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Beat the Recession Offer! Free $300 Gas Card for Entire Year. Offer expires Jan 31st.

Posted by Debbi Soul Purpose Lady on January 12, 2009 at 6:13pm

Our company is giving away free $300 in gas for an entire year!!!!! I don't know about you but I can use some free gas for my car.If you can, dial in on the call tonight or any day this week at 8pm EST/7pm CST with our Elite team: 712-775-7100 password 814420#If you are ready to increase your increasing your income for 2009, at least check it out. Offer expires January 31, 2009.Our company is being featured in the Sister 2 Sister January 2009 issue and has been promoted on the Michael Baisden show. Get more information tonight! Find out how to make this an unlimited offer. Yes, you can get unlimited $300 Gas Cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Debbi - 314-369-5751 or 641-715-3900 ext 58223#

How to Stop the Spread of America’s Most Dangerous Pandemic - Narcissism

Posted by Deidre Logan on January 12, 2009 at 6:08pm

There was a time when I used to be amazed at the number of seemingly grown men who were unwilling to be responsible for their own lives and for those of the families they made. Like everyone else, I’ve seen the increasing dismal statistics of fatherlessness in the American community. I would even go so far as to say there is pandemic manlessness as well. Men in our extended families are also becoming increasingly rare. What seems to be commonplace now are families with lots of women, young children, and old men. Young men are few and far between – and getting fewer all the time.Many women have rushed to blame the men for this. After all, ultimately it is their choice to leave; their choice to follow the examples, or the lack thereof, that preceded them. These are grown men and entirely accountable for their action and/or inaction – granted.However, I submit to you that many women – particularly many single mothers – are in the deepest denial about their contribution to this pandemic. In their zeal to raise good sons they have often neglected to raise responsible men who would actually be suitably productive husbands and fathers. So many single mothers, mothering from the own pains and issues, often deliberately or incidentally surrogate their children into “pseudo-spouses”. In the process, these children often receive severely mixed messages. On the one hand, they are constantly reminded of how much they resemble all the worst traits in their fathers. On the other, their mothers are quick to lay guilt trips on them if they dare to establish an independent identity or a different significant female relationship. These boys get angry and resentful, so the mother’s remedy is often to indulge them. They are rewarded with material things in return for their faithfulness to fulfilling their mother’s wishes.And so the cycle continues until the sex drive takes over. Now, these same young men start “mating and procreating” with no significant grasp of the level of responsibility that creates. However, thinking that they do, they often “try” to be there. That usually lasts until he gets overwhelmed and/or it’s not fun anymore. She wakes up one day without him; and grandma is raising babies once again. Why? Because we have spawned yet another generation of people who believe the universe exists solely to serve them. If it doesn’t, then there is clearly something wrong with the universe – it couldn’t possibly be something wrong with them. We’ve created yet another generation of perfect pimps and then we get mad at them when they behave accordingly. We often create the monsters that come back to kill us.How do we stop it? Here are three things we can do: 1) Put them out of their parents’ house by age 21 – sooner if they don’t go to college at 18; 2) stop letting them have sex in a home they don’t have a lease/mortgage on; and 3) stop letting them move their girlfriends into that same house.Brain surgery – it is not!Speaking the truth in love,Deidre

Why Ask Why?

Posted by Deidre Logan on January 12, 2009 at 6:07pm

In the great mental vacuum of psychobabble and matching talk shows, seems to be an endless string of people from failed relationships asking “why”. “Why didn’t I get my promised phone call?” “Why weren’t they where they said they were going to be?” “Why did they lie to me?” “Why did they cheat on me?” Why, why, why, why!!! These pointless inquiries are usually followed by some mention of “closure” as if having “closure” somehow changes the end results. My question is why ask why?The fact is it makes no difference. Why people do what they do rarely makes a difference. That they do what they do is what ultimately matters. Oh, I realize most people think that if the “reason” is good enough, it’s going to make everything OK somehow. But let’s face it; the reasons are usually a far cry from the near life and death scenarios we need them to be for our own rationalizations. Oftentimes, the “reasons” people give are just more lies. Which brings me back to my original question – why ask why?Ask this, am I hurt about the lie or action? Would you really feel better knowing that you didn’t get that call because she was just trying to spare your feelings or would you prefer that she simply didn’t make a promise she never intended to keep? Would you really feel better if you knew that he lied to you just to get laid or would you prefer that he was simply honest about wanting to get laid so you could be a real adult and decide for yourself if you wanted to participate? How does it hurt less or damage you less if you know you were cheated on just because it was possible? Is it better to be cheated on for meaningless sex or because of a relationship?My point is, whatever the “reason”, the end result is the same. Most of us have enough to do trying to replenish ourselves after a bad relationship. If you really want to spend that time productively, it would be much better to focus on what actually does matter – dealing with the reality of the situation you’re left with. Don’t deny; don’t distort; don’t try to medicate away the feelings – they suck, but they’re not fatal. People somehow manage to live through them all the time – no matter how horrible.Give yourself the opportunity to be surprised and proud of how strong you really are. See it for what it is; deal with it; and become a better person on the other side of the pain. That way, you can be truly useful and pay your wisdom forward to someone else suffering the same agony.Speaking the truth in love,Deidre

