Get up and leave... if you want to lead!

I left a church I had grown to love once. I had a healthy amount admiration for the preacher, loved many of the members, but just couldn't stomach some of the flaunting of money and power that went hand in hand with this church. Like Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church, this church has done some wonderful things serving it's people. These congregations wouldn't have grown to begin with if they hadn't been doing something right, but when they veer off track and there isn't any correction in sight, what then?

I sat on the church pew and watched a photo of a beautiful new ski boat flash up on the two mega screens as the choir sang happy birthday and it was announced that we (including me?) were giving our pastor a boat for his birthday. I was shopping at Goodwill and garage sales for my church dresses at the time, and yes I tithed, and obviously my money wasn't going to the poor or suffering. It was going to purchase an expensive ski boat for an already abundantly paid man of God. Later, this display was followed by an envelope in the mail sent to me from said church asking for my tax refund.

In other words, I saw that the things Jesus preached and put first were being put aside, so I left. It was a horrible time in my life and their were ramifications, but I made the right decision. I stood up for what I thought was right and now am in a church home where I feel very comfortable.

So, why did Barack Obama stay in a church listening to hateful (and flat out crazy) talk for years on end? I understand he felt close to his preacher, a spiritual leader and guide that is tied to his family through major religious events throughout his 20 year history as a Christian... but... still...

Barack claims this man is like an uncle to him. A king in the old testament, Asa, went against his own father and grandfather and years of his society being deeply rooted in heathenism and turned to God. Isn't that the kind of leader we are looking for? Someone who will buck the "system" when he or she sees it is wrong? Isn't that who Obama wanted us to believe he was? His poster promises PROGRESS but his church's teachings sound like the same old backward rant that tries to divide our diverse and precious races that make us so flavorful!

So, Obama, when your church leader stands in the pulpit and says...
"The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color" and "[t]he government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people...God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme". (excerpt taken from Wikipedia) ... if you want to be the President of our United States... you need to stand up and leave... or you can't stand up and lead!

Can I get an Amen? (comment)

Bad Economy to Blame for Cuts on Cheerleading Squad?

What do you do... What do you say when your daughter doesn't make cheerleader? She was good enough last year, but this year, 7th grade, is a no-go. After hugging I launched into the meaningful, but not all that helpful to a preteen "God wants you to do something else." mantra. She replies with the typical, "But Mommy, it's not fair." "I know how you feel, Sweetie, but you won't always get everything you try for, you need to learn that now. You see, Sweetie, many times in life..." "But Mommy, the 8th grade cheerleaders have 33 on their squad, now we only have 27!"

(Make the scratching sound a needle makes when swiftly leaving a record.) (yes I am old) Say what?

Last year there were 32 on the squad, this year we are cutting back to 27? Why? Uniform shortage? (I always measure to make sure there isn't too much breeze blowing through the brief area!) Not enough poms? Why would someone suddenly decide that between 6th and 7th grade we need to scale down? Do they need less cheer then? Less spirit? What the hey?

There had to be 5 girls that didn't make it that were on the squad last year, so of course, I get on the phone with the other mothers to join in with the vast conspiracies swirling... That was somewhat therapeutic. We basically vented to each other, stating the blatant disregard for our girls' talent, knowing nothing would come of it. I mean, what could we do? Storm the principal's office? Take the administration hostage and demand reinstatement?

I let the night pass thinking I would sleep on it and awaken with a new perspective and insight to share with my daughter. Instead I woke up the next morning remembering a dream of me chasing and shouting at a mob of cheerleaders... as I waved lightning bolts... I don't know what that means.

I still felt rotten about the idea about 5 spaces being trashed... 5 opportunities being doused... I just couldn't see the sense. Even if it wasn't my child reinstated, I felt some 7th grade girl should have the chance. The PTA prez is a friend of mine so I decided to give her a call. After her obligatory, "I'm sorry but the scores..." talk I brought up the ol' "Okay, I understand, but why cut the squad?" More talk of scores, numbers, statistics... blah blah blah.

Basically cheerleading tryouts are like lots of things in life. Even though you may try really hard and be pretty good, you have little control over the outcome. Isn't it like that with jobs? Circle of friends? Husbands? Presidential elections? Investing? Having children? And people say cheerleading is superficial. It's a life lesson, from tryouts to cutbacks...

It's a rush when you make it and it stinks when you don't.

Right? What do you think? Leave your message at the beep... (comment)

Yes... Here I Go

"Everyone else is doing it..." So I'm blogging. Are you supposed to just yack about stuff you do e'day? Okay... Today I took my children and my doggies to the park and discovered that they like to slide down the kiddie slide... no, the dogs. (really, it was like I was at a DOGSHOW!... picture Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon beating a snare drum) . Baxter (Chaweenie pictured at rt) was whole hog, but it took Gracie (maltese) FOREVER to get the nerve to slide down! Baxter was jumping around at the bottom of the slide like he was yelling, "Go! Go! C'mon, already! Just Go!"

I ate a salad from Jason's Deli tonight. Someone told me they put serious preservatives on their lettuce leaves, which gives you noxious gases. Um... no comment.

Someone I know was at a Haughton/Bossier girl's softball game last night and reported back to me that the Bossier coach sat down in the middle of the field to stop the play of the game because he didn't like the refs. Wow... I love it when coaches pitch fits! My personal favorite is this little number (yes, click on the link)... Hand Grenade Coach!

Earlier, while the kids were in school, I drove down behind these scary railroad tracks to find a warehouse-type structure for a business I want to start. I had visions of my tire going flat and being abducted, cause no one knew I was there! Ever found yourself in that situation? Hey... leave your story at the beep! (comment)

While you are at it, visit my husband's blog... FLETCHCETERA That way when he neurotically checks his analytics report he will see a jump in his hits today. Thank you for visiting my first blog! Check back and find out... um... stuff?

Aly Fletcher