Grace & Glory september 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016

™

contents on the cover:

Bishop Oscar E. Brown & Lady Jacqueline D. Brown First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church 618 Hammonds Ferry Road Linthicum, MD 21090 410-728-4383 www.firstmtolive.com

Special Features pgs 8-12

- Grace & Glory Magazine salutes Bishop Oscar E. Brown as he celebrates his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church.

pgs 26-28 - To God Be The Glory! Grace & Glory Magazine is celebrating its 10th Anniversary.

Some of our faithful partners, supporters and contributors share their comments.

Feature Articles 30 FINANCES

Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson

Setting Your House in Financial Order

32 BOOK SHELF

Lauren Sims

Daring Greatly (Brene Brown)

46 NUTRITION & YOU

Herline A. Knights, RD, LD

September Calendar for Family Health

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34 EDUCATION DIGEST

Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr.

38 WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Tiffany Bethea

Earning Respect

36 SINGLE LIFE

What Standard of Beauty Are You?

50 MAN TALK

Tyneice Pack

Dr. Charles Barrett

Trust The Process

Brothers, Beware: Drowning in Shallow Water

Healthy Body

Healthy Mind 36 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

Carla J. Debnam, (Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center)

Breakthrough

In Every Issue Contributors............................................ 6 Scripture Page........................................ 6

Entertainment

From the Editor....................................... 7

48 GOSPEL INDUSTRY NEWS

Ericka Johnson

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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

Herline A. Knights Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Carla J. Debnam Donna Williams-Ross Ericka Johnson

Jackie Epps

Advisory Board Chairman — Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn Sr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD

Vice-Chairman — Dr. Frank M. Reid III Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Sr. Pastor, Bethel A.M.E. Church, MD Rev. Tim Tooten Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., U.S. Ambassador Brandie Manigault President, ITC Seminary, Atlanta, GA Tiffany Bethea Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences Dr. Charles Barrett Dr. Timothy Boddie Cassandra Vaughn/Media Executive Tyniece Pack Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr. Bishop John R. Bryant

GRAPHIC ARTIST Claire Lesesne-Nalley Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District www.JandCDesigns.com Pastor Timothy V. Manigault Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr. Healing Voices Ministries WEB ADMINISTRATOR Andre Felipe for Arts Period Pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, MD www.artsperiod.com Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador PRINTING Roebuck & Son Printing Pastor, Dream Life Worship Center www.hgroebuck.com Dr. WIlliam H. Curtis Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA Grace & Glory Magazine is published monthly by JE Media, LLC, Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD a Baltimore based, independent publisher.

Bishop Ralph L. Dennis Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Sr. Pastor, Kingdom Worship Center, MD Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.

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scripture

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That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord. 10 But we know about these things because God has sent His Spirit to tell us, and His Spirit searches out and shows us all of God’s deepest secrets. 11 No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like except that person himself. And no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And God has actually given us His Spirit (not the world’s spirit) to tell us about the wonderful free gifts of grace and blessing that God has given us. 13 In telling you about these gifts we have even used the very words given to us by the Holy Spirit, not words that we as men might choose. So we use the Holy Spirit’s words to explain the Holy Spirit’s facts. 14 But the man who isn’t a Christian can’t understand and can’t accept these thoughts from God, which the Holy Spirit teaches us. They sound foolish to him because only those who have the Holy Spirit within them can understand what the Holy Spirit means. Others just can’t take it in. 15 But the spiritual man has insight into everything, and that bothers and baffles the man of the world, who can’t understand him at all. 16 How could he?

For certainly he has never been one to know the Lord’s thoughts, or to discuss them with Him, or to move the hands of God by prayer. But, strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.

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from the editor

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9/KJV) The Grace & Glory Magazine made its debut September 2006, and since then many doors have opened for the magazine consistently moving the Grace & Glory Magazine to its ultimate goal, which is to be a resource and vehicle for the upward building of the Kingdom of God. We have featured many of Baltimore’s finest pastors and ministries and we have established many valuable relationships with our clients and our wonderful readers. In these ten years God has done “exceeding abundantly above all that I could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Where do we go from here? We continue to walk through the door God opened 10 years ago.

