Sunday Open Thread | Praise & Worship

Posted on March 22, 2015 by SouthernGirl2

About SouthernGirl2

A Native Texan who adores baby kittens, loves horses, rodeos, pomegranates, & collect Eagles. Enjoys politics, games shows, & dancing to all types of music. Loves discussing and learning about different cultures. A Phi Theta Kappa lifetime member with a passion for Social & Civil Justice.
This entry was posted in Christianity, Current Events, Gospel, Music, News, Open Thread, Politics, Praise, Spirituality, Worship and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

105 Responses to Sunday Open Thread | Praise & Worship

  1. vitaminlover says:
    March 22, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    I can’t get enough of My President, his wife and family!

    Reply
  4. rikyrah says:
    March 22, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    For President Obama, Camp David often ranks as the venue of last resort

    By Juliet Eilperin March 20
    On Monday, when Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani visits Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland will once again serve as the venue for important geopolitical negotiations on seemingly in­trac­table issues, a role it has played for more than seven decades.

    But as Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other Cabinet members host the Afghan president, one major U.S. figure will not be present: President Obama.

    The president’s absence is just one signal of how the role of the cloistered compound in Catoctin Mountain Park has changed under this president, a city dweller who prefers gym workouts and golf courses to hiking trips and fly-fishing expeditions.

    For several of Obama’s predecessors, Camp David was a critical refuge from the public spotlight and a chance to spend time outdoors, as well as a forum for soft-touch presidential diplomacy.

    For this president, its role has receded. When he wants to woo or entertain foreign leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping or Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Obama has opted for California’s Sunnylands retreat, which offers plenty of sunshine and an 18-hole golf course. When he’s looking to relax on his own, the woods are rarely his first choice.

    Although the current first family does use the naval installation as a location for key celebrations, it is now used more for administrative events like staff retreats and other work-related meetings.

    Shortly after Obama took office, first lady Michelle Obama said the “most unexpected and uniform advice” she had gotten from her predecessors was to go to Camp David “early and often.”

    White House officials say the first lady — at times with her daughters — visits a fair amount. The president, however, has not warmed to the place in the same way as some previous commanders-in-chief. Obama has made 35 visits to Camp David since taking office, spanning all or part of 86 days, according to CBS News correspondent and informal White House chronicler and statistician Mark Knoller. At same point in his presidency, George W. Bush had made 119 visits covering all or part of 375 days.

    During a 2010 White House dinner the Obamas had with a group of historians, one of the academics asked the president whether he had taken advantage of Camp David to avoid the pressure of the job. Michelle Obama interjected that the president was “an urban guy” not that taken with the place, according to multiple participants.

    “Some presidents really like rustic, no-frills living, like FDR and Jimmy Carter,” said Rice University history professor Douglas Brinkley, who has an upcoming book on Roosevelt’s relationship with the land. Of Obama, he added, “This president likes his golf.”

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/camp-david-just-isnt-president-obamas-kind-of-retreat/2015/03/20/253de0fc-ce51-11e4-a2a7-9517a3a70506_story.html?hpid=z1

    Reply
  5. rikyrah says:
    March 22, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    Spent the day with Peanut and her mother. We did breakfast/lunch at the Golden Corral…then the afternoon at Chuck-E-Cheese. I know that it can wear on you, but I like it. Watching a place that just makes kids happy. I love seeing the beautiful diversity in children, all races, shapes, ethnicities, sizes. Seeing what little thing just brings a smile to their faces. Peanut had a ball

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 8:53 pm

      Peanut at Chuck-E-Cheese with Auntie Rikyrah! WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

      Must have been a easy, breezy, healing day to be in that child-like wonder state with Peanut and the other kids. So glad you enjoyed the day with her.

      Reply
  6. rikyrah says:
    March 22, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    American Jews Finding It Harder to Like Israel
    208 MAR 20, 2015 12:38 PM EDT
    By Daniel Gordis
    There is a relatively new dimension to the ritual of taking off on an El Al flight: security, boarding, stowing bags, getting seated … and waiting. The wait is due to Haredi men, ultra-Orthodox Jews, who refuse to sit next to a woman during the flight. They demand to be reseated, not an easy task on a packed 747, all the more so because many passengers, outraged by what they perceive as medieval behavior, refuse to be complicit by moving. Because El Al security doesn’t allow the plane to leave with the bags of those who deplane, even throwing the Haredim off the flight wouldn’t save time. Finding their bags in the belly of the plane would take longer than the reseating.

    Other Israelis increasingly resent this enormous bloc of black-clothed Jews who impose such trouble on them. They were delighted when the finance minister, Yair Lapid, led a campaign in the previous government to force Haredim to serve in the army and to curtail government subvention of Haredi schools. Now that the Haredim will once again be in the governing coalition and Lapid will not, the Haredim have already announced that they intend to undo any “damage” Lapid inflicted.

