Saturday, December 14, 2024
Home Authors Posts by Lady Lee

Lady Lee

The Dos and Don’ts of Dating Online

0

These days, going online is as common a way to meet someone as a blind date or the bar scene, and you can connect to people of all ages, religions, professions and backgrounds from all over the globe. Online dating can be a great tool for broadening your options as long as you are smart, are cautious and take some very important safety steps.

Creating Your Online Dating Profile

Questions to ask yourself before you write your profile:

  • What is special, unique, distinctive, or impressive about you or your life story?
  • What details of your life, personal or family challenges, history, people or events have shaped you or influenced your life goals?
  • What have you learned about past relationships, in terms of yourself?
  • What are your relationship goals?
  • Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial or physical) in your life?
  • What personal characteristics (for example, integrity, compassion, persistence) do you possess, and how can you demonstrate that you have these characteristics?
  • Why might you be a stronger candidate than others?
  • What is the single most compelling reason you can give a person to be interested in you?

Jim Safka, CEO of Match.com offers these tips:

  • Do include a photo. People who’ve uploaded a photo get 15 times more attention than people who don’t have a photo.
  • Make sure you smile in your photos.
  • Don’t hide your face behind a pair of sunglasses or a hat. Potential love interests will want to be able to see your beautiful face.
  • Don’t show too much skin. Nobody wants to see you pose seductively.
  • Do make your headline a grabber. Think of all the great advertising slogans you’ve ever heard. They’re imprinted in people’s minds. You want to do the same thing with your profile.
  • Consult your friends and family for help in writing your online profile. There are things that they love about you that you might not otherwise think about for yourself.
  • Don’t use clichés. You may love long walks on the beach, but who doesn’t? Say something interesting about yourself that is unique to you.
  • Don’t forget to run spell-check. If you have misspelled words in your profile, it tells the world that you just don’t care about what you’re doing.
  • Do respond to every e-mail that you get. If you were walking down the street and someone said hello, you’d probably say hello back. It’s the same protocol online. Respond, even if the answer is a simple, “No, thanks.”
  • Keep it light. Your first e-mail should not be a rant about how expensive gas prices are. Keep it lighthearted in tone and keep it simple.
  • Don’t reveal confidential information in your e-mail exchanges. If you were at a local coffee house, you wouldn’t give out your home address to just anyone standing in line.
  • Don’t meet in person until you’ve actually talked on the phone. You know voice and sound are great way to judge chemistry. And ALWAYS meet in public places.

Cyber Safety

  • Verify information on a potential match as thoroughly as possible.
  • Always create a separate e-mail account for your online dating activity.
  • Get a post office box, rather than using your home address, to register for the dating site. (Do this for all sites where an address is required.)
  • List your cell phone number, not your home number, if the site requires one.
  • Change your cell phone billing address so it goes to your post office box. That way, if some nut has access to a backward phone book (one with phone numbers in numerical order and their corresponding addresses) he can’t look up your address.
  • When chatting or e-mailing, never give more than a first name, and keep it that way until the first date.
  • Install a privacy checker on your computer. This lets you set privacy standards and be alerted when a dating site doesn’t meet them. These checkers are often free and can be downloaded online.

Hope all these tips helps.

Content by www.drphil.com

More Than Enough

0

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

Paul tells us God will “liberally supply” all of our needs. He doesn’t promise God will give us everything we want, but he does assure us God will meet our every need.

Many times we think of needs in terms of the basic necessities of life. These represent our physical needs, but I believe God created us to need more than these essentials. We don’t simply need money, nourishment, a roof over our heads, and clothes to wear. We also need wisdom, strength, health, friends, and loved ones; and we need the gifts and talents and abilities to help us do what we are supposed to do in life. We need many things, and God is willing to meet all of our needs when we trust and obey Him.

Power Thought: God liberally supplies all of my needs.