As we enter into this next year, we are excited for what God has in store for the Grace & Glory Magazine. We praise God for what He has already done, we praise Him for what He is doing, and we praise Him for what He is going to do. By no means has this been an easy journey! There have been many times I have wanted to quit and throw in the towel (I thank God for those who kept praying, and praying, and praying). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). There have been setbacks and stumbling blocks, but we believe when God opens a door, no man can shut it.

This month’s issue is dedicated to all of the

contributors (past and present) that God led our way; there are many who have been with us from the start that have been so faithful pouring out into their articles what God has put into their hearts. This issue is also dedicated to our many ministry partners, supporters and advertisers, who have trusted us down through the years. Last but not least, we dedicate this issue to you the readers, who have been our faithful friends.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who help get this magazine out month after month. God has blessed me and this magazine with the best of the best: Claire Lesesne, our Graphic Designer; our sales team Joseph Riley and Valarie Taylor; Wayne Lucas, our delivery person; and Roebuck & Son Printing.

Special thanks to Dr. A.C.D. Vaughn and the advisory board.

Where do we go from here? There is no doubt in my mind that God wants us to continue to believe, keep the faith, stay focused and let Him finish what He has started. “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Peace and Blessings. . .

Jackie Epps Editor-in-Chief www.gracenglorymagazine.org 7

Q&A Q&A

INTERVIEW WITH

Bishop Oscar E. Brown M.Div., D.D., Senior Pastor

First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church LINTHICUM, MD

G&G: Bishop Brown, welcome back. It has been 8 years since you were first featured on Grace & Glory Magazine.

It is an honor to talk with you again and to be a part of your 30th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration at First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church. Can you believe 30 YEARS? Has the reality of it sunk in? How would you describe these last 30 years?

Bishop Brown: Thanks so much for featuring me and being a part of my 30th Year Celebration as the Senior Pastor of First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church (FMO). This is so surreal for me. There are moments when it doesn’t feel like 30 years, but when I remind myself that I am 52 years old, the reality hits me. It’s been 30 years! These 30 years have been filled with great pleasure and purposeful pain. My years as Senior Pastor of FMO have brought me to a place of maturity both as a person and as a leader.

G&G: What do you have planned to help celebrate this 30th Pastoral Anniversary?

What can we look forward to?

Bishop Brown: Well, I am not sure all that is being planned for my family and myself. The Leadership of FMO has taken the lead in all of the celebrations. I can say that the church celebrated my daughters on the 2nd Sunday in August and it was a great day for Breahna and Victoria. We will be celebrating the entire month of September!!! A Celebration of Love for Lady Brown is scheduled

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for Sunday, September 11, 2016. We are looking forward to showering my wife with blessings as she has been a stellar leading lady in my life and in the life of the church. This is my 30th Wedding Anniversary with Lady Jacqueline Denise.

We were married only 13 days when the call was extended to serve as Pastor of the church. So, this celebration is as much her celebration as it is mine.

A Gala will be held on Friday, September 16th at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in downtown Baltimore.

Sunday September 25, 2016 will be the official celebration of my pastorate at FMO. I stood in the FMO church as their Pastor 30 years ago on the 4th Sunday in September 1986.

I have been told we will celebrate all year but I am not sure what those celebrations will be.

G&G: Bishop Brown, let’s go back to when this 30 year journey first began. Looking back at where you were when you started this journey, where did you think it was going to lead you? Are you at all surprised at where you are today?

