What’s It Going To Take?

What will it take for you to get involved?

Instead of just “reiterating” how important this election is, we need to start discussing why it’s important for everyone to be involved in preserving our democracy. We have seen how apathy and complacency lead to the dismantling of civil discourse and democratic values (having a choice) in the last 5 years.

I have voted in every election from the time I turned 21 in 1973. And since I was paying attention to politicians from an earlier age, I knew I would be a registered Democrat and voted accordingly.

The 2016 election was a pivotal moment for me. I knew when I saw Donald Trump ride down an escalator that we would have a hot mess on our hands and we did. I did what I could to help promote Hillary Clinton (including donating to her campaign), but it wasn’t enough. The divide in the Democratic Party was enough to open the gate for a trump win and a living nightmare for the rest of us. I still didn’t get it. And it wasn’t until I participated, by actively protesting in a “tax march” against him in 2017, that I finally understood. We cannot sit idly by and allow our “feelings” to guide us in making decisions that have serious repercussions for the nation.

For those who “hated Hillary,” I hope they have learned their lesson. First of all, the reasons I heard was the kind of stuff elementary school students would use. She did nothing to the individuals complaining about her not leaving Bill, or even in the Benghazi issue, because she was not calling the shots in Benghazi—a little detail that many have ignored. It wasn’t her fault that Congress ignored her requests and then did nothing until it was too late to do something for those killed. Hillary didn’t kill them or cause them to be killed—irresponsible politicians did.

Now, because of the dereliction of duty by most to vet all candidates thoroughly and to exercise “wisdom in voting,” we have to fight off the loss of democracy for all because of the haters in America. Our Freedoms hang in the balance of our time in existence. Rights that have been fought for and won are now being reversed because of white supremacists making decisions on the Supreme Court. Those who hate and are fearful of those who don’t look or act like them, are responsible for the mess we face.

Once again, we must understand history, in this country, in order to understand what we’re facing. Before the establishment of Roe v Wade to ensure the safety of a woman who chose to terminate a pregnancy, many women died at the hands of the unscrupulous and ill-equipped. Overturning the “decided” view and sending to the states to determine has turned back the hands of time and once again, if we the people, don’t’ do all we can to stop it, many women will die again.

For those states who have ruled that banning abortion was in the interest of the “fetus” and not the woman, we’ll see how this plays in the court of public opinion, globally. Pro-lifers—are not for “life” of any living, breathing human being outside of the womb. They are “pro-fetus” and all they care about is “controlling what women do with their bodies.”

Even when women may have to travel to other states to access healthcare they need, having to travel is akin to bounty hunters crossing state lines to hunt and return run-away slaves. In the 21^st Century, no one should be subject to such treatment and disregard.

So, while many think the current situation is just about the loss of “reproductive rights,” they need to think again. There’s more to the sinister plot on the Supreme Court and it all leads to white men controlling what women do—again. There are not content with controlling reproductive rights, there is discussion on the table to reverse a number of “settled law” precedents that include: marriage equality rights, privacy rights regarding sexual relationships, civil rights, having access to contraceptives, having access to a quality education and for the most part—human rights—with the exception of controlling what men can do.

As a result of the sinister plot being revealed on the Supreme Court, every eligible voter in the country needs to start thinking be yond partisan ideology and political party and get involved in the political arena to “preserve our democratic (having a choice) republic. If not, we will soon be a fascist nation with a dictator calling all the shots and forbidding our participation by negating our rights to vote.

As Americans—born in this country and having full rights as an American—we cannot allow the hateful and bigoted antics of the white supremacists organizations to ruin our country. We must get involved and we must vote for those who will protect our rights to vote (without trying to overturn an election when they lose) so that our children and grandchildren will have a chance to enjoy what we have fought for in times past. They should not have to fight the same battles that were already won, until a narcissistic megalomaniac won an election because “some were angry with Hillary.”

