Today: I feel like saying do not push!

 Today: I feel like saying do not push - too much!

The God of Peace: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UuM3X4VToI

Barrientes & Brandon Lake | Elevation Worship

Revising a Prayer for Protection

 

Powerful morning prayer 

This prayer is an old Irish prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate, and is a call for protection.

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

   Christ in hearts of those I love (revision),

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

Humbly in the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

 Source: https://www.pray.com/articles/powerful-prayers-for-protection#:~:text=Come%2C%20Lord%2C%20and%20fill%20me,the%20shadow%20of%20your%20wings.

Journey to Sobrierty: The Pull

 I have not shared much on my story regarding sobriety and recovery. Posting some thoughts a few days ago, which in hind site was extremely perhaps bias am revising simply to say the foundation of my recovery is mixed due to personal experiences; I am now following the spiritual and community volunteers I have connections with continuing to lean on my partner an family. This may sound like a prayer but it is not. My mantra may change but it always starts with - Peace & love.

Stay blessed!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Esp 6:12

Sources: the above illustrations are not my own. As Checks & Balances Org./Blog develops citing the artists will improve. Thanks to them!

Stewards of the Environment Not Destroyers: Supporting the Florida Wildlife Corridor

 

Stewards of the Environment Not Destroyers of it: Supporting the Florida Wildlife Corridor 

Source: https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/

Phrase of the Day: Jumping the Gun

 Phrase of the Day: Jumping the Gun

Definition: act before the proper time.

Some booksellers have jumped the gun and decided to sell it early.

• act with haste.
• be over-hasty.
• act too soon.
• act prematurely.

Source: https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/jump-the-gun

https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

Praying: From Power to Protection

More to be added as the day progresses....

Powerful morning prayer 

This prayer is an old Irish prayer known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate, and is a call for protection.

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”

Humbly in the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

 Source: https://www.pray.com/articles/powerful-prayers-for-protection#:~:text=Come%2C%20Lord%2C%20and%20fill%20me,the%20shadow%20of%20your%20wings.

Learning a Word Today: Condescending

 Good morning, while listening on a community based meeting today the following word comes to mind. Not claiming the speakers in this meeting exhibiting this, but quite the opposite. I support such spaces which encourage recovery, healing and even pushing a person to live a more sober life. In a country where there is a liquor store on every street corner well that endeavor is not easy. - A.T. (Yoda) Brooks

That word is Condescending.

Defined as: having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority or showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others.

"she thought the teachers were arrogant and condescending"

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescending

Bending the story of history to favor equality: Honoring MLK King Jr.

If any act that discriminates is carried out by the government of the United States of America that is an indicator the time to act is now! My take on what I hear in Trump’s speeches alludes to discrimination and population control. The aim to get rid of people regardless of having sound policy, experienced civil servants and community partners in place is unethical. Not to mention disregarding breaking apart families and not carrying who gets lost in the system. We all have friends , family or someone in our communities whom we would rather not see fall through the cracks or be held up in a government or even financial system when there intention is to do good or simply work. Such compassion must be extended to our people and workers documented or not!

Codify the Equal Rights Amendment into law!

This effort put forth during the last days of President J. Biden's presidency reminds me of many Civil & Voting Rights protections were weakened during politically conservative administrations. To paraphrase where we have come; a minimum  of 38 states have codified the Equal Rights Amendment. I strongly advocate for making it officially (a codified) section of the United States Constitution. - A.T. (Yoda) Brooks

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/17/nx-s1-5264378/biden-era-national-archivist-constitution

From Darkness to Light!

While listening to this awesome music by a group featuring Gospel Chidi an inspiration came to me based on John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth and the life; no man cometh cometh unto the father, but by me. Can the word life be changed to light without changing the essence of this Bible verses? Stay blessed this day before the birthday of my role ,model Martin Luther King the Jr :)

A Tribute to my mother: Gloria

This evening, I would like to write a tribute perhaps the first of many to my strong honorable mother who was and is there for me especially during a time when I was out of sorts. The root meaning of the name Gloria means many things, one is beauty. The word which on my heart also tonight as President Joe Biden says farewell to the nation is honor. Amazingly that is also part of the historical definition of her name sake...that of worldly honor. Not posting her picture out of respect and privacy but that of an Angel of Glory.

"gloria (n.) name of one of the Christian songs of praise, early 13c., from Medieval Latin gloria in Gloria in Excelsis, the Great Doxology, Gloria Patri (the Lesser Doxology), from Latin gloria "glory"

c. 1200, gloire "the splendor of God or Christ; praise offered to God, worship," from Old French glorie "glory (of God); worldly honor, renown; splendor, magnificence, pomp" (11c., Modern French gloire), from Latin gloria "fame, renown, great praise or honor," a word of uncertain origin.

