Whitney IS (not was) An Icon

As I keep reading the news and information on Whitney Houston, I am still

disturbed that the media and some bloggers and people commenting on these websites calling her a crack addict and saying "who cares" and that we should not focus on her anymore as she was a celebrity and who cares. There are other everyday people who deserve the spotlight. A lot of rude comments out there.

Who cares? We care. Whitney is not was an icon. She had her demons as well did but that does not mean we cannot celebrate her. She was a black woman who transcended color lines. She was ours. We loved her when she was up as well as down. We knew that she would always make a comeback. Her Homegoing was her comeback. She received her greatest reward, she is resting in the arms of both her fathers Jesus and her birth father John Houston. She may have had some personal battles, but don't we all? Her battle just happened to be addiction. But let us be clear, we do not know what her cause of death was and I choose not to speculate on what that was, as we may be totally off base. If she did die of drugs, maybe that will be a lesson to those others who are still struggling with substance abuse to get their acts together.
Let us also remember that Whitney did have a career comeback in 2009 with her album I Look To You. And while it was not as big as her earlier albums, it did go platinum. I think it is unfortunate to call her last effort a failure. It was hardly a failure, it was her testimony and her story. The album sold over a million copies which in today's industry of digital music, downloads, and singles how is this a failure? People are just buying or downloading singles in lieu of buying complete albums. So to call it a failure is in accurate.
Yes, her first three albums were triple platinum. The Bodyguard Soundtrack was ridiculous (in a good way) in regards to sales. So when you have that type of success, it almost impossible to repeat that success with your later works. Platinum is platinum. Unfortunately, her last album will probably go on to sell two million more now because of her death. They also did the same to Michael after Thriller which became the biggest selling album of all time. How do you repeat that success? Michael's album Bad sold 10 million copies but was considered unsuccessful by some because it did not sell 40million like Thriller. Keep in mind that 10 million would be a record in itself for any other recording artist.

I can't help but wonder what this did to Whitney back in 2009? Calling what I believe to be her most personal album,, her first effort in over six years a "failure". Her voice began to crack and audiences booed her. People said "Her voice is gone!" How did that affect her? Did this aid in her relapse? We will never know for sure. I am not at all excusing her drugs and behavior but the rejection she faced over the those two years for her comeback could not have been easy.

And lastly, lets stop blaming Bobby Brown and leave him alone. Let this man grieve. While he may not have been the model for good husbands, he still loved Whitney. He loves his daughter and deserves this time of privacy. Crucifying him in the media is only going to hurt his daughter, who now only has a father. Also, Bobby is fragile and a recovering addict as well. I pray his family and friends keep him close and that God covers him so that he does not relapse and go backwards in his progress.

Whitney was not a reality star (I am erasing from memory that Being Bobby Brown fiasco) she was TRUE TALENT unlike some of the losers we have now who are famous for absolutely nothing. Whitney had the total package, the likes of which we will never see again.
Let us remember that Whitney is an icon not was an icon. Her music is still with us. That will live on with us. Let's focus on that and not her death, her estate, her demons, and the "Where did Bobby Brown sit at the funeral/Why did he leave?" fiasco.
Whitney, you now have that peace that none of us have right now now. You got your heavenly reward for all your years of struggle. RIP Whitney, your music will always be here with us. Let us remember that we are all human and that this could easily be any of us. RIP Whitney and God bless!

The End of An Era: Musical Innocence Lost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMVqvBmTZro&feature=fvsr

The End of An Era: Musical Innocence Lost
By Chris L. Gilrath II

When I found out about the death of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius last week, I put off writing about his death mainly due to shock and not really knowing what to say just yet. Now just a week later, comes the tragic news of Whitney Houston’s untimely yet possibly unsurprising death. As I think of both of these pioneers, I can’t help but think of the first time I saw Whitney Houston on Soul Train in the spring of 1985. I remember asking my dad, “Who is this woman?” Little did I know that she would go on to win over 400 awards, six Grammy awards, Emmy’s and become the biggest selling female artist of the century. Little did I know then the global impact that she would have on so many over the years. Little did I know that today, I would be writing about her untimely demise.