The time is NOW—in every primary election and general election for the next 20 years, for us to fight to retain our democracy! Vote Blue in 2022 and beyond!

https://youtu.be/J-YqnV0W4vc

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Being A Proud Black Mother

I’m a proud black mother

Who reflects upon history

And understands the timeline,

The never-ending chronology

Of mothers’ fears, worries and concern,

About every child delivered and born

Into this world of inequality and scorn

Simply because of their skin tone.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

Who can and does empathize

With those who stood quietly,

Tears rolling down their face

Pain ripping apart every fiber of their being,

As they watched their babies,

Torn from their arms,

Sold, abused and misused, slaughtered and maimed

All at the white man’s whim

With no humanitarian laws against him.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

Who lived through Jim Crow laws,

Never fully understanding then,

Heartache endured of my kin

Who had to stay in “their place,”

Never muttering a word against

Discriminatory acts, fear etched in their face,

Because the laws were never just,

Never considered the black man worthy of equality

Or having just laws to protect their families,

All we got was silence, no response to our pleas

To be treated like human beings.

 

I’m a proud black mother

Who gave birth to two children

My daughter and son, in that order.

Teaching her how to avoid situations

That could traumatize her life,

Teaching him how to avoid strife

While living black.

Over 40 years later, since my children were born

Not much has changed, children are still torn

From their mothers in one way or another,

From police brutality or someone else’s brother,

Who just didn’t understand

How precious life is for every black man.

 

I’m a proud black mother

And though some may never admit,

Days of being concerned, fretfully

About the plight of every black child

Will never end, until every man, woman and child

Stops treating human beings differently,

Until laws include a humanitarian stance

With equality and justice for all,

No matter what our skin tone is called,

Because the simple truth is this,

If we believe mankind began on the African Continent,

We are all of African descent

And can no longer hide in ignorant bliss

Behind the lies of inferiority of one man

To appease a fragile ego of those needing

To feel and act superior.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

In my advanced age, still willing to take a stand,

Actively involved with my vote and my hands,

Working with the community to silence the hate

That if not quelled, will eventually obliterate

Any forward movement, any strides made

To cross that finish line where all men, women and children

Are seen as humans and not just the color of their skin.

But until that happens, please understand the need for all to see

Black Lives Matter—especially to mothers who look like me!

Accountability For All!

Dear trump supporters:

I’ve had a lot to say for the past two years, but this is my first letter directed at you. And yes, I know I didn’t capitalize his name, I seldom do. I have no respect for him and I won’t pretend that I do. What amazes me is that anyone could have any respect for him, but apparently, some do.

Let me begin with those who voted for him–shortsightedness, frustration, anger, apathy or just plain stupidity guided this shipwreck of a decision and here we are. I really don’t care about those who claim to be pro-life when in actuality, they are pro-fetus, not the life of those outside the womb. The proof–the mindless moron just condoned the killing of an American journalist because he can’t stand the thought of losing any business (his personal business–it’s not about America First) from the Saudis. This is what gets me–he lies and lies, deflects and denies and that same segment of people, keep making excuses for him and justifying his behavior. And for those hoping a Republican court system will prevail against abortions–think again. It won’t. If you don’t want to have an abortion, don’t have one. If you don’t want to be married to a person who is the same sex as you are, don’t marry them. And before you get your underwear in a bunch, I’m more Christian than any of the dolts who voted for this moron, and I know the most important commandment we have from Jesus is to love–unconditionally, so keep your religious, Phariseetical comments to yourself.

He does not care about America–if he did, the deficit would be decreasing and not increasing. He does not care about our military–if he did the 5800 troops at the border would be home with their families, he would have gone to combat zones before now to visit our troops, and he hasn’t done a thing to support our veterans. Anyone with even partial vision and hearing knows by now, he disrespected veterans by not going to the Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day or the cemetery in France. He met with Putin and was so glad to see him that everyone remarked at the pure joy that showed in his face. Most of the veterans I know and have an affiliation with–are totally po’d with him. They have not been paid benefits for some time now and it’s going to cause problems for many. But does he care–not one whit. He disparaged Admiral McRaven–claiming Bin Laden should have taken out sooner than he was. But now, please remember–trump avoided the draft with phony deferments five times to avoid Viet Nam and now, he claims he doesn’t want to visit the troops for fear someone will kill him. Amazing how that fear never stopped other presidents from visiting troops in combat zones and yet–he claimed he’d run into a building with an active shooter in a school. More lies. He’s afraid of the rain because he can’t manage an umbrella.

