The Cofield Report - November 2014

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Writers: Kemba Cofield Mozelle Gunthrie Kristin Cofield Mary Daniels Carl Gable III, MD Phill Hughes Minister Donald Graham, Jr. Rev. Dr. A’Shellarien Lang Vivienne Sye-Payne Christine Tunstall Pastor Lenora Young Rev. V. Yvonne Crews Willie Canada Brenda Phillips Fay W. Burgess

1

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

THANK YOU November is month where the many people celebrate the holiday known as Thanksgiving.

On this one Thursday in November roasted turkey, duck, chicken, collard greens, macaroni & cheese, candied yams, hot rolls and many other delicious foods depending on your cultural upbringing can be found on many dinner tables in countless households.

I am reminded of a song that says “Every day is a day of thanksgiving” Thank you - a conversational expression of gratitude, an acknowledgment of appreciation.

Please take a moment out of your hectic lives not just on one day out of the year designated as Thanksgiving Day but daily to say thank you, thank you to your husband, your wife, your children, a neighbor, a co-worker a stranger and most importantly thank you to the creator.

Give thanks to God for all the things He does for you daily. Reflect on your life, you are blessed. If you are reading this, you are blessed. If you were able to get up in the morning without help and dress yourself, you are blessed. I could go on and on. Give God the praise and honor He deserves not only on Thanksgiving Day but every day, every hour, every minute, every second. THANK YOU GOD. Today let’s take a few moments of quiet time (make the time) to say Thank you to God. Thanks for the ability to breathe on your own (some people are on oxygen…daily.

Thanks for the ability to walk on your own (even if sometimes you hear snap, crackle & pop when you get up).

Thanks for the fact that you are enclosed in your right mind (even if sometimes you forget; some people don’t know who or where they are).

Thanks for being able to go to the bathroom freely (some people have to change a bag).

Thanks for the family and friends you been given (some people have no one).

Thanks for the job you have (good or bad you have one).

When you take the time to thank God for your blessings, you won’t have time left to worry about the small, tedious things in life

Editor

2

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

PASTOR'S BIOGRAPHY James S. Hall Jr. was born in Marion, South Carolina, the son of a preacher James S. Hall Sr. and homemaker mother Eliza Thompson Hall. At an early age he realized that God had a special call on his life. The youngest of four children, (three sisters, one sister Dorothy Hall Canady survives), by age 9 he recognized that he was anointed to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and by age 18 publicly surrendered to God. From that time forward, his spiritual life has been a journey of struggles, successes and an every growing faith in the Lord.

Pastor Hall attended elementary and high school in Marion County, S. C. after which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Bachelor of Divinity degree in Theology at Morris College in Sumter, S.C. He is the recipient of honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Morris College, Fuller Normal School Greenville, S.C. and A.M.E. Seminary Monrovia, West Africa. He also attended special training at Temple University in Group Dynamics and Psychology.

Pastor of Mount Rona Baptist Church Florence S.C. (1953-1957), Rafting Creek Baptist Church Sumter, S.C. (1953-1957), and Springfield Baptist Church Greenville, S.C. (1957-1963). He also was Pastor of Morris Chapel Baptist Church Philadelphia, PA (1963-1969).

In November 1969, Triumph Baptist Church was organized with sixty-three members at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. From that time, God has continued to honor the prayers of those Charter Members. As a result of his leadership and their faithfulness, Triumph Baptist Church has experienced tremendous growth in the study of God’s word, evangelistic outreach and economic empowerment. More than 5000 souls have been saved. Economically the church has impacted the community with the Credit Union, provided residential housing and a supermarket. Plans are underway for the development for Senior Housing and Family Life Center.

3

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

During his spiritual pilgrimage, God has richly blessed Pastor with a loving family and congregation. He is the proud parent of four children; two daughters, Cathy and Wanda and two sons, James Anthony and Phillip. He also is the proud grandfather of three grandsons and four granddaughters. Pastor s oldest daughter The Reverend Cathy Johnson serves as Assistant Pastor at Triumph Baptist Church and youngest son The Reverend Philip Hall serves as Pastor of Love Missionary Baptist Church of Philadelphia.

Pastor Hall has a long history of community involvement stemming back to his active participation in the Civil rights Movement. While pastoring in South Carolina he served as President of Local PUSH, Vice President of South Carolina State Education and Missionary Convention, Vice President of South Carolina State NAACP, and local President of CORE Greenville, S.C. After moving to Philadelphia he was President of Little Neighborhood Schools, President of Triumph Development Community Corporation, Treasure of Wade Cable Company, President of the Baptist Minister s Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity and Moderator of the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Unity Global Award, Legend of Civil Rights Award, Living Legend Award (2013) and the Lincoln University’s 2014 Lion Award for Religion.

Pastor Hall s testimony is simple yet special, to serve the Lord with all his strength and all his might. Pastor looks to the future with great hope and expectation as the Lord moves he and his congregation from Victory to Victory.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

-1 Corinthians 15:57-58

4

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

James Samuel Hall, Jr. – What’s In A Name Writer: Christine Tunstall Growing up in the 1960s, this writer and my siblings were constantly reminded by our parents that when we walked out of our home each day, we represented them. Our actions were a direct reflection of how our parents would be perceived as having raised us.

If we were polite, if we were ‘fresh-mouthed’, if we were trouble makers or if we were children who behaved in the manner and behaviors associated with an appropriate rearing, these things reflected them. Those types of admonitions were intended to be a constant reminder to you of your responsibility as a child, carrying the name of your parents. It is something that was transferred from generation to generation for many years. It is how you were instructed to behave yourself for a lifetime.

James S. Hall, Jr. was raised in the 1930s in Marion, South Carolina. Being the only son of James, Sr. and Eliza Thompson Hall, he was given the undivided attention of his father as he learned the ways and behaviors that would carry him into adulthood. Both the senior James Hall and Eliza Thompson Hall instilled qualifies in young James Hall that would carry him across the world, leaving his mark on every person who was fortunate enough to spend any time in his presence. By the time adulthood reached James Hall, Jr., he possessed all of the necessary qualities to be a success at whatever he set his mind to do. He was the type of gentleman every parent wanted their daughter to marry – suave, handsome and passionate in his beliefs. His demeanor was direct, not weak or uncertain. He possessed great faith and integrity with an honest, mature, self-confident persona the likes of which many had not seen. His positive, we can do all things through Christ attitude was backed up by his willingness to roll up his sleeves to help get done what needed to be done. These qualities made people rush to follow behind this dynamic leader.

Not only was Pastor Hall interested in the soul salvation of each of his members, he also was very much invested in the social ills that was a poison in the Nation in general and in the South in particular. While in South Carolina, he stood his ground for the good of his family, church congregation and community. At an early age in the ministry, Pastor Hall was arrested while standing up for the rights of African Americans as they tried to travel across the country with the same rights and privileges afforded other Americans. Pastor Hall 5

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

would not allow himself, his family or other minorities to be singled out and treated with substandard conditions merely due to the color of their skin. He staged a sit-in at the local transportation center and had an encounter with Jesse Owens who also was standing up for and fighting for equal rights for minorities. Pastor Hall did not merely talk the language of involvement; he got intimately involved with the struggle. He served as President of Local PUSH, Vice President of South Carolina State Education and Missionary Convention, Vice President of South Carolina State NAACP and local President of CORE Greenville, S.C. He served in these capacities while also serving as Pastor of the churches he led. Even though his life (and that of his family) was in danger many times throughout the early struggle, he would not slow down. As long as injustice, demeaning and horrific treatment was openly displayed toward minorities; Pastor Hall would not stop his fight for God’s people.

Jesse Jackson often tells the story of how when he was a young man, he met Pastor Hall, while in South Carolina and was amazed that a man of Pastor Hall’s size was such a huge force to be reckoned with. Pastor James Hall’s name was known all across the South and those sounds quickly travelled to the North with tales of his courageous stance against injustice.

When Pastor Hall arrived in Philadelphia, he immediately began getting involved in social and civic organizations. He worked extensively with OIC, making a tremendous impact. He was the President of Little Neighborhood Schools, President of Triumph Development Community Corporation, Treasurer of Wade Cable Company, President of the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity and Moderator of the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention.

There are so many individuals who commented about the impact James Samuel Hall, Jr has had and continues to have on their lives and we chose a couple of those comments to share in this article. Being a Pastor/preacher/teacher for so long, there are numerous babies he has blessed, couples he has married, counseled and even said words over the final remains of persons he once held in his arms to bless when they were babies. He has continued relationships with mayors, judges, councilmen/councilwomen; senators, legislators, leaders and laymen from all over this world. He continues to go strong in his faith and his leadership through ministry, civic and social advocacy and through it all; you can always find him with a smile 6

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

on his face, a firm handshake and a needed word of advice. With all of those attributes, it should not be forgotten that he is an awesome preacher of the Word of God. Pastor Hall has often been called the Muhammad Ali of the pulpit. He is the greatest. He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. None other can bring God’s word like he!!

