Black Folks: Why Do you attend Watch Meetings?

 

Article VIII, Volume II                              December 30, 2012

Watch Meetings

It is a long time practice for black folks to be in a church when the New Year comes in. It is said by many that this practice started in December 1862 to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation that was signed by Abe Lincoln to free the slaves, effective on January 1, 1863.  The story goes, the slaves went into church on New Year Eve as slaves and came out free after midnight.

However, a reporter pointed out that the practice was started much earlier in white churches.  Probably true, but that still does not reduce the sufficiency of the blacks celebrations.

I don't believe there was a whole lot of attendees at black churches informed about the Emancipation Proclamation. Instead, they went to worship service to give praises to God for his blessings and pray that freedom would be coming in the near future. Remember, they were slaves, and didn't have a lot of access to news.

I believe that research would show that the slaves begun the practice of prayer service on New Year Eve - when they could - many years before 1862.

Today, 9 out of 10 persons I know, probably never heard anything about the connection between the Emancipation Proclamation and Watch Meeting. The bottom line, we just do it to express our thanks to God.

In a sense, we are sort of like birds that fly south in the winter, we just fall in line and keep the practice going, without any thought about when and how it started. Slavery time? It isn't even part of the thought process.



Different Ways-Same Objective

Watch Meetings come in different forms today. Some of the differences are listed below:

    1. Some mega churches have three or more services on New Years Eve with the final service ending at midnight.

   2. Some the service start at 7 pm or earlier, and they feature singing and preaching most of the evening.

  3.  In some of the others, food is served, often of a soul food variety, during, before, or after the service.

  4.  In some traditional churches, they just pray, sing and testify until midnight. Then go home.

  5.  Many people just stay at home, and go down on their knees and pray, shortly before midnight and start their prayer and continue until the New Year.

   6. Then, there are others, who just pause wherever they are shortly before midnight, and render a prayer of thanks.

In conclusion, whatever method or practice you choose, just do it. I believe that God hears every sincere prayer and is receptive of all truthful praise.



Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.






 

The ten greatest basketball players of all-time. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had the greatest impact on the game. Special rules were implemented to help Michael Jordan.

Article 7  Volume 2                              December 9, 2012
                                           

                                         10 Greatest NBA Basketball  Players of All-Time

Everybody has an opinion about who is the 10 greatest NBA basketball players of all- time. Opinions may vary on the order, but our body of selections are solid. One of my criteria is that the players selected, accomplishments is compelling enough to keep them on the top 50 all- time list for the next 50 years.
I believe my top 4 selections (Wilt, Bill, Michael and Kareem) will be on the top 100 list for another 100 years.

My selections are:

1. Wilt Chamberlain ......................(1959-73) He won 2 NBA championships rings. but had a great impact on the way the game is played.  The only man to avg. 50/50 for a season (points/rebounds), 10 All-NBA teams, 4 MVP awards. Played with Globetrotters for two years (they didn't lose a game when he played with them).

2. Bill Russell ................................ (1956 -69) 11 times All-NBA, 5 MVP awards. His presence made it possible for Boston to win 11 championships in the 13 years he played. He is one of only two players to win 11 championships (Sam Jones, Russell's teammate, is the other). I can't foresee another player topping this accomplishment in the next 100 years. A born winner, led tiny college in California to two NCAA Championships and the United States to the 1956 Gold Medal.

3. Michael Jordan.........................(1984 - 2003 (breaks in between)), 11 times All-NBA, 5 times MVP, won 6 NBA Championships. Great defensive player. But if I am choosing sides I would select Wilt and Bill first and second.  Big men win games, little men sell tickets. Number 3 All-time scorer with 32,292 points.

4. Kareen Addul-Jabbar..............(1969-1989), 15 times all NBA, 6 MVP awards.  A born winner.  Nobody could block his sky hook. Won championships everywhere he played. Remember how he led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Championship.#1 all time scorer with 38,387 points.

5. Ervin "Magic" Johnson..............(1979 - 1991 (briefly in 1996) 10 times All-NBA. 3 times MVP. 5 NBA Championships. Changed the way we look at point guards. At 6'9" most teams didn't have an answer for how to stop him. He could play every position on the floor. Led  Michigan State to NCAA as Freshman, and then entered the draft, and was selected No. 1 overall.  In first year, led Lakers to championship playing center.

6. Oscar Robertson....................... (1960 - 1974) Won only one championship, but his greatest was evident every game he played.  Spent most of his career with Cincy. The only player to avg 20/20 in a season. (points/assists).11 times All-NBA, l time MVP

7.  Larry Bird ..............................(1979 -1992) Played hard. 3 NBA championships.  Great all around player. Inspired his teammates to play harder. 10 times All-NBA, 3 times league MVP

8. Karl Malone............................  (1985-2003) Team went to finals 2years,   MVP award 2 conseuticut years, 11 times All NBA team .Number 2 all time leader in points scored, 32,292. Never won NBA championship.