And then there was the tax cut scam that many are going to soon regret when they realize, they did not gain anything because all the exemptions and deductions will no longer exist when they file their taxes. So some thought getting a few extra dollars in a paycheck was going to make a difference–short term and temporary. The corporations who got all the real breaks, bought back their own stocks, laid off workers and many closed doors, leaving the workers–behind the eight-ball. Right now, GM is cutting their work force by 18K. What are these folks supposed to do? Join the rolls of the unemployed and watch that percentage rise from 3.9% back to 5.1% nationally. It’s coming–this is what always happens when Republicans control government–they enrich themselves, cut spending for the poor and then we see a recession. Democrats are the ones always left to clean up the messes and reduce the deficit–by raising taxes–because cutting them led to the increased deficit to start with and the working class, did not benefit the same way the rich did.

He’s abused and misused the office of the presidency to the point where America is the laughingstock of the world. We have more lawsuits pending in court than ever before (and we’re only 2 years into this fiasco) and now–journalists have been put in danger all over the world with his stupid, mindless, reckless, rhetoric–calling the media the enemy of the people.  The true enemy of the people–is trump–the wanna-be dictator who wanted to prosecute and jail anyone who criticized him and primarily to impede the investigation into the Russian involvement in the 2016 election. I know some will never believe it, but it’s true, and not believing–won’t change the truth. You know–the way some people say they don’t believe in God–they don’t have to believe Him–and it doesn’t change the truth of who He is.

Further evidence that trump doesn’t care about Americans or America is found in the roll-back of all the “consumer protections” that were established to protect us from corporate greed and disregard. Now, corporations can poison the water, the soil and pollute the air. We’ll end up with all sorts of diseases from the protections being rolled back and then we’ll just die because he doesn’t want to provide healthcare for all. I’m guessing how we bury our dead is not a concern to him.

If I tried to relate all the stupid he’s done in just two years, this would be a very long letter. So, let me get to the point of this. There needs to be accountability for every person in an elected office and since there’s no one in this administration that has shown any capability of being an adult, the culpability for the stupid falls on the shoulders of every person who voted for the menace in the White House. I didn’t vote for him because I knew from listening to him during the campaign that would be the biggest mistake I could ever make. There were at least 65 million of us who saw through all his blather and lies. Strangely, most of that 65 million don’t claim to be Christians and I would have thought, that Christians–who are like me–who can hear Holy Spirit when He speaks–would have known better. I guess that’s the difference between being religious and being in relationship with Christ. I heard Him speak to my heart and did everything I could to warn people, but the religious folks didn’t care. They even lied and said God chose trump to be in the White House. The God of Heaven that I serve is far too wise to have chosen a person who is the antithesis of who He is. If people truly know God–they’d know this. They would also know that according to the bible, if we warn people of impending danger and they ignore us–their blood is on their hands. If they heed the warning, they are safe. But if we don’t warn people when we see impending danger and people are harmed, then their blood is on our hands. I didn’t and don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands, so I warned and I am continuing to warn about the menace in the White House. What you do about it, is on you. Not me.

So, whatever happens from this menace being in the White House, if you voted for trump, you’re responsible. The lack of assistance and support for those in Puerto Rico, the delay in FEMA action from natural disasters, the death of the journalist (complicity), the veterans, the poor, the educational system, the deaths of millions who will succumb to illness because of the heartless, mindless moron you installed in the White House. This disastrous situation is all on you.

We can only hope–that a Democratic House will finally put a check on the menace and maybe, because of their example, the GOP in the Senate will wake up from the drug induced stupor (probably due to Russian connections and bribery) and uphold their oaths of office–which they haven’t done so far.

