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Showing posts from 2018

Sherlene: A Christmas Poem of the Charity of Kindness

Most American and International Christian families will continue the Christmas season through January 6, yearly: the feast of the Epiphany. Does it bother you to realize that we participate in an international faith of Jesus's vision of the meaning of the system of Church? Does it bother you to understand that Jesus (God in flesh) is not an American? The bible reveals to us that God is a spirit that is above all things. He is above the seven continents, and above the seven heavens. God, the Holy Trinity of God, is above all things, on purpose. The bible describes his distance between the planets as a distance that can never ever be reached: He is way above the known planets; way above the formation of any new planets of our planet system classifications. In concluding our fellowship devotion time of the year of 2018, we have discussed and reviewed several books of the Old Testament scriptures of the bible (Genesis - Obadiah, KJV). Some actions that were consistent in our teac

Sherlene: Wintry November Poems

November comes, And November goes with the last red berries and the first white snows, With night coming early and dawn coming late, And ice in the bucket and frost by the gate. The fire burn and the kettle sing, And earth sinks to rest until next spring. -Elizabeth Coatsworth Nature's first green is [actually] gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. -Robert Frost For this new morning and its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For every gift His goodness sends we thank Thee, gracious Lord. Amen. -Author Unknown

Sherlene: Let The Holidays Begin

This is the time of year when tree leaves are offering a pallet of colors. The invisible wind passes by with a dance that makes things just twirl or sway. Store brands are preparing now for the upcoming holidays by offering holiday-store sales earlier. It seems like such ads are distributed earlier every year to compete for our purchases.  Black Friday sales are happening before its actual November event. Online shoppers are getting excited for the added discounts that the season offers. Seasonal job seekers are coming on board much earlier. I think it's a good idea; it allows such employees to learn the store environment to provide better customer service and to restock or discard outdated items available. Some short-term employees may even be invited to remain with a company and transition as one of its actual part-time or full-time associates. When a seasonal employee, it is always wise to budget accordingly, and don't overspend unnecessarily. Also, it is a good id

Sherlene: Bringing Comfort To Storm Victims

Neighborhoods and communities affected by natural weather disasters need comfort and immediate lodging.  With the recent storms, most families couldn't afford to leave their dwelling places. Others were already facing a storm of life challenge of being one paycheck away from poverty status or homelessness--before the storm of natural weather. FEMA is the agency that provides the government humanitarian aid. When thousands of people are affected in communities, partnering services are crucial in getting available resources to individuals and families in need.  There are a variety of non-traditional services that are usually needed such as assistance with prepping for a storm. Senior citizens are not able to carry belongings to a nearby public storage. Also, families with small children may need other types of services to prepare for evacuation. Then, there are the disaster relief staff groups who need lodging.  Would you consider volunteering to offer spacing at your home

Sherlene: Local Police Brutality

As a victim of police brutality, timely communication actions are very important. I am a victim of fraud. Crimes that occured in various agencies of my home-state Maryland and a neighboring state. I want to highlight to you the importance of understanding such dysfunctions that can and do happen involving our public servants--who we rely on, who we are told to trust.  All of us must remember, must be mindful, that government officials are actually people--like you and me--who work in buildings or agencies in our local communities. There are some communities who simply are rooted in dysfunctions and negative behaviors. One can not possibly expect police officers' attitudes to change in such environments because it is the common mindset of the totality of people within such communities. Many police officers work in areas where they don't actually live. If they know a community allows public servants to do bad things, then they probably will display the same behaviors to keep

Sherlene: From My Memoir, Shelters As An Option

Shelters are a great alternative when you have no friends or family or nowhere else to reside. The first question that a housing or assistance caseworker will ask you is-- "Do you have friends or family that you can live with?" Often shelters are filled to capacity.  If you are shelter registered,  your shelter caseworker will take your contact information and contact you when there is availability. So it is important to provide a reliable contact phone number and mailing address. Always request to have a caseworker or the name of a regular staff person on site.  You may need the contact name for any applicable housing benefit award, and to provide to a landlord for consideration. When you reside in a shelter there is limited space for personal belongings.  In fact, I would suggest that you keep such belongings in your personal vehicle.  Otherwise, you will live out of black trash bags for the timeframe of your stay. It is important to purchase strong durable tra

Sherlene: Do You Have A Family Management Plan During Storms?

