Make It So Report
September 2011 Vol. 8
September Contributors
Allen Green, Editor To Join the Make It So mailing list Go to www.makeitsomanagement.com To subscribe for FREE and read past issues click on link below or copy and paste to your browser http://issuu.com/cofield911/docs/makeitsoman agement.com?viewMode=magazine
We want to hear from you! Send your letter and comment to: agreengap@aol.com
In this Issue Cover Profile Apostle T. A. Mason, Sr.
Minister Donald E. Graham, Jr. Mary Daniels Irene Council (Sincere) Elder Demetrius Adams II Carl C. Gable III, MD Simone Malone Pastor Lenora Young Allen Green Phill Hughes
Welcome to our new monthly contributors: Anthony Charles Williams & Christine Tunstall You will Understand……………2 Profile Apostle T. A. Mason………..7 Vivian’s Corner……………8 Death is Inevitable……………9 A Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit…….13 Minister Donnie’s Corner………….15 Obesity: Problem in African American Church..19 Perception vs. Reality………….22 Feel Good Flavor…………24 Pastor Young’s Word Corner……..25 The Elder’s Corner…..27 Sincere’s Corner…………….30 Christine’s Corner……….31 A Healthier You……………36 September’s Music Charts……………38
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BUT LATER YOU WILL UNDERSTAND By Pastor T.O.Banso
Submitted by Mary Daniels There is nothing such as coincidence. There is a God that rules in the affairs of men. A writer has said that coincidence is God’s way of making himself anonymous. I cannot agree less. A lot of things happen in our lives that we don’t immediately understand why they happen. Sometimes they are positive, sometimes they are negative. Sometimes they are pleasant and sometimes they are unpleasant. It puzzles us that sometimes in spite of every precaution we take, we still find out that some things we hate still happen to us. We loathe them and regret our actions which may have caused them. We wonder why they happen despite our precautionary steps and preventive measures. The events of our lives are not isolated from each other and one another; they are connected and interwoven all working together towards achieving an end because God has an expected end for us. God is working behind the scene in our lives, orchestrating events to achieve divine purpose. Even when the devil moves against us, and moves us to do what is wrong, God is not ignorant of this, and will not permit the devil to actualize his ultimate objective. We may be down but God won’t allow us to be out. We may fall but He won’t allow us to be destroyed. That’s why it’s possible for God to still make a mighty man out of the son of a prostitute as it was in the case of Jephthah (Judges 11) That’s why God could still choose Solomon as the successor to David despite the sinful and condemnable circumstances which led to David marrying Bathsheba (2Samuel 11) It is not that God is encouraging us to sin or approves of our sin but God Knows our weaknesses, He Knows what we are going to do before we ever do them. And in His mercy, God has made in advance His own programme of turning our mistake to our miracle. Many times you cannot comprehend why God allows some things to happen to you but later you will understand. You’re wondering why despite your prayers, things still turned out the way they did, but I tell you, later you will understand. “Why did I get myself involved in this transaction?” you may be asking yourself but later you will understand. You may never understand now why you have to read the Course you never thought or never planned to read, why God has brought you into certain relationships, why you happened to be in a certain place, why you were not employed despite your excellent performance at the interview, why you didn’t get that contract despite all the efforts you made, why despite all your faithful service God could still allow you to be treated shabbily by the organization you served diligently for years but later you will understand. There is the unseen hand of God in our lives which directs us unconsciously to do, say etc. certain things which we don’t immediately understand the reason for doing or saying them but later we’ll understand. In Ruth 2, Ruth happened to be in the field of Boaz gleaning. There is no record in the Bible that she went there by any divine revelation; she just found herself going there that day and not somewhere else. She didn’t understand why. But later she understood. God’s unseen hand was shaping her life from widowhood into re-marriage. Her going to the field of Boaz was not a coincidence or what people call 2
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providence – another word for luck or chance. It was orchestrated by heaven but appeared like a chance occurrence. If you’re familiar with the story, you will notice that Boaz, a wealthy man, eventually married Ruth whom before she left Moab with her mother- in-law had been given a picture of a gloomy future, a hopeless future of no husband (Ruth 1:8-14) There are things that you’re ignorantly grumbling about now, you’re complaining, you’re crying over. It’s because you don’t understand, but later you will understand. You will understand what God is setting you up for. “Jesus answered and said unto him, what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shall know thereafter” (John 13:7 KJV) The Contemporary English Version renders it thus “You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” The NIV says, “Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (John 13:7) Peter didn’t understand what Jesus was doing washing the disciples’ feet; he said he wouldn’t allow him to wash his feet but later agreed. That’s how we behave - we criticize what we don’t understand, we reject and condemn what is strange to us, we regret our wrong actions which we don’t understand why at our level we should have done and don’t spare ourselves. But God is not in the dark about what is happening and He does not reject us as we reject ourselves because of our failures. That is why for instance, Jesus still went after Peter to re-instate him into the ministry after he quit ministry to go fishing sequel to his regrettable denial of Jesus thrice despite his self-confident reply and promise to Jesus that he would rather die with him than deny him. (Matthew 26:34-35, 75, Mark 14:30-31, 72) He abandoned ministry disappointed at himself, went fishing and the rest of the disciples followed him but Jesus was not disappointed at him. He knew all of them would forsake him; he knew Peter would deny him, warned him in advance, and told him he had prayed for him. With his failure, Peter lost confidence in himself and his leadership of the disciples. (John 21:15-19). Have you ever felt let down by yourself? I mean did you ever feel disappointed at yourself for the wrong you did, the sin you committed? Leaders are not people without failures; they are not infallible. They’re those God has chosen and should be ready to repent, ask for God’s forgiveness and learn from their mistakes, sin and failure. God is more concerned about the state of their heart than their actions. That’s why God forgave David and rejected Saul. David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) You don’t need to grumble or murmur about what you don’t understand - negative or positive; later you will understand. But in the meantime just trust God that He understands and He will do what is best for you in line with His divine plan for your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV) I love the way the Amplified Bible puts that verse: “We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labour) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose” What you’re going through now may just be a prelude to your miracle; the unpleasant event may just be a herald of a wonderful season God is bringing you into – it may be the harbinger of chains of 3
