Pressure Busts Pipes

When you're a private person, you should be cautious of who you open up to, because what you say can & will be used against you. The issue is when someone genuine comes along who wants to put you at ease, and you refuse to open up because you think they can't handle the results. That pressure builds up for so long until that pipe bursts, meaning you finally open up because they aren't going to let it go.

A Rose Is Still A Rose: Wonderful Watson

       

"A rose is still a rose." This was the response of a young lady in reference to a discussion regarding the loss of virginity correlated with public perception. I found her comment interesting because in her mind, her worth to her future husband will not be affected because of her sexual encounters prior to marriage.

I reminded her of this indisputable fact. Fresh roses are preferred over wilted ones. Compare the reactions of people who receive fresh roses compared to people who receive wilted ones. Yes, a rose is still a rose regardless of its condition.

Real Housewives Of Atlanta: Game Recognize Game

Nene needs to cut the crap with those fake tears. She'll be back to acting a black fool next season. She isn't slick.😒 #RHOAReunion

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) May 11, 2015

Last night on Pt. 3 of RHOA Reunion, Nene breaks out the fake tears. I'm not trying to be cold, but Nene is full of crap, and let me explain why: Since Nene first joined RHOA, she bullied just about everyone of her cast mates except for a couple: Sheree and Claudia Jordan. Nene has gotten into it with Kim, Phaedra, Kandi, Cynthia, Kenya, Sheree, and Claudia Jordan. Sheesh! She's gotten into it with everyone of her co-stars. Common sense tells me that if someone is always getting into it with various people, the problem lies with THAT PERSON. The common denominator in all of Nene's conflicts have been HER. Why? She calls herself HBIC, Rich *&%$#, and many other monikers. In other words, she's smelling herself. When the 3-part RHOA reunion took place, every one of the cast mates let loose on Nene; they held nothing back & rightfully so. Nene has hurt alienated a lot of people with her nasty treatment towards them, until: She plays the victim. That's right, Nene broke out the fake tears on RHOA Reunion Pt. 3.

Nene started talking about her parents, and how they mistreated her when she was younger. Basically, using the "I've been through a lot" card to justify her bad attitude towards the rest of the cast. Phaedra & Porsha were the first ones to console her because after all, they co-sign everything Nene says; they're her puppets. When Nene says jump, Porsha & Phaedra ask how high? During the RHOA Reunion Pt. 3, Nene was lit up on social media. My Twitter feed was blowing up with comments about how Nene is full of crap, she deserves a Grammy for her great acting (fake tears), and so on. Nene needs to cut the crap with those fake tears. She'll be back to acting a black fool next season. She isn't slick. When Kenya & Nene had their fallout, Kenya's aunt schooled her on forgiveness, and I have to admit it: Kenya, Cynthia and Claudia showed much class when they consoled Nene, even though she's treated them horribly. There's a reason why Kenya, Claudia & Cynthia are called Team Pretty, because of their character and obvious looks.

Claudia, Cynthia & Kenya didn't have to console Nene after how she did them, but I respect them for being the better people. Most people would be like "Big deal if Nene's crying, she deserves to feel every bit of guilt for her mistreatment of others." Sometimes, those feelings are justified; other times, you have to be the BETTER person, even if someone is acting a fool. I doubt Nene is going to turn over a new leaf because if she's been brash & rude since Season 1, why change now? It's working for her, so she might as well stay true to herself. When she broke down on national TV, I wasn't buying it. Why? Because when someone shows you their true nature, believe them. Yes, God can change a person's heart, but they have to let him.

Personal traumas do not give folks a green light to hurt people. Yes, hurt people hurt people, but that's still no excuse. Deal with your pain and move on. Once again, Nene needs to cut the crap.

Teachers Should Be Paid More

Everyone has had teachers who have made an impact in their lives. From making sure students master the material so they can pass standardized exams to caring on a personal level, it's no surprise that for some students, that teacher is the closest to a parental figure they'll ever have. For all teachers do, why aren't they paid more? Come on, teachers play many roles: Mentor, Tutor, Friend, Counselor,      father or mother figure, and so on. Teachers have so much pressure on them, they take their work home with them. That's the mark of a caring teacher: Someone who's concerned about their students after that last bell rings. I believe teachers should be paid more because they have a lot to deal with on a professional level: Their pay is tied to student performance on standardized exams. If a certain percentage of students fail, the school doesn't get money. If the school doesn't get money, it can't pay good teachers. Because of the emphasis on standardized testing, teachers have to spend most of their time teaching to the test. If a student is struggling with key concepts and (s)he asks for help, that teacher takes time to work with that student after hours. That extra time spent can mean the difference between success & failure for the student. There are some teachers that say they don't go into teaching for the money, and that's fine; to each their own. However, there are good teachers who deserve better financial compensation because many of them go the extra mile for their students. If I had the power, teachers would get a lot more money in each state.

