**Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick pleads guilty**

As the proof of perjury, and obstruction of justice, and misconduct in public office by the Mayor was coming to a head, we find here today that the now former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, has pleaded guilty to perjury 3 times, and stepped down from office. The Mayor accepted a plea deal that requires him to do 120 days in jail, must pay $1 million dollars to the city, be on probation for 5 years, cannot seek office of mayor for 5 years, he must give up his pension, and his license to practice law has been taken away.

Because of her involvement in the Brown case, it is no wonder, that the chief of police of the city of Detroit, Ella Bully-Cummings, has resigned after hearing of Kilpatrick's surrender of office.

It is a sad day for the city of Detroit, but a day of relief, as now our city can move on.

The city was asked by Governor Jennifer Granholm, to pray for the city of Detroit and for the mayor's family. The city council has asked for prayer for the mayor and his family and the city of Detroit.

The City of Detroit residents want to thank Governor Granholm for her involvement in the removal hearings. We are glad that she did not have to make a decision on that case, because it would have been very hard for her. She really did not want to get involved, but because of the circumstances where a judge decided it was illegal for them to force the mayor to step down, she agreed to proceed with the removal hearing.

Detroit, we can move on, we can arise , we do not have to let the past months pull us all the way down. We must lift up our heads that hang down. Detroit must strengthen their hands and step up behind Kenneth Cockrel to lift up his hands, as it will be a long struggle ahead to pull out of this mire.

Heartaches

Life is so full of ups and downs and most times than not, there is nothing that you can do to stop the inbalances of life. Oh, you can try to do this to prevent that, or avoid this to evade that, but the bottom line is, one way or another something else is going to come along to turn your world upside down.
If only there were controls on life (like the ones on a radio or television), to turn down the stress or volume; or maybe keep someone at bay by turning the channel. Or better still, a turn off knob to keep from dealing with certain issues of life.
There are no physical controls, but there is one spiritual control that you can adjust and that is Jesus who will help you through all of the turmoil that goes with living. I don't care who you are, you can't tell me that you don't have turmoil in your life; you can't tell me that you never have any trouble; whether you are filthy wealthy or in the upper echelon social status, or just one of the nicest people that walked the face of the earth, you have trouble because trouble don't care who he troubles. The thing about trouble, he comes in like a storm sometimes and will hang around awhile just to see what you are going to do about him, then he just whittles his way out to come again from a different direction.
I am resolved to say that Jesus will help me out of any situation that trouble brings my way. I love him and trust him. I keep him near to my heart and commune with him. When the time comes where my heart is aching and I feel anxious, Jesus is my way of escape, my knob if you will to turn down the volume.
"Trust and obey, there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey" a line from an old hymn. He sees our hurt and tears; he feels our pain and suffering as we wait upon him. Don't think for one moment that he has forsaken us. Don't give up, keep holding on!!

Mothers

If women had no children, there would not be mothers, and there would not be children to call the women mothers. But being that God blessed women with children, regardless of whether the women considered themselves blessed or not, the children were ultimately blessed to receive life in this present world from God. Even though some mothers did/do not care for their children, the mere fact that God used them as an instrument to bring that child into the world is a blessing to the child.

In the old days, we were taught to honor our parents so that our days would be long upon the earth, which is scripture. It would be very hard for some to fulfill that command today, to look past all of the hurt and all of the pain and all of the suffering to be obedient to God. But, if you love God, and want to obey Him, He will make the honor of that parent bearable. It is a sacrifice, because you really want to repay your parent for all of the hurt that was brought upon you, but because you love God so much, you will obey Him and honor them.

To that one I talked to this week, continue to honor your parent because it is a good thing. You will be blessed by the Lord for your obedience. Look to the Lord for your strength and good health. Seek God for wisdom and understanding. Read the word of God and pray. There are a lot of things that we don't understand, and a lot of trouble that we can't figure out why we go through. Trouble don't care who he troubles; but God knows all and is willing to help us through. I am so proud of you for what you have done and what you are doing. You are setting a good example for your children. Don't give up!!

Joy in the Presence of God by mejamison

Oh, my Lord, my Lord, how can I explain?

