Faith Based Journal 11

Faith Based Journal March - april 15, 2012

Inspire, Inform & Educate

11TH Edition

Equipping People to STAND the Storm

INSIDE

A Farmer’s Reflection Once upon a time there was a farmer that was sowing seed...

PAGE 6

I Am Proud to Be….

Chosen

By Madeline C. Kirksey Wow! Isn’t it good to know that each one of us was thought of in advance?

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Pastor Keion Henderson

GAAP Grant Writing Training for Churches and Non Profit Organizations Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress”. - Frederick Douglass

Kathy Taylor, An Answer to a Christian Mother’s Prayer

By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Writer

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Work As Your Worship

By Noel Pinnock The master designer created man to work.

PAGE 21

In the little town of Kendlton, Texas, a child was conceived as an answer to a grieving daughter’s prayer who was preordained to bring melodious liberation to the lost in a fallen corrupted world. Just like when Elizabeth and Mary met for the first time after both had become pregnant and there was a spiritual acknowledgement of God’s answered prayer in Elizabeth’s womb, so was it in the heart of this mother when she recognized the “gift.”

This gift came in the package of

Kathy Taylor.

This scriptural “knowing” mentioned earlier is similar to that which Elizabeth experienced when Mary visited her after the Immaculate Conception. The bible says in Luke 1: 41: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” When Kathy Brown opens her mouth to sing, it’s as if the angels themselves have tutored her to croon heavenly praises in harmonious conjunction

with their “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory …”

You may wonder about the rest of the story, well one day Kathy was singing and playing the piano and the Lord spoke to her mother’s heart and said that she was “the” answer to her prayer. Her grandmother, who also possessed the gift to make demons tremble through song, passed away when Kathy’s mother was 13 and she asked God for a child with the gift, to continue the spiritual legacy of song in the family.

Simply speaking, Kathy was raised to serve God. Just like Samuel was tutored by Eli, the priest of Shiloh, she was tutored by her

mother to honor the call on her life to sing praises for God and to set the captives free. Kathy states, “I stand on the shoulders of my grandmother and mother to carry this message of Jesus Christ to the lost.” Her muse is the undeniable presence of the Lord. She is in charge of the music ministry at Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a “bible based church,” where they keep her covered in prayer and “stay before the Lord” on her behalf.

If you have ever had the opportunity to hear Kathy sing, you can bear witness to the fact that her anointed gift has the power to pull you immediately into God’s presence.

Continue on page 11...

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March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

Behind The

Journal

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Our theme for this month’s journal is “Equipping People to Stand the Storm.” In these turbulent times often the only rock that someone can hold onto is the higher power that keeps them grounded in the midst of it all. There were others that have been beacons of faith, such as Harriet Tubman and George Washington Carver who were anchored in their strong belief in God. As a result they were able to do great exploits for His glory.

Let us remember their tenacity when we are faced with “such a time as this.”

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mike Jones C.T. Foster Pastor Freddie L. Davis, III Dwight Jones Eric D. Goodwine

CONTENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

GAAP Grant Writing Training for Churches and Non Profit Org…......................................... 9

L.C. Poullard

Grady Carter

The Light House, A Place of Strength In the Midst of the Storms of Life............................. 4-5 A Farmer’s Reflection…………………………………………..............……………………........ 6 I Am Proud to Be….Chosen………………………………………………………........................ 6 For Better or Worse, Religion and Mental Health…......…………......................................... 11 How to Find a Christian Man and Get Married in 2012……................................................. 13

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

The Beauty of a Man of Valor......………………………………………………......................... 15

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) Ferland Antwine

Entrepreneurship in Action.................................................................................................... 17

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

My Daddy’s Eyes………………………………………………………………….......................... 18

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Madeline C. Kirksey Noel Pinnock Sharon C. Jenkins Justina Page Pastor John Ogletree Karen Lightbourne Jerry Ousley David Briggs Jason Byassee Rose Carter

The Good Shepherd……………………………………………………...................................... 23

The Beauty of a Relationship with God………………………………...................................... 15 My Mother Was a Prophetess……………………………………………................................. 18 The Beauty of Integrity…………………………….……………………..................................... 18 Work As Your Worship……………………………………………………………......................... 21 Proud To Be A Burn Survivor…………………………………….............................................. 23 Spiritual Health is Our True Wealth………………………………............................................ 23 Laughing in Church…………………………………………………………………..................... 24

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Jesus Christ of Nazareth “d-mars.com is certified with SBE, HUB, DBE & Port of Houston SBDP.”

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March - April 15, 2012

The Light House, A Place of Strength In the Midst of the Storms of Life

By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Wrtier

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”

- by Dwight L. Moody thought I couldn’t last for long / But now I think I’m able to carry on / It’s been a long, a long time coming / But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will …” 1 This child, who became familiar with the storms of life at an early age, is Pastor Keion D. Henderson of The LightHouse Church. His mother left an undeniable lasting impression on the life of Henderson and his siblings by becoming the manager of that store and hiring all of her children. She taught them a work ethic that has permeated his ministry and shaped this young pastor for excellence in ministry.

His Journey …

Thirty years ago a male child was born to Gwen Scott in Gary, Indiana on July 6, 1981, who was marked for a distinct spiritual destiny. When this child was in elementary school, his family was divided as a result of divorce. His mother was forced back into the workforce after years of being a stay at home mom. She found a job at Taco Bell making $5.60 an hour, which was barely enough to sustain her struggling family. After losing their home, they were forced to move into a dilapidated apartment building, where this young child stayed in a room that was also home for a sewer pipe that constantly tainted the air flow in the room. He would use his mother’s perfume to fight the pungent odor that often disturbed his sleep. His comfort during this

storm was Sam Cookes’ song “A Change is Gonna Come,” which he listened to every night.

“Oh there been times that I

At age 14, Henderson’s father had a dream that he would be relocating to Houston or Memphis Tennessee to start a ministry. At the age of 21, he was a full time student, on a full basketball scholarship at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), and a fulltime pastor. In the five years of that ministry Henderson grew that church from five people to 500. While in Lansing, Michigan, playing against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan, he was called to the hotel suite of his coach, Doug Noll for a meeting.

Noll told him that he could get him overseas or in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

He would have to make up his mind to be sold out to ministry or basketball. Noll told him that he would be proud of him no matter what his choice was, but he was at a fork in the road and he

had to choose. Henderson fasted and prayed about it for three days and three nights and choose basketball. He told his coach that he wanted to play basketball and get rich. Afterwards, he would build a church for God with his newfound wealth. Four hours later,

come to fruition. On February 22, 2003, he organized New Horizon Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. New Horizon experienced tremendous growth under his leadership. History repeated itself when Pastor Henderson relocated to Houston, Texas

while playing Middle Tennessee State University, he was laying on a trainers table with a torn ACL. “God caused a shift in my knee in order to cause a shift in my mind,” stated Henderson.

Pastor Henderson’s ministry was shaped by Dr. Cato Brooks Jr. at the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church in Gary In-

in the fall of 2009. He organized The LightHouse Church, fulfilling the prophecy made by his father several years earlier.

He was in the airport in Gary on his way to Houston when Hurricane Ike stalled his plans. As a result his flight was delayed for 36 hours and he began to question the will of God for this momentous life changing event. He made a quick acquaintance with

diana. At the age of fourteen he was called into the ministry and delivered his first sermon in August 1995, titled “Faith: Where is yours?” After graduating from high school in East Chicago, Indiana (1999), Pastor Henderson was awarded a full basketball scholarship to IPFW. He graduated in 2004 with a degree in Organizational Communications and a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision.

