This is my special note, today I highlighted three rappers in my blog and usually I blog about Yahweh, Faith, and other Christian topics.
Well, I remember that the greatest commandment above all is to love. With the message of love that Jesus taught, he also taught compassion, being a servant and the spirit of giving.
The rappers highlighted today are embodying what it means in the Christian world to be a true Christian (not saying that they are). The purpose of life is to give, help, bless, and love others so that they may see the goodness of the Most High and choose to praise and worship Him.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
A blog created to E-nspire, E-ncourage, E-ngage, E-nform, and E-mpower!
Monday, August 15, 2011
LUPE FIASCO TO FEED 100 PEOPLE A DAY UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST
Lupe Fiasco and the Lupe Fiasco Foundation will be hosting a community feeding everyday for the remainder of August, as part of their Block By Block initiative. Lupe’s goal is to feed 100 Chicagoans in need each day in honor of Ramadan. The Foundation will host events at two locations throughout the City; one on the Southside and another out West until the 31st of August. For more details including time and locations hit the jump for the official Foundation flier. (From www.fakeshoredrive.com )
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
MAKING THE GRADE
I watched Making the Grade, Stronger America, on MSNBC yesterday. They brought up quite a few topics and mentioned how teachers, parents, school boards, officials, communities/village, activists, and students all play an integral role in educating our children. While of course there is not a one size fit all solution to the problems that plague the Public School system and education in America a few things struck my attention.
"Every child can learn, so give them the same education."
"Zip codes determine expectation levels of some teachers."
"Why are parents prosecuted for lying about their zip code to put their child in a better school?"
" A lot of parents don't know what to do, its not an issue of them not caring about their child and their education."
"You couldn't find a better system to destroy our people than the American Public School System." Ben Chavis
"Standardized tests only teach children how to fill in bubbles."
"College isn't the only path to success."
While watching the show I tweeted "Teachers need to love what they do and put their all into there jobs despite their pay and available resources." Some RT my comment in agreement and some responded....
"RT @KFreesen: Why? What professional is asked to do that? @Johnai: Tchrs need to do more without support #makingthegrade - ??? #WTF"
Now the first issue I have with the comment is I didn't say teachers need to do more without support. When choosing to become a teacher most if not all should know what they are getting into or up against in the Public School System if that is where they are choosing to teach. With this in mind I feel that by choosing to become a teacher you are choosing to face an uphill battle, succeed, and make a difference despite the odds. That is my personal belief.
I think about an episode of A Different World, Whitley was a substitute teacher at an inner city public school with little resources. True to stereotypes the children were unruly and appeared that they didn't want to learn. Whitley spoke to the principal and wanted to quit because of the lack of resources she had. Whitley mentioned that the text books were old, outdated, and did not include black people as if we did not exist in history. The principals response was you are not limited to the text book fill in the gaps and teach the students what is missing.
That was/is my only point. If you have books at home that could enhance your teaching environment use them. Find things on the Internet and print them out in the school office to use. Get creative with old paper towel and tissue holders etc. I don't care what you do but never throw up the white flag and wave it in defeat.
The greatest of minds in history were taught with far less tools than are provided to teachers and at one point there weren't even books let alone formal schools. Therefore in my opinion there is no reason to not be able to teach and there is no reason that children can't learn.
We all have to stop making excuses and do what we can with a smile and to the best of our abilities in whatever profession we have chosen.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
"Every child can learn, so give them the same education."
"Zip codes determine expectation levels of some teachers."
"Why are parents prosecuted for lying about their zip code to put their child in a better school?"
" A lot of parents don't know what to do, its not an issue of them not caring about their child and their education."
"You couldn't find a better system to destroy our people than the American Public School System." Ben Chavis
"Standardized tests only teach children how to fill in bubbles."
"College isn't the only path to success."
While watching the show I tweeted "Teachers need to love what they do and put their all into there jobs despite their pay and available resources." Some RT my comment in agreement and some responded....
"RT @KFreesen: Why? What professional is asked to do that? @Johnai: Tchrs need to do more without support #makingthegrade - ??? #WTF"
Now the first issue I have with the comment is I didn't say teachers need to do more without support. When choosing to become a teacher most if not all should know what they are getting into or up against in the Public School System if that is where they are choosing to teach. With this in mind I feel that by choosing to become a teacher you are choosing to face an uphill battle, succeed, and make a difference despite the odds. That is my personal belief.