Product Development: How the Cute Lil' Muffins Came to be

Posted by Lauren Dillard-Shoffner on January 12, 2009 at 5:59pm

The origin of Cute Lil' Muffins. I created these muffins by accident, actually. I was originally trying to approve upon my initial cupcake design, which I put in actual cupcake holders. The sizes weren't quite right and consistency with the original cupcakes was essentially impossible. So clearly, I had to return to the drawing board and I came up with these cute little numbers. Each Lil' Muffin includes a receiving blanket, washcloth and pair of socks. It took showing the picture to a friend to open my eyes to the fact that they had cute little muffin tops and weren't quite right for "cupcakes". So, I missed the mark of my designing the product I was set out to make and instead created these adorable muffins which incidentally sell equally well to the new and improved cupcakes, which I began working on soon after.When developing products, it's important to recognize that you may not always immediately reach your desired goal. You may have to throw out a few batches in order to get the perfect cookie. In some cases, you have to be open to suggestions and the observations of others because that can make all the difference in the world. Listening to my friends opinion and then discussing it with a family member and confirming that we all felt the design deserved to be a completely new product, opened the door to a brand new product that's both unique and well-received by buyers.Good things about these muffins:They're adorable!They're small but full of goodiesThey're priced right at just $11 each, most people buy the set of two for $20They're totally original! I have never seen a baby gift like them.They come with Gift the Bambino's convenient online ordering and FREE Shipping!They make a great solo gift or a nice addition to another gift.Just like all GTB products, they can be shipped directly to your gift recipient or you within about 5 business days.

Do You Know If You Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Posted by Sasha Ottey - PCOSChallenge.com on January 12, 2009 at 2:29pm

By Sasha Ottey
There is so much confusion surrounding PCOS, and there is quite a bit of debate going on in the medical community as well. In the US, there is an National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for diagnosing PCOS; however, more recently, there is another proposed diagnostic criteria by the Rotterdam European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)/American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).Here is a breakdown of the NIH and Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for diagnosing PCOS:NIH Diagnostic Criteria:

hyperandrogenism ( including hirsutism, acne, and/or other classic symptoms caused by excessive male hormones) or hyperandrogenemia (excess male hormones being made but not necessarily presenting with the symptoms (for example hirsutism)
oligo ovulation (irregular ovulation - the frequency of or the decreased amount of normal egg maturation)
exclusion (ruling out) of other possible or like disorders or diseases

Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria (after excluding other possible or similar disorders or diseases, two of three of the following:

oligo- or anovulation (irregular or no ovulation)
hyperandrogenism ( including hirsutism, acne, and/or other classic symptoms caused by excessive male hormones) or hyperandrogenemia (excess male hormones being made but not necessarily presenting with the symptoms (for example hirsutism)
polycystic ovaries

So, the major distinction between the NIH and Rotterdam diagnostic criteria is the emphasis on polycystic ovaries. The NIH diagnostic criteria did not require the presence of polycystic ovaries in order to diagnose PCOS, while the Rotterdam criteria strongly suggests polycystic ovaries as a diagnostic criteria.Who would not have been diagnosed with PCOS with the NIH criteria, but would be with the Rotterdam criteria?

women with normal ovulation, polycystic ovaries, and excess male hormones and/or classic symptoms such as hirsutism and acne¹
women with abnormal ovulation and polycystic ovaries, but without excess male hormones¹

The NIH criteria is generally used in the US, and extensive research is being done on the Rotterdam criteria at this time.¹ Azziz, Ricardo: The Rotterdam 2003 Criteria For Defining Pcos: Con (Or How To Define A Syndrome). http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jc.2005-2153v1.

Can PCOS Increase the Risk of Heart Disease?

Posted by Sasha Ottey - PCOSChallenge.com on January 12, 2009 at 2:24pm

Yes it can. Women with reversible Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are often not educated about the health risks associated with this condition. The risks, which include cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes, increase after menopause, according to a new study. [The study] published in the January 2007 edition of the journal Menopause, looked at 713 post-menopausal females, with 9.3% fitting the criteria of having PCOS. (1) The criteria for diagnosis included the presence of 3 or more of the following features common in PCOS: a history of irregular menses, hyper-androgenism (excess facial hair, male-pattern baldness), infertility or miscarriage, central obesity or Insulin Resistance. The study showed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease increased in women with 3 or more characteristics of PCOS. The most likely cause was the presence of Insulin Resistance, the root cause of PCOS. A reversible imbalance of insulin and blood glucose, Insulin Resistance leads to the body becoming insensitive to the insulin it produces, resulting in elevated circulating levels of the vital latter hormone. This, in turn, causes the hormonal imbalance and weight gain associated with PCOS. All these symptoms are risk factors for heart disease. The study highlights the importance of educating women about the condition. It is critical that all women realize the necessity of taking control of their health now and reversing PCOS, so that they do not suffer the future health risks associated with this condition.(1) Krentz AJ, von Muhlen D, Barrett-Connor E., Searching for polycystic ovary syndrome in postmenopausal women: evidence of a dose-effect association with prevalent cardiovascular disease. Menopause. 2007 Jan 19 PMID: 17245231Dr. Shackelton is a founding partner of Insulite Laboratories. She directs research and development of the formulas comprising the four Insulite Systems and those in development. Her study of the biochemical and physiological reasons for weight gain led to her focus on Insulin Resistance – the abnormal response of insulin to glucose - and its growing number of related conditions. www.pcos.insulitelabs.com