Before graduating Pastor Henderson saw his true calling

an African stranger from Kenya and discussed his quandary with him. Pastor Henderson saw the delay as a sign from God that he was not suppose to go to Houston. The friendly stranger offered a different perspective; perhaps it was a sign that Indiana did not want Him to leave.

Pastor Henderson withstood that internal storm and pressed his way to Houston starting The LightHouse with 193 charter members and God is continuing to add to the church daily. To-

His Ministry …

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His Method …

day the church has grown to over 1600 members. The LightHouse is located in Humble, Texas and meeting at Summer Creek High School on 14000 Weckford Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77044, on Tuesday at 6:30 pm, for bible study and on Sundays at 10:30 am. His congregation is equipped to deliver the God kind of love to visitors when they hit the parking lot.

Henderson says that 90% of his sermon is preached before the worship service begins by the congregants that offer a genuine extended hand of true fellowship.

He states: “We want to create a ministry that’s balanced. We won’t totally abandon the traditions that got the church where it is and neither will we make a commitment to those things that did not work. We want to create an atmosphere where both the contemporary and traditional Christian can feel comfortable in the same place. We call it at our church a Wal-Mart ministry; you can go to Wal-Mart and get a little bit of everything. All of those positive things that are necessary for the growth of a Christian, whether they are 20 or 70 years of age, you can find them at The LightHouse Church.”

them to break ground in 2013.

socially, economically, and cultur-

His Mission …

Pastor Henderson provides Christians locally and nationwide with strong biblical teaching and preaching that is relevant to their everyday life. He believes that God has equipped him to minister to Houston’s diverse community. The church is currently

Church Motto: ... equipping people to “STAND” the storm Mission Statement: The mission of The LightHouse

building a church on property that was sold to the church by someone who believes in its mission and vision. We can expect

Church is to serve the total man/ woman; to be a leader in innovative techniques that identify and respond to problems that arise in

The LightHouse Church

ally deprived areas; to develop and implement targeted programs which will address the problems which lead to the destruction and

demise of the family structure; and equip all segments of the

congregation in local, national, and global outreach.

Vision Statement: To see the members of The LightHouse be passionate about “The Kingdom’s agenda concerning the lost, and to become proficient in ministry skills with proactive involvement in strategic outreach ministries locally, nationally, and globally.

Who we are: We are a body of believers led by the Holy Spirit, influenced by the values of fairness, equality and opportunity.

We are saturated by the fellowship of reconciliation and recognize the essentiality of unity amongst the body of Christ.

Our Purpose: • Edify • Evangelize • Encourage • Equip

Pastor Henderson has a Masters of Theology from Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. He believes and knows that God has called him to the nation as a Spirit-led visionary, a humble servant, a beloved teacher, and counselor. He is a friend to his congregation and a servant leader in his community.

His congregants don’t have to “belong to believe,” by virtue of their belief in Christ, they qualify for growth in the ministry. He cites one of his greatest achievements in his life is his family. His has a devoted wife, Felecia and two lovely daughters, Tynesha and Candis.

For more information about The LightHouse or Pastor Keion D. Henderson go to www.the-

lighthouse-church.org or call 281741-3693.

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March - April 15, 2012

A Farmer’s Reflection LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT A MODERN DAY PARABLE: The rooster’s crow was a familiar sound to him. Every morning for what seemed to be an eternity, it was his routine to rise early to beat the sun before it showed its morning smile. His knees dictated that he not move as fast as he did as a young man, but wisdom told him he had no other choice if he were to reap some kind of harvest this year. The mortgage was three months behind and his wife was about to have baby number four.

Her dark fleece covered silhouette reminded him that it would not be too long before he had another mouth to feed.

As the reality of his situation weighed heavily on his heart, his weathered brow bore worry lines that were characteristic of the times. In a different season he would have stopped to acknowledge his maker, but these were troubled times and it appeared that God was not answering prayers the way He used to. It seemed unnatural not to at least attempt to do something in respect of His creator; after all, God gave him life. Shaking the cobwebs from his cloudy mind he thought, “And what a life it had become.” Grabbing his pants and work shirt from a nearby stool, he made his way to the bathroom for a quick morning shower. In transit, he took a moment to look up at the sky and say “Good Morning God”, which was the feeble extent of his prayers for the day.

Breakfast was brief; his reminiscing caused him to fall behind in his morning duties. The normalcy of a routine contributed to his fowl mood, but kept him sane; otherwise the rifle in the barn started to look like an alternative.

At least his wife could have the money from the insurance policy, if he made it look like an accident.

He shook the notion from his head and moved on, like he had done so many times before. His courage forsook him; life went on as usual. He opened the barn door and headed to the fields for what he perceived would be a long fruitless day. Upon arriving at his duty station, he noticed that the field had an eerie cloak of dew covering it this morning. For a moment it actually appeared as if it was full of sparkly diamonds glistering in the early morning light, beckoning him to come investigate them.

The farmer sarcastically chuckled; he really should have had that second cup of coffee this morning.

Now he was hallucinating in addition to contemplating suicide.

He laid his hand to the plow and mentally promised himself that he would not look back to that

dark place again, at least not today. His only hope was that the John Deere tractor that his uncle brought in 1988 would start despite the cold weather.

As was his custom, he began to work the field contemplating a familiar story. As a young boy, his most favorite thing was not the shiny bright red wagon his grandfather gave him at age five, or the new BB gun his father gave him when he was twelve, but story time with his mother right before bedtime. When he was ten, his mother stopped their ritual because, “He was a big boy now and could read books all by himself.” And even though that was true, he never stopped missing the soothing cadence of her voice lulling him to a happier place in the land of make believe.

Perhaps 40 years old wasn’t a bad time to revisit his childhood beloved pastime. He remembered a story that used to be his favorite because of its agricultural nature.

Farming had been in his family for many generations. So as a child, like most little boys, he wanted to grow up and be just like his daddy, a sower of good seed. He didn’t know until he was a teenager that the story was a real bible story. He had been fascinated with the different kind of soils that seed could be sowed into and their anticipated harvest as a result. The story went like this: Once upon a time there was a farmer that was sowing seed on his farm in preparation for a fall harvest. He was on a time schedule that required him to get this done quickly, so he wasn’t very discerning as to where the seed was landing. As he was planting the seed, some fell along a pathway and the birds came immediately and devoured it because they were hungry. Here is where the little boy always asked his mommy why there wasn’t a scarecrow there to frighten the birds off and she would say

that the farmer was waiting for him to make one and pull his ear to make him giggle. She would then continue saying, Some seed also fell on rocky places, it sprung up quickly, but it landed where there was little soil for it to take root. So when the sun came up it withered and died because it did not have a solid foundation.

The other seed fell among thorns, which later grew up and choked the plants so that they were unable to produce fruit. Thankfully the rest fell on good ground and it grew up and produced multiple crops, some thirty, some sixty and some a hundred times.

His mother told him that the soil was like his heart and that the seed sown into it was the word of God. She would end the story by drawing an imaginary heart on his pajama shirt and asking him, “Where is your seed landing?” He would always reply “In good soil Mommy. I’ll always be real careful where I sow my seed to make sure that the birds never eat them up and I’ll have my scarecrow ready just in case they decide to try. I will also make sure there are no rocks in my field so that my plants won’t die.” He then remembered putting his tiny arms around her neck saying, “I won’t let those prickly thorns have my seed either, so that we can have plenty of fruit come harvest time for your apple pies.” Then he would lean down and kiss his Mommy on her cheek, lie down on his pillow and whisper “Good Night Mommy, I love you.” She would return the sentiment and throw him an air kiss. He could see her leaving his room as the faded memory grew dim. The little boy made a commitment early on to always have good soil to sow into because it reaped the best harvest. The grown man wasn’t as sure as the little boy anymore. A long withheld tear escaped its hiding place and the man began to weep.

