Remembering My Mother and Father and All My Loved Ones At Rest on All Souls Day

All Soul's Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away. This comes from the ancient Pagan Festival of the Dead, which celebrated the Pagan belief that the souls of the dead would return for a meal with the family. Candles in the window would guide the souls back home, and another place was set at the table. Children would come through the village, asking for food to be offered symbolically to the dead, then donated to feed the hungry.

Because I believe in the Trinity, I know that those who have gone before me, are at rest with the Lord, and if I believe, I will see them again.

Rest In Peace, Albertina Walker

Sunrise: August 29, 1929

Sunset: October 8, 2010

Albertina Walker began singing at an early age and was greatly influenced by Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson took her on the road when she was a teenager. "

She was given the title "Queen of Gospel Music."

www.albertinawalker.com

We Can All Use Prayer

It seems like I haven't blogged here in forever. My aunt in Minnesota sent me this lovely prayer which prompted me to get back to this space that I enjoy so much.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


In case you are not aware, Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little
Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with
great love.... She is represented by roses.

May everyone who receives this message be blessed.
Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
Read the prayer below.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to
sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us..
Have faith..

Services Announced for Bishop Walter Hawkins

WHO’S WHO IN GOSPEL MUSIC TO CELEBRATE LIFE OF GRAMMY WINNER BISHOP WALTER HAWKINS
WITH A-LIST CONCERT AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATER


Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 7:00 PM PST (Free Admission)
Musical Celebration Features Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and Bebe Winans

Funeral: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 11:00 AM PST At The Paramount Theater


Oakland, CA: A who’s who of the gospel world is gathering to pay final respects to Grammy Award winning gospel legend, Bishop Walter Hawkins, who passed away July 11th after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

On Tuesday, July 20th, some of the biggest names in gospel music will congregate at The Paramount Theater for a musical salute to Walter Hawkins who is known for his classic gospel songs such as “Goin’ Up Yonder,” “Marvelous,” and “What is This?” The musical celebration is titled, The Man, the Music, The Ministry: A Musical Salute to Bishop Walter Hawkins.”

Among the stars confirmed to sing Hawkins’ evergreen compositions are platinum artists such as Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, and Donnie McClurkin. Also performing is Hawkins’ sister, Lynette Hawkins, R&B artist Ledisi, Karen Clark Sheard, Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Byron Cage, Melvin & Doug Williams of The Williams Brothers, guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr., D.J. Rogers, Ted Winn, and The Love Center Choir.

Making a special appearance will be Hawkins’ longtime vocal muse and former wife, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, whose dramatic vocals were featured on Walter Hawkins masterpieces such as “Changed,” “Goin’ Up Yonder,” and “He’s That Kind of Friend.”

The music directors for the evening will include Hawkin’'s brother, Edwin Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Kurt Carr, Richard Smallwood, and Hawkins’ longtime music director, Rusty Watson. The masters of ceremonies duties will be shared by Bebe Winans, Marvin Winans, and Black Entertainment Television (BET) personality, Dr. Bobby Jones.

The concert takes place Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 7:00 pm at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612-2303. Tickets are free and available on a first come, first serve basis. Contact Paramount Theater at: (510) 465-6400

The funeral will take place the following morning, Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 11:00 am at the Paramount Theater. Bishop Kenneth Moales (of Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc. in Bridgeport, CT) will officiate at the ceremony.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Walter Hawkins Memorial Foundation. Cards, letters and donations may be mailed to: Love Center Ministries, 10440 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94603.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bill Carpenter at (202) 441-9870 or carpenterbill@me.com

Long Time, No Blog. . .

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me see them the way You see them. Help me to appreciate the ways we sharpen one another so that we can help each other fulfill Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Copyright Joel Osteen 2010)

I Woke Up With A Song In My Heart

"Taste and See, Taste and See,. . .the Goodness of the Lord. . ."

Taste and See

Taste and see, taste and see the goodness of the Lord. O taste and see, taste and see the goodness of the Lord, of the Lord. I will bless the Lord at all times. Praise shall always be on my lips; my soul shall glory in the Lord for God has been so good to me. Refrain Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us all praise God's name. I called the Lord who answered me; from all my troubles I was set free. Refrain Worship the Lord, all you people. You'll want for nothing if you ask. Taste and see that the Lord is good; in God we need put all our trust.


James Moore, Jr. © 1983, GIA Publications

First Daffodil - Because Somebody Has Got To Be First

I can imagine when this little flower woke up and bloomed, he said, "Hey, I might be the first, but somebody has got to be first!"

Thanks to my sister, Bonnie, for sharing this photo from her flower garden.

Last weekend would have been our father's birthday and when I told her that I had gone to the cemetery and put flowers on his grave, she said, "What kind of flowers did you put?" I said, "Carnations." She said, "Daddy liked daffodils." I said, "Well, he used to love Carnation ice cream!"

Daddy, this one is for you!

Happy Birthday, Daddy

My Daddy would be 89 years old today were he alive.

He lived through the Great Depression, segregation, integration, discrimination and a long illness.

Yet, through it all, he remained a faithful believer in God. He never asked, "Why?" and maintained his intellect and dignity through it all.

He died on the 4th of July, Independence Day, 1996.

I find that to be ironic, but not at all surprising to anyone who knew him.

Rest In Peace - Gone But NEVER Forgotten

Love,

Dot

Burnt Biscuits (Thanks to Marsha in Atlanta for forwarding this)

BURNT BISCUITS..............


When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner
every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she
had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening
so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely
burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if
anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile
at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember
what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter
and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my
mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget
what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if
he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and
said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real
tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people.
I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget dates and
anniversaries just like everyone else.
What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each
others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences -
is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing,
and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the
good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the
feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able
to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a
deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is
the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child
or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep
it in your own."

God Bless You..... Now, and Always....

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just
fine.!.!.!.! And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has
enriched your life... I just did!


(burnt biscuits were better than none... )