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testimonies for you but in your ignorance you’re grumbling. You don’t understand why you should be suffering now but later you will understand. You don’t understand that you’re going down now is because your life is about to take a jump – a giant leap? Imagine the children of Israel who had just walked through the Red Sea on a dry ground grumbling about lack of water! After three days of not finding water in the wilderness, they eventually found water at Marah but the water was bitter. They couldn’t understand why. (Exodus 15:22-24) Why would God who performed the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea not give them water to drink? They didn’t need to grumble for water here but they did here and thereafter both for water, food and meat. They grumbled because they didn’t understand. God not only healed the water of Marah for them to drink but just after Marah, God had prepared Elim for them. At Elim were 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees which speak of God’s abundant provision for them. What the Israelites were complaining lack of became abundant at Elim. (Exodus 15:25-27) This is what happens to us many times. What you are complaining about lacking now, God has prepared for you ahead in abundance. You will soon have in abundance what you currently lack. So, if you understand, you’ll not murmur, you’ll not complain. The children of Israel moved from a condition of no water to a condition of bad water, and from there to healed water and to abundant water – 12 wells for the 12 tribes and the 70 palm trees something not common in Palestine to provide shade for them. Whatever the severity of your present condition, as a child of God, have faith in God. You will understand later why you have to go through the experience you are going through now. There is no accident or coincidence in your life. God has not gone to sleep. There may be many questions agitating your mind but later you will understand. With the benefit of hindsight you will say later “I see!” You will understand why they conspired against you. You will understand why you were treated shabbily. You will understand why the person you have done so much for can turn his back at you or become hostile to you. You will understand why promotion was delayed. You will understand why nobody came to help you. Your present experiences - negative and positive – are working in your favour! Those who are currently hostile to you and have isolated you are not really working against you; they are working for you. You may not know now but later you will understand! “… But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10 KJV) You will soon join Joseph to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done” (Genesis 50:20 NIV). You are sitting right now wondering what good can still come out of your life. Later you will understand. Nathaniel said, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” but Philip said to him “Come and see” (John 1:46 KJV) Nazareth was despised by the Jews because of the Roman Army garrison located there which they believed had affected negatively the moral and the religious lives of the people of Nazareth. Despite this, one man, Jesus Christ came out of Nazareth and redefined the name Nazareth up till today. 4
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Can anything good come out of your present condition, current sickness, on-going adversity etc? For instance, who could have thought that anything worthwhile could come out of the life of a blind person, a person blind from infancy? You may not understand but the life of Fanny Crosby who lived from 1820-1915 says something significant about this. She became blind as an infant but – before she went to be with the Lord wrote the text for over 8,000 hymns, writing three new hymns per week and using over 200 pen names. She wrote among others “To God be the glory”, “Rescue the perishing”, “Jesus keep me near the cross”, “Draw me nearer” and “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine” If blindness was not final for her, it is not yet over for you. Fanny Crosby was not sorrowful about her condition. She told a Scottish minister who tried to sympathize with her condition “If I had been given a choice at birth, I would have asked to be blind…for when I get to heaven, the first face I will see will be the one who died for me.” Are you still wondering why this is happening to you? Later you will understand but before then continue to give thanks always for all things unto God (Ephesians 5:20). Even when you don’t understand, just do what Mary the mother of Jesus did after she asked Jesus why he had to stay behind in Jerusalem rather than follow them home. Mary and Joseph saw Jesus in the temple discussing with the doctors of Law after three days and his reply to Mary’s question was “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV) The Bible says, “And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them…” I want you to ponder on that statement: “And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them” But what did Mary do even though she did not understand these sayings of Jesus? “But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart” (Luke 2:51 KJV) You may not understand what is happening now, just keep it in your heart; later you will understand. Be careful not to speak abusively against what you don’t understand. (Jude 10) Just keep your mouth shut and keep it in your heart. Job had to admit to God in reply to His questions which centered on if he understood a number of issues God raised in Job 38-41which were beyond Job’s understanding: “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3 NIV) Keep your mouth shut! It may be too hard for you to understand now but don’t distort it; later you will understand. (2 Peter 3:16) The Ethiopian eunuch did not abandon what he was reading because he didn’t understand. He kept on reading until God sent understanding to him through Philip. He didn’t first understand but later he understood. (Acts 8:26-39) After the resurrection of Jesus, his disciples went to the sepulcher to see what had happened. “(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead)” (John 20:9 NIV) But later they understood. “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him” (John 12:16 NIV). You will not understand some things immediately now; the Holy Spirit may not even explain to you what is happening now. “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may 5
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obey all the terms of these instructions” (Deut 29:29 NLT) As Daniel rightly said, “He [God] revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. (Daniel 2:22 KJV) But even when you don’t understand everything, trust God who knows all things. Just keep on following the Lord. The journey He has called you to is a journey of faith. In days to come you will understand everything clearly. (Jeremiah 23:20, 30:24 NIV)
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Profile for September 2011 Chief Apostle Tracy Andre Mason, Sr. Apostle T. A. Mason, Sr. is the native of Philadelphia, PA. He was raised under the spiritual auspices of the Church of God in Christ where he served under the late Bishop Roosevelt Hunter. He is the spiritual son of Bishop R. T. Jones, Sr. of Christian Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. Dr. Mason received his Doctorate from Jameson Bible College of Philadelphia, PA. He was consecrated Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Deliverance, Inc. by Bishop Wilbert L. Baltimore in 2000. Apostle Mason is a true spiritual father whose aim and purpose is to empower the sons and daughters, who are given to his charge, with the message of the kingdom. The evidence of his anointing and fathering spirit is seen not only in the lives of his eight children, but also in the works of his hands. Over the years he has established several churches and ministries and has traveled the country proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. He is presently the Senior Pastor of Kingdom Assembly, Inc. which is located in Charleston, SC, Philadelphia, PA, Emporia, VA and Richmond, VA. He is the Presiding Apostle of Legacy Network, a ministry designed to oversee and mentor Churches, Pastors, Ministry Leaders and spiritual sons and daughters. Apostle Mason is also a part of Kingdom International Apostolic Movement (KIA), a mentoring program for young men. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Apostolic Networking. In addition, Apostle Mason hosts several conferences and breakout crusades during the year. He has an anointing of deliverance and a gift for building people. As a latter day Apostle, he is leading the people of God given unto him, out of religion and into the Kingdom with a clarion call to awaken from their sleep to the Kingdom of God that is within them (Luke 17:21). Through powerful teaching and preaching, God is using him to shake the foundations of religious institutionalism which is giving birth to a remnant of Kingdom believers who are declaring that there is One Lord, One Faith, and One Message; that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
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Vivian’s Corner Written by Elder Vivienne Sye-Payne THIS IS NOT TELEVISION, THIS IS REAL I accompanied a friend to Municipal Court in New Jersey the other day and this is what the judge said to the waiting litigants. He went onto say that when he started in that court many years ago there would be four or maybe five cases to be heard. Since the advent of The People’s Court and Judge Judy and other TV shows of that genre the number of cases in his courtroom had exploded. There were thirty-five ready cases that day, ready cases meaning all parties were present. Ours was one of them. Unlike TV, the procedure in his courtroom is to give everyone a chance to resolve their matters through mediation. The mediators are attorneys who volunteer their time. Unlike Philadelphia County where corporations are required to be represented by counsel, in New Jersey no one has to have counsel in Municipal Court. The plaintiff in our case was the largest church in Camden County, who sent a deacon and a minister to represent them, the defendant (my friend) is a former member of said church. There were several lessons learned that day mostly by the plaintiffs: 1. Although this is Municipal Court, Small Claims Court or People’s Court you still must have evidence. Proof of what you are saying. 2.
