon on Sax and Guitar The club Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint is located in the former Macy’s building, in the heart of downtown Atlanta at the iconic 200 Peachtree address, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint brings the city a place to relax while enjoying live entertainment and exceptional cuisine. Historically, juke joints originated in the rural outskirts of many southern towns to give African American communities a place to kick back and unwind after a long week of work. Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint offers a dining and musical entertainment experience in downtown Atlanta, representing diverse culture, featuring music across all genres and popular hits throughout American history. An imaginative menu makes Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint a staple in Atlanta’s downtown restaurant scene and the allure of traditional juke joints is showcased in the restaurant’s design.
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