Modern Beauty In Christian Living
Christian Magazine Put Your Trust In God... Not Man
2013 Fall/Winter Edition
MANY MEMBERs in ONE BODY
Professor Phillip Luke Sinitiere, Phd
pg.12
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Grow in Grace
STAFF
CONTENTS 03
From The Editor
07
Following The Leader
08
Invitation To Christ
10
Celebrating 50 Years
12
Many Members In One Body
Teesha Waker
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Pastor Earl Wilbert
Elizabeth Jackson
BREAKING THE SILENCE Dr. Dorothy Flake
EDITOR Byron Jackson Jr. Chief Editor Assist. EDITOR Teesha Walker Melvin Kirks Advertisment Director Elizabeth Jackson Office: 281-886-6599 Photographer Ferrell Phelps Jr. Writer Salesperson Alfred Tompson Pam Survillion
Prayer Of Salvation
Prof. Phillip Luke Sinitiere, Ph.D.
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Co-Founder/Publisher Elizabeth Jackson
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Contributing Writers Prof. Philip Luke Sinitiere Pastor Earl Wilbert Dr. Dorothy Flake Sponsors
~ Interactive Hair Studio ~ Ismm~ Ferrell’s Photography Mrs. Annie Price ~ Pamela Survillion
Teesha Walker, Chief Editor
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CanThese Bones Live?
magine you are Ezekiel. You have been taken by God to a place where the land is filled with dry, brittle bones. The only atmosphere that surrounds you is darkness, chilly air and the voice of God. As you stare at the valley, God asks you one simple question, “Can these bones live?� For our benefit, these bones serve as a metaphor for the past goals, ambitions and vows we made to ourselves. Some have aged by months while others by years. No matter the age, these bones have one thing in common; they were once part of a dream, vision or desire. As life progressed and changed, these organisms lost hope, faith and any vitality.
They currently lay broken, brittle and dry. Now, imagine that as your eyes scan this vast valley you begin to remember the excitement and anxiousness you felt at the fruition of what is now considered dead and forgotten. Can these bones live? But of course they can. Sometimes you acheive the best results by doing the most simple things. In this case, all you must do is speak life to what has been declared as dead. Just as God told Ezekiel, prophesy to the valley and watch your bones take form and begin to live again. Teesha Walker Chief Editor
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Answers To Life’s Questions How Can I have God’s Peace? Is. 26:3
T
he key element in true, lasting peace is the presence of God. Isaiah says to God, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You” (26: 3). Christ is our peace— His presence is the presence of peace within us (Eph. 2: 14). And so Jesus declares, “In Me you may have peace” (John 16: 33). What is this peace? It is an inner sense of contentment and quietness, regardless of life’s circumstances. It is steadfast confidence in our ever-faithful, immutable heavenly Father. It is the presence of joy in the midst of unhappiness. True peace does not merely dull our pain. A person who has genuine, godly peace can endure an avalanche of hardship and difficulty and still enjoy an inner peace that surpasses all human understanding. Why? Because it does not come from pleasant circumstances, nice events, or good things others may do for us. Instead, it is based on the fact that the Spirit of our holy, omnipotent,
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and never-changing God lives within us. Does enjoying God’s perfect peace mean that you’ll never feel the effects of the storms raging around you? Hardly. But His peace is complete, adequate, and sufficient or anything you face. Keep in Mind three keys to experiencing sustained peace: 1. Focus on God. Perfect peace comes when you fix your mind on God. You must discipline yourself to meditate on God’s presence and work. When you spend time concentrating on a problem, does it not seem to grow bigger? In the same way, you will have a greater sense of God’s presence and provision as you fix your mind on Him. 2. Trust Him. You never have to worry about God acting too late or providing insufficient help. His timing and purposes are perfect; in fact, He uses your tribulations to reveal more of
Himself to you. His Word is full of rock-solid promises, many of which involve granting you peace. Know that He will always honor them! 3. Meditate on His Word. Psalm 119: 165 emphasizes that those who love God’s Word have great peace. Your most precious material possession is your Bible. Every believer should love God’s Word and feast on it daily. If you love it, you’re going to believe what it says— and then it will guide and anchor your life.
