Faith, Unbelief and Giving

Today the Pastor spoke about unbelief and lack of faith in church. He commented that some of us are like the ship that is in the harbor circling but very afraid to approach land because the inland water may be rough or deep.

His commentary was good and timely. There is always this question about praying for patience and when trials come, the patience is forgotten and so is prayer and faith. He made several biblical references but frequently referred to Moses and the flock who were liberated from Egypt. Even after the Red Sea was parted in their presence and they crossed safely over, they still lacked faith in God.

I guess everyone does not have a positive outlook. Also, some people who may have a positive outlook, may be deemed to be 'don't care' or crazy. Some of us take things in strides and let God do his work. Mind you, we're probably not the ones who sit idle and say 'God will provide'. I'm one of those who take initiative, hopefully from divine inspiration and not the devil's prodding. Some days, the devil get too busy and really works hard to push us to do wrong. I fall prey on many occassions and am willing to admit it.

I work with faith and will try to stay grounded. My daughters keeps singing 'I give myself away so you can use me' so we will try to make sure that it's God that is using me.

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August 5, 2011 Words of Encouragement

Words of Encouragement

I think that we have to try to be less negative as we step out into the world each fay that God has granted us life. Negativity is a killer. We need to bear our brothers and sisters up in prayer and lift them up with positive words.

There is already a recession, climate change and increasing world hunger around us. We see that most politicians are just politicians but not leaders. We can not count on them. We see that a few pastors are greedy so we have to take a stand and life for what we know is right.

Be positive and seek other means to secure your future. We can no longer sit and wait for hand-outs. We need to get our hands in the ground, knees on the ground and mind clicking into something positive.

Encourage your brothers and sisters, especially the young ones. Give them good advice. They may not follow immediately but the words will stay resonant in their conscious mind. And really, does any one have the time to be a full-time pessimist?

You can't be optimistic all day either because we are human. If you want to be a 'realist' like the young people say, then that's your choice. I think most people are 'realist' because you live in a real world with serious decisions to make.

Try to stay focused, keep positive thoughts and move onward.

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POEM: Through the fire

Through the fire
Through the wire
I'm stepping up
and rising higher
cause you didn't hire
...thus you can't fire
cause digging that ditch
will be your own briar

I won't tire
I won't retire
I'll just watch out
for those who conspire
and yes the liars,
trying to burn me in the fryer
I got my tools
I got my wrench and my pliers

I don't have stylers
nor do I have spy-ers
but I've got faith
and I've got clean desires

 

© Linette Rabsatt

R&B of the 1990s: Brandy's Never Say Never Album

Brandy Norwood is super talented and has achieved great success acting and singing. Her sophmore album Never Say Never is a sample of her great work.

Brandy Norwood has been in our eyesight since the early 1990s sharing her talents. We have been seeing her on sitcoms, movies, reality shows and judging America's Got Talent . When we first met Brandy on the TV show Thea in 1993, no one probably thought that she would be an  R&B  star. She released her self-titled Brandy in 1994 and captured fans with "I Wanna Be Down" and "Brokenhearted".

Brandy in the 1990s

Brandy was quite busy and after the release of Brandy, she started the sitcom Moesha (1996) as the leading character, then she copped a role in Disney's Cinderalla (1997) opposite Whitney Houston. Brandy continued acting in the 1998 sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

The Songs of Never Say Never

After a four year hiatus, Brandy released Never Say Never. She had fans hooked with several megahits from this album including an unlikely duet with Monica and the sensitive "Have You Ever". Sixteen tracks make up Never Say Never including a short intro and an "In the Car Interlude". Other songs include "Put That on Everything", "Happy", "Truthfully" and "Tomorrow".

• "Top of the World" featuring Mase: Mase, rapper turned pastor, was featured on Brandy's "Top of the World" song. Brandy seemed to be expressing the struggles with fame and getting people to understand her in this song. Brandy sings "I'm just trying to be me/ doing what I got to do/ some people think that I'm/ just sittin' on top of the world".
• "Never Say Never": "Never Say Never" is the title track and in this song, Brandy shares her frustration with everyone who seems to be against her happiness in her relationship. "We didn't let the thoughts that we had/ we didn't let the words that they said/ keep us from the love we now have/ never say never". It has been proven in aspect of life that there are people who always seem to be against one's happiness.
• "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You":  Brandy took a fresh twist on Bryan Adam's original "Everything I Do) I Do It for You" which was released on his 1991 album Waking Up The Neighbours. Brandy gives a lustrious performance on this song that was written by Adams, Michael Kamen and Robert John "Mutt" Lange.
• "Angel In Disguise": "Angel In Disguise is a very interesting song because it sings of deception. The 'angel' apparently was a beautiful woman who swept a man off his feet, thus ignoring the woman who truly loves him. "Angel is disguise she was/ but somehow you fell for her/ until she broke your heart that day/ and left you in rain" sings Brandy in the chorus.
• "The Boy Is Mine" featuring Monica: "The Boy Is Mine" follows "Angel In Disguise" on the album and it makes me think that this was intentional. Brandy sings of the deceit and then in the following song, seems to put up a fight against that 'angel' for her man. Anyone watching BET and MTV in the 1990s can remember Monica and Brandy in the music video for this song with leading man, Mekhi Phifer.
• "Almost Doesn't Count":  Guy Roche and Shelly Peiken wrote this song, which is my favorite track on Never Say Never. This song is a great break-up song because it expresses the shortcomings that cause for the end of a relationship. Sample lyrics are "I can't keep loving you/ one foot outside the door/ I hear a funny hesitation/ of a heart's that never really sure".
• "Have You Ever": "Have you ever had someone steal your heart away/ you'd give anything to take them feel the same/ Have you ever searched for words to get you in their heart/ but you don't know what to say" are part of the first verse of "Have You Ever". Dianna Warren wrote this song and it clearly expresses the feelings of been jilted by a loved one.

