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2 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
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OCTOBER 2013
™
contents on the cover: Dr. Lisa Weah Senior Pastor
New Bethlehem Baptist Church 1354 N. Carey Street Baltimore, MD 21217 410-669-9119
Pg. 8-11
Q&A Interview with Dr. Lisa Weah
Marla Willie
SPECIAL FEATURE Pg. 26 - 27
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Stories of Hope from Breast Cancer Survivors
Co-Pastor Deloris Henry
features 15 Mayor’s Journal
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
21 To Your Good Health
Carla J. Debnam, MS, LCPC
The Response To Chaos
17 Governor’s Page Governor Martin O’Malley
25 TEEN CONNECT
19 Education Digest Dr. Tim Tooten
29 Book Shelf
Is It Your Season
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Pastors Greg & Tonya Dennis
Apologetics- Defending Your Faith
Brandie Manigault
Bastard Nation (Sherman Dumas)
38 WORD ON FINANCES
31 Nutrition & You
Herline A. Knights
Soy and Breast Cancer
33 Body Basics
livestrong.com
Office Exercise
Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson, III
Financial Restoration, Abundance, & Overflow
40 Gospel Industry News
Ericka Johnson
35 Word of Encouragement
Donna Williams-Ross
Where Are You?
In Every Issue Contributors................................................................... 6 From the Editor.............................................................. 7 Scripture Page............................................................. 13
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For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
Contributors
PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL
Jackie Epps Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Harold A. Carter, Jr. Cassandra Vaughn-Fox Herline A. Knights Pastors Gregory and Tonya Dennis Carla J. Debnam Donna Williams-Ross Governor Martin O’Malley Ericka Johnson Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Rev. Tim Tooten Brandie Manigault
PHOTOGRAPHY GRAPHIC ARTIST
Mark L. Dennis Alan L. Jones Claire Lesesne www.JandCDesigns.com
B ADMINISTRATOR WE
Andre Felipe for Arts Period www.artsperiod.com
PRINTING Roebuck & Son Printing www.hgroebuck.com Grace & Glory Magazine is published monthly by JE Media, LLC, a Baltimore based, independent publisher. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.
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Advisory Board
Chairman — Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn Sr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD Vice-Chairman — Dr. Frank M. Reid III Sr. Pastor, Bethel A.M.E. Church, MD Dr. Jerome A. Barber Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple, Hampton , VA Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., U.S. Ambassador President, ITC Seminary, Atlanta, GA Dr. Timothy Boddie Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA Bishop John R. Bryant Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr. Pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, MD Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador Dr. WIlliam H. Curtis Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA Bishop Ralph L. Dennis Sr. Pastor, Kingdom Worship Center, MD Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences Cassandra Vaughn Media Executive Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr. Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD Pastor Timothy V. Manigault Bishop Dennis V. Proctor Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal Region AME Zion Church Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Pastor, Restoring Life International Church, MD Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD
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6 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
from the editor
Honoring God’s Anointed October is National Clergy Appreciation Month. This month congregations all over the nation will take time out to honor their Pastors. It is Biblical for a church to recognize and honor the men and women of God who serve faithfully the flock of God. Paul wrote the following words to the church at Thessalonica: “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work . . .” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13) It is clear from scripture that the faithful and dedicated Pastors of our churches are worthy of appreciation and honor. Clergy Appreciation Day provides an excellent opportunity for our churches to affirm their love and appreciation for those who are called by God and who lead their congregations in fulfilling the Great Commission. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ. Pastors and other ministers work tirelessly caring for their flock. A minister's work day is rarely a "9-5" job, and they cannot go home at the "end" of the day and just leave all the occupational problems at the office. A Pastor is never off-duty and he is always
on call. If we stop for a moment and think about all he does we would be more sensitive to our Pastor’s needs. We should always lift our Pastors in prayer and ask the Lord to surround them with loving care, to give them strength and walk with them, and to help them with the burdens that they must bear. Many of us have been members of our churches for many years. If you look back over the years, I believe that you would agree that our pastors have played major roles in the fabric of our lives. They have prayed for us, taught us, corrected us and guided us. Our pastors have celebrated and laughed with us in the good times, cried with us in times of sorrow and loved us when we weren’t so lovable. As we celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month, remember to thank God for the precious gifts He has bestowed upon us, His anointed men and women of God, our beloved Pastors! “And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 Peace and blessings . . .
Jackie Epps Editor-in-Chief
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Q&A
Interview with
Dr. Lisa M. Weah New Bethlehem Baptist Church Baltimore, Maryland G&G: Dr. Weah, welcome back to Grace & Glory Magazine! I cannot believe it has been five years since you were installed as the new pastor of the New Bethlehem Baptist Church. Time flies when you are having the time of your life . . . right? How have you been and are you having the time of your life? Dr. Weah: Thank you so much. These five years have flown by quickly! I have grown tremendously and am enjoying watching God’s people grow and walk in purpose and power. I am amazed by what He is doing in this season. G&G: Dr. Weah, since you were installed as pastor, we haven’t talked much but I have heard your name circulating around in Baltimore. Let’s talk about these last five years. First, how has this journey been for you? How would you describe the last five years? Dr. Weah: I have grown closer to God during these five years than ever before in my life. I absolutely could not have walked this far without daily strength and guidance from Him. When Solomon found himself faced with the awesome challenge to lead God’s people, he asked God for wisdom. That has been my prayer every step of the way, and as I have asked, He has given wisdom, guidance, and grace.
