#200

1) American Idol....The Best One Yet? - I am not so convinced this is the best season of American Idol, but I can say that this is the first time I've watched it all the way through. I am still sticking with my predictions of Katharine or Chris winning. Paris unfortunately, needs to step it up otherwise America will vote her out. I suppose it is because of the songs she has been singing, although, that Streisand song she did last week was very good. Paula Abdul called her "the best female vocal of the night." So we shall c.

2) 3121 & Todd Smith - Both albums are very good. I did not think Prince could top Musicology, but 3121 is very good. The best songs are perhaps "Te Amo Corazon" & "Black Sweat," but the album is worth buying not bootlegging. 3121 is one of the highest selling Prince albums. It sold more than Musicology did. As for LL's new cd, it's one of his better releases. It almost is up to par with Mr. Smith (which produced the hits "Hey Lover" and "Doin It"). The collabos are tight for the most part especially the ones with 112, Mary J and Jamie Foxx and of course the one with JLo. I do however wonder how many more albums LL can produce. I guess he'll be the next Too Short who retires and comes back, retires and comes back.

3) Hostel vs. Wolf Creek - I was kind of surprised at how good the reviews were for both movies. Hostel is the better of the two, being a nutty and gross little riot about a group of folk who like to play with humans by snapping off their middle toes and lighting their eyeballs on fire. The ending is great, although, some say Tarantino and Roth could have done better. Wolf Creek is a bizarre little tale about this Australian murderer, who shanks these two females and has a devilish laugh. Neither of the two flicks were scary. Horror movies have been lacking for awhile now. The horror movie peeps are getting so bad at it they are making a Halloween 9. How many times can we bring MM back to life? I wonder if they will have another Chucky or another Jason or another Freddy. With the way things look, they just might.

Life has many parts, uproot some and leave some remaining.

New Direction - Heal The Land
Praiz - 2day
John P. Kee - Bread of Heaven
Hezekiah Walker - Lift Him Up
Ann Nesby - 10 Zillion Light Years

The Sarcastic Intellectual's List of Songs That Strike Your Eardrums a.k.a. Songs That Are Just That Good #3

A few more....

1) Vanessa Williams - Betcha Never
-Good song, check it out.

2) Montell Jordan - Get It On Tonite
-This was the jam when it came out.

3) Phil Collins - True Colors
-Mellow song.

4) Marlena Shaw - Go Away Little Boy
-Soul classic.

5) William Bell - Trying To Love Two
-One of those juke joint songs.

6) Donald Lawrence - Blessing of Abraham
-The song will have you out your seat.

7) Tony Terry - With You
-His biggest hit.

8) Prince - Te Amo Corazon
-A song from his new album.

9) Teddy Geiger - For You I Will
-Sounds like John Mayer to me, but still good.

10) Daniel Powter - Bad Day
-Very good alternative song.

11) Tosca - Orozco
-Chill groove.

Life has many parts, they are just that good.

Last songs to play....
Prince - Te Amo Corazon
LL Cool J - Down The Aisle
Teena Marie - Ooh Wee
Heather Headley - In My Mind
Ashanti - Rain On Me
Avant - 4 Minutes

Let Everything That Hath Breath Praise The Lord - Psalm 150:6

It is Easter, which celebrates the day that Jesus rose from the dead conquering death, hell and the grave. Jesus Christ - the Prince of Peace lives. I am happy to report that I'm glad to be saved. Glad to be washed in the blood and sanctified. To think that the very creator of the sun called me out of darkness into marvelous light. I am glad that Easter isn't becoming like Christmas is with all the shopping and egg nog. Sure there is a bunny, although, I have no idea what a bunny has to do with Jesus Christ. Let us not forget that the most High lives and we should celebrate what HE did for the world - For God so loved the world, that HE gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16. That one scripture alone makes me smile. To know that the creator of the sun and stars loves each and everyone of us enough to bring us back to HIM through Christ. Being a Christian has changed my perspective on life and the world around me. It has brought to light many things both positive and negative. I thank God for illuminating my path and yanking me out of the clutches of the devil and his wiles. There are those who doubt if God is real. That question has been examined for many years. I can tell you first hand that Jesus is alive and well and the Holy Spirit is changing me and other believers everyday. I am through trying to explain to people that God exists because God has to be revealed. HE is never recognized, which is why unbelievers who are yoked by bondage and slavery have a tough time believing that God is real. But I thank God that HE revealed HIMSELF to me and that HE lives. Hallelujah - eternal life is mine and can be yours if you receive salvation. God Bless.

Now Behold The Lamb, the Precious Lamb of God Lives.....

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In whom we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins - Colossians 1:12-14

Life has many parts -

Last songs to play....
Mary Mary - Dance, Dance, Dance
Darlene McCoy - Fallen In Love
John P Kee - Show Up
Donnie McClurkin - I Call You Faithful

Seasons

It is rather late, but early too. A Lipton peach tea quenches my parched throat as I sit listening to music and pondering over bittersweet memories of good ole college. I lay perched on a blue cover. An ep of I Love Lucy plays in the background. I am not paying much attention because most of my attention is on reflection. I begin to remember reading somewhere that each and everyone of us have seasons. Each season carries with it joys and sorrows, trials and tribulations, triumphs and accomplishments. I found that not only did I treasure the Black experience, it is one that I would recommend to any African American person. The Black college experience is enriching, enlightening and it teaches you a lot about people, the world and yourself. I would go so far as to say that it makes you better. You begin to realize that people are put into your life for reasons and things happen for a reason. Sometimes people are put into your life to bring something out of you that was dormant, to reveal an inadequacy about yourself or simply to bring something into your life that was absent. Things happen to reveal to you who you are. A preacher made a profound statement and that was: "Trials and tribulations occur to ask you one question, "who are you?" I found it rather profound (although you might not agree).

