New Year, New Level!!!

Today is my birthday and as always, I am receiving plenty of birthday wishes from my facebook family, for which I am grateful.  Anyone who’s my friend on facebook knows that I always tag a message to my birthday greeting that I send out to individuals.  Last year, I told everyone to “Make It a Great Day”, this year I stated “New Year, New Level.”

As I was reading my wishes today, my girl Lexie sent me a happy birthday and fed me back my words, “New Year, New Level.”  Well on this my born day, I am asking myself, what does “New Year, New Level”, means to Kandyse Latrice McCoy-Cunningham. Here are my answers.

This year, a new level must begin with me seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, only then will all other things be added unto me.

This year, a new level means in all my ways acknowledging God, and He will direct my path.

This year, a new level means positioning myself to obtain all the promise he has for me. The promise of receiving the desires of my heart, only if I delight myself in Him.  The promise of being prosperous and in good health even as my soul prospers.

Those of you who know me and know me well, may be wondering where is all of this coming from?  My response to that question is - this is how it should have been all along. 

Although I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior some thirty years ago, on this day my new level is that I have decided to really follow Jesus.  

Does this mean the colorful language will cease to exist out of my mouth?  Not immediately.  What it means is that I will confess and repent of my sins because He is faithful and just to forgive.  Does it mean there won’t be days when I have some serious doubt about the direction the Lord may be taking me?  Absolutely not! And I am not ashamed to say that even in my journey to get to know Him better sometimes I have questions.  What it does mean is although I am not certain of the course; I know who’s leading me.  So while I may have some apprehension, I will follow any way.

My new level simply means that I will take HIM at His word.  And what does His word state?  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11)  As a Christian, this is all I have to hold on to, the word of God.

So I encourage all of you who have professed a hope in Christ, join me in this new level and this time next year, we all can blog about the goodness of God since we have decided to truly follow Jesus. 

Though none join with me, still I will follow.

The cross before me, the world behind.

Though I may wonder, still I will follow.

No turning back, No turning back. (S. Sundar Singh)

I know this is not one of my juicy- thought provoking-conversation starting blogs.  I promise I will make it up to you next time.  Until then, I end with the famous quote of William W. Purkey

Dance like no one is watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,  

Sing like there’s nobody listening,

And live like it’s heaven on earth.  

I’m Just Saying…

Righteous Indignation?!!? America Puhleez!!!

I used to think that a woman’s “vah jay jay” was soooo powerful that it would make a grown man do anything and risk everything for it. Now I am not so sure anymore. Ladies, I am sorry to say, I don’t think we have nothing to do with man’s foolishness at all.  Truly it is his own ego that dictates and navigates his actions.  I could blog all year long about the male inflated “opinion of himself”, and maybe next time we can have a spirited debate on this subject; however that is not the topic I want to blog about today. 

I’m sure by now many of you are aware of the latest news story of the Ex-Congressman from New York, Anthony Weiner, who pulled out his little wiener, snapped a picture of his little wiener, sent the picture of his little wiener to someone he met on Face Book.  Why did he do that stupid stuff?  I don’t know, maybe he’s proud of his member and wanted to show it off.  That is up to him, his wife, and his psychiatrist to figure out.  What I want to know is why did he have to resign from his position as Congressman?  Wasn’t he doing a great job prior to the pictures?  Did he misappropriate tax payer’s money?  Did he vote against party lines?  Did he break a campaign promise? Was one of the promises – “I won’t take pictures of my body parts and place it on Twitter?”  Help me understand, why the man had to resign his post, if the people of New York were satisfied WITH HIS JOB PERFORMANCE?