♦♦♦ G&G: Dr. Weah, during these last five years have you ever been criticized for any of your work in this ministry? How did you handle the criticism? Dr. Weah: I am sure I have critics, but I keep my ear in-tuned to the God Who called me and is holding me accountable. I have a pastor and spiritual father in Bishop Debnam, and others God has placed in my life that I deeply respect, and whose voices matter to me. G&G: Dr. Weah, what has been the most difficult decision you had to make for the ministry after you were installed as pastor of the New Bethlehem Baptist Church? Dr. Weah: I think I have been challenged over each of these past five years to discern what move to make in each season. I’ve learned that ministry must flow in the timing and rhythm of God, and that even delays and difficulties have a purpose. One of most difficult moments for me was when our Family Life Center suffered extensive fire damage during my second year at NBBC, and we had to undertake that restoration process while continuing our daily ministry operations. G&G: Tell us about your proudest achievement at New Bethlehem since you became pastor five years ago. Dr. Weah: Wow, we’ve done so much over these five years and have so many major moments to reflect upon, but what really blesses me most is seeing the vision come to pass - seeing people 8 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
coming to Christ through our worship experiences and outreach, and then growing in Christ through study and service to progress from membership to discipleship to stewardship and leadership. G&G: Dr. Weah, what have been your methods for involving yourself in the lives of your people as their shepherd and overseer of their souls? What’s the hardest message you’ve ever had to preach to the members? Dr. Weah: We follow after the servant-leader model of Jesus at NBBC, therefore, I am intentional about developing and training leaders to partner with me in heart and hand, to minister to, and meet the needs of God’s people. This work is too great for one to do alone, and it is through our ministry team, that NBBC is touching and transforming lives. I think stewardship messages are hardest for me because they teach, challenge, and touch nerves, but they must be included in our preaching/teaching calendar and ministry program, so that we can truly walk in knowledge, power, and obedience. G&G: Dr. Weah, where would you like to see this ministry five years from now? What will the New Bethlehem Baptist Church do in the future to lead the community and continue investing in it? Dr. Weah: Our vision is to expand and enhance our ministry infrastructure and physical space over the next five years. In addition to our Worship Center and Family Life Center, we will have additional space for Outreach and Youth initiatives, as well
Q&A as live streamed worship services so that we may minister to the world. NBBC will begin ‘Preparing for the Dream’ in 2014 with our church-wide Family Debt Freedom Action Plan, which will posture the entire house to go higher and do greater things. G&G: Dr. Weah, are there any upcoming events you have planned for your 5th anniversary? Dr. Weah: We are excited about the five events planned for the 5th Anniversary. We will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd with Dr. Jamal H. Bryant preaching. Then Dr. Charles Goodman will be preaching on Wednesday, Oct. 16th, followed by our Black-Tie Gala at the Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley on Friday, Oct. 18th. Then we have Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller, Overseer C. Guy Robinson, and Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam on Sunday, Oct. 20th, and Pastor Jimmy C. Baldwin closing out on Wednesday, Oct. 30th. We are honored to hosts these pastors and all of our special guests. G&G: Dr. Weah, let’s shift gears a little. You are a member of multiple associations i.e., Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, Female Clergy Support Group to name a few. There are two in particular I want to talk about. First I understand you are the founder and CEO of LMW Enterprises, please tell us about the vision behind LMW Enterprises and explain its purpose. Dr. Weah: The purpose of LMW Enterprises is to empower persons to Maximize their lives through preaching, teaching, mentoring and music. My first book, Creative Worship in a Contemporary Milieu was released in 2010, and Maximized Mission and its accompanying Maximize Moments Devotional will be released over the next a few months. LMW Enterprises also offers a series of ‘Talks’, which offer mentoring and support to young persons in ministry. Information on our next ‘Talk’ is available at www. lmwenterprises.net. Also, we are planning our second Worship Gathering, an intimate time in His presence through devotion and declaration with my group LVC, Bishop William H. Murphy III, Overseer C.Guy Robinson, and Dr. Karen S. Bethea. Information on this event will also be available on the website soon. G&G: Dr. Weah, I also understand you have a radio segment ‘The Maximize Moment with Dr. Lisa Weah’. What are the subject matter and the objective of this radio segment? What audience are you targeting, have you developed a following for the segment?
Dr. Weah: I have been blessed for almost two years now, to offer a Maximize Moment each Sunday morning on the Gospel Grace Morning show with Jaye Matthews and Derryck Fletcher. Jaye Matthews actually birthed the segment, which offers biblical and theological insight on current issues, and challenges listeners to Maximize even the difficult and challenging moments in life. G&G: You also have a weekly Maximize Moment blog, correct? Dr. Weah: Yes, for those who are unable to catch the Sunday morning broadcast, they can read the weekly Maximize Moment on my blog at www.pastorlisaweah.tumblr.com. G&G: Dr. Weah, it is obvious you are living out the scripture Luke 12:48, “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” I’m sure there are times when things seem overwhelming or times when you may want to throw in the towel. Who is that one person who perhaps cheers you on or encourages you to stay in the race? Dr. Weah: I stay close and connected to my pastor, Bishop Debnam. I have also been blessed with an incredible support system of pastors, family and friends who not only encourage me, but who push me, pray for me, and pour into me. I have also learned as David did that sometimes you just have to encourage yourself in the Lord, and allow His Spirit to be your Comforter and Sustainer. G&G: Dr. Weah, in the past there have been many women who have been trailblazers that paved the way for female clergy of today. What female in ministry would you say you most admire and why? Did they influence your call to ministry? Dr. Weah: I have been influenced by every woman who has paved the way, broken through barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and overcome discriminatory theology. The woman whom I admire most and has had the greatest influence on my ministry has been my mother, Courtney Suggs, who never stood in a pulpit, but who showed me how to carry myself as a woman of God. G&G: Lastly, what is next for Dr. Lisa Weah, what can we look forward to that you may be contemplating next for your personal ministry? Dr. Weah: I’m excited about the season into which, NBBC is entering, and all of the endeavors LMW Enterprises has on the table. God is opening doors I never imagined and I just want to be open and obedient to His will, so that I may hear Him say, ‘Well done’.
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bio
Dr. Lisa M. Weah, CEO
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” ~ Philippians 1:6
Dr. Lisa M. Weah serves as the Senior Pastor of the New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to being called to New Bethlehem, she was a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church, where she served as Executive Minister under the leadership of her Pastor and father in ministry, Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam. It was at Morning Star, that she accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized, acknowledged her call to ministry, preached her initial sermon entitled, “Sunshine on a Cloudy Day,” and was ordained. On June 22, 2008, Dr. Weah was elected as New Bethlehem’s third Pastor in a historic move of God, becoming the first female Pastor in the church’s 58-year history and the first female Pastor of a local Baptist church in 15 years. New Bethlehem Baptist Church is a thriving ministry located in the heart of the Sandtown-Winchester Community in Baltimore, Maryland. Under the anointed leadership of this dynamic preacher, teacher, and administrator, New Bethlehem is strengthening God’s family with a spirit of excellence through the establishment of the NBBC Empowerment Institute, which includes: Sunday school, Small Groups, Discipleship, weekly Family Empowerment Night, and monthly Family Focus Night. As New Bethlehem continues to flourish, a seasonal 8:00am, early morning Sunday worship service has been added to the 9:30am and 11:30am services, as well as a ministry broadcast. Under her leadership, campus enhancements and renovations, as well as, community outreach initiatives have begun, including a quarterly Community Chat, in which political and community leaders are brought together with residents of the Sandtown-Winchester community to discuss 10 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
and deal with current issues of the neighborhood. Dr. Weah is the founder and CEO of LMW Enterprises, through which she ministers through preaching, teaching, music and mentoring. She is the author of Creative Worship in a Contemporary Milieu, which offers a theological framework and practical tools for the use of creative arts in the corporate worship experience. A recording artist, she is a part of the contemporary Gospel trio LVC (Love & Victory in Christ), who released their album, “Breathless,” in 2006. On Thanksgiving Day, 2011, The Maximize Moment with Dr. Lisa Weah debuted live, on the WEAA’s Gospel Grace Thanksgiving Day Special, and the radio segment has been a weekly hit since! The Maximize Moment has also been featured, weekly, on Power Radio, in Baltimore, on WOLB. Dr. Weah’s radio segment is more than just a spiritual vitamin or shortened sermon; it is always inspired by news and current events that occur within the week of the live air date, so that most listeners are familiar, and can draw an instant connection to the message. Dr. Weah is an Executive Council member of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors under the leadership of Presiding Prelate Bishop Walter S. Thomas. Within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, she serves on the Worship Ministry Executive Board as Overseer of Administration under the leadership of General Overseer William H. Murphy, III. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park, and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Howard University. On October 30, 2011, Dr. Weah was honored as a “Gospel Legend,” by WEAA 88.9FM, and Morgan State University. She is an active member of the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the proud parent of Courtney, Robert and Cayla. Her life’s mission is to empower persons to live a victorious Christian life.
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scripture page
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
(Jeremiah 3:15)
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NLT)
Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)
How do we thank you Pastor for your faith, to your call? For all that you do for us be it large or small? The time you spend to teach us His Truth, the studying late to give us concrete proof. All the early mornings spent pleading in prayer, the hospital visits to show us you care. Your kindness holds steady when we fall apart, your patience to show us once again - the start! Your labor is often without our reward. Still you strive to feed us the meat of HIS WORD. With these mere words for all that you do, we are grateful to God for giving us YOU! THANK YOU to our Shepherd! May God keep him and his family strong.