My portal does? My customer-service concierge is "ready" for my national audience family and the general public.[I ain't ready ... for my international audience family ... for storm reporting; will work on that after America's current major storm season.] The independent help desk center is now open until further notice. I will update the following as applicable to all families, all genders, all ethnicities. The expressed help desk center customer-service, is not affiliated with your local 911 systems, Emergency Management systems, FEMA, or such networking constituents: Natural Weather Family Help Desk Center A message center and community resource guide assistant Provided by The Sherlene Brand New Natural Weather Self-Services of Portal Hurricane Message Center  - You may request for me to send or receive a message for you at no charge. If you choose to provide your cell phone number, I will text you back. If you choose to provide your landline pho

Sherlene: Legal Entering of Dwelling Place, Police Actions

Privacy: When You Rent vs. Home Ownership Police and judicials are available in our local communities for oversight of three main social concepts: Crime Abuse Neighborhood watch programs. Recently, my local-city community's police agencies launched a new citizen training academy to provide an introduction on being an actual police person. Renters . Typically, officers may request to enter your unit per speaking to your landlord. Landlords have the right to enter your premises at any time whether you're home or not.  Yet, most states do not allow landlords or on-site landlord office staff to cause harm to your belongings or change the locks as in actions of immediate eviction without notice. The landlord is obligated to pay any land taxes. Homeownership. Police officers must first request to have a warrant to enter your private dwelling place. After receiving a warrant they can force-entry your home. If force-entry occurs there may be property damage at yo

Sherlene: Aretha Franklin Tribute, Quotes Commentary

Aretha Franklin aka The Hummingbird (1942 - 2018). "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." -Lori Holtz The following song was actually a hymn created (July 24, 1725) by a captain of a Negro slave ship who became a Christian and changed his racist occupation. Later, it would become the anthem of the southern KKK associations. Today, many Christian church members still sing the song during a funeral gathering or Sunday morning worship. From Ms. Aretha and the congregation, can you hear the 1970s community societal woes?        Are you afraid of people-of-color preachers of the Gospel?        "Why do we who are the intelligent human animals--homosapiens--fear, hate, dislike and despise                  other humans who are coloured differently from us?" -Michael Hollings        "Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind." -William Shakespeare Aretha Franklin's cousin or name set was similar to the lif

Sherlene: National Affordable Rent Plan

On July 30, 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson announced an approval of $1.5 billion disaster recovery plan in Puerto Rico. Today, I took the time to revise the national, affordable rent plan proposal on my portal website. Click here, to read it in its entirety. Do you believe that basic housing is actually a need and not a want? I do-- Proposed Action Plan Choose-And-Rent Housing Plan. An immediate project-action plan of restructuring HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program, affordable housing or rental program, with a vision and mission of allowing every American citizen or household, that earns $100,000 or less, to pay a pro-rated amount for rental dwelling-place expenses:  home rentals, mobile rentals, condo rentals, public-housing rentals, townhome rentals, and apartment rentals. Such renting participation will not be mandatory. Or, if an actual housing law, lack of renting participation would not initiate paying a fin

Sherlene: Celebrating Unique-To-You Special Days

A few of my friends, that aren't Christians, and are of other faiths wanted to know why are there so many un-official special days to celebrate--like my recent birthday (yesterday July 23rd). What's so important about celebrating one's birthday? How do you celebrate a birthday? I don't want anyone to experience church-hurt from me simply because they don't know how to celebrate Christian-based, national, or non-traditional days of the calendar. Diversity socializing respects others' faith practices.  For very religious home styles, children or themselves aren't allowed to participate in such social actions; yes, certain Christian ones don't either. From an educational point-of-view, educators suggest celebrating each birthday so that a child will know how old they are. Make sure to have items that visualize the specific number of their age. Or, allow your child to count the exact number of an item set that equals their exact age. I would also suggest-