Did you personally see or hear what happened or did someone tell you what happened.
The hearsay rules are applicable here. 3.
Bring copies of any pertinent documents.
In the real world judges will not attempt to humiliate litigants but neither will they try your case for you. You must be prepared to prove your claim.
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Hello! I’m Romaine Gibbs; A 29 year old Funeral Service Professional in the State of Pennsylvania. I have worked in Funeral service for over 10 years. Death is a word no one likes to think of; truth is… death is inevitable, it’s going to happen one way or another whether it’s a spouse, child, parent, sibling, close loved one, friend, or possibly you! Everyone needs to be prepared for that moment. I have facilitated so many arrangement conferences and literally refereed family arguments, fights, and not to mention the heart-break of sisters and brothers separated, during their mother or father’s funeral service. Don’t let this be your children, parents, siblings, or friends… Most importantly vice-versa don’t Let this be you! First in foremost please understand everyone no matter who they are, what color they are, or what they’ve done in life... is entitled to a decent burial. The best way to ensure this happens is something we all need to invest in, Life Insurance! The average Funeral service can cost roughly $3,500 or less to $10,000 or more, with no insurance you are now stuck trying to figure out “what am I going to do now!?” Don’t Let this Be You! Throughout my career people ask me millions of questions to help with decisions in the event of their passing. Not to mention… the request I get if they were to pass; “Roe make sure I have my lacefront wig in high heels”; or this one! “Bury me on my stomach and you know why!” This one was super crazy “Please have these girls highly lifted; and worthy to be praised!” Too Funny!! However! I have compiled 5 questions that have been asked the most by people concerning Choices of funeral services, life insurance, choosing a good funeral Home provider, pre-needs, and who’s responsible in the event I pass. Questions & Answers! Question 1-Michele Taylor wants to know: “What options do I have in the event of my death?” My response: “Hey Michele, deciding what type of arrangements you want in the case of you or a loved one’s death is extremely important. It helps your family plan and organize according to your final request. I have heard many people say “Don’t put me in No dirt!” “Yall not burning me!” “I want that pretty wall” we laugh and joke but this person’s last request, is the last request to be honored.” Make your choice! • • •
Traditional Service: Embalming, dressing, religious celebration, with burial or cremation A viewing ONLY with cremation or Burial. Grave-site service: This is a small intimate service with a closed casket. 9
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Direct cremation: No embalming or dressing, remains will go directly to a crematory. Direct Burial: No Embalming or dressing, remains will go directly to a cemetery of your choice. Memorial service NO human remains will be present. Burial at Sea (This option has requirements) NEW! Boat Scattering Ceremony
Michele This information is available to the public at request from the funeral provider of your choice. Specifically request a “General Price List.” you can do this in person or by telephone this will list all services and merchandise that funeral home offers along with prices. If that director refuses to comply! He/she is not in compliance with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Law and needs to be reported. You have a right to know! And you also have a right to bargain shop. Michele Hope this helps! Question 2- Mr. Quron Weems: “How can I find a good life insurance company?” My response- “Hey Quron-Once you and your loved ones have decided upon services it is important to research an insurance company that offers coverage to cover the services of choice. Sometimes that information is right in front… of your face! If you are employed, employers usually offer life insurance according to your yearly salary automatically, If you have a car or home owners insurance they usually offer Life insurance; what about the bank you bank with?; junk mail offers… if it says insurance pay attention!; I’m still counting how many Gerber insurance pamphlets I receive weekly!, another good source is the internet you can always Google this information, you can always ask relatives or friends if they know a good insurance company or agent.” Honestly Quron, Life insurance is actually one of the cheapest investments you can make! Question 3-Dana Braithwaite: “How do I choose the best funeral Home?” “Picking a Funeral service provider is important because that provider represents your family! Not only that… your family should not experience any extra grief then maybe experienced in the event of a lost.” This is how you can identify that potential provider: • • •
The Funeral service provider or representative need to be available 24hrs a day for the worst case scenario.( passes of a family member) On your next day off, stop into a funeral home. You should always be greeted with “Hello “how can I help you” and a “smile.” Look at that representative’s appearance, it’s very important; he or she should look modest and welcoming. Mr. Burrell didn’t care if it was cleaning day! I was expected to be in a white shirt! Crisp-N-clean! with a tie and blazer. Funeral directors are expected
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to look professional at all times. If you EVER walk visit a Funeral home in they‘re sitting around in Jeans hanging from their butts! RUN!!!! Tour the funeral facility. Does it smell like blood or fluids? Is it clean? The furniture polished? Are the carpets clean? What about the windows? Is it decorated professionally (Paintings, drapes, furniture and good lighting? Is it organized? And most importantly how does the outside look (Any trash and debris)? All this stuff might sound foolish, but it’s important! If a funeral service provider doesn’t take pride in their facilities appearance, how can you trust them to take pride in you or your loved ones appearance. Ask questions… NOW! Did the Provider shun you off? Was the provider patient and thoughtful about they’re response? before you left did the provider walk you to the door, hand you a card and say” If you have any questions or I can assist you in anyway please don’t hesitate to call me anytime?” This is called hospitality.
Excellent Question-Dana! Question 4-Emmanuel Osorio- “Why should people plan their own funerals? Isn’t that like bad Luck..?” . My Response: “You can be here today and gone tomorrow! Death’s not an option; it has no age limit; it doesn’t take sickness or disease to leave this world... When your time is up! It’s over. But! If you leave earth without organizing things for your family, it causes more heart ache, pain, agony and grief. A Pre-need or Pre-arrangement conference gives you an opportunity to sit down with a licensed funeral service provider and discuss your options, pick out merchandise and put together you or your loved ones wishes in the event of death. It also makes it easier knowing you have taking care of the financial burden for you last request.” Why should you do this? • • •
This option takes the burden off family trying to figure out how I can bury “momma” or “daddy.” It takes the burden of trying to figure out would he/she want to be buried or cremated. Most importantly it gives you or your family the opportunity to help each other grieve and mourn without the stress of planning a funeral.
Hope this gives you a different view of a Pre-need-Emmanuel. Question 5! Nicck Townsend- “In the event of death, who will be responsible for handling my Funeral arrangements?” My response: “In the event of your passing the “NOK” (Next of kin) is responsible legally. In this order: if your married; your legal spouse, if no spouse ;then it’s your children, if no children; it’s your parent’s, if your parents are deceased; it’s your siblings, if no sibling; it goes on to aunts/uncles and so on. However if you have a “POA” (Power of attorney) it exceeds all others. No matter if you’re married or have children. Another important thing is just because you leave someone as a beneficiary does not automatically give them the right to authorize a funeral home permission to 11
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perform Removals, embalming, restorative work and etc. unless they are legally the “NOK” or “POA.” Nicck- F.Y.I. From a legal stand point contracts are legally binding. WHOEVER! Signs a funeral contract is responsible for all fee’s listed. The “NOK” or “POA” gives the funeral home permission to perform embalming & restorative work. But! The person who’s signature is listed on the contract will be deemed responsible in the court of law, unless you can prove incompetency or otherwise. I have answered your questions to the best of my ability. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask email me: ministerroe@yahoo.com it’s important we take care of not just ourselves but each other. Your family will be comforted in knowing just how much you really care! Continue to be Proactive!