Bishop Brown: Well, every journey starts with a step, those steps lead to a path and this path brings you to a journey. I came to the FMO church by the way of New Psalmist and Mt. Moriah Baptist Churches. I was invited to preach at FMO on a Sunday morning. A few weeks later, I was with some ministerial friends and colleagues and one of them, Dr. Errol Gilliard, told me that the FMO church was considering me to serve as their pastor. I did not believe him. My main reason for not believing him was based upon my own low self-esteem and the qualification standard of FMO. I thought this path would lead me to gain experience but never to being a real candidate for the church. Remember, they invited me to preach but not as a candidate for the church and I understood the invitation. According to some of my colleagues, I broke two main rules for candidacy; I preached

Q&A on sin. I was very surprised to be considered as the candidate for the church because I thought my first church would be a storefront or a small church (there is nothing wrong with either). My low self-esteem could only process small. To be called to a church with 500 members (this was not the actual active number) was more than I could comprehend in my mind and spirit. I was saved and preaching but I still suffered from low selfesteem. I am surprised and so thankful that God used me to serve as the under shepherd of FMO. G&G: Bishop Brown, what was the turning point in your journey or that moment when you realized God had called you to an assignment of this magnitude?

Bishop Brown: The turning point of my ministry was when the Lord delivered me from low self-esteem. This statement is sad but it’s also true. The church grew faster when I suffered from low self-esteem than it did after the Lord delivered me from low self-esteem. People are more prone to following you in your pain than to when you start walking in your purpose. The turning point on the journey happened when I started growing as a person and not just as a preacher.

of frustration, I told the committee we were not going to spend another dime on rebuilding until we heard from the Lord. When the Lord spoke, I actually thought I had misunderstood Him. He said for us to move, and for years it was foretold to us that we would be located off of a major highway and near a body of water. He didn’t tell me where we would be located, so I drove days and nights to different locations.

Some had churches on the properties and on other locations there was just land.

When the Lord brought us to our current location, I remember saying, “This isn’t God.” I didn’t feel God and this doesn’t look like Church/God. God told me to chronicle our journey to that point. I did, and the ministry the Lord brought me to was bigger than a traditional setting.

G&G: Bishop Brown, part of your 30 year legacy has been how you have pastored First Mt. Olive with such passion. I have heard it said that great passion does not come without great pain. Is this a true statement for your journey?

Bishop Brown: Very much so!!! Passion and pain are divine twins. It was Jesus’ passion to please His Father that ultimately caused Him to experience the pain of Calvary. I have a passion to offer to God a more excellent sacrifice. My parents, the late Deacon Ulyssee and Deaconess Hallie Brown gave me strong work ethics. My mother landed me my first paid job outside of the home. The manager of a fast food franchise G&G: Bishop Brown, along Bishop Oscar E. Brown, Lady Jacqueline Brown and daughters Breahna and Victoria told my mother they were not with great assignments comes hiring. She said, “You should great responsibilities, were be hiring because when I drove up, I noticed your parking lot there any unexpected hurdles during this 30 year journey? What was was filled with trash. And when I went into your restroom, it the biggest risk you had to take that achieved great results? was filthy. My son can do both and you will be pleased.” The Bishop Brown: Yes, there were many unexpected hurdles that the manager hired me on the spot. This was in 1981. My parents church and I had to face. Some of these hurdles were self-induced and taught me whatever you do, give it your best. Right now, others were satanically ordered, but all of them were God approved.

I can be found picking up trash off of our parking lot or Some would make the fire of 2007 an unexpected hurdle and, indeed cleaning restrooms at the church. it was, but we had the misfortune of having a rain storm destroy our Real passion cannot be turned on and off. The pain sanctuary. We had to do an unscheduled renovation of the church with isn’t the result of difficulty of the assignment. The pain only half of the cost covered by insurance.

The biggest risk or leap of faith that I have taken to this point was is the result of having passion for people who have no moving FMO from her old location to her present location. Although, passion for themselves. Jesus wept over Jerusalem bethe church had purchased property to build another location, it was cause those for whom He cared didn’t even care about going to be a second location. I never thought we wouldn’t be on the themselves. I take God and God’s people seriously corners of Saratoga and Fremont. When the church burned down, I and, yet, those whom you desire to help either take declared with great boldness, “From the ashes we will rise.” I never advantage of you or settle for mediocrity.

Continued on page 10 prayed to ask the Lord if He wanted us to rebuild at that location. The more money we spent, the more doors were slammed in our faces. Out Continued on page 10

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Q&A Q&A Continued from page 9 G&G: Bishop Brown, I’m sure in 30 years you have experienced many changes in the ministry. So much has changed in the dynamics of how we do ministry, particularly with technology and social media. Is it more challenging for the church to keep up and stay relevant? What do you believe the church should be saying and doing?