Sherlene: The Repetitive Stimulus of American Dysfunctions

Over and over again, we rally; we protest; we debate. Is this a form of cultural hypnosis so that we, natural born citizens of this country, won't participate in newness? An example, we say we are for immigrants coming to our country, but what is the first thing that we do? We grab their children and place them into our world of normalcy of how we believe we should treat strangers. Is this yet another form of hypnosis? Then, we start to verbalize: "Yeah we're all for immigration." Why haven't we really resolved the immigration crisis? Or, to avoid our own country's social issues, many citizens will show more actions of love to immigrants than to natural born citizens of this country. We allow our leaders to make laws for us that, here recently, get overturned during each presidential administration. I realize that we live in a democracy and that our democratic actions are to rally, protest, and debate--really, should it be over the same social topics agai

Sherlene: But President 'Trump' Won

What is it that really allowed Donald Trump to even get into the political game? Was it something that citizens or his rental customers expressed to him that he should do verbally or by verbal cues? What was it? I have read many articles that possibly could provide some insight.  Could it be that he simply said it enough, to all he knew and to himself, that it truly came to pass? Have you ever heard that words have power? Already having lots of money simply wasn't enough for him. His personality trait wanted more. I don't think Trump is a psychopath. I think he is a realist and an example of our society's current morals and values. It's okay for him to speak the way he addresses all of us. It's okay for him to act the way he physically acts. For example, if he wants to physically shove an individual around, that he doesn't even know, it's OK. But why is it okay? Why doesn't such behavior get mentioned by our media platforms or by American citizens?

Sherlene: Moving Forward Emotionally, Held Back Physically

After recently celebrating Juneteenth and diversity, what's next? With the reality that most people of color feel challenged by the ranking term 'powers that be,' it can be challenging in getting such mindsets to think differently. Sometimes the powers that be are actually non-existent, and simply negative thinking by others who we traditionally care about, and those we trust and mostly communicate with consistently. Are the majority of America's people-of-color thinking that slavery is our only existence in this country? Each time there is a new mishap, socially, or an advocative voice is truly heard, it seems to cause a delay, pause or ending of personal pursuits and social pursuits by such mindsets: "'I'm so frustrated, forget it.' Or, there is a habitual thinking that, well, so-and-so tried ..., and look what happened to them.  Are we being held back physically from being who we are purposed to be? If so, why? In my opinion, if we ever perform

Sherlene: Juneteenth: Spiritual Quotes of Comfort

Have you ever felt, going through your day, that you needed leadership guidance, leadership direction, or if nothing else a compass? It's important, in life, to remember and keep in mind the history of humankind and its actions and cultural traditions, and to learn from any such unproductive habits involving such as in the African slave trades or any form of the slave business mentality of keeping people in captivity. Most of you have heard or read my point-of-view of the historical events leading up to the African slave trade in America.  Europeans always knew that the Africa continent and its people existed: a strong work-ethic type of people that could endure warm weather conditions (perfect the new lands of America!). Europeans didn't want to live in Africa, they wanted to live in the North America continent. Other European whites, who committed crimes, were forced to live in our country by their religious and political leaders. The first thing Europeans did, once relo

Sherlene: Dangerous Candy Alert, Strawberry Quick

Copied with correction Please pass this on even if you do not have kids in school. Parents should know about this drug. There is a type of crystal meth going around that looks like strawberry pop rocks (Pop rocks are candy that sizzles and pops in your mouth.).  This is a new drug known as 'strawberry quick '. It also smells like strawberry, and it is being handed out to kids in schoolyards. They are calling it strawberry meth or strawberry quick. Kids are ingesting this thinking that it is candy, and being rushed off to the hospital in dire condition. It also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape, and orange. Please instruct your children not to accept candy from strangers, and even not to accept candy that looks like this from a friend (who may have been given it with the belief that its candy), and to take any that they may have immediately to a teacher, principal, or someone they trust.

