When Newsmakers Make (Sad) News

Today will be a hard day.

Reports have been public for a while that The Cincinnati Enquirer will be laying off 100 employees this week, most of whom will know their fate before July 9th.

I know many people that work at the company.

I've read their numerous Facebook status updates of them trying to cope with this day.

To all my friends and acquaintances, who will be affected by this unfortunate time - whether as a part of management or as employee - my prayers are with each and every one of you.

I know how you must be feeling.

I have been there.

I offer you only what I know best...a prayer of hope...and serenity...

Serenity Prayer
by Reinhold Niebuhr

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

***UPDATE***

The entire staff of CiN Weekly was laid off as well as Peter Bronson and David Wells.

Source.

What Would Jesus' Face Do?

I've often wondered about Jesus' facial expressions while He was here on earth.

Were the people around Him able to read His emotions?

Did Jesus wear His emotions on His sleeve?

There have been numerous documentation in the Bible about the various human emotions that Jesus felt and experienced. There's no denying that while He felt sad, angry and disappointed, that those emotions would play out physically in His demeanor, gestures and expressions.

What I want to know is, how did Jesus (non-verbally, facially) react to those who persecuted or mistreated Him?

I've been pondering this more recently since I find myself trying to practice grace more and more in my daily life with people that are just plain ole rude and disgusting.

I know how to look past someone's despicable behavior and love them like Jesus would...that I have down pat. But it's the how I look when I'm doing it...that has me a little bewildered.

Because sometimes when I say, "God bless you," - to the countless mean sales clerks who don't even make eye contact with me and literally throw my merchandise and receipt at me - I can't even muster the strength for a fake smile. It's like my face doesn't match the words coming outta my mouth and I bet if someone were watching me in closed caption, they would think I was just mumbling a swear word.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like I have a sour puss face on...I think what would best describe my usual expression when confronted with obvious hatred and meanness would be...stone faced or emotionless.

In general I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but I don't feel right about it...and that's usually a strong (divine) indication, to me, that I need to change my behavior...ASAP.

Did Jesus put on a fake grin and exuberantly shout, "Bless you my son!" when someone spat in His face? Or did He just utter the words stone faced? I can't imagine Jesus ever being fake and insincere.

But I really want to know...what would Jesus' face do in a similar situation?

I do believe that I should be sincere in blessing those who curse me, otherwise, in God's eyes, I'd just be going through the motions.

And when I say to someone, "God bless you," after they have mistreated me, I sincerely mean it from the bottom of my heart, because I recognize that it's not the actual person that's doing it...but rather it's just a Satanic attack.

Now if I can just get my face to convey my sincerity...

I'll Take What's Mine

Clever got me this far
Then tricky got me in
Eye on what i'm after
I don't need another friend
Smile and drop the cliche
'Till you think I'm listening
I take just what I came for
Then I'm out the door again

Peripheral on the package
Don't care to settle in
Time to feed the monster
I don't need another friend
Comfort is a mystery
Crawling out of my own skin
Just give me what I came for, then I'm out the door again

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get just what I need
Lie to get what I crave
Lie and smile to get what's mine

Eye on what i'm after
I don't need another friend
Nod and watch your lips move
If you need me to pretend
Because clever got me this far
Then tricky got me in
I'll take just what I came for
Then I'm out the door again

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get what I need now
Lie to get what I'm craving
Lie and smile to get what's mine

Give this to me
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine

Lie to get what I came for
Lie to get what I need now
Lie to get what I'm craving
Lie to smile and get what's mine

Give this to me
Take what's mine
Mine, mine, mine
Take what's mine
Give this to me

Take what's mine, take what's mine, mine...
Take what's mine, take what's mine, take what's mine,
This is mine, mine, mine [whispered]

SOS 2009: June 22-26

Every year, during the third week of June, hundreds of junior and senior high school students flood the Vineyard Community Church for SOS: Summer of Service.

In a nutshell: SOS is not your average summer camp for kids.

Instead, SOS is a MEGA service-oriented camp/conference during which, for one week, hundreds of young people will be loving the people of Cincinnati into a relationship with Jesus, through various daily outreaches/community projects such as free car washes, block parties, water giveaways. Also, the kids experience powerful worship with some pretty cool national acts and great messages from some pretty cool speakers everyday. The whole point of SOS is to give students an opportunity to grow closer to God while developing a heart to serve those around them and instead of just telling people about God's love, getting creative in showing His love in practical ways.

