John C Johnson

John C. Johnson is a student-focused instructional leader dedicated to creating positive learning environments and making a significant impact on scholars’ lives.

John currently leads the number one Elementary School in the state of Mississippi, Barack H. Obama Magnet School.

As the administrator of an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, John understands the importance of cultivating the emotional and social development of scholars that are intellectually curious, globally aware, and respectful.

He previously served as an assistant principal at Marshall Elementary in Jackson Public Schools.

For more than two decades, John has worked as a building administrator, serving the following school districts: Canton Public School District, Scott County School District, Vicksburg-Warren School District, and Jackson Public School District.

John started his career as a 6th-grade English teacher at Bettye Mae Jack Middle School in Morton, Mississippi.

John has adapted his leadership and administrative abilities to a range of roles throughout his 23 years in the field of education.

John’s responsibilities include directing athletics programs, coordinating safety programs, professional development training, and collaborating with representatives of parent-teacher organizations.

John is a Mississippi native and attended Scott County Public Schools.

John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Tougaloo College, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University and a Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from William Carey University.

John is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from Belhaven University.

God Is Good

God always acts in a way that is true, noble, right, and good. Goodness is a part of His nature and He cannot contradict His nature.

God’s goodness shows up in our lives every single day.

Although we often think of His goodness when something big happens, His goodness abounds all the time–in every hour, minute, and second of the day, in the smallest of things around us.

We need to pay attention to all the little things in our day, both big and small, that are a blessing to us.

A lot of times, it’s the little things that mean so much.

In issues big and small, He will often nudge our hearts and draw our attention in the right direction.

God is guiding us. We need to stop, take a breath and pay attention.

We need to be still and listen to that small voice we know so well.

Listen to Him whispering to our hearts about what choices are right for us.

Pay attention to the signs He sends us.

This is His way of guiding us and nudging us to our best selves, so that we may live in the gifts we have been given and the purpose He has for us.

Smile Give Love

Proverbs 15:13 – A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

“Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things.”

“The most beautiful Smile is the one that struggles through Tears.”

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Soul II Soul – Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)

Soul II Soul are a British musical collective formed in London in 1988.

They are best known for their two major hits; 1989’s UK number five and US number eleven “Keep On Movin’“, and its follow-up, the UK number one and US number four “Back to Life“.

They have won two Grammy Awards, and have been nominated for five Brit Awards—twice for Best British Group.

Running Won’t Make It Disappear

Running away from your problems leads to more and more problems.

You lose sight of who you could’ve been if you’d actually committed to something, or stuck it out when the going got tough.

Instead, you create a world that you have to tip-toe through because it’s full of land mines that haven’t been dealt with.

Running away from your problems is never going to help you grow into the person that you want to become.

So, learn what you need to do to become the type of person who confronts their problems so that you can eventually achieve your goals!

Kenwuan Meeks

Kenwuan (Ken) Meeks has honorably served 21 years in the United States Navy and is proud to be called a veteran. He fought in the “Iraqi Freedom Campaign” war in 2004 and received a Joint Accommodation Medal.

He is a published author of 2 books. One that was very recognizable across the state of Mississippi to honor mothers across the nation titled, “Quotes My Grandmother Used to Say”.

Ken was always passionate about giving back to the state of Mississippi and decided to start several charity organizations.

In 2017, he organized the Men in Mississippi and Women in Mississippi organization. The organization consisted of known professionals across the state.

He has mentored young men in schools to mention: Cleveland Central High, Coahoma Community College, Ole Miss and many more.

Meeks also organized the Southern Gun Violence Awareness walk in 2017.

Each year many organizations to include, Moms Demand Action join Ken to fight against gun violence. In 2018, he spoke against the gang violence and organized meetings to stop crime.

Ken has now created a talk show titled the, “The Ken Meeks Show” were he interviewed celebrities like Michael Blackson, Michael Jai White, CoCoa Brown, Rodney Perry, Mike Hill and many more.

His platform was created to give those who have a voice a chance to reach other young men and women.

Thank you, Mr. Meeks, for your service in your community and throughout the state of Mississippi. 🎉

Empathy

🐀LESSON FOR MANY🐀

A mouse, looking through a hole in the wall, sees the farmer and his wife open a package. He was terrified to see that it was a mousetrap. He ran to the patio to warn everyone.

“There is a mousetrap at home!”.
The chicken that was cackling and digging says: “excuse me, Mr. Mouse, I understand that it is a big problem for you, but it does not hurt me at all.”

So, the rodent went to the lamb and he says the same thing: “Excuse me Mr. Mouse, but I don’t think I can do more than ask for you in my prayers.”

The mouse went to the cow and she said: “But am I in danger? I think not!” said the cow.