Brandy's career since 1998 has continued to sky-rocket. She has since released Full Moon in 2002, Afrodisiac in 2002 and Human in 2008. She has also appeared on the sitcom One on One, numerous talk shows and the reality show Brandy & Ray-J. She has since started a family and has appeared on Dancing With The Stars. There is no doubt that Brandy has a lot more to share with her fans. 

An Essential R&B and Soul Album is Essence Men

In 1999, Essence released a compilation album of love songs called Essence Men: The Love Songs featuring Barry White, Dru Hill, Al Green, Joe and others.

Essence has been a household name for decades because of the Essence printed magazine and since the evolution of the internet, for its website. In 1999, Essence with Universal Records, Inc. released Essence Men: The Love Songs. This album featured fifteen love tunes that according to the album case total the "soundtrack to love".

The Songs of Essence Men: The Love Songs

Legendary musicians like LTD, Barry White and Al Green have songs on this album. Newer artists like Eric Bennet, Chico Debarge and Tommy Sims also share some inspiring love songs on this album.

• "Let Me Make Luv 2 U": The first track is sung by the Transitions and is a remake of the O'Jay's' "Let Me Make Love to You" which was written by Bunny Sigler and Allan Felder. One of the verses sings "I promise that I'll never hurt you, I'll do everything that a man in love is supposed to do". The Transitions were Charles "Gator" Moore, Balewa "Bilal" Mohammed and Rashawn Morten and according to Amazon.com, they released one album, Back in Da Days in 2001.

• "Love & Happiness": Performed by Al Green and written by Green and Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, "Love & Happiness" is a classic love track. Originally released in 1977, this song has powerful lyrics like "happiness is when you really feel good with somebody, nothing's wrong with being in love with someone". Green is also known for hits like "Let's Stay Together" and "I'm So Tired of Being Alone".

• "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)": Joe Thomas, formally known as the R&B artist Joe, sings this sultry song which was co-written by him, Michelle Williams and Joshua Thompson. He starts off "Tell me what kind of man would treat his woman so cold, treat you like you're nothing, when you worth more than gold". As he continues, the song promises a love-filled evening of romance and total enjoyment. "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)" came from Joe's All That I Am album which was released in 1997.

• "Lady": D'Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, had everyone singing along in 1995 with his hit, "Lady". Penned by this talented artist and an equally talented counterpart, Rafael Saadiq, "Lady" came from the Brown Sugar album. Sample lyrics are "you're the talk of the town, everybody wants to know what's going down" and "I know I love you and you love me."

• "Ms. Wonderful": "I can't believe inside what I am feeling baby, everytime I see you my heart starts beating crazy" are a short sample of the sexy lyrics of Chico DeBarge's "Ms. Wonderful". Chico DeBarge, the son of Al Debrage wrote "Ms. Wonderful" with Anthony Scott. Chico also arranged and produced this song which was first released on Long Time No See in 1997.

• "Kissing You": Written by Keith Washington, Marsha Jenkins and Rodney Shelton, Keith Washington performs "Kissing You" with intense emotion. Washington sings "Tell me it's not just a dream, cause if it is, my heart believes". "Kissing You" comes from Washington's Make Time for Love album released in 1991.

• "Femininity":  The sexy heart throb, Eric Benet, also an ex-husband of Halle Berry, has a voice that mirrors his appearance. "Femininity" comes from Benet's True to Myself released in 1996. Benet wrote "Femininity" with C. Warren and expressed lyrics such as "a childhood innocence is how you look at me, but it's the warming touch that makes it feel so right".

• "Love Ballad":  Anyone who enjoys old school soul music has a copy of LTD's "Love Ballad". Skip Scarborough is credited from these romantic lyrics. "I have never been so much in love before, what a difference true love's made in my life" are the lyrics that start this song. Although this song is from 1976, the expressions of love can transcend to the 22nd century.

• "5 Steps": "5  Steps" is the last song on Dru Hill's 1996 Dru Hill album. J. Green, Tory Ruffin and W. Miller wrote this song. "I don't know how much longer, you're gonna be here, so I say my prayers every night, one for my mother, one for my father and one for the love of my life; so if you decide to leave today, then leave tomorrow at the door" are the beginning lyrics.