We selected comments from individuals who have had the opportunity to spend time under Pastor Hall’s leadership. These gentlemen expressed what Pastor Hall has meant to them in their spiritual growth.

Gerald Jones, Chairperson Deacon Ministry Triumph Baptist Church – “The more years that I’ve known Pastor Hall, the more I find him an incredible treasure. The one thing I really admire about Pastor is that at his age, his memory is as sharp as any I’ve ever encountered. He can recall situations that happened so many years ago that have had a historical impact on us as black people. His Christian walk. He is just an extraordinary individual. He has done so much for all of us, in fact everyone he has encountered. I am just overwhelmed that someone who has had so much impact on so many people that he is as humble as he is.” I’m 66 and I can’t remember yesterday but here is an individual who remembers each member by name. He remembers all of our endeavors and you don’t realize it until he makes remarks of you and you say to yourself ‘dag I forgot all about that and here he is remembering what has impressed him about you.”

Troy Jackson, Sr. – Member of culinary staff at Triumph Baptist Church. “I feel blessed and honored that I am able to cook breakfast for my Pastor each Sunday morning. It is extremely important to me that he receives a hot, delicious, nutritious meal. I would love to cook for him daily. I believe he truly is a messenger of God and what we would call, in this world, a definition of a Pastor, a church leader. He is wonderful. He is a wonderful man. He has a lot to do with me being where I am in my life today. I love that man and I can count on one hand the number of men I can say that about in my 56 years of life. I have gotten to know him better being blessed to be in the ministry tasked with feeding him. He is truly, truly serious about saving souls. I have met many men of God in my life but he is truly, I believe, someone who is faithfully interested in saving souls.

Every time I’ve seen him I love him more. Pastor Hall, God bless his soul. That is how I feel about him.”

Minister Walter Barnes heads the new members’ ministry at Triumph – “I would say that he is the kindest man that I have ever met. He is very humble, tremendously humble in light of all he has accomplished.

7

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

If he can help you, he will try to certainly help. I would also say that he has been a tremendous blessing in a number of different ways–spiritually and materially. I would say that he is a man that not only loves the Lord but he loves doing the work of the Lord and he loves God’s people. I would also say he is a great encourager, no matter what you are going through. He knows exactly what to say to encourage you.”

Rev. William Gipson – “I consider our Pastor to be one of the most genuine, authentic proclaimers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and one of the most passionate committed pastors anywhere. I think he is generous to a fault with a big open heart which represents what Christ wants, welcoming the entire world in to be embraced and loved.”

As Pastor Hall continues to bring God’s words to God’s people, I encourage all who can make their way to the 1600 block of Hunting Park to come over to hear what God’s servant has to say. He is present every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at his post of duty to do what he has been doing for more than sixty years – telling the Good News of God. We hope to see you soon!!

Mozelle’s Comedy Corner – Laughter is good for the soul

As I was lying around, pondering the problems of the world, I realized that at my age I really don't give two hoots anymore.

If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, but is still fat. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years, while a tortoise doesn't run and does mostly nothing, yet it lives for 150 years. And you tell me to exercise? I don't think so.

Just grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to remember the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference. Because now that I'm older here's some of what I've discovered: 1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

2. My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with prunes and all-bran.

3. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.

8

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

4. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

5. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

6. If all is not lost, then where the heck is it?

7. It was a whole lot easier to get older than to get wiser.

8. Some days you're the top dog, some days you're the hydrant.

9. I wish the buck really did stop here - I sure could use a few of them.

10. Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

11. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

12. it’s hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

13. The world only beats a path to your door when you're in the bathroom.

14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he'd have put them on my knees.

15. When I'm finally holding all the right cards, everyone wants to play chess.

16. Its not hard to meet expenses . . . they're everywhere.

17. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

18. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter . . .

I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm "here after."

19. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

20. HAVE I SENT THIS MESSAGE TO YOU BEFORE?

Or did I get it from you?

9

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS

Submitted by Mary Daniels A true story by Josh and Karen Zarandona.

Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing.

Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took hold of the rope, and started up the face of that rock. Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens. Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there.

Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it. Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do; I'll carry it for You." At the risk of being accused of being fatalistic, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

10

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Healing Communities Partners With Sesame Street Written By: Rev. Dr. A’Shellarien Lang

Healing Communities is a movement that advocates on a spiritual, emotional, and political level for inmates, returning citizens, their children and families. I serve as the National Director of Training for the organization. Healing Communities was founded in 2006. The Annie E. Casey Foundation began a prison reentry program in response to the devastating effect the ‘drug war’ and mass incarceration were having among urban families and communities in cities across the country.

Understanding that faith communities play an essential role Dr. Harold Dean Trulear along with Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin, President of Morehouse College and Stephanie Boddie, Sr. Researcher at the Pew Research Center’s forum on Religion and Public Life created the Healing Communities training model. Since then Healing Communities has been implemented in over 25 sites nationally. We are a national organization that provides spiritually based reintegration support, resilience education, and relationship development for inmates, returning citizens, their children and families. We have partnered with Sesame Street to utilize their new tool kit Little Children Big Challenges: Incarceration to provide a more therapeutic approach to supporting children of the incarcerated. Approximately 1.75 million children under 18 currently have a parent in a federal or state prison.

One in every 15 children have a parent in prison. Children confronted with multiple traumatic experiences are at high risk of developmental delays, school failure and possible long term health outcomes. Most programs focus on the incarcerated parent while I would like to focus on the children affected by incarceration. My desire is to provide ongoing emotional and spiritual support in a group setting that has its foundation in the systemic approach to therapy. I believe that the rise is defiant behavior, low test scores, high school dropout rate, and the like is a result of attachment disruption coupled with lack of access to resources that would add to the health of the children who have experience the traumatic event of losing their parent. The children have ultimately become invisible in their families, schools, and communities. They have been fused into the statistics associated with poverty and behavioral challenges while the systemic nature of their trauma has been overlooked and discounted. I would like to shed light on the fact that these children have the potential to be emotionally, academically, and spiritually healthy when given the opportunity to have access to ongoing support through my program that I call Invisible Screamers: Healing the Children of the Incarcerated. My theory is that these children need a safe place to find their voice to speak to the trauma that they are experiencing. They also need

11

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

assistance in learning how to move toward resilience and away from internalized self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. My therapeutic approach is a blending of attachment theory and cognitive theory.

Healing Communities provides spiritually based reintegration support, resilience education, and relationship development for inmates, returning citizens, their children and families. We have partnered with Sesame Street to utilize their new tool kit Little Children Big Challenges: Incarceration to provide a more therapeutic approach to supporting children of the incarcerated.

For many of these children their parents are serving their time 100 miles away from them. It has become increasing difficult for children to see their parents. The disrupted attachment that comes with these series of unfortunate events has led to a large number of children who have experienced unaddressed trauma. I say that because there is no legislation that makes it mandatory for support to children whose parents have been arrested and or convicted. For many children they walk around unknown to society as trauma victims because there is little done to support them. There are basic needs that are not being met by the parent yet we assume that whatever adult has assumed the role of caregiver has been equipped to not only meet the child’s basic needs but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of that child as well. I am of the firm belief that these children are what I call Invisible Screamers. I say that because they are invisible to the societal construct that devalues what is happening to them as a result of their parents’ incarceration. Their lives are literally being ripped apart and there is no governmental effort to provide support to them. I say they are screamers because their behavior manifests what they are not able to articulate. I believe that the rise in depression, social isolation, defiant behavior, low test scores, high school dropout rate, and the like is a result of attachment disruption coupled with lack of access to resources that would add to the health of the children who have experienced the traumatic event of losing their parent. The children have ultimately become invisible in their families, schools, and communities. They have been fused into the statistics associated with poverty and behavioral challenges while the systemic nature of their trauma has been overlooked and discounted.

The thing that I love about Sesame Street is that it is flexible enough to be used for children on various levels. The Sesame Street Tool Kit comes with a CD of videos about children and their experience dealing with an incarcerated parent, a story book, and worksheet activities to draw, color, and write. The goal is to allow the children to do their “work”, play.

I have always been intrigued by play therapy. I served as a Children’s Pastor for quite some time and found play to be a wonderful way to share the gospel with children in a way that they could understand. I can remember parents asking me to talk to their children and I would use play as a way of engaging them. I had no formal training using it in therapy but had extensive training in it when it comes to education. My early childhood education degree and teaching experience helped me to communicate with children on their level. According to Nancy Boyd Webb (1994), play therapy is a method of psychotherapy with children that utilizes both play and verbal communication to understand and help the child. Grounded in psychodynamic and developmental theory, 12

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

the rationale upon which play therapy rests is that children express and work through their emotional conflicts in a helping relationship with a therapist, who interacts with the children through the metaphoric language of play. I believe that the Sesame Street material is a wonderful way to engage, interact, and provide ongoing support to children who have incarcerated parents. My thinking is that children of incarcerated parents have been marginalized to be behaviorally challenged, disengaged, and destined to follow in their parent’s footsteps.