I Am Proud to Be….

Chosen

Madeline C. Kirksey, Contributing Writer

I

t took much thought when considering what I am proud to be. At first I began to reflect on my worldly positions. However, I quickly redirected my thoughts to those things that are spiritual. Thinking spiritually, my mind was quickly persuaded by the scripture Ephesians 1:4-5 and 13-1.

I am proud to be…

Chosen

This passage begins; “For before the creation of the world (vs.4).” Wow! Isn’t it good to know that each one of us was thought of in advance? Guess what? We were not only thought of we were also selected by a high counsel. That is right, God loved us so much that He seeked advice and the mere act of Him seeking advice excels His love for us to an even higher degree. Just think about it, we were divinely separated and set apart; because then, he went in love and predestined us for adoption to sonship (vs.5).

To make it plain, when God arrived at the adoption agent, He already knew who He wanted to

call His own. God already saw us as His own and we were Holy in His sight; not because we were Holy, but because He was determined to make us so. God had very high expectations for us, just as we did the first time we saw our own children or even before birth. During the nine months of preparing for our little one’s arrival, we delicately seek out the very best; any great parent wants nothing but the best for their own child. Upon seeing us, He never saw our flaws. Our Father saw us as an example of Him, pure and Holy.

Then, He validated us with a seal after we believed He was our Father (vs. 13b). We were a purchased product with an expensive price but like any great Father, the price did not matter.

Our seal came with the inclusion of the Holy Spirit that flows through each of us. That Spirit guarantees our inheritance, because Ephesians 1:14 concludes; “the promised Holy Spirit, who is deposited guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.”

It is such a pleasure knowing as Christians we have already been made beneficiaries of every spiritual blessing that belongs to and comes from the heavenly realm.

Because we were chosen, we inherited all of God’s best. Glory to God! Before time, there was a Divine election and he could have chosen anyone but He chose us. He then sealed us with His Divine power, the Holy Spirit.

However, that Spirit was not recognized until we believed that He was our Father. We must believe that the blood that flows through our bodies is evidence of sacrifice given by a Father who loved us in spite of all our mess.

I do not know about you, but I am proud to be….Chosen and I would like to be just like my Father whenever I grow up.

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March - April 15, 2012

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March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

GAAP Grant Writing Training for Churches and Non Profit Organizations

Mrs. ANNETTE EVANS SMITH is a spirit-filled and passionate person who has touched the lives of many through her informative grant writing training seminars and workshops. Annette Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an Associates of Applied Science in Paralegalism/Legal Assistant. She has extensive experience and training in the field of Grant Writing and Research. She has over 20 years of Paralegal experience performing legal research and drafting. She has received certification as a Project Officer for Grants, Inter Agency Agreements, Contracts Administration, Quality Assurance, Mediation and Leadership Development.

She is the founder of God Answers All Prayers (“GAAP”) Grant Writing Training for Churches and Non-Profit Organizations, founded on Matt.

7:7-8, “Ask and It Shall be Given Unto You, Seek and Ye Shall Find, Knock and the Door Shall be Opened Unto You.” This faithbased non-profit organization is designed to provide educational resources to train and empower nonprofit organizations and

churches with the knowledge of how to form a nonprofit organization, establishing a 501(c) (3) I.R.S. code status, developing and implementing a grant proposal and writing a strategic business plan.

The uniqueness of G.A.A.P.’s service is that they provide hands-on techniques in actually drafting a grant proposal; teaching you to do it yourself!

GAAP’s concept is “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”

GAAP’s specialty services are: • Grant Writing Seeking • Grant Writing Process • Forming a Non Profit Organization • Establishing a 501(c)(3) • Writing Strategic Business Plans • Grant Writing Seminars/ Workshops There are so many underlying social problems and issues that need immediate attention such as juvenile delinquency, child abuse, domestic violence, marriage and divorce counseling, anger management, bullying (children/adults), gang violence, alcohol and drug abuse (adults and

children), homelessness/ housing, underserved people and communities/the needy, incarceration, teen pregnancy, immigrants, illiteracy; lack of funding for educational needs, daycares, seniors/geriatrics, missions, evangelism/outreach, single/single parents, worship and fine arts, the list is unlimited. In order to meet these needs, nonprofit organizations and churches need funding and resources to bring about positive changes to their community, county, state, country and to the world.

How can non-profit organizations obtain funding and resources to accomplish their God-given missions or visions in life? The answer lies in understanding and comprehending the Art of Grant Seeking and Grant Writing!

Texas alone has received over $30 Billion in Federal grants. Currently there is over $360 M available in government grants.

There are currently over 30,000 foundations, 1,400 federal programs, 2,400 state programs and 100,000 local programs throughout the U.S. that will qualify for grant money!

GAAP Grant Writing Training for Churches and Non Profit Organizations will assist in empowering and equipping your ministries/or nonprofits with the knowledge and HOPE it seeks to compete for available grant funds.

GOD’S WORK, DONE GOD’S WAY, WILL PRODUCE GOD’S RESULTS, AND WILL NEVER LACK RESOURCES! For more information on our workshop in Houston, please visit us @ www. godanswersallprayers.org or (214) 497-4260.

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For Better or Worse, Religion and Mental Health New studies indicate that religion can play a major role in mental health. But not all expressions of faith lead to happier, more peaceful lives.

-by David Briggs

Don’t worry. Be happy. Know that God loves you.

In a world of increasing economic and political anxiety, the three-step formula above appears to be a key to good mental health, new research indicates.

The 2010 Baylor Religion Survey found that adults who strongly believe they have a warm relationship with God have, on average, fewer mental health issues.

A growing body of research finds a generally positive relationship “between aspects of religious involvement and a wide range of mental health outcomes,” researchers Christopher Ellison, Robert Hummer, Amy Burdette and Maureen Benjamins write in

the new book “Religion, Families and Health.”

But research is also revealing that not all religious individuals experience better mental health.

And studies have shown that greater doubt about religion or fears of the judgment of an angry God are associated with worse mental health.

In a separate chapter in “Religion, Families and Health,” Neal Krause of the University of Michigan reports on studies by him and others revealing that greater involvement in religion is associated with less depression.

“Mental health problems are fairly prevalent across the life course,” Krause writes. “There is

now convincing evidence that religion may play a role in helping people either avoid them, or deal more effectively with them when they arise.”

For example, respondents who strongly believed that God is responsive to them or that God’s love never fails reported fewer mental health issues than the general population, while those who strongly believed that God is impersonal or inconsistent reported more mental health concerns.

In related findings, adults who believed in a very “engaged God” who is involved in the world and people’s lives reported a third fewer concerns related to social anxiety and 25 percent fewer concerns related to paranoia.

In contrast, respondents who believed in a very “judgmental God” who is punishing and angered by sin reported 45 percent more concerns related to social

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anxiety and 37 percent more concerns related to paranoia.

Although research has shown that being part of a religious community can have a beneficial impact, church leaders are challenged by the findings that depressed individuals are less likely to attend church.