I think about an episode of A Different World, Whitley was a substitute teacher at an inner city public school with little resources. True to stereotypes the children were unruly and appeared that they didn't want to learn. Whitley spoke to the principal and wanted to quit because of the lack of resources she had. Whitley mentioned that the text books were old, outdated, and did not include black people as if we did not exist in history. The principals response was you are not limited to the text book fill in the gaps and teach the students what is missing.
That was/is my only point. If you have books at home that could enhance your teaching environment use them. Find things on the Internet and print them out in the school office to use. Get creative with old paper towel and tissue holders etc. I don't care what you do but never throw up the white flag and wave it in defeat.
The greatest of minds in history were taught with far less tools than are provided to teachers and at one point there weren't even books let alone formal schools. Therefore in my opinion there is no reason to not be able to teach and there is no reason that children can't learn.
We all have to stop making excuses and do what we can with a smile and to the best of our abilities in whatever profession we have chosen.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
SNOOP DOGG BRINGS YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE TO CHICAGO
Snoop was droppin like it's hot in Chicago on Thursday.
With Chicago Bear great Otis Wilson at his side, the Doggfather was in the city to announce his plans for the Chicago chapter of his Los Angeles-based youth football league. Fo’shizzle.
"I'm bringing football out here so they can take their energy, their anger and their attitude and put it in the right source of environment, which is the football field," he said.
Snoop's Chi-Town tour started off with an appearance at the Chicago Indoor Sports Academy at 11 a.m. Then, the Snoop Youth Football League held a free football clinic Friday for hundreds of 8- to 14-year-old boys who live in Chicago Housing Authority.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Snoop-Dogg-Starts--99103459.html#ixzz1V6XLHTLw
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
With Chicago Bear great Otis Wilson at his side, the Doggfather was in the city to announce his plans for the Chicago chapter of his Los Angeles-based youth football league. Fo’shizzle.
"I'm bringing football out here so they can take their energy, their anger and their attitude and put it in the right source of environment, which is the football field," he said.
Snoop's Chi-Town tour started off with an appearance at the Chicago Indoor Sports Academy at 11 a.m. Then, the Snoop Youth Football League held a free football clinic Friday for hundreds of 8- to 14-year-old boys who live in Chicago Housing Authority.
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Snoop-Dogg-Starts--99103459.html#ixzz1V6XLHTLw
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
50 CENT STREET KING - GOAL FEED 1 BILLION AFRICANS
5O Cent like many other rappers are known for rap beefs, rap lyrics full of profanity, music videos etc. yet rarely, like with most rappers are the positive things they do highlighted in the mainstream news and media.
I happen to follow 50 on Twitter and he began saying that he would not retweet (RT) anyone's tweets if it did not end in #SK, representing Street King. Now instead of taking the time to find out what Street King was I immediately dismissed it as some foolery 50 was up to. If anyone else follows him on twitter lets just say many of his tweets are risque for lack of a better word.
Yesterday as I was going through my timeline 50 was RT tweets about Street King and low and behold he is on a mission to feed 1 Billion starving Africans. So I signed up on the website to join the Street King movement and you can too http://streetking.com/?ref=5pm66.
Street King is an energy drink that will be released in September and the proceeds will go toward feeding starving people in Africa who desperately need it. You can read more here: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16411/title.50-cent-launches-energy-shot-street-king-to-help-feed-one-billion-children.
To see other causes 50 has been a part of visit http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1111-50-cent.
While I don't drink coffee and have never tasted an energy drink I will definitely purchase at least one Street King to support the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
I happen to follow 50 on Twitter and he began saying that he would not retweet (RT) anyone's tweets if it did not end in #SK, representing Street King. Now instead of taking the time to find out what Street King was I immediately dismissed it as some foolery 50 was up to. If anyone else follows him on twitter lets just say many of his tweets are risque for lack of a better word.
Yesterday as I was going through my timeline 50 was RT tweets about Street King and low and behold he is on a mission to feed 1 Billion starving Africans. So I signed up on the website to join the Street King movement and you can too http://streetking.com/?ref=5pm66.
Street King is an energy drink that will be released in September and the proceeds will go toward feeding starving people in Africa who desperately need it. You can read more here: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16411/title.50-cent-launches-energy-shot-street-king-to-help-feed-one-billion-children.
