Pure, Unadulterated Joy

The South Bay Professional Connection

By Joy A. Kennelly

I've been working on creating this organization since last August. I am excited to announce the mission of The South Bay Professional Connection to all of you at this time.

THE SOUTH BAY PROFESSIONAL CONNECTION

The South Bay Professional Connection’s (TSBPC) mission is to promote the interests of the South Bay as a whole to the media, the public, businesses, and residents.

TSBPC provides a wide variety of community, professional, social and business opportunities for professional groups, companies, and others interested in connecting with South Bay businesses, residents, visitors, and cultural, entertainment and educational institutions.

The South Bay Professional Connection achieves these goals through membership, special events, a comprehensive calendar of events, local, state and national government advocacy, public-private partnerships, and public relations/marketing for members.

We are launching TSBPC with our February 7, 2008 Special Pre-Valentine's Day Party at Spa Riviera and invite any and all who are interested in connecting to attend this free event. Lots of mingling, new people, food, specialty drinks, new experiences, new products, and fun.

Cuz that's what it's all about people. Fun with a capital F. We're going to shake things up down here in a professional, yet fun way.

I am so ready to have a party it's not even funny!

Look forward to seeing you there!

And I thought this was only a beach issue- The child Man by Kay S. Hymowitz

Shocking, but true. Alas and alack, the beach isn't the only place where boys have difficulty growing into men. And I thought it was only in CA, but apparently this is a national epidemic.

Maybe because so many women are sleeping with men outside of marriage they don't feel the urge to get married as strongly any more which is a natural launch into adulthood. Maybe guys who are searching for Jason's info will read this and stop and think that maybe, just maybe, they too need to grow up. Or get caught in perpetual adolescence. Since no one else is saying it, I will.

Be a MAN!

No wonder I admire the men serving in the military so much. They've accepted responsibility and actually care about something other than their own selfish interests. I'm only saying this because I care and because apparently none of your male buds or the general media are telling you anything different. But it's gross...

We, as women, will respect you more if you act like a man rather than a child-man. Especially those of you entering your 40's who think you're still in your 20's or that 20 year olds are right for you - get a clue.

Here's the story from the Dallas Morning News (and I quote...)

"Kay Hymowitz: The child-man

Today's single young men hang out   in a hormonal limbo between adolescence and adulthood

10:13 AM CST on Sunday, January 27, 2008

It's 1965, and you're a 26-year-old white guy. You have a factory job, or maybe you work for an insurance broker. Either way, you're married, probably have been for a few years now; you met your wife in high school, where she was in your sister's class. You've already got one kid, with another on the way. For now, you're renting an apartment in your parents' two-family house, but you're saving up for a three-bedroom ranch house in the next town. Yup, you're an adult!

Now meet the 21st-century you, also 26. You've finished college and work in a cubicle in a large Chicago financial-services firm. You live in an apartment with a few single guy friends. In your spare time, you play basketball with your buddies, download the latest indie songs from iTunes, have some fun with the Xbox 360, take a leisurely shower, massage some product into your hair and face – and then it's off to bars and parties, where you meet, and often bed, girls of widely varied hues and sizes. Wife? Kids? House? Are you kidding?

Not so long ago, the average mid-twentysomething had achieved most of adulthood's milestones – high school degree, financial independence, marriage and children. These days, he lingers – happily – in a new hybrid state of semi-hormonal adolescence and responsible self-reliance. Decades in unfolding, this limbo may not seem like news to many, but in fact it is to the early 21st century what adolescence was to the early 20th: a momentous sociological development of profound economic and cultural import. 

It's time to state what is now obvious to legions of frustrated young women: The limbo doesn't bring out the best in young men. 

With women, you could argue that adulthood is in fact emergent. Single women in their 20s and early 30s are joining an international New Girl Order, hyper-achieving in both school and an increasingly female-friendly workplace, while packing leisure hours with shopping, traveling and dining with friends. Single young males, or SYMs, by contrast, often seem to hang out in a playground of drinking, hooking up, playing Halo 3 and, in many cases, underachieving. With them, adulthood looks as though it's receding.

Freud famously asked: "What do women want?" Notice that he didn't ask what men wanted – perhaps he thought he'd figured that one out. But that's a question that ad people, media execs and cultural entrepreneurs have pondered a lot in recent years. They're particularly interested in single young men, for two reasons: There are a lot more of them than before, and they tend to have some extra change.

Consider: In 1970, 69 percent of 25-year-old and 85 percent of 30-year-old white men were married; in 2000, only 33 percent and 58 percent were, respectively. And the percentage of young guys tying the knot is declining as you read this. Census Bureau data show that the median age of marriage among men rose from 26.8 in 2000 to 27.5 in 2006 – a dramatic demographic shift for such a short time period.

That adds up to tens of millions more young men blissfully free of mortgages, wives and child-care bills. Historically, marketers have found this group an "elusive audience" – the phrase is permanently affixed to "men between 18 and 34" in adspeak – largely immune to the pleasures of magazines and television, as well as to shopping expeditions for the products advertised there.

A signal cultural moment came in April 1997, when Maxim, a popular British "lad magazine," hit American shores. Maxim plastered covers and features with pouty-lipped, tousled-haired pinups in lacy underwear and, in case that didn't do the trick, block-lettered promises of sex! lust! naughty! And it worked. What really set Maxim apart from other men's mags was its voice. It was the sound of guys hanging around the Animal House living room. MaximMaxim child-man voice has gone mainstream. You're that 26-year-old who wants sophomoric fun and macho action? Now the culture has a groaning table of entertainment with your name on it. Maxim asked the SYM what he wanted and learned that he didn't want to grow up.   

That sound you hear is women not laughing. Oh, some women get a kick out of child-men and their frat/fart jokes. But for many, the child-man is either an irritating mystery or a source of heartbreak. In contemporary female writing and conversation, the words and "men" seem united in perpetuity.

Naturally, women wonder: How did this perverse creature come to be? The most prevalent theory comes from feminist-influenced academics and cultural critics, who view dude media as symptoms of backlash, a masculinity crisis. Men feel threatened by female empowerment, these thinkers argue, and in their anxiety, they cling to outdated roles. Insofar as the new guy media reflect a backlash against feminism, they're part of the much larger story of men's long, uneasy relationship with bourgeois order.

In A Man's Place, historian John Tosh locates male resistance to bourgeois domesticity in the early 19th century, when middle-class expectations for men began to shift away from the patriarchal aloofness of the bad old days. Under the newer bourgeois regime, the home was to be a haven in a heartless world, in which affection and intimacy were guiding virtues. But in Mr. Tosh's telling, it didn't take long before men vented frustrations with bourgeois domestication: They went looking for excitement and male camaraderie in empire building, in adventure novels and in going to "the club."

By the early 20th century, the emerging mass market in the U.S. offered new outlets for the virile urges that sat awkwardly in the bourgeois parlor; hence titles like Field & Stream and Man's Adventure, as well as steamier fare like Escapade and Caper . When television sets came on the market in the late 1940s, it was the airing of heavyweight fights and football games that led Dad to make the big purchase; to this day, sports events – the battlefield made civilized – glue him to the Barcalounger when he should be folding the laundry. But this history suggests an uncomfortable fact about the new SYM: He's immature because he can be.

We can argue endlessly about whether "masculinity" is natural or constructed – whether men are innately promiscuous, restless and slobby or socialized to be that way – but there's no denying the lesson of today's media marketplace: Give young men a choice between serious drama on the one hand, and Victoria's Secret models, battling cyborgs, exploding toilets and the NFL on the other, and it's the models, cyborgs, toilets and football by a mile.

For whatever reason, adolescence appears to be the young man's default state, proving what anthropologists have discovered in cultures everywhere: It is marriage and children that turn boys into men. Now that the SYM can put off family into the hazily distant future, he can – and will – try to stay a child-man. Not only is no one asking that today's twenty- or thirtysomething become a responsible husband and father – that is, grow up – but a freewheeling marketplace gives him everything he needs to settle down in pig's heaven indefinitely.

Now, you could argue that the motley crew of Maxim, Comedy Central and Halo 3 aren't much to worry about, that extended adolescence is what the word implies: a temporary stage. Most guys have lots of other things going on and will eventually settle down. Men know the difference between entertainment and real life. At any rate, like gravity, growing up happens; nature has rules.

That's certainly a hope driving the sharpest of recent child-man & entertainments, Judd Apatow's hit movie Knocked Up. What sets Knocked Up apart from, say, Old School, is that it invites the audience to enjoy the SYM's immaturity even while insisting on its feebleness. The potheaded 23-year-old Ben Stone accidentally impregnates Alison, a gorgeous stranger he was lucky enough to score at a bar. He is clueless about what to do when she decides to have the baby, not because he's a "badass" – actually, he has a big heart – but because he dwells among social retards. In the end, though, Ben understands that he needs to grow up. He gets a job and an apartment and learns to love Alison and the baby. This is a comedy, after all.

The important question that Mr. Apatow's comedy deals with only obliquely is what extended living as a child-man does to a guy – and to the women he collides with along the way.

For the problem with child-men is that they're not very promising husbands and fathers. They suffer from a proverbial "fear of commitment," another way of saying that they can't stand to think of themselves as permanently attached to one woman. Sure, they have girlfriends; many are even willing to move in with them. But cohabiting can be just another Peter Pan delaying tactic. Women tend to see cohabiting as a potential path to marriage; men view it as another place to hang out or, as Barbara Dafoe Whitehead observes in Why There Are No Good Men Left, a way to "get the benefits of a wife without        shouldering the reciprocal obligations of a husband.