Content by www.joycemeyer.com

Emmy Awards 2015: The Complete Winners List

0

Outstanding Drama Series

“Game Of Thrones” (HBO)

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Veep” (HBO) *

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder”

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is the New Black”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Allison Janney, “Mom” 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Tony Hale, “Veep”

Outstanding Miniseries

“Olive Kitteridge” (HBO)

Outstanding Television Movie

“Bessie” (HBO)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie

Richard Jenkins, “Olive Kitteridge”

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie

Frances McDormand, “Olive Kitteridge”

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie

Bill Murray, “Olive Kitteridge”

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie

Regina King, “American Crime”

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

“The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series

“The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series

“The Daily Show” (Comedy Central) 

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

“Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program

“The Voice” (NBC)

Outstanding Structured Reality Program

“Shark Tank” (ABC) 

Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program

“Deadliest Catch” (Discovery)

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program

Jane Lynch, “Hollywood Game Night”

Outstanding Variety Special

“The Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special” (NBC) 

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Reg E. Cathey, “House of Cards”

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Margo Martindale, “The Americans”

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Bradley Whitford, “Transparent” 

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Joan Cusack, “Shameless”

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

“Game Of Thrones” — “Mother’s Mercy” (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss)

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

“Veep” — “Election Night” (Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche)

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

“Game Of Thrones” — “Mother’s Mercy” (David Nutter) Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

“Transparent” — “Best New Girl” (Jill Soloway)

Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

“Olive Kitteridge” (Jane Anderson)

Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special

“Olive Kitteridge” (Lisa Cholodenko)

 For more on the awards go to www.emmys.com

Are Christians Supposed To Be Nice All The Time?

0

A guy that I’ve known for a long time recently left church. He’s a model and a poet, but the thing that he always dreamed of excelling at was music. He wanted to be a singer but, for some reason he couldn’t understand, whenever he would stand up to sing at church, people would chuckle and giggle. Nobody really said anything to him in his face but, in the end, he found out that people were laughing at him because they thought he was a terrible singer. When I asked him why he left church, he said it was because he expected Christians to be nicer than he found them to be.

This really got me thinking: are Christians  supposed to be nice all the time? Is niceness part of what Christianity is all about? Well, you may have your own opinions about this but here are a few thoughts that came to mind:

1. Christians are imperfect people. Most of us get hurt by Christians because we expect them to be perfect. It’s difficult not to do that when Christians make the church seem like a place for people who have it all together. My feeling is that this is where the problem starts.

2. ‘Nice’ is not one of the fruits of the spirit. So far, I haven’t come across any scripture that urges Christians to be nice. Actually, the word ‘nice’ itself doesn’t say much. It’s a bit wishy washy and I know that Christianity is not about being wishy washy. Sure, we must be good, gentle, kind, patient and so much more. But we’re also supposed to be tough, determined, disciplined and even militant.

3. There are too many nice people who don’t stand for anything. There are too many people who think that niceness is all there is to Christianity. Yet, they don’t stand for anything or make any kind of difference to their world. Niceness for niceness’ sake doesn’t mean much.

When all is said and done, it comes down to purpose. I’m not suggesting that Christians mustn’t be approachable, loving and kind people. But anything that a Christian tries to be outside the pursuit of God’s purpose is meaningless, no matter how ‘nice’ it is. What is your purpose and are you pursuing it God’s way? If you want to hear more about purpose and God’s real plan for us, please click the banner below.

10 Bio Pics We Are Dying To See Made

0

It’s award season and films are pouring into theaters. Of course, the fastest way to the Academy voters’ hearts is to play a real person.

Well, to save film studios some time, we made a list of 10 biopics we’re ready to watch. Producers, directors and actors, consider yourself put on notice. Just be sure to mention us in your acceptance speech.

10. Vivienne Westwood: Cate Blanchett

Well-behaved women rarely make history. As fashion’s reining punk princess, Vivienne Westwood has already proved the worth of her artistic bad behavior. But when the designer jumped on a tank and road it to the home of British Prime Minister David Cameron to protest fracking, she went from icon to legend.

Sure, she’s already tied up with work embodying Lucille Ball, but after playing likeminded rogues in The Aviator and I’m Not Here, here’s hoping Cate Blanchett might have room for one more wild woman in her schedule.

9. Morrissey: Daniel Day Lewis

The story of a pop musician who frees himself from the tyranny of his bandmates and the tangles of an evil corporate record label. Having played leaders of states (Lincoln), and fearful gang leaders (Gangs of New York), Daniel Day Lewis has proven that he’s up for the task.

Bonus: like Morrissey, the actor is a vegetarian, so he won’t even have to undergo a ritual purification process to play the famous Meat is Murder activist.

8. Alex From Target: Basically any Hollywood actor under 25

A young, attractive, polite kid full of promise becomes internet famous. But who can fully embody the ethos that is Alex From Target? Is Bieber acting these days? No? I don’t know. Pull a headshot from a pile and let’s make this happen.