The mouse returned to the house, worried and dejected to face the farmer’s mousetrap.

That night a great noise was heard like that of the mousetrap catching its victim, the woman ran to see what she had caught.

In the dark she did not see that the mousetrap caught the tail of a poisonous snake.

The speedy snake bit the woman, the farmer immediately took her to the hospital, she came back with a high fever.

The farmer to comfort her prepared a nutritious soup, grabbed the knife and went to find the main ingredient: the chicken.

Since the woman did not get better, friends and neighbors went to visit them, the farmer killed the lamb to feed them, the woman did not get better and died.

And in the end, the husband sold the cow to the slaughterhouse to cover the funeral expenses.

The next time someone tells you about their problem and you think that it doesn’t affect you because it’s not yours and you don’t pay attention to it, think twice, “he who doesn’t live to serve, doesn’t serve to live”.

The world is not going badly because of the wickedness of the bad, but because of the apathy of the good.

So when someone needs you for their problems, give them your hand or give them a word of encouragement.

May you never lack empathy!
Remember it very well, EMPATHY

We all are about God’s work but don’t really know that. There are no coincidences. Many times we play a part in God’s plan for the good of all.

A Satisfied Life

Life satisfaction is the extent to which a person finds life rich, meaningful, full, or of high quality.

Happiness and life satisfaction are not the same thing. Happiness is an immediate, in-the-moment experience; although enjoyable, it is ultimately fleeting.

A healthy life certainly includes moments of happiness, but happiness alone usually does not make for a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Satisfaction is the state of being content, the feeling that one’s needs or wants are met.

Satisfaction seems to be a rare condition in our world today, as many people express dissatisfaction with their jobs, their marriages, their circumstances, and themselves.

The Bible teaches that finding satisfaction in life depends on having a relationship with God.

GET OFF-FOXY-OFFICIAL VIDEO-1978 [ HD]

The group initially consisted of singer and guitarist Ish “Angel” Ledesma, percussionist Richard “Richie” Puente, keyboardist Charlie Murciano, bass guitarist Arnold Paseiro, and drummer Joe Galdo, and (for the first album) co-lead vocalist Gary Ortiz.

Shortly after the first album was issued, Ortiz was replaced by Carlo Driggs, who contributed vocals/percussion and shared songwriting credits on Foxy’s second album, Get Off.

Foxy’s biggest hit was “Get Off” in 1978 (written by Ledesma and Driggs), which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Soul chart for two weeks. The song was a Dutch #1 smash hit single.

It was their only release from the 1978 album Get Off, which was released in 1978. In early 1979, the band (and session musician George Terry) were in Criteria Studios, Miami, where they played on the backing track of ABBA‘s song “Voulez-Vous“, the only time ABBA recorded outside of Sweden.

Driggs left shortly before Foxy’s third album was recorded and was not replaced. The group’s third album Hot Numbers was released in 1979. The first single, “Hot Number” peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on the Soul chart in 1979.

Foxy was a late ’70s Latin dance/disco group from Hialeah, Florida.

Linda Short

Passionate, dedicated, driven, loving, hardworking, and intelligent are only a sample of words which epitomize the woman, Linda Short.

Linda has spent her life in service and commitment to others.

As a lifelong resident of Mayersville, MS, she was elected Mayor, June 6, 2001, and has served for eighteen years.

As mayor, Linda has worked tirelessly to improve life for the residents of her town including advocating for healthy living.

With this effort, the Town of Mayersville became the 2nd smoke-free community in the state.

Each year she is extremely excited about the Mayersville Annual Homecoming festival of which she is the co-founder.

Linda’s achievements include: Board chair of WISSCA; Board chair of the Tobacco-Free coalition (receiving the Partnering Program of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards); and Supervisory Community Secretary, Issaquena County Federal Credit Union.

Linda’s leadership and service are complemented by her tenacity, sense of strength, and love for her family and friends.

Linda is extremely proud of her many accomplishments and the impact she has on her community and beyond, but her greatest joy comes from her family.

She is the youngest daughter of the late Saul and Edie B. Williams.

Her husband of twenty-seven years, Larry D. Short, is the love of her life and rock.

She is the loving mother of James Jr., JaSona, Jeremy, Kiara, Katerri and the late Jercelle and extremely proud grandmother of thirteen.

She has been a member of Rose Hill Church for forty-seven years where she serves as Senior Choir Director.

She is also the owner of her family’s business, Tony’s Grocery, and Co-Owner of Celle’s Estate Housing Complex. Linda’s motto is: “Always service over self.”

Pam Chatman

Dr. Pam Chatman is predestined to be great. She’s serving all mankind just like Civil Right Activist, Fannie Lou
Hamer.