I think about the impact that both these pioneers had on my childhood. You could not say Saturday morning without saying Soul Train. I remember being mad on Saturdays when Soul Train did come on. It was a crucial part of our history and as we celebrate Black History month, I cannot help but think of the contributions that Don Cornelius made to it. He started Soul Train with $400. The show was his. He allowed artist like Whitney Houston to shine and flourish when other shows were not exactly welcoming us on. Name one wedding reception, family reunion, Christmas party, or 4th of July picnic where we did not do the Soul Train line. How many of us got our dances from Soul Train? It transcends generations. Rarely was there a show that we could talk to our parents about. It was something we had in common. Our parents grew up to it as teenagers and so did we. You cannot say that about shows around today. Other than soap operas (which are also becoming obscure) what other shows withstood the test of time like Soul Train?

As I look at the video I posted of Whitney Houston back in 1985 on Soul Train, I think about the simple ease of my childhood. I think about all the people that were still with us both in my family and in the entertainment industry. I think of how happy Whitney looked here and how her life was then compared to how her life was now. Did she know what she was going to have to endure? I feel innocence in watching this video both for myself and for Whitney. I cannot help but wonder what happened to this Whitney Houston over the last decade. What caused her to spiral? I do not pretend to know the pain that a lot of people deal with in this industry, but it has to be great. As I focus on Whitney, I think of this appearance back in 85. I choose to remember this legend for her hits such as "You Give Good Love" to "Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)". I choose to focus on Don Cornelius’s impact on Whitney Houston and her ex-husband Bobby Brown and his group New Edition, Chaka, Aretha and many more. I think of the global impact that Whitney and Don had not just on African-Americans but all people across the globe.

Name female singers of today such as Christina Aguilera, Brittany Spears, Taylor Swift, and others and ask them who their influence was and they would say “Whitney”. No last name would even need to be mentioned. Her music transcended color lines. She was a pioneer. Her music brought people together. And while she may not have been a revolutionary, writing about change or world issues which she rarely talked about, she sang about love, happiness, and the ups and downs of everyday life, which is something we all could relate to. These two deaths have rocked the industry to its core.

So many of our creative legends such as Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway,Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson to name a few had personal demons. It is sad that we focus on how they died as opposed to what they gave us. Unfortunately, Whitney and Mr. Cornelius have been added to that list. These legends opened doors. As we celebrate this historic month lets remember what they have given us. Their personal lives are another story and we know the mainstream media is going to focus on that but as we think of these artists lets remember that they paved the way. The paid a lot of dues so that artists of today would not have to. The music industry will never be the same. God bless the Cornelius and Houston families.

My Favorite Whitney Songs:

1. You Give Good Love
2. Saving All My Love For You
3. Greatest Love of All
4. Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)
5. It's Not Right But It's Ok

2011: A Year of Growth and Growing Pains

2011: A Year of Growth & Growing Pains
by Chris L. Gilrath II

As another year comes to a close, I think of all the clichés that are thrown out there such as New Year resolutions and promises. As this year comes to close I think it is important to reflect on your year and what it brought you and how you are going to use it to grow further the next year. As Mary J. Blige said, “There are so many things that are used as vessels to get us where we need to be in life.” And that is a quote that really sticks with me. So many things have happened this year good and bad that have me where I am right now going into 2012. What a journey it has been. I have grown a lot this year, but with growth there are what we call “Growing Pains” and no I am no talking about that show with Robin Thicke’s daddy on it, I am talking about the struggles and drama that come with growing and coming into your own sense of who you are.

There were a lot of things that came into my orbit in 2011, where do I even begin? I will start with the growth I have experienced as a writer. I began to understand that God has really brought me into harboring and nurturing this gift to share with the word. I am very excited at that prospect. However, it has not been so sunny. Whenever you try something new and make it your focus, you have people who oppose what you are doing. One of the struggles is still that gravitational pull towards teaching in the traditional sense or the safe occupation. It has been very frustrating that some will not or choose not to acknowledge my gift and that that this is what I choose to make my focus. I am qualified and I have the God-given talent, however some of my friends and family seem reluctant to separate me from my past teaching job, and right now my profession, as a teacher is non-existent. I do not have the same passion for a traditional teaching job that I once did and feel like I can grow more and do more by doing more outside of that area, so I will keep working at it till it works out.

