My Testimony

Reveals GOD's good love in everyday life and the blessings that are everywhere if only we would take the time to look and see His mighty Hand at work.

I've spent weeks searching for a

contractor to modify my home to accommodate my dad's limited mobility.  I called several people, dealt with voicemail and answering machines and days waiting to hear back from the companies I called.  Frustrated doesn't even come close to what I was feeling.  

So, finally arrangements were made for the contractors to come to my home.  Some were late, while others didn't come at all.  Where are the professionals?  The first guy came out and I never heard from him again.  The second guy came out and gave me an estimate over $3,800.  The third guy came out and gave me a estimate of around $2,700.  

I was disheartened to say the least.  We didn't have that kind of money.  I turned to GOD in prayer and kept looking for a contractor that I could afford.  

While cleaning the front yard I saw that someone had posted a flyer on my porch rail.  I was all set to throw the flyer out without even bothering to look at it but the word contractor caught my eye.

I didn't think I'd be able to afford the badly needed modification for my dad but I couldn't not trust GOD when I had asked Him for His help.  I made the call and continued to pray that I'd find someone who would do quality work that I could pay for.

The contractor comes out and he's like an old friend.  I offered him water and he drank and talked to me about my dad and showed concern for us.  He went about measuring the house and dad in his power chair.

He shouted out that it would be 975.  I thought to myself, this guy is nuts.  I'm not gonna pay $9,750 for the work.  I know its delicate but come on!  One contractor said he'd need to send out three carpenters for 2 1/2 days in addition to painters and such.  I understood that the work wouldn't be cheap.

My heart sank.  I began to get the feeling that I'd have to save up more money which of course would take longer to get the needed job done.  Not to mention, trying to save money in this economy is like chewing air.  

The guy comes into the kitchen and I said, "Go ahead and write it up."  May as well see what the damage is, I thought to myself.  So he finishes the estimate and says, "Ok, that'll be $950.  We'll take $450 down and the balance you pay upon completion."  

I couldn't belief my own ears!  Here was a price I could finally afford.  I thanked GOD in my mind and couldn't wait to thank Him later in song and praise.  Tears have come to my eyes throughout the day as I think about the many ways GOD shows His love for me.  

GOD made certain that I knew that it was His supernatural power at work.  That is why I can take no credit for finding the heaven sent contractor. 

I'm a kept woman.  GOD keeps me.  GOD keeps my family.

Maya Angelou Will Forever Rise

    We have lost our Beloved Voice.  Our Sister in the Struggle.  A true warrior for justice and truth.  Maya Angelou inspired me to reach for my dreams and write the novel I fantasied about when I was a teenager with a typewriter in my parents home.  Rest well Beautiful One. 


STILL I RISE
   
You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise. 

Maya Angelou

JAY Z & Beyoncé "RUN" - Now That's What's Up!

Today's Truth by Violet Renee: Solange Needs A Man

Today's Truth by Violet Renee: Solange Needs A Man: Because Jay-Z is her sister's husband and she seems a tad bit confused about that simple fact.  If she wants to attack a husband it s...

Solange Needs A Man

Because Jay-Z is her sister's husband and she seems a tad bit confused about that simple fact.  If she wants to attack a husband it should be her own.  Her quickie marriage to Daniel Smith which lasted about three years leaves no doubt as to one of the reasons why it ended.  For her to attack a man who is not her husband so viciously and passionately makes you wonder what type of brawls went on behind closed doors in her own marriage.  Perhaps it's time she learned to keep her hands to herself like we expect men to do.

Beyonce would be wise to have a little talk with her little sister about boundaries and respect for her husband and her marriage. Could it be that Solange was feeling like a third wheel, frustrated that she didn't have a man with her for such an impressive night out? So, I've got to ask, where was Solange's significant other? Does she have a man in her life or is she content on being the odd woman out so she can soak up the rays of her sister's superstardom?

If she had a man of her own I truly believe that she wouldn't have time to claw at her brother in law.  No, she would be enjoying the highs and dealing with the lows of her own relationship.  She would want her man to be respected by her sister and family.

I applaud Jay-Z for the incredible restraint and excellent judgement he exhibited in the face of such a hateful attack.  The average man would have probably done something he may have regretted later (like kicking her butt).  Beyonce also showed restraint and should be commended.