I love America.  Regardless of her flaws, I love my country.  I take minimal issue with the imperfections, because I understand that NO ONE IS PERFECT.  But you’ve got to admit, we are a tad bit hypocritical when it comes to certain issues and certain people.  I’m Just Saying.  Today’s television programs are filled with all kinds of smut.  At one time it was only on cable, now you can see the stuff on regular network stations.  For example, didn’t NYPD Blue show one of its character’s naked butt in a shower scene?  I don’t know about you, but I love 3 ½ Men, however that sitcom is straight up nasty with its sexual undertones and it’s on regular T.V.  Don’t we celebrate men being a “dog”, and women being a “ho” and call it the Bachelor and Bachelorette?  You and I both know if you strip away the host, the roses, the romantic setting, and the fabulous places around the world, you are dealing with nothing but a dog and a ho.  (Not whore, but a ho.  A stank ho at that, for messing around with all those men at one time.) Excuse me, I digress, however I’m Just Saying.  You may not want to agree, but you know I ain’t lying.  To further support my argument, didn’t we, as Americans love Brad and Jen, and now we love Brad and Angelina?  Didn’t we love Baby face and Tracey Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds and Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy and Nicole Murphy, and Eddie Murphy and Scary Spice? (Not necessarily in that order.) 

 Do I need to start reciting the lyrics to some of the songs we allow our children to listen to on the radio?  I believe you get my point.  Please know that I am not trying to be super critical, nor is the purpose of this blog to make Americans feel bad about our lifestyle.  But you have to admit that our American culture exudes a behavior that is far from righteous?  However when someone in leadership or an elected official's “true character” is displayed and it does not align itself with the image we created of the “Perfect American”, all hell break loose.  And what is the consequence?  The man, who was proud of his little wiener, now has to find new employment.  Silly me, Why do I keep saying “little wiener”?  You and I both know that fool had to be hanging three inches from the floor, to do what he did.  Anthony Weiner's actions,  (In the words of my former Pastor, Dr. A.D. Griffin Sr. may he RIP), was “THE HEIGHT OF ASSINITY, THE EPITOME OF STUPIDITY.”  However, did it constitute being fired from his job?  Why couldn’t he have just received a written warning?   All kidding aside.  America, only those without sin, should throw the first stone aka ask someone to resign; not those whose sins have yet to be uncovered.  I’m Just Sayin…

My Sisters, Is This Real Life, Or Just Reality TV?

I have to admit, I watch Reality TV on the regular.  I subscribe to the entire "Real Housewives"  franchise, I absolutely love Braxton Family Values, and although I try to change the channel when Basketball Wives comes on TV, I often turn back to see what's up with Shaunie and her crew.  I was talking with my BFF today and we were discussing the new series on VH1, Single Ladies.  She asked what I thought about it and I told her the verdict is still out. I needed to look at additional episodes before I could form an opinion.  However, I did tell her, with all the latest reality shows, and sitcoms that are currently on television, I am concerned with how we as black women are being represented.  Is it me, or does it appear that we are being portrayed as catty, ghetto, ignorant, low-self esteem women with no self worth?  With the exception of Braxton Family Values, most reality shows that are currently on television, depicts us fighting in public places, calling each other the "B" word, and now with this new series, Single Ladies, we are being displayed as thieves and as women who sleeps around with anyone.

While watching these shows, I often ask myself, is this just "TV" or do women really act like this in real life?  I know I don't, but maybe I am in the minority.  Please don't get me wrong, I have done my share of things that I am certainly ashamed of, and I pray on the regular that none of my secrets are exposed.  However, it just appears to me that there's no shame, in the actions of these women.  In fact, it seems to me that bad behavior is celebrated.  The more ignorant you are the better.  Why is this?  How do we get passed this?  Aren't we better than this? 

The black women I know and associate with are beautiful, intelligent women.  They are ministers, entreprenuers, mothers, sisters, daughters, singers, writers, teachers, business and medical professionals trying to make a positive impact in this world. Yes, they have their share of issues, but they would not dare air their dirty laundry out in public.  They respect themselves and other women to much to act in such a degrading way.  And most importantly, they would never deliberately do anything that will embarrass their family, especially their mothers.  I often wonder, if a such a reality show was created that depicts what I just describe, would even be watched.  To be honest with you, I don't know how long I would watch it, and that's a shame.  I'm Just Saying...