A real ‘me’ dilemma: Family drama vs. Christmas joy

Dear Lucy: Christmas may be the time of joy, but it is also the time when family dinners and drama happen. Even though I want to be forgiving and friendly with certain family members, I just can't see myself being around them pretending. But my mother would be hurt if I don't show up with my family. What can I do?

Even church folk get confused about money

Dear Lucy: I went with my husband to pay his cell phone bill and while we were there the salesperson told him about a special offer. My husband decided to take advantage of it as a gift to me. I was excited about the gift. But, there was a glitch with the process and the total amount kept changing. My husband is very patient with this sort of stuff and can talk about money all day long. I absolutely hate conversations about money and got so irritated that I told him I didn't want the gift. I am always sabotaging myself like this. Help!

Faith and AIDS Conference Set for World AIDS DAY

Christ Missionary Baptist Church will host a Faith and AIDS Conference on World AIDS Day – Dec. 1 – in partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Ryan White Program and Mid-South AIDS Fund.

The conference will include a community breakfast, workshops and the screening of the documentary "The Gospel of Healing." Registration begins at 8 a.m. The goal is for local communities of faith to bring attention and awareness to the AIDS epidemic and to encourage a discussion on AIDS education, treatment and care. The church is located at 480-494 S. Parkway E.

Free your mind of the ‘struggle bubble’

Dear Lucy: I read your article last week where you told the lady to change her thinking in order to help herself get well. How are you supposed to do that when the facts are staring you in the face? The rent has to get paid, food has to get on the table and the car breaks down, the light bill is due, I'm sick and I still have to go to work. These are facts! I just don't know how they can be ignored.

What Jesus-jokes tell us

Did you ever hear the one about Jesus being Mexican? Well, he was bilingual; he was constantly harassed by the government; and his first name was Jesus.

Or, perhaps Jesus was Irish? He loved a good story; he never kept a steady job; and his last request was for a drink.

‘Tyranny’ of the moment and the search for life

Dear Lucy: I have been having a lot of physical problems for a year. I was so afraid of what it might be that I didn't go to the doctor. I also didn't have the time or the money. I was busy just trying to keep my head above water, pay the rent and feed my kids. My mother died from cancer and I have always been afraid I would too. I ended up in the emergency room last week and now I know that my fears were right. The doctor talked to me really bad about being so stupid and not going to the clinic to get checked out earlier. I feel sick, stupid and scared. Tell me something, anything to help!

Dr. Thomas maps future after Memphis

When Dr. Frank Thomas announced this past summer that he was stepping aside as senior pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, he noted that he had "suppressed the call to teach for many years in order to serve as a pastor."

Now its clear where Thomas, who began leading Mississippi Blvd. in 1999, will heed that call. He has been appointed to the Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis, Ind.) faculty and as director of a new institute that will be part of the seminary's new Center for Pastoral Excellence. He will become a professor of homiletics.

The story of ‘white’ Jesus

"How is it that a Jewish prophet from the Roman era ran so explosively into the American obsession with race that his image has been used to justify the worst atrocities of white supremacy as well as inspire the most heroic of civil rights crusaders? The Color of Christ explores the ways Americans gave physical forms to Jesus... and how they remade the Son of God... time and again into a sacred symbol of their greatest aspirations, deepest terrors, lowest actions, highest expressions, and mightiest strivings for racial power and justice.

‘Things’ don’t feed the soul

Dear Lucy: I lost my job last year. I have found another one but it pays a lot less. I have downsized my life and seem to be managing OK. Except that my house is now full of stuff I buy at the dollar store or thrift shops. It's all I can afford but I just can't stop myself. It has become like an addiction. I get this urge to go buy some cheap junk and when I get home with it I already have two or three. I feel better at first and then I feel stupid. I take up a hobby and go crazy buying supplies for it that I never really use. I need to stop and I don't know how. It's like I am thirsty and can't get full.

‘Pimps posing as preachers’ draw author’s wrath

"If you are a single black woman regularly attending church and tithing, or you are a woman with children that accompany you to church, please open your mind to the expressed dangers within the walls of your house of worship, because far too often, black women go to church to pray to God, and black men are there to game on, feed on and prey on them like predators...

"The ills suffered by women in black churches under patriarchal philosophies of male superiority are shocking. Throughout the pages of this book are real stories about churches and the pastors that run them.

‘So what is this disorder all about?’

Dear Lucy: I share office space with a lady who is driving me crazy. She does good work on the job but this has got to be the junkiest person I know. I consider her a true friend but I refuse to ride in her car, eat at her house or try to find anything on her desk. She's not exactly unclean, just doesn't pick up or put up and everything around her turns into chaos. She is not a hoarder or depressed and is basically a fun person. Even when she straightens up, within days it's back to chaos. How can I help my friend?

– NP

Yolanda Adams: The “How Sweet the Sound” interview

Ever since her debut with "Just As I Am" in the late 1980's, Yolanda Adams has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via a dozen glorious albums. Here, she talks about her life and career, and about hosting Verizon's "How Sweet the Sound," the country's most prestigious gospel music celebration and competition. Now, in its fifth year of celebrating the community and the power of gospel music, "How Sweet the Sound's" national finale will be staged at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 4.