Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Should Women be allowed in the Pulpit?

What should've been a non-story has suddenly turned into an international controversy surrounding the cover of a Gospel Magazine cover. Gospel Today decided to feature five female pastors on its cover for their latest issue.

A chain of book stores, owned by the Southern Baptist Convention, decided to pull the magazines and place them under the counter---out of public view. Why did they do it? The REAL answer remains unclear, although a spokesperson for the LifeWay Christian Book Stores says it goes against their doctrine because they don't believe in having women in the pulpit. But they do support Sarah Palin in her bid to become second in command of the whole country.

Read the entire story on Vibrant Nation

Monday, September 15, 2008

Baby Boomer Woman Gives Birth to Triplets

Here I am---a 51-year-old baby boomer grandmother who has her hands full trying to help raise my two-year-old grandson and now I learn that another baby boomer woman has actually given birth to triplets.

A 59-year-old French woman has given birth by Caesarian section to two boys and a girl, and according to a Paris hospital spokesperson, everything went smoothly.

The woman, of Vietnamese origin, is thought to have resorted to a private Vietnamese clinic willing to overlook the age limit for egg donation and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), set at 45 in Vietnam, according to press reports.

This woman has become the latest in a strong of older women who feel the need to become mothers at midlife. In 2001 a 62-year-old Frenchwoman gave birth to a child conceived through IVF, and earlier this year, an Indian woman said to be 70 years old gave birth to twins after receiving IVF treatment.

I don't guess having a baby in your 40s is a bad thing. After all, look at this list of celebrity moms who did it:

Jane Seymour Twins at 44
Susan Sarandon 46
Madonna 41
Lisa Hartman-Black 44
Iman 44
Jerry Hall 41
Annette Bening 41
Cheryl Tiegs Twins at 52
Beverly D'Angelo Twins at 49
Geena Davis Twins at 44
Helen Hunt 40
Holly Hunter Twins at 45
Halle Berry 41
Nicole Kidman 41
Sarah Palin 44

But how old is TOO OLD to have a baby?

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

The Difference between Sarah Palin's Daughter and Mine

Let me start off by saying the one thing they both share in common is the fact that they became pregnant as teenagers.

Now the differences:

Family

Bristol comes from a white privileged family, where her mother has a high profile as Governor of Alaska and now as the Republican nominee for Vice-President of the United States. She has two sisters and two brothers. Her father is in the home.

Janie comes from a middle class black family where her dad was absent more than he was around. She is an only child. Her mother is a journalist, who left Corporate America because her boss never respected her role as a working mom. (long, unappreciated hours and no opportunity for advancement)

Boyfriend

Bristol’s boyfriend is an 18 year old named Levi Johnson who described himself as an F----- redneck on his MySpace page before it was taken down. He also indicated he did not want children.

Janie’s boyfriend had a bright promising future as an actor or chef before he was murdered the day after Christmas for defending his little sister who was being harassed by a gang banger on a city bus.

Mother's Reaction to Pregnancy

Bristol has received very public support from her mother, who issued a statement saying her daughter was going to keep the baby and marry the baby’s daddy. The wedding date has yet to be announced. Sarah Palin is a staunch supporter of abstinence. How much she told her daughter about sex and having unprotected sex is unknown.

Janie hid her pregnancy for fear of how I would react and, rightfully, so. I was livid! Obviously, all those times I told her to keep her dress down and drawers up fell on deaf ears. I wanted my daughter to weigh all of her options because she had plans to go to college and we all know raising a child can seriously alter your plans.

Future

Bristol’s future remains unclear, although her mother has assured the public the family will stand by Bristol and offer their undying support. One thing we know for sure is she will be a mother in a few months and married to her boyfriend.

Janie, meanwhile, is raising her son alone with the love and support of family members on both sides. She is also out to prove the naysayers wrong by pursuing her college education. She is currently enrolled at North Carolina A&T, while grandma takes on the role of Ma.