National Clergy Appreciation Day October 13, 2013
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mayor’s journal
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governor’s page
Better Choices, Better Results by Governor Martin O’Malley
For the last several years, Maryland families and businesses have been weathering the worst recession since the Great Depression. Like every other state in the country, Maryland lost jobs – about 145,800 of them. Without jobs, moms and dads must struggle to put food on the table. Without jobs, entire communities feel the ripple effects of the recession. Without jobs, there is no progress. So we set a goal of recovering all of the jobs lost in the recession by the end of Fiscal Year 2014, and we’ve worked hard to reach that goal. And last Friday, September 20, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that Maryland has recovered 100 percent of the jobs lost during the recession. This growth was led by our dynamic private sector. Over the past 12 months, Maryland businesses have created 37,800 jobs – nearly nine out of every 10 new jobs created in our state. Today, there are 43,300 more Marylanders working than this time last year. But while recovering 100 percent of the jobs lost in the recession is an important milestone in our recovery, we do not think of it as a mission accomplished.
Governor O’Malley speaks at Tulkoff Food Products in Baltimore.
We are now focused on moving beyond 100 percent, to continue to expand opportunity and grow our increasingly-diverse middle class. Our population is growing, and therefore our need to create even more jobs is growing. Everything we can do to improve the skills of our people, everything we can do to improve our business environment, is critically important to the success of our state today – and in the future. This is why we have invested record funding the education of
our children, and why we have worked hard to keep college affordable. This is why we are funding job training programs that provide Marylanders with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce. This is why we will continue our efforts to create jobs in Maryland, and to prepare our increasinglydiverse middle class to fill them. We have made great strides in our efforts to pull Maryland out of the Great Recession, but we know our work is not yet done. We will continue our efforts to build an economy that creates prosperity all Marylanders.
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18 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
education digest
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: (Ecclesiastes 3:1) All one has to do is look outside to notice that the seasons are changing. The leaves are turning colors and the temperature is starting to drop. Summer is drifting behind us and we are transitioning into the fall. It won’t be long before the leaves will start to fall and cover the ground. This will signal that it’s also time to dig out our fall jackets, scarfs, coats and gloves. There is definitely a change in the air. All around us, school buses, traffic jams and homework assignments are reminders that our children are in the midst of a new school year. A growing number of students have either started college or have returned to campus where they’re in the midst of transition. Some are looking toward graduation and the job market. On our own jobs, some of us have received promotions or been given new assignments. Others have found employment after a season of joblessness. As you make note of your circumstances, I believe this is also the perfect time to reflect upon our own season of life and learning. Over the summer, I celebrated another birthday and took a moment to reflect upon my personal season. I am blessed to continue to live out my childhood dream of becoming a journalist. I celebrated 25 years at WBAL-TV in August. It marked another milestone along the path of a broadcasting journey that began more than 37 years ago. This is my story. It was a sunny afternoon in the month of May. I was one of four high school students chosen to record a public service announcement over the airwaves. I remember standing in front of a microphone at my local radio station to speak. It was in that moment I officially started my career. I was 17 and I was nervous. Even then, I was eager to experience this
new season of life and career. I had no way of knowing that there would be many other seasons awaiting me. Over time, I’ve been privileged to interview some of the nation’s and the world’s top leaders in politics, sports, entertainment and the faith community. I am also blessed to have received some of the industries most coveted journalism awards for local, regional and international reporting. Even so, I am convinced that a new season of learning and living is yet on the horizon. I’ve discovered that the timing is never accidental. More than a decade ago, my season of broadcasting started to coincide with my season of ministry. At the time, I not only shared hundreds of reports a year on the issues of public education, but I returned to the classroom to earn two additional degrees, not in communications, but Theology and Christian education. This blend of educational preparedness and yielding to a call to ministry represented a change of seasons. Since then, these blessed opportunities have allowed me to continue sharing not only the world’s news to thousands of people a day, but to also share the richness of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, take time to reflect upon your own personal season. Ask yourself these questions: Is it time for a season change? Or maybe, a blending of seasons? Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr. is an EmmyAwarding journalist for WBAL-TV (NBC) in Baltimore. He is also the Pastor and Founder of Harvest Christian Ministries in Baltimore County, Maryland www.gracenglorymagazine.org 19
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to your good health live in shelters, have mental illnesses or are otherwise on the fringes of life. We can bring calm to chaos by showing people that they matter to not only God but to us. Our neighborhood children need us to show up and fight for adequate funding of our schools. Our family members need us to support their efforts to stay sober and sane. Our church members need to know it is okay to share the pain of domestic violence or child abuse current and past. As the Body of Christ, we are the arms, eyes, ears and lips of God. It is our charge to bring peace to the storms of life. People are waiting for us to help them navigate the passageway to the abundant life we know Christ can give them. We are called to embody the Gospel message of Jesus. Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” This is the least we can do to respond to chaos. A few of the lyrics from People Need the Lord, says it all.
This past year has been one filled with shootings, murders, suicide, abandonment and neglect. We have heard about sex trafficking and domestic violence not from afar but right in our own backyards. You may be thinking these events are nothing new and you are right. The world is swiftly moving in a direction where people are acting out because of their emotional, physical and spiritual pain. Instead of taking their problems to the Lord in prayer or seeking professional help, people are taking their pain to the streets and victimizing the people in their communities, homes and workplaces. Personal pain is no excuse for us, or others to inflict harm on those in our immediate world. We have to learn to turn our hurt into purpose and not use it to perpetuate the cycle of violence and dysfunction that is so prevalent in our world. As Christians, we have an obligation to help those around us turn their chaos into hope and their hurts into strength. We have to encourage each other and become change agents in the places and with the persons who need us the most. We can respond to chaos with the number one weapon in our arsenal, love. Jesus tells us that all people will know we are his disciples by our love. You may be thinking, how can I show love to people I do not know and with whom I may never come in contact? We can show love by caring for the lost and broken in our communities by supporting organizations and agencies and our own churches by volunteering, donating goods, services and or money. We can answer the call to serve the least of these by assisting those who
Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eye. Empty people filled with care, Headed who knows where? On they go through private pain, Living fear to fear. Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears. People need the Lord, people need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door. People need the Lord, people need the Lord. When will we realize --people need the Lord? Take time out of your busy life and get back to caring for people. It can be the difference in a person continuing in a life of pain or moving in the path of their purpose. Lyrics taken from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/steve_ green/people_need_the_lord.html
Carla J. Debnam, MS, LCPC Executive Director, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center
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• LEARN HOW TO HELP YOU & YOUR CONGREGATION UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF HOSPICE SERVICES • LEARN HOW TO TEACH YOUR CONGREGATION WHY AND HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
1. You will learn to help your congregation regarding: Hospice Awareness The culture in the United States has historically been devoted to curing illnesses at all costs, and death is often looked at as “failure,” no matter the age or condition of the person being treated. Many other cultures readily accept death as part of the life cycle. As a culture, we are making progress in this direction, but death still tends to be a word people avoid. It’s up to you to inform a loved one that he or she would be more comfortable under hospice care. Understand that hospice is simply care that helps a dying person live his or her last months as pain free as possible, and when possible, in a way that is meaningful to them. You and a hospice chaplain or other support person can explain to the ill person what hospice service provides. Hospice is not a “death sentence.” A person’s health can sometimes improve under hospice care. In that case, they go off the program. Living with a serious illness can be challenging in so many ways. After the concepts of hospice and palliative care are understood, families can concentrate on supporting their loved ones all the way through to the end. 22 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
2. You will learn to help your congregation regarding: Signing up for the Affordable Care Act Surveys have shown that many Americans do not understand the Affordable Care Act, or think they won’t be able to afford insurance. State officials estimate that one-third of uninsured Marylanders will gain coverage under President Obama’s health initiative in its first year. Those living on less than 138 percent of the federally established poverty level—about $32,500 for a family of four—will gain coverage through an expansion of Medicaid. “Outreach is not only important but critical to our success,” said Carolyn A. Quattrocki, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform. “There are lots of people that still don’t fully understand what will happen Oct. 1 and what they need to do to take advantage.” The success of the health care initiative and reform depends on enrolling large numbers of the nation’s uninsured — there are an estimated 50 million across the country and 750,000 in Maryland. The federal law, which goes into full effect in January, aims to spread the cost of health care while working on ways to deliver it more efficiently. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Oxiris Barbot, M.D., Commissioner of Health www.gracenglorymagazine.org 23
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teen connect
Bishop Gregory & Pastor Tonya Dennis Senior Pastors Kingdom Worship Center of Columbia and Towson
www.kingdomworshipcenter.org 410-377-3500
A Message to Youth Leaders If you have worked with youth for any length of time, then you know that they ask some great questions! We believe that one of the ways that youth leaders can equip youth in a meaningful way is to help them understand that faith in Jesus is not a blind faith that goes against all reason, but rather a logical response to evidence that supports the existence of God and the fact that Jesus really is who the Bible claims him to be. While we can’t expect to have all the answers to questions asked, “I don’t know” is always an honest and commendable answer when we really don’t have the answers. It’s ok if you are not into philosophy and apologetics but it doesn’t give you an excuse to neglect some of the most important questions youth in your church and community might be asking. Here are five apologetics topics youth leaders should know and the resources to help:
If God is real, why is there so much evil in the world (and in my life)?