Stanley, Charles F. (2009-03-17). The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASB (Kindle Locations 50788-50805). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
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Lessons from the Life of Josiah: The Death of Josiah July 27, 2009 by jimlaffoon
A
Josiah was at the peak of his power. With his kingdom in revival, he felt that there was nothing in the world that could stop him. Therefore, when fter all this, when Josiah Neco, king of Egypt, allied himself had set the temple in order, Neco with the king of Assyria, Josiah king of Egypt went up to fight at declared war on him. Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in Although the king of Egypt warned battle. Josiah that he would be opposing God by attacking him, Josiah would not But Neco sent messengers to him, listen. Instead of consulting Jeremiah saying, “What quarrel is there as he should have, Josiah disguised between you and me, O king of himself in the armor of another Judah? It is not you I am attacking at person. Tragically, Neco had been this time but the house with which I prophesying, for Josiah was killed in am at war. God has told me to hurry; the ensuing battle. When Jeremiah so stop opposing God, who is with heard of the king’s demise, he was me, or he will destroy you.” so heartbroken that he composed a lament to mourn his death. As for the Josiah, however, would not turn nation, she would never recover from away from him, but disguised the death of her king. himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had What lessons can we learn from said at God’s command but went to Josiah’s needless death? fight him on the plain of Megiddo. Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, “Take me away; I am badly wounded.” So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.
First, Josiah, like many men in their late thirties, had probably become very insecure. Although he had experienced remarkable success, he may have still felt a need to prove himself.
lose even their marriages or businesses. Like Josiah, their attempts to satisfy the needs of their soul through accomplishments are doomed to failure, for only God Himself can touch and meet the ultimate longings of the human heart. Second, Josiah disguised himself in the armor of another man. I cannot count the number of men that I have watched do the same thing today. Whether it is the pastor who tries to become a businessman or the couch-potato who tries to once again prove his manhood by running a marathon in his forties, even when they accomplish these feats, their souls remain unsatisfied. Worse yet is the fact that some of these attempts can result in unexpected pain and heartbreak. Third, Josiah was in such a hurry to go to war that he missed the divine warning that Neco gave him. It is clear in scripture that God Himself was speaking to Josiah. Whether it was his own insecurity or some unwise political alliance he had made, the state of Josiah’s soul caused him to miss the warnings he normally would have discerned.
It is possible that being a great king and tremendous reformer were no longer He was buried in the tombs of his enough to satisfy him. Therefore, he In my own experience, I have found fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem decided to become a warrior king. that when a man is being driven by mourned for him. Jeremiah his own pride and insecurities, he can This rash act cost him his life. composed laments for Josiah, and easily miss the warnings that God has to this day all the men and women Sadly, Josiah’s foolishness is being sent to save him instead of being led by singers commemorate Josiah in the repeated by many men in our culture the Spirit. laments. These became a tradition today. For some of them, their in Israel and are written in the insecurities will only cost them time May God give us the grace to negotiate Laments. 2 Chronicles 35:20-25 and money. Other men, however, will the traps that come as we grow older.