9. Shaquille O'Neill...........    (1992-2011) 4 NBA Championships 14 All-NBA, l MVP

                             (Tie until career ends)
10.. Tim Duncan.......................(1997-Present) 13 All-NBA; 2 MVP

10a. Kobe Bryant................. (1997-present)  l3 All-NBA; won 1 MVP, fifth on All-Time scoring list with over 30,000 points 

Note: Kobe and Tim are still playing. When their career ends, they will move up in the rank

                      Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved.

                                                                                                                                                 

Victims of hurricanes and other disasters: Are churches more willing to help the unknown than the known victims?

Article 6  Volume 2

Do Churches Hold Back Too Much When It Comes to Helping the Needy?

Each year churches take in millions of dollars.  You would think that one of their main goals would be to assist the local community and persons they know who are victims of hurricanes, floods, loss of job, sudden sickness and many other setbacks that occur in people lives.  Well, I think in the heart many churches are willing to help.  But, I believe, in many cases, they are more apt to gear their assistance to the unknown persons than to the known.

It is difficult sometimes for church members to digest the fact that persons they know are in need.  For example, many of us may have family members affected by hurricanes like Sandy or Katrina or other disasters and they stand in the need of help. The thought may be, while don't they (victims) just leave the area?  We will pray for them.  Prayer is always good. However, do they consider that they could use a little bit of financial help? 

Let us consider two persons standing in need.  One, you have seen grow up right before your eyes.  Another, you don't know anything about.  Which one do you think will most likely be offered the most, if any, financial help? The chances may be even better for the unknown if they never attended your church, live in another state or country, or know how to cope a plea.

Look at the budget of your church. How much money is allocated in the budget  to assist community or local citizens in need? Chances are less than ten percent of the budget. Often if the known person or family receive any help, they have to fill out so many papers to show justification, consequently, they just say forget it.  Whereas, all the unknown persons have to do is express a need.

I am not indicting any church or churches.  I just believe that the thought process has not reached home with many good intention persons and churches.

This opinion includes several Christian organizations that virtually ignore making provisions in their budgets to assist local needy persons or families.

(to be continued)


  Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved

Church Ground Burial: Have you checked on your family's burial sites lately?

Article 5  Volume 2




Many families have burial sites on church grounds. Recent events have prompted me to raise a question about the maintenance, record keeping and existence of grave sites families think exist.  Many churches have large turnovers of personnel and consequently the record keeping for grave sites is ignored.  As a result, grave sites get lost in the shuffle. Therefore, nobody can find any records to verify the existence of a vacant plot or can verify who is buried where.

I urged families to verify that their church accountability for grave sites, if any, is accurate.  In some cases, I believe, families will be surprised.  Let's face it, at most churches this is a volunteer job,  and many of the grave keepers are deceased or old.  Their duties started many years ago when they didn't really keep a written record.  They relied on memory. So, when some of them passed on - so did the whereabouts of certain grave sites.  In some cases, I was told, two or three family members were buried in one grave and nobody could be sure who they were.

Then, I believe, there are sites that two or three families think they own. But when the time comes, for either of the three families to use the site, they may find that it was sold or given to fourth family.

 In these times where land utilization is critical, some grave sites may have been paved over for parking lots, sold or just ignored.

You may be aware of the big mess they had at Ft Myer with grave sites. If it happens there - a multimillion dollar graveyard - why couldn't it happen at your church?

If families can afford it, I encourage them to consider a private or military (if eligible) grave site. They are generally  maintained better and records are kept.  Churches are okay, but the future in some cases, are unpredictable.  Churches are relocating and expanding.

In conclusion, I encourage families to check on their family owned grave sites and verify the records with the responsible person at the church.

Then you can have peace of mine.

(to be edited)       

Ain't I still a Negro? My birth certificate is the same as it was the week I was born

National News
Article 2, Volume 2                            January 15, 2012

                                                 Ain't I Still a Negro?                                                      

Just who am I? I mean, I know I am a child of God, but they keep changing or crossing me up about what I should be called.  Tell me, just who am I?

I was born a Negro. That is what they put on my birth certificate. I can show it to you. When I started elementary school. I was informed that Negro is a slave name, therefore, I should refer to myself as Colored. I told the teacher that everybody was colored. She told me I was being smart, so just shut up Colored boy and have a seat.

My first year in high school the teacher informed me that I was now Black and I should not use the words Colored or Negro because they were demeaning. She said I should use the word black, with a capital B. I told her that last year I was suspended 2 days because I called a boy Black, after he called me red. The teacher said that was last year, and now this is this year.