In our experience, we noticed that youth didn’t always ask about the problem of evil because of what they saw in the news; they often asked because of the evil they experienced in their own lives. This is not just an intellectual issue for most youth. They need a good response to this question because they have been hurt, abused, lost loved ones and seen far too much evil firsthand. This is by far the most difficult question on this list and probably the one that’s closest to the hearts of the youth that you serve.
Do all religions lead to the same place?
A common sentiment in our culture is that it really doesn’t matter what you believe, because all religions lead to the same goal or place (or just call God by a different name); it just matters that you believe sincerely. It is important to look at the basic tenets of some of the world’s major religions to prove this not to be true.
Why don’t Science and Christianity agree?
It’s easy for many youth to be swayed and draw conclusions that science and
Christianity are inherently at odds with one another. It’s important for them to understand that some of the best evidence for a Creator God comes directly from science.
Can we trust the Bible?
This is a basic question because the Bible is what most of our teaching material is based upon. If you can’t explain where the Bible came from and why we can trust it (aside from “the Bible tells me so”), then they won’t devote themselves to their own study of the Word.
Was Jesus really God (and other related questions)? It doesn’t take a genius to realize that if Jesus wasn’t who the Bible claims him to be (and if he didn’t do that the Bible claims him to have, including his resurrection), there’s not much point in taking him seriously, let alone making him Lord of your life. QUESTION: Are there any apologetics topics you would add to this list? For more information and to gather additional resources contact pearlsofsuccess@ymail. com www.gracenglorymagazine.org www.gracenglorymagazine.org 25 25
story of hope
Marla Willie
Story of
Hope “God is telling me in this season it is time to tell my story because someone else’s life may depend on it …”
God is telling me in this season it is time to tell my story because someone else’s life may depend on it… On September 20, 2006, I was diagnosed with cancer. “Ms. Willie you are not going to make it, you have four to six months to live”, that was all I heard. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, I thought my life was over, but actually, it was the beginning of a journey I didn’t know I would survive. I had been married for five years with three boys. I also was taking care of my grandmothers; one that was confined to a wheel chair and one that was recovering from triple bypass surgery. Life was still good until I heard those words… “You have stage 3C cancer in your right breast”. I didn’t even know cancer had stages; all I knew in my mind was that I was going to die. God does all things well. Even the timing of the devastating call was divinely orchestrated. I was on my way to Bible study when I got the call from the doctor giving me the devastating news. Praise and worship was going on as I entered the sanctuary. I was feeling overwhelmed, so of course, I began to cry and went to the alter so I could ask for guidance because I felt like I had been run over by a truck. In a still small voice I heard God say, “This is not for you. Even though you have to go through this, I am using your life as an example so others might know that I am real.” When I got up from the altar, I had a peace I can’t explain because that was the first time I really heard God and had no doubt that it was Him. From that moment on, I knew I was going to fight with all I had in me because it was no longer about me; other people’s lives were at stake. When I tell you I had to fight, I really mean I had to fight, and I continue to do so. Literally, I have gone through 5 rounds with cancer, and I continue to fight right now in my 6th round with stage 4 breast cancer. Every time I thought I had it beat, it resurfaced every year except for one. I had one full year of remission in 2008; otherwise, I have been toe to toe fighting cancer. I am here to tell you this is an internal journey. You have to elevate yourself to a belief system to know that God has your back. You have to believe it without a shadow of a doubt. Everything else spoken about you by other people is non-existent. It is not about running off of emotions and what other people say… you have to KNOW despite what you feel that God can heal you. The same power that He gave Jesus, He gives us. You have to use this power for your purpose. I am compelled to write this despite how I feel physically right now. My husband and I were on the brink of divorce in the midst of my cancer. I could no longer work as a teacher. The money was running out. For a year, I was in the bed doing nothing but radiation treatments and chemotherapy and not knowing how I could help my husband provide for our family. At this time, the only thing that I had was God and I knew that He was bigger than every circumstance that was thrown my way. This is what kept me sane in the midst of everything. It was in this season that God birthed a business out of me. I have a successful daycare center and the business has blossomed since I opened it 5 years ago. Yes, even being sick, my business prospered. My marriage is now stronger; God used me to be an example for my husband to be saved and be the man of the house that I needed him to be. God kept my family and my marriage. My children see that God is a healer and can do any and everything. I also want to share some insight with all of the women dealing with cancer that may be feeling abandoned, a burden, or alone even with a spouse in the house. Consider and understand that God may not have equipped your spouse to handle your situation. It is not that your spouse is rejecting you; he is incapable of handling what you are enduring not because he doesn’t love you but rather because it is not his journey. All you can do is pray for him and let God handle that situation. This has become a major part of my testimony. Despite what I have gone through physically, my husband is now saved. My entire house is saved because I spoke the “word” not the problem. God will alleviate the problem as long as you believe the word is real. I went through 11 surgeries, 3 rounds of Chemo; that is 24 chemo treatments and 48 radiation treatments. I was recently told that the cancer had eaten my L2 vertebrae bone and that my spine should have collapsed. But it didn’t. I can still walk. I have full use of all of my limbs. Yes, I serve a healing God; a sustaining God. I know first-hand that God is a healer, and He is bigger than cancer. Throughout this process I have also learned to cherish and appreciate the little things in life. Waking up every day and taking the attention off of me and blessing someone else keeps me going. I have been somewhat of an encourager all my life, sometimes I feel as though people don’t understand the depth and hurt sitting at the cancer facilities. Some people don’t have any hope because all they experience is the hurt. The scripture that I continue to stand on is Lamentation 3:21 … “This I recall to my mind and therefore I have hope, because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait on him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him. So I affirm daily that I have hope, new mercies I do see every morning and great is thy faithfulness. I have learned to trust and wait on Him. I know if I can just get up and put one foot in front of the other and let Him lead me, I am excited about the possibility of the day and tomorrow. God didn’t give me cancer, but He gave me what I needed to overcome it. Through this experience, God has put desires in me and shown me dreams that are bigger than I have ever experienced before or imagined. I have learned to embrace what He has given me no matter how powerful and big it is. I know He will equip me with all the power I need to carry out what He wants me to do. This I know for sure…. God is a healer and if He did it for me, He can do it for you. His word never fails. You just must believe…..