This year was definitely a breakout year for me. I decided to venture out and make my dreams happen by relocating to California. I keep reflecting on the journey and still in shock that I now call Los Angeles my home after many years of wanting to dream to happen, God finally allowed it happen by allowing me to go through the last couple of years that I have gone through. I am now out there pursuing my dreams in and interests. My family and friends out there have been so supportive and helping me get to that level, they have opened so many doors. I am so grateful for the crew in California who have embraced me and held me up. You have made the transition so much easier. I am thankful for those who support me and cheer me on from the Midwest. It has been hard; I had to do it for me. I appreciate you for supporting me. Not everyone has been supportive and I have lost some friends who do not understand that I no longer choose to do what is safe and I stepped out of my comfort zone. I know understand that in order to grow and change I had to leave some relationships in the past. I have also realized that some of the dynamics of some the friendships I thought were solid have also changed. That has been a hard pill to swallow, but I have swallowed it.

I lost my dear Aunt Benita this year and that was definitely a setback. I thought

about did she know how I felt about her? We often take so many people in our lives for granted and we do not realize the impact that that person had on our lives until it is too late. I just had no idea that she was that ill, but I guess I knew in the back of my head. I remember feeling guilty at first for leaving on my journey while she was struggling but I reflect back on our last conversation before I left out on my journey and how much of a support she was and her well wishes, so that gives me peace. I definitely miss her but rejoice on the impact that she made on so many people and the lives she touched, and the battles she fought. She will truly be missed, but we will see each other again. I honor her life, by living mine to the fullest and best of my ability. I have to not complain, as she did not. I encourage others even when I do not feel at my best as she did. Life will go on, and that is how she would want it.

As mentioned earlier, some of the dynamics of my friendships changed. With growth, that happens. Some are not ready for your growth or your change. I have seen some friends who have been afraid to step out of faith and live out of their comfort zones, be upset with me because I chose to do it. It seems as if some people want to keep you in a box. So many people define you by your occupation, relationship status, manhood, and financial success. I do not like being put in a box or being defined by one category. It is extremely frustrating. Some friends stop calling you or act is they are too busy. Some relatives make nasty negative comments because you are making the most of your life, and they are not. If you are to grow, this has to happen. As hard as it has been, I keep going. I find as if sometimes I have to apologize for not doing the traditional things that others do, or I catch myself explaining myself to others but as Minister Cynthia Saddler said to me, “You should not have to waste time explaining your actions and dreams to others.” That has really stuck with me this year yet sometimes I forget that.

As 2011 leaves us and we embark on 2012, I plan on it being the year where people

know that I am not playing around. I am going for mine. I am living my dreams and have made successes. I have already got my website launched and preparing to take that to the next level. As 2012 enters into your life, what do you plan to do with it? Do you plan on having another year like the last one where you just go through the motions and live every day like the last? Are you going to step out on faith and take a chance? Maybe there are relationships you need to strengthen. Maybe you need to go out and find that dream job. Perhaps there are people who you let to continue to frustrate you and it harbors in your heart. Maybe there is some forgiveness that you need to do both of yourself and for others. It is time to put the past to sleep and wake up in your present and get yours. As you grow, there will be growing pains. You will be encouraged, but also be opposed. You will have support but also have haters. Remember 2011 was a vessel to get you to where you to need to be in 2012. What you do on that vessel is completely up to you.

The Best Christmas Songs

It is the time of the year where we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christs, and cherish our families, friends, and significant others. We go down the Soul Train line at the holiday parties, dance, karaoke, and eat till our hearts content, then we open presents and bask in the day. BUT no party, dinner, or tree trimming is complete without GOOD, GOOD Christmas Music. What makes your list? What are those Csongs that just give you so much joy, that you light up whenever you hear them. When you hear the songs you think CHRISTMAS. Here is my list. See if you agree:

1. This Christmas - Donny Hathaway
The ULTIMATE Christmas Jam! It is simply not Christmas until this song comes on! Many have tried to duplicate and remake it [props to The Whispers and Chris Brown] but NOTHING is like the original! Before CD's I used to have to wait until Thanksgiving, and I remember when Thanksgiving came I would be so excited, not because of the turkey, but because I know KPRS would play This Christmas by Donny and you knew the season was here! So MANY memories attached to this song. OK getting a little emotional...! A little vklempt talk amongst yourselves..."