And here's what may be the deepest existential problem with the child-man – a tendency to avoid not just marriage but any deep attachments. This is British writer Nick Hornby's central insight in his novel About a Boy. The book's anti-hero, Will, is an SYM whose life is as empty of passion as of responsibility. He has no self apart from pop-culture effluvia, a fact that the author symbolizes by having the jobless 36-year-old live off the residuals of a popular Christmas song written by his late father. Mr. Hornby shows how the media-saturated limbo of contemporary guyhood makes it easy to fill your days without actually doing anything.

Will's unemployment is part of a more general passionlessness. To pick up women, for instance, he pretends to have a son and joins a single-parent organization; the plight of the single mothers means nothing to him. For Will, women are simply fleshy devices that dispense sex, and sex is just another form of entertainment, a "fantastic carnal alternative to drink, drugs and a great night out, but nothing much more than that."

The superficiality, indolence and passionlessness evoked in Mr. Hornby's novels haven't triggered any kind of cultural transformation. The SYM doesn't read much, remember, and he certainly doesn't read anything prescribing personal transformation. The child-man may be into self-mockery; self-reflection is something else entirely.

That's too bad. Young men especially need a culture that can help them define worthy aspirations.

Adults don't emerge. They're made."

Kay S. Hymowitz is a contributing editor of the Manhattan Institute's City Journal (www.city-journal .org), from whose new issue this article is adapted.

Hermosa Beach

By Joy A. Kennelly

For those of you who don't receive, or read the LA Times, here's an interesting article on the Downtown bars and a resident's opinion on how they are affecting our city on This is Hermosa, our open forum site for residents to voice their opinions. Very interesting! And no, I didn't have anything to do with getting the media to write that story - at least I don't think so, but if you want to give me credit - thank you.

I've actually been promoting funding the Surf Memorial Statue that has been languishing for the past four years, why we don't know, but it's an awesome idea whose time has come in my mind. And many others too. It would become the gateway sign to Hermosa Beach on the corner of PCH and Pier Ave.

For those of you who are interested in potentially sponsoring this statue, this corner alone gets 60,000 impressions down PCH and 19,000 impressions down Pier Ave A DAY! That's a lot of people seeing "your" statue and it's a great memorial to the history of surfing and our community.

Download dewey_fountain_rev1.doc This the link to the description and what we're looking to accomplish. If you know any surf companies, or companies that would be appropriate to sponsor this statue, contact Rick Morgan at Public Works (his number is at the bottom of the description.)

Download brick_order_form_11306.pdf If you want to "buy a brick" (which is really popular down here as a fund-raising tool for some reason) click on the link and then you can have your name memorialized as a sponsor too!

Otherwise, onwards and upwards! Have a good one everyone.

Britney Spears... So sad... and other musings

By Joy A. Kennelly

(WHOOPS! I forgot to take this out of draft format! Here's yesterday's blog for your reading pleasure.)

I know, I know. Enough of the Britney saga, but I just feel so sorry for her. I used to have a friend who was bipolar and there really is no reasoning with someone like that unless they go on meds. It's just a difficult disease that is out-of-control unless people want to get help.

I pray Britney realizes she can't continue like this and seeks help. My friend and I stopped being friends because of her erratic behavior and angry outbursts. I've seen her since the time of our final blow-up and apparently  she's on meds which have been helping. I'm happy for her because she was spinning with no direction just like Britney. It's just a sad, sad, sad disease. I wish both of them much love and support.

BTW, wasn't that a riot about Sean Young getting so drunk she interrupted the DGA Awards? Sad and rude for Julian, but funny nonetheless. I bet a lot of people would want to say that to certain people throughout awards show season, but it was rude. Bad Sean, Bad...

However, I think that's the first time the DGA Awards show has ever actually hit the entertainment news. Maybe they'll look back and think it was a good thing too. Their five minutes of fame.

Now that Sean is in rehab, maybe she'll think so too?!:) I wish her much success in getting her life under control.

So glad to hear the Writer's Guild strike might be coming to an end sooner than later. It's about time! I've been forced to explore other options on my cable and it's just not as fun. HBO is interesting, but sometimes you want mindless viewing, not thought provoking or provocative. Does that make sense? Plus, I like commercials. Weird, I know, but I always have and always will. I like the mental break.

Here's a fun site to explore if you're not sure who to vote for, or want to see if who you're supporting shares similar views to you in all areas: http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html I was kind of surprised to see who I came up with.

I was pretty even Republican/Democrat candidates which was nice to see because I've always said I'm a moderate because I see the value in both parties. I always wish there was a third party that combined the best of both. Don't you?

Oh, and here's a fun Christian Super Bowl Party if you're looking to meet other singles who share similar beliefs:

It's time again to celebrate the Super Bowl!

Come join the masses as we eat, drink, socialize and perhaps even watch the game (upstairs with Bill Dunn). It has been rumored that Patrick Hare will be creating and serving his famous New England Clam Chowder--you'll want to attend for that reason only.

Here's the basics:

Where and When: 2:00-9:00pm

Walter Beach House

18 23rd Ave

Venice, CA 90291

Near the corner of Venice Bl and Pacific   Ave near the beach

Parking:

There is scattered free parking in the area along with public parking at the corner of Venice and Pacific.

What to Bring:

Last Name A-M Food (Main Dishes, hor'douerves, salads, chips and dips)

Last Name N-Z Drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, waters) and Desserts

PLEASE RSVP IF POSSIBLE (need to know how massive the masses will be)

email: superdave (at) socal (dot) rr (dot) com

Speaking of parties, our Pre-Valentine's Day party at Spa Riviera on 2/7 is coming together quite nicely thank you very much for asking. I've just invited a slew of people,  and media and so has everyone else who's involved. We shall see...

Come on down!

New event invite and other stuff...

By Joy A. Kennelly

In addition to everything else I was doing this week: i.e. attending two major art events (LA Art Show and art LA), taking new business meetings, working another freelance gig, house-sitting, and normal pro bono work for Hermosa Beach; I've also been putting together a big networking Pre-Valentine's Day Party for Spa Riviera which will take place Thursday, February 7 from 6pm - 9pm located at: 1611 South Catalina Ave., Lower Level L41, Redondo Beach.

No wonder I've been so tired!

Download 27invitefinal.doc - Click on that link for the complete invite. I am still learning how best to upload certain items and apologize this is so rudimentary. I will upload this properly once I figure out how to do so.

On another note, I think I need to clarify that I have a very quirky sense of humor and sometimes it doesn't translate well via writing. My apologies to anyone who is offended.

Also, the opinions expressed here are solely my own and should not reflect on my pastor, my church, my friends, my business partners, or anyone else I mention here as something they necessarily agree with. Oftentimes, they don't, but we agree to disagree. I just don't want you to think poorly of them - just think poorly of me ok? LOL

I've been watching this art series by PBS called art:21 which is very interesting.

Here's their welcome statement:      

"welcome to art:21

“Art:21–Art in the Twenty-First Century” is the only series on television to focus exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States, and it uses the medium of television to provide an experience of the visual arts that goes far beyond a gallery visit. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their process as they transform inspiration         into art, and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic visions."

It's really been fascinating to learn all these contemporary artist's thought processes and what inspires and influences their art. I'm realizing more and more, that I'm more of an artist than I realized. My writing is my way of expressing part of my artistic side and my vision boarding aka treasure mapping is another.

I've also realized that there's so much more I can learn about art and artists by taking some art classes just for my personal pleasure. My heart really sang the last time I did. I've been wanting to re-paint one  large canvas forever yet know that I'm not disciplined enough to paint without the structure of a class setting.

It was very fun to see that numerous artists had pictures pulled from magazines too as inspiration. It was so nice to realize I'm not crazy, just creative! I love being around smart, creative, inspiring people.

That's why this weekend was fun. I went back to the LA Art Show again and really took my time this go-round. Last time I had been in a hurry because I needed to get home in time to take care of the dog I was babysitting and rushed through.

I'll give a full report on this show next week. I just need some space to sleep on my thoughts and feelings. I'll let you know.

Oh, and I do like the City Council people even though I don't always agree with their decisions. I just need the space to meet some new people at my event which is why I said what I did. No hard feelings ok? You probably would love a break from me too! Plus, everyone is going to be gone anyway so it's a moot point.

Enjoy your evening sans Desperate Housewives. Man, I wish these producers/CEO's realize how much they're screwing with their customers. Not a good position to be in. We need the escape ok? Get it together and stop stone-walling. Enough's enough.

I WANT MY DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES!!! Ok, now I feel better.

Good night everyone.
 

I've been so inspired by Lysa Terkeurst this morning...

By Joy A. Kennelly

I just found an old devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries that I almost deleted without reading, but I'm so glad I took the time to read this! Lysa TerKeurst is the most amazing woman! She's the President of Proverbs 31 ministry which I'm always quoting here because I just love their devotionals so much.

Here's their Mission Statement off the website and I quote:

"Proverbs 31 Ministries brings God’s peace, perspective, and purpose to today’s busy woman.
               
Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ. With Proverbs 31:10-31 as a guide, Proverbs 31 Ministries reaches women right in the middle of their busy day through free daily devotions, radio program, speaking events, conferences, monthly magazine, resources, online communities, and Gather and Grow groups. We are real women offering real-life solutions to women who are striving to maintain life’s balance, in spite of today’s hectic pace and cultural pull away from godly principals. Wherever a woman may be on her spiritual journey, Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to be a trusted friend who takes her by the hand and walks by her side, leading her one step closer to the heart of God."

She was also featured on Oprah last year for her adoption of two Liberian orphans which inspired the rest of her community of Christian friends to adopt over 31 other orphans too! Here's a link to that story here. What an amazing testimony to her life and the influence she has had on so many people.

It brought tears to my eyes watching it again. Please take a moment to watch it too because you will love it! I had seen this Oprah show back then, but had no idea Lysa was involved with this ministry group at all. God is so amazing in how He uses the simplest, humblest people in the world to accomplish great things.

