#52 Eating Fruit or Good Stuff In / Good Stuff Out

*Disclaimer: School-aged children are cautioned to understand that all information is not good information, especially when it comes to Internet-derived information. In computer software programming circles, this concept is referred to as GIGO - garbage in, garbage out - and means that if you have bad input it will likely produce bad output. Adults, too, must also beware that Internet websites and emails espousing certain claims may contain a fraction of truth that may disguise the untruths therein.


The article below entitled “The Correct Way of Eating Fruits” was originally written by a Singpore-based chef and culinary writer Devagi Sanmugam and has been since altered a few times to include additional claims of false facts, including the "heart attack" advisory at the end. You can read more about this from the popular Snopes.com website, which works to expose urban legends. Just visit http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/fruit.asp for the exposed untruths written into the “Eating Fruits” article.


Here’s the real fact: eat fruit because it’s healthy for you! Or this thought - when you put good stuff in, you get good stuff out of it.


The USDA recommendations for fruit consumption by age can be found at this website - http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/fruits_amount.aspx# - which leads to the conclusion that much more factual data does exist. Individuals with certain health concerns should consult their physicians about dietary matters on a regular basis.


The article below was received by the author as an email a few years ago. Again, eat fruit because it’s healthy for you and encouraged by your doctor, not because you get an email suggesting that you do so. Before you publish Internet-derived information or forward that next email, take some time to validate if the claims are true, “partially true,” or completely false.

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# 52 EATING FRUIT*

(*Please read disclaimer at the beginning of this blog posting!!!)

Reproduced by

Vernon M. Herron


Disclaimer written by

Joseph Burton

We all think that eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It’s not as easy as you think. It’s important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits? It means not eating fruits after meals: fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach. If you eat fruit like that, it plays a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruit is the most important food. Let’s say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes in contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil. So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals!

You have heard people complaining—every time I eat water-melon, I burp. When eating a banana, I feel like running to the toilet, etc.- actually all of this will not arise if you eat fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying of other food and produces gas and hence you bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst and dark circles under the eyes, all these will not appear if you take fruit on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice, drink only fresh juice, not from the cans. Don’t even drink juice that has been heated up. Don’t eat cooked fruits because you don’t get the nutrients at all. You only get the taste. Cooking destroys all of the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look.

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day, keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhance the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Strawberry: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges, a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene- the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C and Potassium.

Guava and Papaya: Top awards for vitamin C. They are clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Drinking cold water after a meal: Cancer! Can you believe this? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this ‘sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

(*Please read disclaimer at the beginning of this blog posting!!!)

A SERIOUS NOTE ABOUT HEART ATTACKS

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE

THIS IS NOT A JOKE!

Women should know that not every symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common systems. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says that if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life. READ THIS---IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Let’s say it is 6:15 p.m. and you are driving home. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately, you don’t know if you will be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy who taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. This allows the heart attack victim to get to a hospital.

*Please reread the disclaimer at the beginning of this article. This email ends with "TELL AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THIS. IT COULD SAVE THEIR LIVES!" In reality, we should tell as many people as possible to take some time to validate if such claims are true, “partially true,” or completely false.

#51 STIMULATING EXCHANGES

#51 STIMULATING EXCHANGES

by

Vernon M. Herron

Reliving my college days in an American literature class, I often reflect on three writings which have followed my developmental thought processes through the years. I am not sure that I comprehend the motifs but the essence follows. Are you familiar with these writings? If so, tell me about them. They are:

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s essay on---The Great Stone Face/The Old Man of The Mountain.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay on---Self Reliance, and

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio’s essay on---The Craftsman


The fable of the Old Man of The Mountain is powerful. High above the Franconia Notch gateway to northern New Hampshire, there is a profile of an old man who appears to be relentless, tyrant, a learned philosopher, stern and solemn. The profile is composed of Conway red granite formed by five ledges, when lined up correctly, give the appearance of an old man. One ledge forms the chin, another the upper lip, a third, the nose and two layers make up the fore-head.

The story is told how a young man of the community grew up watching and studying the Great Stone Face daily. When he became an old man, he became the old man of the mountain.