Bishop Brown: Great question!!! What should the church be saying and doing? The church has a two-fold mission: First, we must proclaim the ancient story of Jesus Christ - born, lived, suffered, crucified, buried, resurrected and now seated at the right hand of the Father. We must say that which was once delivered to the saints. The second mission of the church is to do the first without tampering with its integrity.

I am afraid that in the church’s attempt to be relevant, we have lost our reverence for the One Who has called us into being. I thank God for technology, but technology cannot replace God. I remember in the 90’s when I told the church we were going to put screens and projectors in the Sanctuary.

We would be able to project the Scriptures and the Announcements on the screens. A few members became upset and left the church because this move toward technology was ‘too worldly’ for them. The message was the same but the medium through which it was being delivered was changing. The church must reach a lost world by saying what the Lord told us to say and by doing so with the aid of social media. Churches are losing ground because we refuse to examine the days in which we are living and to execute a plan that carries the Gospel.

G&G: Bishop Brown, after 30 years of ministry, I believe it’s safe to say you are a successful pastor with a successful ministry. What would you say it takes to be a successful pastor today? What are your thoughts on why so many pastors are leaving ministry?

Bishop Brown: To God be all of the Glory for all the

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things He has done and is still doing. Pastoring today is in so many ways different than when I started. However, one of the fundamentals of pastoring is the call. May I speak about the context in which I pastor and serve? In the African American circle, all gifted ministers were thought to have the calling of a pastor upon their lives. It was the hallmark of Black preachers. Pastors must love people; not tolerate people. Secondly, my Pastor, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr., told me over 30 years ago, “Vision is an outgrowth of the people’s needs.” To be a successful pastor, the vision must match God’s Plan for the people and not the pastor’s ego.

With the calling to pastor and a heart for the people, a successful ministry has to be built on a team concept. The old paradigm was that the pastor did everything. Now, the pastor must assemble teams around him or her. The team doesn’t release the pastor from their duties but the right team will broaden the scope of the pastor. Pastors are often given the broad vision for the ministry. The team helps to put flesh on the vision.

Successful ministry must have structure. The church is not known for her structure. The church is both an organism and an organization. Our human bodies are groups of organisms with organization.

We often quote that God is not the author of confusion and then we turn around every week and preside over chaos.

Successful ministry knows when to release key people for a team change. This was the hardest lesson for me to learn. People who stay longer than their assignment will eventually damage the very thing they worked so hard to build up. We also must not make their departure adversarial (we call them the enemy or say stuff like, if they were one of us, they would not have departed from us). Teams are like scaffolding. After a building has been completed, you remove the scaffolding not because you are mad at the scaffolding but because it has served its intended purpose. Now that the building is complete, another team is required.

If you have handled the scaffolding correctly, when you have a building issue, you can re-assemble the scaffolding to work on the building again.

G&G: Bishop Brown, what would you say has brought you the greatest joy in your 30 years as pastor of First Mt. Olive? What has been your proudest achievement?

Bishop Brown: I have been blessed with a great 30 year journey. It’s hard to single out one particular time as the greatest. I absolutely love being the pastor of FMO. I am not sure that I can say this is my accomplishment but it is one for which I am so thankful. Somehow, I am able to ‘worship where I work’. Bishop Dennis Proctor said those words to me many years ago. He said many pastors have to go outside of their work place (the church) to find another place (church) to be free to worship God. I am a worshipper and serving the people of God does not prevent me from worshipping the Lord.

Q&A I hope I am answering your question. There have been some monumental tangible moments in my 30 years at the church but those moments do not last. Walking into our 19 acre campus was a high moment but now we have to pay off the mortgage. Real joy doesn’t have the conjunction ‘but’ behind it. I was a worshipper before I came to FMO, and 30 years later, I am still a worshipper – period!

words that I would use to describe myself. One of those words was loyal. Quitting is so hard for me. I have had persons tell me that I would never be successful in life. When I have contemplated walking away, I thought about those individuals who spoke negatively about my future and I fought through the pain of each situation and regrouped.