What a testimony to God's love, compassion, direction and care for those who are hurting. I have volunteered among Hungarian orphan children right out of college and my heart goes out to any child who must grow up without parents. No matter what we think of the upbringing we might have experienced, at least we had parents who loved us in their own way.

I'm grateful for the Christian values my parents instilled in me that I try to live out each day. I don't always do a good job of being Christ-like, but I'm trying at least. That's what so great about being a Christian. We're all human and we fail, but God loves us and accepts us right where we are. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and became the way for us to have a right relationship with God.

What I love about that too, is that it's a free gift from God that anyone can take advantage of. It's not limited to race, upbringing, status in life, or anything else that society normally tries to discriminate against. When I was little struggling with this concept, I didn't think God would love me because of my freckles!

However, God's love and acceptance is pure, all encompassing and there for the taking whenever you're ready to reach out and accept Him into your life.

What's so amazing about God too is that He will change your life from the inside out. No matter how horrible a life you might have lived until this point, God will cleanse you of your sins and make you pure again. When we sin, we just need to ask for forgiveness, repent, and try to use that experience as a chance to move forward and not repeat it again. If you've been reading for awhile, you know I mess up constantly, but I do try to make amends and move forward.

My heart's desire from anyone reading my blog is to realize that yes, I can totally "F" up and I've done it publicly often. However, I also accept my error and confess my sin to you and to God to become a better person. God is so much bigger than anything bad we've ever done.

If you are reading my blog and wonder how can you too have a faith in God that will radically change who you are right now, then please read the following. I've taken it from a cool website called The Road to Salvation and if you click on the link, you can receive a free Bible.

I'm not the best evangelist so read what this person says as the way to come to know God and I quote:

"If you have made the choice to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you may say this prayer as a way to express your new found faith in Jesus. The prayer and the words themselves do not provide for salvation, but the belief in what those words mean - the free salvation of God - is what is important to God. Prayer is talking with God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

The following is a suggested prayer:

Dear God,

I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He was born of the Virgin Mary. I believe that He died on the cross, that His blood was shed for my sins and that He arose from the dead. I confess that I have disobeyed your commandments.

I ask you to forgive me for these sins. I now ask Jesus to come into my heart. Be my Savior. Be my Lord. Be my soon coming King. I will live my life to obey your teaching as recorded in the Bible. Thank you, in Jesus name. Amen

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, pray this prayer right now as a way to express and confirm your choice to follow Jesus. Christ will come into your life, as He promised and give you eternal life through his sacrifice on the cross.

Questions New Believers have

What is Salvation?

Who is God?

What is the Bible?

Who is Jesus Christ?

What is sin?

Why does God allow sin?

Can any sin be forgiven?

What is Grace?

How does faith in God's grace bring salvation?

Here's the answers:

Who is God?

God is the creator of the heavens and the earth, He is our savior, He is our heavenly Father to those who become His children by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. God is eternal, holy, infinite, just, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and God is Love!

Isaiah 40:28

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.

John 4:7-9

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. This is how God showed His love He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might love through Him.

What is the Bible?

The bible is God's message to us, it is His Word and it can be trusted to tell us the truth about Him. The bible gives us insight into the will of God and prepares us to do His work.

Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Who is Jesus Christ?

Christ is the Son of God who makes us sons and daughters of God through faith. Christ is the only way to salvation.

John 14:6

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What is sin?

We sin when we commit acts which are contrary to God's holy standard of righteousness. We sin when we fail to do what we know is the right thing to do. We sin when we have unrighteous attitudes.  We have ALL sinned and must look to Jesus Christ for Salvation.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Why does God allow sin? God created man with the freedom to choose. He did not want robots that were forced to respond to His every direction. He took a risk in order to have a relationship with His created beings.

Can any sin be forgiven?

Forgiveness is not based on the magnitude of the sin, but the magnitude of the forgiver's love. No sin is too great for God's complete and unconditional love. Forgiveness means that God looks at us as though we never sinned.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, let us argue this out, says the Lord. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can remove it. I can make you as white as wool.

What is Grace?

When the bible says we are saved by grace, it means that God has freely chosen to pardon our sin through  Jesus Christ. We do not have to earn God's love or work our way to heaven. By grace we are forgiven for our sin and restored to full fellowship with God.

Romans 6:23

The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

How does faith in God's grace bring salvation?

Man's belief that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin is all that is required on mans part for belief or faith that Jesus Christ is the means of our salvation is the prerequisite. We do not have salvation without it. We do not receive God's free gift of grace without it.

Acts 16:31

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

Okay, that's all the sermon I have for you today. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I know you weren't especially expecting something like this and to be honest, I wasn't expecting to write something like this, but I just felt lead to do so because God has impacted my life in such a strong way.

May He impact yours too. God loves you and so do I! If you're looking for a church to visit this morning, I'd like to invite you to attend Bay Cities Community Church over in Redondo Beach, CA. We have an 8am service, a 9:30am service at this location. Then, over at our Lomita campus we also have a 9:30am and 11:00am if you live closer to that area. Click on the link here for all the directions and information.

There are other churches I like on the links to the left which I hope you'll consider visiting as well if you don't live near here. If you have said that prayer and want to grow in your faith, it's important to get plugged into a church family. Like any family there will be issues, but just know people will love on you and support you like you've never experienced anywhere else. We're not perfect, just forgiven! Trite I know, but true. That forgiveness is available to you too.

If you don't like the first church you visit, please don't give up. Just continue looking because one day you'll walk in and feel like you're home. Since this is Sunday, I just guess it was time for me to preach! Hope you enjoyed the read. God bless you and come back soon. I promise not to always preach, but God put it on my heart today to share His love with you.

Happy Sunday everyone!

 

A little bit of this and a little bit of that...

By Joy A. Kennelly

Did anyone else think that Yahoo's news stating that certain shows were going off the air "Thanks to the Writer's Strike" was a little condescending and snotty? To me that title was implying that the writers were only to blame whereas there lays so much more "blame" on the "other side."

If I were the Writer's Guild strike leaders, I would pursue all the fan club members of Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and any other popular shows that have gone off the air recently because of the strike. I would galvanize them to start picketing in protest for their shows to go back on the air. I would join it! It worked down here. I'm sure it would work in Hollywood!

Once people in power and advertisers see that even the general public is sick of this hold-out too, then maybe, just maybe, things would move along. It's so sad. I miss my shows! Marc Cherry - do something! Save us! We need Desperate Housewives or some of us will become them too!:)

On another note, I think the death of Heath Ledger is very sad too, but I sure wish the media would give his family a break from the scrutiny. I think it was just accidental. He was such a very cool guy it seems, definitely a talented actor, and it's so sad he died so young. Enough said.

I have had SUCH a busy week! It's been fun, but a little much. And the thing is, it's not over yet, tomorrow is a big Town Hall regarding what they plan to do to Upper Pier Ave in my little city. What's sad is that the residents have been so ignored and stamped down for so many years by Sam Edgerton, the city council member residents believe is most responsible for these issues, and others.

Now, they're afraid of any new changes (even though we need them) because of what happened when residents allowed Pier Plaza to come in. Overrun by drunks and punks with no end in sight.

Apparently one more restaurant down here, Il Boccaccio, which was the recipient of the Southern California Restaurant Writers' Association Awards five years in a row, is being taken over by the Newman family that controls Sharkeez which means it's only a matter of time before it too gets turned into a nightclub since that's the m.o. down here.

Isn't that sad? Another real restaurant bites the dust and for what? More bar/nightclub action! Can you believe that this little 1 mile city has 16 bars and now even more? An alcoholic's heaven! Gangs and everything else that comes with allowing your city to turn into "Barmosa."

Whatever happened to our wonderful surf history? I moved back for the beach, not the bars. If I wanted Hollywood, I would have stayed there. I wonder what some of the celebs who live down here think about all this?

Anyone know Jimmy Kimmel? Rumor has it he lives here, but I doubt he cares. Why should he? He's kind of a crass guy himself, but doesn't he have a 13 year old? Oh yeah, that's right he was encouraging his underage minor to have sex if I remember correctly. Oh man am I opinionated! But I'm sure there's some of you who agree with my estimation of him to. You can't all be amoral can you?:)

And people wonder why I rant? I rant because I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take my little slice of heaven turning into a slum any more! People - join the cause!:) We are Sober and Sexy! I heard that term from a party promoter the other day and love it! Isn't it funny? Maybe one day that will be hot because Sloppy Drunks only go with Stupid. Sloppy Drunk and Stupid right?

Although as I've been reminded again and again by people on This is Hermosa, not all people who drink are alcoholics. And even some of those who are, are proud of it and not going to change. So be it! I'm happy for you...:) I'm still going to encourage attending AA to anyone who will listen though! It's the Al-Anon in me.:)

Moving right along. I was at dinner tonight locally and bumped into a couple I met at the HB Chamber Mixer last night who were gathered with a bunch of friends. They were discussing the Downtown issues which was interesting to overhear to say the least.

They're not too happy about everything either. I will be curious to see if they show up tomorrow. I hope so! Did learn they watch the video of these meetings though. You never know who's watching turns out.

They too thought it was a ridiculous waste of time devoted to determining whether or not the man with the stinky, piss-filled yard of huge Newfoundlands should be allowed to keep three vs. two of them too. More time was spent on this issue than ever spent on human's urinating on Pier Plaza I bet. But that's because "Bars good. All residents who complain crazy." Check out the story here.

The HB Chamber Mixer was interesting. The food, (when it came out, albeit rarely!), was quite delicious. Apparently a chef has been brought on to serve a higher quality of food on Monday nights to raise the quality of people who visit, but it doesn't seem like a good fit. Isn't Monday Night Football coming up soon? I'm totally clueless re: sports though so I could be wrong. High end food with sports fans at an obvious sports bar for locals? Not.