The stigma related to mental illness, along with the impression congregations may give that unhappiness is a sign of a lack of faith, can keep people suffering from mental health issues at home, says Baylor University sociologist Jerry Park.

The bottom line: Religious communities can make a difference by reaching out to people with mental health issues and providing a welcoming and caring environment.

“This was first published in Faith & Leadership.”

Article: www.faithandleadership.com

Continuation of front cover article Kathy Taylor, An Answer to a Christian Mother’s Prayer...

No matter where you may find yourself relationally with Him, when she opens her mouth, it causes you to consider Him. Be it the jail house or the church house, the walls tremble like in the days of Paul and Silas when she offers unadulterated praises to our God. Kathy is using her ministry to change lives and mold

futures for Kingdom Building purpose to His glory all because of a young woman’s prayer. Be encouraged all you Hannah’s out there, God still answers mother’s prayers, Kathy Brown is a living witness to that.

For Kathy’s latest release, The Worship Experience, go to www. kathytaylorlive.com.

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March - April 15, 2012

How To Find a Christian Man and Get Married in 2012

By Karen Lightbourne, Contributing Wrtier

W

hen I was single, I sometimes wished I had what Cinderella had--a fairy godmother--to help me find a mate. As I continued to look, however, I began to realize that what I really needed was what Abraham and his son Isaac had in the Bible . . . a fairy God’s Servant.

In their case, Abraham had a servant whom he sent on a mission: “Go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:4). This servant in turn went on a journey: “[He] made his way to the town of Nahor” (Genesis 24:10) and prayed about what he was looking for: “Oh Lord, grant me success today” (Genesis 24:12). Lo and behold, with God’s help, he actually did find the girl: “Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came up with her jar on her shoulder” (Genesis 24:15).

(Author’s note: Just in case you’re wondering about the jar, she was at a well, getting water for the camels.

What can you say? This was back in the old days.)

The servant then vetted the girl:”Whose daughter are you?” (Genesis 24:23) and then even got the girl to go back with him to marry Isaac: “So they called Rebekah and asked her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ ‘I will go,’ she said” (Genesis 24:57).

This fairy God’s Servant had it going on!

Now, you may ask what Isaac was doing while all this was going on . . . meditating!

Genesis 24:63 says that “he [Isaac] went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels [here come those camels again] approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac.”

Author’s note: How romantic!

In my own tale, my

fairy God’s Servant would be off doing his work while I would be sitting at Starbucks, coffee in hand, pondering the universe.

Suddenly, I would look out the window when he, “The One,” would approach in a Mustang convertible. He would be nicely dressed, clean shaven, and smelling great. He would also be everything I ever wanted and needed in a man (if my fairy God’s Servant had done his work well). We would then drive off into the sunset with a ring in hand and a date in mind.

In the real world, fairy godmothers are in short supply, and fairy God’s Servants are even rarer, so the following tips may help you as you move from fairytale fiction into real life.

Look Beyond . . . Your Church Notice that I didn’t say look beyond “The Church,” as we do have a mandate from God to marry a fellow believer (1 Corinthians 7:39), but there are usually more believers in the world beyond the address of your church building. I know many single Christian women who sit in a church year after year and don’t look beyond the four walls of their sanctuary for a man. These women may be missing out on opportunities.

In my case, I found (or was found by, if you like) my husband at a conference. A friend of mine encouraged me. . . “There will be single men there who believe the same as you do.”

I went to that conference open to the possibilities and walked away with a friend, who turned into a boyfriend, who turned into a husband. I had spent many years stayin’ and prayin’, and now I was lookin’ and findin’. Trust God to direct your path; just make yourself get on a path!

Look Beyond . . . Your Faith

Notice that I didn’t say look beyond “faith,” since we need to be equally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). But sometimes we need to look beyond the things that may have bruised our faith, such as having been single for such a long time or just not seeing any men around us who would be good mates.

This also includes being hurt in past relationships.

The Bible says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:10).

Also, as saints, “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). God wants us to pray and depend on Him to find him (your man). If we knew how everything was going to work out, would we need faith? Think about it.

Look Beyond . . . Your Self Look beyond what you can do by yourself to help you find a mate. Start a prayer chain with others who are looking for mates.

Seek guidance from longmarried couples. Ask others if they will look for you!

A friend once told me that resources plus relationships lead to results. You are looking for a strong, loving partner who loves you. Asking for help takes a desire to get what you want (faster and quicker) and vulnerability (I can’t, or don’t, want to go it alone).

Remember, “Seek, and you shall find” (Matthew 7:7). Ask others to seek for you and you may find it more quickly.

Karen Lightbourne is a former Capitol Hill radio journalist for American Urban Radio Networks. She is the author of the upcoming book, Someday My Barack Will Come - Building Up Your “Yes I Can” Get Married Faith. www.somedaymybarackwillcome.org

Article Source: http://www. faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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14. March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

The Beauty of a The Beauty of a Man of Valor Relationship with God

By Rose Carter, Contributing Wrtier

By Rose Carter, Contributing Wrtier

As children we were all told the story of David and Goliath and how a manchild slew this huge giant who was terrorizing the people of God. He grew to great popularity, especially with the ladies, but that’s another story. Theoretically King David was many things: a mighty man of war, a beloved king, and a man after God’s own heart.

The scriptures describe him as a handsome man, which may explain his intoxicating way with the ladies.

To give you a modern day example, I am reminded of another fine specimen of a man, Denzel Washington.

He has an alluring charm that attracts women of all ages, sizes and ethnicities.

As a result King David had many children. When we study the biblical account we find out that his household lacked a firm hand in the area of parenting. This is evident in the story of Tamar, King David’s daughter, in 2nd Samuel. Tamar was raped by her half brother Amnon who was heir apparent to King David’s throne. This generated a hatred between Tamar’s brother Absalom and Amnon which eventually resulted in Amnon being murdered by his half brother. After wards Absalom went into exile and later returned to the kingdom to overthrow his father. This reads like a modern day political faux pas, doesn’t it?

The scriptures state that when King Davis heard about the rape, he was angry but there is no record of him dealing with his son for this hideous act. Therefore Absalom grew to also hate his father for his failure to discipline his brother to the tune of pushing him out of his God appointed position

As we move into what the economist predicts as a “double dip” recession, it may be time to revisit your relationship with God. Historically as a nation we have relied upon our ability to acquire wealth to sustain us. As we have learned over the past few years in the midst of this recession, ones education, stock market investments, and the passionate pursuit of a career can be transitory in the least. The only thing that remains in the eye of the storm of turmoil is our relationship with a loving God that has promised us that when all else fails, He will not.

One of my favorite scriptures comes from the Song of Solomon, which I fondly refer to as the “love book” of the Bible. The Song of Solomon is an allegory of the love relationship between God, and Israel in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. In Chapter 2, God literally calls my name.

(That will surely get your attention.) Actually, the reference here is to the Plain of Sharon, a costal plain in northern Israel. Solomon (a metaphor for God) is in hot pursuit of a Shulamite princess (a metaphor for us) whose beauty allures and mystifies him. This woman is dark in complexion and hopelessly in love with the king. She has access to him because she is royalty.

Obviously she has fallen from her previous status in the monarchy. Due to an argument with her brothers, she was relegated to the status of a shepardess. The object of her affection finds her pontificating about her love for him and is pleased with what he hears and sees, and they engage in a lover’s dialogue.

The part of their dialogue that brings me hope is when: “[SHE SAID] I am only a little rose or autumn crocus of the Plain of Sharon, or a [humble] lily of the valleys [that grows in deep and difficult places].