Sherlene: Well, Would You Rather Live In A TeePee?

Have you ever heard this phrase "Well, you could be living outdoors!"? As a child, I 'often' heard adults saying this to each other, or to their own children.  So I learned such mannerisms from observing. So when a child was being punished and wanted to go outside, they were told "You can go outside and get some fresh air. Sure you can. Sit right there, on that step (usually the step of the main entrance leading into a home), and I dare you to leave off of it." When I would visit my great aunt (who recently passed away), who lived in West Baltimore, I was amazed that city parents said the same thing to their children. So I know that there are plenty of city children that know what I'm talking about today. I have actually said this to my children, too. I'm in my late 40s now, and I have personally experienced living in a variety of housing situations--so that my four children wouldn't have to experience separation anxiety (of the sibling bond

Sherlene: Mothers, Children, And Houseplants

Children need their own space to grow--even if the area is a small corner in a room within unique home styles. An example, real mothers know that you should avoid buying a majority of children's clothes and shoes that just fit their child for one calendar season. Children need constant care. Children need reassurance (light) and time to grow, to explore in becoming a productive adult. Did you know that a negative or hostile home environment can halt a child's growth? If children receive too much of a water-down parenting style they will begin exploring the world with no adult supervision. They will grow up in the weeds (bitterness) of life, instead of blossoming or actions of reproducing their good morals and values learned. They will lack (child-development) nutrients of a disciplined mind, how to show and receive love, and how to socialize productively. The opposite is not too great either to those around them, children classified as receiving too much or too little

Sherlene: Quotes of Garden Things

Gardening is nothing more than focused actions of classifying, organizing, and providing nourishments along the way or when necessary. The world is full of thorns and thistles. It's all in how you grasp them. -Arnold Glasow We should so live and labor in our time that what came to us as seed may go to the next generation as blossom, and that which came to us as blossom may go them as fruit.  That is what we mean by progress. -Henry Ward Beecher Have patience and the mulberry leaf will become satin. -Spanish Proverb With personal faith, plant those seeds. -Quote, that I frequently use. Holy defines "the actions" of his name, of him--God. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, "is" the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. -Isaiah 6:3 (KJV Bible) The earth's his footstool and heaven his throne; all creation is his own. His love and power will prevail; his promises never fail. -Old Spiritual Hymn (I believe inspired

Sherlene: How Can An Old Book Discuss A New Book?

I was surprised to learn that today's older, Christian, religious leaders rarely discuss the Old Testaments--perhaps such leaders just assume individuals and families are familiar with the earlier collection of God's (and the holy Spirit's) words. Or, maybe it is the idea/belief that only Jews read the Old Testaments. I believe that individuals and families should know and understand the earlier books of the Bible to fully understand the newer books; God's (and the Holy Spirit and Jesus, also) most current words. The newer books are simply additional comments or factual events of what was said in the older books--sort of reversing God's words, yet are just as true: true instructions for Christian faith believers. Click Now to listen to the New Monday Show With Sherlene. (videos, Facebook) My Bible-study talk show (my faith-based community outreach of taking time out for devotion) recently completed the Book of Isaiah (King James Version): It is a lengthy boo

Sherlene: National Youth Art Month (March)

March in the year of 2018, youth, all across America, created a visual that will go down in history for its total participation count: "March For Our Lives" rally. The rally showed "art", visual art, of expressing humanity's frustrations and sorrows of gun safety: young people, using the strength of their voices to create independent verbal expressions of "why" we must improve safety in local-community schools or too often referred to as public schools--as if such places are considered a part of buildings owned by any state's government or owned by the federal government.  There have been a lot of school-building closures due to the decline of families having offsprings and, also, because of lack of state-government funding.  From viewing the Washington, D.C., rally on TV what I actually saw displayed, for the television audience, is lack of true knowledge by the participants. To the point, ignorance of not fully understanding that the