G&G: Bishop Brown, how do you plan to build upon your accomplishments as pastor, as you continue to lead the First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church?

What are your hopes and expectations for First Mt. Olive for the future?

Bishop Brown: The vision the Lord gave me many years ago is still my mantra today, and I know it will be until my work is done. Empowering People to Wholeness (Isaiah 61:1-3) is the mandate upon my life. I will continue to build and invest into the lives of people. My job has been to make a deposit into the lives of others and then watch them make deposits into the lives of others. It is my desire and hope to reach the broken, the battered and the bruised with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

G&G: Bishop Brown, is there anyone who has had a tremendous impact upon you as a leader, maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? How did this person impact your life?

Bishop Brown: This question is hard for me to answer because you said someone. Outside of the Lord Jesus Christ and my earthly father, two men have made a tremendous impact upon my life. These two men represent opposite ends of the spectrum of life for me. Bishop Walter Scott Thomas and Bishop Paul Sylvester Morton. These two men, respectfully, have taught me how to build a church and to serve the people of God. They both represent the ‘Spirit of Excellence’ in all they do. They have great minds and they push me to be better. Please allow me to, again, publicly thank them for their deposits into my personal and ministerial life.

G&G: Bishop Brown, my last few questions are a little more personal, first what three words would you use to describe yourself?

Bishop Brown: Disciplined, Loyal and Reserved.

G&G: Would you share with us something most people would be surprised to know about you? What do you do for fun and what makes you really happy?

Bishop Brown: I am a very shy person. I am a true introvert. People think that because of my ministry style I am a very outgoing person, but my personal preference is to work in the background.

G&G: Bishop Brown, many pastors have shared with me that ‘Preaching the Gospel’ was not what they had initially planned for their lives. Did you also have other plans for your life?

Bishop Brown: Yes, this too is my story. I have made the remark to people that God changed my desire for Dentistry into Ministry.

I wanted to serve children as a dentist because I never went to the dentist as a child.

G&G: Bishop Brown, with 30 years under your belt, were there ever instances when you just wanted to quit and walk away from ministry?

Bishop Brown: Yes, there were a few times. You asked me for three

G&G: Bishop Brown, lastly, after traveling through this 30 year journey, what would you say you now know for sure? And, if you could go back 30 years, what would you say to your younger self?

Bishop Brown: I can say for certain that God can do ANYTHING!!! If I could go back 30 years, I would tell my younger self to trust God whole heartedly sooner, dream Bigger and release my will for His Will. I wasted too much time expecting people to do for me what only God can do for me. I would say, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will direct you paths.”

G&G: Bishop Brown, congratulations again and thank you for sharing with us. We celebrate with you, and we thank God for you and all you do for the Kingdom of God. Bishop Brown: Let me say thank you for the opportunity to share my story with the wonderful audience of Grace and Glory. Please allow me the opportunity to thank the wonderful members of the FMO tribe (present and past) for allowing me to serve as their Pastor. I am who I am today because we have grown together and sought to glorify God together. This Celebration is one for the Kingdom of God! It is my prayer that my journey is a reflection of the power of the Almighty God. Thank you again!!!

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bio

Bishop Oscar E. Brown is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He is the 6th child of the late Deacon Ulysses and the late Deaconess Hallie Mae Brown. His Christian foundation was formed at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Baltimore under the pastorate of the late Reverend Arthur J. Benn. It was at Mt. Moriah that Oscar Brown received and accepted his calling to the preaching ministry. He later moved his membership to the New Psalmist Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Walter Scott Thomas, and on September 28, 1986, he was ordained into the preaching ministry. Then, Reverend Oscar E. Brown was called to pastor the First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church.

“Determined to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.”

In April 1995, Reverend Brown was led to join the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Conference under the leadership of Presiding Prelate; Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. It was at this session that Reverend Brown was appointed Conference Overseer for the State of Maryland.