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A HEALTHY BODY IS A HEALTHY MIND IS A HEALTHY SPIRIT II Submitted by Phil Hughes Last month, I spoke with you about the importance of vegetables and exercise. What I forgot to mention is that over seventy-five percent of the people around me are on medications ranging from blood pressure to cholesterol to diabetes. A few are working hard to rid themselves of having to take medications, through a proper diet and exercise. The majority, have gotten comfortable accepting the fact that they will be medicating themselves for the rest of their lives. It kind of reminds me of the song, “Good Morning Heartache”. If you’re familiar with the song and especially the lyrics, you know what Lady Day was singing about. Do you see the parallel? It’s the drug addiction that’s not welcome but tolerated. Some people have to stay on their medications and that’s understandable, but many do not. The late great MJ sang that you have to start with “the man in the mirror”. He’s right you know. That’s where it all begins. It begins with you taking the first step toward a healthier tomorrow. Are you ready to make that change for once in your life? Maybe this will help. Imagine, if you will; imagine leaving a restaurant, and sitting in your car with the radio on. Your meal included three dinner rolls that you saturated in butter; the French onion soup; the smothered pork chops as your entree, which was deep fried and smothered in that rich gravy. Your sides included a baked potato with a generous helping of sour cream and more butter, along with baked macaroni and cheese that was washed down with two tall glasses of sweet tea. To finish your outing you topped your meal off with a nice helping of chocolate cheesecake and a hot cup of Columbia’s finest java. While going through your pockets or purse to get your medication, the news anchors are broadcasting a warning. “ATTENTION, if you are taking the blood pressure medications Lasix, Lozol or Hygroton, this message is for you. The American Medical Association has discovered that Lasix, Lozol and Hygroton medications have proven to cause unstoppable bleeding, which can lead to death. Please stop taking it immediately and consult your physician.” You have retrieved your medication to find out that of the three medications listed, you are taking one of them. What would you do? That blood pressure medicine has become your lifeline. It has allowed you to eat what you want, when you want and as much as you want. What if it was your cholesterol medication? What if it was medicine to manage your glucose? What would you do? Governor Tom Corbett is encouraging the people of Pennsylvania to prepare now for an unexpected emergency. He states, "Planning ahead could help save you or a loved one the next time disaster strikes." So, I’m saying to you, plan ahead, prepare now to avoid the unexpected disaster. Start now. Start today. Let today be the day that you make the first step toward a healthier tomorrow. Vegetables and exercise are an excellent way to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure. By making sure you have a colorful combination of vegetables, you can change the way you’re living. Have fun coloring all of your meals all of the time. Select pomegranates, red peppers, red potatoes, radishes and tomatoes as some of your red foods. Use bananas, corn, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, papayas, and mangos for some of your yellow and orange foods. Choose asparagus, brussell sprouts, limes, green apples, kiwi and peas for some of your green foods. Think black berries, blue berries, figs, eggplant, purple grapes and plums for some of your blue and purple
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foods. Think mushrooms, garlic, turnips, bananas and cauliflower for some of your white foods. Eat food in living color. Live your life the way God planned for you to, healthy. ----And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Genesis 1:29 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1st Corinthians 10:31 As I always say, when God speaks, I have nothing else to say and neither should you. Peace
Joseph F. Robinson, Jr. and The Chosen Aggregation Post Office Box 451423 * Atlanta, GA 31145 * 404-761-1575
thechosenaggregation@gmail.com - facebook.com/thechosenaggregation 14
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The Pharaoh of Psychological Bondage Minister Donald Graham, Jr. We are all familiar with the Exodus account of Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt. For as awesome and thrilling this story may be for us to read, we cannot overlook the fact that it is also a story of faith, hope, trust, and deliverance by the mighty hand of a God who loves his people. Israel desperately wanted to be delivered from the oppressive bondage and torment inflicted upon them by the tyrannous hand of Pharaoh. Does this sound like you? Have you found yourself living in bondage to someone else’s agenda or their perception of you? Are you in an abusive relationship or marriage that has you bound and afraid to speak up for yourself because of the repercussions it may cause? Whatever it is that has you bound it is a good chance that there is a Pharaoh calling the shots behind the scenes. Pharaoh can represent different things to different people. He can represent a toxic person, relationship, or even an addiction. Pharaoh is often the ruler of your own belief system which causes you to believe things that bind you more than release you into the purposes of God. As we read the Exodus story we find that not only did Pharaoh have a physical hold on the children of Israel, he also had an emotional and psychological grip on them as well. So much so that even a few weeks after Moses led them out of bondage, they murmured against him at the first sign of trouble and expressed a desire to go back into Egypt. Imagine being so mentally weekend to the point that you would even consider the idea of going back into bondage simply because it is familiar. Unlike physical bondage the person who is emotionally imprisoned keeps psychological bondage in place. To be emotionally oppressed one must participate in the oppression, therefore keeping themselves bound. I notice that there are two types of oppression that occurs as a result of psychological bondage. The first type is internal oppression. This is where a person is unable to let go of what has happened to them, what they have done to themselves or what they have done to someone else. These memories can be carried from childhood to adulthood and it causes the person to react and act upon situations based on their prior experiences. The second type is external oppression. External oppression comes in the form of someone who constantly tries to dictate to you who you are to them. For some it could be a controlling spouse, a boss who is abrasive and condescending, or that co-worker who gets on your last nerve. For others it may come in the form of someone you have hurt in the past who now uses that same hurt as the barometer by which they measure you with. No matter what you do from that point forward to reform or change your life for the better, they will never be able to see you for who you are now…only who you were. Fair or not, it is a fact that people will often define you by where they first met you, and if they are not mature in Christ, they will try to keep you right there. Similar to Israel’s relationship with Pharaoh, there is a form of external oppression that is both controlling and manipulative. Like a husband who uses his words to hurt his wife or a parent who constantly reminds their child of their past failures. Psychological bondage can be quite crippling. Our self-doubt amplifies in its intensity when we constantly focus on our past and what people have done to us. Paul offers a prognosis to this problem in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that would exalt itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” It is time to shift our focus from our past mistakes and hurts to who we are today and who we can become in Christ. God 15
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will use you regardless of your past sins, and he loves you enough not to allow you to remain in your present state. Do not be fooled my friend. You can say you are free until you’re blue in the face, but if your actions do not line up with what you say out of your mouth…people will begin to take notice. Like the children of Israel it is possible to be delivered from bondage physically but still be bound mentally and attached emotionally. I've seen God remove people from unhealthy situations just to see them end up right back where they were. Deliverance is not always about being removed from a physical location, but rather, it is about mental and spiritual emancipation, in other words – freedom of the mind. Make a vow today not to allow people or situations to live ‘rent-free’ in your head ever again. Let go and let God cleanse your heart from the residue of bondage that you were delivered from. What good is it to leave Egypt but still long for it in your heart? Therefore I urge you to bury your Pharaoh…before your Pharaoh buries you!