My freshman year in college they told me I was out of touch. I should use Afro/American for race. I told them I have never been to Africa so how can I be Afro/American?  My White friend from Africa can be Afro/American but not me.

But wait. If I am Afro/American, is the White man classified as European/American or the Asian as Asian/American? Oh, no, they say, just call them Americans or Asians.

Through all of the changes with my classification, America has been steadfast with the overall classification for white folks for hundreds of years. Just write White, and that is all right.  However, for us Black folks, there has been a constant change.  Tell me, how come?

I asked a lady from South America what classification did she use for her family. She said that her family use the category, Other.

Other is interesting. That means that you are other than all the others. In a sense, all of us are Other.

Somebody tell me the truth, ain't I still a Negro? Because through all the changes, my birth certificate, in block eight, still list me as a Negro.

So, just call me a Negro.  I won't complain, because all them other names are just nicknames, subject to change.

Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant  All Rights Reserved

Natural Death: Nine habits or practices that may be good to you, but may not be good for you, because they can lead to early death. But is it really natural?

National News

Article 1 Vol 2

Natural death is a common occurrence and classification. Whenever a person dies and it is determined that he/she was not killed in some manner, the death is generally classified as due to natural causes. Often there is  no explanation given. Although the death is natural, further examination will often disclosed that it could have been prevented or delayed for many years.

The body is made to last a long time if it is taken care of properly.  We can exercise and eat properly, but those practices do not guarantee a long life if we are not sound in many other areas of our lives.

I will list and discuss eight habits and practices that contribute to natural death:

1. Water. a. Lack of enough on a regular basis can cause our system to dry up and lead to kidney failure, improper body development and many diseases. b.  Too much water. Water is good, but too much of it can wash nutrients out of our system, thus leading to many of the sicknesses that we encounter for not drinking enough water.

2. Food. a. Eating too much of foods that we enjoy - knowing or unknowlngly - disregarding the facts that they are bad for our bodies.  For example, eating raw or poorly cooked meat, too much fried and processed food, consuming too much food cooked in improper oil. Also the intake of too much salt and sugar contribute to poor health and early death. b. Failure to eat enough of proper foods.Often, just a dab will do, but that dab may not be enough to keep the body functioning for a long period of time.

3. Stress. Worrying constantly about things that are completely out of your control or influence. For example, constantly in distress about money, work, children, family, friends and the economy. These worries causes our immune system to go bad and leads to early death.

4. Preventable diseases. a,Refusing to get vaccinations that can prevent sickness or diseases from destroying your body. b. Avoiding regular check-ups that can detect symptons of diseases that can lead to early death.

5. Excessive Time in Traffic. Spending three to four hours in traffic for 5 days a week can be very stressful. Also, the sitting down for a long period of time and be constantly in an anxiety mood, and the stress that goes through your body can lead to long term body damage.

6. Smoking. There is no upside, in my opinion, to smoking tobacco products. You can do all the things necessary to keep the body fit, but if you don't avoid the habit of smoking it may all go for nay, when it comes to living a long healthy life. I had a relative who was in excellent health, except for the lungs which was eaten away by tobacco. A lot of people are fooled by smoking mild ciggarettes. They believe that will help them avoid cancer. But, in my opinion, it just mean they will kill the person softly in a matter of time.

7. Drinking.  Excessive consumption of alcohol does not have an upside.  The alcohol will gradually destroy the liver and many other parts of the body.  Although, it may not cause death, it can lead to many sickness that will make a person unable to function mentally and physically.

8. Lack of Exercise. When you are able, but yet fail to get a minimum amount of exercise, the body will decay gradually, though you are still able to walk around. You can develop shortness of breath, overweigh, bones deficiencies, and worsen the effects of diabetes.

9. Fumes from household products.  Bleach is used to clean bathrooms and kitchen floors, cabinets, tables and many other household items. This product generally leaves a specific odor. We often just ignore it, and proceed with whatever we are doing.  Often, we ignore the odor and continue working in it, and even sat down to relax while the odor is still still strong in the house. Inhaling these fumes can lead to cancer, respitory problems,  and internal body damage.  The consequence can potentially contribute to early death. In  days of old, some families would spray DDT just before meal time. and wait about 15 minutes and start serving dinner while the odor was still in the house.  This practice, I believe, lead to many early deaths. They call them natural deaths. But were they?

There is one more that can be good to you but an over consumption can be very bad for you. So, you have to determine, in a logical manner how to deal with it. I can not go in detail because I promised to only write about nine habits and practices.

Nevertheless, be aware that natural death is often caused by habits and practices that we enjoy and we  refuse to make corrective adjustments even when we know the potential consequences.

Be safe, develop good habits and remember, the body, like fruit on the vine, if treated properly, can survive a long time.