Overseer Brown was appointed by Bishop Morton to the Office of Bishop-Elect in July, 1996, and on November 21, 1996, Bishop-Elect Brown was consecrated to the Office of Bishop at the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship's "Changing A Generation” Enrichment Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bishop Brown has held several positions within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship; presently serving as the First Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., and he serves on the Executive Council. Yet, with all of his appointments, Bishop Brown remains a humble and submissive servant of God. Under God's anointing, First Mt. Olive's membership has increased from about 500 members to more than 2,500 members under Bishop Brown’s leadership. His pastorship has been fruitful and spiritually rewarding.

Bishop Brown's dynamic and spirit-lead leadership has birthed at least twenty-three (23) additional lifechanging ministries throughout First Mt. Olive's history.

“He who finds a wife, Finds a good thing.”

Bishop Brown is married to the former Jacqueline Boyd of Baltimore, Maryland. He describes his wife as a major inspiration to him and the Church. They are the proud parents of two lovely daughters, Breahna Simone and Victoria Elise. Bishop Brown’s love and concern for mankind, along with his obedience, dedication and commitment to the ministry allow him to preach under the strong anointing of God. He humbly thanks God for blessing him and for giving him the opportunity as under-shepherd of First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church; teaching, empowering and helping to win souls for the Kingdom of God. Bishop Oscar E. Brown is “Determined to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth.”

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Take Flight!!

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The purpose of the Flying with One Wing Mental Health Awareness Seminar is to help lessen the Stigma of mental illness in the church by bringing together the church and mental health communities to provide awareness and education that promotes mental health, hope, and encouragement within the congregation.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Rev. Pamula Yerby-Hammack

Reverend Pamula D. Yerby-Hammack is the Visionary and Founder of Wind of Change Ministries, Inc., a God-owned and operated 501(c)3 ministry: by women, to women, for women.

SPEAKERS:

TESTIMONIES:

Rev. Lisa Bryson, Founder & CEO Praising Through Recovery Haryean Lambert

Providers: • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Baltimore • Baltimore Crisis Response, INC. • Baltimore County Crisis Response • Dr. Crystal Willoughby

Dr. Martha Denckla, MD, Director, Developmental Cognitive Neurology, Kennedy Krieger Institute CONTACT INFORMATION: Dr. Crystal Willoughby, PsyD, Licensed psychologist & Rev. Pamula Yerby-Hammack psychological evaluator Rev. Maxine Reed-Vance, RN, Baltimore Healthy Start www.preacherpam.com • preacherpam@gmail.com (Postpartum Depression) The seminar is FREE to the public but RSVP required.

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I congratulate Sister Jackie Epps and Grace & Glory Magazine as you celebrate 10 years of spotlighting the black church and the meaningful contribution that it makes to the world.

May God continue to use you as you tell our story.

Dr. A. C. D. Vaughn, Senior Pastor Sharon Baptist Church Grace & Glory has been a hallmark of literary excellence in our city for 10 years. Its founder, Jackie Epps and her staff have given many the opportunity to express their talents, skills and gifts.

May God continue to use Grace & Glory to expand His kingdom in the earth.

Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson, Senior Pastor and Dream Coach DreamLife Worship Center

Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr., Senior Pastor Southern Baptist Church

Congratulations on 10 years of serving the community with cutting edge communication and substantive spotlights on ministries around Baltimore and vicinity. This has been a very important resource that has reflected the activities and aspirations of impactful ministry and living. Thank you for the holistic way in which Grace and Glory has enabled us to perceive the ministry, the gospel music industry, politics and health and wellness. I pray that the next ten years will expand the

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capacity, substance and distribution of the magazine around the state. God bless you for your faithfulness, passion and resilience.

Congratulations Grace and Glory Magazine on 10 years of existence.

What a wonderful accomplishment it is to make it to 10 years. Many publications fail to get this far but you did. I look forward to seeing the magazine each month, and getting informed on what’s happening in the church community. I must congratulate Bishop Walter S. Jackie Epps on 10 years of leading this Thomas publication. I’m sure there were some New Psalmist rocky moments, but you kept the faith Baptist Church and steered the publication to success.