It is my contention that relationship building would redirect behavior and thinking that would lead to a more resilient life for the children. My model focuses on three things: reshaping the heart of children through prayer and presence, reframing the mind of a child through age appropriate problem solving, and reconnecting the spirit of a child through relationship building.

When I think about my ultimate goal, it is very clear that I would like to help the children move from resistance of support to resilience in spite of lack of support. It is my opinion that children with incarcerated parents have moved from social engagement to self-dense on an emotional as well as a cognitive level. Building sustaining relationships through my program will deal with the emotional and the Sesame Street Tool Kit will help with the cognitive and emotional. The cognitions that children utilize to be active participants in their lives can be changed from a negative to a more positive over time. To find out more about the free material that Sesame Street offers go to www.sesamestreet.org/.../topicsandactivities/toolkits/incarceration. To find out more about Healing Communities go to www.healingcommunitiesusa.com

13

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

James Samuel Hall, Jr. – A Man After God’s Own Heart Writer: Christine Tunstall Many years ago Martin Luther King said that “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. Well, James Samuel Hall, Jr., the only son born to the late James Hall, Sr. and Liza Hall, embodies King’s statement profoundly. In the 1950s when a man reached the age of twenty, it was time to settle down, start a family and be settled into a profession. James Hall had accomplished those tasks. He was already married and not only was he the Pastor of a church, preaching God’s word; he was the Pastor of two churches. It is difficult in the best of circumstances for an older, seasoned Pastor to lead one church of set-in-their-way Christians, but young James was able to efficiently Pastor two churches at the same time. He has shown his ability to utilize every tool God gifted him with to lead God’s people to an understanding and love of the Word and service in the ministry of the Lord. James Hall has an unequaled passion for God and God’s people and he will not allow anything or anyone to silence his voice as he shares the Good News of the Lord.

Over a two day period, this writer was given unprecedented access to Pastor James S. Hall, Jr. to delve into the psyche of an iconic figure and learn what has lead him for over sixty years to bring souls to the Lord and men and women to an understanding of their role in this nation.

Pastor James S. Hall is the founding Pastor of The Triumph Baptist (Missionary) Church located at 1648 Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia, PA. From 1963 through 1969 Pastor Hall was the Pastor of Morris Chapel Baptist Church in Philadelphia. In November of 1969, Pastor Hall along with sixty-three faithful followers organized Triumph Baptist Church. Since that day, more than 5000 souls have been saved; the church has impacted the community with the Credit Union, provided residential housing and built a supermarket. Plans are still underway for the development for senior housing and a family life center.

The following is an exchange of questions and answers between this writer and Pastor Hall.

Question - What has been the most memorable/groundbreaking event that made you know that being a Pastor was indeed your calling? “I’ve had so many. I think I have Pastored 63 years and preached 64 years 14

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

and of all of the Pastorates I’ve had (three in South Carolina and two in Philadelphia) in all of the experiences during my Pastoral walk with the Lord, the fact that the Triumph Church came into existence at a time when I was about to give up and quit. I started Pastoring at 19 and was with Mt. Rona and Rafting Creek and then Springfield Baptist Church all in South Carolina. I then came to Philadelphia in 1957 and was the Pastor for six years at Morris Chapel and just when I was ready to give up because of trials and difficulties, this church was borne. For 45 years I have seen the miracle of God, the deliverance of God, the favor of God on my life and on this church because we have been through some difficulties. From the organization of 63 people, finding a place to worship, worshiping for three years in homes and in a boys and girls club and then walking away from our church because of fire. I really want to think that God led me from all my pastoring experiences to this experience at Triumph. Although I had no doubt about my relationship with God, I saw his handiwork very clearly in the Triumph church.”

Question - Who are the three most inspiring individuals you have met along the way? “The three people who influenced me in my early ministry were my father, James S. Hall, Sr., Rev. James Adney, and Dr. Or Ruth. Dr. Ruth was the head of my college, he married me and blessed my first two children and he installed me in all of the churches I Pastored in South Carolina. Those were the ones in my early life. I had others but they (those three) had the greatest impact. In my latter years, it would be Rev. Lester C. Smith, Rev. E.A. Walker and Rev. William Anderson (all of Philadelphia).”

Question - What is the most gratifying experience you have had? “To see children whom I’ve blessed grow up and become fruitful and helpful citizens. I could name quite a few but I won’t. That is still very gratifying. I have blessed them, baptized them and sometimes married them.”

Question - What is the most disappointing experience you have had? “I have not accomplished everything I want to accomplish. I can’t categorize the most disappointing because there will be others. I don’t want to label my disappointments; I just want to deal with my successes.”

Question - What do you wish you could have accomplished that you feel may now be left to the next generation of preachers/leaders/leader of your church? “I would love to leave as a legacy a clear view and vision as what the church should be about and that is why I tried to organize Triumph under the three principles: evangelism, education and economic empowerment. I’d like to leave that kind of plan that whoever succeeds me can achieve that. I’d like to close my eyes knowing that at least several million dollars could be left for scholarships and that we could build housing for senior citizens soon even if it doesn’t happen before I 15

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

close my eyes. Also, education for young people will be saturated so that nothing will separate them from the love of Christ.”

Question - What is your most challenging/daunting task to deal with consistently in your church/city/country? “All wrapped up - the ministry of the church. The most daunting is to give to my congregation and people of this community a real sense of Christian freedom. We have not arrived at that point in America. It is proclaimed but not practiced. It is articulated but not active. I am still more so than just a priestly preacher. I still feel my role is a prophetic preacher, challenging the evils of our times and to give hope to the people that a better day is coming.”

Question - Besides the Bible, what is your favorite book? “I have so many books. It is hard to say. Besides the bible I’m always reading books to help me to understand the Bible so I am a slave to books that help interpret the real meaning of Christian religion.”

Question - I see that two of your children followed in your footsteps and have become ministers, was that something you encouraged/invited/frowned against? “I didn’t try to influence or encourage but when they made up their minds of what their calling would be, I did encourage them but that was after they made up their mind. That was because I knew the rough places and bumps they would encounter. They made the decision however.”

Question - Understanding how judgmental people can be, was the path you chose something you wish your children had stayed away from so that their children would not have to endure what your children endured? “No. Because whatever you do, if you do it, whether pastoring or working in the secular world, if you do it with all of your heart, you will run into difficulties. I would not have discouraged anything.”

Question - What do you want your legacy to be? I’d love to go to my grave knowing that I’ve done my best in the three areas: evangelism; winning souls to Christ; and education (educating people to reach for the sky and economic empowerment so that people will know the benefits of ownership with dignity).”

Pastor Hall, I wish to thank you for taking the time to speak with me and allow The Cofield Report to highlight you during the October/November issue of the magazine. You are an inspiration to so many and I personally wish to thank you for being my spiritual leader for twenty years. I joined Triumph Baptist Church in September of 1994 when my son, Jay, was a mere five months of age. I believe he has been more than blessed 16

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

to grow up in Triumph under your leadership. Currently he proudly serves as a Junior Deacon under the leadership of Deacon Gerald Jones and I have been profoundly thankful that God directed us to this branch of Zion more than twenty years ago. After the reader’s digest your words in this article, what would you like your closing statement to be? “My motto has been and is: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us so I move from victory to victory. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

17

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Kristin’s Corner Writer: Kristin Cofield tazcpk9896@gmail.com

Blue Skies appear as darkness fades away with the mention of my Savior’s name. I hear him calling from the High Place, Beckoning me to return to him. Whatever blame I have placed in his name, I must remember how amazing His grace is and how consistent his unfailing love has been towards me.

I am learning the greatest love of all is to, first love God and then love myself. Searching for a man’s love is no longer my priority for in the Midnight Hour it is the Holy Bible that resides beside me.

I am confident that within God’s love letters written to me, I will read the message related to my needs.

Sometimes I revert to my own rebellious mind and become preoccupied by the enemy’s trickery.

Attack on my faith, shackles and chains with various strongholds; Fears and insecurities smother me; the enemy refusing to allow me to be free.

(Psalms 107:10-16).

One day I was rescued by He who is strong and almighty. He took my scars and transformed them into shining stars. (Philippians 2:12-16).

God gave me multiple chances to learn from my mistakes as he saw me through my real problems. Despite the hardships, I am thankful that I can look to the Blue Skies and worship Him. With thanksgiving, my heart cries glory to God, The honor and praise he shall always receive!

God chose to forgive my sins and to love me unconditionally. With the past drifting behind me and the Holy Spirit guiding my way, I know who holds my tomorrow in the palms of his hands; the one responsible for the air I breathe today.

I call him Savior, JEHOVAH-JIREH, My ABBA, JEHOVAH-RAPHA and JEHOVAH-SHALOM, My Prince of Peace; My everything when I am in need of anything, I know he will answer me. The true Worshiper in Me fights against darkness as I endlessly soar through God’s infinite Blue Skies and claim the freedom that waits for me.