Dr. Chatman has received the Harriet Tubman Award for her courageous leadership and uses her voice to find and create sustainable opportunities for families in the Delta by the Mississippi Magnolia Bar Association.

She has received the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service award from the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for her community outreach.

She was recently given the Humanitarian Of the Year award in Scottsdale, Arizona by the Women Doing It Big Organization.

Dr. Chatman recently has been nominated as one of the 2023 Women Who Change the World Award.

She is Mississippi’s First Black Woman News Director.

Dr. Chatman is recognized as one of Mississippi most Influential Women in Business.

Dr Chatman organization Boss Lady Economic Planning Development Workforce Transportation is a true Grassroot Organization in which they waste no time in executing issues that need their services on the ground to make a difference.

This organization has assisted nearly 4000+ families in the Mississippi Delta with Jobs, Transportation, Workforce Transportation, Housing, Home Improvements, Food, Medication Assistance, and Rent/Utilities Assistance in the Mississippi Delta.

Thank you, Dr. Chatman, for your hard work! 🎉

Happy Anniversary Schoolhouse Rock

50 years ago on January 6th, 1973, Schoolhouse Rock made its debut on the ABC television 📺 network. It was an American interstitial programming series of animated musical educational short films (and later, music videos) that aired during the Saturday morning children’s programming block on the U.S. television network ABC.

The themes covered included grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and civics. The series’ original run lasted from 1973 to 1984; it was later revived from 1993 to 1996.

Additional episodes were produced in 2009 for direct-to-video release. Schoolhouse Rock! debuted as a series in January 1973 with Multiplication Rock, a collection of animated music videos adapting the multiplication tables to songs written by Bob Dorough.

Dorough also performed most of the songs, with Grady Tate performing two and Blossom Dearie performing one during this season. General Foods was the series’ first sponsor; later sponsors of the Schoolhouse Rock! segments also included Nabisco, Kenner Toys, Kellogg’s, and McDonald’s.

During the early 1970s, Schoolhouse Rock was one of several short-form animated educational shorts that aired on ABC’s children’s lineup; others included Time for Timer and The Bod Squad.

Of the three, Schoolhouse Rock was the longest-running. It continues to entertain children and adults all over the world and the whole series was released in video cassette and on DVD 📀.

Happy 50th anniversary to Schoolhouse Rock, one of the most popular and long running running animated short series of all time on the ABC television network.

Submitting To God

Peace is found in God alone

I’m talking about how we respond when we do what’s right and get penalized, while the wicked seem to prosper. For example:

Your neighbor brags to you about how he cheats on his taxes each year. His home is loaded with the finest in furniture and appliances. He has two new luxury cars and all the latest toys. They vacationed in Hawaii last year.

You are honest and pay your taxes. You give faithfully to the church. Your furniture would be rejected by Goodwill. Your one clunker of a car is on its second 100,000. And the closest thing to vacation that you could afford last year was to manage to go to the Grand Canyon for a day.

You’re single and trying to follow the Lord. You will only date Christian guys. Your last date was in 1989. The girl next door has no moral standards and she’s got handsome hunks lining up to see her.

Sometimes it seems like it doesn’t pay to be good! When the evil prosper and the good suffer, you can be tempted to doubt God, especially if you’re the good guy! If you’re not careful to cultivate the right perspective, you can be tempted to say “Forget it!” and join the evildoers.

God isn’t worried about the proud schemes of the wicked. He knows that the seeming victories of the wicked only last for a season, and then their schemes will come back on their own heads.

If you’ve been wronged, get the long‑range picture. God is a God of justice; He will right all wrongs someday.

Have you ever noticed in the Book of Revelation how God lets wicked Babylon go on in sensuality and wealth until the last hour?

Then in one day, in one hour, her judgment falls (Rev. 18:8, 10, 17, 19). Right up to the eleventh hour it looks like wickedness will triumph.

Don’t be fooled! In that final hour, God will act on behalf of His saints (Rev. 18:20, 24).

We can delight ourselves in abundant peace, even when the bad guys win.

Fatback – Backstrokin’ (Official Audio)

The Fatback Band is an American funk and disco band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Fatback Band is most known for their R&B hits, ” Spanish Hustle”, “I Like Girls”, “Gotta Get My Hands on Some “, “Backstrokin'” and “I Found Lovin'”.

Their 1979 single “King Tim III ” is generally considered the first commercially released hip hop single.

Who’s Your Daddy

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN.

One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal.

While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests.

The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, ‘I hope he doesn’t come over here.’

But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.

‘Where are you folks from?’ he asked in a friendly voice.

‘ Oklahoma,’ they answered.

‘Great to have you here in Tennessee ,’ the stranger said… ‘What do you do for a living?’