Untitled

Posted by Sharen Rooks Agency on January 12, 2009 at 6:41am

Enter Da Vinci’s Li Lash Giveaway! Jan. 12th - Jan 31st

Posted by Da Vinci on January 12, 2009 at 5:00am

It's time for another one of Da Vinci's Blog Log's Giveaways, This Month's Contest "Da Vinci's Li Lash Giveaway!" is running from Jan. 12th - Jan 31st. It's open to residents of the united states and canada 18 and over.

This month's contests is a GREAT one there but there can only be ONE winner the prizes has an approxiamate value of $140 so enter today for your chance to win.

Sponsor

2009 Women of the Year Awards

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on January 12, 2009 at 3:28am

Burger King Wants You To Drop Your Facebook Friends

Posted by Jim Neusom on January 11, 2009 at 6:51pm

Greetings Family,(Contact Information At The Bottom Of The Page)It's your friendly neighborhood "Digital Drummer" again...smileDo you have hundreds of friends on Facebook??? Well here is a good twist on Web 2.0 social-marketing. Facebook and Burger King are teaming up to give you a free Whopper…as long as you "sacrifice" 10 friends to get it.AdWeek reports that Crispin Porter + Bogusky, which designed the campaign, thought up the idea after realizing they all faced the same issue: dealing with too many Facebook friends…most of whom they might never have, “or even wanted to” meet. The question becomes, Which love is bigger?…your love for your friends, or your love for the WhopperLast week, fast-food giant Burger King released a Facebook application that gives you a free Whopper burger for every 10 friends you delete. On the Web site, WhopperSacrifice.com, they ask “What Would You Do For A Whopper?” Basically it’s an online coupon program that validates and announces your Facebook activity.Every time you ax a friend, a message will show up on the activity feed of your Facebook profile announcing to the world that you have sacrificed a friend for a free Whopper. They limit you to one coupon per account…no you can’t eat for a week off you’re Facebook friends or should I say ex-friends.As of this posting, 147,800 friends have been axed. ,This is an excellent example of Web 2.0 social-marketing…For those that are not up on the latest tech jargon, Web 2.0 is essentially the combination of Rich Media applications across multiple web platforms.Let me explain, social networks such as MySpace or FaceBook is not new. What's new, is how simply they integrate Rich Media such as pictures, videos, music,and widgets (think slide shows) into an online presentation, based primarily on social interaction….hence the term Web 2.0 social-marketingAlong those lines, I strongly recommend that if you're in business and looking to tap into social networking sites, you begin to look at developing applications and widgets that Band your name, and/or tie your customer base directly into a product or service. Burger King in barely a week, with no major advertizing has drawn 14,000 customers into its doors. Never forget that there’s a real person behind that online profile…As I've often said, the time of excuses is past (victim theology). We have no one but ourselves to blame, for the current state of Black content online. The Internet is full of free software and content development tools (see Facebook Developers Grant in my Blog). All we have to do is use them, and promote the end product amongst ourselves.Blacks are the originators of American pop culture. Now is the time for us to stop accepting the crumbs off the table and begin to enjoy the full fruits of our labor from this cornucopia of opportunity we call the Internet.How much are your friends worth?…a burger, a soda, a sale!***************(Advertisement)*********************Need some great ideas for corporate or personal gift-giving?Then go to City Lights Software(http://www.citylightssoftware.com)and see some of the most unique afrocentric gifts available online!We Deliver ONLINE - Direct To Your Desktop for just $14.95Please take the time to purchase one our afrocentric screen savers TODAY!Don't Just Talk the Talk...Let Your Dollars Walk the WalkIf you have any problems with purchasing online contact me direct at sales@citylightssoftware.comorcall(213) 944-4176***************************************************This Online Journal was brought to you by InterServe Networks. Feel Free To Forward To Your Network Of Online FriendsWe Practice Responsible E-Commerce Marketing and Privacy Policies. We do not indulge in or encourage Spamming. We never send unsolicited emails. You are receiving this message as part of our opt-in subscriber mailing list or you are a member of an affiliated newsgroup.For comments or suggestions please contact us at the following;Jim Neusom (jneusom@yahoo.com)Executive Director/PublisherInterServe Networks/City Lights Software, Inc.www.citylightssoftware.comwww.freshfaces2u.comwww.myspace.com/jimneusomwww.myspace.com/freshfaces2uTo subscribe to our opt-in mailing list simply send an email to; The_City_Lights_Reporter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com( on Myspace go to http://blog.myspace.com/jimneusom)

Are You Ready For Your Feature>???