26 26 October October 2013 2013 || Grace&Glory Grace&Glory
story of hope
Co-Pastor Deloris C. Henry Co-Pastor Deloris C. Henry, has shared in pastoring with her husband, Bishop Hansel H. Henry, at Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Baltimore, Md. She is an Ordained Elder and has served at her church as the administrator, and business consultant. She finds joy in serving the Lord in ministries to women, through preaching the Word of God, and motivational seminars. She has traveled throughout the United States and is the District First Lady for the Midwest Diocese. She has presented seminars throughout the United States, abroad, and training for the International Empowerment Conferences. Co-Pastor Henry loves to sing and has been on stage on many occasions singing with Pastor Shirley Caesar, especially in travel to South Africa, Australia, and invited to sing for the Sweeping through the City Album recording. Co-Pastor Henry has an extensive educational and professional background in Business, Education, Management, and Communications. She is presently employed with Howard County Department of Education, for elementary, middle school, high school, and special education. Co- Pastor Henry is the mother, of two children Erica M. Washington and Hansel H. Henry, III, a son-inlaw, and three grandchildren. Her spiritual statement is, “I love the Lord with all my mind, body, and soul, and where He leads me, I will follow. She stands on the premise that it is never too late to do what God intended.
Be Aware of Your Body Take Care of Your Health Revealing as a survivor is one of the most transparent ways to prove there is hope when you hear the words, “you have cancer”. My story is about having the words mentioned to me, and the outcome phrases, “you are cancer free”, and “you will live to be an old woman”. These are the three phrases that I have heard during my journey as a survivor of breast cancer. As transparent as I can be and this column will allow, I share my story of a 23 year survivor! This can be considered as a testimony of God’s unmerited favor, Gods’ blessing because of ones’ faith, and knowing that He is able to heal! How could this happen to me? I am strong in my faith, a leader in the church, loving the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul. Let me tell you the story. First, I share that my mother died of breast cancer, and the story that I could tell about her experience, and my close encounter until her last breath, is a novel in itself. I was very familiar with how devastating it would be to ever find out that I would have breast cancer. I am an individual who happened to survive four other surgeries in my life time. So to say the least, I am missing some body parts. Being conscious of the warnings, and knowing that I had a family history of cancer, I would have breast examinations, and my own breast exams. While showering one Saturday morning, I felt
a lump in the right breast. Oh my God; and this was seven years after my mothers’ death. What made this so ironic was in a dream, about two months prior, my mother came to me (in a dream) softly speaking these words, “Deloris take care of your health.” I woke up and said to my husband, my mother came to me in a dream and said for me to take care of my health. He replied, well I guess you better do as she says. To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with level 3 or 4. I had the mastectomy, a radical one, and after the surgery the doctor explained that the level was only 1. He also explained that the radical mastectomy was necessary due to my family history of cancer. My doctor said to me, however, “Deloris you are cancer free, and you will live to be an old lady”, and at 67 years old the Lord is good! I lost most of my hair, and suffered with phantom pains. Every time I see a commercial showing any type of medication infusion, or chemotherapy, I have flash backs of my own treatment, even now! I had a difficult time adjusting to living with one breast, and opting to have a prosthesis, rather than reconstruction. Here I am today, so thankful that the Lord healed me through all of this. I can remember as I was being prepared to go under the anesthesia, the Lord whispering, “This is not as unto death, your faith brings hope and healing”. I woke up knowing that the Lord had full control of my life, and if I could write more details about my experience you would know that the Lord can, and will be on your side through it all. Yes, I am a survivor; this page cannot describe all of what I experienced or all of what others experience in their journeys as survivors. The most comforting words to give to any one going through, have gone through, or have yet to go through cancer is, “your faith will bring hope and healing to you”. This is an awareness month for cancer. Be aware of your body, “take care of your health”. Stay positive in your challenges with breast cancer, or any other cancer that occurs. God is a healer. Keep the faith, hope is our advocate against any attack upon our bodies. www.gracenglorymagazine.org www.gracenglorymagazine.org 27 27
28 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
bookshelf
Book Shelf Bastard Nation By Sherman Dumas I recently picked up a book with a title that might scare some people away. Me... I was intrigued by what it actually meant. Some books have catchy titles just to draw you in, but the content loosely deals with the conclusions you would draw from the cover. Not this book. This book is, from cover to cover, all about the title. May I present to you Bastard Nation: Restoring An Unfathered Generation. Please don’t get hung up on the title. When I first saw Bastard Nation I did wonder how it was going to be received by the masses. The word “bastard” can be seen as a “bad word” and to put it on the cover of a book and market it to a Christian group; I had my question marks about its success even if the content was phenomenal. But as I read through each page the title became not only relevant, but a necessity. In Bastard Nation, Sherman Dumas discuss the plague that has hit not only the nation as a whole hard but the church body as well, and that is the fatherless child. He says, “Churches have also suffered because their pastors have no fathers or covering.” He starts the book out by talking about the role of a natural father and the potential outcomes due to the presence or the absence of one using facts to back up his point. A very good move in my opinion. Some things don’t register beyond feelings and emotions until facts and percentages are put with it. I was also impressed by his candidness as he shared transparently about his personal relationship with his father as well as his spiritual father. As I sat and read this book, it was as if Dumas was writing with the same passion as if he were talking about it in a conversation. He toggled between facts, personal convictions and history, and Scriptural references. I have to say as I read his commentary on Eli and Eli’s sons from 1st Samuel it really made me think
by Brandie Manigault
about the dangers of not only having accountability as a son but the dangers of not correcting the son as a father. One of my favorite lines says, “Each of us is to be a son to a father, and to become a father to sons.” After this statement Dumas goes on to tell us why this is so important. There is no escaping it; Bastard Nation is, from cover to cover, all about the fatherson relationship. I know this book, the title, and its contents are going to ruffle some people’s feathers, and that’s ok. I recommend it anyway. I think every pastor and leader should
read Bastard Nation. In it lies tips of accountability and it will highlight areas that may or may not need to be addressed (there is a section on what a Spiritual Father is and isn’t… powerful truths). It is not for everyone to read and make changes in their lives. Some people have fathers and spiritual fathers and are in a great place. To that person I say read Bastard Nation and become aware of what’s going on. To those of you who have yet to experience a healthy father-child relationship read this book, not to be given more vocabulary to voice your grievances, hurts, or frustrations with your defunct father, but rather read this book with a heart open to receive the truth that can help you not perpetuate the cycle of a bastard nation.