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Classic Southern Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce (12 Servings) 6 cups very stale French bread or homemade-type bread (not marshmallow white bread such as Wonder or you’ll have a soggy mess) cut into 1" cubes 1 cup heavy cream 2 cups milk 3/4 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 1/3 cup raisins Whiskey Sauce 1 cup heavy cream 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon water 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter the inside of a 7 x 9” or 8” or 9” square shallow baking dish. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Mix the milk and cream; pour over the bread cubes and let soak a minute or two until the liquid is absorbed. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins; add to the bread mixture and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 45-50 minutes or until the custard is set. Serve warm or room temperature with the whiskey sauce. Whiskey sauce: Place the heavy cream and sugar in a microwaveable container. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until smooth; whisk the mixture into the cream. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes; whisk until smooth and microwave an additional minute or two until boiling. Immediately stir in the whiskey. Taste the sauce; whisk in a little more sugar if you like it sweeter. Cool the sauce to room temperature and serve over the bread pudding. Amount per Serving Calories 417 Calories from Fat 170 Percent Total Calories from: Fat 41% Protein 8% Carb. 48% Nutrient Amount per Serving Total Fat 19 g Saturated Fat 11 g Cholesterol 115 mg Sodium 341 mg Total Carbohydrate 51 g Dietary Fiber 0 g Sugars 0 g Protein 8 g Vitamin A 14% Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% Iron 10%
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Obesity Problem in the African American Church Written by: Allen Green (reprint from March Issue) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you, so use your body to honor God. I want to pose this question to the readers. Why are so many people in the black church overweight? It’s because we love eating food that is not good for us! Fried chicken, barbeque ribs, pig’s feet, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, cakes, pies and ice cream, sodas all these foods plus the lack of exercise contribute to the pounds of fat that a great majority of black church folks carry around. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence of obesity, and Hispanics had 21 percent higher obesity prevalence compared with whites. Proverbs 23:20-21 says, “Don’t be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food. It will make you feel drowsy, and you will end up poor with only rags to wear.” Many sicknesses that are plaguing blacks stem directly from our unhealthy eating habits. High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and other ailments are running rampant in our communities. These diseases are even cropping up in our teens and young adults. Look around your church, look around your community. How many overweigh young people do you see? In many of our black churches as soon as the benediction is given you will find part of the congregation in the All You Can Eat buffet, McDonalds, Boston Chicken and any other number of eating establishments. Then there are the between service soul food dinners that are served after morning service supposedly to keep the parishioner’s around for the afternoon service. When will we as a race wake up and stop slowly killing ourselves. It’s a cultural thing you say! Learning to eat right and exercise is vital to promoting health and reducing the risk for disease. Yes, we need food and nutriments to survive and God has provided us with the capacity to enjoy the foods we eat. However, we must learn to take care of our bodies. Obesity destroys the body by contributing to heart problems, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure. I realize changing eating habits and committing to an exercise regimen isn't easy, but with the help of God, it can be done. First John 5:14-15 says: “We are certain that God will hear our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. And if we know that God listens when we pray, we are sure that our prayers have already been answered.” Commit yourselves to a healthy lifestyle. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, stay away from the buffets, fried foods, and too much red meats and exercise on a daily basis. 19
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Perception vs. Reality Anthony Charles Williams II Author, Playwright “We regard the perceptions we have of ourselves as reality. When we learn that there’s a disparity between that reality and the perceptions that other people have of us it is always enlightening, rarely flattering and, more often than not, insulting. This disparity isn’t harmless — it can promote your defective habits, facilitate the persistence of potentially detrimental personality traits and allow flawed perceptions about you to breed and multiply. Eventually, your ego will take a hit as the disparity damages new relationships in your life. In an effort to reconcile that gap and square those misperceptions with the reality you know to be true, you have to determine the manner in which people arrive at their perceptions. You’ll need to hold your own view of yourself under a microscope and gauge if there might be some validity to the more common misperceptions about you. Once this is accomplished, you can take steps to close that gap by showing people the real you. There is absolutely no possible way for us to communicate to one another how we each perceive the world. My world, the one that my brain has processed from the input from my five senses, is in all probability very different to your world. We can both look at a red rose and agree that it is a red rose, but that’s just putting a handy label on an object, it does not convey anything at all about our perception of it. So my reality destroys your perception but I won’t let your perception destroy my REALITY. ……”
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The Feel good flavor By Simone Malone Greeting my angels, I know how much it would mean to you to finally have all your concerns taken care of. I believe that everyone especially you, deserves to live their life free from stress, strain and worry. And as your radio feel good man who truly has been under attack since January 2011 financially and physically, I am here to tell you to hold on to your faith and never give up even when all the odds are against you. “Life is too precious to waste on lost opportunities and bad mistakes.” It is your inner condition, fire in your guts that keeps you going long after everyone else has decided it isn’t worth your efforts. I want you to pray daily for everything in your life because something happens when we pray. It may not been right away for the answer but trust me, you will see some results. Please pay close attention to God when you pray. He will reveal to you what you need to do but you have to be in a quiet place. Once you learn how hear the voice of God speaking to you virtually nothing can stand in your way. For the first time in your life, YOU will be in the driver's seat. No longer will you be subject to the whims of fate. Every situation that arises, YOU will always be in command. There are many major decisions that we all have to face every day of our lives, sometimes more than once in our lives. And every single day of our lives brings a fresh new batch of choices, some of which, as you no doubt have already discovered, have the power to alter the shape of our entire future. We both know that life is too short for regrets. But it's also far too precious to waste on lost opportunities and bad mistakes. From any mistakes you have made, you have to dust yourself off and get back into the fray. This is why more and more people are turning to their faith and spirituality more than ever before in life to exert more control over their own future, as well as help avoid making any disastrous mistakes. Remember that you are never alone with Simone Malone so live expectantly, believe confidently, and continue to pray affirmatively. Until next time I am sprinkling the feel good flavor on you
Healthy Eating Information -by Allen Green The United States Department of Agriculture has released a new version of healthy eating recommendations for Americans to replace the original Food Pyramid. We now have MyPlate. Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov We need to learn change our eating habits especially in the African American Community. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease and metabolic diseases are serious health risks and very prevalent in the United States. Families no longer sit down and eat healthy, nutritious meals. Fast foods, excessive red meat, processed foods and sweets are the menus for many of today’s households. If you look at the above website you will see that the basics of MyPlate are very easy and if followed will help all of us to become healthier. Our plates should be very colorful. Half the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. Half of the plate should be whole grains and the other quarter should consist of a protein. To obtain a healthy lifestyle we need to change our eating habits
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“He Heard You the First Time” Pastor Lenora G. Young Daniel 10:10 -14 10