But Solomon replied, Like the lily among thorns, so are you, my love, among

of authority as king.

A mighty man of valor takes care of home. When it’s all said and done the history books record King David as one of the greatest warrior kings that ever lived. Yet in the heart of his children he was found lacking in giving them the loving guidance that they needed to be truly successful in life. I did not say that he did not love them, but that he did not parent them. We have multiple generations of children who have been raised in homes where there have been absentee fathers. Society is an accurate picture of what happens when this becomes the norm. Utter chaos reigns in the land, babies making babies, dropout rates soaring, teen suicide is at an all time high and the cradle to prison jail trail is full of young men following in the footsteps of their fathers.

We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. King David had another son who replaced him on the throne, Solomon.

When he was asked by God what he desired, answered “wisdom.” My prayer is that in the days to come, those men who put on the mantle of being a “mighty man of valor” will seek the face of God to find the solution to redeem the youth of this nation and become the fathers that these children never had. As in the case of King David he attempted to get it right at the end of his life and God heard Him and rewarded his latter days with the gift of King Solomon. May he do the same for you my brother. I love you and hope for your speedy return to your rightful place in the divine institution called “family.” You are so beautiful to me.

the daughters.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved [shepherd] among the sons [cried the girl]! Under his shadow I delighted to sit, and his fruit was sweet to

my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].”

Simply speaking the princess finds a comforting

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security like no other in the presence of her king. I am reminded of the “shadow” covering found in Psalm 91. When we abide in “the secret place of the Most High” we “remain stable and fixed under” His “shadow.” This is a place of protection where no enemy can endure. There is a peace that transcends our deepest apprehension when we are in the shadow of our God. He has always promised to be there. As a matter of fact He has promised us that “nothing can separate us from His love.” Not economic hard times, unemployment, foreclosure, not even death can separate us from Him, if we are His! During this time of uncertainty I would encourage you to pursue a relationship with God like an ardent lover with an insatiable thirst for His presence. His promises are sealed with a kiss that lasts for all eternity, His love is everlasting and His faithfulness is beyond temptation. Know God in the shadow of the apple tree and know His uncompromised commitment to your good.

Lie down on the coverlet of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross and take a nap while basking in the surety that He is your divine protector, Jehovah Sabaoth, The Lord of Hosts.

16. March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

Entrepreneurship in Action Two “gospel entrepreneurs” share the stories of their businesses at Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Forum in New York.

- by Jason Byassee

100

cameras is the creation of four young 20-something women who share a love for photography and for learning to appreciate another’s point of view.

The nonprofit won $25,000 and a year of mentorship in Redeemer’s 2010 business plan competition for nonprofit ventures. The annual business plan competition seeks to identify promising entrepreneurs with “bold plans for gospeladvancing ventures” and awards $5,000 to $25,000 to the winning plan in each of three categories: forprofit, nonprofit and arts.

100cameras gives cameras to children in underserved areas, then sells the photographs the children take as a way to raise money for and awareness of their communities.

It’s not an entirely new idea. Any number of secular outfits have pursued photography and film endeavors shot by poor kids.

What is new is the cumulative effect 100cameras plans to have.

“Imagine walking into a room and seeing the cumu-

lative effect of 100 different perspectives,” co-founder Susanna Kohly said.

100cameras has so far launched two of its planned 100 endeavors: one is in a village in rural Southern Sudan and another is on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in a Puerto Rican neighborhood.

In Sudan, the kids had never seen a camera before.

In New York, the kids are inundated with technology. The American kids weren’t impressed with the idea of taking pictures, until they share with them the photos from Sudan, Kohly said.

“Then something clicks.”

One can see why, looking at those photos on their website. One young Sudanese photographer named Jackson has a backbone left in a “V” shape by polio. He “walks” on all fours and takes pic-

tures from that angle looking up. The images from Sudan are arresting, then, not just because of the natural and human beauty in a place ravaged by decades of civil war, but because we’re seeing from a perspective similar enough to ours to be familiar, yet different enough to be interesting.

100camerasThe photographers in New York learned from their instructors to pay particular attention to angles. One can see how their photos play with the many angles in a great architectural city.

The idea is that a web viewer might be taken enough with the children’s angles -- with Jackson’s angle -- to purchase a photo.

Those proceeds go back to the orphanage in Sudan or to New Life of New York City, a local community center on the Lower East Side. 100cameras also works with corporate sponsors: Samsung helped with an exhibit in the Time Warner Center in New York, and Whole Foods, which has a presence in the Puerto Rican neighborhood, sponsored their project. The founders’ hope is that businesses can be brought along and add to their effort to help the children in Sudan

and New York.

“We see photography as a vehicle to help restore self-image,” Kohly said.

100cameras is not an explicitly faith-based organization, yet each of its founders and their vision is faith-inspired.

“Jesus challenged his disciples to have faith like a child,” co-founder Angela Bullock wrote in an e-mail.

Seeing from the perspective of “the seemingly least of these will greatly bring glory to God.”

Blessed Nest

The story of Heather Anderson’s business is a story of friendship.

When a dear friend of Anderson’s had her first child via Caesarean section, the postoperative discomfort frustrated her efforts to breastfeed.

The standard nursing pillows didn’t help. “’Can you design me something?’” she asked Anderson said.

She certainly could.

Anderson, a designer, researched the project and came up with a triangleshaped pillow, rather than a wrap-around horseshoe.

She filled it with beanbag buckwheat hulls, rather than a less malleable cushion, so it could be pushed into whatever shape the new mother needed.

It worked so well that she founded her business, Blessed Nest, and began selling her pillows. The benefit? A mom who could nurse like she’d hoped. And more.

“One quadriplegic dad could actually use this to hold his child,” Anderson said, choking up.

So how is this a specifically Christian act of entrepreneurship?

Anderson reflected on the woman who taught her to sew: her great-grandmother.

“She used to say, ‘Every stitch a loving thought.’ I’ve prayed as I’ve made these pillows. I think people could tell if I tried to outsource the production to China,” she said. The products are also eco-friendly.

Pressed further, she

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expressed her dream that her business will grow big enough to allow her to support other fledgling entrepreneurial endeavors, giving back as she was given to when she won $25,000 in startup money from Redeemer’s business plan competition in 2008.

Anderson describes herself as a nurturer. Although she doesn’t have children yet, in a church like Redeemer, God has given her countless “nephews” and “nieces,” for whom she cares as a provider of goods for their nursing mothers: “And that’s a Jesus thing.”

It’s also a business thing. Redeemer is a church of some 5,000 members, among whom word of a new business venture travels far (entrants in the EI Business Plan Competition don’t have to be Redeemer members, but they do have to be from churches willing to work and partner with Redeemer).

“Networking is sort of the secular equivalent of fellowship,” Anderson said. “At Redeemer, word spreads fast.”

“This was first published in Faith & Leadership.”

Article: www.faithandleadership.com

18. March - April 15, 2012

My Mother Was a Prophetess the increasing rate of those choosing not to marry.

From our union have come four children: Johnny 37, Lambreni 35, Joseph 27, Jordan 24. All of our children have graduated from college, two have master’s degrees. The three oldest are married (Quinita, Avery, Sherrell) and have presented my wife and I with ten grandchildren: Layla, Elianah, Adaiah, Nessiah, Kamilah, Reya, Zion, Elon, Jaiden, and Josiah. I have become

the patriarch of my family.

What a pleasure it is to be called “Papa” and to hear my wife called “Nana.” It is so gratifying to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and to have everyone at our home for dinner, games, relaxation and the holidays.

