Hi, I am Deedré. I am an aspiring photographer, a frustrated audio engineer, a failed blogger, a wife, sister, daughter and friend. I intend to make daily entries so as to process through the multitude of ideas and thought in my head. So stay tuned.
Interview with Mike Lerner, Justin Bieber’s Concert Photographer
Michael Zhang, petapixel.comMike Lerner is a freelance photographer who has worked with some of the music industries hottest stars. He is currently Justin Bieber’s official concert photographer.
PetaPixel: Can you tell us a little about yourself…
Very touching article. I feel so empowered now.
You know, in lieu of the recent deaths of celebrities, I’ve seen quite a bit of pictures/posters circulating on Facebook of which I feel it necessary to say something. One of the most recent ones is this: 
Now this is a very untrue and insensitive statement. First off, that person may be a celebrity, but they’re still a person, someone’s family member and friend. How would you feel if someone said that about your mother or close friend? Secondly, millions of people around the world die everyday. Whether it be by wars, famine or other epidemics, they died. Those people may’ve left family and friends behind. They cried! I get what this person is trying to say in this poster but at the same time, they’re belittling someone’s right to grieve over a loss and at the same time counting the love ones of those dying as nothing. It is very insensitive to both sides of the tragedy by making this statement.
When my mother died, thousands cried! It wasn’t millions, but she was loved by many. She is missed everyday, cherished everyday and remembered by those who’ve been touched by her life. What this poster is saying to me is that if she was loved by a number with three more zeros, it’s wrong! Or if she wasn’t adored by millions, not even one, she’s nothing! THAT IS NOT RIGHT!
My point is, bring awareness to the injustices in the world without bashing or condemning in the process. The truth is, we all have struggles in this life. We all wrestle not only with flesh and blood but also with powers and principalities. We are all affected when someone dies—so don’t ostracize one another for going through the same struggles as you do.
The human body is a tricky thing. It gives us warning signals if something goes arye. If one’s blood pressure is not normal, the body communicates via dizziness or lightheadedness or in my case, excruciating pain due to inflamed joints and muscles. But what happens if the warning signals are never quenched? What if there’s no relief for the root of the problem? What does one do?
Upon my return to the US from my vacation in Jamaica I have been experiencing nonstop pain. My entire body is engulfed by it. The pain torments me through the night and immobilizes me in the day. The alarm never grows silent. It is relentless in firing away. The warning signals are in constant flight mode and nothing seems to appease it. Gabapentin… No! Lyrica… No! Ibuprofen… No! Natural medicine and supplements… Not fast enough! What is a girl to do? MORPHINE!
As I write this, I battle with the decision to go to the ER. I long for sleep and peace and frankly I am desperate. I know the risks of this drug are great but do I really have any other choice? I long for a magic pill that will take away my pain without the detrimental side effects. It there’s an alternative to this, let me know.
Japan
For some time now I’ve endured this air of discontent for the word religion or what it represents by many. Now to my understanding, the word religion merely means a system of belief or worship. However, it has been deemed a taboo word amongst many Christians. Their argument is that religion is a man-made vile which has made a mess of things and even try to separate it from Jesus, their “beliefs” and such. BUT is that a fair assumption?
A few minutes ago, I watched a video of a poet exclaiming his disillusions about religion and separating it from true Christianity. Now I have concerns about this. The word religion is NOT an evil force which fueled the crusades… MAN’S VICIOUS THIRST FOR EVIL AND POWER DID THAT! Religion is like water—it can heal or kill. Water on its own is not evil or good—it’s the purpose behind it is the motivator of its actions. Religion: a system of belief and worship outside of the LOVE OF GOD IS EVIL! To try and amputate religion and Christianity is silly and futile. To separate religion from any other system of belief and worship is also futile. WHY? Because religion is simply that—a system of belief.
I know I am treading on thin ice here but if we stop to think, we’d realize that man’s ways and heart are continuously evil. One operating outside of the perfect will of God is evil. One acting in God’s name, yet living in his own will is evil. BUT if we truly abide in the will of God, this “religion” would be true.
My point for ramble is this: don’t get caught up by terms of segregation. Instead, ensure your intentions are pure and true. Serve God with all your heart and seek his will for your life. Don’t smear THE TRUE RELIGION just because you confuse it with the COUNTERFEIT.