If only I had the words to express my thoughts toward you at this moment. To be in this moment of such great unexplained joy is beyond my comprehension. I was not thinking of what you could do for me; I was not thinking about what you have done for me nor even about who you are, as great as you are. But a sudden rush of joy sprang up within me bringing forth praise toward you upon my tongue. Explosive joy that I refuse to control has overtaken me. I am overwhelmed at your presence and mere words would take away from your glory at this time, so I will let your spirit do the talking for me, I will let your spirit intercede and make utterance before you on my behalf. Thank you Lord for your presence and thank you for this incomprehensible joy.

Thanksgiving Day

A day of giving thanks to God is Thanksgiving Day. I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that I have a God who loved me so much that he would look past all of my faults and all of my sin, to forgive me and save me. I am thankful that He has provided me food, clothing and shelter. He has given me a wonderful family, a sound mind, health and strength to move about independently of others. There are so many things that I could go on and on and there would not be enough time to tell everything. I am thankful for my brother (Clayton) being my pastor and for my sister-in-law (Betty). I am really thankful for the new relationship that I have with my younger sister. Veronica, if you read this, know this, that I love you and I thank God for you.

George Street in Amherstburg

By mejamison

If there was anything more fun than an amusement park, I would say living on George Street in Amherstburg in the 50's. The winter provided us with an opportunity to slide down the middle of the street on homemade sleds (cardboard from boxes). In the summer, my brother Clayton and other boys in town would compete in making their own go carts. They would use wheels and axels from off the baby buggies and old wood to build their go-carts. Then they would find different things to decorate them with, like tin cans and bottle caps. Broomstick handles would be used to push the carts from behind. The kids would line the street just like it was a real race. The cart that made it to the end of the block first would win. My brother for some reason would win the majority of the time and I think because he received a few tips from my Dad or older brother(I'm not sure).
I must say that my family members were hilarious at times, (I just might do a blog on them someday) but not now.

Amherstburg: Personal and family details.

Amherstburg: Personal and family details.

The Harrises: Cousin Don and family, Uncle Howard and family, Uncle Chester and family, Grandma and Grampa all lived in their own houses down the street. Lots of Hursts lived on King Street; Stewarts on Park; Wilsons and Handsors lived behind town, McCurdy's all over town. My friends coming up in Amherstburg were Jean, Lana, Donna, Brenda, Diane, Gloria and Emily.

My father pastored a church which was one block over from our house, Mount Zion Church of God in Christ. We walked to church and everywhere else in town: school, downtown, the park, museum etc... My father also was overseer to two other churches outside of the city under the leadership of the late Bishop C.L. Morton Sr. and my mother was a missionary to the Indian Reservations. So you see, they travelled a lot and most times we little ones were with them.

I forgot to mention that one of our friend's (Liz T's) father operated a ferry that he took back and forth to Boblo (an amusement park at that time) and sometimes he would let us ride over for free on his ferry. Lots of Detroiters would go to Boblo on the big boat, so it was very exciting and fun to go ride on the rides.

In the winter, my mother used to have us go outside and get some fresh fallen snow and she would make us snow cones. Most of the towns people were poor and these were the food services that we had in Amherstburg: milkman, iceman, vegetable man and egg lady. My father and his friends would go fishing and hunting to bring in the meats and he raised his own chickens. We would pick dandelions for greens. From time to time in the winter we would go to Bluefront Market (remember Bluefront?) to get some meats. We were flooded in the summer time with fresh fruits, fish and vegetables from the townspeople. You see, they all looked out for each other then. We got free bread and sweets and chips from the bakery. There were twelve in our family and ma would prepare food everyday to feed us, and aside from that she would bake a dessert a few times a week.

The one doctor in town (Dr. Hutchinson) would often make house calls if the patient could not come to the office.

I am once again requesting old photos: maybe of Bluefront, the Library, the theater, Park, Waterfront, Post Office, summertime photos of flowering trees, the church, high school, elementray school, family photos. Whatever you can contribute to this web will give viewers a picture of what a beautiful place Amherstburg was. Not only photos, but give descriptions of the photos and your input. Maybe you remember some things that I don't.

By mejamison