God has providentially directed my path in life to be a lawyer (17 years), a founding Pastor of First Metropolitan Church (now 25 years), and a school board trustee of the Cypress Fairbanks I.S.D. (8 years). I have had the privilege of serving many denominational leadership positions. I am so honored to have my sons working in ministry with me. Johnny and Joseph are Elders, lead major ministries and are

gifted preachers. Jordan ministers through song targeting teens and young adults. They have worked in my campaign and my grandchildren are students in the district I serve. (The grandkids think Papa runs the school district.)

Psalm 37:23 reads: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. As a black man in America, looking back over my life, I have something to be godly proud of. My steps, ordered by the Lord, have led me to being a husband, a father, a professional person, an anointed man of God, an elected public servant, a leader and the family patriarch. Mom was a prophetess!

trapped in a Chilean mine for 39 days. His love is so profound that some of them recognized His “light” even amidst that great darkness.

Jesus Christ himself had a “mine” experience. He was held captive in the pits of Hell for three days. As was promised, the God of Integrity, His loving Father, turned His back on Him for those three days so that Jesus could sufficiently become the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the entire world. No greater love has ever been showcased

in the world that we live in today towards all mankind. Jesus, “the ultimate rescuer” on the other hand paid a huge price for our redemption. He was beaten, blasphemed, mocked, hated, and betrayed, yet He knowingly took that trip up Calvary because He was purpose centered and loved us beyond human comprehension. Integrity led him there and love kept him there.

As we think about what true integrity means, let us not hesitate to look back

almost 2000 years ago to a place where a Jewish carpenter paid the ultimate price for the miners who were like him trapped in a situation that required a miracle from God to release them. I want to thank Jesus for being faithful to His death and thank the God of Integrity for masterminding a plan that led to the prospect of eternal life for all mankind, even those who wear thongs. Hallelujah!

By Pastor John Olgetree, Contributing Wrtier My mother was a prophetess! She is now 82 years old but long before women were licensed and ordained in the Baptist church she told me: “John Dwight, God has something special for you to do.

You are different from other children so you can’t do what they do.”

Be certain that my mom had no Bible School certificate, no seminary degree, and no official papers from any Baptist church not to mention any apostle,

prophet, evangelist, or pastor. She was a school teacher whose faith was deeply rooted in God and Jesus Christ. She was a worshipper who spoke at women’s meetings and occasions and was often moved by God. The true test of a prophet is: Did the foretelling or forth telling come true? Well, I’m proud to say it did. Today, I can testify to the goodness and grace of God, who has allowed me to be used by Him to touch and influence lives

for His glory.

I have been married for 38 years to the same woman Evelyn (Lady O).

We were high school sweethearts and both products of moms with multiple marriages and periods of being “single moms.” Through the grace of God, we have made almost four decades as a couple in covenant with each other and now work in ministry together as pastors.

This should not be taken lightly with the high incidence of divorce, as well as

The Beauty of Integrity

By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Wrtier A while back there were 33 miners lost in a Chile mine for 39 days.

The media is full of stories about what happened during that time, some speculation, some truth. It is rumored that the miners made a pact to keep silent about what happened during the earlier days. Unfortunately the magnanimous promises of wealth from book deals, movies, gifts, etc, have steered the pact in another direction. As we read stories of broken commitments and mistresses awaiting their lost lovers in signs that promised to greet them in a pair of thongs, the reality of this situation may be escaping us.

I was driving down I-45 and heard a brief report on the radio about

some of the miners coming to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their true rescuer and accepting Him as Lord of their lives. I firmly believe that we have witnessed a miracle beyond our understanding. It is often rumored in Christian circles that if there was only one prospect for righteousness on earth, God would have sent His only “begotten” son for that one individual.

When I think about God’s great uncompromising love for us I propose that this is true. God is a God of integrity. He is faithful, even when we are not. He sent His only son to die for the “whole” world including the 33 miners that were

My Daddy’s Eyes

By Rose Carter, Contributing Wrtier

Yellow polka dot chiffon filled memories of my daddy floating through my head.

Openhandedly blowing him love filled butterfly kisses before I go to bed.

As his brawny arms lifted me high up to the sky, I wondered if my big strong Daddy really could make me fly.

First dance blues causing my knees to buckle, the only secure remedy found in a father daughter huddle.

His loving hands firmly holding mine as the mu-

sic starts, our feet are succinctly keeping time.

I learned to trust in the melody of his love, my heavenly gift from the fa-

ther above.

Many years have passed by since I was five and saw what true love really looks like in my Daddy’s eyes.

March - April 15, 2012

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20. March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

By Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, Contributing Writer

T

he master designer created man to work.

If it were not for God creating people then we would not have any businesses to work in; therefore, addressing this contributing article from this angle is more than appropriate it is simply the right thing to do.

If you are in business or seeking to join a business regardless of the sector of

work (government, nonprofit, entrepreneurial, or private) you will find the balance of this material not only noteworthy but also practical.

The Bible affirms the appropriate acumen we must exemplify in business despite the variety of roles and responsibilities we execute each day in the classic epistle of Apostle Paul to the Colossians (3:23): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”

As you enter your workplace, it is critical that you understand that your work can be an act of worship. Work as your worship is predicated on the concept that the ministry field extends beyond the four walls in our places of worship and that the world of work is vaster then meeting

deadlines, producing deliverables, generating profits while minimizing losses, or maintaining balanced budgets. Although equally important, work as your worship seeks to enable one to escape from the mundane aspects of their jobs in an effort to operate in the capacity where our work serves as our prescribed worship to God. Imagine that…God as our chief executive officer. That reminds me of Larry Julian’s powerful book, God Is My CEO. Julian writes: “Many business leaders struggle with the dilemma of being successful and living a life of purpose.

Often, their personal beliefs seem to conflict with the bottom-line demands of today’s business world.

God Is My CEO offers a practical and inspirational source of guidance for achieving a meaningful

and accomplished life.”

I know it is hard for some of you to image your boss as God but that’s not at all what I am referring to.

Everyone reports to someone, even if you are the boss. According to God’s scripture, we are to serve our company, organization, or business as though God is the chief.

Even if we operate in this manner, if our hearts are not in our work then we probably need to find another…What does this all mean? I’m saying that

no matter what you do - sweeping the streets, running a corporation or the work of a stay-at-home mom -- your job is more than a job. The Bible says while you are here on earth, you should use your work as an act of worship. This means whatever you do; you are to do it with enthusiasm. If your heart is not in it, you are most likely in the wrong job.

Why work with all your heart? Because you are working “as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.

If God is your salary and supply then He is also your ‘boss’. No matter what I do, if it is to prepare a meal, if it is to sign an invoice, if it is to do an analysis, if it is

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to close an important deal, if it is to make a sale, if it is to deliver a city service, if it is to make a delivery -- whatever IT is, I am to do IT as if I’m doing IT for God, and so IT becomes an act of my worship.

Martin Luther, the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation once said, “You can milk cows to the glory of God. You can clean toilets to the glory of God. Why? It’s your attitude that says, ‘God I’m doing it as if I’m doing it for you.’ For instance, Let’s say you make beds in a hotel; you are probably going to make them nicer if you think, I’m doing this as if Jesus were going to sleep in this bed.”

If you begin, doing everything working “as though you were working for the Lord and not for people”, how, then, would your work really change?