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the [a]false circumcision; 3for we are the true [b]circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to therighteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss [c]in view of the surpassing value of[d]knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, [e]for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ,the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and [f]the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 [g]in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on [h]so that I may lay hold of that [i]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what liesbehind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are[j]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep [k]living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you evenweeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their [l]appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our [m]citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform [n]the body of our humble state into conformity with [o]the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
—Philippians 3, NASB
The passing of the pulpit
CJ, my awesome husband, comes a rich lineage. His ancestry is riddled with passion, strength and wisdom for the things of God. If you truly know my beloved or even as an acquaintance, you know that the love of God flows through his body like a mighty rushing hot springs that cannot be contained. This insurmountable love has taken him to the seminary where he prepares to share it. This love was not of his own, of course not, however, it was passed down to him from grandfather Clifford Cousins.
Clifford Cousins was a man of God—one who sought Him in everything he did. He too had this unquenchable thirst for God which resulted in the founding of 32 churches along with a few schools in Jamaica. Although Clifford was not a trained minister but a layman, he was an internationally known evangelist, a strong believer in natural medicine and a vessel used by God to win the souls of even the stubborn hearts. He had a way of conveying the love of God in its right light with such a peaceful and loving demeanor.
Oliver Gardens SDA Church was the last church Clifford founded in October 1976. We got a chance to meet with some of the founding members and enjoyed the stories they told. This experience was such a nostalgic one that I held back the tears. Seeing my beloved claim his lineage was both overwhelming and reassuring.
Before he died, I remember him placing his hand on my head and praying a blessing upon me. I was so young then so I didn’t truly understand. But now, I strongly believe that he passed on his passion for God to me. —CJ Cousins
This should read,
Dulcie Mae Thomas
a woman described by the eloquent words of Solomon in Proverbs 31 lays peacefully awaiting the soon return of her Lord and Savior.
I love her dearly. I shall see her again, but until then I promise to live and not merely exist… allowing myself to be loved and not being angry anymore.
I love you Mommy!
I remember when I first heard this song on the Matthew West album, I cried. My reason for tears was that I longed to experience healing from my past hurts and anger but for some stronghold of a reason, I could not lay my burdens down and claim my victory. Why? because I didn’t trust God enough to handle it. I was angry at him. My anger was the bane of my miserable existence. I was a void collection of sporadic matter floating about.
Last week while at my mother’s grave, I cried once again but this time as a form of release. I let go of my fears, hurt and anger and buried them figuratively at the headstone, telling God that I was through with just meering existing, but that I wanted to live burden-free. I claimed my healing that day and now I can be there for others.
So the new year has met me with a few things to think about. I’ve had to come abreast to the understanding of many things. Friday night I went to choir practice and with the mixed up history, I was able to enjoy myself and be me. We sang songs, remembered choreography, laughed, danced- it was just a lot of fun. I miss that aspect of my life. I’m not as involved as I used to be. I miss being that involved. I’ve lost my mojo.
Sabbath was an extension of Friday night. Seeing my sister sing the way she did made me a little choked up to be honest. It’s funny how I’m now being compared to her as it used to be the other way around. “Oh you look so much like Georganne. After a while it got a little old. But nevertheless, it was a high day.
Saturday night was an even more eye opening experience. My father had a show oat of town overnight so we all accompanied him. On the way we were talking about the good old days. We spoke of Edna Manley days and my musician contacts and friends and wanting to see them. Then we spoke about a friend who was forced to do something outside of his giftedness. As a result, he got sick and is now mentally unstable. What saddens me is that I got a chance to see this manifestation for myself. He was at the concert and I got to talk to him. AS we spoke, my heart fell and broke, shattered into pieces. For his sake I held back the tears because I saw myself in my friend’s eyes. He stopped doing what he loved to do and it killed him mentally. He was not the same. he was spaced out, not cognitive much. Even as I write this, my heart aches. I encouraged him to get back to playing so as to relieve some of the ”pressure” as he puts it.
Doing what you love is important. Trying to be something you’re not is detrimental to one’s self. If you’ve lost your drive for it, find a way to rekindle the whimpering flame. It is still there. It just needs to be fed with the spark of passion. It won’t be easy, but it’s vital to one’s survival in this world.