Scripture: Numbers 15:38-40

18

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

A HEALTHY BODY IS A HEALTHY MIND IS A HEALTHY SPIRIT November 2014 Edition by Phill Hughes November is American Diabetes Month. American Diabetes Month takes place each November and is a time to come together as a community to stop diabetes. Every year in November, The American Diabetes Association holds their “America Gets Cooking℠ to Stop Diabetes®” initiative.

Diabetes, what is it?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of the foot, toe or leg. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

With that being said, here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes: 1. Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.

2. Another 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

3. It is estimated that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion Risk factors: The biggest risk factor for developing diabetes is being overweight, but not all body fat is created equal. Your risk is higher if you tend to carry your weight around your abdomen—the so-called “spare tire”—as opposed to your hips and thighs. So why are “apple” shaped people more at risk than “pears”?

“Pears” store most of their fat close below the skin. “Apples” store their weight around their middle, much of it deep within the belly surrounding their abdominal organs and liver. This type of deep fat is closely linked to insulin resistance and diabetes. In fact, many studies show that waist size is a better predictor of diabetes risk than BMI (body mass index).

You are at an increased risk of developing diabetes if you are: 1. A woman with a waist circumference of 35 inches or more 2. A man with a waist circumference of 40 inches or more 19

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

To measure your waist circumference, place a tape measure around your bare abdomen just above your hip bone. Be sure that the tape is snug (but does not compress your skin) and that it is parallel to the floor. Relax, exhale, and measure your waist.

Taking Control: Eating right is vital if you’re trying to prevent or control diabetes. While exercise is also important, what you eat has the biggest impact when it comes to weight loss. But what does eating right for diabetes mean? You may be surprised to hear that your nutritional needs are virtually the same for everyone else: no special foods or complicated diets are necessary.

A diabetes diet is simply a healthy eating plan that is high in nutrients, low in fat, and moderate in calories. It is a healthy diet for anyone! The only difference is that you need to pay more attention to some of your food choices—most notably the carbohydrates you eat. Carbohydrates have a big impact on your blood sugar levels—more so than fats and proteins—but you don’t have to avoid them. You just need to be smart about what types of carbs you eat. In general, it’s best to limit highly refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, and rice, as well as soda, candy, and snack foods. Focus instead on high-fiber complex carbohydrates—also known as slow-release carbs. Slow-release carbs help keep blood sugar levels even because they are digested more slowly, thus preventing your body from producing too much insulin. They also provide lasting energy and help you stay full longer.

When it comes to sweets…. The key is moderation.

So why don’t you start today to live for a healthier tomorrow for yourself and those you love.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.

Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. Romans 12:1-2 Resources: American Diabetes Association; Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Help Guide.Org

20

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Overcoming the Perils of Darkness Writer – Kemba Cofield The topic I want to share is a dark subject. Abuse. Adult retrospective studies show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). This means there are more than 42 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse in the U.S. It’s a horrendous thing for an individual to overcome. It burdens the heart, mind, and soul primarily because there are things that a human is supposed to go through at an appropriate time in life. However, no matter what you have gone through, there is hope. There is safety. There is PEACE. I chose to write about this topic due to a young person I recently have been counseling. She has made some odd choices in her life however; the pain of her past abuse has been at the root of most of her pain. It haunts her dreams and her future because she is bound by the darkness Satan attacked her with from her young years. I also understand because I overcame similar hurts of the past to see beyond to the Promised Land. You may have to share your pains with someone to release the heartache. That’s a difficult part of healing but necessary.

If this many people are abused, many of them cause other pains in other people simply by not releasing that pain properly. 97% of people who have suffered this abuse battle depression. It’s like it rots away the very fiber of an individual’s emotions and choices. I don’t want to focus on the effects. I want to focus on the healing.

Your life can evolve from those experiences and here are some ways to conquer that pain. Kick it right in the butt so you never have to deal with the experience from the same angle again. You see, you can feel victimized forever. Nobody understands you. Your parents didn’t protect you. Your mates wounded you. All men are dogs.

All women are money hungry. People let you down, etc. However, these overwhelming feelings can cause great pain in our hearts simply by keeping us from seeing the great parts in others and the support and love other people have for us. You are not alone. You know what else, you are important. Your life, your love, presence is valued by so many and so you have to embrace your healing to overcome your pain. That also means you may have to revisit that pain. Revisit the very moment or times where that person took from you what they didn’t have the right too. Go back to that instant or instances and take them back from them. I don’t mean physically, I mean emotionally.

I have studied under a pastor named Derek Prince for many years. His teachings have given me hope and peace throughout the years and one thing he taught me is if you want to overcome your past forgiveness is the key. So I read one of his series where he taught us to write down the events. Write how you felt about them. Write every stich of heartache and pain down on a piece of paper. This is critical because you want something tangible to show yourself what happened. This may also take a while. You can put your emotions after it happened, the pain it caused, the effects, everything. After that, you state you forgive each of those people who hurt you. One thing about writing it down is it makes it real again. It makes the pain of it real even if it’s on that paper. When you have finished. When you wrote every single emotion you felt and experienced after that, tell them you forgive them (him or her). You don’t have to call them if you don’t want. They may even have passed on to the grave but you know what, what they did, if it happened and you live with it, it still lives IN YOU. After you 21

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

have done that, burn that paper. Burn it so it has NO power over your life ever again.

Shame is something that stays with us for years. Rejection is another. It’s horrible thing to feel rejected by others so we reject before we get rejected. It’s a reaction. Sometimes the separation is God taking those people away so they can’t hurt us anymore. You are a perfect individual. Perfect because you are in God’s image. He created you to look the way you look and it’s perfect just the way it is. Confess your losses and heartache to God. He’s there to heal. He’s there with a Holy Spirit to comfort you. He is there to assist in your victory over any pain you have experienced.

Sometimes it takes symbolism to overcome the atrocities of life. I don’t know which of you has felt the heartache of abuse but I do know that the act doesn’t have a right to control any portion of your life or future.

Transform your life not transfer your pain. Your life is precious to God the Father. You may wonder, why did God allow this to happen if He’s all loving and caring? My answer is Satan is the ruler of this world. His methodologies are sickening. God created us and said that we are GOOD. We are good just the way He molded us to be. 1 John 1:1-10 delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:4-5. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3. All that have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

4. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

I can provide you with plenty more scriptures to show you a different side of the God I serve. A side that provides you with HIS ways however, I want to leave you with this reality. You are an amazing person. You are perfect and whatever has happened it was horrendous. However, it does NOT have to define your present or your future. Releasing that pain can alter everything in your future henceforth. Every day I inspire you to wake and not forget how wonderful you truly are.

Derek Prince article on barriers to healing. He has a video series on YouTube as well. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDAQFjAD&url=http%3A% 2F%2Fwww.derekprince.org%2FPublisher%2FFile.aspx%3FID%3D1000034971&ei=St8tVPGtGsi3yASu9YK QCw&usg=AFQjCNFOtCIvp0LbdlNhRvYrUqpMCexcdQ&sig2=wVooNPdSg57PfeOtI8D_yQ&bvm=bv.768 02529,d.aWw 22

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-sexual-abuse.html http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-overcome-past-pain-and-let-hope-into-your-life.html http://www.counseling.org/docs/disaster-and-trauma_sexual-abuse/long-term-effects-of-childhood-sexualabuse.pdf?sfvrsn=2 www.google.com www.google.com

23

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

24

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Your Tongue – Bacteria Filled or Fresh Breath Clean Writer: Chris Tunstall The tongue is a muscle. The two strongest muscles in the human body are the tongue and legs. You cannot swallow your tongue because under your tongue there's a thin layer of tissue or membrane called the "frenulum." You do not have the control over your tongue to be able to swallow it, if you wanted, but, you do have control over your tongue to either cause pain or discomfort or bring joy and happiness.

Let’s note that the tongue is home to tons of bacteria. These bacteria feed on the remnants of things you eat. It is highly recommended that you brush your tongue. It is one of the main causes of bad breath. While the tongue collects a good amount of bacteria, it is very easy to clean. The more you clean your tongue, the longer it will stay that way.

The Bible speaks of

various types of tongues. Some

are pleasing to God but

others are not pleasing to God at

all. One of the tongues that

God is not pleased with is the

proud tongue. Psalm 12:3-4

says, "The LORD shall cut off all

flattering lips, and the tongue

that speaketh proud things: Who

have said, with our tongue

will we prevail; our lips are our

own: who is lord over us?" It

is quite disconcerting to listen to

Christians with proud

tongues because a proud tongue

usually comes with two

closed ears! Proud- tongued

Christians are generally so full of themselves that they learn very little from anyone else. A proud-tongued Christian will talk much of his knowledge and service, but very little about the Lord.

In a church, a proud-tongued Christian will make all sorts of suggestions about how the church should function. A proud tongued Christian is usually very long on opinion and criticism yet very short on giving of their time, talent or tithe. Their huge contribution is they know everything.