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INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE
PASTOR EARL WILBERT
O
Following the Leader:
A Sheep, Shepherd Evaluation censor which will stand guard at the portals of ne of the basic functions of Christian living your mind, checking is following the leader that God has sent to you in a pastor. the ethical and moral Following the leader means to be actively committed credentials of the regardless of cost. I am reminded of Luke 9:23, wherein ideas that could God instructs us to deny self and seek Him. Following disrupt, disturb, and the leader means the follower has to voluntarily accept the possibly destroy responsibilities associated with the instructions given by your attitude of faith the leader. It is imperative not to get distracted questioning while following the instructions that God is giving your leader; instead, learn your leader. But to trust what God is doing through your leader and follow. in reality, we all need Be mindful that a true Godly leader has no choice but to to follow someone who can see, hear, and go in the direction of the cross. The correct relationship touch what we can’t. The leader is a blessing from God; model between a pastor (leader) and the congregation a gift from God’s heart to us, His children. Jeremiah (followers) is often referred to as shepherd and sheep. 3:15 says “And I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feed In John 10:14-27, Jesus you with knowledge and presents the unique relationship “I Am the good shepherd; and I know My understanding.” Being overly held between a shepherd and his concerned about positions sheep, And Am known by My own.” flock. “I Am the good shepherd; and titles will ultimately get and I know My sheep, And Am the follower off track. If one sheep is concerned about known by My own. My sheep hear My voice, And I know the other sheep around him, they become the objective them and they follow Me.” You must not only hear the instead of the shepherd. Think about the traits of a leader voice of the one you are following; you must follow like this: covering, counselor, intercessor, and mediator. with humility and obedience. Your leader has enough I could go even further but I hope the benefits of a Godly responsibilty for hearing the voice of God, and should not leader are clear. have to constantly focus on the distractions of those who hear no one but themselves. This brings chaos and disrupts I believe that the way the leader does things will order. We must remember that a leader that is led by God affect your life in a real and relevant way. My leader is is bound with the mutuality of knowledge and affection Pastor Paul D. Landrew and what keeps me out of trouble that characterizes the relationship between the leader and is following his wisdom on honoring my assignment those who are following. The job of the follower is to and carrying it out. Also, in private I follow in prayer, trust the leader and receive instruction. Be careful not to in public I follow in my performance. I believe if you make the leader’s job hard; in modern terms “stay in your associate yourself with those who are in compliance; lane.” Hebrews 13:17 warns us to love our leader and those who are always complaining won’t have power respect his decisions. However, as humans there will be to affect your ability and desire to follow the leader. often times where we will not fully understand our leader’s In closing, I challenge us all to reflect on choice, which is when Proverbs 3:5-6 must be applied. It Romans 8:28, reminding us that following a Godly will give you peace and keep your mind stayed on Him. leader will work together for the good of the ministry. One obstacle that we must overcome, especially Do everything as unto the Lord and following your within the church, is not getting involved with gossip or leader will become a easy Amen. I pray that someone those who exploit it. Make sure that your faith becomes a will be helped by these words of enlightenment.
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The Prayer of Salvation Romans 10:9,10 You Can Receive Jesus Christ Right Now by Faith - Through Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I need You to come into my life. I thank You for dying on the cross for my sins, and arose from the dead. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.” In Jesus’ name. Amen. Now That You Have Received Christ!
The moment that you received Christ by faith, as an act of will, many things happened, including the following:
1. Christ came into your life. Rev. 3:20 and Colossians 1:27 2. Your sins were forgiven. Colossians 1:14 3. You become a child of God. John 1:12 4. You received eternal life. John 5:24 5. You begin the great adventure for which God created you. John 10:10; II Corinthians 5:17; I Thessalonians 5:18 Can you think of anything more wonderful that could happen to you than receiving Christ? “As soon as you can, find a Bible believing and Bible teaching Church so that you can begin to hear and study the Word of God. Remember, Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” Paul D. Landrew
AFTER YOU PRAYED THE PRAYER OF SALVATION BELOW ARE SOME SUGGESTED CHURCHES YOU MAY CONSIDER GOING TO FOR MORE BIBLE BASED TEACHING AND GUIDANCE IN THE WORD OF GOD.