Read the story and go see for yourself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay on “Self-Reliance” reflects on the power of the individual toward making an impact on an institution when he says:

Every true man is a cause, a country, and an age; requires infinite

spaces and numbers and time fully to accomplish his design;…and

posterity seems to follow his steps as a train of clients. A man Caesar

is born and for ages after, we have a Roman Empire. Christ is born

and millions of minds so grow and cleave to his genius, that he is

confounded with virtue and the possibilities of man. An institution is

the lengthened shadow of one man; as Monachism of the Hermit

Antony; the Reformation of Luther; Quakerism of Fox; Methodism of

Wesley; Abolition of Clarkson. Milton Scipio called “the height of

Rome” and all history resolves itself easily into the biography of a

stout and earnest persons.

I know of many institutions which acquired greatness because of one leader/person who had stature, character, integrity and honesty. How many can you name?

Recently, I sent “An Inquiry” to my “Think Tank” friends which resulted in stimulating exchanges. I was so impressed with the responses, I share them with you for your stimulation.

The sent Inquiry

To: My “THINK TANK’ Friends

From: Vernon M. Herron

Re: A treatise written by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

He describes ‘The Craftsman’ as follows:

Neither talent without instruction,

Nor instruction without talent

Can produce the perfect man.

He should be a man of letters,

A skillful draughtsman,

Expert in geometry, not ignorant of optics.

Well ground in arithmetic;

He should know considerable history.

Have listened to the philosophers diligently,

Should be acquainted with music;

He should not be ignorant of medicine,

He should be learned in the findings of the legal experts

And should be familiar with astrology and the laws of astronomy.


I have long struggled to understand the author, to no avail. Help me with your opinion.

• What is Pollio saying?

• Must one be an expert in most subjects to be connected, function able or a craftsman?


Thanks for your response.

The following are sample responses received:

I cannot tell whether you are appalled by the utter secularity of the point of view, or the claim that a wide range of knowledge has value. Either way, I trust you are teasing those of us whom you have put in the tank.

If Pollio was a real person and not a composite of later scribes, and if he indeed provisioned large armies on the move, then he may well have come closer to meeting the ideal set down here. Most of us mortals live in lesser climes.

SJ


I think the converse of what he has written gives a common man's view of what a craftsman is. Thus, what he writes in this description elevates that common view of a craftsman to that of an intellectually well-rounded individual in whatever it is in which he is considered such, a "craftsman."

1)- A trained brain surgeon is educated and skilled in his craft, but is hardly considered a "craftsman." (intellectually well-rounded)

2)- A skilled carpenter may never have been in a classroom, but his skill makes him a "craftsman."(common man's view)

And what I just wrote probably doesn't make a damned bit of sense!!!

LOL -KK


I know only a little about this guy from my days in architecture school. Usually simply called Vitruvius, he is famous for writing some of the first extended riffs on architecture. His TEN BOOKS OF ARCHITECTURE are full of lofty pronouncements about architectural ideals. Best known is that a good building must possess firmitas, utilitas, venustas – ie structural solidity, usefulness to its occupants, and beauty.

The piece you quote is part of that “stating of ideals.” He is saying that the ideal architect (in his day, that also shaded over into “engineer”) should have all the characteristics in his list. To me, it’s a statement of things to strive for, not a set of minimum requirements to be a man.

Here’s more about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvius

Hope that’s of some small use – just my two cents. Thanks so much for this stimulating exchange!

TH

Allow me to submit that Vitruvius had a perspective that intellectually architecture was the height of man's abilities. Perhaps he and others shared this perspective. From his point of view, the perfect man practiced architecture, which Vitruvius concluded was at the intersection of all of the disciplines of which he wrote.

My perspective is that no one discipline stands at the zenith of human achievement. Hence the wisest ever man could have been pound-foolish or the richest man ever could have been an idiot savant. I believe that our greatness can only be measured against that which we have been presented for review. Inasmuch as I believe that I am an academically intelligent individual, I believe that my intellectual advancement is not a function of my intelligence but of my ability to be accountable for the information that I have been presented with through education and experience.

To be perfect man, I believe, is impossible. To be a perfecting man, that is one who strives for perfection, one must increase his exposure to information, be astute in his awareness, practice accurate recollection, and endeavor to synthesize his knowledge and wisdom in an effort to better understand his own world.