Another negative tongue is the overused tongue. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says that "a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." People think they appear smart by much talking, but the Bible states just the opposite.

25

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few." God doesn't like a blabber mouth.

The response from someone usually guilty of having an overused tongue is: "Well, that's just the way I am!"

Then REPENT! Confess and repent. Stop justifying your mess and ask God to help you repent.

Another negative tongue is the tale bearing tongue. Proverbs 18:8 says, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Leviticus 19:16 says, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people. . ." Every Christian has the duty to deny his own desires and seek to edify other Christians (Rom. 14:19; Philippians. 2:3). Tale bearing runs wholly contrary to Christian edification.

Tale bearing (carrying and telling tales) spreads all sorts of hurtful information around, and Satan uses such information to hinder and tear down God's work. A victim of tale bearing, according to Proverbs, is a "wounded" person. I believe it grieves God when Christians wound one another. Some Christians live as though they think God has "called" them for this terrible task.

Much can be said of a person's character by the way they use their tongue. Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Mat. 12:34) According to Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." In James 3:6, the Bible says that the tongue is "a fire, a world of iniquity", and James 3:8 calls the tongue a "deadly poison."

What are you feeding your tongue? Are you constantly spewing out hatred, discord, negativity or do you seize opportunities given to you, to speak truth and love? While I was younger and over the years, I was taught to ask (myself) three basic questions before repeating something I was told about someone else. Those questions are: (1) is it true – do I have undisputed or irrefutable facts that what I am about to say is true; (2) is it nice – would I like to have a similar statement made about me or my loved one; and (3) is it necessary – do I really need to repeat these words. Will they serve any benefit to anyone listening or am I merely adding to the poisonous process by repeating these words.

We were told as youngsters that we would get our mouths washed out with soap if we said bad words.

What bacteria are you allowing to settle on your tongue without washing it away with love and kindness? What bacteria are you rinsing around in your mouth, spreading to the next unsuspecting sole? Your breath was fresh

26

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

and clean before you began rinsing those hateful rumors and unkind words around on your now bacterial filled tongue. They didn’t taste good in your mouth. Why would you spread those bacteria to another?

For the duration of 2014 and beyond, commit to spread love, not hate. If you hear something that you know is not true, do not sit in silence. Correct the untruth. Speak up and speak out. Silence is not always golden. The truth shall set you free. Get the bacteria off your tongue with SCOPE (Sanctified Christians Obeying & Pleasing Elohim)!

This article is a repeat from March 2012 at the request of readers of this Magazine!!

27

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Haters R Us

By Minister Donald Graham Jr. It amazes me how people are so quick to label someone else a hater in an effort to avoid taking responsibility and accountability for their own actions. If you are behaving out of character, dressing tacky, or exhibiting behavior contrary to what you know is right, don’t be surprised if people have something to say. It seems like every time you turn around someone is crying “Hater” as a cop-out to avoid being criticized for their bad behavior. When I was a kid, and the neighbors saw me cutting school and told my mom, they weren’t haters...they were concerned citizens. When I was a teenager and my mom came home early and caught me making out with a girl on the couch. Was she a hater too for putting me on punishment or was she a loving parent instead?

Even a few years ago when people tried to intervene when they saw me making careless decisions that would negatively impact my life. I guess they were haters too? Unfortunately we live in a society where there are low morals, low values, and even lower standards of character being displayed on a daily basis. As long as it makes you feel good then the motto is, “do you boo,” and forget about everyone else. As you begin to peel back the layers of self-degradation and ignorance being portrayed by the people who label their critics as haters, you will notice that many of them suffer from low self-esteem and inner hate of themselves. I have learned that if you are behaving out of character and someone calls you on it, it doesn’t mean they hate you, but rather that they love you enough not to see you continue to make a fool out of yourself. At the end of the day, the real question is not if other people are hating on you, but if your actions are showing other people just how much you are hating on yourself.

28

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

SISTERS OF FAITH MINISTRY

Our Vision To empower, encourage, and enrich women lives of all ages called by God to serve Him and throughout the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Mission To inspire and develop an atmosphere as we grow stronger in faith, godly service, and advance the Kingdom of God His righteousness.

Our Foundation Scripture “Be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work”.

2 Timothy 2:21 (NASB) We exist to be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master prepared for every good work as recorded in 2 Timothy 2:21 (NASB). This tells us that everyone whom God approves will be devoted to His service and fitted for His use ties into our Foundational Scripture which is “To impact and change our generations with the reality of Jesus Christ and His finished work.

29

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

The Sisters of Faith Ministry was birthed out of experience and seeing the need for women to be effective and victorious in God, their family, neighborhood and to others. As Sisters of Faith we all are cut from the same cloth as women but woven together with different color threads and expected to be able to break our barriers or those things that keep us bounded. If not we will not be able to grasp and reflect the true mission of the church and carry out the Great Commission.

Women since Biblical times have been satisfying the needs of others often time ignoring or neglecting their own. Sisters of Faith was purposed and designed by God to serve as a way for the diversity of all women regardless of what has taken place in their in life to come together in a holistic setting by experiencing and building supportive relationships, personal and spiritual growth through Bible studies, workshops/conferences, and community involvement. As this occurs within each woman healing, deliverance, and restoration will be restored allowing them to move out sharing their wholeness through their experienced victories and achievements.

This ministry is for all women who desires to continue moving forward in serving the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s divine purpose as His hands direct. “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14) As God is relentless to those who diligently seek Him so are the Sisters of Faith Ministry.

30

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Reflection of Faith – Sisters of Faith Ministry Writer: Fay W. Burgess Looking beyond what we can see to what GOD sees. Faith is confidence that GOD will do what he has promised. Hebrews 11:1-2 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.

The two key words in this statement are SURE and CERTAIN. As a young child I was blessed with parents whose faith in practice was pervasive.

We were taught to believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We learned about the power of faith through several venues such as; Sunday school, bible study, and prayer meetings. I still believe in the things I’ve learned and read through those and many other experiences throughout my life.

Some examples of my faiths reflections are as follows; I believe the power of the holy spirit is my personal gift from God, Jesus’s Parables, I’m covered by the blood, the be attitude, benevolence, The mustard seed, quiet peace, the LORDS prayer, the 23rd Psalm, gifts of the spirit, peace that passes all understanding, the virtuous woman ~ a crown of jewels to my husband’s head, only god can make a tree, his eye is on a sparrow, I know “Great is thy Faithfulness” Hebrews 12:2.

Each morning God’s new mercies I see ~All that I have He has provided, by His grace, mercy and favor ~ Be still and know, I can feel and rest in God’s love, promises, Jesus’s sacrifice, his righteousness and the power of the Holy Spirit. I was taught by the example when you get you give, when you learn you teach, when you love you liberate, when you compliment you up lift, when you love you set free, when you encourage you give permission to go, when you love you do not dash dreams. Walk in the light of God’s love.

I believe in restoration and transformation, only by the power of God is this possible and available to us once we seek His kingdom and righteousness. I have lived a life not so different from many human mortals. That’s why I know that the blood of Jesus saved us. My Mother’s prayers saved me, the prayers of the righteous saves.

The faithfulness of THE PROMISE MAKER (My God and Father Almighty) SAVED ME! By faith we’re saved, James 2:20 and Romans 3:28.

2 Corinthians 5:3 – “Let us walk by faith not by sight”. Walking by sight can cause a condition called “Eyes wide shut or closed tight. You can become blinded by the lights in the world causing you to miss the blessings of THE TRUE LIGHT of the world, JESUS CHRIST. FAITH is the power that brings me through many of life’s challenges. When my spiritual space is filled with faith ~ FEAR vacates the premises, and I can rest I God’s peace.

Many times I woke up after a failed attempt at solving a problem before asking God for help. With a melody ringing in my spirit I was looking around and you were there all the time ~ aha moment… conformation ~ a new song I heard lately “I watch and I’m waiting and I realize you’re already there…” Halleluiah! God is always here with me, the Alpha and Omega, the present and forever.

31

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

I have given many reflections that may seem vague and elementary, but remember the WORD says we must come as little children. Think on this and you may see the confidence in the innocents of a child’s heart and spirit to believe. With no doubt and no fear praise God for faithfulness. My prayer is that you were able to glean a few seeds of encouragement for an abundant harvest through your journey of faith.

Please read: I Thessalonians 2:13 -17 and II Thessalonians 3:1-5 standing fast and praying for us.

Walk in faith,

What It Means to be Sister of Faith Writer: Brenda Phillips One of my favorite scriptures is from Proverbs 3:5-6.........."Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

We all have a purpose in life and it takes years to find out what it is. I realize that God put me here to prepare me for eternity. I know that God is looking at my life and wants me to know that Jesus Christ died for all our sins, I am worshiping Him, becoming Christ like, serving others, telling others about Him and that is just the beginning.............

Being a Sister of faith, I have learned to trust love and accept God. I have worked hard to be a good person, faithful servant, keeping/having peace, working hard to be a productive citizen and having true sense of family/self. I have reached a point in my life that I praise and give my thanks to God continually. I pray to God and enjoy my meditation time with Him. In doing this I know that God is with me always and that He is my friend.