    To many American Jews, this Haredi power, with its rejection of pluralism and blatant use of raw political force, is beyond distasteful. It reflects a dimension of Israeli society they cannot abide. Many of those same American Jews were distressed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-election announcement that he no longer supported the two-state solution, and mortified by his appeal to Jewish voters to rush to the polls because Arabs were voting in huge numbers (they weren’t, by the way). Those Americans will comfort themselves, albeit with sadness, that Israelis voted for security rather than a domestic agenda.

    Yet there is only some truth to that. U.S. President Barack Obama (who most Israelis believe is about to give away the store with Iran) and Secretary of State John Kerry (who last summer proposed a cease-fire that gave Hamas everything it asked for, as if Israel had been vanquished in the battle) no doubt helped Netanyahu get re-elected. But there’s a deeper story here, too, and a different divide. It is not just security versus economy. Israeli society is increasingly divided between Ashkenazi and Sephardi, European sensibilities versus Middle Eastern pugnaciousness, a tendency toward secularism versus a reverence for religion even among the nonobservant.

    http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-20/american-jews-finding-it-harder-to-like-israel

    Reply
    • eliihass says:
      March 22, 2015 at 8:00 pm

      It’s really bad. But the sad thing is so many people are too busy enjoying the great weather they forget what the ramifications of no rain for so long really are.

      I actually had to point this out a few months ago to several otherwise smart people. They were so busy soaking up the sun and not having to worry about sweaters and heavy coats, they forgot all about lost crops, lost income and higher produce costs – and that’s if you’re even able to find certain normally seasonal produce which are almost impossible to find in this unseasonably warm weather.

      Reply
    • eliihass says:
      March 22, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      There are still so many of them out there in so many District Attorney, Public Defender offices all across this country. Unapologetically destroying lives and families every single day.

      Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      WHERE’S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE, TED CRUZ? also too….

      Reply
      • eliihass says:
        March 22, 2015 at 7:48 pm

        The man was not born in the United States. He was born in Canada albeit to an American born mother. His father is Cuban. But Ted Cruz is not a natural born American. So why are we pretending that this man can even run for the U.S presidency and not even questioning his hubris where an American-born President has been harangued to no end for his birth certificate simply because his father was born in Kenya?

        Reply
  26. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUBfXXjDKU8

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-Vyio-NYKA

    NOTICE A PATTERN HERE?

    WHEN IS GLAD GOING TO COME OUT & BE INTERVIEWED ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER?

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 5:19 pm

      Nothing but white folks in that audience, as far as I could see. And the message gets lost on those folks, in that audience that hang out and still benefit from that privilege of being white FIRST.

      Reply
      • eliihass says:
        March 22, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        And the token black ones thrilled to be token and to be celebrated for no reason (and exploited as long as it’s also self-beneficial), by the privileged white who’ve picked them. It’s that simple matter of mutually exploitative dynamics at play.

        It’s part symbiotic, part parasitic relationship – and only for the purpose of advancement of self and self-specific issues that require you be seen as ‘all-embracing’. And as long as the black token knows and stays in their place and does not rock the gravy boat – as long as the white privileged will sing your praise and you’ll stay the favorite token black.

        In the end it’s all about self and show. Self-serving, self-promotion, self-advancement. Nothing about a greater good. It’s all self-congratulatory and self-celebratory.

        P.S:

        If they really want to show how open-minded and inclusive they really are, let’s see them embrace and celebrate an artiste like Ava Duvernay. A woman who won’t ever shy away from politely telling you her truth.

        Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      I wish I could LIKE this comment a GAZILLION times.

      Ava Duvernay would have called out those very same folks and they know who they are for their self-absorbed, self-interests behaviors. For some, it’s all about, HAT ABOUT ME!

      They don’t give a rat’s ass about POC and the shit they’ve had to endure, if anything they are pissed because they are being treated LESS-THAN, like those Negroes, and that’s what eating at them!

      Reply
  28. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    3 versions of “Knocks Me Off My Feet”

    Complments of composer, writer, extraordinaire Mr. Stevie Wonder

    Stevie
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSuPXMHhaE

    Tevin Campbell
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ANUxvP7y-w

    Luther!

    Reply
  30. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    LOL

    Disturbed Man Tries to Get Into White House
    BY ANDY BOROWITZ

    WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – A disturbed Canadian man wants to try to get into the White House, according to reports.

    The man, who was born in Calgary before drifting to Texas, has been spotted in Washington, D.C. in recent years exhibiting erratic behavior, sources said.

    http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/disturbed-man-tries-to-get-into-white-house

    Reply
  31. Kathleen says:
    March 22, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Ladies, this playlist rocks!!! Just listened to Whatever You Want, which Babyface wrote while he was in Cincinnati (home of Bootsy and a legion of other R&B/funk legends). Can you add “Tell Me” by SOS, anything by Hall and Oates, Where The Streets Have No Name by U2? Thanks so much for sharing all of these great artists and tunes.

    Reply
    • SouthernGirl2 says:
      March 22, 2015 at 2:54 pm

      I sure will. I can’t log on to the site. My computer keeps crashing. LOL! I’m replying from the dashboard. I will add them as soon as possible. Glad you like it. I’ve been enjoying myself listening to New Ethiopian Music Tefe Lali Kakaten all day. Loves it.