I just found it extremely curious why there weren't servers bringing out food, only the chef making the food herself and bringing it out herself too. Doesn't The North End Bar serve food? Check out the menu! If so, wouldn't they have servers on staff especially when they knew there would be a big crowd?

Or maybe they weren't expecting so many people. I did hear it was the first time in three years or so this bar had ever hosted a chamber mixer, but that's just another example of the HB Chamber defending one of their own if I may be so bold. Gotta support the due payers...

I couldn't finish my drink because I was so hungry I was afraid I'd get drunk. Lightweight, I know, but generally there are enough appetizers floating around I don't get drunk when I enjoy my one drink of the night.

I did see lots of cute young guys, certain City Council members there (but of course! Even Sam Edgerton, the big, bad, bossy attorney who has bullied the city council for the past 16 years and is no longer on council, was there surprisingly enough) and the council wife I've been commenting on was there too, understandably pissed off.

See what I mean? I told you people down here read this blog! Totally cracks me up still. Hi Sienna! Love ya, don't want to be ya.  Come on. Let's kiss and make up. I'm really not so bad once you get to know me. I'm just a little more out-spoken than others about your proclivity for the limelight (not that there's anything wrong with it. You have backed out a little now that you're aware of it. See, I'm helping you. Just some friendly PR advice on controlling your public persona by limiting over-exposure in the media.)

I'm sure you talk about me too. What were you whispering to your glaring friend? I just present my opinions to a wider audience. That's all. Who knows? Maybe they'll create a reality show on the wives of Hermosa Beach city council members and others?

If OC Housewives is a success, why not another one on a Bunch of Bleached Blonde Broads at the Beach? (Say that fast three times in a row.) I can just see it now. Maybe I should pitch it to my bud. He likes these kind of concepts. There was one older blonde woman who donated a ton of money this week who wears the most interesting eyewear. I thanked her for her gift because it was very thoughtful. Possibly political, but right now who cares?

Or better yet... Couldn't you just see a Mrs. Hermosa beauty contest? We all know who'd enter that one! I'm sure we'd have some other very pretty women entering too. I still want to do a Mr. Hermosa contest too. Can't you see it now ladies? All these young hotties parading around in their bathing suits for our viewing pleasure? Too fun.

In any case, a woman can dream right? Summer is almost here so I won't have to dream much longer. I am glad we have the rain though because it's nice to have the variety in season (even if it's just a week.)

Back to my rant though. I do because I care. Isn't it an interesting fact that bars in the HB Restaurant Association donate a bunch of money to lots of charities and organizations in town? However, in the grand scheme of things, does that give them the right to drive our beach community into the ground as compensation? Sorry, hate to break it to you, but bribes, excuse me, "donations," only go so far tavern owners. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so either.

I'm so tired. All the dogs I've been around lately have kicked up my allergies - probably the weather too. I slept for a few hours today, but still need to go to sleep early now. I now have a couple of new clients to take care of, with more pending so I need my health.

Talk at ya... I'm hitting the LA Art Show one more time tomorrow. I'm looking forward to reviewing the pieces I liked again. There's some amazing art there. Last night's art LA show? Not as much because there are a lot more emerging artists intent on shocking people (which isn't my thing.) I like beauty in my art.

However, not to say that if I visited the art LA galleries individually I wouldn't have liked the art, but to see it all at once was a little assaulting to my sensibilities (especially when I'm sleep deprived.) Although an art gallery owner I met the night before and bumped into again last night, really liked it because she thought that night was more edgy and provocative.

Then her friend piped in to say the LA Art Show is more interested in proving who's better than the other. His reference was a little more provocative including a male genitalia comparison, but since I've recently been chided by yet another person that I've been too vulgar in the past, I'm trying to clean it up. Be more ladylike... You know what I'm talking about though right? LOL

My vulgarity so to speak was to prove a point and catch people's attention which it did and I think continues to do. Different strokes for different folks people and that was the myspace outreach anyway. Now that my friends want to give me a New York makeover, I guess I better clean it up a little more to match the new hair and clothes.

February is the month for a new me. Just in time for Valentine's Day and all the other love stuff I'm busy planning.:) You must save February 7 on your calendar! More to come later, but just know it's going to be a lot of fun. And you're all invited.

Come make a LOVE connection or business connection at Spa Riviera in the Hollywood Riviera in Redondo Beach, CA. Internationally renowned for Microdermabrasion Expert, Tony Cutrona. People come from all over the United States to experience his gentle, yet firm touch.

Also, learn about Himalayan Goji Juice, the super food touted by Time Magazine and medically certified to increase your sex drive (among other 37 other wonderful health benefits. Check out Frequently Asked Questions here.)

Be there for the launch of the South Bay Professional Connection, designed for people who like having fun while doing business in a healthy, happy way.

Come too, for the free spa demo treatments, great free spa give-aways, amazing appetizers and desserts, and other goodies. Plus, meet all the fun people who've been invited. Like you!

(Except if you're on Hermosa Beach City Council - we're booked. I need a break from your glaring/smiling faces - just like you need one from mine.:)

Go support a bar. They need it right now. I'll invite you next go round. I promise. Not that you'll show, but you'll be more welcome then ok?

Now even my mom is chiming in! LOL

By Joy A. Kennelly

Just have to share because this makes me laugh even more! My mom just read all my blog and also the This is Hermosa site. For the most part she was very impressed with the headway we're making, but she wanted me to stop calling people stupid. Now I know she's reading it too - OY! I better really watch myself now! LOL

Okay, I'm hearing it from my pastor on Sunday mornings, from the Bible, and now my Mom. I will do my best to be more respectful to those in leadership, but I can't promise anything. It really is absolutely ridiculous to me. How blind are the people involved in the Downtown Hermosa Beach issue to the facts and how they come across? I just don't get it.

On another note, the LA Art Show last night was simply wonderful. I'm going to give it a proper review later, but really must get some work done. Amazing, amazing art; wonderful food and drinks; sophisticated, elegant crowd; and my favorite actor, Owen Wilson, wandering around. What more could a girl ask for?

I so wanted to go up to him and ask if the art here beat A Night at the Museum (which, if you haven't seen, it's absolutely hilarious - even for adults. I saw it twice. "I won't quit you!" Totally fun romp.), but I refrained. Although it was difficult since I kept seeing him. Often alone too.

If you know him, tell him I said hi and wish him much love. JUST KIDDING. Like he would even care. I did want to ask if he read my "Ode to Owen Wilson" blog post on his attempted suicide though, but I highly, highly, highly doubt it. But then again, you never know! (If you click on that link, scroll to the bottom.)

Okay, now I really must get to creating. Take care.

Check out www.thejoywriterpr.wordpress.com later on for the entire art show review ok? Thanks!

Just thought you'd like to know small town stuff

By Joy A. Kennelly

What totally cracks me up about living down here in the South Bay are all the yahoos who think the Downtown Hermosa Beach restaurants aka bars don't cost the city money, reputation, or anything else. The absolute, sheer stupidity of it all continues to amaze me. What planet are some of these people on?

It totally cracks me up! I have been blogging away on This is Hermosa because that's where I'm most passionate right now. If you want to jump in and see what I'm talking about, then I highly recommend reading Surfing the Whitewash thread on that site. It's an article written by a great writer who actually is a very accomplished screenwriter too. It's very comprehensive and funny, but also sad because it's so true of this area.

It's hard to reason with 30 year olds who don't see the long-term impact on anything other than their ability to get drunk regularly. However, for those of us who actually foresee the future results of this blind adherence to the status quo, we really don't want another Palm Springs, Rhode Island, etc happening here.

What saddens me is wondering if something catastrophic is going to have to happen to wake certain people up. They seem to think it's ok that our assaults are higher than the neighboring cities a mile away. They seem to think it's ok that we're known as a party town with complete disregard for our amazing 100 year heritage. They also seem to think that the only businesses that can flourish down here are bars. If that's the case, then I don't want to live here any longer.

What's funny to me is how stinky some of these places are too. Total dumps, but residents are defending them to high heaven because apparently their five senses are deadened by all the alcohol they consume, or something. I just don't get it.

Aren't people supposed to grow out of college once they actually graduate? When do boys become men down here? Or is this just a beach thing? I guess I don't understand my own hometown now that's it's been taken over by people blindly toeing the party line - bars good, retail bad. Drunks no cost money, residents all crazy.

What's also funny is that people really do read this blog who live in the area. This totally cracks me up. That's why I always post a lot of scripture occasionally just to make them back off a little. Sorry if it's too much, but just know that's usually when I'm feeling especially scrutinized and claustrophobic. I need air to gather my thoughts.

However, if you ever do want to see what's rolling around in my head and you're not the Mayor Pro Tiem, the Mayor, a recently elected city council member, or one who's been around forever, then please visit my adoption blog and my professional blog. I'm starting to go there to expound on other subjects and share other stuff because I want my friends to catch up and enjoy my ramblings. Not people I don't always agree with or like.

I do have a much bigger life than the stupidity of the Hermosa Beach alcohol gang, but feel it better suited elsewhere. However, I will share here that I'm attending the most wonderful art event tonight and I can't wait. It's called the LA Art Show and it's going to be huge. Anyone who's anyone in the art world will be there. What to wear?

Here's the blurb from the website:

The Los Angeles Art Show, one of the most prestigious expositions in America, is proud to present the 13th annual exhibition showcasing a myriad of fine art from the 17th century to the present. In addition, this year the Los Angeles Art Show will be joined by the IFPDA’s 23rd Annual Los Angeles       Fine Print Fair.  Over 125 distinguished international and US galleries will come together to showcase the finest examples of works in the year’s most anticipated art show. 