2. Soul Holiday - Sounds of Blackness
3. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole/This Whispers
4. White Christmas - The Drifters
5. What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas - The Emotions
6. Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown
7. Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown/Otis Redding
8. At Christmastime - Luther Vandross
9. Sleigh Ride - TLC
10. Give Love On Christmas Day - Jackson Five/Johnny Gill
11. This Christmas - The Whispers
12. Happy Holidays - The Whispers
13. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
14. When You've Got Love (It's Christmas All Year Long) - The Stylistics
15. Let It Snow - Boyz II Men & Brian McKnight
16. Silent Night - The Temptations
17. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer - The Temptations
18. Hallelujah (A Soulful Celebration) - Various Artists
19. Christmas In The City - Mary J. Blige
20. Santa Claus Going Straight To The Ghetto - James Brown
21. My Christmas Gift - Alexander O'Neal
22. I Can Hardly Wait For Christmas - The O'Jays
23. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - The O'Jays
24. Jesus Is The Reason For The Season - Kirk Franklin & The Family
25. Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles & Betty Carter

It simply is NOT the Holiday season until I hear these songs!

NOOOOO TRAIN AWARDS: A Look At The 2011 Soul Train Awards

The only reason I knew it was the 40th Anniversary of Soul Train last night at the Soul Train awards was the old footage they were showing on the stage, and a few celebrities saying, "I can't believe it has been 40 years.."

Well I cannot either. I can't believe that for a show that has been such a staple in not just African-American homes but a staple for all cultures in America, that was the best the executives at BET and Centric had to offer. Now to say I am overly critical is an understatement. Last night's award show was an insult to legacy of Soul Train and to the honorees that they chose to honor. Since there were so many misses last night. It might be easier for me to talk about the few hits that did occur before I get into the misses.

Soul Train Award High Points/Hits:
e
The Robin Thicke performance: Robin is following the legacy of Teena Marie and Lisa Stansfield. The only way you would not know this guy was a brotha was to see him live and you would see. Other than that, he is a soul crooner. He possessed a confidence that reminded me of Teena Marie that said, "You can't pigeonhole me into pop or country..I'm a SOUL singer." Having him sing on the award show gave the floundering ceremony a much needed boost!"

Jill Scott - Best Female Award: Soul Train got it right with this one. She is one of the best out there and she is truly an UnSung talent. She should have been asked to sing on the Gladys Knight tribute (more to come on that later)...

Anthony Hamilton - Not really sure what was up with the KFC Bucket on his head but he gave a soulful performance.

The Time or The Original 7. - Having all these guys back together on stage reminded us of what we miss in Funk, Soul and R&B. Concepts, entertainment, and fun. A fun performance. They still got it and LOVE, LOVE how they are able to conform to the time while staying true to their old school roots by developing a song called "#tredning" an omage to TWEEPS everywhere. Love it!

The Heavy D Tribute - Pay attention young people, this is what REAL Hip-Hop sounds like. Without, the legends you saw on that stage last night such as Whoodini, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, and the late Heavy D, there would be no hip-hop today. This was when hip hop was fun! I don't know what its about today. I am still confused.

Valerie Simpson - What a pillar of strength! To accept that award on behalf of her late husband, Nick Ashford with such grace. It is about time these two got their just props. They have basically written every popular song in popular culture. Their legacy is truly underappreciated. Now, every year they will have their legacy remembered with The Ashford & Simpson songwriting award. NICE! Now for the honoree they chose this year....more to come in low points!

Cederic The Entertainer: Loved his hosting, he kept it clean but kept it funny.

LOW POINTS/WTH MOMENTS/& EPIC FAILS!:

Was Cee-Lo green paying tribute to Elton John, Elvis, or Frankie Avalon, the guardian angel in Greese? I was confused. And the taco meat on his chest....