This year, more than 900 students have registered and you better believe it's gonna be a blast.

Needless to say, with all those hyped-up-excited-to-serve-God-and-people teenagers running around...you better believe that TONS of adult supervision is required...about 1,500 adult volunteers to be exact.

I've been involved with SOS throughout the years, working a few days/hours here and there at a couple of block parties and water giveaways, but for the first time this year (I seriously believe that God provided this time in my life when I'm in between jobs, as an excellent serving opportunity), I'll actually be "working" all day, all week! Talk about an alternative...über fun..."full-time job!" Oh! And to top it all off, the sis will be serving along side me since she's off for the summer from UC! (another God sign that we TOTALLY should be doing SOS!)

Everyday, except Thursday, I'll be doing the block parties. Thursday I'll be doing something that's entirely new to SOS this year, serving as a Special Ops Team member. Also, there's a HUGE, special surprise event scheduled on Thursday that's supposed to knock the socks off the kids!

Words can't even describe how excited I am about this leg of the week, during which I will be paired with an awesome cool cat named DaJuan in making sure, that despite his special needs, he'll have an awesome experience! Hopefully, DaJuan won't think I'm an uncool, old lady and he'll get my corny, sarcastic sense of humor! HA! Can't. Friggin. Wait!

If you are interested in serving, there are still spots available throughout the week. Even if you can only do an hour, every bit o' help...helps! So sign up and come be part of a serving experience I guarantee...you'll never forget...or never regret!

So stay tuned for my twitter updates and blog posts regarding all the SOS hoopla. And make sure you're in the loop with all the official SOS updates:

Twitter (as well as all mentions of #summerofservice on Twitter)

and

Facebook

This year's SOS focus/theme is social justice (ha! something that I'm definitely ALL ABOUT! Another God sign?...I certainly think so!), with the scripture, Micah 6:8, serving as inspiration. So all SOS initiatives will be focused on serving the hungry, the poor, the illiterate, the forgotten and the minimized.

Imagine. One week. One week to change your life. To change other people's lives. To join hundreds of other junior and high school students to impact the city of Cincinnati in revolutionary ways.

It's gonna be freakin AWESOME!

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

*All photos from SOS Facebook

Joyce Baresel

Joyce Baresel (pictured) and her friend Christa Roenser, just finished a fun night downtown, when they decided to take a cab home early Sunday morning on June 18th.

At exactly 1 a.m., Baresel's life would change forever.

As the cab traveled eastbound on Columbia Parkway, near Torrence Parkway, a rock came through the windshield.

According to reports this is what transpired:

"I heard, like, a loud noise, and thought it was just a rock hitting the windshield," Roenser said.

She looked at her friend and discovered it was much worse.

"She had her head down," Roenser said. "Her head was in her hands, and that's when I saw we were both covered in blood."

Reports say that Baresel - a 23-year-old skin care specialist from New York, residing in Batavia and who works at Mitchell's Salon - suffered a skull fracture, facial nerve damage and brain damage. She is currently listed as "in critical condition" at University Hospital's neuro unit.

Even though doctors say that Baresel will recover, they say it could still take several months and they project that she'll have permanent nerve damage.

Apparently, what happened to Baresel was not just an unfortunate freak accident. According to reports, at least 10 cars have been targeted along Columbia Parkway near Torrence Parkway. Baresel's incident just happened to be the first that ended in horrific results.

The police are labeling the incidents as "pranks."

I can't even begin to fathom that there are individual(s) out there who would be so utterly disgusting to do such things...all in the name of a laugh or as a means to fight boredom or to get their rage out.

Stories like these make my blood boil.

Stories like this make me wanna get all Moses on whoever-did-this' ass.

Stories like this make me ask God, "How can you forgive asshole punks like this?"

If I had it my way, I'd find whoever did this and stone them to death.

That seems like a fair punishment right?

But since I love Jesus, and since I know that the consequences they will face before God will be far-more fitting than a human pelt-down, my anger is waned...slightly.

So all I can do is pray...

...pray for Baresel and her quick recovery and that at the end of everything, she'll be miraculously healed and in better shape before the accident. Yes...that's the definition of a miracle, people.