God has blessed me to become part of a church family and group of spirit-filled woman who also have their faith/belief in God. Together we are one body and God has allowed us to connect with other woman of God to develop an even closer relationship with Him. Together our bonds are strengthen that never can be broken. We will belong to each other for eternity.

In closing God, the Master designer has equipped me with a fundamental instinct that draws us to our divine purpose; and it is important to me that what I am doing is right as God continues to direct my path.

32

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

What It Means To Me Being A Sister of Faith Writer: Willie Canada “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” -Ephesians 2:8.

God gave me the faith and through His grace I am saved. Faith is what I believe as recorded in Luke 17:6 “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed” is what my mother always taught me and it has sustained me so far through life. With the faith that God has given me I got to see my mother leave her earthly journey and went home to be with her Creator As soon as the passing of his wife of 67 years my earthly father took ill and was going through a difficult time for him as well as for me. And the good news is that it caused me to draw closer to the Lord and His Word that began to strengthen my faith even more. Through the prayers of others and family who know the power of faith and prayer my father is now praying for himself.

In my daily prayer time with God he reassured me that He had given a gift of patience to handle my situation with my father, family, and the medical staff. It was only by faith, trusting and believing in His Word He said that He will never leave me or forsake me and is a very present help in times of distress.

As a Sister of Faith and joining with other Sisters of Faith, has helped me to grow stronger in the Lord and my faith has been deepened with their prayers, fasting, shedding tears, and words of encouragement. Also, I have built strong relationships with them in order to continue moving in order to carry out God’s will. I’m glad to be called a “Sister of Faith”.

33

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

“A Sister of Faith” Personal Reflection Writer: Rev. V. Yvonne Crews To be called a ‘Sister of Faith” is a sister who has made a commitment and placed her life into the hands of Almighty God giving Him total control in and over every facet and areas of her life. She will boldly acknowledge who God is and His plan that has been set before her. A Sister of Faith whole heartily believe and trust God while maintaining her personal and intimate relationship in order to be used by Him and fit for His use. I am reminded that “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.

Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work”. 2 Timothy 2:18 (NLT) I learned my first church song sitting on the floor by my grandmother’s feet as she sat in her rocking chair singing “Jesus loves me this I know”. She would just sing it over and over until it pierced my heart and the words were never forgotten. Today, I sing it to my grandchildren. My grandmother and my mother were role models whom I had admired because of their strong faith in the God they were serving and loved.

Reflecting on my childhood days my mom would break out singing “My faith looks up to Thee” or “I am Redeemed” with such grace in her voice made me stand still and watch in admiration while wanting to imitate her.

I remembered listening from afar as my mom and her sister friends gathered around our kitchen table sharing their faith walk with God and His love to them through their ups and downs, hard times and the good times in their lives.

My mom often said to me that when you believe and have faith in Christ the size of a small mustard seed it will give you the strength to live and grow through it because it’s working for my good and there is nothing too hard for God. I made up my mind that I too wanted to share my faith walk and life with a Sister(s) of Faith.

When I reflect on being a Sister of Faith there are some priceless opportunities in associating with other Sisters of Faith who are outside of one’s inner circle of sisterhood. The rewards can be immeasurable and much to be gained in the areas of inspiration, empowerment, encouragement, praying, praise and worship, fellowship, caring, and sharing the love and faith of Jesus Christ with one another. Because of the many distractions today, a Sister of Faith can help you to keep focused on the will of God and His promises that will stand throughout eternity.

Whether we’re teachers, preachers, doctors, lawyers, mothers, aunts, or holding titles, degrees, or high decision making positons when coming together all of those titles, degrees, and positions etc. are laid down at the door as you step inside the circle of Jesus Christ and in the presence of God as a Sister of Faith.

34

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

I am growing stronger every day as a Sister of Faith as I yield myself to be guided by the Holy Spirit to boldly teach the heirs of God on how to stay and stand strong and a victorious for the world to see and experience when they step into my presence.

At times I will often say “We’re sisters cut from the same cloth woven together by our own different color thread that creates a beautiful quilt in the eyes of God”. As a co-laborer in Jesus Christ I have been given the power and authority to stand lifting you up and praying with you when your faith is being tested. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”. John 12:32 (KJV) When led by God and His Word is living within our heart as a Sister of Faith we are responsible for planting the seed of faith in other sister’s life regardless of the different generations of Christian experiences who is reaping a harvest from the seed that was planted from our ancestors. What a wonderful inheritance to have received and the opportunity to impart into the next generation of sisters the powerful seeds of faith. Sisters of Faith are to be an example and to make a difference in the lives of other sisters by equipping them to do as God Word says as recorded in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV Sisters of Faith will bring our unique experiences and voices to reach out and touch others with the “Good News” of Jesus Christ regardless of where they may find themselves economically, age, social status, where they live and come from, denomination, or their ethnicity in an effort to offer spiritual support, guidance, hope, love, and resources so that they may become the sister whom God has fashioned and called them to be become.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."(Jeremiah 1:6). You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 (NIV).

Together as Sisters of Faith we can enrich the lives of others whom God has called to serve Him throughout the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ and create an atmosphere as we grow stronger in faith, godly service, advancing the kingdom of God and His righteousness. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”. Ephesians 2:8 (NASB). Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross I was adopted into the family of God and as a member of the family and sit at my Father’s table and Jesus’ feet in humbleness, gratitude, and gratefulness. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”. I Corinthians 1:9 (KJV) I am a Sister of Faith because I feast on God’s Word, walk in the Spirit of Christ, yielding visible signs of the Fruit of the Spirit, equipped, and ready to extend myself in speaking and using heart felt words of encouragement, forgiveness, healing, salvation, hope, peace, and love.

35

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Being A Sister of Faith Writer: Rev. Airette Crowe

Lamentations 2:1-33 Being a Sister of Faith touches my heart in a spiritual way and give the true meaning of how great our God is. As I walk through this world of broken dreams and promises I feel the hand of God on how He remains faithful to His world. It gives one the courage to see beyond the gloom.

Being a Sister of Faith teaches me on this journey to love more, to care more, to understand God’s will for my life, and to pray to God all the time for a Godly answer. To reach out to others that have no hope, to put myself in their place, and to show my brother and my sister that they are loved by the One who love us all whose mercy is new every morning.

Being a Sister of Faith teaches me that I am not my own and that I was brought with a price. Compassion must be shown in my daily walk of life. I pray that I am worthy to walk the path Jesus walked with happiness in my heart for everyone I meet. Being a Sister of Faith is a love walk for me taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gives out sunbeams of grace and mercy. In Jesus name. Amen

36

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

37

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

“Don’t Take It Personal, But You Need To Lose The Excess Weight” Pastor Lenora G. Young Scripture: Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Definition: Weight –Heaviness – Burden – Load – Mass In chapter 11, we look back and see how the great saints of the OT won the race of life through faith. Now the writer urges them to “look away to Jesus” and have their faith and hope strengthened. The picture here is of an arena; the spectators are the heroes of faith listed in the previous chapter; the runners are the believers going through trials. Not just those of the old testament, but we have a great crowd of witnesses in testament, but we have a great crowd of witnesses in this day and time that are enduring the same thing that you are enduring. This image does not necessarily imply that people in heaven watch us or know what is going on here on earth. It is an illustration, not a revelation. If we as Christians are to win this race, we must get rid of the weights and sins that make it hard for us to run. Most of all, we must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ as the goal! Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Our Lord went through many trials while on earth. What was it that helped take Him through to victory?

“The joy that was set before Him” This was His goal—the joy of presenting His church before the Father in heaven. His battle against sin took Him to the cross and cost Him His life. This is the course we will have to travel. We must die to ourselves– our flesh must die. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: Let us look at the different weights we carry. Physical Weight – caused by bad eating habits. It tastes good – it feels good so we help ourselves until we find we no longer wear that 10 dress – we no longer can you opt on that 36 long. Because we’ve allowed our desires and tastes to take control. Un-necessary weights – A weight that has attached itself and we will not shake off. Free Weights – This weight requires discipline. This will cause muscle buildup and tone. With consistent work and determination, you will lose the excess weight. In our natural habitat, that is in our physical body – our structure is built to carry a certain amount of weight and when we exceed the weight that the body is to carry, it slows the body down. It brings about a health problems. It causes the heart to work harder which can bring about stress on the heart, heart 38

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

attack and increase your chances of heart disease. The body tires out faster – it also causes breathing problems.