So knowing all that has transpired in the White House since January 20, 2017, can you look into a mirror and not cringe when you think about how lives have been affected, adversely since his inauguration? If you can look at yourself in the mirror and think he’s doing good things for America, then you are just as heartless and mindless as he is and the world would be better off without you. And when you die–I pray you suffer the same indignities that caged children have suffered and every person who has lost a loved one in a mass shooting or died because of a lack of access to healthcare. That’s all on you and I won’t let you forget it. Count on it.

THERE ARE NO ADULTS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND NONE IN THE GOP SENATE. WHERE ARE THE ADULTS IN THIS SITUATION THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE DIRECTION OUR GREAT NATION IS TAKING?

They’re on their way and some have already begun the process to make sure trump is exposed for all the evil he’s done and when those in Congress find their spines, they’ll do what they need to do. At any rate, 2020 is looking better and better for me (or someone like me) to win the presidential election and start cleaning up the mess made by trump on the national and international levels.

Let’s face it–you really blew it this time and almost cost the country its democracy. Happy now?

Sincerely,

Mary Hall-Rayford

 

 

The Purpose of My Books!

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Toni Morrison

Though I will be the first to admit that I am not a particular fan of Toni Morrison’s works, I agree wholeheartedly with her stance about writing. Before I even read this quote, I knew what type of books I wanted to read and wrote them–with the hope that I was not the only one who wanted to read–wholesome literature–devoid of voyeuristic scenes and profanity.

You see, as much as I love mysteries and romance novels, I started avoiding most of those on the market. Most of the suspense and thriller novels are so laced with profanity that I can’t get past the first chapter. When that happens, I simply stop reading. The same is true of some of the books that people are trying to pass off as romance, when they’re actually only about sex.

I’m not trying to tell other people what to write or how to write it, but I won’t read literature that opposes my faith and my stance with moral issues.

Therefore, I’ve written a number of books–that are romantic in nature without making the reader feel like they’re taking part in a perverse act–and have an actual story line, with lovable characters and those the reader can hate as well.

The suspense and thriller novels–are filled with all the stuff we love–intrigue, murder, human trafficking, kidnapping, but no profanity and the characters have developed “alternate” expressions that work well when they are emotionally charged.

I want to see a return of moral values and structures that all can read in the literature produced. So I have accomplished–at least I think I have–this goal with my books. Why am I saying this now? An author on Twitter posted that Indie Publishers should be blogging about their books, not their blogs. I agree and here I am.

I’d love to know what you think–regarding my purpose.  Did I accomplish my purpose or am I just whistling in the clouds of hope?

There are two fantasies for kids and I’m working on the third in the series. In these books, kids are empowered to overcome good with evil by relying upon innate powers within them– myBook.to/SuperTweens and myBook.to/OtherSide.  Both were written to empower kids between the ages of 10 and 12 and beyond with the latest effort–not yet available. Kids need all the encouragement they can get to do the right thing and to know others see them as worthy and not just a nuisance to be tolerated.

The suspense/thriller works are: myBook.to/Sword about a serial killer in a small town in South Carolina. I introduce Tyson and Tiffany as they team up to find the serial killer. In the second book myBook.to/TNT Tyson is working for the FBI and Tiffany is battling demons from her past, but it is with the struggle they discover who’s kidnapping mentally challenged girls and are able to defuse all the bombs the crazy Russian plants, except one. In  myBook.to/ElevatedHijinks Tyson and Tiffany and their team must find Swatere’s kids who have been kidnapped as revenge against Tiffany. They find the kids, but will a blazing mountain fire defeat their attempt to rescue them?

Two of the romance novels are based upon two ministers who meet over the phone and begin the journey that is overwhelmed with obstacles. myBook.to/Gifts begins the story, but even after they overcome the barriers set before them, others attempt to cloud the issues in myBook.to/Storms.  The last romance is more secular in nature, but still provides insight into matters of the heart and love without being erotically perverse. There is a wonderful story line in myBook.to/MoneyTalks about love, trust and betrayal.

