My Voice, My Heart, My Life

As long as I can remember there have been double standards. In all areas of life double standards exist. It's unavoidable. It's the dirty little secret that no one thinks they have. I recently learned about a double standard that shocked and upset me.  A girl living in Davis, California (will call her Jane) was being harassed and at one point beat up by 2 Hispanic girls. She suffered major injuries that required surgery and had to be hospitalized for ten days. The attack was reported to the police and the girl's mother wanted to file it as a hate crime. The attackers yelled slurs and hateful words regarding her race. They hurt her because of the color of her skin. In any definition that would be a hate crime. The Davies police said that they couldn't file it as a hate crime because her daughter is white. That's right you read that correctly. It's not a hate crime if the victim is White. I can't believe it. Had the colors been turned around, 2 White...

  Fifty years ago, people from far and wide marched their way to Washington D.C. to hear a preacher whose words promoted love, peace and unity. Thousands of people filled the National Mall. Hope, joy, pride and honor was in the heart of these souls. In front of the Lincoln Memorial stood the man who had brought them together; strong in his faith and purpose. He knew this movement he lead was God's purpose for his life. Little did he know that the words he would speak that day would be the most powerful and influential in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr spoke from his heart. He had a dream. He had a vision for this great nation and he was going to do everything in his power to see it accomplished. His words evoked passion and truth. He demanded more of his country.   "We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gra...

A couple of days ago we learned that Lee Thompson Young, 29, took his own life. If you're not familiar with him he was a Disney kid star in Jett Jackson and more recently played Lt. Frost on Rizzoli and Isles. He was handsome, good at his craft, got paid well, wore the designer labels and was very charismatic. In the world of Hollywood he was on track to hit it big. By the world's standard he had no reason to take his life. In the eyes of the world he seem to have it all. A month ago, one of the stars from Glee, Cory Monteith, 31, passed from an overdose. He had recognition, talent, money and an aspiring career. Outwardly he seemed to have everything, yet he felt empty. There are countless stories of these young stars dying by their own hand intentionally or not. Amy Winehouse (28), Kurt Cobain (27), Heath Ledger (29) , Gia Allemand (29) just to name a few. Each was at the height of their trade yet felt empty. Why? With everything they had why did they need an escape? ...

The silence has been broken. The sound of children has graced these quiet halls. The first day of school has arrived. The first day is always an exciting and stressful day for both student and teacher alike. Beginning anew is refreshing. The actions and words of the past are just that, in the past. It's a new chance to start over. The board is wiped clean and is ready to write a new story. It's exciting! A new chapter will be written. A chapter full of adventure, learning, joy, mystery, sadness, joy, laughter and all the emotions in between. Yes, a new school year brings much hope! With that hope there are dreams that one has for their students. You want them to succeed in this life. You want to provide the necessary skills and common sense to venture into this life with wisdom and discernment. You want them to take caution but not at the expense of adventure. You want them to think outside the box and yet not to abandon those things that are tried and true. Yes, as a teac...

" God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge ." (Psalms 46: 1-3,5,7) Father God,    We lift up the state of Oklahoma. They've experience a tremendous disaster that has cost many their lives. They continue with rescue searches trying to find victims under the rumble. Lord, we ask that you help those rescuers locate them quickly. Give the rescuers strength and endurance to go through the rumble seeking out those missing. Point to where they should search. Make it obvious where they are. Father give those trapped, hope and comfort. Lord we ask for those parents that haven't been reunited with their c...

Today I was blessed with the opportunity to celebrate with the 8th grade class and their families. It's tradition that the parents come together to throw a party for their children. It's a time of celebration, joy, a few tears and enjoying the last moments they have together. It was so wonderful to see them with their family and friends and teachers just having fun. At times it looked like the adults were having more fun. : ) The room was filled with energy and excitement. They know their days are winding down. Only 5 more days before graduation.  The day was filled with mixed emotions. Happiness, sadness, joy and bittersweet. It's hard to image that next year they won't be there. They've done so much traveling together that parting ways will be difficult. But now is not the time to dwell on that. Today was a day of celebration. The love their homeroom teachers have for them and vice versus is undeniable. You can see the great love and time that went into t...

 Sometimes we need to feed our soul with music. This song is such a great reminder of what God's love is.  It never fails.  No matter what your facing His Love Never Fails! What a wonderful promise. Place that promise in your heart. Hold it tight. He'll never let you down. His Love never runs out. His Love is Perfect. God Bless You!  Jesus Culture - Your Love Never Fails Nothing can separate Even if I ran away Your love never fails I know I still make mistakes But You have new mercies for me everyday Your love never fails Chorus: You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning  And when the oceans rage I don't have to be afraid Because I know that You love me Your love never fails Verse 2: The wind is strong and the water's deep But I'm not alone here in these open seas Cause Your love never fails The chasm is far too wide I never thought I'd reach the othe...