JB

-_____________________________________________________________

Thank you for encouraging us to think critically. You know, Socrates, one of the most famous philosophers and teachers of all times, taught by inquiry. One question after another, dealing especially with ideas and concepts led his pupils to grasp meaning and discover answers. It is one of the pedagogical methods we use in many schools across the nation today which we call Socratic seminars.

I think the writer was saying that in order to come close to being perfect in any area, one must be astute in all of these areas. We can certainly be functional and survive as many of us do, but to become almost perfect we must have expanded our base. Perfect is key in this piece. Is anyone perfect? Is anyone capable of being perfect. I don't think so. Only one man who has lived on this earth was perfect and we know that He walked out on the water, and He calmed the raging sea. Because he was perfect, he ascended to a higher level. I personally think that is what happened to Martin Luther King and the likes of Michael Jackson in their respective domains. They were approaching perfection.

We are all on a continuum, a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest (perfection). Our goal should always be to strive for perfection, then we may make it to eight or nine. I think Obama is way up there. We must keep him in our prayers. Thanks for allowing me to participate and I apologize for my delay. You have caused me to think which great teachers do.

KS

_____________________________________________________________

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?

# 50 AND COUNTING

# 50 AND COUNTING

By

Vernon M. Herron and Joseph L. Burton

Janus

In Roman mythology, Janus (Jay-nuhs) was a god who had two faces that looked in opposite directions, one face looked into the past and the other one looked into the future. This is blog # 50 and like Janus, there are some reflections and projections.

Reflections


My official blog, “Herron Speaks,” was first published on August 6, 2009. It was preceded by writings under the same title “Herron Speaks” for a school journal, The Herald News for Charlotte’s Second Ward High School in the late 1940’s. Now approximately 65 years later, I now conclude over two years of blog writing, which - through technology - has enabled me to write and publish freely to audiences across the Internet.


I have been inspired to write approximately 50 blogs consisting of chronicled commentaries presented in written, photo, audio and video fashion. I enjoy writing without limitations. Because comments can be easily gathered from readers, blogging is a form of social networking. It helps to keep me mentally alert, astute and relevant in research. A compilation of these 50 blogs are now approaching book form and may be secured in days to come for future reference. It will be entitled HERRON SPEAKS, VOLUME I.


Reflecting on past blog writings, I conclude that the following were most:


Surprising--#1—I Remember: The Mecklenburg County Home.


Revealing--#2—Take Your Pick.


Contemporary--#9—Carrying Mrs. King’s Handbag.


Personal--#13—Remembering Dr. James E. Cheek.


Historic--#20—How The Richard Herron Family and Johnson C. Smith University are related.


Scientific—24—The Medulla Oblongata Overlay.


Religious--#27—Why I Enjoy Membership in The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.


Professional--#28—Meet A Principal Organist, R. Monty Bennett.


Startling--#29—Juneteenth.


Inspiring—#30—Negro Spirituals.


Self-Reflective--#38—Five of Many Hymns which Impress Me.


Biblically Based--#40--41-42—People of Color in The Bible. A Historic Perspective. God’s Use of People of Color.


Sensational---#48---I Changed My Mind.


Prophetic---#49---A “Doctoral” Robe But No Earring.


Projections


Blog # 50 brings us to another mile mark and still counting. We have “miles to go.” HERRON SPEAKS has goals for the second volume of the book. They are:


Goal 1. Write 50 more blogs this year.


Writing at least one blog per week should take us through the year 2011. I propose to write 50 new blogs this year.


Goal 2. Double the blog readership.


The present readership population of Herron Speaks is approximately 200. Our goal is to increase that readership by year end to approximately 400. You can help in this growth process by sending me E-mail addresses of persons of similar taste who wish to join us in a stimulating exchange.


Goal 3. Seek greater interaction from the readership.


This blog writer is moved with reactions from readers. Your disagreement, approval, another point of view or a new thought will help sharpen the writer’s vision. Each blog is a challenge for your input. We welcome your input.


Goal 4. Produce a Volume II book of blogs when #100 is reached.


Volume II should bring us to the end of the year. By that time the writer will be a year older and a new challenge will be at hand. That leads me to the next project activity, Face book.


Goal 5. Use Facebook to promote both Blog and Book.


