What Has Your Focus?
One small but yet powerful word, FOCUS. Focus is defined as a center of activity, attraction, or attention…we usually focus on something or someone. What has your focus? As this New Year has begun, my focus has taken an unexpected shift.
Let me go back a few hours.
December 31st, 2012: 7PM Watch Night service at New Mercies CC, the theme for the year FOCUS, the message for the evening FOCUS. Pastor Curney preached from Matt 14:22-33…how ironic. 4-7 hrs prior, this same message of Peter walking on water and losing his focus was twreached (twitter preached) God works in wonderful and mysterious ways. Ole up to no good Satan and his minions are ALWAYS paying attention.
FOCUS!
For those that are not familiar with the text, Jesus commanded the disciples to get in a boat and meet him on the other side of the sea. As the disciples were making their way, the waves began to roar, there was wind and rain. The disciples that they saw a spirit of Jesus but he let them know, it was him, be not afraid. Peter said, Lord if it is you, have me to walk on the water. Jesus used one small yet powerful word, COME! Peter can to walk on the water but when he lost his focus on Jesus and started to pay attention to the wind, rain, he began to sink. He cried out for Jesus to save him and immediately he saved Peter but stated O ye of little faith, why did thou doubt me?
FOCUS!
There are 3 points that I would like to share
- In order to focus, remember who sent you VS 22-24
- You must focus on Jesus to keep from sinking VS 25-27 and 30 Part 1 of the verse
- If you are sinking, refocus your attention on the Savior VS 30 Part 2
You see; Lucifer, Satan, The Devil or whatever you want to call him is a busybody. My day was going well, I was looking forward the above message and then here comes trouble. I received a message that totally took me by surprise. Why on this day and at this time? Why right after this amazing message did I have to hear those words. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Corth 10:13…I followed my temptation but it’s nothing that I can’t bear and it’s nothing that I can’t escape. I have to refocus, like Peter, in this moment my faith was weakened. 2013 hasn’t gotten in good yet and I’m already in need of refocusing. I’ve been distracted before and have stayed in a distracted state for YEARS, yes YEARS. TIRED of being distracted by the wind, i.e. what I think other people have, coveting what appears to be the good life, looking at my current situation, looking at my past situation, not living my life to the fullest because of what people have told me, listening to the lies and believing them, not thinking I’m good enough. Chile, enough poison to kill Snow White! ALL these distractions were taking me away from my purpose and the assignment that has been called on my life.
Peter and his homies weren’t in trouble, they were in the midst of trouble. I brought myself into the midst of trouble, seeking and finding. It’s time to refocus and go for what I know, go for want I want and most importantly go for what’s already mine!
$500 Million Powerball Jackpot…Today Could Be The Day
TODAY COULD BE THE DAY
Have you bought your lottery ticket? Tonight, one or more might become an instant millionaire. The 500 million jackpot is a record for Powerball…what would you do with the winnings? We’ve all seen and heard the horror lottery stories, from people being broke in less than 5 years and even death.
Something to think of before tonight’s drawing.
Play on America and good luck! 🙂
Should Sesame Street Retire Elmo? @Wendywilliams Thinks So
How you doing Elmo?
Well not so good, Wendy Williams voiced her opinion about the “scandal” of puppeteer Kevin Clash during her Hot Topics segment. Her thoughts were, since we know the face/voice behind Elmo, the character needs to retire. When thinking of Elmo, scandal is attached to the name. Do you agree? Should Sesame Street retire Elmo?
In my best Wendy voice, THIS IS ONE BIG MESS!
Via Boston.com
Miami lawyer Jeff Herman has announced that a third man has filed a lawsuit against Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash, accusing him of sexual assault.
Herman refers to the third accuser as John Doe and said he was 16 years old when Clash allegedly sexually assaulted him.
John Doe documented his experiences in an unpublished book he wrote in 2009. A chapter of that book, according to his lawyer, is called “Tickled My Heart” and John Doe called Clash “Mr. Tickler” in it.
Sheldon Stephens, now 23, was the original accuser earlier this month, claiming he had an inappropriate relationship with Clash when he was 16 and Clash was 45. He then recanted his story and said Clash paid him $125,000 to do so.
Clash resigned from “Sesame Street” last week after a second accuser, 24-year-old Cecil Singleton, came forward saying he had an underage sexual relationship with Clash when he was 15. Herman is also Singleton’s lawyer. 
Clash was the voice of Elmo for 28 years. His statement, upon resigning, was “Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work Sesame Street is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer. I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately.”
Clash’s lawyer, Michael Berger, said in a statement: “The cases and Mr. Clash’s reputation will be defended vigorously.”
Jessica Simpson Pregnant with baby #2
Rumor has it…well it’s not quite a rumor. Jessica Simpson is expecting baby # 2 with fiance Eric Johnson. The couple are proud parents of 8 month old Maxwell Drew Johnson.
With Christmas less than a month away, this is an early present for Simpson…Us Weekly exclusively confirms. Simpson gave birth to baby Max this past May.
A source reveled to Us, “It definitely wasn’t planned. But yes, Jessica is pregnant again.”