...pray for Baresel's family and friends that they may experience God's peace and strength and courage during this difficult time. And pray that they aren't discouraged or lose faith in God.

...and lastly, pray for the individual(s) responsible for all of this. Pray that they will stop their so called "pranks" and stop putting the lives of people in jeopardy. Pray for their forgiveness and that they will be so broken with contrition that they will come forward and turn themselves into the police and try to right the horrible wrongs they did.

And another thing I'll do is help...however I can.

Because I realize that Baresel is the same age as my sister and I realize how many times she has driven Columbia Parkway to get to her friend's house or Mt. Lookout or Mt. Adams.

Because I realize how many times both of us...as well as countless others...have driven that route...and we came away unscathed.

Because it could've been ANY. ONE. OF. US.

Since Baresel didn't have any health insurance at the time of the incident (my blood boils at the whole health care system...but that'll be for another post)...and her recovery could take several months - which in turn means immense medical bills and follow-up treatments, coupled with the fact that she'll be out of commission to work - family and friends are asking anyone wanting to make a contribution to help offset her expenses, to make a contribution to the "Joyce Baresel Fund" at any Fifth Third Bank branch.

Also, the Pub Crawl Fundraiser for Joyce Baresel will take place this Saturday, June 27 in Mt. Adams. A $20 wristband and bar specials will surely help start put a dent in Baresel's inevitable expenses.

So, please, show your support for Baresel, either on Saturday or at a Fifth Third location.

And show support through your prayers...

...because Joyce needs them now, more than ever.

***Police are asking that anyone with information about these rock-throwing incidents, to contact Crime Stoppers at (513)352-3040 or text tips to (513)352-3050. Cash compensation may be awarded for pertinent info. ***


***Click here for updates on the investigation**

Happy Father's Day

What Makes a Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it...Dad

- Author unknown


"As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him."

- Psalm 103:13

Fool me once, Shame on you; Fool me twice, Shame on me...

Stupid By Sarah Mclachlan


Night lift up the shades
let in the brilliant light of morning
but steady there now
for I am weak and starving for mercy
sleep has left me alone
to carry the weight of unravelling where we went wrong
it's all I can do to hang on
to keep me from falling
into old familiar shoes

[Chorus]

how stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see

love has made me a fool
it set me on fire and watched as I floundered
unable to speak
except to cry out and wait for your answer
but you come around in your time
speaking of fabulous places
create an oasis
dries up as soon as you're gone
you leave me here burning
in this desert without you

[Chorus]

everything changes
everything falls apart
can't stop to feel myself losing control
but deep in my senses I know

[Chorus]

Go Red Pink and Blue!

Good friend, Candy Silvasy (Art of the Spa and Spa4Diabetes) and Cincy Chic have joined forces for a unique health awareness event for women, starting Thursday 6/25 through Saturday 6/27.

Here's some more info about the event:

"The “Red, Pink and Blue” event series aims to raise awareness about three of the top 10 health risks for women while raising money for three local non-profit organizations. The “Red” represents heart health, the “Pink” represents breast health and the “Blue” represents diabetes health. The three non-profit organizations benefitting from this event series are The American Heart Association, Pink Ribbon Girls and Spa4Diabetes." (Source)

Make sure you check out the main site for further deets on the entire schedule, chock full of fun, fashion, chic and health! And click here for all the media/blogger coverage about the event.

Also, if you're a local blogger or member of the press, you can get a free preview of the event on Tuesday 6/16, between 6-8p, at The McAlpin Condominiums.

So make sure you get out and...

Go Red Pink and Blue!

Show Me What I’m Looking For

“Show Me What I’m Looking For”

CAROLINA LIAR

Wait, I’m wrong
Should have done better than this
Please, I’ll be strong
I’m finding it hard to resist
So show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

Don’t let go
I’ve wanted this far too long
Mistakes become regrets
I’ve learned to love abuse
Please show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for

CHORUS

Save me, I’m lost
Oh lord, I’ve been waiting for you
I’ll pay any cost
Just save me from being confused
Wait, I’m wrong
I can’t do better than this
I’ll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for
Show me what I’m looking for…oh lord

When?

When will ___ be Jesus?

...my time?
...my turn?
...my chance?
...my moment?
...my opportunity?
...my happiness?
...my destiny?
...Your will for me?


When?