It becomes hard to climb steps. Walking to the corner is a task. Out of controlled weight causes the back to ache – causes the knees to act up – causes problems with your disposition. Those that suffer with the problem of carry too much weight can also suffer with the problem of depression. They become depressed because of their weight which causes them to eat and if not soon dealt with, can bring on suicidal tendencies. Don’t Take It Personal, You Need To Lose The Excess Weight. Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Anyone running a race cannot run with all kinds of things hanging on to him. He must free himself of everything burdensome – everything that is weighty – everything that will distract him and cause him to lose focus. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It’s not an easy task, but you must focus – your thoughts have to be centered – you must concentrate – can’t look to the right or to the left – the prize at the end, is the focal point – you can’t even afford to think about yesterday – can’t afford to think negative – you’ve got a date at the end of this race – not where you should be, but not where you use to be – don’t know everything – a long ways from perfect but “I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. You must lose the excess weight so you can run the race.

RUN with patience – RUN with faith – RUN – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” RUN – Slim and Trim – meat for the Master’s use. Free to be used to let the world know, you don’t have to weighted down, getting in shape for the His glory – being coached by God. RUN – with my hands lifted up and my mouth filled with praise. RUN – in spite of what your eyes may see – RUN in spite of how you may feel – RUN – in spite of what your ears hear. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. RUN “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset you, so you can run you.”

Don’t Take It Personal, You Need To Lose The Excess Weight.

39

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Dealing with Police Officers; A Few Thoughts In Light of Recent Events Writer: Carl Gable III I have been stopped by the police while driving on two separate occasions. Both times were for the same legitimate reason; speeding. In both instances the officers were white. Though I was rightfully given a speeding ticket in one of those instances, both officers were polite and courteous towards this very young African American man: I was 17 years old the first time, and probably about 21 years old the second time. Obviously however, many other African American individuals have not had the same relatively uneventful experiences that I have had with the police. Lately, we’ve seen several instances in the national news of African American citizens being assaulted and/or shot by the police, often, for no legitimate reason.

In light of recent events regarding this issue, I find myself asking the question, what can be done to lessen the likelihood of a violent and/or lethal encounter with law enforcement officers? What follows are a few of my thoughts in response to this question.

First, most of us have heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keep this in mind when dealing with police officers. In other words, if at all possible, do your best to avoid having an encounter with them in the first place. While simply being a certain skin color may increase the likelihood of an encounter with the police, there are things we can all do, regardless of race, to lessen that likelihood. For example, always wear a seatbelt while driving, even if you are going to be riding in a vehicle for only a moment. Besides the fact that it could save your life in the event of a motor vehicle accident (MVA), a fastened seatbelt gives the police one less reason to pull you over to begin with. Also, as difficult as it may at times be to do, be mindful of the speed limit and try hard not to exceed it. Again, besides the fact that driving at a slower speed may save your life in the event of an MVA, obeying the speed limit obviously gives the police one less reason to pull you over.

Do I really need to mention that you should never drink or text and drive?

Next, try not to argue with police officers, especially when they request something of you that is entirely within their purview to do. I am not an attorney, but I am not aware of any law that prohibits an officer from requesting occupants of a car to step out of the vehicle. Sure, we have legal rights when dealing with police officers. Often, a warrant is needed in order to search property. But courtesy, respect, and a polite attitude on the part of the driver and the officer, more often than not, can prevent a situation from spiraling out of control and ultimately into a violent or deadly confrontation. A lost argument is always a better outcome than a lost life or limb.

Personally, it just isn’t important that I win an argument with an officer on the side of the road, at night, in the middle of nowhere.

40

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

Next, it really is a good idea to keep your hands in plain view at all times. My friends and I used to joke about this many years ago in high school and college, but in light of recent events, it’s not a joking matter. Don’t make sudden movements to the side or rear of your vehicle when stopped by the police. Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches you. If and when asked to provide identification, do so slowly. And if necessary, inform the officer that you are about to do so. On more than one occasion within the last six months, officers have claimed, whether truthfully or not, that they discharged their firearm because they thought the victim was reaching for a gun.

Next, most of us are equipped with cellular phones that have either a video and/or an audio recording function.

If at all possible, use that to your advantage. Legal cases have been won or lost largely because an individual somewhere was able to offer indisputable evidence by way of a recording. In fact, many of the recent cases involving law enforcement that have come to national attention would not have done so were it not for a recording.

Finally, rather than rioting and physically confronting law enforcement officers, get involved at the political level within your community by voting locally. Many of us will show up to the polls when it comes to national elections. Just as important however, if not more so, are local elections that decide who is in charge within the cities where we reside. Do a little homework on the candidates instead of just voting along party lines or because of a clever ad on television or a billboard. Take the time to inform yourself of where candidates stand on the issues that matter to you. By doing so, you might just protect yourself not only from the “bad guys” who wish to steal from you or harm you, but also from the relatively rare police officers who wish to do the same

41

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

The Church Has Failed this Nation Writer: Vivienne Sye-Payne II Chronicles 7:14 says , “If my people which are called by my name would humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I have recently begun a new job in a city that can only be described as desolate, although there are a few pockets of renewal scattered in different neighborhoods. However, for the most part the sidewalks are crumbling, buildings have decayed and fallen in upon themselves, the streets are horrendously bumpy, crime is rampant and the occupants are zombie like. This used to be a thriving bustling place with industry and restaurants and merchants. There are also a plethora of churches, some large some small, most looking very nice and well-kept and apparently doing “well” as evidenced by the cars outside on any given Sunday.

I, however, do not consider a church successful just because of large numbers on the roll and/or in the pew.

Neither do I believe God is impressed by nor pleased with beautiful churches with hundreds of members sitting in the midst of decaying buildings and lives. It is quite apparent that these churches are not having a positive impact on the communities in which they sit. Have we forgotten why we exist, have we not read our job description? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Matthew 28: 19, 20.

How does one justify riding past and stepping over sin sick hell bound souls on your way to “get your praise on”? How does one attempt to enter the presence of the Lord, in disobedience to His word? Moreover, how does a church claiming to have the Five Fold Ministry gifts operating in their congregation not have an evangelism team on the streets at least one day a week? From my office window I’ve seen hookers plying their trade, I’ve seen pimps and johns and cops galore but I’ve not seen a preacher minister or evangelist handing out tracks, nor talking to anyone. In fact I’ve not seen anything other than what I previously described. The greatest tragedy is that the situation I’ve observed is not the exception but rather has become the norm playing out all over this nation in large and small cities alike. Come on church, where were you when industry and commerce began their urban flight, where were you when drugs and crime crept into our communities and took over?

Where were you when the poor downtrodden citizens gave up and lost all hope? Don’t we the church have the answer? I remember when I was young hearing someone sing a song called “Jesus Is the Answer” is He still the answer? If we have the Answer shouldn’t we be sharing it with others?

42

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

What‘s to be done about these things, is it too late to take corrective action? It’s quite apparent the politicians can’t fix it. I submit that it’s not too late, Mary and Martha thought Jesus had arrived too late to help their brother, the people thought Jesus had arrived too late to save Jairus’s daughter but in both instances they were wrong. We serve a savior who is the resurrection and the life. He is able to breathe life into dead situations as well as dead people. Let’s get back to the basics- have a prayer meeting, a real one not where half the time is spent singing or complaining about the devil, let’s come together and call on the name of the Lord, in agreement, to send revival, to send warring angels to dispatch the demonic forces reigning over our cities. Jesus promised that anything two of us agreed on would be done for us (see Matthew 18:19) Even before Jesus came in the flesh we had the promise of God that if we would “humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Just in case you’re wondering what I have done about it, I have taken to doing prayer walks on my lunch break several days a week. One person isn’t much in a war but I’m reminded that “one can chase a thousand”. See Deut.32:30

What’s Your Friend Count?

Writer: Christine Tunstall There was a tax collector, a Samaritan woman, and an adulteress. What could this threesome, these three unlikely kindred spirits possibly have in common? Actually, they had quite a bit in common. Each of them was identified as a social outcast. Each of their lives consisted of a string of failures coupled with a hardened heart that served to keep them company. In reading the Bible, while reading of the individuals in the Bible, many times it has been an interesting contrast for me to watch how judgmental and unkind people were. On the other hand, Jesus, who was the only one without sin, offered love and forgiveness while those he ministered to offered judgment and condemnation. It is the judgmental, unkind attitudes that would view these individuals as being friendless. During Biblical times, the correct name was tax collector. However, today the tax collector would be identified as your IRS agent. Well, it is a safe bet to say that no one wanted to be associated with being a friend to the local IRS agent, and a crooked one at that. The Samaritan woman wasn’t overwrought with friends. One could surmise that men were afraid they would become her next conquest and women were afraid they would lose their men to this scarlet woman. We also had the adulteress. This woman was being openly condemned by the town people who, as the Word says, caught her in the very act of adultery. What has always amazed this particular writer about the woman caught in the very act of adultery is that she was the only one brought before the town to be punished. It did not say she was caught in the very act of masturbation (which would explain her singular condemnation). The Word says she was caught in the very act of adultery, which by its definition means there was someone else with her. The hypocrisy of the situation continues to amaze and amuse me (and not in a good way) even in 2014 when the story continues to cause much 43

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

consternation during my corporate Bible Study periods. However, for the purposes of continuing to write this story, I digress.