Collectively, more than 10,000 significant paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and prints will be available for purchase and will be vetted for provenance and authenticity through the event’s organizer, the Fine Art Dealers Association.  Whether you are a novice collector, an art appreciator, or a seasoned connoisseur, the Los Angeles Art Show is an inspirational event, not to be missed.

Then tomorrow night I have another amazing art event that evening. I've already blogged about it on my other blog, but got the two confused. Tonight is the one I'm writing about.I was invited as a journalist because certain people actually respect my opinion and writings. HA HA!

Tomorrow is the one I'm just attending as a guest. Why the organizers pack it all into one week I don't know, but this one benefits the Hammer Museum project and should be quite wonderful too. I'll give you the lowdown of my experiences on my professional site, The Joy Writer PR blog.

I've started house-sitting my friend's dog and last night the heater went out. So I trucked him back to my place. Needless to say, I didn't sleep as well as I would have liked getting up to let him out often and worrying if his occasional barking was bothering the neighbors.

Hopefully tonight the heater will work and everything will be good. I'm so busy right now I really need the sleep. Plus, the dog hair is really making me allergic. I'd rather he stay over at his home because then it's simpler all the way around. He's such a lovey dog it's worth the allergies almost.

I met the most amazing artist yesterday. Her love story of finding the man of her dreams was so wonderful. She's such a gifted, charming, warm artist too. Really want to work with her. I love evolved, sensitive, intelligent, savvy artists who are independent. Not dependent on their husband's approval. Ick!

Meeting with another gallery tomorrow to discuss potential business too. I'm realizing it's time to focus on art and just immerse myself in this world until I get tired of it. It's such a nice contrast to politics and entertainment it really makes me feel good. I need that creative outlet. Plus, they can all intersect at different times when appropriate.

Otherwise, busy putting together a pre-Valentine mixer with some friends for a local spa for my new South Bay Professional Connection group. More details on that soon. If everything I have planned goes according to schedule we're all going to have a lot of fun networking and socializing to do. I'll keep you posted.

I'm doing the dry run in Redondo and then moving this group around. Should be good. I'm interested in meeting more interesting people down here and bringing them out from Hollywood & Santa Monica too. Can't wait.

I just hope that those I've asked for feedbacks on Hermosa Beach bars will hurry up and give me feedback though because it's hard to have to visit everywhere when they know it all already. Cough it up people. You'll have fun, I promise. I just need some feedback to move this along faster.

Okay, that's all. I need to go make sure the dog is ok and get more work accomplished. Great meetings all week long. It's just getting better and better! More on my filmmaker guy soon I promise. Still waiting on some things and then ready to rock-n-roll.

This is great (and men can benefit too.)

Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional
Welcome to Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website. (This is one of my favorite online devotionals.)

January 22, 2008

Becoming a Patient Woman

By Rachel Olsen

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11 (NLT) 

 Devotion:

In a heart that values instant gratification like mine does, patience seems hard to come by.

In the last several weeks I've raced through a yellow light because I didn't want to wait at a red light. I've looked up my symptoms on the internet because I didn't want to sit in a doctor's waiting room. I've paid extra for an item off the internet because I didn't want to stand in line at the store. I've also eaten dessert first, because I didn't want to wait until it was "time" for dessert. (I think anytime is a good time for dessert!) Though I can't recall a specific instance, odds are high that I lost my patience at some point and fussed at my kids.

We want stuff and we want it now. We want results and we want them now. Yet the Bible repeatedly says that patience should be a way of life for followers of Christ.

God is love and patience is part of His character. For you and I to love like God loves, patience will be required (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Loving as God loves is the ultimate goal as we walk through this life seeking to please God and become like Him.

Patience could be defined as the ability to endure graciously. We all have to deal at times with people or circumstances that try our composure -- an ungrateful child, an inattentive waitress, a slow moving line at the cash register, a rude boss, a spouse taking our hard work around the house for granted. How graciously do we behave in these circumstances?

The Bible says God will be faithful to complete the good works He began in us (Philippians 1:6). That implies there's going to be some "in the meantime" when we're all less than perfect and less than easy to love. This is where patience comes in. The apostle Paul instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph.4:1-3).

We also have to exercise patience towards God as we wait for His full plan to unfold. At times we must wait for answers to prayers, for deliverance, for provision, or for Him to dispense justice or reveal His will. We really have no choice but to wait in these circumstances, but a woman developing patience will endure the wait graciously. It helps to remember how very patient God has to be with us on a daily basis (1 Timothy 1:16, 2 Peter 3:8-9).

Exercising patience isn't just an exercise of the human will. The kind of patience Paul is talking about is a fruit of the Spirit developed in a woman's soul in tandem with God. It's a virtue that grows from her confidence in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him.

This patience thing may take some time to develop, but I've decided to graciously endure the process. I started today by stopping, like I should, and waiting at a yellow light I'm certain I could've made it through safely. As I sat at the intersection, I thought about God and about developing patience. The light turned green a mere minute later, and I went on my way with a smile on my face, happy to be a woman who is embracing patience ... even if starting in a very small way.

Dear Lord, thank You for being so very patient with me. Help me to develop patience, and display that quality for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Related Resources:

We apologize our shopping cart has been down during our transition to our new website and thank you for our patience! This week's links are now connected to an active resource area. If we can aid you further in the ordering process, please don't hesitate to contact us at resources@proverbs31.org.

30 Days to Taming your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues

Visit Rachel's blog: "My Life in Chapter & Verse"

God's Purpose for Every Woman: P31 Devotional Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen General Editors

Application Steps: 

Pray for patience daily.

Keep the word "patience" in the forefront of your mind today and look for opportunities to be more patient.

Reflections: 

Who in my life can benefit from me extending them more patience?

How would becoming more patient change my day, my outlook, my health, or my relationships?

Is my patience stronger than my temper? Or stronger than my longings?

Power Verses: 

Proverbs 25:15, "Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition." (NLT)

Ecclesiastes 7:8, "Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." (NLT)

Romans 15:15, "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other -- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." (NLT) 

 Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

 

This is what being a celebrity must feel like...

By Joy A. Kennelly

What cracks me up about living in my old hometown Hermosa Beach, which is only 1 mile wide, is that it's easy to become well-known by lots of people for not doing much. Maybe I'm a little more controversial than some who move here, but for the most part I'm just living my life.

I do have fun don't I? Like today. Bike riding for the first time in 4 years - felt really good. Another first was my good friends from Hollywood visiting me since I've moved here over a year ago! Felt really good too. I just love that family. The father and son are up for a reality show called "My dad is better than your dad." I hope they get it! They'd be a riot.

Back to my analysis of small town living and instant 'celebrity." If I saw any famous athletes down here I would never know it because sports aren't my thing so those type of celebrities are safe with me!

It's funny when you go out to eat at places and it feels like people recognize you even though they've never met you before. There's the knowing looks between people, the sudden grins, the cold shoulder in certain instances and bad service in others (or maybe that's just standard?) Makes me laugh.

If I am a topic of discussion down here then this truly is a small town. Believe me. I'm truly not that interesting people. Maybe to certain people who've never left the area, or who's idea of a big night out is getting drunk at the local bar, or who are worried certain things might be revealed they're not too happy about, but seriously...

On another note, I went to my little wood church, Bay Cities Community Church, yesterday like I always do (although arriving the latest I've ever been since I was driving home from staying the night at my friend's place in Hollywood after celebrating her birthday till late the night before.)

Dam! If my pastor wasn't speaking right to me! I jokingly told my neighbor at one point that now he's meddling because it was as if everything he was saying was meant only for me. I know many of you don't see the value of organized religion, or understand the fascination with going somewhere to hear someone preach from the Bible, but I just love it.

It's a few hours each week where I can evaluate on a spiritual level, how I'm doing as a person and as a Christian. Sometimes I'm doing ok. Other times I realize the bitchy side has won out yet again leaving me with no other choice, but to rein it in and try to work on it. Pray for me. I can always use it!

Church to me, is like going to a gym for your soul. You're working on certain parts of your personality or your soul that needs to be tuned up, made better or made stronger. In my case, it's my pride. I have a lot of it. I know that.

The more I hang around with certain people who have accomplished so much more than I have, and yet remain completely humble and unassuming, the more I want to be like them. There's a reason God brings certain people into our lives at certain times in our lives too.

We can all learn from each other and realize we can either hate the person who's reflecting our weak areas back to us for bringing up issues that we need to work on, or we can accept the fact we're not perfect and maybe they're right, and/or maybe it is something to deal with.

What I always find is that the people who rub me the wrong way the most, oftentimes have similar characteristics that I have that I don't see in myself until I see it mirrored back to me by them. Does that make sense?  Like the people who love to tell me how to live my life when it's none of their business. I realized I was doing that too! Oy!

In any case, yesterday's sermon was on "Living Comfortable With God" Part 4 in the series, Making 2008 Better Than Ever. (You can read the first three parts in my last post. It's really good!)

Living Comfortable with God

Psalm 15:1:
¹ LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

God Wants Us To:

1. Live in a way that is responsible

Psalm 15:2a

    ² He whose walk is blameless
      
Proverbs 20:7:

    ⁷ The righteous man leads a blameless life;
       blessed are his children after him.

2. Do what's right.

Psalm 15:2b and who does what is righteous,

Proverbs 13:6:

    ⁶ Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
       but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

3. Speak the truth with sincerity.

Psalm 15:2c
       who speaks the truth from his heart

Proverbs 16:13:

    ¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
  they value a man who speaks the truth.

4. Refuse to gossip about others. (Now he was meddling...I love gossip, but if God doesn't, then...)

Psalm 15:3a

    ³ and has no slander on his tongue,

Proverbs 16:28:

    ²⁸ A perverse man stirs up dissension,
       and a gossip separates close friends.(AINT THAT THE TRUTH?!)