• "I'll Make Love to You": The title of this Boyz II Men song clearly states what the intentions are - to "make love to you, like you want me to and I'll hold you tight, all through the night". "I'll Make Love to You" was written and produced by Babyface. Boyz II Men, Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman and Marc Nelson, released "I'll Make Love to You" on their 1994 album titled II.

• "The Only One For Me": Anyone who loves R&B and Soul will enjoy Brian McKnight's songs. "The Only One For Me" was written and produced by McKnight and came from his 1997 album Anytime. "Looking out on the rest of our lives, if we're gonna be together or apart, about the only way that I know how to come is right straight from my heart" are some of the lyrics.

• "For You": "For You" is song by two Kennys. It was written by Kenny Lerum and performed by Kenny Lattimore. Released on his 1996 self-titled Kenny Lattimore album, "For You" is a perfect wedding song. Lattimore sings "cause this life is no good alone, since we've become one, I've made a change, everything I do now makes sense".

• "True Love": Calvin Richardson sang "True Love", a song featuring, written by and produced by Chico DeBarge. Although, Richardson never really achieved a high level of stardom, "True Love" is a great song. He sings "true love is hard to find, someone to treat you kind, and if true love you need, then you will find it in me".

• "Ecstasy (When You Lay Down Next to Me)":  Barry White with his extra-ordinary and sexy voice sang "Ecstasy (When You Lay Down Next to Me)" which was written by Ekundayo Paris and Nelson Pigford and released in 1977. "Ecstasy (When You Lay Down Next to Me)" is the longest track on Essence Men: The Love Songs. Although White passed in 2003, lovers worldwide will continue to enjoy his music.

• "New Jam": Tommy Sims sang, wrote and produced "New Jam" which came from his 2000 Peace & Love album. Although Simms is not a household name and "New Jam" is not really a love song, the song has a nice instrumental and his voice is smooth.

Essence Men: The Love Songs is an exceptional compilation of love songs performed by some of the greatest R&B and Soul artists of all time. The music comes from the 1970s and the 1990s and is great for a romantic evening.

It Feels Good

I know what I like. I guess we all do. Even if it's not what everybody else likes, once you can be satisfied, then run with it and enjoy it. Everyone will have their opinion and personal choice.

I like chocolate, I like music and I like to dance. I love my family and my close friends and I love poetry. I respect what everyone likes even though I may not support it. I am not a sports fan nor a fan of 'liming' any more but many people feel like that they are missing the world if they can't go to a jam.

I guess I have become quite satisfied with myself and and am able to entertain myself to the point where I don't demand much to be happy.

It's Hurricane Season

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30. We recited a poem in school to help us to remember the months of this season:

"June- too soon.
July-- stand by!
August-- look out you must.
September-- remember.
October, all over."

It is claimed to be an old mariner's poem. Since the season ends in November, we know that it is really not all over in October. 2011's Hurricane Otto that flooded many Caribbean islands including the BVI and USVI came in October.

I can remember some of the hurricanes that devasted the Caribbean. I remember Hurricane Gilbert which destroyed Jamaica in 1988. I had just entered the BVI High School (now Elmore Stoutt High School). I never remembered the BVI flooding back then. Lovindeer sang "Wild Gilbert" about the storm.

The next hurricane that I remember is Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Hugo did not trouble the BVI too much but it made a mess of St. Thomas and even more St. Croix. The late Nicholas "Daddy Friday" Friday of the Awesome Jamband sang "Hugo Make Me A Don" and of course this was a hit for the carnivals and the festivals in 1990 in the Virgin Islands.

I think the most notable year for storms that I can remember was in 1995. The Caribbean had Iris, Luis and then Marilyn. Each storm had its own punch. Marilyn was the one that hit the Virgin Islands the hardest. The effects of Marilyn are still evident in St. Thomas to this day where houses still sit roofless. Of course there was a Marilyn song, again by the Awesome Jamband.

We had a story about these three major hurricanes. Iris passed through first on her mission. Apparently, she and Luis had a fling and he was missing her so he tried to follow her path to find. However, Marilyn really loved him and she heard he went to St. Thomas so she rooted the island to find him - but to no avail. I guess we come up with these stories after being months without cable.

Marilyn affected me because it was my first semester at UVI and classes were on hold because of the damage to the school and the island as a whole. So imagine, I resign from my job, pack up and head to school and then school is on hold. I travelled back to Tortola and sought a job in a supermarket because I still needed to be occupied. UVI opened shortly and I was back in class and today I stand a proud graduate of the Class of 1999.

Hurricane Bertha hit the islands in 1996 and I can remember her lifting off a piece of the roof from my home. It's been stormy since and climate change experts have determined that Atlantic Hurricane Season continues to get deadlier. Hurricane Katrina did her fair share to the US in 2005, just 10 years after Marilyn.

The latest cause of misery has been Hurricane Otto who threw lots of water on the Caribbean in October 2011. We saw water coming from places that we never thought to be channels.

We know what this season can bring. All we can do is pray and be prepared as best we can. Canned food, flashlights, a packed bag, first aid items and drinking water are the basic items to keep at hand. Hurricane shutters or wood for barring up should be close at hand.

By 2015, we may need to alter the last line of the mariner's poem and add another line:
October--it's not done yet
November--hope it's over

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