Facebook is a social networking tool of great interest and significant relevance. There is a Face book account for the author that exists now. The goal is to utilize that account to aide in achieving the above goals and marketing printed works for public purchase.


Janus’ two faces give a holistic picture of blogging. We can see from which we have come and a vision of where we are going. You are a part of that process.

Let’s communicate.

#49 A “DOCTORAL” ROBE BUT NO EARRING

#49 A “DOCTORAL” ROBE BUT NO EARRING

by

Vernon M. Herron

The Rev. Dr. Charles McNeil

Recently, I was unduly happy to have received an announcement/invitation to the Installation and Banquet for the Rev. Dr. Charles McNeil, Sr. as the new Senior Pastor of the Transfiguration Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My “adopted” son has become a promising local pastor, community leader and a destined world citizen. Let me “back up” to give you the historic context of my relationship with seven boys being reared in Philadelphia by single parents.

When I served on the ministerial staff of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Philadelphia, I assumed a fatherly leadership role with approximately seven boys who were being reared in homes by single parents. Often, small meaningful jobs were provided and religious, racial and educational issues were raised and discussed within the context of the Christian faith. We constantly met at church where we often held our sessions before, during and after services.

One day an “outsider” who was a friend of “the boys” joined us in worship. He was immaculately dressed with an earring in his ear. His apparel was quite noticeable, which brought about a discussion once the guest had gone.

I distinctively remembered an inquiry as to whether the group should be influenced by the wearing of an “earring” in one ear as this “fade” was beginning its promotion. Noting that wearing such apparel has implication of an alternate life style, and that even though some successful black business men with wealth were doing so, the boys all looked to me for a response. I simply said, “if you as a male, wear an earring, Wall Street will not hire you.”  That seemed to have settled the question. I never heard it discussed any more nor did I ever see any one of the seven wearing an earring.

Of the seven boys, I lost contact with two; one became an electrician; one a family man, Reginald Russell; one, a manager of a school project for the University of Pennsylvania, Maurice Fluellen; one was featured in my blog #43 as a Government Analyst in the Corporate Department of Shire Pharmaceuticals, Donnell Sheppard and the seventh one is the Rev. Dr. Charles McNeil.

At an early age, Charles became a Christian, was baptized, licensed to preach and was ordained in and by the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. He serves on the board of directors for New Life Youth and Family Services in Harleysville, Pennsylvania; the Black American Legacy League in Philadelphia; and the Youth Leadership Development Programs, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. He is also a founding member of NewCORE (A New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity), Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, The Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

Currently, Dr. McNeil serves as the Executive Director for Church Partnerships and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University. He earned a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity Degree from Palmer Theological Seminary; a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University; and an Associates of Arts Degree in Specialized Technology from the Arts Institute of Philadelphia. In 1990, he founded Brothers United Basketball Fellowship, a sports ministry that ministers to hundreds of men through basketball, and is the founder/director of Inner-City Arts Program, Inc. He is currently developing a mentoring program for African-American boys, while collaborating on a book referencing the black church. His dissertation focused on the survival of black urban churches in a time of gentrification.

Dr. McNeil is married to Angela (Senior). They have three lovely children: 15 year-old Ayanna: 13 year-old Charles, Jr.: and 7 year-old Malaika.

I am proud of Charles. It was a long and hard struggle for him, his mother and his family yet he made it. Now he wears a “doctoral” robe (earned), and NO EARRING.

Congratulation and keep going!

#48 I Have Changed My Mind

#48 I CHANGED MY MIND

BY

Vernon M. Herron

Before I share a lighter side of my nature, let me set the record straight regarding my theological stance which guides me daily. I believe that God is:

Infinite

Omniscient

Omnipresent

Omnipotent

Immutable

and that I am a subject of HIS. (The meaning will be given later.)With that out of the way, let me tell you the lighter side of the story.

In recent years, my body has been racked with arthritic pain, so much so, I was beginning to lose the will to survive. All that I wanted was to be free of pain so that I could resume my former life’s style of preaching, traveling, dressing and engaging in other cultural and political activities. Since it seemed that those days were long gone, and that “I could not do like I used to do,” I was preparing for “heaven” by declaring no more preaching, expenditures on cars, travel, clothes and luxury for me.