Proverbs 20:19:

    ¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;
       so avoid a man who talks too much.(OY! FROM GOD'S MOUTH TO MY EARS RE: CERTAIN PEOPLE.)

5. Not harm our neighbor.

Psalm 15:3b

    ³ who does his neighbor no wrong

Romans 13:10:
¹⁰Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

6. Not speak evil of others.

(NOW JIM, MY PASTOR, WAS REALLY MEDDLING. WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS BLOG? JUST KIDDING. I DID! GUESS I BETTER LAY OFF SLAYING CERTAIN PEOPLE IN HB NOW...DAM! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TOO... HOWEVER, I'D RATHER DO GOD'S WILL THAN NOT...PLUS, IT MAKES LIFE BETTER WHEN YOUR PASTOR IS HAPPY WITH YOU TOO! THE BITCH BETTER GO BACK IN THE CAGE. NOW!)

Psalm 15:3c

    ³and casts no slur on his fellowman,

Psalm 34:13:

    ¹³ keep your tongue from evil
       and your lips from speaking lies.

7. Be disgusted by evil.
Psalm 15:4:

    ⁴ who despises a vile man

Romans 12:9b
     ⁹Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

 

8. Honor faithful followers.

Psalm 15:4b

    ⁴but honors those who fear the LORD,

Proverbs 21:21:

    ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and love
       finds life, prosperity ^[a] and honor.

9. Keep promises even when it's painful.

Psalm 15:4c

    ⁴who keeps his oath
       even when it hurts,

10. Be generous with what what we have.

Psalm 15:5a

    ⁵ who lends his money without usury

Proverbs 11:25:

    ²⁵ A generous man will prosper;
       he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

11. Never take advantage of others.

Psalm 15:5b

    ⁵and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.(oooh, this is a good one for some people... did I say that?)

Romans 12:18:
¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

(Ok, this one's for me...Let peace begin with me... Next week. JUST KIDDING! I'll try - say a prayer. I do get passionate about certain issues. It's the Irish in me. But then the German kicks in and I become reserved again.)

12. Have stability and strength from him.

Psalm 15:5b

    ⁵ He who does these things
       will never be shaken.

Amen and Amen!

Okay, that's all for now. Hope you enjoyed the philosophy lesson.

It's much better up close and personal on Sunday mornings, trust me...

It's been awhile...thought you'd appreciate this

By Joy A. Kennelly

Seeing as so many people pop by here on the way to another thing they're searching for, I just thought I'd share what my Pastor, Jim Mackinga, over at Bay Cities Community Church feels is God's Path to Significance since I think a lot of people are searching for significance in their lives.

I hope you consider joining us someday soon to hear him live and personal. He's very funny, warm and right on in his teaching. Highly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning. (All the details on when, where etc. are on the church link. Check it out!)

This has been a three-part series so here's the notes from all three services (since I'm up again due to the pilot mishap yet again. Oy! Oh well, I do get more done waking up at 5am, but it sure makes for an early night.)

God's Way of Making My Life Matter

1. Significance is found in serving.

Matthew 23:11:
¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant.

1 Peter 5:2-3
²Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Psalm 112:8-9:

    ⁸ His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
       in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

    ⁹ He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
       his righteousness endures forever;
       his horn ^[a] will be lifted high in honor.

Romans 12:11:
¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

2. Significance comes through humility.

1 Peter 5:5:

    ⁵Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
   "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."^{[a] I better work on this one!}

Matthew 23:12:
¹²For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Philippians 2:8:

    ⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!

Proverbs 11:2:

    ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
       but with humility comes wisdom.

Philippians 2:3:
³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

3. Significance Happens as we trust God.

1 Peter 5:7:
⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:30-31:
³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Philippians 4:6:
⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 6:33-34
³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 112:7:

    ⁷ He will have no fear of bad news;
       his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Part 2 Making 2008 Better Than Ever

Living Effective for God

God's Plan is What Matters, Not Mine.

Proverbs 19:21:

    ²¹ Many are the plans in a man's heart,
       but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

God's Plan + My Right Choices = effectiveness.

Romans 12:1-2:

Living Sacrifices

    ¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^[a] act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Choices That Lead to Effectiveness (Jim said this is the Christian's "Bucket List")

2 Timothy 2:3-7:
³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

1. Learn to persevere in your life.

2 Timothy 2:3:
³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:7:
⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2. Learn to focus on what pleases God.

2 Timothy 2:4:
⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

1 Thessalonians 4:1:

Living to Please God

    ¹Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

3. Learn to Love & Live God's Word.

2 Timothy 2:5:
⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Psalm 119:105:

    ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
       and a light for my path.

4. Learn to be a person who works hard.

2 Timothy 2:6:
⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

Proverbs 14:23:

    ²³ All hard work brings a profit,
       but mere talk leads only to poverty.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

5. Learn How to be Wise & Understanding.

2 Timothy 2:7:
⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Proverbs 3:13:

    ¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
       the man who gains understanding,

6. Learn to be more at home with Christ.

John 15:4,5,6, 11
⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Matthew 11:29:
²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 15:4:
⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Part III Faithfulness Makes Things Work

What is Faithfulness?

1. Choosing to keep my commitments.

Deuteronomy 7:9:
⁹ Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

2 Timothy 2:13:

    ¹³if we are faithless,
      he will remain faithful,
      for he cannot disown himself.

2. Choosing to do what's right

Deuteronomy 32:4:

    ⁴ He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
       and all his ways are just.
       A faithful God who does no wrong,
       upright and just is he.

Matthew 24:45-50

    ⁴⁵"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' ⁴⁹and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. ⁵⁰The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.

1 Peter 2:20:
²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

3. Choosing to Live According to God's Word.

Psalm 119:30:

    ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth;
       I have set my heart on your laws.

John 14:23-24

    ²³Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

What Faithfulness Does

1. Produces a Path to peace in life.

Proverbs 13:17:

    ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
       but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

2. Allows us to be trustworthy people.

Luke 16:10-11:

    ¹⁰"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

3. Makes for a secure life now and forever.

Psalm 31:23:

    ²³ Love the LORD, all his saints!
       The LORD preserves the faithful,
       but the proud he pays back in full.

4. Brings protection from God. (This one is my favorite.)

Psalm 37:28:

    ²⁸ For the LORD loves the just
       and will not forsake his faithful ones.
       They will be protected forever,
       but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

5. Leads us to positive impact on others. (This is another good one.)

Proverbs 25:13:

    ¹³ Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
       is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
       he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

Psalm 101:6:

    ⁶ My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
       that they may dwell with me;
       he whose walk is blameless
       will minister to me.

6. Creates honor from God and others.

Proverbs 3:3:

    ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
       bind them around your neck,
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

How to Develop Faithfulness

1. Live connected to God's Spirit.

Galatians 5:22:

    ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

2. Encourage others and stay encouraged.

Hebrews 3:12-13:

    ¹²See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

3. Place value on being faithful.

Proverbs 28:20:

    ²⁰ A faithful man will be richly blessed,
       but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 20:6:

    ⁶ Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
       but a faithful man who can find?

There were a lot of funny anecdotes intermingled, but you'll have to come visit to hear them for yourself. Jim's sermons are always fresh, apply to your life right now, and target areas where we need to focus which is why I love hearing him speak. I think he is very gifted.

May God richly bless you with the reading of His word. Amen. Happy Weekend everyone!

God bless America

My mom sent me this and I thought it was worth passing on. Really makes you think about the real people involved doesn't it? God bless America.

You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick..

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

 

He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

 

REMEMBER our Troops, and do not forget them LATER

 

Been focusing on my other blogs, but will be back!

By Joy A. Kennelly

I went to the best luncheon today where Secretary of State, Debra Bowen, spoke about voting and we inducted Helen Duncan, President of the MB Chamber, as the next Chair of the Regional South Bay Association of Chamber of Commerces.

I especially wanted to support Helen because I think she's a real dynamo and has a great chamber over there. Also, since this organization ties together all of the local chapters (although Hermosa isn't involved which I found interesting.)

Also met a ton of great political and local contacts for later. I think it never hurts to know too many upper-level government officials because you never know when you'll need some help on certain issues especially now that I live here in the South Bay.

Who knew Supervisor Don Knabe was so funny? He had everyone do one clap after all the numerous introductions which was actually very fun. It was very interesting in my mind to see who all was involved and which local big wigs were in attendance too. We hit the mother lode of schmoozing!

Of course my pretty cougar friend got hit on by the only 20 year olds in the building. Go Cougar power. She totally cracks me up.

Apparently this blog is giving me quite the reputation in my hometown among certain individuals. I guess they don't understand my sense of humor yet. Oh well. You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

Always nice to know who's actually reading though.

Hi J.R.... (Mayor Pro-Tiem)

Come here often?

Lighten up man... This is the beach after all. Aren't the positive ions supposed to kick in sometime? Where's your sense of humor and smile? Everyone takes themselves, their roles and these issues so seriously around here. Oy! Maybe if I shared some of my new wonder drink, Goji, with people it would help all of us mellow out. 

It's helping me! Aren't you relieved? Ha ha. It is a good drink though which I'll talk to you about more once I figure it all out. I just know it's balancing my hormones which is great! Maybe then I won't be considered as so obnoxious or annoying as I've heard rumor I'm called. Can you believe it? Little 'ole me? 

Have to be honest - totally cracked me up, but also stung a little. I don't call you names now do I so and so? Or is it ok to be a ballsy guy, but not a ballsy female? I do call myself a bitch though so feel free to use that term - which I'm sure you do in private. Oh well. Better get used to it. I live here too now.

I am trying to get along though - will you? Let's just agree to disagree on certain issues and all will be fine. You - the more bars the better, me - not so many...

And with that, I better go. Gotta get ready for another political meeting tonight called UPAC regarding how the city plans to beautify upper Pier Ave, and then on to a fun art opening.