About The Author
Sherman Dumas
is an apostolic leader with a strong prophetic anointing. His life is driven by a passion to serve others by helping them reach their God-given potential. In fulfilling his own purpose he has a mandate to erase racial, cultural and denominational lines by bringing unity to the body of Christ. His experience has come from both traditional ministry settings as well as community service positions. He served as Youth & Administrative Pastor at the GATE Fellowship Church. While building his itinerate schedule he began to build a more panoramic view of ministry, which included a real heart for the lost. He began to work in the community as Family Care Pastor at the John 3:16 Mission in Tulsa, OK, where he worked every day with the poor and homeless. Most recently, he was the Assistant Chaplain at Victor Valley Rescue Mission where he assisted men in their transition from substance abuse into life recovery. This pairing of skill building has brought him to the place of being well equipped to build balanced world changers. Aside from ministerial experience, Sherman also has a B.A. degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a M.A. degree in Biblical Studies. He has a similar passion to see people educated in their craft and the word of God, which recently inspired him to found Renaissance School of Ministry. In 2010, Sherman and his wife, Jaquet founded Kingdom Culture Worship Centre in San Bernardino, CA where they serve as Lead Pastors. In addition he serves as Apostle & Regional Director (Western Region) of Global Fire Alliance Network. His daily pursuit is to see the Kingdom of God established in every area of society by unconventional ways to reach all people. www.gracenglorymagazine.org 29
30 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
nutrition and you
Soy & Breast Cancer: By: Herline A. Knights, RD,LD
Does a Link Exist?
For the past 15 years, soy and soy-based foods (soy milk, tofu, and soy flour) have gained considerable attention in regard to their rich nutrient composition (vegetable protein, fiber, B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, and phytochemicals, such as isoflavones), and studies have looked at their potential health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. In fact, in 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nutrition label claim that “consuming 25 grams [g] of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease” based on research about soy’s potential to lower cholesterol. Other research has shown soy consumption also may relieve hot flashes associated with menopause, and lower the risk of osteoporosis and cancers of the prostate, cancer, and breast. Press coverage about these benefits has grown (primarily from studying Asian populations), and so has soy consumption by the general public, particularly in the United States. Along these lines, many new soy-derived products were created, including supplements, foods with soy protein isolate, and isoflavone-enriched foods, which try to isolate and capitalize on the compounds responsible for soy’s possible health benefits. However, recent studies have shown that some of these compounds, predominantly isoflavones, could potentially increase a person’s risk for breast cancer. What are isoflavones? Isoflavones, a phytochemical of the flavonoid group, have a limited distribution in nature, with dietary-relevant amounts found only in the soybean. Soybeans have three types of isoflavones—genistin (50% soybean isoflavone content), daidzin (40%), and glycitin (10%). These isoflavones are relatively inactive compounds until converted to their biologically active forms (genistein, daidzein, and glycitein) by fermentation or bacteria within the digestive tracts of humans or animals. Bearing similar chemical structures to 17β-estradiol, a key compound in estrogen replacement therapy, soy isoflavones are shown to produce estrogenic effects within the body. However, these soy isoflavones result in weak estrogenic effects, about 100 to 10,000 times weaker than 17β-estradiol. Nevertheless, these mild estrogenic influences may possibly increase risk of breast cancer. Evidence shows that long-term exposure to endogenous estrogens, such as 17β-estradiol, may promote certain types of breast cancer by increasing breast cell reproduction. Yet, evidence also exists suggesting that soy consumption has protective effects against breast cancer. The initial focus of soy on breast cancer is attributed to: • Historically low breast cancer rates in Asia, where soy foods are an important dietary component • Early epidemiologic data showing inverse associations between soy intake and breast cancer risk • Research demonstrating the potential for isoflavones, mainly genistein, to exert antiestrogenic effects in high-estrogen environments (premenopausal women, high body mass index (BMI)/body fat, etc): – Genistein is shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and differentiation – Isoflavones may have antioxidant activity, stimulate the immune system, and impede tumor growth. What do studies show? When comparing the studies and their findings, it is difficult to ignore the fact that most studies showing a cancer-protective effect for soy are prospective or case-control studies evaluating breast cancer incidence, while those showing a cancer-causing relation are typically weaker studies (correlational, in vitro, and animal models), usually looking at specific aspects of breast cancer risk
(mammary tissue, implanted tumor cells, etc), rather than actual human breast cancer rates directly. Furthermore, a significant review of 18 studies looking at soy intake and breast cancer risk revealed modest, yet significant, protective effects between significant soy intake and breast cancer risk. However, you need to use caution when choosing the type of soy foods that you purchase, because you cannot make general conclusions from some of these findings. Many questions have arisen regarding the impact of both the quantity and quality of soy consumed across populations. For example, daily isoflavone intake from traditional soy foods of older Japanese adults ranges from 25–50 milligrams (mg), while isoflavone levels in Westernbased high-soy diets are considerably less (1–10 mg), primarily because of soy-food processing. While each gram of soy protein in soybeans and traditional Asian soy foods contains about 3.5 mg of isoflavones, processing may reduce soy protein isoflavone content by up to 80%. More studies on the potential negative effects of processed soy foods are needed to determine if a true relationship exists and if it is possible to make generalizations from these findings based on research in different populations. How much soy is safe to eat? It appears that women consuming a diet that includes a moderate amount of unprocessed or minimally processed soy products (ie, edamame, tofu, and miso) are most likely safe from harm and may even gain some health benefit. Soy milk is a highly debated food, because some people consider it a highly processed soy food, while others consider it minimally processed. However, isoflavone-enriched foods or supplements (ie, isoflavone powder, pills, or foods with a large amount of soy-protein concentrate/isolate [check the nutrition labels]) are perhaps not as ideal, as is the case for heavily processed soy foods, because it appears that their effect on health is negligible at best and maybe even harmful. In the end, two old rules of thumb apply best: • Always try to have the “whole food” (ie, the less processing, the better) • Have everything in moderation Based on the FDA recommendation of 25 g of soy protein/day, this is approximately equivalent to: • 3½ cups (C) soy milk (1 C provides 7 g of soy protein) • 1½ C edamame (½ C provides 8 g of soy protein) • ⅝ C tofu (¼ C provides 10 g of soy protein) • 2 C of Kashi® GOLEAN® Cereal (1 C provides about 12.5 g of soy protein) • 2½ Clif® Bars (one bar provides about 10 g of soy protein) References and recommended readings • Allred CD, Allred KF, Ju YH, Goeppinger TS, Doerge DR, Helferich WG. Soy processing influences growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors. Carcinogenesis. 2004;25:1649-1657. • Allred CD, Allred KF, Ju YH, Virant SM, Helferich WG. Soy diets containing varying amounts of genistein stimulate growth of estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) tumors in dose-dependent manner. Cancer Res. 2001;61:5045-5050. • Grace PB, Taylor JI, Low YL, et al. Phytoestrogen concentrations in serum and spot urine as biomarkers for dietary phytoestrogen intake and their relation to breast cancer risk in European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004;13:698-708. • Hu SA. Risks and benefits of soy isoflavones for breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004;31:249-263. • Maskarinec G, Meng L. An investigation of soy intake and mammographic characteristics in Hawaii. Breast Cancer Res. 2001;3:134-141. • Messina M, McCaskill W, Lampe JW. Addressing the soy and breast cancer relationship: review, commentary, and workshop proceedings. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006;98:1275-1284. • Messina MJ, Wood CE. Soy isoflavones, estrogen therapy, and breast cancer risk: analysis and commentary. Nutr J. 2008;7:17. • Shu XO, Jin F, Dai Q, et al. Soyfood intake during adolescence and subsequent risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001;10:483-488. • Trock BJ, Hilakivi-Clarke L, Clarke R. Meta-analysis of soy intake and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006;98:459-471. • United Soybean Board. Soy and health: the healthful, balanced nutrient. Available at: http://www. soyconnection.com/health_nutrition/pdf/Nutrients.pdf. Accessed October 17, 2012. • United Soybean Board. Soy for health benefits. Available at: http://www.soyconnection.com/health_ nutrition/heart_health/7001_USB_HlthBroch_v2r3.pdf. Accessed October 17, 2012. • Wu AH, Koh WP, Wang R, Lee HP, Yu MC. Soy intake and breast cancer risk in Singapore Chinese Health Study. Br J Cancer. 2008;99:196-200. • Wu AH, Yu MC, Tseng CC, Pike MC. Epidemiology of soy exposures and breast cancer risk. Br J Cancer. 2008;98:9-14. • Yamamoto S, Sobue T, Kobayashi M, Sasaki S, Tsugane S; Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study on Cancer Cardiovascular Diseases Group. Soy, isoflavones, and breast cancer risk in Japan. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003;95:906-913.
