TRINKETS TO TRIUMPH

Tracey

GEORGE

Embrace Emmanuel

Hug Him! Wrap your arms around yourself and embrace Emmanuel, God with you (Matthew 1:23). This holiday season, make a conscious effort to remember that God is with you and that you are never alone. Embrace Emmanuel and remember that He is the reason for the season. Embrace Emmanuel and recognize that He inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). When you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Embrace Emmanuel and remember that His presence in your life is the best present you can have. Gifts received from others are good but remember that you have the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Gathering with Him is the best gift you can receive. He is a Lord that wants to lavish you with all things good. Embrace Emmanuel and let Him be your peace, protection, and all the provision you need. He is with you to supply every one of your needs and to be the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Embrace Emmanuel and receive Him as Master overall in your life. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:6). Holding Him near gives you the opportunity to shower Him with praise, worship, and continuous adoration. Embrace Emmanuel by meditating on His word. Doing so will work wonders in your life. When you fully embrace Emmanuel, your faith increases, and you trust Him to show Himself strong and mighty in your life. Embracing Emmanuel, at times, is easier said than done. Choosing God may not seem like the popular thing to do but doing so always positions you for a blessing. Imagine how Joseph felt when the angel of the Lord told him to embrace Mary who was pregnant before they came together (Matthew 1:24). He chose to embrace Mary and baby Jesus because he knew that if God said to do so, everything would work out fine. Little did he know at first, but he soon found out, that He was opening his arms to embrace the Savior of the world.

When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He promised to be with you always (Matthew 28:20). Recognize the fact that you are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and that God abides in you. You are never alone because you have the Holy One residing and abiding in you. Embrace Emmanuel and be confident of the fact that you can rest assured that He is with you. As you celebrate your Savior’s birth this month, take a moment and practice His presence in your life. In a time when everyone is trying to gather in a group, choose to get with God and embrace Emmanuel. With God you can be grateful that you get to commune with Him constantly and He is there to cast all your cares (1 Peter 5:7). This Christmas, come to Him. Embrace Emmanuel and He will exceed all your expectations (Ephesians 3:20) and elevate you to another level.

RSV: What You Should Know

There is a conversation about a "new" virus affecting children and adults. The virus is Respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV. RSV is not new. RSV was discovered in 1956 and is recognized as one of the most common causes of respiratory illness in children. It causes annual outbreaks of respiratory illnesses in all age groups. It's so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age two.

RSV infections usually occur in the late fall through early spring months but can vary in different parts of the country. With mask-wearing and physical distancing for COVID-19, there were fewer cases of RSV in 2020. The RSV infection causes bronchial infections in infants and common cold symptoms in adults. More severe respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia in children under six months old, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, can develop. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday. Children attending childcare centers or who have siblings attending school are at a higher risk of exposure to the infection.

Symptoms

Initial signs of RSV are similar to mild cold symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, fever, cough, and sore throat. Very young infants may be irritable, fatigued, and have breathing difficulties. Usually, these symptoms will clear up in a few days. A barking or wheezing cough can be one of the first signs of a more severe illness. In these instances, the virus has spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing inflammation and closure of the small airways entering the lungs.

Infants with severe RSV will have short, shallow, abnormally fast, and labored breathing. The infant's mouth, lips, and fingernails may turn bluish due to a lack of oxygen.

Treatment

Mild RSV infections will go away in a week or two without treatment. Physicians recommend using over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and manage respiratory symptoms. Hospitalization is indicated for infants and adults with severe RSV infections. The hospital will use intravenous (IV) fluids to aid in hydration and humidified oxygen to help with breathing. In most cases, hospitalization will only last a few days.

Prevention

Reinfection with RSV during subsequent seasons is common. Individuals do not develop lasting immunity against the virus. Strategies and actions used to reduce the spread of Covid-19 effectively reduce the transmission of RSV. Avoid contact with people displaying cold symptoms, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Implementing social distancing practices and wearing a mask in public places can reduce the transmission of the virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus is not a new virus that is receiving national attention during this transmission season. Do not fear this virus. We are more than conquers. Prayer, supplication, and implementing practices to reduce the spread of the virus can keep you and your family safe.

Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels

Assistant Professor at Coppin State University DWatties-Daniels@coppin.edu healthytips025@gmail.com

Ericka J.3838 December 2022 December 2022

Tamela Mann

Congrats are in order for this queen, Tamela Mann has been racking up awards left and right and apparently there’s no stopping her! Bringing home the 2022 American Music Award for “Best Gospel Artist!” What a way to end her 25 plus city tour “OVERCOMER” which sold out everywhere it landed ! N e w s

singing for years to come. Well, he’s back, with a documentary performance titled, William Becton-The Journey, which will take you on a journey of his 27 year tenure in music. The motion picture aired last month online, and in addition, he released new music with it, “Worship Him” is available right now at all digital media outlets.

TD Jakes

“Finally Loosed” is out and available right now at all digital media outlets! Recorded in conjunction with the “Woman Thou Art Loosed” Woman’s Conference. It features Tamar Braxton, Jason Nelson, Jessica Reedy, Maranda Curtis and more! What a way to seal the WTAL Finale! Shout out to Stanley Brown on the production and for continuously producing great timeless music!

James Hall

The Duke, The Professor, and his amazing group of singers Worship & Praise will be celebrating a milestone victory this month, 35 years in gospel music! “God Is In Control”, “God Wants A Yes”, “I Never Shall Forget” , “The Blood”, “The Storm”, I could literally go ON AND ON, calling out their hits. They will be having their Celebration Reunion Concert, taking us on a live journey experience Sunday, Dec 4th, at 6pm! All roads lead to New York to Citadel Cathedral Of Praise & Worship in Brooklyn NY, the concert is FREE and will also feature Vincent Bohanan & SOV, Pastor Marquin Middleton & MORE, CONGRATS WAP‼️

VaShawn Mitchell

VaShawn is celebrating a decade in gospel, VaShawn Mitchell did so with a Live Recording last month in Detroit at Sound Board in Detroit Motor City Casino. Featured artists on the project are Donnie McClurkin, Jekalyn Carr, Lisa Page Brooks, Shana Wilson and Ron Poindexter. The reviews and responses from various attendees deem this album to be a game changer for 2023, CAN’T wait to hear it, it’s set to release early in 2023!

Jason Nelson

Check out this new single by Baltimore’s Own Jason Nelson and Phillip Adzale “Mighty God”. I love this single, absolutely a song you can definitely sing in your Sunday Morning Worship experiences. Phillip is from Ghana and he brings that vibe to the song along with the incomparable vocals and ministry of Jason Nelson. WAIT, AND ANOTHER ONE! Can we say not one but 2 single features with Jason Nelson, “Focus” the single from Anthony Hall “Friendsgiving” project is also out right now! Just grab em’ both! Let’s go BMore Congrats Jason!

Semaje

This young man I wrote about this summer that absolutely WOW’ed me and stole my heart with his performance at the GIN Conference in Miami. He is back at it with another single titled “I Rely”, while he had our heads boppin and vibin to his single “ You”, he slowed it down a bit, belting out lyrics in a ballard to God, it’s good! Go grab it! Available right now and if you don’t have “You” grab that too!

William Becton

Singing “Be encouraged, no matter what’s going on, he’ll make it alright, but you gotta stay strong”. Yes, that’s William Becton, who pinned this timeless hit that we will be “Til next month, Be blessed, love real big, in real life!” Follow me: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter @misserickaj Email iammisserickaj@gmail.com

Tamela Mann

James Hall

Jason Nelson TD Jakes

VaShawn Mitchell

Anthony Hall