There are many more found on Amazon–mostly Christian Living and can be accessed through this link  viewAuthor.at/maryglobal.  My goal with this post is to entice you to read my books and let me know if I have accomplished my purpose.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

What Happened?

Thump!
C-r-e-a-k!
Boom, Boom!
“Make it stop,” Tiny cried.
Bobby huddled, pale-faced, shuddering.
“What is that?” he sputtered.
Silence. The motor of the a/c stopped.
More silence.
Tiny nervously moved towards the door; it slammed open, making her jump.
“Aih!” she screamed, hiding behind the couch, waiting for the end.

(c) 2015 by Mary M. Hall-Rayford

My Nano Novel!

The first three chapters of my most recent novel is posted at the following link. Please read, leave comments and vote for me!

http://www.jukepop.com/home/read/6067?chapter=1 

Inspired, Prepared, and Equipped!

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 NLT)

I love it when I can go to The Word and be encouraged, when so many people make discouragement their past time. For all who claim that the Bible is merely a book and should have no bearing on our lives, proves they have not read what they attempt to refute. 

Yes, the Bible is a book–a book that is a record of not only man’s history (snap-shot version), but a record of all God has ever done for those He loves.

No, the Bible is not a novel and should never be read as though it was. For those who attempt to read it as such, they will discover (if their comprehension is finely tuned) that the chronology of events is not based on a sequential timeline nor is the layout of bible.

No, the Bible is not a book of fiction and for one to ascertain the truth of this statement, one needs to merely situate a credible history book beside the events that occur in the bible. It is a snap-shot record of historical events, divinely inspired to make sure Believers understand how God moved among His people throughout that history.

Yes, the Bible or book of scriptures as some would call it–was written by the hands of man (mankind), but inspired by God who spoke to whoever was willing to listen.

I’ve heard some say that there are too many translations saying too many things and so they refuse to believe any of it. That is truly sad. No matter how many versions of the bible are produced, none of the essence of what God has said or how He wants us to live–will ever change. Now, when people manipulate the “intent” of God’s Word, that is an entirely different matter. For a number of reasons, some have felt the need to: remove gender, remove references of hell, and to remove references of sin. For them–judgment before God will be swift since their intent is to deceive and deception is influenced by the devil. It really takes having a Relationship with God to understand how He operates versus how man thinks about what He does.

Some have said they do not believe the King James Version because he was gay. He may have been; I wasn’t around. What they have overlooked is the fact that regardless of his “sexual orientation,” the king did not write the version–he authorized its translation from the original languages (Hebrew and Greek). His purpose in having the bible translated into “the King’s English” was to make sure ordinary people could understand it (which happens to be why many are producing bibles in more contemporary language, but not manipulating the intent of the words).

Thank You, Father for inspiring people to write what You say, preparing us to live a life that is pleasing to You, and equipping us to do so through Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance. Hallelujah!

My NaNo Novel for 2014!

I had actually decided not to write for the NaNoWriMo challenge this year, but after a “friend” bugged me to do it, I did. I already had a story in mind, but had not determined what I wanted to do with it. So, a couple of weeks before the first of November, I developed my characters, my story map, and my fictional city–complete with a grid of the streets and location of all major buildings. I completed my research and typed up my notes, and on November 1, 2014, at 4:30 a.m. I started writing. By November 9, 2014 at approximately, 2:00 p.m. I had finished the first 50K! Now, near the near, I am revising (2nd round) and my word count is over 72K. Since i plan to publish the “finished” work (after 3 more rounds of revising and editing), it will be available on Amazon as an eBook, hopefully before the end of January.

At any rate, here’s what the cover looks like–right now.

There’s an excerpt on the NaNoWriMo site and I’ll probably post it again, soon! Some ideas are worth pursuing! This one certainly was!

Are You a Notch On The Devil’s Belt?

Being notch on someone’s belt is a phrase that is indicative of someone merely taking advantage of a situation–there is no attachment to the person or the event–just a game to keep count of those foolish enough to participate.