      Reply
    • SouthernGirl2 says:
      March 22, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      I’m cooking and in between uploading to the playlist. LOL!

      Reply
      • Ametia says:
        March 22, 2015 at 3:49 pm

        Work it, LADY! LOL Whatcha cookin’ & send me a plate please.

        Reply
        • SouthernGirl2 says:
          March 22, 2015 at 4:03 pm

          I’m so tired. Cooking chuck roast, collard greens, broccoli & rice casserole, mashed potatoes, cornbread and big pot of pinto beans w/ ground beef, hamhocks & sausage for whoever wants it and banana pudding & red velvet cake. I’m waiting on the kids to come. Josh is with his brother & his girlfriend in Dallas. They’ll be here later. My beans are rocking. I forgot Dr Pepper. :)

          Reply
      • Ametia says:
        March 22, 2015 at 4:09 pm

        DAMN! You’ve got me salivating

        Reply
      • eliihass says:
        March 22, 2015 at 6:01 pm

        I’m still waiting for SG to make room for us to move in with her. Just her cooking makes me want to move in.

        Reply
        • SouthernGirl2 says:
          March 22, 2015 at 6:07 pm

          LOL! Oh, I am tired and still waiting on my kids. Josh is driving from Dallas so he’ll be here in about an hour & a half with his brother & his girlfriend. Josh’s dad had another son and he lives in Florida. Everything is ready except mash potatoes. I like them to be warm so I’ll wait a little bit on them. Y’all come on over, there is plenty to eat. :)

          Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Hi Kathleen. SG2 is bringing the goods LIVE!

      You’re got some great choices too.

      Reply
  34. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Ok, imma take a break for now. C’mon, folks, where are your picks?

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 1:19 pm

      Women in Chains… best of Tears For Fears. just as relevant today… Anthem for the beautiful women all around the world.

      And apropos for our FLOTUS & her efforts to speak on the freedom of our girls.

      Reply
  37. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Where’s that dancing graphic, SG2? LOL

    See you done started something with that Playlist now!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7g6_n7AW8g
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPlEuIpxp4o

    Reply
  39. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Loving Prince’s When I was Your Girlfriend!

    Reply
  40. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    THIS FUCKING GEEZER RIGHT HERE

    JQryYKs

    Reply
    • Ametia says:
      March 22, 2015 at 12:33 pm

      what a fucking LOSER. & cable keeps inviting this mofo on to spew his ignorance and sore-losing nonsense.

      Reply
      • eliihass says:
        March 22, 2015 at 6:06 pm

        I often wonder about John McCain. How a man so obviously petty, bitter, careless, dishonorable, can be held in such esteem by those who’ve sold him as some courageous, honorable man.

        Reply
  41. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Hmmm, this is interesting

    CULTURE
    The Six Most Evil Presidents in U.S. History
    If evil is as evil does, then these guys wreaked some serious havoc.

    No one sets out to do evil, U.S. Presidents included. Our most murderous, warmongering presidents did not intend to become killers, but they did end up committing acts that are considered evil. Here are six of the most evil Presidents in our history (followed by a healthy list of runner-ups.)

    http://www.alternet.org/culture/six-most-evil-presidents-us-history

    Reply
  42. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Starbucks ends ‘Race Together’ campaign in stores, effort not over
    BY JOSEPH WHITE
    Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:23pm EDT

    snip

    “I know this hasn’t been easy for any of you – let me assure you that we didn’t expect universal praise,” Chief Executive Schultz wrote in a letter to staff and released by the company on Sunday. “We leaned in because we believed that starting this dialogue is what matters most.”

    Schultz said Starbucks plans more “Race Together” activities, including efforts to expand into urban neighborhoods, hire 10,000 “opportunity youth” over the next three years, and produce advertising on the campaign with Gannett Co.’s (GCI.N) USA Today.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/22/us-starbucks-ceo-race-idUSKBN0MI0M520150322?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

    Reply
  46. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 11:18 am

    My favorite election pic

    slide_280607_2101490_free

    Reply
  47. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 11:08 am

    3 Chics’ PLAYLIST…IMPRESSIVE!

    Reply
  50. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 10:29 am

    This tap-dancin’ COON, right here

    Reply
  52. Ametia says:
    March 22, 2015 at 10:12 am

    Here’s one for Playlist, SG2-

    Crowded House “Don’t Dream It’s Over”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I52eefwAKDE

    There is freedom within, there is freedom without
    Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
    There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost
    But you’ll never see the end of the road

    Hey now, Hey now, don’t dream it’s over.
    Hey now, hey now, when the world comes in
    They come, they come to build a wall between us
    We know they won’t win.

    Reply
  55. rikyrah says:
    March 22, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Good Morning, Everyone :)

    Reply
  56. SouthernGirl2 says:
    March 22, 2015 at 3:51 am

    *Lifting hands and praising*

    The Lord be magnified. Oh Lord, be magnified.

    Reply

Leave a Reply