The Gladys Knight tribute was awkward and insulting. The Pips concept was cute and original to have three R&B male singers give props to them, but then they ruined it by having TAMAR (not Toni) Braxton sing "Love Overboard". Does she even have an album? What hits does she have? I am confused by that. Why not have Jill Scott do a tribute. Where was Alicia Keys? Natalie Cole redeemed the tribute at the end but everything before it was an insult. And Gladys herself was trying to be a little too Mya Angelou and not Gladys last night. When she commented on the recent Harry Belafonte blunder of him going to sleep on the air and saying, "Do you ever think he is just tired from all the years of struggle..?" Come on Gladys, you know that is a complete stretch. Where were singers like Whitney, Chaka, Alicia, Mariah, and Jill Scott who was in the audience. You can have legends pay tribute to legends it is OK.

Lloyd and Miguel: Based off the audience reaction, they were just as confused as I was. Especially Miguel. What was that about? The tight pants? Maybe that is why he sings so high pitch. I hope he does not wear too many of those tight pants, he is gonna get jock itch and that is NEVER fun. Maybe that is why he looked so dazed last night. Lloyd's suit look like he got into a fight with a dust monster before he got on stage. Come on brotha. Take a cue from Eric Benet's fashion book.

Marsha Ambrosius: At the risk of sounding rude, and please forgive me, but come on. First off having her sing the tribute to Gladys after she botched the Patti tribute at the BET awards? I am so confused. And all of the long flowing gowns. I think they come from the Loretta Lynn or Dolly Parton collection. To say that it was doing too much was saying the least. And to give her the songwriting award named after Ashford & Simpson? Just a a suggestion Soul Train, I would in the future recommend that this be another tribute to a songwriter who has followed in the footsteps of the legendary couple such as Alicia Keys, Babyface, Jill Scott. Marsha Ambrosius has only been out a few years.

Mindless Behavior: Enough said!

The First Half of EWF Tribute: Miguel and whoever that girl was who was supposed to look like an EWF Angel? It was just creepy. EWF members did not look like they where to thrilled either. Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benet, Joe, and Robin Thicke saved that tribute.

Cutting of EWF: Just giving EWF two seconds to sing while the credits where coming on was a direct insult. After we were subjected to so much mind numbing and "Mindless Behavior" that was awful.

The Presenters: Now this award show is not the first in its history to have bad writing for the presenters. It was just awkward and uncomfortable. If I felt awkward and uncomfortable here, there is no telling what the presenters themselves and the audience members were feeling.

Reality Sucks! - All of the "Real Housewives". Why do we have to keep getting exposed to all of these fake celebrities? Who cares? Why do we keep giving them air time? I have had enough. Really lets stop giving them press. Let us focus on the ones who have talent and became famous for their hard work.

Lack of Celebrities: For it to be a 40th Anniversary Tribute where was all the stars who owe their careers to Soul Train? Where was Whitney, Janet, Mary J., Aretha, Stevie, and countless others? Were they not invited, just too busy? They could of least sent a video tribute with footage of a performance of theirs on soul train. Maybe a two hour show that focuses on this, would be a better idea. NO new singers who have NO IDEA of the history but just performers who owe their careers to Don Cornelius. More to come on this idea later.

All in all, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this show a 2. Their were a few performers and the host that saved this show from completely sinking like the Titanic but not by much. Last year's phenomenal show I guess proved to be a tough act to follow with those wonderful tributes to Anita Baker and The Isley Brothers and fabulous performances by Erykah Badu, R. Kelly, and Jazmine Sullivan. I hope they get it right next year. Soul Music and Soul Train like the UNCF is a terrible thing to waste. Get it right...please for the legacy of our musical history!!

CG

frankie beverly and maze (joy and pain)

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing Frankie Beverly & Maze in concert. Let me tell you how terrific this concert was. Frankie Beverly who is 65 years young still has it. The show was great. I enjoyed every minute of it. Frankie connects with his audience like no other performer I have ever seen. Maze did all of their classics starting with "Laid Back Girl" and ending with an encore of "I Wanna Thank You". What a show. I especially enjoyed the song Joy & Pain.