Life has many parts, what are they?

Last to play...
Ne-Yo - When You're Mad
Ginuwine - I'm In Love
En Vogue - Lies
George Huff - A Brighter Day
Janet Jackson - The Best Things In Life Are Free

Songs

I stole this from The Cynical Ones, which is a thought-provoking blog.

1) A favorite political track.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron

2) One of those tracks that make you dance on the dancefloor no matter what.
Tootsee Roll by 69 Boyz

3) The song you’d use to tell someone you love them.
A Song For You by Donny Hathaway

4) A song that has made you sit down and analyze it’s lyrics.
Millenium by Robbie Williams
Bad Touch by Bloodhound Gang

5) A song that you like, that a two-year-old would like as well.
Crash by Gwen Stefani

6) A song that gives you an energy boost.
No Way by Tye Tribbett
The Best Is Yet To Come by Donald Lawrence

7) A song that you and your grandparents (would probably) like.
What A Difference A Day Makes by Dinah Washington

8) A song that you really liked when you were 14-16, and still really like now.
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

9) A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life.
Hopeless by Dionne Farris

10) A peppy song that would start the opening credits of the movie about your life.
Fingertips by Stevie Wonder

11) A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess that you liked.
Bolero by Ravel (classical)

12) A song that you think should have been playing when you were born.
Beautiful, Loved & Blessed by Prince

13) A favorite artist duo collaboration.
Slow Jams by Babyface & Tamia

14) A favorite song that you completely disagree with (politically, morally, commonsensically, religiously etc.) Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie

15) The song that you like despite the fact your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it.
Summer Girls by LFO

16) Your smooth song, for relaxing:
Suede by Marion Meadows

16a) Favorite Song to Bone to.
Uh Ahh by Boyz II Men

17) A song you would send to someone you hate or are mad at.
I wouldn't send n e 1 a song I was mad at.

18) A favorite track from a movie.
The Best Things In Life Are Free by Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross

19) A song that makes you reminisce about good times with a family member.
Hay by Crucial Conflict

20) Your favorite song at this moment in time.
When You're Mad by Ne-Yo

Some Venting On A Touchy Subject

There is much talk about religion. There has always been talk about religion. The subject sparks much debate. It ruins relationships, friendships, and families. There are massive amounts of websites out there where people appoint themselves to decide whether or not many preachers are called. I call them "religious police." There are those who proclaim to know what God's will is...although it is a mystery to this day. There are those who pinpoint certain preachers who are making money off of preaching as to say that a preacher cannot make a living doing God's work. I am positive there are preachers out there putting their own slant and spin on the Bible and "what God said," but if one were to refer to the scriptures, they specifically say that each and everyone of us must use discernment when being preached to. The Bible specifically tells us that we must check out what we are hearing from the man or woman of God. I am a firm believer however, that if God is leading you, then He will not lead you astray as a good man's steps are ordered by the Lord. The truth of the matter is, is that most people who have qualms about religion are those who aren't saved, or have become obsessed with religious doctrine and are not spiritual. There are those who go as far to say that if you do not believe in the Trinity, you are fake or that you have misread the Bible. However, each and everyone of us has a specific interpretation of the Bible. Who am I to say that a preacher isn't called? What gives anyone the right to say one isn't called, or has not really heard from God? Revelation comes from the Holy Spirit, which comes through faith, which comes by receiving salvation. I think people who have hangups about preachers are those who have not attained the level of wealth that they would like and are envious of the lifestyle. Having filet mignon and eggs benedict every morning, or having a private jet and access to a million dollar bank account is something that many wealthy people have and yet no one calls them fake. I have come to the conclusion that anyone who stands up for the things of God is going to be mocked and ridiculed, scorned and shut out. The world makes room for the lottery, pornography, alcohol, drugs but mention the name Jesus and suddenly you'll find yourself defending the name of the most High. Someone suggested that I read some article on how the Bible is some fictional presentation created by the Roman Catholic Church. How can I give credibility to the article, when it could have been written by a religious policeman. If I believe in my heart that Jesus died on the cross, and have received the Holy Spirit by faith...then there is no way I can subscribe to the notion that there is no Jesus, that He did not die on the cross, that all of the scriptures are false. Pure poppycock. Rubbish. Nonsense. So, all the people who come to church every Sunday are worshipping an idea. Right? And those who are living holy lifestyles are doing it for no reason? And there is no afterlife? And miracles do not occur? And one can't be blessed? Life is meaningless...no one has a purpose, correct? I highly doubt. Everything can be explained by science and reasoning, right? If there is no creator then where did we all come from? And the we just exist argument has no validity, nor does the energy argument. Why is Jesus Christ such a touchy subject, if He doesn't exist?

Life has many parts, some exist, some don't.

Last to play....
A sermon by Pastor Jamal Bryant called, "Convicted By A Candle."