Pastor Paul D. Landrew Loving Word Fellowship Church 170 Rittenhouse / 609 Littleyork Houston, TX 77076 Pastor Paul D. Landrew Loving Word Fellowship Church 11040 Houston, TX 77074 Pastor Bennett T. Cortez Greater Faith Baptist Church 9235 West Montgomery rd. Houston, TX 77088
Pastor Maurice Johnson Mount Calvary Baptist Church 1018 Herkimer St. Houston, Tx 77008 Pastor Henry Thomas True Fellowship Baptist Church 3115 N. Fry Katy, TX 77449 Pastor Demetrius Moffett First Church of God 911 Main Street Orange, TX 77630
Pastor John Adolph Antioch Missionary Baptist Church 3920 West Cardinal Drive Beaumont, TX 77705
Pastor Melvin H. Kirks Jr. Bridge Crossroad Church 12515 Fondren Ste. F Houston, TX. 77035
Pastor Roland Booker Just Church Ministry 13547 Bammel North Houston Houston, Tx 77066
Pastor Andy Woods Sugar Land Bible Church 401 Matlage Way Sugar Land Tx, 77478
What The Bible Says About Our Greatest Salvation “Christ took our punishment and died in our place. Since our attempts at righteousness will not satisfy God, Christ clothed us in His righteousness in such away that when God, the Father, looks upon us, He does not see our sin; He sees only the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ.” L. Moyer Hebrews 2:1-4 -“What has been the greatest moment of your life? For some people, the answer might be their wedding day, the birth of a child, or an important promotion. But for believers, the best experience is salvation, when their eternal destiny was changed. New Christians often have a fervor to share their faith. In time, however, many find their hearts cooling as they focus less on their relationship with Jesus Christ.” Hebrews 2:1 instructs, “Therefore we must give the most earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Salvation is God’s amazing solution to man’s sinful condition: it is His gift of rescue - through the death of Jesus- from the penalty of our transgressions.” Charles Stanley
Elizabeth Jackson Celebrating years!
50
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Elizabeth Jackson
written by Ferrell Phelps Jr.
Celebrating 50 years!
W
The Road to Gold! A Woman of Integrity!
e all hope to make a difference in the lives of others Liz obtained her cosmetology during our time on earth, Elizabeth is certainly one that has done just that. license 28 years ago where she began practicing the art of hair styling, she Over the course of 50 felt that her gift would be best utilized years, Elizabeth has pursued and not only in promoting healthy hair first, accomplished many goals, but not but to also help increase the esteem without challenges and obstacles. of women; her nurturing hands and The road to the “Gold” has not always creative mind propelled her in the been easy; but God who is rich in direction of opening up a hair salon His compassion, has multiplied her over fifteen years ago, where she has not only Spiritually, He has blessed had the opportunity to bless so many her with a loving husband, six people as they sat in her chair, not only children, sixteen grandchildren, ‘god- giving them advice on total hair care grandchildren’, family and friends. but also blessing them with the Word of In celebrating 50 years on God. While being in the presence of Liz, earth and allowing to be used as a it is not far-fetched to hear Scriptures vessel of Christ it seems no stone has that will bless the life of her listeners. Liz will not put her hands to not been uncovered in her life. Liz, has certainly been a great example anything without having a mind-set of of how we should all live our lives. achieving it with excellence from the When I think of Liz, I’m reminded of smallest task to the largest. Her mind the virtuous woman as described is always eager to gain knowledge and in Proverbs 31; she not only talks venture into unknown territory which the talk but she walks the walk. I’ve was evident when she had the vision of seen tremendous growth take place creating a magazine called “M’Bracing in her life as she strives to educate Beauty” a Christian magazine herself, not only career wise but designed to encourage the saved also in spiritual knowledge. Liz is and offer salvation to the unbelievers. currently attending the College Liz has not only accomplished and of Bliblcal Studies where she will maintained that goal, but she also be graduating in 2014 with her recently obtained the title of producer, Associates Degree in Biblical Studies. director, videographer and editor for one of Houston’s up and coming talk
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She is a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, student, encourager, Woman of God, Three-times Entrepreneur: Publisher, Photographer, Owner & Operator of a Hair Salon... shows “ Let”s Talk About It “ Last but certainly not least, Elizabeth is a friend, motivator, entrepreneur, woman of God and an inspiration. She is a woman that has made her life count and has shown others that their lives count as well. I could go on all day, but by now you should have an idea of who this beautiful woman of God is, “Elizabeth Jackson”, whose name means, “My God is bountiful, God of plenty” and in Hebrew elīsheba’ means (God is my oath). She is certainly one who has lived up to her name!