22. March - April 15, 2012

March - April 15, 2012

Proud To Be A The Good Shepherd Burn Survivor

By Jerry Ousley, Contributing Wrtier

By Justina Page, Contributing Wrtier

O

n, March 7, 1999, calamity hit the Page Jr. Family head on. Like a motorist blindsided by a drunk driver, I never saw it coming. I awoke to fire, smoke, and complete darkness.

The house was on fire.

My husband is jumping in and out of windows trying desperately to save his wife and six young sons. I am thrown out but re-enter the inferno desperate to save my 22 month twin sons. I am trapped by a large burning oak book shelf that falls on me. The pain is so horrific; I cannot speak above a whisper. The three older boys grab their younger autistic brother and wait at the point. Their obedience to the fire escape plan is rewarded with merciful 1st and 2nd degree burns. My husband is calling for me but I am fading in and out of consciousness. Strong hands lift me a second time, placing me on the outside of the window. I gasp and choke struggling to catch my first breath of fresh air since the nightmare has started. I crawl to the edge of the street dropping pieces of burned flesh as I go.

My hands are so badly injured, I cannot hold myself up. My neighbor places her forehead to mine steadying me in a futile attempt to keep me calm. I am screaming, “Get my children!”

The count never reaches six. The house collapses before my husband is able to get the last twin.

I found myself in a coma, intubated, with burns over 55% of my body. Two months later, I awake from the coma disorientated and in excruciating pain. My physical appearance has been altered greatly. I am a new person.

I am a burn victim. The fear, anxiety and loss of control have rendered me helpless. I am in pain and angry and am plunging into the depths of despair. Guilt

is mocking me and I am struggling with forgiveness.

My faith has taken a devastating blow. Then something amazing happens. I go back to the cornerstone of who’s I am and what I know. I know that I belong to Jesus and that God is. I may not understand the why or care for the present experience but I know that he is with me. I begin to build on every experience, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Something mighty is happening now. I am being transformed from a burn victim to a burn survivor.

I am now helping others safely travel the challenging terrain called tragedy.

I am proud to be a burn survivor. I have experienced a major crisis and know how to avoid denial and not be consumed with the pain. I have loss control of my life being unable to walk, talk, or use my hands and yet value the gift of controlling what I could no matter how minimal it was.

I am proud to be a burn survivor. I have loss a precious son and every material possession I owned and have been able to let my pain be a spring board for helping many; creating a nonprofit in his honor, “The Amos House of Faith” providing post burn support for families affected by burn trauma. I am proud to be a burn survivor. I have overcome guilt, anger, and despair realizing that there is a reason to live. I know that forgiveness is a choice and that unforgiveness destroys the container holding it. I have reentered society confident and comfortable in my burned skin. I know that tragedy can draw the real you out and that we are rarely who we appear to be. I am full of hope and triumphant knowing that my experience has set me in the place of great purpose. I am so proud to be a burn survivor. That is what God allowed and I am not ashamed.

I don’t know much about attending to sheep.

I’ve seen the pictures, watched movies and witnessed a sheep dog doing its thing as it runs around the flock herding them to where the master wants them to go. From the information I’ve received sheep will grow accustomed to their master and will follow him where he leads.

Jesus told about the one sheep that strayed. The shepherd in His story had one hundred sheep. One day a single sheep wandered off on its own. In the story the shepherd was so dedicated to his flock that he left the ninety-nine and went out looking for the single sheep. That tells me that the shepherd not only took care of the sheep out of duty but also from dedication and love.

We are like sheep in many ways. We grow accustomed to leadership and if we know that leader cares for us we’ll follow him or her nearly anywhere. We’ll break our backs to help out and do what’s required of us. I’ve done that. Following is easy when you are being treated fairly. But when the leader begins to do things that just isn’t right then we begin to waiver and doubt his leadership.

I had a boss one time who I felt had my best interest in mind. Out of dedication to him and the company I sacrificially came in early, often stayed late and busted my can trying to get work done when he wanted it. It seemed to me that I was giving much more than a hundred and ten percent. But there came a day when he began riding me and I couldn’t figure out why. He told me once that I was the laziest and most worthless employee he had, even though I was pushing the work out the door way ahead of schedule. For several months he rode me like this until I just had enough. I went in to work one morning determined to get to the bottom of the situation. I was there at least an hour before he was. When he came in I knocked on his door and asked if I could have a word with him. We were either going to work this out or I was going to give my two week notice that day. I sat before him and laid my heart out to him.

Now you’ve got to know that this guy had a reputation of not apologizing to anyone for anything. But in that moment of honesty he did just that He apologized to me! Wonder of

wonders! After that we got along great. I continued doing what I had always done and he dropped his attitude and until I finally left the company we were more than boss and employee we became friends.

I’m glad it worked out that way because I couldn’t go on any longer like that and I couldn’t afford to be out looking for another job either. Praise the Lord for small miracles!

One of the most famous passages of scripture found in the Bible is the 23rd Psalm. In its entirety it says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

To me this is one of the

Spiritual Health is Our True Wealth

died for our sins, but I won’t digress here.

The book left me with a profound message, several actually, the first one is that God is not who we think He is. Our finite minds can only comprehend so much of His glory and then we quit and start making up things to control what we know because it brings us comfort, but He is so much bigger than that. Secondly, He desires relationship with us more than anything else we could give Him. It takes courage to become a friend of God; some of us would rather fight a world war than come face to face with our creator. Yet until we do so we are clueless as to what true wholeness is about. He “completes us.” And lastly forgiveness of ourselves and others is the key to possessing the promises of God for the abundant life He promises us. The truth is available to all of God’s creation but we fail to access it because we get locked into

By Rose Carter, Contributing Wrtier

While spending a rather quiet Resurrection weekend in my one bedroom apartment, I read The Shack.

The two occurrences happening simultaneously were definitely God designed.

Innately, all mankind recognizes that they were created by something. My supposition is that until we recognize and know what the something is, we can never live a healthy whole and prosperous life. It was further strengthened by my journey through the pages

of this awesome rendition of a man’s weekend with God. This man was not like any other man that we may see on the streets. From his outward appearance he was just a normal husband and father who sometimes attended church on Sunday. In the eyes of some he would not be considered a spiritual man, but whether his story is truth or fiction it has had a profound affect on the lives of many. This brings a similar story to mind about a God who became man and

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most comforting passages of scripture in the Word.

When we come to Christ He will do all these things.

He will take us to the ripe, green pastures. He will lead us beside the cool brook to drink. He will restore us and comfort us when we need it all for His name’s sake because we are His and He wants the best for us. Because He is with us when we pass even through the valley of the shadow of death we have no reason to fear any evil. His rod and His staff, representing His weapons of defense on our behalf, bring comfort to us because we know He’ll use them to protect us. Even when we are faced with enemies, danger, tragedy and loss, He will prepare a table before us. He anoints us with His sweet Holy Spirit and fills our cups until it run over. Goodness and mercy will be our companions for our entire life and we can have the hope of living with God forever. How much better can it get? I’m glad to have the Lord as my Shepherd.

How about you?

Jerry D. Ousley is the Author of five books, “Soul Challenge”, “Soul Journey” “Ordeal” “The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional” and his first novel “The Shoe Tree.” Listen to the daily broadcast Spirit Bread. Find out more by visiting www.spiritbread. com or email us at jousley@spiritbread.com Article Source: http://www. faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

this world and its trappings and refuse to become heaven’s ambassadors because it does not bring us an immediate reward.