www.gracenglorymagazine.org 31 31 www.gracenglorymagazine.org
32 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
body basics
Office Exercise
about.com
If you have trouble staying fit at work, these office exercises are a great way to keep your body moving right at your desk. The moves here involving stretching and strengthening your body, all within the comfort of your office chair. This workout doesn’t take the place of traditional strength training, but offers you a way to keep your blood moving if you can’t get away from your desk.
Precautions
See your doctor before trying this workout if you have any injuries, illnesses or other conditions. Make sure the chair you use is stable. If you have wheels, push it against a wall to make sure it won’t roll away.
Equipment Needed
A chair and a water bottle or light-medium dumbbell. Stretches for Your Wrists and Arms Wrist Stretch: Extend arm in front, palm up and grab the fingers with other hand. Gently pull the fingers towards you to stretch the forearm, holding for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Wrist & Forearm: Press hands together in front of chest, elbows bent and parallel to the floor. Gently bend wrists to the right and left for 10 reps. Lower Back Stretch: Sit tall and place the left arm behind left hip. Gently twist to the left, using the right hand to deepen the stretch, holding for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Lower Body Exercises Hip Flexion: Sit tall with the abs in and lift the left foot off the floor a few inches, knee bent. Hold for 2 seconds, lower and repeat for 16 reps. Repeat on the other side. Leg Extension: Sit tall with the abs in and extend the left leg until it’s level with hip, squeezing the quadriceps. Hold for 2 seconds, lower and repeat for 16 reps. Repeat on the other side. Inner Thigh: Place towel, firm water bottle or an empty coffee cup between the knees as you sit up tall with the abs in. Squeeze the bottle or cup, release halfway and squeeze again, completing 16 reps of slow pulses. Chair Exercises Chair Squat: While sitting, lift up until your hips are just hovering over the chair, arms
out for balance. Hold for 2-3 seconds, stand all the way up and repeat for 16 reps. Dips: Make sure chair is stable and place hands next to hips. Move hips in front of chair and bend the elbows, lowering the body until the elbows are at 90 degrees. Push back up and repeat for 16 reps. One-Leg Squat: Make sure the chair is stable and take one foot slightly in front of the other. Use the hands for leverage as you push up into a one-legged squat, hovering just over the chair and keeping the other leg on the floor for balance. Lower and repeat, only coming a few inches off the chair for 12 reps. Repeat on the other side. Upper Body Exercises Front Raise to Triceps Press: Sit tall with the abs in and hold a full water bottle in the left hand. Lift the bottle up to shoulder level, pause, and then continue lifting all the way up over the head. When the arm is next to the ear, bend the elbow, taking the water bottle behind you and contracting the triceps. Straighten the arm and lower down, repeating for 12 reps on each arm. Bicep Curl: Hold water bottle in right hand and, with abs in and spine straight, curl bottle towards shoulder for 16 reps. Repeat other side. Ab Exercises Side Bends: Hold a water bottle with both hands and stretch it up over the head, arms straight. Gently bend towards the left as far as you can, contracting the abs. Come back to center and repeat to the right. Complete 10 reps (bending to the right and left is one rep). Ab Twists: Hold the water bottle at chest level and, keeping the knees and hips forward, gently twist to the left as far as you comfortably can, feeling the abs contract. Twist back to center and move to the left for a total of 10 reps. Don’t force it or you may end up with a back injury. www.gracenglorymagazine.org 33
Gospel
34 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
gospel industry news word of encouragement
Donna Williams-Ross In Trust Ministries dwilliamsross@aol.com
Picture the scenario. Eve ate the fruit and Adam disobeyed God and now what God had specifically told them not to do was done. God told them the consequences for eating the fruit, but the one who convinced Eve that the fruit was good to eat and was going to make them wise, did not tell them that their physical eyes were going to be opened and they would run and hide from God. I submit to you that God knew where Adam was but wanted Adam to locate himself. God is Omniscient and Omnipotent, therefore He knew exactly where Adam was, but did Adam know that he was going to end up in a place of hiding. Obviously God always came down in the cool of the day, because when they heard the sound of God walking in the cool of the day they hid themselves. Why would one hide himself if he didn’t do anything contrary to what was expected? Where are you? Who is asking? Is God asking you where you are? Is your friend(s) asking you where you? Do you care if people are asking? Do you care if you are so far off, that God may be asking you where you are? Are you afraid to answer God? Are you afraid to answer yourself? We humans can do so many things that are hidden from our public self. We can hide our faults, sins, situations and circumstances from some of the people some of the time, and perhaps we can hide all of our circumstances from people all of the time, but we can never hide them from God. God was not asking Adam where he was to beat up on him and Eve, but He was asking Adam where he was so that He [God] could deal with the issue of the fear that had gripped them and also to cover them properly. They would no longer be allowed in the garden, but still God wanted to properly dress them for the cool cruel world that they would soon encounter. Oh, know that the consequences of their disobedience had to be dealt with by God, but He was never going to leave them nor forsake them. Adam
notably lets God know that he was afraid. In other words, the sin was committed and fear stepped in. Is that not just how our adversary the devil works? He makes sin look so good that we almost find ourselves running towards it instead of away from it. Basically we are seduced into calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). Can you locate yourself right now – this very minute? To locate means to find the place or position of (something or someone). Often we find ourselves in places where we cannot locate ourselves or are afraid of the location we find ourselves in. Unemployment is high, small businesses may be getting loans, grants, etc., but not getting the clients to purchase or do business with their small companies. More children are coming back home to live with their parents, mass killings are taking place and people are losing faith. Fear and terrorism has taken over, but if the Body of Christ can remember that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6) , then we do not have to fear – for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Locating oneself takes honesty and searching of one’s heart to know exactly where you are in Christ. Locating oneself means getting with the Holy Spirit and letting Him show you the truth, because the Holy Spirit is Omnipresent. I encourage you today to make an honest evaluation of where you are by spending time with the Holy Spirit as He leads and guides you into all truth. I encourage you to trust God that He is able to bring you back to your place in Him. Prayer: Father, in the name of Your Precious Son Jesus, I thank You for allowing me not to get so far out that I cannot locate myself. I thank You for your unfailing love that continues to chasten me and bring me back safely to You, amen. www.gracenglorymagazine.org 35 35 www.gracenglorymagazine.org
36 October 2013 | Grace&Glory
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word on finances