Posted by Eddie on January 11, 2009 at 6:00pm

I know you have all heard of "A Few Good Men"...well, I'm looking to feature a "Few Fabulous Women" at www.fabuluosblackwwoman.com Check out January's Features!http://www.fabulousblackwoman.com/Visitorcorner.html If you are interested PLEASE send me a brief bio along with a picture and your logo to eddie@fabulousblackwoman.com (If you want the left side column, please send me your story and a picture and logo).

My Grandmother~ An Empowering Woman

Posted by Kara Norman on January 11, 2009 at 4:50pm

I was reading through my post in reply to Staci’s Wallace’s (Founder of Empowering Women's website) blog “Beyond the Vote” about what we are to do after Barack Obama's election to move into a place of action, and how I wrote about my Grandmother who was 83 and witnessed his election just two day prior, I am in tears. Just three days after Barack Obama was elected President, she was airlifted to a hospital in Atlanta and was placed on a ventilator after suffering not one but three brain aneurysms. My grandmother was my world. She taught me how to drive, she was there when I came on my period, she was my everything. I spent summers, and holidays with her so it was very difficult for me as I spent a week with her in the ICU watching her struggle to live and breath and then to watch her die, I am sad, in tears, grateful and just overwhelmed by this loss.My grandmother was a TRUE and ORIGINAL 'empowering woman'. She went to a historically black college (Clark Atlanta University) when few African Americans could even read and write let alone go to college. She told me months before she passed away that she had seen wonderful pioneers such as Mary McLeod Bethune and W.E.B. Dubois (was a professor at CAU at the time) walking around the her campus when she was a student. She graduated with a degree in education and taught elementary school for 37 years and even taught a second grade class of students during integration. Her marriage was very hard and my mom and aunts and uncles (6 children in all) say that he was a very difficult and unsupportive husband, but she still managed, to work, raise a family, be active in the church/community and make a way for her family. Despite all she dealt with in her life, she still managed to give back even in her later years. When I was in my early twenties, my grandmother helped teach a older woman in her church how to read, and she did this once a week over the phone. This woman was in her late sixties and had never learned to read, and my Grandma took it upon her self to teach her friend/church member something we take for granted in this day and age. They started with basic elementary school books and worked their way up to bible stories. What a precious gift she gave her friend.I struggle through my tears as it’s been a week or so since we buried her, but reading my post to Staci’s website, and actually going to visit my Grandmother on the day that we voted for Barack Obama (my last day to see her alive and functioning as normal), just sitting and talking with her about how she never thought she would see the day that an African American would be president and then to loose her so quickly, I am grateful. That my daughter’s who are 10 and 4 got to experience, love and be around their great grandmother is truly a blessing. They cried at her funeral because they would not see their precious “G.G” (Great Grandma) as they called her anymore. My Grandma Lucy was truly a woman of God, whenever I went to visit her throughout my whole life she always had a bible and devotional on her bed. You would think that after 80 years of life you wouldn’t need to study His word as much but she taught me that you always need God no matter how old you are. My Grandma was a strong, yet meek woman, always had a smile on her face and LOVED the Lord. She was active in her small country church in Georgia. In her dying days she could no longer smile, lift her arms or move her legs. So we, my mother and my aunt would read her, her favorite scriptures and sing her favorite hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus”. I could see only in her eyes that she heard every word and song that we sang.At her funeral her pastor said that she was truly a woman of God an empowering woman that inspired us all and he asked the audience who would take her place, who could she pass her baton to, who would fill her pew in the church. As I sat in the pews that I grew up in during my visits to my Grandma’s house, I realized that I would take her baton; it would be me that would carry on in her place. My dreams of inspiring girls and women are beyond what my Grandma could imagine in her time, she just wanted to teach young children. My dream is to empower and help girls/women to realize who they truly are and how special they are. I realize today, as I am sad by her loss, but encouraged by how much of an impact she had on me to make me be the woman that I am. To see how she raised my mom to be the beautiful and awesome woman that she is and how that trickles down through generations is truly amazing. So today I continue with my Grandma’s baton to lead the way to make a difference and influence generations to come. Nothing is impossible when it comes to our dreams and God!Picture: Four Generations: My Grandmother, Me, My Mother and My Youngest Daughter Kennedy in front of my Grandmother's Church August 2008:

MONEY MAKIN ENTREPRENEURS

Posted by CASSANDRA on January 11, 2009 at 3:21pm

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL THE NETWORKING PEOPLE TO A NEW WEBSITE CALLED MONEY MAKIN ENTREPRENEURS. ITS NEW AND WE ARE READY TO START BUILDING A SOLID NETWORK. WE REALIZE THAT EVERYONE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO NETWORK AND MAKE MONEY. IF THIS NETWORK BECOMES A SUCCESS, WE WANT TO HOLD A CONVENTION FOR ALL THE ENTREPRENEURS.I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO JOIN US AND SPREAD THE WORD!www.moneymakinentrepreneurs.ning.com