One of many human experiences while growing up is developing friendships. Little boys and little girls don’t wake up in the morning saying they want to go through the day making as many enemies as they possibly can.

They don’t start or end their nightly prayers thanking God for helping them not to be liked and hoping that each day brings them fewer friends than the day before. Such is also true for adults. If we are honest, most people want to believe/feel that they are well liked and can call on any number of people to help them out of a challenging situation if need be. Building and strengthening friendships is a very important part of human growth. However, while that is true, many persons reading this article have experienced situations where we felt as if someone was our friend only to find out the friendship was not as strong as we thought. Whether the friendship dried up because you stopped providing the volume or level of perks as before or there was someone else providing your ‘former’ friend with even bigger and/or better perks, either way, the friendships changed or disappeared. Many therapists can confirm individuals who end up in therapy sessions are shocked and heartbroken because someone they trusted to be a friend turned out to be better at receiving unconditional love, honesty and generosity than giving even an iota of those same attributes.

There are many definitions of qualities a friend should have. A friend is a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; a person who gives assistance; a supporter; a patron; a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile; an acquaintance or associate; an ally in a fight or cause; a supporter. With social media being so popular, a friend also is described as a person associated with another as a contact on a social-networking website. Whether your particular description of a friend contains the strong attributes of someone who has complete regard for another or is less intense with your friends changing as often as the days of the week, friendship still plays a key role in the human development. No one truly wants to be friendless and many people have been devastated, with their very existence shattered, losing sight of themselves in an effort to retain a friend or maintain a friendship that was purely one-sided and against even their own best interest.

Whether your life has been filled with one trial after another and your decisions have been so egregious that you are viewed with the same vile descriptions as the tax collector. Or, no matter how many times you attempt to choose the right mate in your life, you go through one after another leaving a string of victims in your path causing observers to view you with the same disgust they viewed the Samaritan woman. Or maybe, you made a terrible mistake in your life, allowing your heart to cause you to make a decision you otherwise would never have made, having your loved ones cast you aside as if you were a leper, comparing your worth to that of the adulteress woman in the Bible. No matter what your lot has been, there is one who never looks down on you.

He is never ashamed of you, no matter what you may do. If you let him down, He does not hold it against you.

He handles everything you do with the purest of heart and the truest form of love you could ever know. He is patient, kind, selfless and will never turn His back on you. He believes in you and always expects the best of you. He is NEVER DISAPPOINTED if you fail. He will do what other friends have failed to do – He will always stand His ground in defending you. He is the only one who can show you what real friendship is all about. He is the friend that you always wished you had. He is the friend that you truly need. He is the friend to the friendless. He is God. He is the one friend you need. What is your friend count???

Be blessed.

44

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

DID YOU KNOW CORNER? How Sugar Destroys Your Health 1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.

2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.

3. Sugar can cause... Hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.

4. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

5. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).

6. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you lose.

7. Sugar reduces high-density lipoproteins.

8. Sugar leads to chromium deficiency.

9. Sugar leads to cancer of the ovaries.

10. Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose.

11. Sugar causes copper deficiency.

12. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

13. Sugar may make eyes more vulnerable to age-related macular degeneration.

14. Sugar raises the level of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

15. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.

16. Sugar can produce an acidic digestive tract.

17. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.

18. Sugar malabsorption is frequent in patients with functional bowel disease.

19. Sugar can cause premature aging.

20. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.

21. Sugar can cause tooth decay.

22. Sugar contributes to obesity 23. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

24. Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

45

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

25. Sugar can cause arthritis.

26. Sugar can cause asthma.

27. Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).

28. Sugar can cause gallstones.

29. Sugar can cause heart disease.

30. Sugar can cause appendicitis.

31. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.

32. Sugar can cause varicose veins.

33. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.

34. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.

35. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

36. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.

37. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.

38. Sugar can lower the amount of Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol) in the blood 39. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.

40. Sugar can increase cholesterol.

41. Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.

42. High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (Sugar bound non-enzymatically to protein) 43. Sugar can interfere with the absorption of protein.

44. Sugar causes food allergies.

45. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.

46. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

47. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

48. Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.

49. Sugar can impair the structure of DNA 50. Sugar can change the structure of protein.

51. Sugar can make our skin age by changing the structure of collagen.

52. Sugar can cause cataracts.53. Sugar can cause emphysema.

46

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

54. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.

55. Sugar can promote an elevation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

56. High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in the body.

57. Sugar lowers the enzymes ability to function.

58. Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson’s disease.

59. Sugar can increase the size of the liver by making the liver cells divide.

60. Sugar can increase the amount of liver fat.

61. Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.

62. Sugar can damage the pancreas.

63. Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention.

64. Sugar is enemy #1 of the bowel movement.

65. Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).

66. Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.

67. Sugar can make the tendons more brittle.

68. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraine.

69. Sugar plays a role in pancreatic cancer in women.

70. Sugar can adversely affect school children’s grades and cause learning disorders.

71. Sugar can cause depression.

72. Sugar increases the risk of gastric cancer.

73. Sugar and cause dyspepsia (indigestion).

74. Sugar can increase your risk of getting gout.

75. Sugar can increase the levels of glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test over the ingestion of complex carbohydrates.

76. Sugar can increase the insulin responses in humans consuming high-sugar diets compared to low-sugar diets.

77. A diet high in refined sugar reduces learning capacity.

78. Sugar can cause less effective functioning of two blood proteins, albumin, and lipoproteins, which may reduce the body’s ability to handle fat and cholesterol.

79. Sugar can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

47

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

80. Sugar can cause platelet adhesiveness.

81. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance; some hormones become under active and others become overactive.

82. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

83. Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.

84. High sugar diet can lead to biliary tract cancer.

85. High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents is associated with a twofold-increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.

86. High sugar consumption can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration among adolescents.

87. Sugar slows food travel time through the gastrointestinal tract.

88. Sugar increases the concentration of bile acids in stools and bacterial enzymes in the colon. This can modify bile to produce cancer-causing compounds and colon cancer.

89. Sugar increases estradiol (the most potent form of naturally occurring estrogen) in men.

90. Sugar combines with and destroys phosphatase, an enzyme, which makes the process of digestion more difficult.

91. Sugar can be a risk factor of gallbladder cancer.

92. Sugar is an addictive substance.

93. Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.

94. Sugar can exacerbate PMS. 95. Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.

96. Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.

97. The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.

98. Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

99. Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.

100. Sugar can slow down the ability of the adrenal glands to function.

101. I.Vs (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to the brain.

102. High sucrose intake could be an important risk factor in lung cancer.

103. Sugar increases the risk of polio.

104. High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.

105. Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.

48

November 2014 “The Cofield Report”

106. In Intensive Care Units, limiting sugar saves lives.

107. Sugar may induce cell death.

108. Sugar can increase the amount of food that you eat.

109. In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44% drop in antisocial behavior.

110. Sugar can lead to prostate cancer.

111. Sugar dehydrates newborns.

112. Sugar can cause low birth weight babies.

113. Greater consumption of refined sugar is associated with a worse outcome of schizophrenia 114. Sugar can raise homocysteine levels in the blood stream.

115. Sweet food items increase the risk of breast cancer.

116. Sugar is a risk factor in cancer of the small intestine.

117. Sugar may cause laryngeal cancer.

118. Sugar induces salt and water retention.

119. Sugar may contribute to mild memory loss.

120. The more sodas a 10 year old child consumes, the less milk.

121. Sugar can increase the total amount of food consumed.

122. Exposing a newborn to sugar results in a heightened preference for sucrose relative to water at 6 months and 2 years of age.

123. Sugar causes constipation.

124. Sugar causes varicose veins.

125. Sugar can cause brain decay in pre-diabetic and diabetic women.

126. Sugar can increase the risk of stomach cancer.

127. Sugar can cause metabolic syndrome.

128. Sugar ingestion by pregnant women increases neural tube defects in embryos.

129. Sugar can be a factor in asthma.

130. The higher the sugar consumption the more chances of getting irritable bowel syndrome.

131. Sugar can affect the brain’s ability to deal with rewards and consequences.

132. Sugar can cause cancer of the rectum.

49

November 2014 “The Cofield Report�

133. Sugar can cause endometrial cancer.

134. Sugar can cause renal (kidney) cell carcinoma.

135. Sugar can cause liver tumors.

136. Sugar can increase inflammatory markers in the blood stream of overweight people.

137. Sugar can lower Vitamin E levels in the blood stream.

138. Sugar can increase your appetite for all food.

139. Sugar plays a role in the etiology and the continuation of acne.

140. Too much sugar can kill your sex life.

141. Sugar saps school performance in children.

142. Sugar can cause fatigue, moodiness, nervousness and depression.

143. Sugar is common choice of obese individuals.

144. A linear decrease in the intake of many essential nutrients is associated with increasing total sugar intake.

145. High fructose consumption has been linked to liver disease.

146. Sugar adds to the risk of bladder cancer.

Aren't you wondering why the hell SUGAR finds a place in our diet?

High price to pay, Just for taste?

50