‘I teach at a seminary,’ he replied.

‘Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I’ve got a really great story for you.’

And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.

The professor groaned and thought to himself, ‘Great … Just what I need ….another preacher story!’

The man started, ‘See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window).

Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother.

He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, ‘Hey boy, Who’s your daddy?’

Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students.

He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad.

‘When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church.

He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.

Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, ‘Son, who’s your daddy?’

The whole church got deathly quiet.

He could feel every eye in the church looking at him.

Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’

‘This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy…

‘Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.’

With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, ‘Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.’

‘With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person.

He was never the same again.

Whenever anybody asked him, ‘Who’s your Daddy?’ he’d just tell them, ‘I’m a Child of God…”

The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, ‘Isn’t that a great story?’

The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, ‘You know, if that new preacher hadn’t told me that I was one of God’s children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!’

And he walked away…

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned.

He called the waitress over & asked her, ‘Do you know who that man was — the one who just left that was sitting at our table?’

The waitress grinned and said, ‘Of course.

Everybody here knows him.

That’s Ben Hooper. He’s governor of Tennessee!’

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they’re one of God’s children!

‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.’ ~~Isaiah

YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN!!!

Mary A Williams

Dr. Williams is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder/Owner of Urgent & Primary Care Clinic of Clarksdale, the first Urgent & Primary Care Clinic in Coahoma County.

She has spent her entire life building strong working relationships in the healthcare field and educating people on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Williams received her Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Dr. Williams has been named one of the Top 50 Leading Businesswomen in the State of Mississippi. She has received numerous awards in healthcare.

She credits all her achievements to her strong foundation in God. She is a member of Iota Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she currently serves as the Business Manager and immediate past chapter president. Her motto is “Write your Story.”

Dr. Williams, thank you for serving the people of the 2nd Congressional District! Your hard work does not go unnoticed.🎉

The More You Know: Beef

Ewton Farms Post:
Know what your buying. This picture has store beef (left), and farm beef (right). There is an obvious visible difference between the two! But the differences don’t stop there!

The first thing you may notice in the picture is the color difference. The store bought is pumped full of additives and water. There isn’t a guarantee of where that beef came from either.

Yes, it may have USDA label on it but as long as that animal has was packaged in the US, it can be called a Product of the USA. It could have came from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico or Namibia.

The beef on the right is darker and is farm raised beef. It is filled with more nutrients & flavor. The ground is also from one cow and not just scraps.


Donna Connely
The more you know!

Moving Beyond Pain

We all experience pain at different points of our lives in many different forms.

The ultimate goal is to learn how to recognize it, heal it, and overcome the obstacles it presents. 

Without the feeling of pain, people wouldn’t be aware of dangerous situations—what they should or shouldn’t do for survival.

Pain serves to protect human beings from harmful actions.

By its nature, prioritizing positivity increases the chance that we will weave positive behaviors into our daily lives rather than just maintaining a general desire for happiness or expecting it to come from a few isolated events.

Old Time Rock & Roll

Robert Clark Seger is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and The Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s, breaking through with his first album, Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man in 1968.

By the early 1970s, he had dropped the ‘System’ from his recordings and continued to strive for broader success with various other bands.

In 1973, he put together the Silver Bullet Band, with a group of Detroit-area musicians, with whom he became most successful on the national level with the album Live Bullet (1976), recorded live with the Silver Bullet Band in 1975 at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1976, he achieved a national breakout with the studio album Night Moves. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which appeared on several of Seger’s best-selling singles and albums.

Positive Thoughts

Challenging situations and obstacles are a part of life.

When you’re faced with one, focus on the good things no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they seem.

If you look for it, you can always find the proverbial silver lining in every cloud — even if it’s not immediately obvious.

Friends

We need to make a greater effort in our very busy lives to find ways to connect face to face with friends.

Although the demands of life will call for constant attention, friends are the ones that provide both spiritual and mental renewal.

They are the ones who give hope in life’s most difficult situations, help to de-stress your life, and provide affirmation of your life’s path.

When you and your friends are investing in a conscientious relationship, meaningfulness often follows.

The time you can truly grow as a human being, both professionally and personally, is when you have the opportunity to listen to people who are different from you.

Sometimes, you remain in a fixed mindset when you hang around people who just agree with you or who do the same things as you.

Friends who offer new perspectives, ideas, experiences, and advice can help you learn more about yourself and will help you grow as a more well rounded human being.

Friends of diverse backgrounds have the ability to transform a fixed mindset into a growth mindset.

When you struggle with the many obstacles life will throw at you, know that you are not alone.

And if a misunderstanding can end a friendship, then you were never real friends to begin with.

Remember the people in your life and actively reach out to them.

The investment you make with a friend will enrich both of your lives.