Winter Hair Care Tips

Posted by Rhonda Jai on January 11, 2009 at 6:05am

The winter is here and in full effect in Michigan; which means a change of wardrobe, driving conditions and should mean a change in your hair care regimen. If you were lax in your hair care during the warmer months, you may have survived with minor damage, but if you do not take some serious precautions during the colder months, come Spring, you will definitely regret it. Because the winter months can wreak havoc on your hair, it’s very important to choose low maintenance styles so that you do not have to comb or brush often. It’s also a great idea to incorporate a routine that causes very little stress on your hair such as letting the hair air dry instead of blow drying it; finger combing the hair instead of using an actual comb; or if you do use a comb, use a wide tooth comb. Also, chose good moisturizing hair care products that do not contain mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, SLS or SLES, as all of these cause dryness....read more

Use what you have

Posted by Everlena N Jackson on January 11, 2009 at 3:20am

Don't waste a lot of time making judgments about what you have. Instead, put it to use.Stop complaining that it's not enough or that it's not fair. Just get busy and make the most of it.Fighting against what already is, will only slow you down. Instead, make good and productive use of what is, whatever it may be, and you'll find many ways to move forward.If you wait until things are perfect before taking action, that day will never come. Use what you have, as flawed and imperfect as it may seem, and you'll soon be making massive improvements to it all.Don't worry about comparing what you have to what others may or may not have. Just concern yourself with doing the best you can do.Start from where you are, with what you have, and persistently do what you know you must do. There is no limit to where you can go.-- Ralph MarstonEverlena JacksonProud Work at Hom Momwww.wahmgogreen.tkwww.saferisbetter.com/ejack

Cultivating Your Dream/Seed

Posted by Angela Sanders on January 11, 2009 at 3:13am

When it comes to achieving one’s dreams there are three types of people: those who talk about their dream, those who pursue their dreams but when times get rough they give up. Finally, you have those individuals who endure until they see their dreams materialize. It’s my intention to speak to all three. By the time you finish this I pray that you will be encouraged as well as on fire to see your dreams materialize.In regards to the first individual, this person only speaks of their dreams. They never take the necessary steps to put their plan into motion. These individuals will tell anyone who will listen to them for ten minutes their ideas and visions. However, when you ask the individual “What are you doing to achieve your dream?” Their answer is simple, “I’m working on it.”Next, you have the individual who pursues their dreams but gives up just before their harvest comes in. When their first started they had a plan. (Their plan) However, as time went on they ran into a roadblock or their finances where under attack. In addition to this, this individual perhaps didn’t have a support or someone to encourage them or build them up. In the end, these individuals feel two ways. Their either feel as though they gave it their best shot, they made a mistake or they feel as though their failures.Finally, you have the individual who has endured until what they believe comes to pass. When it seem as though they would fail, they kept pushing forward. When everyone told them they was crazy and to give up they took the criticism but they kept their eyes on the prize. These individuals never looked at what they saw where they we’re at. Instead they looked to the future. They looked at the end result of their endeavor. This person received revelation in which I want to share with you and this revelation is life changing.The difference between the first two individuals and the last individuals is the latter realized the principle of farming. This person realizes the importance of cultivating the seed. When a farmer plants a seed, he does several things. First, the farmer must go plant the seed. (The dreamer with on action) Next, the farmer has to pull the weeds and water the seed. He does this for several times day for weeks at a time sometime months. During this time, the farmer is realistic. He knows it’s impossible to plant his seed on Sunday and have a crop on Wednesday. However, one day the farmer goes out and he has a full beautiful harvest. The farmer now knows it’s time to glean his fields.This revelation isn’t new. Nor did the farmers create this method. To tell you the truth I know nothing about farming. However, I serve an awesome God. Jesus used this very message in a parable to describe not only what the Kingdom of God is like but also what would happen in the end times. He was giving a prophecy to His Children. God has planted a seed in all of His Children to do His Will, His Plans, His Purpose and His Good Pleasure.There are many individuals out their just like me who has been given a mission which seems impossible. You have actually “seen” where you end up. You know that you get there even though everything you see and everyone around tells you your not. Sometimes, you wonder yourselves if you get there. Well, my brothers and sisters I have a message for you from Our Father…If you hold on and know that He’s God you are about to see a manifestation of God’s Glory that has never been displayed on earth. He is faithful and true to His Word. Who can call God a liar and prove that He doesn’t keep His Word. You must tell yourself over and over again His Word doesn’t return to Him void. He knows the words He has spoken over our lives. (Isaiah 55:11) He knows you before you were born and has good plans for you. (Jeremiah 1:5/11:29) We have overcome the world. We are Son and Daughters of The Most High God.He has asked me to impress upon you the significances of your dreams and visions and purpose. It’s not for you. Yes, you receive a reward for your obedience but it’s not for you it’s for the whole; the masses. A couple of days ago I receive this message which I will share with you…Connect the stories, the missions, the talents and the gifts. Together they tell a story to the world. Together, all of your lights shine bright…alone your lights are only dots. You all need to realize your lights together create a blinding light. Collectively, your lights are a beacon of hope to the world. Together, you rise…however separately there’s no progress. You have to come together to rise.People, we are in the dawn of a new day. I understand all three individuals because I have been all three individuals. I want you to know and get this in your minds for those that struggle. What keep me going are five things…1. I have seen the end result of my efforts and obedience2. It’s not about me. I’ve been called for the masses.3. There’s a Word spoken over my life that will not fail4. Every time I think about giving up I know it could be just around the corner5. I serve an awesome God who rewards those who diligently seek HimI encourage you to hold on. Keep dreaming we share Big God. Finally, everyresource we need is in us, around us or coming to us!

