We are merely sharing this image and documentary video message for educational and awareness purposes because we both identify and empathize from experience with this type means of financial living. It hits home personally because it is a reality of how much of a struggle my path is towards financial freedom with financial security as a primary long-term goal. “It’s hard out here, but L.I.F.E. ~Living In Faith Everyday teaches us adaptation, perseverance, patience, forgiveness, and develops a countenance for various pains, which in my journey has been mostly financial crises struggling to keep head above water, among others. I too am an American Express SERVE cardholder since 2013, among others. (Canfield, L., 2014).
IEPM | STC-TSG Web Administrator
Tyler Perry “Stop Living Above Your Means”
[I put up some information online about pay-day loans, car title loans, check cashing companies and so on and I was surprised at all the people who were affected, knowing people who have done this. The comment that I found the most was “stop living above your means”. [sic] Well, let me just say, you really should see the video that I narrated for American Express Serve. It’s called #Spent. I’ll post the link at the bottom, but I want to tell you why you should see it. Most people who find themselves in this situation are not living above their means, they are living by any means necessary. [sic] Again, to all those who think people use these services because they live above their means, think again. Watch this documentary. You’ll see. And to all my dreamers, keep fighting. I was there too. It gets better] (Perry, T., 2014).
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We have in no way altered the herein video and/or social media post shares and make no intent to copyright infringement. All copyrights therefore belong to original creators, authors, publicists or the like and expressly are not those of our own.
IEPM | STC-TSG Web Administrator
“Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.”
Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code § 512. Limitations on liability relating to material online11. Retrieved on 02/22/2013, from http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html
Published on Sep 24, 2013
This is a reading of Maya Angelou’s poem ‘Still I Rise’ accompanied by a piece of music entitled ‘Time’ by German composer Hans Zimmer.
So grateful that I pray & God Answers Jn 16:22-24… I had been stressing over whether or not I am right to trust or support others, their businesses and/or causes when rarely it seems the gesture(s) are non-reciprocated. I had been on an emotional rollercoaster wanting to give up at times. HE showed me the selfishness in others as well as the selfless.
Where I am saddened, he lifts me with joy (Rom 15:13).
Where I became angry & desiring to sin by lashing out, he said “I Got You” (Rom 12:19).
Where I wanted to give up, he said “keep it moving” (1 Cor 15:58).
Where I lack control in my frustration, and call out to HIM, he assures me “you are forgiven” (1 Jn 1:9, Eph 1:7, Dan 9:9).
I used to tell people very often of my struggles, but now I just tell who can do something about ’em ~My Father and family in Christ.
God confirmed something very real to me earlier today from something shared on Facebook (Personal Communication, Carole Meloni BA 0512/2014) and that is…
I really love the Japanese Kintsugi (Kintsukuroi) Art correlation to the biblical truth where we receive strength via endurance, patience, tolerance, and development while we experience physical and mental weaknesses, disappointment, intimidation, abuse, pain, anxiety, standing steadfastly in various areas of need, but taking pleasure in the power of Christ (Para, 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 KJV).
THE BEST DAY in MY BROKENNESS
The Japanese Kintsugi/Kintsukuroi Art basically redefines the broken vessel with gold. Gold has a “fire trying” process towards purity (Paul Pusteinik Para, 2014).
This photo was retrieved from public domain via a VERY UPLIFTING WORDPRESS BLOG and all rights to it belong to original creator(s) (Paige Bradley ~EXPANSION) and are expressly in no form attributable to STC TSG or IEPM. It is neither an exact replica of the aforementioned Japanese Kintsugi (Kintsukuroi) Art Practices. Yet, in so many words that a picture may tell, it is full of expression, which I assimilate to as a broken vessel of which GOD designed wonderfully, flaws and all. (Ps 139:14 KJV).
*The Japanese art of Kintsugi, or Kintsukuroi, repairs broken pottery with seams of gold. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object even more beautiful than it was prior to being broken. It is a long and difficult process, but the results are treasured by those around it. Uplifting and hopeful, it is an inspiring metaphor for dealing with the times we feel broken in life. It’s a reminder to find the gold to mend ourselves (Paul Pusteinik, 2013).
Our faith as Christians or believers of Christ, has to be tried with the Holy Ghost fire, which encourages patience and empathy and all through strength and LOVE (GOD) ~James 1:2-3.
Lord knows I am in a period of “Make Do Praise” as spoken of in the sermon “Everything Mother Had to go Through” (Wright III, R. 05/12/2014, via ustream). I may not look like what I have been, or am going through, BUT GOD!!!! Hallelujah.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER of CHRIST … IJS! IAMNRU! ~the Messenger
I am merely sharing this Byron Cage video and Paige Bradley photography as a portion of the inspiration that I received from the Spirit on persevering through the broken areas on this journey of L.I.F.E. Living In Faith Everyday.
Both the song and the imagery speak volumes of strength and courage to me. I left home thirty years ago at age 16, already a single mom of one and expecting. Many years have gone by since then as with many difficulties as mentioned above. Now mother of six adult children (all away from home), experiencing medical maladies and financial distress, I still strive to make due. Somehow I never saw me reaching age 35, let alone forty-six BUT GOD!!! I cannot even expound upon how desperately I’ve longed that my life would amount to purposefulness and how even now at this fortieth decade, I still feel broken at times. However, when looking back at my experiences and correlating them to scripture, this Japanese Art form, and this song, the purpose is so much more VISIBLE via Spiritual Specs. Thank you FATHER for such clarity that it is not in vain.