7. Princess Diana: Renee Zellweger

Sorry Helen Mirren, you can’t play every royal. As Lady Di was the People’s Princess before her tragic death in 1997, we have a left-field casting suggestion—Renee Zellweger. Sure, it’s outsourcing the role in a nation full of classically trained actors just dying to get their hands on the part. But having already nailed the role of British everywoman Bridget Jones, we’re pretty sure Zellweger could rise to the occasion.

6. Kim Dotcom: Eric Stonestreet

Sure Eric Stonestreet may play the goofy Cameron Tucker on Modern Family, but over the show’s six seasons, there’s been opportunity for a fair amount of depth. He’ll need it to tap into the ethos of Kim Dotcom, the German-born, New Zealand-based digital Megaupload owner.

But surely, the role will also give a Stonestreet a chance to stretch his comedy chops too. Never let us forget—he’s playing a man who voluntarily changed his last name to “Dotcom.”

5. Marvin Gaye: Mos Def

A crucial member of the Motown scene, it’s downright shocking that filmmakers aren’t rushing to make (and remake, and remake again) a film featuring the R&B legend’s rise to fame.

Maybe it’s because finding an actor who can also sing is trick—oh wait, Mos Def exists. Producers, start your engines.

4. Jack White: Johnny Depp

As a musician, Jack White has gone from instant icon (See: The White Stripes’ infectious rifts and peppermint swirl aesthetics) to musical eccentric, producing fanciful vinyl with Third Man Records, and even more fanciful rock as part of Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, and as a solo artist.

Who better to play the Willy Wonka of the music world than the man who actually played Wonka?

3. David Sedaris: Steve Carell

As an essayist, David Sedaris explores the cringe-worthy side of everyday life with an unflinching, gimlet eye. As Michael Scott on The Office, Steve Carell often was the one causing all those daily awkward moments. What happens when droll meets zany? We’d love to find out. (Bonus: who doesn’t want to see a young, zany Amy Sedaris, played by Jennifer Lawrence, stop by for some verbal sparring with her older brother?)

2. Amy Winehouse: …actually, strike that, production closed due to lack of casting options.

On July 23, 2011, Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning. The 27-year-old singer/songwriter left behind a half-finished third album and a tragic legacy of being someone who almost made it out alive.

But who could fully embody the musician in all her euphoric highs and heartbreaking lows? Lady Gaga? Rihanna? Umm … no thanks.

1. Kanye West: Kanye West (Duh)

Someone other than Kanye playing Kanye in a film that traces his meteoric rise from beloved rapper; to Kardashian beau, to 2020 presidential candidate? That’s just crazy talk.

Content by www.relevantmagazine.com

How To Spot Fake Christians

1

Just like there are fake dollar bills, it’s no surprise that there are also fake Christians within the body of Christ.

Jesus Himself spoke about this when He gave the parable of the wheat and the tares.

You remember how Jesus said that there was a farmer who sowed good seed in his field.

At night, his enemy went and sowed weeds among his good seeds.

So when the crops began to grow, so did the weeds. So the farmer’s workers asked the farmer, “Sir, the land that you planted is filled with weeds. Where did they come from?”

So the farmer replied, “An enemy planted these weeds.”

So the workers asked, “Do you want us to go into the field and take out the weeds?”

But the farmer surprised his workers by saying, “No, you’ll uproot the wheat if you do that. Let both grow together until the time of the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them.  And I’ll tell the harvesters to put the wheat in my barn.”

That’s why it’s important for you to be able to spot fake Christians, because you’ll want to include them in your evangelism efforts.

7 Questions to Ask to Spot a Fake Christian

1. Are they controlled by the Holy Spirit?

When you received Christ, the Holy Spirit came and began living inside of you.  Walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit can be a tell-tale sign that something fishy is going on (Galatians 5:16).

2. Do they have a new nature?

When you are born again, you become a new creation with new desires, a new mind, and new heart.  If there isn’t evidence of any of these then, “Houston, we’ve got a problem!”

3. Do they have Christ’s agape love for others?

By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love for one another- John 13:35

The Bottom Line:  No love, no Christ, yes love, yes Christ…

4. Do they obey God’s Commandments?

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments- 1 John 2:3

Christians won’t ever become sinless this side of heaven, but we will sin less.

5. Is their fruit in their life?

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22- 23).  True Christians will have these spiritual fruits in their lives.

6. Are they becoming more like Jesus?

The true markings of a Christian is that he or she is becoming like their Master.  If someone isn’t becoming more like Jesus, then chances are they are not a follower of Jesus.

