BenjaminCross.com - News

Potatoes, Eggs, and Coffee Beans

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 06:10:19 -0700

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn't know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. "Daughter, what do you see?" Potatoes, eggs, and coffee," she hastily replied. "Look closer", he said, "and touch the potatoes." She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face. "Father, what does this mean?" she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity - the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. "Which are you," he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.

Which one are you?

Gospel Dreams Auditions - July 29, 2006

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:13:18 -0600

This would be my first time experiencing a vocal contest of this magnitude. There were about 175 - 200 contestants with only two slots left to fill. One of the judges for the even was Ron Grant - Senior A&R Executive for Sony Music.

Jonathan Slocumb was there making his guest appearance. He had jokes, and some new ones at that. He had us singing various songs, and some of the people didn't know the lyrics and that is when the fun started.

One song was "America (My Country Tis of Thee)". The lyrics are:
My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring!

One contestant got caught!!!!! This is what she sung and tried to get away with it:
My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the Crimson Tide, from every mountainside let freedom ring!

Jonathan was all over that like white on rice!!!! A prime example of us not learning the proper words to a song. We had a blast.

The talent in the room was excellent. Yes, there were a few William Hung's there, and we got the laughs. However, it was an adventure to experience.

Neither I or Tiffany Edmonds were selected as the finalist or alternates. It's all good. We did have the pleasure of meeting Britney (from Atlanta). She was there auditioning as well. I'm sure that her mother was glad to see her baby return home safely.

You can read more about the event right here.

Switched Host

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 10:59:28 -0600

Now that I have changed my hosting server, It will take a few more days/weeks to get all the content mapped so that it is displayed properly.

There are a few fixes that we need to do as well...(i.e. Shout Out is broken, I can't find the webmail server, etc...). However, we are working to get all of these issues resolved in a timely manner.

Continue to check back on our progress.

Thanks

Changing Host

Fri, 26 May 2006 12:14:26 -0600

I am in the process of having my site moved to another hosting company. If you attempt to access the site one day and it's not there, don't be alarmed. Just check back in a few days and it should be there. The move will be taking place in a few days or within a week from today.

Thanks
Benjamin

Life Changing Thought

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 15:58:50 -0600

I heard this on today (9 April 2006), and I thought that it was a life changing statement.

"Your good is better and your better is blessed."

This is to say that your change from your previous behavior is better. And because of that, your better is a tramendous blessing to others and to yourself.

What a powerful word. What an eye opener. Food for thought and spiritual growth.

2006 - Recording Songs

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 17:57:58 -0700

I've just completed recording two songs this past week. WOW. This was a real good workout for me and my vocals.

Kenny Wilson did a great job on helping me with the music. The brother has talent. Carlos Cooper also added his touch to one of the selections. Thanks for the great organ lines. That was just what the song needed.

This is just the start of something bigger.

I should know something on Monday about the finished product. It will be great to hear the mix and all.

Great job guys.

Emme's Christmas Island Moments Airing

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 12:52:17 -0700

Please don’t forget to catch the show this Thursday evening, December 15, @ 9:00PM. The “Voices of Praise” will be on with Willie K doing “Oh Holy Night” from last year, and yours truly will be making an appearance as a solo artist this year.

Make sure to tell all your friends to watch the show.

Quote:
"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." -- Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)

2005 Invite to CORCC Christmas Concert\Play\Musical

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 13:26:18 -0700

You are invited to join in on the Celebration of Christmas at the City of Refuge Christian Church of Hawaii.

We will be having our Christmas Concert on December 18 at 4:30 p.m. Emme Tomimbang will be our host for the evening. We are expecting many special guest on this evening, and that would be all of you...our extended family and friends.

On December 21 at 7 p.m. we will hold our annual Christmas Play and Musical. There will be singing, dancing, and many other things happening on this evening. We have invited others in the community to come and celebrate Christmas with us.

Tell you friends and family members about the celebration. We would love to see all of you.

The City of Refuge
Christian Church of Hawaii
94-897 Waipahu Street
808.677.5677

Click here for driving directions

2005 Al Waterson and You Karaoke Contest Winner

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 15:37:48 -0700

I wanted to let you know that on Sunday, 27 November 2005, I was the winner of the Al Waterson and You Karaoke Contest down at Don Ho’s Island Grill (Aloha Towers).

There were 10 contestants in the competition (one for every month up to October). Each contestant had up to 5 minutes to perform a song. There was a panel of four judges who judged each performance on various areas (entertaining, vocal skills and sound, interaction with audience, professionalism, marketable, etc…). The judges judging the competition were producers, writers, bandleaders, vocal coaches, promoters…just to name a few of their credentials.

It took three times doing this contest before it became my time. It was worth the wait. I would do it all over again. There's nothing like loving what you do.

I would like to thank Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior because without His grace and mercy, none of this would have been possible. Thank you to my wife and family for all their time, energy, support, shoulders, wiping my tears, etc… all these years. I love all of you. In addition to these above, I would like to thank Al Waterson and Nancy Bernal. Thank you for all your encouragement and dedication for these past three years. Thank you for believing in me. Honestly Nancy, I really tried hard to smile more on last night (ha ha ha ha).

There aren’t enough words to express the many feelings I am experiencing now. Truly, I have been waiting for this moment. WOW! It is finally here.

You know what really made the difference for me on last night (27 November 2005)? The many comments on how my song touched their hearts, how the lyrics of the song were so powerful, and how they could feel God’s presence through the words.