To see other causes 50 has been a part of visit http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1111-50-cent.
While I don't drink coffee and have never tasted an energy drink I will definitely purchase at least one Street King to support the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Friday, August 12, 2011
Yoga, Meditation, and Christianity
I didn't realize that some Christians had issues with Yoga. My interest in yoga was sparked years ago ironically by Madonna, yes the pop singer. Madonna was on the Oprah Winfrey show years ago and she spoke on how she practiced yoga and that is how she stayed in shape. From then on I told myself I would add yoga into my workout.
As an adult I purchased a workout called Yoga Booty Ballet and I absolutely love it and I also have Yoga for Abs and Yoga for Beginners with Rodney Yee from Gaiam. One day I was speaking to someone who is a Jehovah Witness about their health and wellness and I suggested they do Yoga. Their immediate response was oh no we don't practice Yoga. Considering they don't practice a lot of things I didn't give it a second thought and I moved on. Then I realized that many Christians do not practice yoga as well.
Here is an article about Yoga and a discussion of should Christians practice it http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/bagby_yoga-alternative.aspx. A couple of things struck me in the article. Yoga teaches one in meditation to empty their minds, Laurette mentions that Christians are told to be transformed by a renewing of our minds. My question if we do not get rid of the old thoughts how do we make room for the new thoughts and the renewing? Another thing she mentioned was that yogis learn to leave their bodies. Please understand that your body is flesh and a house for your spirit. We are spiritual beings living in a physical body.
What is Yoga? Yoga defined in wikipedia, Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India,[1][2] whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.[3] The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Is the issue with Yoga that it is associated with other religions?
I would hope not as Christianity is a religion steeped in tradition, corruption, and the purposeful intentional withholding of information. Now do not get me wrong I am a believer of Yahweh and I believe the Word of God I also know many parts of the history of Christianity so there are things in the religion that I must question and in no way do I feel I am questioning God, I am however questioning a man made religion. Therefore I do not practice religion, I am spiritual though and yes I attend meetings, I try not to say that I go to church because each of us are the church if you are a believer, the Kingdom of Yahweh is within us.
So this week I began reading Russell Simmons book Super Rich. I know from following him on Twitter that he is a yogi ( he practices yoga and meditates daily). Something in the book sparked my interest, he speaks on yoga and how meditation can give a drug addict the same high they get from drugs but without the harmful side effects to their minds, bodies, and family. Russell also mentions how meditation has healing effects in the chapter Succeeding Through Stillness.
If studies have proven that drug addicts are cured and helped through meditation and never want to use again, I question why yoga isn't a part of every drug rehab program. My thought what is the worst that can happen as there aren't any negative side effects that I know of that one can get from meditating.
This was thought provoking for me. In the age of technology I encourage you, if you are skeptical to google or go to your local library and read up on the healing effects of meditation. Here maybe a great starting point for you http://www.freemeditation.com/benefits-of-meditation/meditation-helps-with-drug-abuse/
There are 8 steps to yoga - Patanjali recorded a system of ashtanga yoga, or classical yoga, in the Yoga Sutra. The eight limbs, or steps, of yoga are yamas, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyhana and samadhi. These eight steps mean respectively restraint, observance, physical exercises, breathing techniques, preparation for meditation, concentration, meditation and absorption. (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/328242-the-basics-of-yoga-its-benefits/#ixzz1Up0eiKFB)
As one who practices yoga somewhat regularly I must say there is nothing that has been said or done that has made me question my faith or stray from it. If yoga can help me to breathe, relax, center myself and come into a deeper understanding of my spiritual being I am all for it and welcome it. If Yoga can take me to a higher state of consciousness and clear my mind so that I can hear from Yahweh I am definitely for that. And finally if while I am doing all of this it keeps my blood pressure down and my body healthy I am definitely for that.
Its amazing that some Christians have issue with Yoga but the majority of us do not question Thanksgiving, Christmas and other practices that are steeped in paganism better yet they originate from paganism.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
As an adult I purchased a workout called Yoga Booty Ballet and I absolutely love it and I also have Yoga for Abs and Yoga for Beginners with Rodney Yee from Gaiam. One day I was speaking to someone who is a Jehovah Witness about their health and wellness and I suggested they do Yoga. Their immediate response was oh no we don't practice Yoga. Considering they don't practice a lot of things I didn't give it a second thought and I moved on. Then I realized that many Christians do not practice yoga as well.
