Daily Walking, Working, and Winning by God's Word by Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr.

In 1949 there was no question that Pennsylvania Avenue was the cultural and social center of the African American community in Baltimore City. The Royal Theater was its crown jewel. This Labor Day weekend the restoration effort begins in earnest as a series of activities will take place.

Tonight is the night for the 44th District State Delegates Candidates Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

There are moments in your life when you are in the deepest, loneliest, and most isolated place. Even in a crowd, you feel that you are by yourself. It's being in the abyss were you struggle to make your way out without knowing how to get out. I'm working on Sunday's sermon from the 2nd Chapter of Jonah to see if this story provides us any incite into what to do when you find yourself in the deep. When you are in the deep there is only one thing you can do and that is wait for your deliverance. The Good News is that your help is on the way!

I took this picture in the 9th Ward one year after the Katrina disaster. All over the news there are stories about New Orleans five years later. The tragedy is that there has been no change in the 9th Ward over the past five years. There has been no redevelopment of the housing. The poor have not been able to move back into their former neighborhood. While downtown is booming and the areas where those who are rich have been restored, the poor are left to there own resources which is totally inadequate. How do you keep hope alive in the midst of this devastation?

It's time! Since the beginning of the James Bond, 007 film series, I have watched every episode and watched every variation of the character James Bond. Most recently, Daniel Craig has played the character and it is my understanding he has not been the strongest one. As a result movie sales have diminished and rumor has it that they are wondering if the series has run its course.

Regardless of party affiliation or political philosophy, the right to vote is a freedom that should not be taken lightly. Voting is one's expression of choice within a political sphere and for a particular candidate that echoes your concerns and supports your ideas. First you need to know your concerns and have some ideas. Concerns are situations or policies that impact the people you love and care for. Ideas are those thoughts and plans that improve situations and policies. Everyone should have concerns and all you at some point in time have ideas. Voting is your freedom to express yourself individually and through a public process create a consensus of public opinion. Why is this important? Just look at the amount of money being spent to place in the forefront of your mind concerns that other people have. Look at the amount of money being spent to force upon you the ideas others have. You are not a pawn in the political process. You are a king or queen maker. You matter! As we move into the voting season, it is important that the people vote in large numbers and it is important that you vote for the persons who best understand your concerns and is best aligned with your ideas.

This afternoon I had the wonderful experience of officiating a Renewal of Vows for a 50th Wedding Anniversary Ceremony for Mr. Llewellyn Woolford, Sr., and Rev. Sadie Alston Woolford. 50 years ago they were married in the main sanctuary of Union Baptist Church. Their ring bearer, a groomsman, a bridesmaid, and a special soloist, Ms. Ethel Ennis, who sang a rendition of the same song she sang at the original wedding ceremony, "True Love," returns to share in this special moment and occasion. The service was special in every way. Can you imagine the special favor and blessing of God that permitted this couple to not only experience 50 years of marriage, but to also experience the gift of life and love? They present a model of marriage that is sorely needed today. May God continue to richly bless Mr. and Rev. Llewellyn Woolford, Sr.

Young teenage girls should be engaged in fun activities, enjoying life, and matriculating through school.

The State of Maryland and its Education Board led by Dr. Nancy Grasmick are to be congratulated for winning a "Race to the Top" award. Governor O'Malley can rightly stick his chest out along with the General Assembly and our Congressional Delegation for securing additional dollars for our State's educational system. What our political, educational and community leaders need to instill in our youth and their families that racing to the top is to establish yourself as a leader in the world of education. I recently visited Oxford and London and on their daily news were items extolling the accomplishments of their students versus our news which focuses upon crime and dispair. Interviews were held with students who were anticipating receiving notice of their placements at colleges and universities. There was on public display the grading scale and the number of students who were scoring off the charts. Getting three "A's" was a minimal requirement and the students understood that the bar was set high. As a result they sought to get "A*" which was the highest grade possible and not settle for an "A". Until we instill the true pursuit and thirst for knowledge within our students, we can receive all the money in the world and be left with a population of youth unable to compete in the world arena. My prayer is that these dollars and the requirements they bring cause our system to drill down and educate all of our youth and encourage them to reach the potential God has in store for them. Congratulations!!!!