courage and enthusiasm). Verse 10-12 Spiritual Leaders are being called to prayer in response to the lack of meat and drink offering. (Church offerings) Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God; for He gives you the former or early rain in just measure and in righteousness, and He causes to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, as before. And the [threshing] floors shall be full of grain and the vats shall overflow with juice [of the grape] and oil. And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten--the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the Name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame. (Joel 2:23-26 AMP) I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3 NKJV) During the time that the Prophet Joel was writing these words of exhortation, there was major economic devastation, loss and turmoil in the land of Jerusalem. Rich commodities such as wine, oil, corn and grain were very scarce. THE MEAT AND DRINK OFFERING WAS CUT OFF FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD: THE PRIESTS THE LORD’S MINISTERS MOURN. How parallel is this period of devastation and loss to that of what we are experiencing in our country and in the world today. Major assets and resources have dried up and the people are joyless (lack confidence, 38 October October2013 2013| |Grace&Glory Grace&Glory 38
God’s promise is very emphatic, when they come together and consecrate themselves and cry out to Him, He will deliver them, restore what was lost, bring an abundance of what they need and cause an overflow of His Spirit to come into their lives. That day is here now, and God is waiting on us to claim. Say these words: RESTORATION, ABUNDANCE AND OVERFLOW! God uses this natural catastrophe to illustrate a far greater spiritual catastrophe that will come if they don’t turn to Him. I did not say, God sends every catastrophe that comes into our lives but He uses the natural realm to direct us to truths in the spiritual realm. THE FULFILLMENT OF JOEL’S PROPHECY IS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ACTS. “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come
from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” (Acts 3:18-21 NIV) Acts 3:19 gives us God’s Law of Restitution which legalizes restoration in the realm of the Spirit. Let’s look at the definition of restoration. A. a restoration of something to its rightful owner B. a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury In the aftermath of restoration, God promised you shall eat in plenty, (Joel 2:26 NKJV) which speaks of a time of receiving and experiencing a bursting forth in the quality of your living. Now as it pertains to your living, your finances affect the quality of your living. That is why we call your bills, living expenses. You have life in Christ, but you need money to live. Why? Because finances are the trading exchange for today’s economy, not grain, wheat, wine and oil. So how you make, manage or multiply your money (finances) can affect the quality of your life. God says today that something must break over your finances
because I am ready to give to you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches in secret places. You went through what you went through to prepare you for the financial breakthrough to come. If some things were lost, stolen or neglected in your life financially because of some adversity, devastation or travesty, as you return to Him today, something will break over your finances and you will experience restoration, abundance and overflow!
word on finances
Your season of financial difficulty should have taught you some things about making, managing and multiplying your money. I will give you a few financial wisdom tips combined with spiritual kingdom principles that will cause a breaking in your finances immediately!
Dr. Kenneth O Robinson II Financial Inspirational Speaker Radio and TV Host of “The Word on Finances” program. For appointments or seminarskennethorobinson.com
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Gospel Industry News
Top Gospel Songs Every Praise- Hezekiah Walker Break Every Chain - Tasha Cobbs The Gift - Donald Lawrence If He Did It Before...Same God - Tye Tribbett Clean This House - Isaac Caree
Top Gospel Albums Minorville - Derek Minor Greater Than - Tye Tribbett Best Days - Tamela Mann R. E .D. (Restoring Everything Damaged - Deitrick Haddon Grace - Tasha Cobbs
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By Ericka J.
To stay informed with what’s going on in Music, Arts, & Entertainment follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/ MissErickaJ Like My fan Page on Facebook “Industry News With Miss Ericka J” Til Next Month remember “U can’t always wait for the storm to pass, sometimes you gotta learn to dance in the rain”.
Lalah Hathaway Mitchell Solarek, aka Mitch, founder and president of Maximum Artist Group, announced in Nashville that he’s pleased to officially add Lalah Hathaway as Maximum’s newest client. Solarek, who manages a number of successful clients, confirmed the Lalah Hathaway rumor over the weekend amidst much social media chatter. Solarek, also known as Manager Mitch from the hit television series Mary Mary on WeTV, stated: “My team at Maximum and I are honored to be working with such an exceptional talent. Lalah has built a solid career and a stellar reputation in the music industry. We are honored to be working alongside of her and build on a great foundation. We look forward to surrounding her with great creative collaborators and get her into the studio very soon to make new music.” Lalah followed up with, “I am excited about the new opportunities that are coming my way to enhance my musical journey. I’m looking forward to exploring new avenues and sharing my music with an expanded audience. My partnership with Mitchell and the team at Maximum is a great step on that path.” Lalah Hathaway is one of my absolute favorite artists and her music is so timeless, just like her dad, the late Donnie Hathaway, I’m excited about all the great things this management partnership is going to bring into her career.
Gospel Industry News Tanya Blount Singer, Songwriter, Playwright, Actress Tanya Blount of Sister Act II, most remember her sitting at the piano with Lauryn Hill singing “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”. She’s bringing her newest stage play to Baltimore called “Meet Me At The Repast”; she’s presenting it with her husband and partner Mike Trotter. The story follows the life of a middle class family that has a family secret. The family has to face the truth after the death of the family matriarch. At the reading of the will it all goes down!!! The play will run November 9-10 at the VFW 8123 Harford Road, for tickets log onto http://www.coderedcorporation.com/ Thomas Clay This guy has come from Delaware and made Baltimore absolutely fall in love with his ministry and he’s coming to share more of his gift with this area. Coming on Oct 18th “A Night With Thomas Clay & Friends” and special guests Charles Butler & Trinity, Earl Muschette & Nu Mob, & Christ Mic Ent. No Admission!! Free!! 601 Cherry Hill Road, 21225; a night of great worship! Real Women Real Talk Roundtable This annual event is in its 2nd year, it was created out of a need to connect women with the same issues. The annual Roundtable, Webinars, and more was designed to encourage women to shed the weight that so easily besets them by making the declaration, “I Am You, You are Me, And Together We Are Real Women with Real Weight”. Weight not just excess body fat, but weight is also anything that keeps you from becoming the perfect you. This two day event will be October 18-19 at Turf Valley Resorts & Spa in Columbia, MD. On Friday, Night I will be the MC for the Art Expressions Café where there will be a showcasing of the Arts. It will be an event filled two days!! For more info and registration log onto http://www. realwomenwithrealweight.com/ Ben Tankard Ben Tankard a Nashville native and Gospel Jazz Artist, along with his wife Jewel and their extended and blended children will be featured in a new Docu Series “Thicker Than Water”. It was announced last month in New York. The show will go through the perils and pleasures of their lives as they live, love, and laugh, proving blood is “Thicker Than Water”. The show will premiere Nov. 10th, 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Under the watchful eye of the patriarch and matriarch, the Tankard children, although young adults, still live at home and must abide by Ben and Jewel’s rules. The Tankards aim to be the best and brightest in everything they do with the belief that “God wants us all to be millionaires”. Along with their drive comes a healthy dose of rivalry, proving the adage, “You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family”, especially true. Make sure you tune in this should be an interesting show!
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