But something happened for the better. Medically, a procedure allowed me to have an injection which removed all pain due to arthritis. Now, I feel much better. I have changed my mind about life and living. For example, initially I was invited to return to the St. Paul’s Baptist Church, West Chester, PA, where I once served as Interim Pastor to preach. Initially, there was a decline to return to fulfill that objective for health reasons but with a new lease on life, my beloved daughter, Leila and I returned to West Chester, only  to fellowship in worship and renewed memories. The following excerpt from a “thank you” note to the church captures  the spirit of the day.

“You demonstrated brotherly love in every way. You provided convenient transportation , comfortable lodging, delicious food, in-depth discussion, a meaningful worship experience and gracious social networking. I shall long remember your thoughtfulness and magnanimous spirit. We enjoyed a safe trip and a well planned and executed experience.”

The “provided convenient transportation” consisted of being chauffeured in a 2010 Mercedes Benz S-550 Sedan which was

fully loaded with dual climate control, heated seats, blue tooth hands free telephone, state of the art navigation system, rear window shade at a cost of “a pretty penny.” The ride was comfortable, smooth, awesome and technologically controlled. I had to say, “mama, look at your boy!”

I was driven by a “brother” who had just retired from the UPS. Deacon Marvin Stewart is his name. Needless, to say that I was impressed beyond measure.

Now, I have an 18 year old Buick automobile, free of debt, it rides good and is clean. I have no intention of another car note, but since the West Chester ride, I have changed my mind and am open to “new rides.”

Now, there is a second episode which has influenced my thinking.

A certified tailor came to my home/office and tailored for me three suits to be worn during the year. I was impressed with his marketing skills, presentation, his precise measurements, business experience, goals, proficiency and efficiency and he is Black college trained. Since my body pain has subsided, I am committed to live a little longer to wear these suits. In fact, at one point, I said, “no more travel for me, no more clothes, no more cars and no more preaching” but I’ve changed my mind. Let’s put “heaven” on a little hold, wear some of the new clothing, do a little more traveling and even preach one more time. I have been so busy: “Ain’t Got Time To Die.” Read Hall Johnson’s words in his spiritual.

Lord, I keep so busy praisin’n my Jesus

ain’t got time to die.

‘cause when I’m healing de sick,

it takes all of my time

to praise my Lord.

If I don’t praise Him, de rocks gon’ter cry out

glory and honor!

Lord, I keep so busy workin’ fer de kingdom,

ain’t got time to die.

‘cause when I’m feeding de po’

I’m working for de kingdom,

ain’t got time to die.

Lord, I keep so busy servin’ my master

ain’t got time to die.

‘cause when I’m giving my all,

ain’t got time to die.

Hear the conclusion of the whole matter: God has the last word!

I began this writing by listing the attributes of God. Now, I want to give definitions and a conclusion.

Infinite: subject to no limitation or external determination.

Omniscient: having infinite awareness, understanding and insights.

Omnipresent: present in all places at all times.

Omnipotent: unlimited power.

Immutable: not susceptible to change.

I may have changed my mind, but GOD is the final judge. My times are in His hands!

PEACE.

                    

# 47 Projects Which Motivate

# 47 Projects Which Motivate

by

Vernon M. Herron

Most public school systems are experiencing a life/death struggle for its daily existence. Never-before have challenges been so pronounced: budget cutting, teacher lay-off, curriculum curtailment, school mergers, transportation problems, poverty related districts and student motivation, etc. to name a few.

Private schools are growing by leaps and bounds mainly because of a focus on ‘student motivation.’ This blog posting is written to show how two independent educational projects are designed to motivate students within the public school systems. They are the Going FOURword: Using Four-Letter Words in a positive way, and Jonathan Stewart: Playing the Field or the Piano.

Going FOURword  is a  motivational strategy conceived and used by school teacher Thornton Howard, III which uses over 1600 Four-Letter Words in a positive way. This strategy seeks to help elementary and middle-scholars think positively and act responsibly to achieve academic success. Going FOURword is a phrase used to describe the attitude and actions of anyone using a four letter word in a positive way.