Should be a very entertaining evening. How Hermosa turns... Check out This is Hermosa for the latest and my The Pregnant Pause blog too. Just uploaded a bunch of stuff on both.

I'm going to start working with a very cool director I had met during my film festival days which should be fun. I'll announce him later. Just wrapped up a big writing assignment for another client's architecture project in Africa which is why I haven't had the juice to write here lately if you've been wondering...

But now... Hello again.

Pictorial coverage of Artist Gali Rotstein's fantastic Art Opening!

By Joy A. Kennelly

For those of you who missed attending Artist Gali Rotstein's fantastic Art Opening, here's some pictures of the evening. I'm posting some of the ones of just me and my friends who attended because I've uploaded all of Gali and everyone else on my www.thejoywriterpr.wordpress.com site. Tons of fun to see. Click over and tell me your thoughts!

Here's just a quick snapshot of the event, but to understand the depth and breadth of who all attended, please go to my professional blog here.  There's a bunch more pix with industry execs, fashion people, celebs, other artists, lots and lots of friends and art lovers. Check it out!

This Writer's Strike needs to get resolved asap!

By Joy A. Kennelly

Now that there was no Golden Globes Awards Show (despite the laughable attempts by various shows to still announce the winners - horrible!!!!!) and Desperate Housewives has gone off the air this standstill is really beginning to annoy me.

Producers and CEO's the people demand you come to an agreement with the writers now!

Get off your high horses, realize you need the writers and negotiate. Enough's enough! Don't make me come down there...:) Go to your room and make nice NOW!

Thanks. I know no one's really listening, but after last night's pathetic TV offering and the lack of the Golden Globes I just had to say something.

Get real people!

YOU NEED WRITERS!!!!! ADMIT IT AND PAY THE PIPER!

AWESOME PARTY AT BERGAMOT & LOIS LAMBERT GALLERY

By Joy A. Kennelly

I know that's shouting, but that's what I feel like doing because we just had the most amazing art show in the world if I do say so myself!

Bergamot Station was PACKED! I've never seen anything like it. My friends said it was like a huge New Year's Eve party there were so many people. There had to be over 2500 people milling around the art complex and through our art show.

There were so many other art galleries open it was like one huge party. I LOVED IT! I really needed a night like tonight. Pure fun, excitement and blow-out party. Totally my type of experience. I LOVE HUGE CROWDS!

Santa Monica's art scene just EXPLODED!!!! tonight. I think we're on the verge of seeing something that has never been seen before in LA... It was absolutely amazing. I can't wait to show you the pictures.

I had so many friends show up. Gali had lots of friends show up too. Daniel from Project Runway was hanging out with us. There were so many celebs, agents, industry execs, art lovers, hippies, artistic types - totally my type of crowd.

Go Girl Energy Drink was a huge hit. Can't wait to plan another event with the brand. My friend Rick is a famous extreme sport event producer and we have such fun ideas for them. We shall see.

Gali's art was a HUGE hit. I think she looked absolutely stunning wearing Susan Landau's jewelry with her new artistic haircut all dressed in black. Simply stunning. We simply had the best time tonight. It was like having a house party for all 1,000 of our personal friends at once.

So many of my friends came out it was great to see them. Some I haven't seen in months which made it even more of a special treat. I'm just so happy. DJ Sooze was awesome and kept us grooving all night long.

There were live bands over at Gallery 16 that LA Weekly sponsored which also brought in all the crowds. The big fat nude guy was a little gross and most of the art wasn't that interesting, but it was still a fun vibe.

This evening's art opening event I think tops even my Grafton on Sunset VIP sponsor party from when I was throwing film festivals. That was a party people still talk about to this day because of the flaming dessert and amazing cajun food brought in straight from New Orleans just for me and my guests.

I love throwing events and think I'm going to focus on doing more because it's so me. I've missed it sooooo much and had no idea how much until tonight. Joy likes to party (isn't there a song like that? My rapper friend always sings it to me...)

Now I'm absolutely exhausted. Time to hit the hay. More later.

Just know if you didn't go, you missed a great party and art scene. It's not too late to see the art since it will be hanging until March 9, 2008 in the Lois Lambert Gallery. Gotta check it out...

That's all for now.

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome....

Still very busy, but here's something to hold you over....

Read this this morning in the new living translation and thought, how appropriate for what I'm dealing with in certain respects. On other fronts, life is grand!

Psalm 10:1-15:

   ¹ O Lord, why do you stand so far away?

      Why do you hide when I am in trouble?
    ² The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.
     Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.
    ³ For they brag about their evil desires;
      they praise the greedy and curse the Lord.

    ⁴ The wicked are too proud to seek God.
      They seem to think that God is dead.
    ⁵ Yet they succeed in everything they do.
      They do not see your punishment awaiting them.
      They sneer at all their enemies.
    ⁶ They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us!
      We will be free of trouble forever!”

    ⁷ Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats.^[a]
      Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.
    ⁸ They lurk in ambush in the villages,
      waiting to murder innocent people.
      They are always searching for helpless victims.
    ⁹ Like lions crouched in hiding,
      they wait to pounce on the helpless.
   Like hunters they capture the helpless
      and drag them away in nets.
   ¹⁰ Their helpless victims are crushed;
      they fall beneath the strength of the wicked.
   ¹¹ The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us!
      He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”

  ¹²     Arise, O Lord!
      Punish the wicked, O God!
      Do not ignore the helpless!
   ¹³ Why do the wicked get away with despising God?
      They think, “God will never call us to account.”
   ¹⁴ But you see the trouble and grief they cause.
     You take note of it and punish them.
   The helpless put their trust in you.
      You defend the orphans.

   ¹⁵ Break the arms of these wicked, evil people!
      Go after them until the last one is destroyed.

Selah...

Man, those Old Testament writers didn't mess around did they? God is a just God and will provide justice in His timing.

Can't wait.

Very busy right now...

In the meantime check out my other blogs for new information. Also, don't forget to attend Gali Rotstein's Art Opening this Saturday!

All the details can be found on my PR blog: www.thejoywriterpr.wordpress.com.

Thanks! See you there!

Typepad's pissing me off

2nd time today it wiped out a blog I just wrote. I don't know what's going on, but it's got to stop. If anyone is hacking my site - you're messing with the wrong person. Ask my old landlord....

Please pray for me today as I go to court

By Joy A. Kennelly

against my old landlord to get my security deposit back. He has a reputation for keeping people's security deposits illegally because he's an attorney, but I'm not putting up with his thievery.

Pray for my attitude towards him and his poor wheelchair bound wife who is just as scheming as he is, my composure, and justice in this situation. I didn't deserve their treatment and neither have all the other tenants they've screwed over the years.

Have to say, it was great watching them get served papers. Now to face them in court.

I've got lots of fun stuff to share, but have been very busy creating the fun stuff. Once this trial is over I'll get caught up here.

Enough with the nasties...

Have a good one!

My two new latest blogs - The Pregnant Pause and My Acting Blog

By Joy A. Kennelly

In keeping with my promise last year to start sorting out this blog into different ones to accommodate different facets of my life, I've just finished it today!

SOUTH BAY ALCOHOL ISSUES:

So, for those of you who like to keep up on what's the haps with the alcohol issue in the South Bay - you need to check out my thoughts on my friend's cool web site - www.thisishermosa.com.

We have another web site coming, but for now this is where you can find me mouthing off like I do so well because I'm so passionate about making my community a better place for everyone who live and work here, not just the drunks. Doncha agree?

Feel free to mouth off right back at me and others on the site - that's what it's designed to be - an open forum. Your opinion matters! I'm sending the media there too so speak now or forever hold your peace.

MY OPEN ADOPTION STORY

This is my latest addition to my family of blogs - I'm calling it The Pregnant Pause, which is also the title of the book I'm writing about my open adoption story. If you're curious how to find this blog, I think it's just www.thepregnantpause.wordpress.com 

(I love wordpress - very easy to use and free! Although there's still things I'm trying to figure out on it.)

What I did was go back through this blog and take out all pertinent adoption posts to put them all together in one place in this other blog. Hope you enjoy the read. Leave some comments ok?

After re-reading some of them I'm re-thinking my thoughts on this year's involvement in my son's life. I'll share that another time though. Too tired. It's hard being creative. LOL!

MY FUNNY AUDITIONS

To help keep my public relations separate from the fun commercial auditions I go on, I've created another blog called LACastJoy which I believe you can find at: www.lacastjoy.wordpress.com. I just don't want people to get confused on whether I'm a dedicated publicist or not because I really am, I just like acting too.

It's the time when I can just play; I need the outlet. This way I can share my funny experiences about all the interesting, silly auditions I go on and not feel like potential clients are going to get all weirded out that I have this other life. Trust me, I can do both quite easily. I'm probably one of the most multi-faceted people you'll meet unless you're one too right?

Plus, I want to start interviewing Casting Directors and Ad Agency people to understand better how this world works which I'll share in that blog too. I have a deep fascination with advertising even though I'm a publicist. I just feel it's extremely creative and disciplined. I also feel it's important to understand all ways of communication with your audience.

I used to showcase spec commercials in my short film festival because I just love talent whatever shape or form. I think it takes a special mindset to be able to tell something well in only 60 seconds. So, consider that blog my ode to the advertising world. Maybe I'll start taking ads there too. Ya never know. We'll see how popular it becomes - visit often ya hear?

Nothing too exciting on it yet because I haven't gone on any auditions this year, but I am hoping to have an interview from my current agent uploaded soon. Aur-Aelion, if you're reading this - return your answers ok? Time's awasting dude!:)

THE JOY WRITER PR

This blog I started to focus strictly on PR and client's work. It's called The Joy Writer PR and can be found at www.thejoywriterpr.wordpress.com. I had a blast the other day uploading a bunch of my favorite links so check it out! You might agree and/or learn something new too. Lots of great art links. I'm going to build up my entertainment ones down the road.