DO YOU KNOW YOUR SOUL PURPOSE?

Posted by Yvonne Long on January 11, 2009 at 2:30am

Hello All,I am a Realtor and passionate about improving ones mental and physical well-being.I was recently introduced to Soul Purpose as a way to supplement my income andpromote good skin care. I am really excited about the line of natural, organic skin care products whichtakes care of your skin while being mindful of our planet.Being associated with a company that is Christian based, and started by a dynamicindividual who is truly passionate about helping others and making difference in the world.It just makes sense for me since I am passionate about empowering others 2 succeed andimprove their health.Go Here to experience my excitement that will thrill your body, mind, soul, and spirit!www.ylong.soulpurpose.netylong@youngevityonline.comhttp://www.myspace.com/442878347--For free samples please visit my myspace page!

Welcome to Diva Elegance:

Posted by Jammie on January 11, 2009 at 2:00am

Hello Ladies , My name is Jammie Wilson , I am the owner of Diva Elegance.A site that has plenty of ideas on how to make different kinds of party favors, for all occasions. If you would like to create your own party favors, then ladies you've come to the right site we create from cake tops, capias, party glasses, and party favors and more.Before I go any futher , I would like to tell you how Diva Elegance came about , 3 yrs ago I when to a party store and picked up a glass and some other crafted items to make a certain party glass and succeeded. In the glass I had made , so I had lots of ideas in my head on how to make other party favors, then one day I planned my step-daughters baby shower, I did the decorations and all . So then I also had a dream at the age of 19, of the many beautiful party favors I made, but did not realize that I would be following that dream , and so now here I am doing what I'd dreamed what I be doing.

The Eyes Have It

Posted by Dyanner Brown on January 11, 2009 at 1:30am

The Eyes Have ItDyanner Brown~ Talitha Cumi Inspireswww.talithacumiinspirestheworld.ning.com

I was listening to my one of my favorite songs, “Give me your eyes”, by Christian Song Artist, Brandon Heath and while I listened to the lyrics I was moved! In fact, I was so moved by the lyrics I heard, that I began writing this conversation. Before I begin, allow me to share with you just a few words of the lyrics that moved me so much:

Looked down from my broken sky.Tree top by the city lights.My world from a mile high.Best seat in the house tonight.

Touched down on the cold black tar.Hold on for the sudden star.

Breathe in the familiar shock of confusion and caos.

All those people, going somewhere.Why have I never cared?Give me your eyes for just one second.Give me your eyes so I can see.Everything that I keep missing, give me your love for humanity.

Give your arms for the broken hearted.The ones that are far beyond my reach.

Give me your heart for the ones forgottenGive me your eyes so I can see, Yeah.

Now that I have shared some of those words.. Did you know that the eyes have it? Its true, our eyes decide what is good and what is bad.

We look at things, people and items and make decisions and choices and even judgments by what we see. The question is what are we seeing and what are we deciding when we see whatever it or whom it is that we see? Allow me to ask; Have you ever looked at someone and thought the wrong thing, made a hasty judgement; made a comment; whether good or bad?

Oh… Come on.. Sure you have!! I know that I certainly have. Oh, I know, we are suppose to be Christians and good people, and yet we sometimes judge others by what we see.

When we see a woman dressed in something that we think is provocative, do we assume that she is attempting to entice someone, automatically; or do we think that she is just confident and assured enough to wear whatever she wants, regardless of what others think. When we see a man not dressed in a business suit, shirt and tie or who may be dressed in jeans and a tee, to be someone who is worthless and not well to do, or do we consider that he may be just dressed down for a quiet leisurely, weekend in the park.

Perception is something! We most often are ready to except something negative about a person, instead of taking the time to believe in some consideration that is positive about a person. Why is this? I am glad you asked… (laughing).

Its simple, beloved; we are a flawed race. When I say race, I am referring to the only race that I believe that there truly is and that’s the human race. All these various tones and shades of skin are just the beautiful cosmetics that God chose for our one true race to have, to reveal our individuality and our giftings that go with our God given purposes. But.. that’s a different conversation, that we can discuss at a later time..

Gotcha thinking though, right? Yeah, I know. But, nevertheless, back to the topic at hand; our perceptions. As members of the human race, we have flawed perception, vision and insight. We more often than not, are looking out of dirty lenses at the rest of the world, thinking about how dirty, ugly, bad, horrible and terrible everything and everyone is. We so easily take the stance that it is everyone else, who is in great need of change. We very seldom take the time to consider the concept that it is we, who need this change that we are so often discussing. In other words, we need to clean our lenses from time to time! Our perceptions are not at all what they should be. Don’t believe it?