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Many Members in One Body, Part I: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King, and the Living Reality of Christian History
by Phillip Luke Sinitiere, Ph.D. Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King. itself is important and that it should be shared and dispensed widely. Finally, the agricultural
Photo by Shari Durrett
imagery suggests that knowledge has a nourishing component as well—it can satisfy the longings in our souls and minds to answer some of life’s most important
“If we neglect to mark . . . history, it and may be distorted or forgotten.” W. E. B. Du Bois (1957)1
T
here’s a Swahili proverb from
East Africa that says, “Knowledge is like a garden. If it is not cultivated it cannot be harvested.” This proverb powerfully teaches that the attainment of knowledge takes hard work and that it should be ongoing or perpetual. The proverb also teaches that knowledge 1 W. E. B. Du Bois, “Negro History Centenaries,” National Guardian (January 14, 1957), in W. E. B. Du Bois, Newspaper Columns by W. E. B. Du Bois, Volume 2: 19451961, ed. Herbert Aptheker (New York: Kraus-Thomson, 1986), 2: 982.
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most
pressing
questions.
In this article, which will
come through several installments in future issues of M’Bracing Beauty Christian Magazine, I’d like to slightly tweak the Swahili proverb in order to prompt critical reflection on history: “[Historical] knowledge is like a garden. If it is not cultivated it cannot be harvested.” In what follows I will discuss what the Bible has to say about the importance of history.
I will show through their witness and through their writings how historical knowledge can enhance personal faith in Christ as well as draw Christians closer together communally as the Body of Christ. To put it another way, I will explain how we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the past in order to harvest historical knowledge that is useful and encouraging for our lives and our communities today. God wishes for his people to take history as a matter of serious consideration for three reasons: 1. The
biblical
mandate
to
remember. 2. God’s call for thinking Christians
to develop a perpetual historical awareness
and
cultivate
a
critical cultural competence.
To explain how and why the study of history is important to the life of faith, I will discuss the significance of two twentieth-century Christians: Dietrich
3. The “living reality” of Christian
history. The Bible is full of commands to
“remember.” In Deuteronomy 32, time to “consider the years of many and shape the present—then the actual for example, Moses addresses God’s generations” that comprise the history practice of remembering requires people with a particular command: of God’s people? How many Christians study, reflection, and analysis. My don’t forget the past and how I’ve spend time “reading up on what second point, therefore, is that God preserved you. In verse 7 it reads: happened before [they] were born?” demands that Christians take thinking “Remember the days of old; consider How often do Christians “dig into seriously. In other words, God calls the years of many generations; ask the past” to “understand [the] roots” his people to develop a perpetual your father, and he will show you, of their faith? In Deuteronomy 32:7 historical awareness and cultivate a your elders, and they will tell you.” God is asking Christians to understand critical cultural competence. To be Another translation renders it
“The call to remember
quite vividly: “Read up on what happened before you were born; dig into the past, understand your roots. Ask your parents what it was like before you were
historically aware is to seek to understand history; to do
helps to preserve the
this perpetually is to embrace
memories of redemption.”
life-long goal. Cultivating a
born; ask the old-ones, they’ll
learning
continuously
as
a
critical cultural competence is to pursue learning something
tell you a thing or two.” In context, not only what happened in history but about cultures not your own (such Moses is calling God’s people to also why what happened is important. as another culture’s history, a new remember how He has preserved However, since God’s commands are language, culinary customs, etc.). them over the years, despite many not simply propositions to recite, the I would add that this is especially acts of disobedience and rebellion. call to remember in Deuteronomy 32 important for Christians in Houston— This means that the call to remember is not intended merely as a cerebral not only is Houston the fourth largest helps to preserve the memories of exercise of intellectual thought. The city in the nation, according to the redemption, but it also leaves room call to remember demands a response. latest U. S. Census data from 2010, for lament: grief over injustice, The call to remember is a call to Houston is the most ethnically diverse sinful actions, and broken human action. Knowledge should not remain and fasting growing metropolitan relationships (Psalm 137). From dormant and static. As the saying goes, area in the nation! As a cosmopolitan this passage, Christians can draw “Learning is a verb.” If God calls city, Houston reflects global culture. the principle that God takes history his people to remember history—to seriously.