The going FOURword- workbook is designed to help engage students in dialogue and activities to increase their self-esteem, and to help develop plan for accomplishing their goals. This work book is divided into four sections called Success Routs: Self Esteem, Goal Achievement, Peer Power and Helping Others.

A simple way to engage youth or anyone is through the use of four letters-words (the good ones,) words like able, best, good, and team, etc. These words are to be used for class or family discussion and for individual student empowerment.

  Going FOURword is a project that motivates.

 

The second project worthy of our attention which motivates is:

Jonathan Stewart: Playing the Field…and the Piano. Jonathan Stewart has become the poster picture for the Carolina Panthers Football Team where he plays a running back position. He was a hero for the Panthers 2009 season. Jonathan ran more yards than any other player. He and DeAngelo are considered the most powerful running back duo in the NFL.

Last year, Jonathan injured his ankle, had surgery and was inactive for the season. Today, he has recovered and plays football better than ever.

Jonathan now encourages males students to play sports and the piano as he does. He was recruited by Mrs. Geraldine Daniel, owner and director of Genies Christian Academy of music. Her male students were losing interest in piano education. They just wanted to play sports. They conceived that playing the piano just was not “cool.” But Stewart encouraged the boys to play sports and the piano. As a model, Stewart plays the piano sometimes before a big game for relaxation; before excited groups of students and parents for motivation.

Mrs. Geraldine Daniel, a Charlotte musician graduated from West Charlotte High School, Howard University, Manhattan School of Music and Queen University.

The Gerrie Christian Academy of Music is growing with the help of Jonathan Stewart and that is MOTIVATION.

   

 JONATHAN STEWART PLAYING THE PIANO

AT THE GERRIE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

                         

  JONATHAN STEWART ENCOURAGING MALE STUDENTS

TO PLAY SPORTS AND THE PIANO

 

JONATHAN STEWART AND GERALDINE DANIEL,

ACADEMY OWNER AND DIRECTOR    

#46 DO WE STAND OR NOT STAND

#46 DO WE STAND OR NOT STAND

FOR THE “HALLELUJAH” CHORUS?

BY

Vernon M. Herron

Christmas has come and gone. Yet there lingers a haunting question which needs addressing. More than 250 years ago, George Frederick Handel developed an oratorio called the “Messiah” of which the “Hallelujah Chorus” was its ending and climax. When that chorus is sung, even today, generally the audience will stand. WHY? Let us explore this question to see if we can arrive at a historic truth.



For 82 years, I have heard the Hallelujah Chorus. When I was 12 years of age, I first heard this famous piece of work rendered by the community and combined choirs of the renowned Ebenezer Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC under the direction of the late Hazel L. Miller. The thing that startled me was that everybody stood when the first few measures of the chorus started. Now at 82, on Christmas Sunday, I heard this famous rendition again as sung by the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church choir of Charlotte. Again everybody stood. Having a “standing endurance” problem, I remained seated until I heard the last syllable of the last word “hal-le-lu-jah.”



From my youth , I wanted to know, why stand when George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus of the “Messiah” is rendered? Here are my conclusions:

Some stand out of ignorance; they don’t know why. Others are doing so, now one follows.



Some stand out of respect for its musical, biblical and theological significance. The music contains movements, crescendos, repeats and keys which intrigues musical knowledge and grips the soul. Theologically, the chorus is comforting, affirming and prophetic. One only has to read the text as to be caught up in a state of spiritual ecstasy: Note the text of the chorus and the theological implications.



Hallelujah!!!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19:6)

The kingdoms of this world are become

The kingdoms of our Lord

And of his Christ.

And He shall reign forever and ever. (Rev. 11:15)

King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 14:16)

Hallelujah!!



Then some stand out of tradition. Since this is a custom, a habit is formed.

But standing out of tradition has a historic significance. Even though there is no certainty of reason surrounding the custom of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus, the following might be considered. Being the protocol that people stand when a monarch stands, the audience and orchestra stood, a custom that remains to this day. And why did King George II stand?



According to Monty Bennett:

• The reasons are not known but are thought to be one of the following:

o King George II stood thinking that the performance was over.

o He was so moved by the performance that he stood to his feet.

o He stood out of tribute to Handel, the composer.

o He stood out of respect, showing that he is a subject of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.



The next time George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is sung, somebody give me a hand and help me to stand. Will you?