Random Thoughts

You can change yourself to be aceptable & still won't be acceptable.

A man fights the world on a daily basis, so he shouldn't have to fight his woman too. Peace should always trump confrontation.

Your return should be greater than your giving. If your giving is greater than your return, something is wrong.

Shaming tactics are for those who have no argument, so they try and shut someone down by attacking their character.

I'm wishing all mothers happy Mother's Day. Thanks for all you do for the family.

I can't wait for New Orleans this summer. I haven't been on a vacation in 4 years.

I think it's noble for Floyd Mayweather to give up his titles so other fighters can have a shot at winning. He's won every major belt in his division, beaten just about everyone so there's nothing left for him to prove.

Before you join a Facebook group, make sure you read the description so you know what it's about. Nothing worse than joining a group and trying to change the vibe.

There's a time for grinding, and a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I'm thankful to God for the blessings I'm about to receive: I've proved myself worthy by faithfulness and obedience.

For me, I ask for 100% because that's what I'm giving. Any woman that can't rock with that, exit left.

It's ok to say NO.

Leaving The Faith

I'm growing tired of some Christians complaining about their faith, for real. So many Christians know the word for themselves, and even though they have a relationship with God, they forget about the church. "I know God for myself, so why do I need to go to church?" They must not know God too well because the Bible does mention that we aren't to forsake assembly with the saints. In other words, it's mandatory for a believer to fellowship with likeminded believers because of the accountability. If a believer does not have a church home, they can't be accountable to fellow believers should they slip up. Let them tell it: "I don't need accountability to anyone but God." Right...I was born, but it wasn't yesterday, so cut the crap. The problem I see as to why many believers are leaving the faith is because their focus is not on God. They have their focus on man, and  because man is flawed, (s)he will fail. Once the person fails, the believer gets in their feelings and leaves the faith. Let them tell it: They're "enlightened". They're enlightened alright, enlightened on that stupid juice.

I don't care what anyone else does, but nothing or no one could ever cause me to leave my faith. Why? Because my eyes are on God, and not man. I don't go to church for people, I go to get fed, and take what I learn and apply it to my life, combined with my own independent study. I'm at the point where if some believers want to leave the faith, bounce. Maybe it's better off they leave because if you ask me, 20% of Christians are living their faith. The other 80% is on the fence, with some who are convenient Christians; those who are Christian when it suits them. I'd rather be among a small group of core believers, than a large crowd of wishy-washy & convenient Christians. I apologize for any offense that may be taken, but I felt led to write this blog on this subject.

Churches Here, There & Everywhere

No matter where you go, you're guaranteed to find multiple churches in every city, many of which are on the same street. I want everyone to do me a favor: When you get some time, ride down your city's main thoroughfare and tell me how many churches you see. I bet there will be 3 churches lining the main blvd. Why is that? Because preachers don't want to work together. I understand that each minister has their own style, and I get that. At the core, all ministers are doing the same work of trying to lead people to Christ. Because people have different preferences, that could explain why there's multiple churches on the same block or street. Each one feeds believers in a different way. I'm going to keep it real, and some folks may be upset: Some believers will NEVER be satisfied even if they've found the so-called "perfect church". The praise and worship & preaching can be on point, and some believers will still have issue, so gossip spreads, and before you know it, 2/3 of the congregation leaves with the believer.

Don't get me started on some of these ministers: Y'all know the ones that say: God called me to start this and that church, knowing good & well that God doesn't operate in confusion. Be real, some ministers want the fame & fortune that comes with ministry, and some believers follow up behind them. Why? They've got their eyes on man, and not God. A big split happened in my local church where my previous pastor couldn't handle accountability, so he resigned and 2/3 of the congregation went with him. Currently, we have a new minister and I like this couple. They're not about fame & fortune, but they have a genuine concern for souls. I chat with them frequently, and you can sense the warmth from them. I understand starting your own ministry if God has laid it on your heart to do so, but some pastors have hidden agendas for wanting to start their own ministry, mostly fame & fortune. If they're honest with themselves and others, they'll probably admit it too. Everywhere I've been, I see the same thing: Multiple churches on the same block, and I ask myself: How many of those churches are making a difference in the neighborhood(s) they're placed? Hmmmm.....Make it so bad, you see this in mostly black neighborhoods: Multiple churches on the same block all because some black ministers can't seem to work together, even though all are working toward the same goal: Bringing souls to Christ.