I am merely sharing this image and video link without intention of copyright infringement because they both fit my mood today.
You know people can sometimes take our kindnesses for granted, misuse and/or abuse our hearts and tests our wills, but to GOD be the Glory for the trying of our Faith.
Cage, B. (October 25, 2007). Invitation To Worship…”Broken, But I’m Healed” [Digital Source/YouTube Standard License Music Video]. Accessed via YouTube. Retrieved on 05/13/2014, from http://youtu.be/-2JTeCxjIWc
Cody,Nicole (May 29, 2013). Cauldrons & Cupcakes “A Guided Meditation for Heart Healing & Rumi Quote “The Wound is the place where the Light enters you”. [Digital Source/Weblog Image Share]. Kintsugi Image. Retrieved on 05/12/2014, from http://cauldronsandcupcakes.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/dirffrb.jpg
Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code § 512. Limitations on liability relating to material online11. Retrieved on 02/22/2013, from http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html
Paul Pusteinik, (2013). Accessed Kintsugi / Kintsukuroi Gifts |More Beautiful for Being Broken on 05/12/2014, from http://www.kintsugigifts.com/index.html on 05/12/2014. Retrieved from http://www.kintsugigifts.com/kintsugi-mending.html
Wikimedia Foundation/Creative Commons Attribution-Share-a-Like License (May 13, 2014, last modified). Kintsugi & Kintsukuroi text quoted. [Digital Source/Web Definitions Search]. Terminology originally accessed via a Facebook post. Retrieved from personal research via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsukuroi
Wright III, R. & Wright Jr., R. (05/11/2014). “Make Do Praise….Everything Mother Had to go Through” [Digital Source/Video Upstream]. Christianity|Sermon. Accessed ustream.com http://www.ustream.tv/channel/newtab. Retrieved on 05/12/2014, from http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/47430038
“Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.”
Only the Lord knows it has been a tough nut to crack on my home-front. Every since the start of this program along with the refusal of acceptance for financial assistance from our state’s official, things have gone south in the area of adequate health care for me.
Before this platform was instigated I had been receiving care for 12 years including medications, doctor’s visit, and some prescription assistance. Having a debilitating disorder was not a bonus either when it came down to showing up for what would be my last doctor’s appointment, here is why:
There is a sickness in our government under the code name: SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in HIGH PLACES, that is i.e. positions of authority. ~”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).
Where is the darkness? Well, for me it was in health issues vs. care/cost; educational issues vs. cognizance/cost and healthy reputation vs. identity theft/breech. For most working citizens it exists in health/life/home & life insurance regardless of income.
Why?
Because it is all set up to take more than it gives & now they (SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in HIGH PLACES) have made it mandatory to assume these insurances but with very strict guidelines which make it near impossible to attain. I have tried, so I am not speaking from hearsay but experience.
Some of the restrictions and/or guidelines include:
1. Fair Credit Reporting Acts: which cannot see that up until the time you were no longer able to work due to health issues, you could afford certain costs.
2. Consumer Reports: That do not show that you are now bed-ridden, physically or mentally incapable of smart buying/budgeting due to the given lack of the same work effort and/or ethics to afford healthcare costs.
3. Refusal of benefits and/or coverage despite alleged laws prohibiting such denial due to pre-existent health conditions.
more… (to name just a few).
I cannot vouch for whether others have had harmful experience with accessing necessary care and/or treatment, other life essentials such as employment, disability claims, retirement, insurance coverage, etc. but I was not at all shocked when I ran across this video as to whether it held any truth.
As a Louisiana resident, it is fairly close to hard truth. After having spoken with others in states like Georgia and Mississippi, the same truths are upheld in some instances for similar difficulty with finding and/or obtaining reasonable if any type health insurances, getting the most back from SS taxes paid in, retirement or the like (Freeman, Lucien, Williams, White, Johnson et al, Personal Communication, 2012-2014).
I learned nine years ago to rely on a higher power for my health needs to be met. It is mostly known as a methodology of PRAYER and subsequently has been effectual at changing things for the better even though they had been arranged for bad. ~ “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20 KJV).
The above statement is in no way affiliated with the video shared but a subjective account for how the similar issues have adverse effect(s) on others in various areas.
IEPM Web Journalist
I am merely sharing this video link without intention of copyright infringement because this issue hits home for numerous others including myself today. I shared as an educational tidbit and need-to-know matter of the healthy hearts of those affected.
I hereby attest that I have in no way altered any of the contents therein and that I shared according to fair use codes of the U.S. Copyright Laws as referenced below. Furthermore, I declare that all rights belong to original creators, owners and/or producers and not that of my own.
Works Cited
Schiff, C., U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (Apr 21, 2014). “… affected by ObamaCare” YouTube Standard License | Non-Profit & Activism, [Digital Source/Video]. Accessed Public Domain. Retrieved on 04/27/2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY9DNfZWSE0#action=share
Scriptures via Holy Bible King James Version
Copyright Disclaimer:
“Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.”