Okay, that's really all. I'm tired. I've been working on all these off and on all day. Time to get some sleep. Have a great Sunday everyone!

We are saving you a seat at Bay Cities Community Church whenever you're ready to step into love, faith and hope...

Storm Watch - Hermosa Beach style & other stuff

By Joy A. Kennelly

I think I must be fighting something because I didn't wake up till 11am today which I guess I needed. After a few phone calls and catching up on stuff, I decided to join my new friend and help create sand bags for the Public Works Department in preparation for the big storm coming in.

You in cold states shovel snow, whereas, here in Hermosa Beach, we shovel sand into bags. Too funny. This is supposed to be the worst storm in a long time. It's about time we had some weather other than sunshine here.

I used to live in Seattle so I can say that. However, I do hope that everyone who has rain issues with their homes will be ok. Nothing like a leak to bring down your day. Hopefully people won't be needing the sand bags we created today, but glad to have helped create them. It was fun!

I've just totally updated my new wordpress blog - so please check it out here: www.thejoywriterpr.wordpress.com or just Google The Joy Writer PR.

Also, if you're interested in learning more about Hermosa Beach politics and what the community is thinking and concerned about - then check out This is Hermosa (www.thisishermosa.com). That's our community forum and there's all kinds of good info there.

I'm trying to keep my HB comments to that site when appropriate, but sometimes will share here. Just trying not to bore my readers here who could care less. Right people? Right. Oh, and sorry for my snide comments re: a certain female. I'll try to contain myself in the future. Not nice of me. I'm sorry. It was just too funny though...

If you're considering a movie to see I recommend P.S. I Love You - very sweet, funny film. Hot guys too. I love that kind of look in a man. And men who like to sing.

Hilary Swank wasn't too shabby either. Actually, I really liked her acting in this movie and could see how she could be compared to Judy Garland in looks (in a certain scene it's very obvious. Let me know if you agree.)

Have a great weekend all!

Updates on Artist Gali Rotstein's Art Opening

By Joy A. Kennelly

My client, Gali Rotstein's Art Opening is turning out really well. We now have a great sugar-free energy drink called Go Girl and hopefully an organic vodka soon - we're calling these drinks, "Mother's Little Helpers" - doncha love it!? Here's the latest update.

Save the dates! January 12, 2008 6pm - 9pm & January 20, 2008 2pm - 5pm                                             

            
January is all about Artist Gali Rotstein!

Please join us for  the launch of emerging LA Artist, Gali Rotstein, at  Bergamot Station in the Lois Lambert Gallery. A portion of the evening's proceeds benefit Children's Action Network, a charity dedicated to finding homes for the more than 114,000 foster children in the U.S. waiting for an adoptive family.

DJ Sooze spins while you admire and buy amazing art, enjoy gourmet Joseph Schmidt Chocolates, sip "Mother's Little Helper" drinks and enjoy the evening with a wide variety of industry types, art lovers, celebs, and friends.
            

 

            The entire Lois Lambert Gallery Group '08 Exhibit will run January 12 - March 9, 2008.

Bergamot Station is going to be a major art scene on January 12th!  Celebrate Gali's launch at Lois Lambert Gallery, and then pop over to visit LA Weekly's sponsored gallery and other galleries hosting receptions too.

SAVE THE DATE - JANUARY 20, 2008 2pm - 5pm

Don't miss Gali's sculptures, Freeway and Once Upon A Time, on display during the New Members Exhibit  at the Municipal Art Gallery which runs January 18 - April 20, 2008 located at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

The Opening Reception is January 20,  2008, 2 - 5 p.m. This exhibit coincides with the Main Gallery exhibits, Spirits of Los Angeles and Tropical: Art of Brazil, Cuba & Haiti.
            

 

Look forward to seeing you!

   

New Years, My birthday, The Bucket List

By Joy A. Kennelly

For whatever reason, people keep Googling "the blond guy from TMZ" and find my blog. How long ago did I write about him and TMZ? I just think it would be hilarious if he either lives in the South Bay, or is a member of Oct 805, my biggest fans. Who knows? Who cares? I don't, but just think it would be ironic.

In any case, I actually had the most delightful birthday after all. I knew it would turn out that way - the best days always come after the worst. Plus, when there's nothing planned, then good stuff can fill in too. Like the wonderfully sweet card from one of my good friends which arrived unexpectedly.

I also joined a good girlfriend for a spontaneous celebratory birthday lunch which was great. Then dashed off to Glen Ivy Day Spa to cash in my two-for-one coupon I found recently that I'd collected over the summer during one of the AVP's. It expired 12/31 and I thought what a great way to end the year and celebrate my birthday.

Receiving an email from a very fun girlfriend who was off for the day while her husband was working prompted me to invite her to join me. By 2pm we were soaking in the generous hot tub relaxing. We pampered ourselves with the moisturizing Grotto treatment and just generally relaxed throughout the spa not leaving till almost six! Now that's my kind of day.

My other great girlfriend had heard my plight of no New Year's plans and invited me to join her at her fun married friend's New Year's open house. This couple is such an adorable contrast - she loves parties, he swears not to, but does throw margarita wrestling contests for young women which absolutely cracks me up since his wife is one of the most respected experts in her field - known world-wide for her brilliance.

To know both of them though, they're the most loving, giving, generous people who are so full of life and fun that I don't care what they do. They're my friends and his mom is great too! Even though last night wasn't anything like I had planned, it was just perfect.

My new BFF and her husband who had invited me are really wonderful to me too. They gave me the best birthday cake, presents and love. I am indebted to their generosity of spirit and heart. Thank you!!!!

Great food, great friends, great conversations, ending with fun times down at the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza - hard to believe fun too for adults over 20 out past 9pm I know, but the swing band drew a decidely older crowd which made for a nice mix of people.

What I thought was absolutely hilarious was to see a woman who was older than me wearing the shortest micro mini standing on stage proudly french kissing her husband when it struck midnight. I'd heard this woman needs attention, but didn't realize how badly till I saw her outfit and subsequent kiss. I guess if you've still got it flaunt it right? Or is it at the beach once a bleached blond bimbo, always one? I don't know.

Oh I must stop, it's not nice to speak poorly of your elders. Sorry Sienna. Whoops. Didn't mean to blow your cover, but then again you're not hiding anything so why should I? I'm such a bitch with a capital B. Can't help myself.

It just comes naturally this time of the month, but I hope you know I mean this all in good fun. If you can't poke gentle fun at politician's wives, who can you laugh at? See, you're laughing too! I see that smile. You agree. This is what makes the beach scene so entertaining to be part of if you ask me. If it's not the young bucks, it's the old babes...

We would have hit the Mermaid bar afterwards, but the line wasn't worth standing in. We really must hit it before it's torn down - one of Hermosa Beach's historic monuments for the great drinkers of our city. Just kidding, but it is historic.

For those of you who don't live down here that whole piece of property (of which the Mermaid is but one part) is going for 33 million dollars - now does it give you an idea of the size of the property for sale and the value of Hermosa Beach beachfront? We'll see what goes in there next - could make for some interesting changes to the whole Downtown scene in its entirety. Know any cool hotels looking to expand? We'd love to have one come in.

Caught The Bucket List today and it was the perfect day to see it. Great flick and great chemistry between the two men. It was really nice to see Morgan Freeman in something other than his serious films. Also, I wonder how close to Jack's real life this story really is? How many wives has he had again?

I am very emotional (you know why) and I couldn't help but cry at parts. It's very thought-provoking, funny, enjoyable and worth catching. I really liked it. Made me want to create my own "bucket list."

Let's see, in no particular order, here's my spur of the moment, off the top of my head "bucket list" -

1. visit Tahiti
2. see healing of family relationships
3. finish my PR certificate at UCLA Extension
4. fall madly and deeply in love with the man I'm to marry and spend the rest of my life with
5. get my hormones balanced out once and for all
6. lose 15 or 20 more pounds (lost 12 so far!) and keep it off
7. travel the world to exotic places I've never been like Thailand, Fiji, Bangkok, Australia, New Zealand
8. go back to Africa and visit everywhere we lived and traveled to when I was young
9. write my book on my open adoption experience and have it turned into a movie
10. have a syndicated column writing like I do for my blog on whatever I feel like
11. make a difference in my community that changes its course of history forever
12. be a good role model to my nieces and son and children who are like family to me
13. paint more
14. love more
15. share more
16. volunteer more
17. trust more
18. laugh more
19. bitch less
20. Enjoy life to the fullest in whatever I'm doing, with whoever I'm doing it with
21. See The Oprah Show and The Ellen Show live and see great guests and receive great gifts
22. See loved ones I've been praying for come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and savior
23.  Be a better friend in a deeper way to people in my life I care about
24. Have my life count for something bigger than myself
25. balance my life better

I had such a pleasant yesterday and today that I feel ready for whatever is thrown my way in 2008. I had such peace last night even though I was single. It just felt like it was okay for that night. I just had the distinct feeling that I should cherish being alone because once I am married I'll never be alone again.

Hard to believe I'd ever get to the place that I'm actually happy being single, but I have a real contentment and settled feeling about it all. Like 2007 was supposed to clear out all the bad relationships that were holding me back for the right one in 2008. Does that make sense?

Who knows if this makes sense, but I do know I am closer to God as a result of this year and know who I am better too. Like Philippians says in the Bible chapter 4:11-13.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

I hope you have the opportunity to experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding at some point in your life too.

God bless you! Happy New Year!

Live like you were dying and consider writing your own bucket list. May make you reconsider how you'll spend 2008.

Life's short people and we're only given so much time on earth. How will you spend it this year? Make it count.

And with that... Good night... or should I say Good morning...