If I have not said it enough, I want to make sure that people who hear me sing leaves with a message of hope, love, peace, etc… There is nothing like lifting the heart of a nation with your voice.

Please make no mistake in thinking that I take the gift that God has given me lightly. I take it very seriously. It is through this gift that I shall proclaim His name and bring Him glory.

Thanks to all of you that came out to support me in my efforts (my church family, friends, fans, etc...). You made the evening much easier. This is just the beginning of many and greater things happening through me and for me. God is good.

I would like to send a shout out to Mr. Matsumoto and his wife. You have been right there by my side in every competition (Hawaii Stars and Al Waterson) these past three years. You are an example of perseverance. You've never stopped going the distance even when things weren't that favorable. Hang in there my friend.

A special thank you goes out to Hanabi Media (Sam and Nat) for giving me some place to post and share my life with the world. You're the best. I really do appreciate your friendship and encouragement for this past year.

2005 Al Waterson's Karaoke Finals Is Here...Excited

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 16:38:03 -0700

The day and hour has arrived. WOW… We are about to have the final show down at Don Ho’s Island Grill. Al Waterson’s and You present the 2005 Karaoke Finals for the Adults. There are about 4 hours remaining before it all begins. This is so exciting.

One would think that I would be on pins and needles right about now. To me it’s about getting on that stage and giving it your all. If you give your best, then nothing else matters. Is it about walking away with the prizes or knowing that you left something with the audience that will change their lives or perspective on things.

To all the contestants that will be competing with me on this evening, I hope you all the best. Keep in mind that we all are winners because we made it to the end.

In closing, the scripture comes to mind, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

2005 Al Waterson's Karaoke Contest...Thoughts

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:37:22 -0700

Are you all getting excited about the Vocal Competition this coming Sunday, 27 November 2005? I know that I am. The suspense is building to see who will walk away with the prizes. It’s going to be a fun filled evening and the possibilities are open beyond measure. WOW… This would make good television.

So far, they have named a winners for the Keiki and the Teen Competitions. There are two groups yet holding on to their chance to be winners…Adult and Senior.

As some of you may know, this is my third year competing in this competition. The first two years I came in 2nd place. This year is going to be my last year competing in this competition since we are moving back to the mainland, and you know that I am going for 1st place. I might as well go out with a bang don’t you think!

Here are the winners from the prior years that I competed against:

2003 Winner - Christina Youngs (seen here with Don Ho, Nancy Bernal, and Al Waterson)
http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/08/features/artberger3.jpg

2004 Winner - Melissa Pannel (seen here with Don Ho)
http://starbulletin.com/2005/11/01/features/art2a.jpg

I hope that all of you will come out and celebrate this evening with me.

Invite to Join Us in Service

Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:59:19 -0600

Many people have asked where they can hear me sing since they miss me on television (HawaiiStars 2003 season). If you live on Oahu, I would like to invite you to the City of Refuge Christian Church of Hawaii.

You'll find a great group of people here at the City of Refuge (CORCC). We look forward to you being a guest in our services. If you need directions to the church, just click here and you are well on your way.

Grace and peace be unto you....

Portuguese Bean Soup

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 23:01:28 -0700

Have you ever had a homemade dish (meal) that just knocked your boots off? It was so good; you told the cook that they put their foot in it. It's like tasting "soul food" for the very first time. Remember? I bet you can taste it right now.

Well, I had one of these moments a few months ago when I had the privilege to experience Portuguese Bean Soup. All I could say was "WOW!" And yes it was that good.

In fairness to all of you, I thought that I would share the recipe so that you too could experience it for yourself.

Enjoy

Portuguese Bean Soup

2pc of ham hock

1/2 to 3/4 bag of red kidney beans (do not use the canned beans. It comes out mushy)

3 to 4 cans of tomato soup (small cans)

1 1/2 Portuguese sausage (the big one)

1/2 onion (chopped)

1 head cabbage (chopped)

2-3 potato (chopped…..optional)

Okay, simmer the ham hock in water, just enough to cover. While the ham hock is simmering, soak the kidney beans. When ham hock is soft.....2-3 hours, add the kidney beans, onion, and tomato soup (add water if necessary) simmer until the kidney beans are soft, then add Portuguese sausage and cabbage (and potato too if want) simmer a few minutes, taste, add salt if necessary and it’s finished.

Shout Out

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 12:12:29 -0700

Hey everyone. Thanks for checking out my site. Leave a message for me and let me know how you are doing!

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same."

Thank you all for being a part in the modeling of who I am today.

**** NEW ****
Because there now is a need for me to police comments that are posted on my site, ALL comments will be reviewed before being released to this post. If the content is questionable, the comments will be deleted.

Welcome to my website

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:13:34 -0700

Welcome to my official web site! I am so glad that you have found this place and it is my hope and prayer that you find encouragement through the things that you find here.

What will you find on this website? You will find MP3 files from various venues that I have performed, personal photo album, HawaiiStars 2003 video footage, engagement calendar and booking request, and much more once we get all the modules working.

As for the additional MP3 files, photos, video footage, etc…, I am doing my best to get those things up and avaible to you. There are a few items up and available today for your viewing and listening pleasure. However, there is much more to come.

You can also find me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com).

Once again, I hope and pray that you are encouraged by the content of my website, and I hope that you will visit here often.