7. Have they put their trust in Jesus for their salvation?

Ask someone one of these questions to see who or what they are trusting in for their salvation.

If it ain’t Jesus, then they ain’t saved.

Have you ever had an encounter with a fake Christian? How did you know they were fake? Click on the banner below.

Content by www.notashamedofthegospel.com

Teen Arrested For Homemade Clock

0

Ahmed made the clock, a circuit hologram case stuffed with circuits, and brought it to MacArthur High School in Irving in a bid to impress his engineering teacher. Instead, he was arrested and led to a juvenile detention centre after another teacher saw it and alerted school authorities who called the police.

Later on, Irving police chief Larry Boyd said the 14-year-old would not be charged with any wrongdoing because of lack of evidence “to support that there was an intention to create alarm or cause people to be concerned”. The incident triggered a heated reaction on social media, with #IStandWithAhmed going viral on world trends.

Ahmed said he loves engineering and wanted to impress his teacher with his homemade digital clock. But the teacher, after congratulating him, advised him not to show it to any other teachers. Dallas Morning News reported that another teacher saw the device and said it looked like a bomb, to which the teenager responded: “It doesn’t look like a bomb to me.”

Five police officers interrogated Ahmed after he was pulled out of class. He said they searched through his belongings before he was transported to the juvenile detention centre, where his fingerprints and mugshots were taken. In a video interview, Ahmed described the humiliating experience, saying: “It made me feel like I wasn’t human. It made me feel like a criminal.”

His father Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed, who is originally from Sudan, said his son had been mistreated because of his name “and because of 11 September”.

Barack Obama has invited Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old Muslim student who was arrested in Texas for bringing his homemade clock to school after it was mistaken for a bomb, to the White House. The US president made the offer on Twitter.

Obama tweeted:

ObamaBarack Obama has invited Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old Muslim student who was arrested in Texas for bringing his homemade clock to school after it was mistaken for a bomb, to the White House. The US president made the offer on Twitter.

Facebook Is Adding Dislike Button

0

After years of speculation and member requests, Facebook is finally working on a Dislike button, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said. But it’s probably not exactly what you think.

Zuckerberg said the feature will be coming soon during a town hall meeting on Tuesday at the company’s California headquarters. However, he also said it wouldn’t be a way for users to “downvote” posts and instead would let users express other emotions besides the inferred positivity of the Like button.

“People have asked about the ‘dislike’ button for many years, and probably hundreds of people have asked about this, and today is a special day because today is the day that I actually get to say we are working on it, and are very close to shipping a test of it,” Zuckerberg said, according to a CNBC report.

Zuckerberg added that the company has held off on a Dislike button to avoid becoming a Reddit-style system that encouraged upvoting and downvoting, according to reports.

“What they really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment,” he said.

Regardless of its intent, a Dislike button used across the board on Facebook would have a dramatic effect on the service, so in all likelihood, “disliking” something will be one of many Like alternatives, and users will probably have a say over which ones will happen.

It would be a large departure from positive persona Facebook has adopted with features like Moments, which serves up old, happy memories in a user’s timeline.

Considering Facebook is by far the largest driver of traffic to news publications, this feature has the potential to be a big deal. When a Dislike button becomes a reality, companies and users would have to radically shift the strategy of what they post.

“We need to figure out the right way to do it so it ends up being a force for good, not a force for bad,” he said at the time. “Everyone feels like they can just push the Like button, and that’s an important way to sympathize or empathize with someone,” Zuckerberg said “But there are times when you may want the simplicity of a one-click response but a “like” doesn’t feel appropriate.”

Especially in light of the recent brouhaha at Reddit, a Dislike button would be a challenge for Facebook to roll out.

Why Kim Davis Isn’t A Christian Hero

1

There have been tens of thousands of social media posts, as well as numerous Christian websites calling Kentucky County  Clerk Kim Davis a Christian “hero” or “martyr” for her refusal to obey the law and provide marriage licenses for same sex couples. Her refusal, after receiving multiple orders to do so, led to her arrest and she landed in the Carter County Detention Center where crowds have been standing outside chanting for her release. But is Kim Davis a Christian hero for standing on her convictions? Are people right in admiring her and calling her a martyr for her faith?

Like it or not, same-sex marriage is now legal, and as citizens of the United States, we don’t get to pick and choose which laws to obey. It’s worth noting however, that our current administration does that very thing. It’s been reported across the political spectrum that in recent years, President Obama’s Department of Justice refused to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called on state attorneys general to refuse constitutional amendments they believe are “discriminatory”. It’s been a similar story with immigration.