I wonder what Weight Watchers is thinking, Simpson slimmed down the 60 of the 70 lbs she put on with baby # 1.
This will definitely be a Christmas to remember, congrats Jes!
Kontrol Magazine Presents: Kontrol The Runway
Do you have what it takes to KONTROL THE RUNWAY?
Kontrol The Runway Fashion Competition is a design contest that is open to all designers across the nation with an interest in Fashion Design. The Grand Prize winner will be featured in a five page fashion spread in a future issue of Kontrol Magazine, be a guest editor for a future issue of Kontrol Girl Magazine and win $2000.00 in cash and prizes. They will also have a celebrity face featured in their garment. Good luck! 🙂
To learn more about this competition click here
It’s Been A Minute
I’ve been gone for a while, a lot of GREAT things have happened since I last posted. I’m back and ready to enjoy this ride! 🙂
Just A Thought
Proverbs 26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Steelers Hines Ward Retiring
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Hines Ward believes he can still play football. The longtime Pittsburgh wide receiver known for his high-wattage smile and his bone-crunching blocks just couldn’t stomach the thought of doing it in some strange uniform on some strange field with nary a Terrible Towel in sight.
“I just wouldn’t feel right,” Ward said.
So rather than play for a 15th season — and his first outside the Steel City — a tearful Ward opted to retire on Tuesday and secure a legacy unmatched in the franchise’s long history.
“I can say I’m a Steeler for life and that’s the bottom line, that’s all I’ve really ever wanted,” Ward said.
Ward holds every significant franchise receiving record, including receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. His 1,000 career catches rank eighth all time and he is one of two players with at least 1,000 receptions and two Super Bowl rings.
The decision comes three weeks after the 36-year-old was released by the Steelers in a salary cap maneuver. Ward says he was contacted by several clubs but never had any formal discussions. He insists there are no hard feelings for his release, understanding that football is a business. As if to prove the point, Ward embraced Steelers owner Art Rooney II after stepping away from the podium following the announcement.
“Thank you (Mr. Rooney) for giving a small town boy from Forest Park, Ga., a chance,” Ward said.
The former third-round pick out of Georgia was due to make $4 million next season, an expensive option for a player whose role diminished significantly in 2011 when he finished with 46 receptions, the fewest since his rookie season in 1998. He embraced his role as mentor to Pro Bowlers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown even though he knew they were chewing into his playing time.
“I know the wideouts are going to be in great hands,” he said. “They’re full of talent.”
And they’re part of an offense that didn’t exist when Ward made his debut 14 years ago. He spent most of his first three seasons blocking for running back Jerome Bettis, something he did better than any receiver in the league.
Over time, the Steelers evolved from the grind-it-out attack that has been the club’s identity for decades. Ward’s breakout season came in 2001 when he set a franchise record with 94 receptions then obliterated that mark in 2002 when he finished with 112 catches.
He made four straight Pro Bowls from 2001-2004 and seemed to get better as he aged. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Super Bowl after catching five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 21-10 victory over Seattle, the franchise’s first championship in 26 years. The Steelers added a second title in 2009 to give them six, more than any other team in the league.
Ward hoped to get the Steelers their seventh Lombardi Trophy but didn’t catch a pass in a 29-23 overtime loss to Denver in the wild card round of last year’s playoffs. Only one pass came his way, a dart down the sideline by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during Pittsburgh’s final drive in regulation. Denver cornerback Champ Bailey swatted the ball to the ground and Ward walked off the field and into the unknown.
The former “Dancing With the Stars” champion could have a lucrative postseason career in front of a camera — he worked the red carpet during the Oscars — but he maintained after his release he could still contribute. He still does.
“I feel like I have a few more good years in me left, Ward said. “I would love nothing more to get back to the Super Bowl.”
He wasn’t willing to do it, however, outside Pittsburgh.
“I want to go down as one of the greats to wear the black-and-gold and that’s how it should end,” Ward said.
Ward laughed when asked if he could go into coaching one day, taking a jab at coach Mike Tomlin, who isn’t sure how Ward’s passion would play in the locker room. One of the most respected players in the league because of his contributions on and off the field, Ward leaves a void that will be difficult to fill.
“On behalf of the NFL players, I want congratulate Hines on an extraordinary career,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said. “I know he will continue to be a leader and example to our men.”
Ward’s already started by urging Wallace to do what he can to remain with the Steelers.
“I told Mike you may get a chance to go other places but there’s not another place like Pittsburgh,” Ward said.
Certainly not for Ward. His No. 86 jersey has long been one of the team’s top sellers, and his blue-collar attitude rang true to a fan base where hard work is a way of life. Ward understands the unique relationship the Steelers have with the city and to tarnish it by making a last-gasp attempt to pad his career stats didn’t interest him.
“I want my legacy here to say, you know what he was one hell of a football player who gave it his all,” Ward said. “I’m truly blessed. I played in three Super Bowls, won two Super Bowls, was Super Bowl MVP … what more could a player want out of his entire football career?”
connichameleon 