And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. If we look in the book of Daniel the 9th chapter, it tells us about Daniel’s prayer for his people. It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. During the first year of his reign, Daniel, was studying the writings of the prophets. He learned from the word of the LORD, as recorded by Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem would lie desolate for seventy years. So He turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. He wore sackcloth and sprinkled himself with ashes. He prayed to the LORD saying: “Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and keep your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands. We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke your messages to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land. “Lord, you are in the right; but our faces are covered with shame, just as you see us now. He went to God with an open heart and spirit confessing with a repented spirit. The bible tells us in the book of Psalms, He desires truth in the inward parts: - He desire honesty from the heart. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, God you will not refuse. The bible goes on to tell us in the 9th chapter that Daniel prayed not for himself, but for his people. He confessed that we have sinned – we have been rebellious – we have been disobedient and we have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke your messages. Lord you are right and our faces are covered with shame. All Israel has disobeyed your law and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. Every curse written against us in the law of Moses has come true. All the troubles he predicted have taken place. But we have refused to seek mercy from the LORD our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. The LORD has brought against us the disaster he prepared, for we did not obey him, and the LORD our God is just in everything he does. In this chapter, you will see that this is happening in the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. Now in the 10th chapter, this is the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) A vision was given to him - It concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship—and Daniel understood what the vision meant. When this vision came to him, he had been in mourning for three weeks. He humbles himself before God, and turned his plate down for three weeks (21 days). All that time, He did not eat rich food or meat; he had drunk no wine, and had used no fragrant oils. Praying, 25
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laying before God not hearing anything yet seeking God and not seeing anything waiting for the answer. Now if, we look into this situation, Daniel is not just waiting on an answer, but he is expecting and looking for it. One day while standing by the Tigris River, Daniel looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people. According to the scripture, it says that Daniel was the only one who saw this vision. The men with him saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide. So he was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. His strength left - his face grew deathly pale, and he felt very weak. The bible says when he heard his voice, he fainted and he laid there with my face to the ground. Just then a hand touched him and lifted him, still trembling, lifted him to his hands and knees. And the man said, “O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request was heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. “God Heard You the First Time.” But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” “HE HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME.”
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The Elders Corner Minister Demetrius Adams II "IF GOD BELIEVES YOU, THEN WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE IN YOU?" As I watched Jerry Springer, Maury Povich, leaders of the church and so many others I see so many who lacks self-confidence yet they can believe in others. Ted Winn, a National Recording Artist wrote a song that simply says, “God Believes in You”. When I think of that song I think of how much we put our faith into people, cars, and money. If we put the same trust in God, He will give us more than any of those things ever can. If you are struggling with insecurities, low-self-esteem, challenges of any sort look towards heaven and say, God, I believe in you and He will say, I believe in YOU. The songwriter goes on to say we will prevail if God is for us, He won’t let us fail. Aren't you glad that we serve a God that won’t fail us? God will always keep His promises. Just know that if mother, father, sister, brother, BFF, husband or wife don't believe in you, God believes in you and you should believe in yourself. The word of God says, that we should encourage ourselves in the Lord, so don't wait for anyone to tell you, you are beautiful, or you can make it. Say to yourself I can make it. Greater is HE that is in me, than He that is in the world. I am a lender and not a borrower. I am above and not beneath. I am the head and not the tail. I can make it, I will be what He wants me to be, I am victorious. We must remember that we are CHAMPIONS, and don't let the enemy trick you into needing cheerleaders, you be your own cheerleader and always encourage yourself because God believes in YOU! Two years ago, I never imagined I would be sharing with you how God has brought me through to encourage you to start believing in YOU. I pray you overcome by the words of my testimony. Believe me the same God that did it for me will do the same for you. No weapon formed against you will PROSPER. The best is yet to come! Seasons may change, people may change but God always REMAIN THE SAME. For the past two years, I have seen God change me from nothing to something, from being forced into a position, to being what He wants me to be. I realize that God COMPLETES me and He is the one who validates me not MAN. If I never learned how to love and encourage myself, seek God and delight in HIM, I would have never known how to BELIEVE in me. The bible declares that eyes have not seen, and ears have not heard the great things that God has in store for us. All things work together for the good of them that loves God, and are called according to His purposes. So, if we love the Lord and trust Him, it will work out for our good. Many of us spend money and waste time on the internet, reading books, at the mall, church and even on chat lines, trying to find love. However, the GREATEST love that we can ever have is the LOVE OF GOD. When we read the word, pray and fast we can say, I BELIEVE IN ME. Trials and tribulations come to distract us from our purpose and destiny but we must remember that with God, we can do all things through Him that strengthens us. Never under estimate the power of God. If we walk in the authority that God has given us, we will not need anyone to make us feel anything. In conclusion, if we put time into believing in ourselves, working on us and encouraging ourselves we will never speak anything that is not like God over our lives. We cannot be everything to everybody. We cannot be everyone’s HERO. We must step aside and let GOD be GOD. Let Him do what He does. GOD BELIEVES IN YOU and will give life, strength, wisdom, power and courage to BELIEVE IN YOU! 27
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Make a Joyful Noise!: A Brief History of Gospel Music Ministry in America is the story of the resiliency of an African American people who found their God—even in the midst of brutal oppression—and made music in praise and thanksgiving. This book shows how music—gospel music in particular— has been a vehicle utilized over the years by people of African ancestry as a means of escape, an expression of joy, and source of peace. This music has helped us to hold onto our hopes and dreams despite slavery, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racism and to instill in our children hope for a better world both here on and the world to come. Make a Joyful Noise! A Brief History of Gospel Music Ministry in America was also written to show how the gifts of the Spirit operate in people for the benefit and uplift of all. The “Father of Gospel Music” Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, and the “Crown Prince of Gospel Music,” Rev. James Cleveland, were the conduits through which this music was conveyed to the American public and the world. The Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., the brainchild of Rev. James Cleveland, has played a key role in this mission for more than 40 years, and the author, who has attended the annual Workshops since 2002, focuses on the organization in Part 2 of this book.
In Part 1, Make a Joyful Noise! A Brief History of Gospel Music Ministry in America begins with the biblical history of music in worship to God. Shifting to Africa, it shows how the African people preserved their music, their dignity and their heritage in the face of overwhelming odds while transported as human cargo to the new land of America. It travels through the history of America and its people of color, tracing the power and heritage of music to preserve and uplift the psyche of an oppressed people who fought for equality and freedom, with a song on their lips to praise God each step of the way.