Whatever happened that night it should not have ended with fisticuffs.  The last time I checked Solange is a female and could have easily been hurt had Jay-Z wanted to hurt her.  She got off easy but her reputation did not.

Solange is on the market.  Who's buying?

Hero, Icon, Father - Nelson Mandela

Back in high school I was fortunate enough to have a modern history teacher named Ms. Beckham who opened my eyes to apartheid in South Africa.  I will always be grateful to that white woman who was so passionate about the struggles of millions of black men, women and children.

She taught us about the sacrifice of Nelson Mandela as he fought to free native South Africans from the brutally racist apartheid regime. With tears in my eyes I typed a letter to the editor of The Plain Dealer denouncing the horrible living conditions and slave like existence of millions who were practically enslaved in their own country.  What a thrill it was for me when The Plain Dealer published my letter.  That letter inspired me to become the author I am today.

Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter equal to none.  He gave up a life of privilege and prestige to fight the greatest battle of his life against institutional racism that forced millions to live a life of poverty and despair.  He was imprisoned for 27 terrible, long years but he never gave up hope or his dignity.

Upon his release from prison he rebuilt South Africa with love and reconciliation.  Many wanted to murder and abuse the whites and give them a taste of what it felt like to be treated as subhuman based on skin color but Mandela was determined to unite the country and not further divide it.

When he was elected President of South Africa I was elated, happy, overjoyed and downright giddy.  When he embarked on his world-wide tour I took my niece with me to Detroit to see the man who had dismantled one of the most oppressive governments in history.

Detroit was scrubbed fresh and looked polished back then.  The entire city was festive and our collaborated heartbeat was felt all over this nation.  Nelson Mandela took the stage to thunderous applause.  We couldn't keep our seats.  We danced and celebrated with our beloved brother who not only survived but thrived and inspired us all to do the same.

His words rang out as he told his story of tragedy and triumph over a system that at the time I believed would never change.  But change it did and Nelson Mandela was the catalyst that made it all possible.

So rest in peace Tata (father).  Rest with the angels.  Rest knowing that your impact on the world will never be forgotten.

I Was In Love with Paul Walker

And no, I never met him.  But the thing is I felt like I knew him.  In fact, I based my character Adonis after the cool, sexy, totally handsome essence that is Paul Walker.  He will always live on in my mind.  He is one of the finest men that I have ever seen--on screen and off.

In Love, Laughter and Lies I wanted Tia to have a meaningful fling with a blond beach boy and Paul Walker immediately came into view.  He was the epitome of my vanilla dream man.  Tall, blonde, easy-going, laid-back and wealthy.  He inspired me in ways I don't have the words to express.

It was love at first sight for me when he lit up the screen in The Fast and The Furious.  If I ever got jungle fever I wanted it to be with Paul.  I downloaded screen savers of his image.  I spent hours on the Internet looking at his photos.  I learned that he starred in Pampers commercials as a baby and that he was a teenage heart throb.

I loved the way he walked, talked and looked.  It was something about the way he moved that intrigued me.  What I wouldn't do to be able to wrap my fingers around his golden locks.  So what, if he was years younger?  That never stopped my imagination from imagining what it would be like to lie in his muscular arms.

I wondered what he smelled like.  What his favorite food was.  His favorite color or song. Did he like to watch TV?  Go to concerts? And of course, what would it be like to look into those gorgeous blue eyes?

Paul had soul.  Blue-eyed soul.  He touched my soul.  I've never been a groupie before but I would gladly have been his if I were ever anywhere he was.

Rarely have I cried when a celebrity passed.  But when my 19 year old daughter called me with the news I burst out crying.  Hoping it was in Internet prank I rushed her off the phone so that I could go to the Net for verification of the horrible news.  It was true.

I was so twisted I didn't even stop to think how my boyfriend felt watching me cry for a man I never met.  Even my 22 year old son offered his condolences to mom.

It wasn't just Paul's good looks and acting chops.  He was beloved by millions.  All that knew him said that he was a terrific guy.  In my heart I know its true.

The editors of dictionaries world-wide should have a photo of Paul Walker by their definition of classically handsome.

Rest well you beautiful soul.  You will be forever missed and forever loved.