This man was just like you and me until pain brought Him to another place. His daughter was abducted and murdered and he was bitter and angry as a result. So much so that it was poisoning his entire family. Pain will do that to you; it will either kill you or make you stronger. Time with a loving healing God is the only resolution that makes something so horrendous glorious. His love covers a multitude of sins and the only way we know how to love like that is through our relationship with Him. The only way our lives are a true reflection of health and wholeness is in Him. There is no other way around it.

May your visit to The Shack bring you spiritual wealth and a more intimate relationship with your creator.

He’s waiting for you.

24. March - April 15, 2012

Laughing in Church Is it any wonder that so many people find religious settings stultifying? It’s time to recover joy, humor and laughter in Christian churches, says the Rev. James Martin.

- by James Martin

F

or all its dignity and grandeur and gravity, the Christian church is, like any institution, manifestly human. And with that humanity comes some laughter, both intentional and unintentional.

This is a gift from God, who wants us to enjoy ourselves, to appreciate the absurdities of life, and not to take ourselves so seriously, particularly in religious institutions, where it’s too easy to become deadly serious.

Is it any wonder that so many people find religious settings stultifying?

“The lack of humor and irritability into which we in the contemporary Church and contemporary theology have so often slipped is perhaps one of the most serious objections which can be brought against presentday Christianity,” wrote Cardinal Walter Kasper, a German Catholic theologian and later a prominent Vatican official, in his book “An Introduction to Christian Faith.”

Levity is still considered excessive in some churches.

(Believe me, I’ve visited them and worshiped in them.)

And when bishops, priests, sisters, brothers, ministers, pastors, elders, pastoral associates, music ministers, hospital chaplains, directors of religious education, and religious education teachers act as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, that no job is as difficult as theirs, and that they alone are responsible for doing God’s work, then we’re in trouble.

As we mentioned in Chapter Two, there are several historical reasons for this underplaying of humor in church circles. As John W. O’Malley, a distinguished Jesuit scholar and the dean of American Catholic historians, told me recently, “In strictly ecclesiastical or ‘churchy’ circles, humor has never, ever been a big thing.

However, in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, humor about religion was widespread in literature: for example, Boccaccio’s ‘Decameron,’ Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales,’ Erasmus’s colloquies and ‘Praise of Folly,’ even Thomas More’s ‘Utopia’ (which was

not exactly humor but seriously lighthearted). But the Reformation controversies suppressed all that, pretty much ever since, though people like G.K. Chesterton tried to get a little bounce back in things.”

But overall, as Fr. O’Malley noted, humor has never been a “big thing” in ecclesial circles.

And that has been my experience as well.

The comedian Grou-

cho Marx was once in a hotel lobby (or stepping off a train, or having lunch, depending on the source of the story) when a priest, in his clerical collar, rushed over to see the great film comedian. “Thank you, Groucho, for bringing so much joy and laughter into people’s lives!”

“Thank you,” Groucho replied, “for taking so much joy and laughter out of them.”

It’s not just a Catholic problem. The Rev. Martin Marty, the distinguished Protestant theologian, author of many books and over 5,000 scholarly articles, told me that certain aspects of the Protestant tradition have always struck him as “grim.” In a recent interview Marty said, “ Hilaritas is not characteristic of the Protestant ethos.”

Professor Marty saw that as ironic since Martin Luther, about whom Marty has written extensively, often stressed the value of “play” in his writings. And he was also fond himself of the occasional witticism.

In one of the sayings later collected in Luther’s “Table Talk,” one of his friends recounts Luther’s amusing way of preparing to deliver a

particular homily. “Tomorrow I have to lecture on the drunkenness of Noah,” said the great man, “so I should drink enough this evening to be able to talk about that wickedness as one who knows by experience.”

To underline his humor, I should add that I first read this in a book entitled “The Wit of Martin Luther.”

Ironically, Professor Marty said that his whole career could be attributed to a sense of humor. While studying at Concordia Seminary in Missouri, he and his friends playfully concocted a fictional scholar named Franz Bibfeldt, whose fake name and spurious accomplishments they attempted to place in as many academic settings as they could -- student newspapers, the school’s library card catalogue, and so on.

In response to these shenanigans, the dean called him into his office for a scolding. He told Marty that someone with such frivolity could never be a good Protestant scholar, and sent him to work with a pastor. But at that church the pastor told the young man that all his assistants studied for their doctorates.

So that’s what Marty did.

“So my whole professional life was thanks to a prank!” he told me.

Today you find on the Internet references to the work of the wholly fictional professor, including a book penned by Marty and a friend with the wonderfully serious title of “The Unrelieved Paradox: Studies in the Theology of Franz Bibfeldt.” Among the fanciful articles are “Franz Bibfeldt and the Future of Political Theology.”

“And I’m still accused of not being serious enough!” said one of the country’s greatest scholars of religion. “I have a real taste for humor.”

Professor Marty, who is also the author of “Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America,” surmised that the American Protestant tradition’s emphasis on seriousness may relate to the belief that what you do needs to “add up” to something. Of course, he said, there are many Protestants who are

lighthearted, humorous and joyful. But overall he detects a certain grimness in certain parts of the Protestant DNA. “After all,” he told me, “we talk about the Protestant work ethic, not the Protestant play ethic.”

Charles HambrickStowe, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield, Connecticut, agreed, suggesting that this seriousness may be ingrained in aspects of the American Protestant tradition. “Perhaps a great deal of this comes from our Puritan background,” he said.

“After all, Cotton Mather talked about the dangers of humor and noted that nowhere in Scripture does it say that Jesus smiled. But the absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence.”

Hambrick-Stowe laughingly recalled H.L. Mencken’s acid definition of Puritanism as the “haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.”

Pastor HambrickStowe has a range of experience in a variety of Protestant traditions. He has taught both at Lancaster Theological Seminary, a UCC institution in Pennsylvania, as well as in the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Hambrick-Stowe has also taught church history at the Baptist-run

Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He is an excellent person to address the topic of humor in American Protestantism.

Hambrick-Stowe agreed with Professor Marty in the overemphasis on what he called the “grim, dour and rigid” brand of some Protestant traditions.

“Too many thou-shaltnots,” he said.

“Then why do I know so many joyful Protestants?”

I asked him. In response he pointed to an interesting historical development that helped to usher in a more joyful form of American Protestantism.

In the aftermath of the Civil War and the rise of industrialization in the late 19th century, he said, many Protestant denominations began to realize that the center of people’s lives was moving away from the church. This led to a growing awareness of the need to link the life of the local church with the everyday “social” life of the congregation. “This is when you had churches building social halls, gymnasiums, church parlors and even bowling alleys where all sorts of groups could meet,” he said. “Pianos started to appear in social halls, and not just for the singing of religious songs. You had a greater emphasis on fellowship and youth groups.”

As a result, says Hambrick-Stowe, what was injected into American Protestant culture was both “fellowship and fun.”

Even with these relatively recent developments, and even if many priests and ministers admit the need for joy, many religious institutions still seem to find little room for a smile, for a joke, for laughter, or worse, for the occasional measure of silliness. But God, I would suggest, may think otherwise.

Why do I believe this?

Because God relentlessly introduces into even the most serious of situations -- whether we like it or not -- joy, humor and laughter. This happens mainly through our own very human mistakes, which reveals to us our very human limitations. Everyone has a favorite story about a snafu, a slipup or a stupid thing they did or said in the midst of their ministry that prompted gales of unexpected laughter.

God brings joy, humor and laughter into churches through our humanity, on a regular basis, which is something that we should rejoice about.

“This was first published in Faith & Leadership.”

Article: www.faithandleadership.com

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