Women who sleep with men, indiscriminately, are usually just a notch on the man’s belt. He has no real affection for her and is usually involved in a macho-sadistic game with peers to see who can sleep with the most women in a given time period.

Young folks–who think and do stupid and dumb things are just a notch on the devil’s belt. He influences their their thinking and manipulates them into doing. He doesn’t care about them or the consequences they face; he just laughs every time people–especially our young people do stupid.

Doing drugs and becoming addicted–stupid–another notch on the devil’s belt; he doesn’t have to worry about you any more–your life will be filled with negativity and the consequences will include loss of friends, family, trust from others and eventually, you’ll end up in jail or dead. Can you hear him laughing at you?

Playing stupid games with people’s lives–such as the “knock-out” game–another notch on the devil’s belt. You knock out a person “just because” and they end up seriously injured or dead and you end up in jail. Another notch on the devil’s belt. Can you hear him laughing at you?

Participating in foolish challenges–risking your life to fit in with the stupid crowd. Social media is being perverted by those who are influenced by the devil and you have the nerve to jump right in and join them, never thinking about the risk. How many people died from the Cinnamon Challenge? Was that you who was rushed to the hospital, unable to breathe? Can you hear the devil laughing at you? If you had died, the devil would have been really ecstatic–another notch on his belt.

Whenever we do stupid–drinking and driving, texting and driving, having promiscuous sexual relationships with every Tom, Dick, and Harry or Sally, Sue, and Jane, doing drugs to relieve our boredom, contemplating suicide or homicide, ignoring instruction from parents and teachers or anyone in authority who actually cares about us–stupid things that lead to disastrous consequences–are just another notch on the devil’s belt.

Remember this–the devil hates all who God loves and he really loves to get you confused and doing stupid things so he can add that new notch in his belt. Don’t give him the satisfaction! Think before you do anything and learn to seek God for wisdom--turn the tables on the devil and every time you resist his influence, make that a notch on your belt. It’s your turn to laugh at him!

At the end of the day, count the notches–who’s winning–the devil or you?

To Whom We Are Accountable!

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:14 NLT)

Accountability–something that apparently many do not understand–having to give an account or explain our actions to someone.

When employees refuse to be accountable for their laxity on a job, they are usually fired and some become belligerent and some violent. They do not want to be held accountable for their laziness or lack of productivity.

When CEOs fail to make substantial profits for an entity, they are accountable to a governing board–hopefully–and many of them like to place blame for failing profits on someone else.

When children don’t do what they are supposed to do; especially in public settings, we–the general public–hold the parents accountable for the children’s actions which may not be the case.

When those who proclaim to be Christians–believing in all that God has said–do not “do what He says,” we are accountable–not to people, but to God! We have a responsibility to do all that God says within His Word–teach what He said, preach what He said, live like He said to live and love like He said to love. And when we see others who are not living according to His Word–we have a responsibility to speak up–admonish, instruct and correct–whether people like it or not. We are not accountable “to people” but we shall be accountable “for them” when we stand before God to give account for our actions in the earth.

It is that accountability to God that fuels me to say what God says and do what God says to do. It is that accountability that leads me to boldly speak (or write) whatever He puts on my heart to say to whomever He wants me to say it. God has not given us a spirit of fear that we should quake when He tells us what to say. He has given us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind so we have the courage to do all He instructs us to do.

Whether people want to hear God’s truth or not–we tell it.

Whether people want to read God’s truth or not–we write it.

Whether people know how to receive love or not–we love them.

The “we” I reference pertains to all who proclaim to be a follower of Christ–a child of the most High God–for we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ nor do we shirk from our duties. We understand accountability and know that when we stand before Him on That Day–we will be without excuse and can blame no one for our laxity if we have not done all we could do.

We are accountable–so let no one–absolutely no one–attempt to make you feel that you should proclaim the Gospel, wherever you go, for they will not be held accountable for what we do–we will and to God only!