Do
Christians
devote reflect on this past in order to inform
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15
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS
BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR slightly protruding. It frightened me so much that I didn’t want to go to work. I immediately called my physician and made an appointment to see him that same morning. I began to undergo an extensive series of tests, including a bone scan, MRI, blood work, chest x-ray, to rule out the possibility that there may be other places in my body where cancer was growing.
HOUSTON, TX – October 5, 2013 – In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Janice Workcuff, President of Angels Surviving Cancer which is non-profit breast cancer support group year.. Would like to share her testimony as a survivor and where she is now. Janice hope’s her story will encourage other women to not take it lightly in getting their mammograms and performing their breast self exams.
The physician stated that when a recurrence happens that fast, it could indicate that I have another type of cancer, an aggressive, deadly cell and my life would be short. It was recommended that I undergo toxic chemotherapy, (the use of drugs to kill cancer cells) and my physician wanted me start immediately.
had just celebrated my 32nd birthday, and things seemed to be going well. It was a Friday evening, about the middle of February, and I was wrestling with my 5-yearold son, William, Jr. I was trying to grab his hand and it slipped and he accidentally hit my left breast, sending a very painful blow. As I grabbed my breast with the palm of my hand, it rested on a lump. I always performed my monthly breast examination, and I had never noticed this before. The doctor examined me and scheduled me for a mammogram, which he explained was a low level x-ray of the breasts. He then proceeded to read my report: “An ill-defined, somewhat lobulated density, approximately 2.5 cm in the outer left quadrant of the left breast, close to the chest wall. Biopsy may be appropriate. If biopsy is not appropriate, repeat mammogram in six months.” I was not comfortable waiting six months. The physician stated in that the only sure way of ruling out malignancy was to perform an open incision biopsy surgical removal with the microscopic examination of the suspicious tissue.
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He continued to slowly and thoroughly explain to me what an incision biopsy was. The doctor gave me a sense of comfort. He made all of the necessary arrangements for day surgery for that Friday. The biopsy was positive for malignancy (cancer) infiltrating ductal cell breast cancer. He carefully explained our next options would be a Modified Radical Mastectomy, which is a surgical removal of the breast with the muscles left intact, or a lumpectomy, where only the tumor mass and its surrounding tissue are removed. The physician called informing us of the results from the ERA and PRA were negative. I told him of my decision to have the modified radical mastectomy. About three months after the surgery, I woke up with a feeling of fullness in my chest. When I looked in the mirror, I noticed that the area on my chest where the mastectomy had been was red and
Many days of chemotherapy and radiation followed. My Days have turned into months and my months have turned into 25 yrs survivorship. God is so faithful! Glory to God for the great things he has done. God has allowed me to meet people I would not have met if it had not been for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Janice E. Workcuff, wife, mother (William Jr) God daughter (Grace Wiggins/son Chance) and grandmother (Imani) a 25-year survivor of breast cancer, is a native of Kansas City, Missouri who moved to Houston, Texas in 1980. Janice lives a very productive life employed as Registered Cardiac Sonographer at University Health Science Center-Internal Medicine/cardiology department in Houston Texas. She is also a Peer Counselor, motivational speaker, and advocate for breast cancer survivors. She stands in the gap for breast cancer
Angels Surviving Cancer is a non profit organization that support individuals with breast cancer. Contact Janice Butler Workcuff, President of ASC.
survivors as a role model. She is involved with many major organizations, including the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center Network program, Celebrating Life Foundation and the Susan Komen Foundation whose goal is to raise funds and wage war against this disease. Janice participates in the “Race for the Cure walk” each year. Workcuff has been featured in the Houston Chronicle, various television and radio shows, and has received numerous awards for her work in making a difference in the healthcare community. She currently serves as President for Angels Surviving Cancer Incorporated which is non-profit breast cancer support organization that provides support and assistance to breast cancer survivors and their families. Janice spends tireless moments at the bedside of women who are experiencing breast cancer for guidance and direction to help them have a quality of life and productive living. She offers comfort by praying with them and ministering to their families. Has a 25 year survivor, she advocates for needs of her fellow sisters through making phone calls and spreading the word for better health care, improved healthcare and more clinical trials. It has become her mission to raise women’s awareness to this silent killer through speaking engagements and resources of education. Her motto is that she is on a “Mission not Remission” She says if she closes her eyes each night and knows that she has
honored God and done her best then all her living is not in vain. Janice currently resides in Missouri City, Texas with her husband William, Sr. She is the Author of: “Road to Restoration through the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer and Walking on by Faith” written in 2003 provides hope, new perspective and insight into ways of overcoming the many challenges of living with cancer. It touches mind, body, spirit and soul of everyone who reads it. Road to Restoration also includes an effective reference guide containing informative resources and educational information. As a learning tool, it gives powerful information to enlighten and educate women regarding a cancer diagnosis. Road to Restoration is one woman’s testimony of determination and perseverance. It provides inspiration by offering personal reflections from a 25-year breast cancer survivor and 14 other courageous survivors and their families and courageous survivors and their families and friends about how the cancer diagnosis affected their lives. It is surely to be a blessing to all those who read it. If you would like her to share her personal story in person, contact her at Janice Workcuff is available for interviews 713.405.9178 or her email: roadtorestoration@comcast.net http://bookstore.trafford.com/Products/SKU-000147377/ Road-to-Restoration-through-the-Diagnosisof-BreastCancer-and-Walking-on-by-Faith.aspx
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THE LOVE OF BROTHERS
by Prof. C. David Harrison , M.A.C.E.
W
hat makes a man great is not his accomplishments, his titles, or his riches. What makes a man great is the people that have shaped and molded his character. I know through past experience, that bad company can corrupt good character, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, as one surrounds themselves with positive and powerful people, they are the true beneficiaries. Looking at the example of King David, one can observe that his greatness came as a result of the people he surrounded himself by. By no means are any of these individuals without fault, but they embody character traits that added to what David already possessed. David was great, because of his royal lineage, because of his divine appointment, because he slayed giants, and because he was a man after God’s own heart. Although David played a tremendous role in his God-given success, it was the support and strength of three key individuals (Gibborim 2
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Samuel 23:8-39) that assisted David to the pinnacle of his potential: Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah. Neither of the great men in my life have slain eight hundred men by themselves (Adino 2 Samuel 23:8), fought until their weapons clung to their hands (Eleazar 2 Samuel 23:10), nor took a stand against the Philistines (Shammah 2 Samuel 23:11-12), but they have helped mold me into the man that I am today. I contend that every person, especially men, need to be mentored by another in order to become who God has designed him or her to be. I say Lofton, Lionel, and RD are the mighty men in my life, not because of their personal victories, but because of the battles they have helped me to win. First, my brother Lofton, I liken to Adino, because of all of the personal victories I have witnessed him win. My brother Lofton is not my eldest brother, but he has “always” been the most respectable, intelligent, honest, and has always done what was best for his family. I’m not sure of how many battles I have witnessed him win, but I have never saw him get so absorbed with one victory that he failed to realize he had to fight again another day. Lofton is a man that I see as a “product” of making consistent wise decisions. He has taught me that life is choice driven! When our dad passed, I was a young man; however it was Lofton that took the reigns of responsibility and molded me into a real man. We had fights, we have disagreed, but never have we fallen out!
An example of his great leadership came when I was in desperate need of a vehicle. I was out of work due to a “self-inflicted” injury (suicide attempt), I had been off work for twelve weeks, my wife had left me, I was broke, and living back at home with our mother. It was time to go back to work, but I had no transportation because my car had been repossessed! Lofton knew I needed transportation and he had a Chevy Blazer, that he wanted to give me, but God did not allow him to do so. I had always been a spoiled brat, so Lofton knew if I was ever going to be broken, now was the time. I was working nights, so I used my mom’s car at night, while she went to work in the daytime. After nine weeks or so of struggle, sacrifice, and sweat I saved up and got my own transportation. Because of that lesson from Lofton, I now know that if I’m not willing to help myself, no one else is obligated to do so. Second, is my former Pastor Lionel, I see as a type of Eleazar because of the Spiritual battles I have saw him win through his sincere faith and upright character. Just as Eleazar clung to the sword even when his hand was weary, I have watched Lionel do the same thing until victories were won in the lives of others and God got the victory. What sticks out most to me about Lionel is his stubbornness to see others become what God intends for them to be! This is an awesome trait, and has proven vital for me!
Several years back, I can remember like it was yesterday, when I was living below God’s standard as a leader in our church. Lionel with tears in his eyes, shut me down, silenced me to the people, and even separated himself from any personal association with me. Not only was Lionel my Pastor, but he is also my brother-in-law! At family functions if I would sit near him to eat, he would even go as far as moving to another table (1 Cor. 5:11)! I thought it was harsh, I thought it was mean, and at times I wanted to go off! But through God’s divine will, Lionel’s non-acceptance of the sin in my life, God’s chastisement, and Lionel’s continuous example of Godly character, I have become, “A Man of the Book (Ezra 7:10)!” If it had not been for this “mighty-man,” I would not have been restored at the church after a period of chastisement and cleansing, appointed as a leader, living in God’s favor, and begin to pursue an undergraduate degree in Christian Studies. Third is my friend RD. Not only is RD a symbol of Shammah, but also we are as close as David and Jonathon. This brother is so awesome because of his calm temperament, his consistent witness, and his ability to rebuke and encourage me at the same time! Just as Shammah was one that risked his own life to quench David’s thirst, RD has on occasion blessed me beyond words. Not with things, but with the sacrifice of our friendship! He just as Lionel and Lofton knew that if I would get up off the soft side of my back, that I could in turn bless a lot of people. RD never encouraged where rebuke was needed, even though
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encouragement might have been the simplest thing to do at the time. The occasion that RD proved his loyalty to God and his love for me was when I was mad at Lionel for sitting me down at the church. I left the church and was doing great things at another ministry, but I had not healed from past church hurt and pain. I made the mistake of telling RD, and he let me have it with both guns! What he said and I quote is, “Go back to the church, swallow your pride, apologize for your past behavior, sit down and listen, let God use you, and be who God made you to be. After these things are done, then if you choose to leave then do so!” That was cool, but what stung was his next words, “If you can’t do what God has instructed you to do, loose my number and never call me again!” He was willing to loose me as a friend rather than allow me to lean to my own understanding. From this episode I see friendship as the ability to love someone only as Christ loves them (Jn. 15:12).
their love for God supersedes their willingness to see loved ones function below God’s standard. Once with no car, now we have a car, a suv, and a truck; once sat down, now encouraged and supported in doing more for the global body of Christ; once ready to quit at the drop of a dime, now a true soldier of Christ with an advanced degree in Christian Education! I have learned that character is never built during tuff times, but it is revealed. It is true that all leaders are born, however the experiences they go through and the people that groom them shape their lives. I know that it is God who is behind the scenes controlling the events of our lives. I thank God daily for all of the mighty men in my life, but these three men of character and integrity are not special, they are simply authentic. Authenticity is the distinct ability to be who you are designed to be all to the glory of God. Get close to God and encircle yourself with people that are edificatory, and most of all embrace your beauty (Psalm 8:5)!
In conclusion, I am a better man, husband, father, and Christian because of the influence of those within my circle. From Lofton, I have received the ability to have a tough mind, with a tender heart; from Lionel, I enjoy the peace of God through righteous living and regular thanksgiving and repentance; and from RD, I now hold on to the baton until the race is finished, and not drop it when its convenient or when times get tough. These three mighty men have proven time and time again that
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