Meaning "one who is a source of glory" is from mid-14c. Also in Middle English "thirst for glory, vainglory, pride, boasting, vanity" (late 14c.), Sense of "magnificence" is late 14c. in English. Meaning "worldly honor, fame, renown." Latin also had gloriola "a little fame." Glory days was in use by 1970. Old Glory for "the American flag" is first attested 1862.

The Christian senses are from the Latin word's use in the Bible to translate Greek doxa "expectation" (Homer), later "an opinion, judgment," and later still "opinion others have of one (good or bad), fame; glory," which was used in Biblical writing to translate a Hebrew word which had a sense of "brightness, splendor, magnificence, majesty of outward appearance." The religious use has colored that word's meaning in most European tongues. Wuldor was an Old English word used in this sense.

 

  Source: https://www.etymonline.com/word/gloria

Peace, love & healing

 

January's Mantra: Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Joy and Prosperity.

 My journey with continues learning has not led me to discovering faith for I was born into a family of faith, reborn into a family of faith, and after many vices and mistakes am connecting to a community of family I had not known not much about. Even though mantra's change the spirit of the Prince of Peace guides me hold the line in solidarity with many strong sisters , names unspoken,  who are fine examples of "standing in the gap". Adding to December's mantra moving on to January 2025: Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Joy, then prosperity. And I am not talking about the prosperity gospel, with all do respect I personally skipped that phase in the gospel as I was taught the old school way - 'money is the root of all evil'. Keeping the faith, standing in the gap and praying for for mixed families through out the United States of America and the world. Some times we must pray as the spirit guides us. Good morning friends and family. Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Joy and Prosperity.

A Tribute to Fmr. President Jimmy Carter: A legacy of Peace

 

    The title of my post and the above captions say enough. The events occurring during this time of transition to a new era and style of leadership we must remember this country is built upon a foundation of democracy which end goals always leans towards peace. A legacy of peace and volunteerism; this written in tribute to the work of to Former President Jimmy Carter and his Wife Mrs. R. Carter! 

    There is an event occurring down in Sarasota Florida honoring Mr. Carter; I am not able to attend as my spouse and I are for the first time in my adult life being without a vehicle. Little humorous but learning from the experience. Such will make us stringer and wiser! - A. T. (Yoda) Brooks

Source: https://www.cartercenter.org/news/photos/tc_carters_observing_election_monrovia_liberia.html

Control Vs. Possessiveness Vs. Assertiveness

 This season I felt the need to write on this topic after hearing a friendly comment made by one of my beautiful neighbors (haha). Acknowledging my grumpy today; I appreciate the effort of being neighborly. Observing a good connection with youth for some reason perhaps out of a natural need to teach I have no yet explored. That being said this neighbor is an adult however youthful to me. A positive change for the times. The idea of being controlling or possessive in a relationships rather it be a marriage, dating, friendship or even working relationship. My mantra this year begins with Peace & love therefore any aggressive tendencies are out of the picture or tempered by self control. Meaning less verbal cursing and more assertive communication. - A.T. (Yoda) Brooks

When querying A.I. on the topic the below answer was provided, the below words are not my own:

• • "While both terms can sometimes overlap, "control" in a relationship refers to actively trying to dictate a partner's behavior and choices, often to fit one's own desires, while "possessiveness" focuses on a strong desire to exclusively claim a partner as "yours" and can manifest through extreme jealousy or attempts to isolate them from others, often stemming from insecurity. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

    
    

    Key Differences: [1, 3, 4]

    • Focus: Controlling behavior aims to manipulate actions and decisions, while possessiveness is more centered around the idea of "ownership" over a partner. [1, 3, 4]

    
    

    • Motivation: Control can be driven by a need for power or a desire to micromanage, while possessiveness often stems from fear of abandonment or low self-esteem. [1, 5, 6]

    
    

    • Examples: [3, 4, 6]
    • Controlling: Dictating who a partner can spend time with, monitoring their phone, criticizing their appearance based on personal standards. [3, 4, 6]
    • Possessive: Accusing a partner of flirting with others constantly, becoming upset when they spend time with friends without you, isolating them from social circles. [2, 3]

    
    

    Generative AI is experimental.

    [1] https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-being-possessive-and-controlling

    [2] https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/signs-possessiveness

    [3] https://www.blinn.edu/counseling-services/possessive-and-controlling-behaviors.html

    [4] https://www.multiamory.com/podcast/471-the-science-of-possessiveness

    [5] https://yourdost.com/blog/2016/01/is-it-love-or-possessiveness.html

    [6] https://www.thecouplescenter.org/overcoming-jealousy-in-a-relationship-tips-and-strategies/