And in this article, Leon Hohmann, reminds us back in 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco and Mayor John West of New Paltz, New York, both directed marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples long before it was legal.

Illegal acts like these anger me as well, but how does it help change the culture when we act the same way they do?  Stepping down to their level doesn’t create a higher standard or make them “marvel” (as Jesus did) by showing them a better way.

As a result, Kim Davis should have resigned her job.  Certainly she should have done it in protest, making sure the local government officials and community leaders understood her reasons. It would have been a great opportunity to raise the discussion of workplace accommodations which has worked very well in North Carolina.  In fact, a compelling campaign could have been mounted around stories like hers – good people, forced to resign from their jobs because of their principles. But by breaking the law, she gave up the moral high ground which in turn, undermined her point.

Then there’s that pesky fact that Kim Davis has been married four time. She’s stated that the first three were before her conversion, but do we really want to make our “hero” on the sanctity of marriage issue someone who apparently has had that much difficulty with it? Only God knows her heart, and certainly there are legitimate reasons for divorce, but when it comes to our perception in the culture, positioning as our champion someone who’s had four times at bat, doesn’t create an inspiring story of the importance of a fruitful, long-term marriage. It’s not about judging, it’s the simple observation that the media has had a heyday with that issue alone.

The question is: What did Kim Davis’ actions accomplish?  If her goal was to change people’s thinking, or move the culture in a better direction, I haven’t seen any signs of success. She’s been vilified in the media, and held up as another example of ignorant, backwards Christians who refuse to see reality. Whether that’s right or wrong isn’t the point. It’s the story that has prevailed.

How has that helped?

There’s a long tradition of civil disobedience in this country, and I’m in agreement that there comes a time to take a stand. But this wasn’t that time.  There is plenty to discuss here about the constitutional and legal issues of how this came about, and as citizens, we should fight those battles.  But when it comes to Christian influence and witness today, the Church needs to understand that people who are committed to the gospel are a minority, and learn to act from that perspective. To move the dial for Christ in today’s world, we have to be more thoughtful about when and where we take a stand, lest our actions hurt more than they help.

I’m not worried, because nothing can derail God’s ultimate plan.  But if our goal is to share Jesus with unbelievers, Kim Davis’ actions have allowed the secular media to paint all Christians with her brush. Which means it will be that much harder to share our faith with nonbelievers, and it will be that much harder to get non-believers in the door of your church. After all, in their minds, we’re “all like Kim Davis” now.

That’s why she isn’t a hero.  Granted, she was standing against what she perceived was an immoral law. She may be well intentioned, and we can appreciate her commitment.  Her actions have given many Christians a morale boost, but the truth is, those actions haven’t helped the greater cause.  I’m not calling for anyone to compromise their message or go soft on principles.  But as Christians, if we really want to make an impact on today’s decaying culture, we need to be more strategic – certainly more thoughtful and strategic than we’ve been so far.

Content by www.philcooke.com

How They Made It In The Wine Industry

0

The Rangaka family left their successful professional careers and settled down to learn about wine making and to establish M’Hudi Brand. Every member of the family has contributed to the success of the business and advancement of the brand.

It all started twelve years ago when Malmsey Rangaka and her husband Diale bought a farm in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, and only realised afterwards in 2003, upon occupying the land that it was a wine farm with vineyards.

There was never a plan and idea to get into wine farming but my husband Diale has always been passionate about farming Malmsey Rangaka, CEO of M’Hudi wines

The farm became the first wine farm and BEE winery to be owned and managed by a black family. The name M’Hudi is derived from the Setswana word “Mohudi” meaning “Harvester”.

Talking to CapeTalk/702’s Redi Tlhabi, Rangaka says they’ve been running the business from their own pockets. The only time they requested a loan was when they were purchasing the farm.

M’Hudi is indeed a family owned business with Malmsey Rangaka as the CEO and president, her husband Diale is the viticulturalist and export marketer, son Tseliso is the winemaker, daughter Lebogang is the marketer, and their youngest son, Senyane, creates their branding materials.

M’Hudi wines can be found on Woolworths’ shelves and in a number of restaurants. Internationally, M’Hudi can be found at Marks & Spencer in the UK. They are now listed in over 40 retailers in the US and their wines can also be found in Switzerland, Sweden and Nigeria.

Connect with us

131,149FansLike
52,400FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe