by JTwisdom | Jun 20, 2021 | From the Heart |
Good Afternoon, Wonderful People
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of the fathers a very Happy Father’s Day. I’m not going to lie. For me, this day is tough. My father passed away when I was twelve. To be honest, I use to hate it. Having to ‘celebrate’ it without him was tough, especially when I would see other people’s fathers were still alive. What made it even harder is that my father’s birthday is June 13th, usually just days before Father’s Day. As time went on, I was able to turn my grief into joy. And today, I can take what was a sad day and still celebrate Father’s Day even though my own father is in Heaven.
Jay with his father
I know that many people who have lost their fathers will spend the day at the cemetery. For me, this is a big NO. I have done that in the past, and I felt more depressed and sad when I left. I refuse to go to a cemetery unless I am there for an actual funeral. For me, a cemetery does not bring me good feelings for my father. It just reminds me that he is gone and not with me in the physical world. And I am surrounded by the reminder that family members and other people are no longer with us. There is something about a tombstone that doesn’t bring me peace. So that is why I am not going to a cemetery unless it is to honor a family member or friend who recently passed.
When I am in a cemetery, it makes me focus on my father’s death. The last six weeks of his life were extremely hard for him. He lost his battle with lung cancer. I don’t want want to focus on that or how he struggled to live. I want to focus on his life and how he lived it. I want to focus on what he meant to me, my mother, my family, and the people he knew. Although he walked on this earth for only 54 years, he greatly impacted the people who knew him.
I want to remember him as the man who started a construction company with only an eighth-grade education. I want to remember the man who provided for this family, for his employees, and the partners even when he struggled through the tough times in business. Finally, I want to remember the man who told my mother that he wanted just one more child, which is why I am here today.
On Father’s Day, It is easy to think about the times that I lost out with him not being there. The first shave, my graduation ceremonies, my wedding, or the father-son talks that he missed out on. But I focus my mind on thinking about the good memories that I have of my daddy. I would spend time traveling to the construction sites; when he would give me a paycheck for helping him on the job or watching him build things in his woodworking shop. I had to train myself to focus on the good memories and to cast aside the bad memories. I had to work hard to focus on how he lived his life and not think about how his life ended. As the years went by, it became easier for my mind to stay focused on the good times. And now when I think about him, or his birthday or Father’s Day,
On this Father’s Day, I want to honor and thank my father. He is the reason I am here and why I am the man I am today. Even though his death has separated us in the natural for almost thirty-four years, I will always have him close in my heart.
Thank You, Daddy!
I Love You!
If your father is in Heaven, how do you remember him on this day?
by JTwisdom | Jun 19, 2021 | From the Heart |
Hello! Wonderful People
I pray that you are having a wonderful day and keeping cool during this heatwave that we are experiencing on the first weekend of summer.
Today is June 19th, and I remember my mother today because it’s her heavenly birthday. Today has also been designated as a new federal holiday, honoring the legacy of Juneteenth. Many people may not be familiar with what Juneteenth is and why it needs to be celebrated and remembered.
June 19, 1865, marks the official end of slavery in the United States when the last remaining slaves were freed inTexas. The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln, became law on January 1, 1863, and marked the end of slavery in the United States. But it would take two and a half years for all enslaved people to experience their freedom. Texas was the last of the confederate states that stood in rebellion following the Civil War. However, due to insufficient Union troops and officials in Texas, the Emancipation Proclamation was not easily enforced, and enslaved people were still being held captive there.
Union Major Gen. Gordon Granger and his regiment rode into Galveston on June 19, 1865, with news that the Civil War had ended in April and that the more than 250,000 enslaved people living in Texas were now free. Granger proclaimed,
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”
Almost immediately, enslaved people in Texas celebrated their freedom with great joy and jubilation. They coined the celebration as Juneteenth. And in the years that followed, the newly freed men and women and their descendants would celebrate the day with music, BBQs, and prayer services. There is even a Miss Juneteenth Pageant in Fort Worth, Texas.
And now, one hundred and fifty-six years later, Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday. But how should we be celebrating or honoring this day?
I believe it is an opportunity to teach people of all ages about the stain that slavery has left on our country. The United States was established on the principles of freedom, but that freedom was not given to all people.
I believe it is an opportunity to teach people of all ages about unity and acceptance of all people, regardless of skin color or ethnicity. No matter what they believe in or who they pray to. We need to look at their heart and their character and learn to love them for who they are.
I believe it is an opportunity to teach people that history is not an easy thing to understand, that there is more to understanding it and learning it than what is presented in our textbooks. That the history of people who don’t look like us still needs to be studied and learned.
I am interested to see how, in the coming years, Juneteenth will be celebrated and honored. I see it as a great opportunity for healing and unity in this country. But only if everyone makes that effort and takes a step closer together.
SOURCES:
Foxnews.com
Juneteenth.com
by | Jun 14, 2021 | Lifestyle |
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A healthy diet is the key to feeling amazing in body and mind. The right foods can nourish our bodies, give us energy, boost our moods, and more. If you want to improve your diet but you’re not quite sure where to begin, check out these five ideas.
Set yourself goals
To improve your diet and boost your health, it’s a good idea to set some health goals. When you’re setting health goals, keep your goals achievable and realistic. A few example diet goals might be:
– Learn one new healthy recipe every week.
– Have at least three different vegetables in each meal.
– Eat more nutrient-rich food (including salmon, kale, and blueberries).
– Reduce your intake of sugar.
– Give up one non-healthy food item.
Grow your own vegetables
To improve your diet, it’s a great idea to grow your own vegetables. Before you get started, you’ll need to create a healthy compost pile. To make a compost pile, you’ll need green materials such as vegetable scraps, grass trimmings, and coffee grounds. You’ll also need brown materials such as cardboard and wood chippings. Use an equal amount of green materials and brown materials to make healthy compost. Make a start with easy-to-grow vegetables, including potatoes and tomatoes.
Learn new recipes
Challenge yourself to learn some new healthy recipes. Learning new recipes is a great way to motivate yourself to eat healthier. To find a few tasty ideas, try these recipe apps:
* Oh She Glows: This app has plenty of healthy recipes to inspire you. All of the recipes feature easy instructions and gorgeous photos. You can search using keywords and titles, so it’s easy to find exactly what you want.
* Green Kitchen: The Green Kitchen app is a great place to find tasty vegetarian recipes. There are lots of options, and all recipes contain minimal gluten, sugar, and dairy. To help you get more vegetables in your diet, this is a great app.
Focus on natural foods
To lead a healthy lifestyle, focus on eating natural foods and avoid junk foods and overly processed foods. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, and eggs. Avoid an excessive amount of carbs, cheese, and sugary foods. To help inspire you, there are plenty of healthy eating podcasts which can give you ideas.
Try a health program.
One of the best ways to improve your diet is to book an online health program. With the help of a wellness expert, you can learn how to improve your diet, physical health, and mental health. By following a structured health program, it’s easier to achieve the results you desire. There are many different wellness programs available, depending on which area you would like to focus on.
Once you make some good changes to your diet, you’ll notice that you feel better in body and mind. Set a few health goals today, using these five areas of inspiration.
by | May 31, 2021 | Giveaway |
Good Afternoon, Wonderful People
Today, we are celebrating the Memorial Day holiday. Some see it as the first unofficial day of the summer season and a reason for a vacation with the family. Others see it as a reason to fire up the grill and feast on some BBQ with some friends. For others, it may be just a day off for an extra-long weekend. Whatever it means to you, we cannot forget the real reason for the holiday itself. Today, we remember the men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom in this country. Not only did they fight in a foreign war or serve in the armed forces, but ultimately lost their life. We can never forget about what we have because of what they gave. I say it, and every day, THANK YOU!
Their sacrifice reminds me of what Jesus Christ did for us. He came down from Heaven to serve the people. He taught them. He healed them. He encouraged them. But it was His ultimate sacrifice of death on the cross that gave me (and you) the ultimate freedom – everlasting life and closeness with God.
These stories and promises of what God gave to me through Jesus Christ can be found throughout the Bible. These stories are often difficult to understand without the proper context found in an excellent study bible. The new Holman KJV Study Bible will help you fully understand the stories of the Old Testament, the parables of the New Testament, and what His ultimate sacrifice means to me as a child of God.
We recently hosted a giveaway, where our blog followers and Instagram followers had a chance to win one of the new Holman KJV Study Bibles.
Congratulations to Deloris (from Instagram), the winner of the Giveaway.
Deloris will receive their own copy of the Holman KJV Study Bible. We will be in contact with you soon.
Stay Tuned for our next giveaway, coming soon!
FTC Disclaimer:
In collaboration with LEV3L Digital, we received a copy of the Holman KJV Study Bible to provide an honest review and host this giveaway.
by | May 24, 2021 | Lifestyle |
Lipstick is one of the best ways to lift your look and elevate your style, but so many women aren’t using it to their full potential. Let’s change that right now by looking at some of the best lipstick hacks I know…
Pexels – CCO Licence
Smooth your smile
If you want your smile to be as smooth and slick as possible, you should exfoliate your lips while they’re dry, using a clean mascara wand. Once you’ve removed the dead skin, apply a little lip balm, and slick on your favorite shade of lipstick for a smooth, flawless look.
Whiten your teeth
Although lipstick won’t permanently lighten your teeth – you’ll need the help of a good cosmetic dentist like Prince Dental Group for that – it can provide a temporary solution. If your teeth are looking less than perfectly pearly, apply a pinky-nude shade to your lips and your teeth will instantly look whiter and brighter. Dark shades just highlight the yellow of your teeth, while light pinky shades will detract from any imperfections and immediately brighten your style. It really is that simple.
Brighten your cheeks
So many women still don’t know that lipstick doesn’t just have to stay n the lips., Your favorite shade of pink lipstick can also be applied to your cheeks, and as long as you blend it carefully, it will give you a healthy colorful glow that’s just as good as any cream blush on the market.
Pexels – CCO Licence
Get precise with a concealer brush
If you want your lipstick to look as neat and natural as possible, instead of applying it with a lipstick brush, or directly from the lipstick container, use a concealer brush instead. This brilliant beauty hack will not only allow you to apply it far more accurately, but it will also enable you to create an opaque look that it would be difficult to achieve using other methods.
Make it last
If your sick of having to reapply your lipstick look every few hours, simply apply a thin layer of translucent powder over your lipstick once it has been fully applied, and then do a little blotting with a tissue to remove the excess, The powder will not only keep your lipstick in place all day, but it will help you achieve a more natural matte look without much effort.
Go a shade darker
If nude lipstick is your thing, but you can never seem to make it look as good as the models do, it’s not you – it’s your lipstick. So many women make the mistake of choosing a nude lipstick that is the same color as their skin, when actually., they should be choosing a nude that is one shade darker than they are. This will help to give the lips more definition, while still appearing to be nude and natural.
Now you know the secrets to better-looking lipstick, time to start practicing so next time you have a big night out, you can really blow everyone away with your luscious, long-lasting lips.
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