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Karthryn Baker Kemp, Author of Book Make a Joyful Noise Kathryn Baker Kemp is a product of the Chicago Public Schools. She holds degrees from De Paul University (BA), Chicago State University (MS Ed), and Northern Illinois University (EdD). Her career as an educator encompassed duties as an elementary teacher, elementary counselor, high school dean, middle school assistant principal and elementary school principal within CPS. She also taught as adjunct faculty for Northern Illinois University at the College of Du Page in Du Page County, Illinois. Dr. Kemp’s music ministry began with her first job as pianist for the Junior Choir of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Chicago. It ended in 2009 after 40 years of music ministry as organist, pianist, choir member, assistant choir director, minister of music, and director of music at Memorial M.B. Church in Chicago. Currently, she is active in the teaching ministry of her church. In April 2011, she became a licensed Baptist minister. The author has worked as a volunteer with civic and social groups with emphasis on the youth and the elderly, who are her passion, and has also served on educational and financial advisory boards. One of her favorite scriptures, which guide her daily is Psalm 121.
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Make It So Report Volume 8 Sincere's Corner Hey you...yes you..... "Big-Mouth", what are you over there talking about today. You know what; it's actually okay to be a big mouth...as they say, "Shut mouths don't get fed." But what is your big mouth talking about today?
Is it your co-worker, your mother-in-law, oh...oh...ohhhh, did somebody get up under your skin and now you're complaining about it? Hahaha....I understand, but it's time to start using that mouth to spread the good news. I mean...if you're going to be talking about anything, it should be something that is edifying Christ, all while lifting some lowly soul out of a rut...or it could be that you just spoke to someone with a big smile on your face which helped lift their spirits. The bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 10:12...Words from a Wise man's mouth are gracious, but a Fool is consumed by his own lips. Now which would you want to be noted as, the wise man or the fool. All I'm saying is, that "big mouth" should be saying some big and positive things, which will inevitably lead to big moves in your life and someone else. Peace! Sincerely Yours, Comedienne, Sincere Vessel
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Christine’s Corner: You’re Saved – But Your Boss Isn’t By Christine D. Tunstall In Mark 12:17 Jesus says “Give the emperor what belongs to the emperor and give God what belongs to God”. Many Christians behave as if this particular passage only deals with finances. However, I believe this particular scripture has a more holistic meaning. Just like God is Lord and Master of my entire being, I attempt daily to take His Word and apply His Word in every area of my life. For the purpose of this article, the emperor is your employer (your immediate supervisor). We know as Christians that we struggle daily against evil. In Ephesians 6:12 it says “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world”. It is a dangerous game to give the enemy the very ammunition with which to harm/maim/kill you. Would you hand a criminal the very gun to use to rob you? Then why would you give the emperor the very ammunition he would need to remove you from the workforce? To that point, if your work hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. you are supposed to be sitting at your desk ready to work by 8:00 a.m. It does not help your cause to arrive even five minutes late, becoming annoyed when your boss expects you to be ready to begin work. You (silently) complain that the boss didn’t even give you an opportunity to grab a cup of coffee or exhale before giving you assignments. Why not look at your job the way the Pastor has looked at the Sunday worship service. Prior to the morning service, in many churches, the Praise and Worship period occurs. Usually, Praise and Worship lasts anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes before worship service officially begins. This allows the Christian to usher their mind into a spirit of worship. You are able to then forget about the traffic jam, the runs in the stockings that almost caused you to be late, the children trying not to come to church because it was too nice outside or the fight you had with your husband (or significant other). Praise and Worship gives you an opportunity to put all of that out of your mind so that when Service officially begins, you and your mind are concentrating on God. What a statement you would make if you did the same thing in the work place. Arrive at the emperor’s office between fifteen – thirty minutes early. Get that cup of coffee, send that last personal text, fix your make-up and exhale. When the work day bell rings and your boss appears at your desk, you are ready for whatever the boss brings. Actually being ready to work at your appointed time, not rushing in at your appointed time, also gives you the ability to, without hesitation or reservation, walk out the door when your shift ends. Many times, supervisors (whether they believe in God or not) feel no apprehension about asking you to stay a few minutes late if they believe you ordinarily arrive a few minutes late. In their mind, it’s what you owe (the emperor). As Christians we have to be honest in our giving, not just our financial giving but in our complete and total giving. If you are working, give the emperor a full day of work for your full day of earnings. Oh how our faith would be tested if some of us received compensation for the hours we actually put in working. However, I digress and will revisit that topic next month. Going to my place of worship for weekly bible study and Sunday worship, I presume that my fellow pew occupiers are also Christians. I, therefore, have a calming presence around my sisters/brothers in Christ. I expect to be treated and it is my responsibility to treat those I come in contact with, with love, compassion and kindness. Even if I am not familiar with the person sitting next 31
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to me in church, I still have a responsibility to treat that person with love, compassion, kindness and respect. We, as Christians, should always be kind but most especially, we need to be kind when we are in the House of the Lord. And, the Bible tells us, in Hebrews 13:2 “do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so; some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Whether at the work place or wherever you venture, you could be entertaining angels unbeknown to you. You could very possibly be the only ‘Bible’ some people will ever read. If you are harsh, dishonest (with time and habits), you could be unknowingly responsible for running someone away from wanting a relationship with the God you claim to represent. The same ability we have to lead someone to Christ with our behavior, we can run them away with our behavior. In 2011 if you are blessed enough to be one of the fortunate few who is employed, thank God. With the work force dwindled down to the fewest number in years, it is doubtful that your company searched all over attempting to find supervisors that are Christian. First, it is illegal to even inquire into someone’s religious belief. While it would be nice to work for someone who took into consideration the moral implications of their treatment of subordinates, it is not rational to expect it. You may have to wait, on most weeks, until you go to church for Bible Study or Sunday worship before you run into another Christian. On any given day, we shop, dine out, hire contractors, ride on public transportation, walk down streets, travel on highways and bump into many persons of differing ethnicities, not knowing the religious affiliation of people all around us. Google reports there are over 38,000 Christian denominations. You could be working for someone who practices one of the 38,000 or someone who doesn’t believe in any higher being, most especially God almighty. It doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are, your walk with God. New Christians are like new babies. First we drink milk for our survival. The milk we drink when we first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior is our obedience to following and learning the Word. We study under the leadership of the Pastor (or his designee). It is imperative that we don’t follow everyone with a Bible in their hands. As we are able to digest the milk, we move ahead to soft foods (more Bible Study). Soon we move on to steak and potatoes where we are able to join in discussions with others and not be easily swayed from what we are taught by our spiritual leader. By the time we are meat and potato Christians; we are well on our way to not only survival in the workforce under the supervision of anyone successfully but also of helping young babes in Christ to also survive the daily struggles of working under strangers to God. The 5th verse of the 23rd Psalm reads: “Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine enemies”. Wow, how awesome is it to have a Lord and Savior that recognizes the struggles that are bound to come. Yet, He is so awesome in His desire to take care of His children that He not only continues to bless you but He does it in the presence of the very ones who are trying to hold you back and treat you in a disdainful manner. Remember, my friend, the best testimony you can give as a Christian in the workplace is to be the best Christian you can be. Remember, in Matthew 3:17 it reads “This is My dearly loved son with whom I am well pleased”. You may end up being the person who your boss ends up coming to Christ because of. On that day, I know God will look upon your actions and say, ‘This is my dearly loved child with whom I am well pleased.’ You might just be entertaining an angel disguised as your boss. We are all His children. Be blessed.