Here is an article about Yoga and a discussion of should Christians practice it http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/bagby_yoga-alternative.aspx. A couple of things struck me in the article. Yoga teaches one in meditation to empty their minds, Laurette mentions that Christians are told to be transformed by a renewing of our minds. My question if we do not get rid of the old thoughts how do we make room for the new thoughts and the renewing? Another thing she mentioned was that yogis learn to leave their bodies. Please understand that your body is flesh and a house for your spirit. We are spiritual beings living in a physical body.
What is Yoga? Yoga defined in wikipedia, Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India,[1][2] whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility.[3] The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Is the issue with Yoga that it is associated with other religions?
I would hope not as Christianity is a religion steeped in tradition, corruption, and the purposeful intentional withholding of information. Now do not get me wrong I am a believer of Yahweh and I believe the Word of God I also know many parts of the history of Christianity so there are things in the religion that I must question and in no way do I feel I am questioning God, I am however questioning a man made religion. Therefore I do not practice religion, I am spiritual though and yes I attend meetings, I try not to say that I go to church because each of us are the church if you are a believer, the Kingdom of Yahweh is within us.
So this week I began reading Russell Simmons book Super Rich. I know from following him on Twitter that he is a yogi ( he practices yoga and meditates daily). Something in the book sparked my interest, he speaks on yoga and how meditation can give a drug addict the same high they get from drugs but without the harmful side effects to their minds, bodies, and family. Russell also mentions how meditation has healing effects in the chapter Succeeding Through Stillness.
If studies have proven that drug addicts are cured and helped through meditation and never want to use again, I question why yoga isn't a part of every drug rehab program. My thought what is the worst that can happen as there aren't any negative side effects that I know of that one can get from meditating.
This was thought provoking for me. In the age of technology I encourage you, if you are skeptical to google or go to your local library and read up on the healing effects of meditation. Here maybe a great starting point for you http://www.freemeditation.com/benefits-of-meditation/meditation-helps-with-drug-abuse/
There are 8 steps to yoga - Patanjali recorded a system of ashtanga yoga, or classical yoga, in the Yoga Sutra. The eight limbs, or steps, of yoga are yamas, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dyhana and samadhi. These eight steps mean respectively restraint, observance, physical exercises, breathing techniques, preparation for meditation, concentration, meditation and absorption. (Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/328242-the-basics-of-yoga-its-benefits/#ixzz1Up0eiKFB)
As one who practices yoga somewhat regularly I must say there is nothing that has been said or done that has made me question my faith or stray from it. If yoga can help me to breathe, relax, center myself and come into a deeper understanding of my spiritual being I am all for it and welcome it. If Yoga can take me to a higher state of consciousness and clear my mind so that I can hear from Yahweh I am definitely for that. And finally if while I am doing all of this it keeps my blood pressure down and my body healthy I am definitely for that.
Its amazing that some Christians have issue with Yoga but the majority of us do not question Thanksgiving, Christmas and other practices that are steeped in paganism better yet they originate from paganism.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, August 11, 2011
EVERYTHING & EVERYONE
"Everything you take for granted is a blessing. Everything you fear is a friend in disguise. Everything you want is a part of you. Everything you hate you hate about yourself. Everything you own does not define you. Everything you feel is the only Truth there is to know.
Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it's supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.
Every time you bless another your bless yourself. Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you're one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.
Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.
Everyone's the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone's the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone's the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain."
Jackson Kiddard
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Everything you wish for is already on its way to you. Everything you think creates your life. Everything you seek for you will find. Everything you resist will stick around. Everything you let go of stays if it's supposed to. Everything you need is right where you are.
Every time you bless another your bless yourself. Every time you blame another you lose your power. Every time you think you can, you can. Every time you fall you must get up and try again. Every time you cry you're one tear closer to joy. Every time you ask for forgiveness, all you have to do is forgive yourself.
Everyone you see is your reflection. Everyone you know mirrors you. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to live in joy. Everyone seeks a higher purpose. Everyone breathes the same breath. Everyone needs love to survive. Everyone has a purpose to fulfill.
Everyone's the same as everyone else. We just get caught up in labels, names, skin color and religion. Everyone's the same as everyone else. No one wants to feel the pain. Everyone's the same as everyone else. Everyone is dying for love to remain."
Jackson Kiddard
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
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