Consider for a moment, what the media does on a daily basis, or the paparazzi. Does the media, which is a form of perception and views from others, about the world; automatically spin a positive story before a negative one? Why are there so many tabloid stories? If we see a young woman with all of her cut off, and she is bald, what do we automatically think? Do we think that she is undergoing cancer treatments, is a part of a cult or just making a fashion statement? Perhaps its none of the above. Perhaps she just likes having a low maintenance hair style. No muss, no fuss. The thing is, we may never know the motives or reasons for why individuals do what they do, make the choices they make or wear their hair the way they wear their hair. We may never know unless we actually take the time to reach out to people.

REaching out to others takes the love of God, which is the only powerful factor that can cause us to do things selflessly. In fact, it is our love or lack of love for ourselves that often hinders us from reaching out to others or loving them. Let alone, viewing them, as Jesus would view them. Many of us have a difficult time viewing ourselves as Jesus does. I am certain, that if there was a way to do an anonymous poll, asking those involved, if they really truly loved who themselves, many would find a reasoning for not loving themselves. If I or anyone did love ourselves, we could not love someone else. The world is filled with individuals who do not love themselves, which means, they do not have the ability to truly love someone else. This is indicated by the high rates of crime, suicides, homicides, adultery, thefts.. etc..Luke 10:27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart [emotions, feelings, thoughts, opinions, views, vision, perception], and with all thy soul [mind, will, intellect] ,and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and [love] thy neighbour as thyself.

Jesus' perception and vision was blind when it came to the flaws or short comings of others. Jesus never made assumptions. He just went to the heart of the needs of an individual and ministered to them according to that need. His vision is just like a song I heard a long time ago, “HE looked beyond my faults and saw my needs.” What if every person in the world did this; looking beyond the faults of others to meet their needs. What if we all practiced this Jesus that we preach about! What if we truly ignored the automatic human frailties within us all, decided to cleanse our lenses of perception within our own minds, and then went out into the world to meet the needs of others. What a world this would be!!!!!

If we are the body of Christ; perhaps we need to begin with the eyes of Jesus. It’s the Eyes that have the biggest impact on others. Through the eyes, our hearts are affected and determine what we will become for others. We can either be judge and jury with the sentence we give out, returning back to us, or we can be that listening ear, that catalyst of kindness, that inspiring friend or just a caring stranger.

Let us be encouraged from this day and moving forward, to take the time to cleanse the lens of our perceptions before making judgments and show the love of Christ to others. We can not show the love of Christ if our hearts have been negatively affected by what our eyes, and our peceptions have determined. This misperception occurs when we take our focus off of Jesus. WE lose focus by daily obligations, frustrations, agitations and distractions. The enemy enjoys plaguing and bombarding with mondane busy-ness. Of course, in today's society, it is often misconstude as business.

We have to remember to keep the main thing the main thing so that we do not become distracted from Christ and our true purpose of bringing glory to God and bringing the kingdom of God to the world. Our main thing, beloved is keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. As long as we have our eyes fixed on Jesus, the distractions have no chance of getting in. Through keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we also gain the greatest perspective we could ever have of the world and others in the world. We begin to see through His eyes. You see, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, through His word. The word of God cleanses and washes us. This washing of the word renews our minds as well as cleanses our "lenses, our veiws, our perceptions and all that we see".Romans 12:2And be not [do not be] conformed to [have the same perception, views, mindsets, eyes of] this world: but be ye transformed [changed, made over, purified, made greater, made better] by the renewing [changing, cleansing, restoring, rejuevenation, expanding, betterment, prospering, progressing] of your mind[soul, intellect, thoughts, opinions, views, sight, vision, eyes], that ye may prove[show, reveal, display, portray] what is that good [right, righteous, blessed, gracious, merciful, loving], and acceptable, and perfect, will[mind, thoughts, considerations, opinions, views, vision, sight, eyes] of God.

How we think, percieve, invision and see God, the world and others, as well as ourselves, is cleansed through the word of God. We begin to abide in Jesus and He abides inside of us through our meditation and study of the word of God. Its through Jesus Christ, we can do all things, including see others through the most perfect lense there could ever be.. the love and wod of Jesus Christ!Ephesians 5:25b-26... Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it [the church, those who believe on Him] with the washing of water by the word,

Decide today, beloved, to have the eyes of God and be the eyes of Jesus. Since this message goes to me first, allow me to be the first to say… I am making a decision to not judge others, by my own faulty perceptions, or dirty lenses. I choose to see others through the eyes of Jesus. I ask you Lord to give me your eyes each and every moment. Help me to see others as you do and to love them as you do to. Help me to be your eyes in the earth, as you have purposed for me to be, that I may lead someone to you, through your vision and your love.

After all, beloved, we all need an encouraging word from time to time. Just remember, whatever we sow, that’s what we will reap. When we sow love and positivity, we will reap the harvest of that love. Try it.. WE truly can not beat God giving. Everytime I have inspired the life of someone else, God has always, inspired me in some way. I am truly blessed to be a blessing and that’s when I realize that there is something so much more real to living for Christ that idle words and phrases.