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A Healthier You By Carl C. Gable III, MD Many of the items we purchase today come with an instruction manual that outlines how to properly care for them. Automobiles come with an operator’s manual that details the type of gasoline and oil recommended for optimal engine performance. Clothes and other garments come with a tag detailing the temperature and wash cycle that should be used in order to prevent colors from fading. Because we want the items that we purchase to last as long as they can, and to function for many years after the date of purchase, most of us go to great lengths to follow these instructions. Consequently, we take our cars in for maintenance not only when we notice a problem with it, but also when it is time for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance such as an oil change. We buy color safe detergents in order to preserve the delicate fabric and brilliant color of our clothes. In contrast, when it comes to taking great care of our bodies, an instrument that is priceless and worth much more than an automobile, many of us fail to provide it with even the most basic of necessities. African American men in particular can be some of the worst offenders; choosing for example to go to the doctor only when a health problem threatens our very lives. Obesity in the United States is extremely prevalent and is becoming increasingly prevalent among even young children. Fast food restaurants are thriving while fresh fruit markets and vegetable stands are scarce. In addition, not only are many of us eating unhealthy foods, but we are eating them in excess. How many times have you been informed that you can purchase the extra-large size of the same unhealthy food item for just 50 cents more? Despite these facts, consider the words found in the original instruction manual for the human body given to us by our Creator. It states “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.� (I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV). With this admonition in mind, if you are guilty of taking better care of your material possessions than you do of your own body, consider putting into practice the following simple yet effective health principles, many of which you have probably heard many times before. First, and perhaps most importantly, exercise regularly! Opinions vary regarding how much exercise is enough, but many experts advocate that just 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three to five times per week is highly beneficial. Select exercises that you enjoy and that are convenient for you to participate in on a regular basis. Also, if at all possible, find one or more partners with whom to exercise. This will make you accountable to others and thereby increase the likelihood that you will succeed on a long term basis. Second, try to eat a balanced and healthy diet as often as possible. In our busy society, the convenience of ordering out is certainly an appealing option. Many find it difficult to find time to shop for fruits and vegetables, let alone prepare a home cooked meal. There is value however, in being able to select your 36
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own ingredients as you prepare a meal, including less salt, less sugar, and less processed food. This process may take a bit longer, but in the end, the health benefits may be worth the extra effort. In addition, avoid and/or eliminate consuming substances that are obviously toxic to the body such as tobacco, excessive alcohol, and illicit drugs. Finally, just as we do with our automobiles, we should practice preventative maintenance when it comes to our bodies. Regularly scheduled visits to our physicians should be part of this process, including a colonoscopy by at least the age of 50, prostate exams for men over 40, and regular breast and gynecological exams for women at appropriate ages. By so doing, we may avoid costly disease states later in life both in terms of finances and in terms of our personal well being. Perhaps the Psalmist said it best when he declared: we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14 NIV). As such, vow today that you will do your best to optimally care for your body.
78th Annual Session of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses The Week of August 6 through August12, 2011 the 78th Annual Session of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC) convened in Atlanta GA. The National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses is the first and oldest gospel music convention founded by Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey the Father of Gospel Music. This year’s gathering was dedicated to remembering and celebrating the life and legacy of the late Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. The week long services consisted of powerful preaching, anointed singing and a vast array of musical training workshops. Some of the speakers were Elder Kenneth Moales, Jr., Evangelist Susie Owens, Bishop Paul Morton, Pastor Albert Morgan, Dr. Cynthia Hale and a host of other anointed men and women. Special guest artists included Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dr. Magaret Douroux, J.J. Hairston, LaShun Pace, Ricky Dillard, Vashawn Mitchell, Zebulon Ellis, Pastor Jasper Williams, Deon Kipping, Chris & Kyle and True Spirit. The convention was very spiritual and inspiring.
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TOP TEN R&B/HIP HOP SONGS 1. I'm On One-DJ Khaled Featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne 2. Sure Thing- Miguel 3. Motivation -Kelly Rowland Featuring Lil Wayne 4. How To Love-Lil Wayne 5. Quickie-Miguel 6. Super Bass-Nicki Minaj 7. Otis-Jay Z Kanye West Featuring Otis Redding 8. Best Thing I Never Had-Beyonce 9. My Last-Big Sean Featuring Chris Brown 10. She Ain't You-Chris Brown
TOP TEN GOSPEL SONGS 1. I Smile-Kirk Franklin 2. I Need Your Glory-Earnest Pugh 3. Nobody Greater-VaShawn Mitchell 4. Over & Over-Trin-i-tee 5:7 Featuring PJ Morton 5. My Heart Says Yes-Troy Sneed 6. Well Done-Deitrick Haddon 7. He Has His Hands On You-Marvin Sapp 8. Be Still-Yolanda Adams 9. I Give Myself Away (Live)-William McDowell 10. Excellent-Martha Munizzi Taken from Billboard
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What do you call two men who are not ashamed to proclaim that the Kingdom Of God Is At Hand? You call them KOGIAH, aka Charles Phillips and Donald Graham. Formed in 2004, this anointed duo from Philadelphia brings strong vocals, reinforced with a sincere witness to their music ministry. With an urban-contemporary gospel style influenced by the likes of Rance Allen, Israel & New Breed and The Winans; both members believe they have been commissioned by God to proclaim the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ through their music, while impacting the world with a message of hope and purpose. KOGIAH is preparing for the release of their upcoming CD in late August entitled: 'The KOGIAH Project'. A gospel music breakthrough is inevitable for these talented brothers, who through their music allow scripture to be transformed into inspirational melodies of praise & worship! Booking & Contact Info: INO Management, Inc. (215) 439-3172 Email: Kogiah@yahoo.com Website: www.kogiah.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kogiah/164942093559078?sk=info 39
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Spirit and Truth
is a Christian talk show hosted by George Ward and is soon to debut on YouTube, Facebook, and iTunes. Spirit and Truth is centered on all aspects of praise and worship from a biblical, musical, and professional perspective. In this comfortable setting we interview guest worshipers from a diversity of backgrounds such as singers, musicians, pastors, dancers, rappers, actors, painters, and more.
Contact: George Ward Executive Producer/Host Email: spiritandtruth3@gmail.com 215.917.3016
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