Sherlene: My Book Writing Experience

My Published Journal Memoir Recently, I read an article about legal actions against my publisher, Tate Publishing. The case will be heard in a court of law in a few months. The publishing company was owned by individuals who claimed to be of the Catholic faith. Two male individuals or owners have committed some very serious crimes, allegedly, according to the newsprint article that was shared with me. As a former Tate author, who didn't receive fair publishing services, I tried to accomplish the tasks involved in writing my (first!) book. I had to edit my own work, within two days, to be on the publishing deadline provided to me because most of the staff quit and there was no replacements available. I had even inquired about job opportunities with the company. Due to all the work that I was doing on my own, one staff member even suggested that I pursue applying to the company. When I did so, I was told that they were not accepting virtual staff. They invited me to move clos

Sherlene: National School Walkout Day

My response to the walkout of March 14, 2018-- I believe and support all students! In all sincerity, it had not been for my therapy, I would not have known that my job opportunity, for several years (at a local, public school in my hometown), was actually a fake public-school job relationship. -Sherlene

Sherlene Stevens: Every Person Has A Unique Sound

Every person appreciates when another says "Hello, I hear you. I hear your unique sound and I am going to help you to become or to pursue what you need to do to achieve in being the best you." In other words, the person truly understands the specific goal objective of your unique skill/talent (the possibility of your unique sound). The person truly understands the specific talent that has been bestowed upon you. The person then becomes helpful to you or afraid of you. Yes, all humans have a unique sound!  Isn't it great to know that we each have a unique skill or talent? Is it not great to know that we don't have to be like another--we can be our unique selves? You just have to learn self-development of how to persuade another or a group without appearing to be too pushy (within the social traditions). You, also, must learn social-culture settings, and who to personally discuss your personal dreams and desires to. I believe that the challenge of knowing self

Sherlene Stevens: "You're A Horrible Person"

Do you know how to go through the five phases of the emotional or feelings process? Shock, denial, or protest; Bargaining; Anger (acting out); Depression (anger turned inward); and, lastly, Understanding and coping. Have you ever called someone a horrible person? When you are ready, when you are finally able to express to another person your "frustration" of their unproductive actions or behavior, you are simply expressing to them that you need their help--emotionally. What you are actually saying to the person is that you need their help in dealing with a current, right-now situation. You need them to participate in your personal emotional process. The horrible person, your abuser, is actually a learned behavior of dysfunctional actions--that have been allowed socially: You know that you can rely on the fact that the horrible person will continue to be in your life, no matter how odd of your connection with the horrible person. You can rely on the person'

Sherlene Stevens: The 'No" [A] Good Man Named Jesus

Do you believe that Jesus was perfect within the earth realm? Jesus was the only begotten son of God, yes. He was also a male with human characteristics just like you and me; he had flaws just like you and me. The Holy Bible reveals to us that God describes all of his human beings as having flaws and weaknesses. So don't you be afraid of your realities of your imperfect ways. We are human creatures that have an unending desire for more to simply satisfy or fulfill us. This would include Jesus in his humanistic flesh. This would include the reality that Jesus could never be totally perfect here: He came to redeem us from our sins, and to feel and understand human feelings and actions--to help us survive in flesh, and soul or spirit.     Jesus was a man with desires, wants and needs. The two-person (God and Holy Spirit) are not able to truly understand what it's like to be a human because both are the spirit. Yet, God gave us Jesus to explain--to him--humankind's fears

Sherlene Stevens: Oprah Winfrey, Which Type of Woman Are You?

Dear Ms. Oprah: I understand that you may be considering running for president in 2020. I would like to explain why it would take a lot for me to vote for a female presidential candidate (other than myself). I am apologetic in saying, sincerely, that I rarely watched your TV show because I was too busy focusing on my ambitions. Over the years, however, I have watched your presentation as a role model for females in our country and globally. I do not know you personally, but our career paths have been a little similar. I have been the first to accomplish a lot, too. For a rural-town girl of Maryland's Eastern Shore (my father is originally from the south), I was the first to complete a bachelor's degree in my immediate family (I wanted to become a public-school or community basic-school teacher.) In my younger years in elementary school, immediately after being in school all day, I would come home and line up my dolls (all races and genders, young and adult-age) and place