For the first time, I really, really absorbed the lyrics to the song, which goes as follows:

Remember when you first found love how you felt so good
Kind that last forever more so you thought it would
Suddenly the things you see got you hurt so bad
How come the things that make us happy make us sad
Well it seems to me that

Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain

Love can be bitter love can be sweet
Sometimes devotion and sometimes deceit
The ones that you care for give you so much pain
Oh but it's alright there both one in the same
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/f/frankie_beverley_and_maze/joy_and_pain.html ]
Don't it seem we go through life going up and down
Seems the things that turn you on turn you around
Always hurting eachother if it ain't one thing its another
But when the world is down on you love's somewhere around
Well it seems to me that

Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain

Over and over you can be sure
There will be sorrow but you will endure
Where there's a flower there's the sun and the rain
Oh and it's wonderful there both one in the same

Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain

When I think of this song, I often think of my family and friends. In large families such as the one I have we often do go through highs and lows. It seems like no matter where you look, there is always some type of drama that will unfold. I love the second line of the second verse that Frankie delivers when he says "Always hurting each other, if it aint one thing its another.." How true that sentence is. It always seems like there is some type of drama that unfolds. However, where there is drama there is always some type of happy moment, whether it be a birthday party or monumental event such as a graduation or wedding.

I thank Maze for writing such a great song. It makes me long for days of good music. It seems as if Good music has fell by the wayside these days in favor of auto tunes, sex, and flavors of the month. I feel badly for the youth of today. Often when we here our music, we are taken back to that time frame, we think of where we were, we can name the year and we just reflect with happy or sad memories. Will our kids of today have those same memories? What happened? So as you listen to Joy & Pain think of the message that Frankie is trying to give to you. You will experience happiness and sad but in life, you will be stronger for both. What songs in your life evoke those memories for you?

CG2

Watering The Seeds.....

Yesterday, my cousin Myra invited me to bible study at her church. I went thinking I was just going to get a bible lesson. I was not expecting to be MOVED like I was. Words cannot express the transformation that I experienced. Pastor Wayne Cheney Jr preached a word from God that I knew was for me. Pastor talked abut stirring up the gifts inside of you. What are you doing with those gifts?

Pastor Cheney said something that was really as Oprah would call an "A-ha moment!"  He began to say that everything belongs to God including our talents. When we stand before God, we will not only be accountable for our salvation but for how we used our gifts. That was very deep for me. As you all know, I recently moved to California. The intent was to get focused on my writing career and get my book out there. Well, I have not really been doing that since I got here. I told myself  that " I was just trying to get settled." Part of that is true. I was trying to familiarize myself with the area, however I began to grown comfortable in my area. Pastor's word really made me realize that I was not utilizing my gifts and I felt such guilt and regret for not using the gifts that God blessed me with. I did not want to be at the throne of God and not doing my best work. How would I explain or justify that to him? This was my A-ha moment.

I thank God for using Pastor Wayne to speak to me on this. Since last night I have built my website, got the book manuscript back out, and researching publishers. I do not want to leave this earth knowing I did not do all I was called to do. Pastor also said something mind boggling. "Because God has not dealt with you, it sometimes creates a false sense of security." What I gather he means from that is that whether it is not being a good steward or not using your gifts, you will be held accountable for that at some point. So instead of being called out for not using my gifts, I want to be rewarded for my gifts. This also goes in a positive way as well because some have really worked on nurturing their gifts and talents and have not seen their promotion but just because God has not rewarded you yet does not mean it is not going happen.

This message was also another confirmation that I am walking in my gift, and that I alone am responsible for nurturing the seeds that God has planted in me. I cannot wait for others to make that happen for me, I have to do it myself. It is OK to ask for help, and receive the help but NOBODY is going to make it happen but me, I have to be willing to do the work. Like Mary J. Blige stated, "There are so many things that are used as vessels to get us to where we need to be in life." The prayer meeting last night was definitely a vessel to get me re-motivated to get back into the swing of things.

So as you are doing your tasks today, ask yourself are you nurturing the seeds that God has planted in you, or you allowing them to dry up and die. Are you being fruitful and multiplying those seeds? It is not too late. Remember, God has blessed us all with individual gifts The road may be hard, it may not always be easy, but anything worth having is never easy. So when you get weary and tired of what God has called you to do, lean on him and trust him and remember Philippians 1:6:
God has begun a good work in me. He will be able to bring into full completion.
In love, CG2.