I pray that you are blessed beyond measure today and always as you begin to see the world and those around you with a set of brand new eyes. What great and wonderful thing will God cause you to see? I am certain it will match His word..1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

What an amazing view that will be, when we all can see with the eyes of Jesus. We would begin to have the life, and life more abundantly that Christ came to give us, to the full until it overflows and overflows into the lives of others; creating an endlows flow of the love of Jesus Christ in the world. Perhaps listening to Brandon Heath's, "Give me Your Eyes", will help you begin to see with the eyes of Jesus. How else can we serve the Lord, except we operate as the body of Christ, seeing with His eyes first!Agape Always beloved of God!Be inspired, Be edified. Be encouraged. Be uplifted today and always to live life and life more abundantly, to the full, until it overflows as you aspire and arise to be more than you ever imagined that you could ever be through Christ Jesus.Dyanner Brown~ Talitha Cumi Inspireswww.talithacumiinspirestheworld.ning.com

Toy Story, the Adult Version

Posted by Debrah on January 10, 2009 at 11:30pm

January 8, 2009By RUTH LA FERLA-The New York TimesLATELY, Karen Weller has been passing on Starbucks double lattes and dinners on the town. But she could not resist stopping in the other day at Dascha Boudoir Boutique in Washington, to check out the We-Vibe, a compact vibrator, all slippery surfaces and C-shaped curves.Was it the plaything’s novel design and faintly louche leopard-spot packaging or the shop’s friendly service that induced her to part with $145 — and the last remnants of fiscal restraint? Ms. Weller could not say, offering simply that the vibrator “just seemed an indulgence worth the price.”Point-and-shoot cameras, CDs and fancy woven handbags may languish on store shelves. But women like Ms. Weller, a nurse from Frederick, Md., are willing to splurge, spending as much as $100 or more for a pulsing rubber duckie or bath sponge, a vibrating bullet or lipstick tube. Their fascination with such battery-operated novelties is rendering luxury sex toys a thriving sector in an otherwise listless economy.“The Dow may have taken a nose dive, but our sales have only increased,” said Josie Morales, a partner in Their Toys, a nine-month-old Web site with offices near Palm Beach, Fla. Sales, Ms. Morales said, have increased steadily, by about 10 percent a month, since the site was introduced. “The last time we saw a spike in our business was after 9/11,” said Claire Cavanah, a founder of Babeland, a Web site and store in New York that sells erotic paraphernalia. Since last year, sales of gadgets priced at $80 or more have risen by 50 percent, Ms. Cavanah said. “People are looking for stress relief and a little connection.”Even in a lingering recession, “sex will always sell,” said Analena Graham, an owner of Dascha, where cone-shaped vibrators and jewel-tone fur ticklers are showcased alongside made-to-order corsets and aromatic oils. “You might tell yourself, ‘I can do without that $400 sweater,’ ” Ms. Graham went on, “ ‘but I would still like to have that rechargeable vibrator.’ ”Also popular are pulsing cigars that turn into pendants, and pearl wrist restraints that double as necklaces. People are paying as much as $250 for similarly kinky designs, said Robyn Goodman, chief of American operations for Myla, a British-owned boutique chain and Web site. “They don’t feel like they’re getting a bit of smut,” Ms. Goodman said. “They feel like they acquiring a very boudoir-style, high-end luxury.”Certainly luxury sex toys have attained a kind of winking acceptance, their gradual mainstreaming hardly surprising in a society that does not blush at pole-dancing workout videos. Shoppers seem to like the gadgets’ streamlined shapes, their durability and their sometimes lofty pedigrees. (In the last half-dozen years, design-world luminaries like Marc Newson and Tom Dixon have lent their names and engineering skills to an assortment of sleek upscale vibrators.)Dr. Judy Kuriansky, the sex therapist, suggested that a heightened interest in sensually appealing devices is partly an outgrowth of a troubled economy. When money is tight, some people withdraw from sex, she said, but many others “will do anything to increase the level of closeness and pleasure.”Sellers maintain that sex trinkets have not been affected by the recession that has hurt other segments of the multitentacled sex entertainment industry. “Business overall is down by 5 percent or more,” said Tony Lovett, the editor and publisher of Adult Video News, a trade publication. “But if consumers are spending their money on anything, they are spending it on a good-looking quality product.”Just a couple of years ago, manufacturers predicted that there would be never be a market for a $100 sex toy, Mr. Lovett added. “But they’ve been proven wrong.”And manufacturers today are catering aggressively to caviar tastes. Lelo (pronounced lay-low), a company based in Sweden, is reporting a run on the Gigi, a rose-colored rechargeable vibrator shaped like an overfed spoon ($109), and the Nea ($89), a palm-size massager billed as “full of toe-curling promise,” shaped much like a wireless computer mouse. Sales of such cleverly made items have climbed by 10 percent since June, said Shaye Saldana, a marketing manager for the company.Style counts, but retailers will tell you, poker-faced, that in These Difficult Times, people buy sex toys for diversion and solace.“When your world is lurching sideways,” Ms. Cavanah said, “it’s good to go home to a nice bed — and a little intimacy.”

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.