Thank you for providing a platform where so many of us can communicate with the Body of Christ. I appreciate what you have done for the Kingdom of God. I wish you many more years of working for the Lord.

When I think of the decade of service Grace and Glory has provided to the faith community, one word comes to mind. It is consistency. This best describes the magazine’s editor and her team of professionals communicating good news as unto the Lord.

Rev. Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr. Harvest Christian Ministries Columnist/Pastor/ Journalist (Education Digest)

I am pleased to know that Grace & Glory Magazine has completed its 10th year. I express my delight at this occasion. Kindly acknowledge my heartiest congratulation on this accomplishment. Your magazine has gathered remarkable popularity in just ten years and has garnered the favorability of the Christian masses.

Herline A. I feel extremely proud to be your partner Knights, in this business and wish you continue RDN, LD success for future ventures. I expect that Owner, Global our joint venture and cooperation will Health help you reach your goals and open new and Nutrition vistas for more subscriptions and also Consults, LLC (Nutrition & You) attract more advertisements.

I would also like to congratulate your team of editors, writers and advertisers as their sheer hard work, perseverance and determination has helped the magazine reach this place.

Donna “Royalty” Ross (Word of Encouragement)

Wow! Ten years already. Seems like Grace and Glory magazine started just a year or so ago. Time really does fly – especially when you are having fun. I sure am having fun writing for Grace and Glory. I also enjoy reading about the diverse ministries that have not only graced the cover of the magazine, but have graced the pages inside the magazine. I get sweet memories when I think that I have been one of the original writers of Grace and Glory. In other words, I have invested ten years of God encouraging His people through me into this God ordained

magazine.

To the graphic designer, writers and advertisers continue to work with Grace and Glory because in my heart, I truly believe that Grace & Glory is going places. It has left Baltimore, entered New York, Texas and North Carolina as I exposed it to my family and friends there.

Jackie, I commend you for running with the vision God has given you for this magazine, but also maintaining its upkeep and the integrity of it. My prayers for Grace and Glory are that we have yet to see the fullness of what God is going to do with it. Congratulations to Jackie Epps and everyone who takes the time to not only fill its pages, but to read and enjoy it.

Ten years is here, watch for Grace and Glory Magazine as it enters in the eleventh year. Much love to all.

Congratulations to Grace and Glory Magazine and its founder Jackie Epps. I have been blessed by the magazine and honored to be one of its writers. Ten years is a blessing from God. Continue to stand on the wall!

Dr. Carla J. Debnam (To Your Good Health)

Happy 10th Anniversary Grace and Glory! Ten years, like 20, 30, 40 and so on, is an intriguing milestone. Although these are significant benchmarks that should be celebrated, they simultaneously represent the end of one season and the beginning of another. Because we typically begin counting with 1, Dr. Charles Barrett 10, therefore, is the culmination of a (ManTalk) decade, century, or millennium; but it also sets up the newness of what is to come.

Jackie Epps and Grace and Glory Magazine, be encouraged with these words paraphrased from Philippians 1:6, The One who began something great in you will finish everything that He started 10 years ago! As you celebrate this momentous occasion, remember that God is ushering you into the next phase of effective ministry and outreach.

You have not seen, heard, or imagined all of the marvelous things that God will do in and through you! As you remain faithful to what The Lord has called you to do, I look forward to witnessing your continued success.

It's been an honor and privilege to be a columnist in this awesome publication Grace & Glory Magazine; it's been an awesome experience! My inaugural issue was June 2016, it's been 6 great years, and I’m looking forward to many more! I honor and appreciate Jackie Epps for seeing Ericka Johnson something in me and allowing me (Gospel Industry to share my gifts with the world!

News) I believe God's going to do some great things with and through this magazine! Happy 10 Year Anniversary Grace & Glory!

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Continued from page 25

Happy 10th Anniversary Grace and Glory!! God bless you with many more years. Grace and Glory is a great magazine that continues to impact and inspire many. I am grateful to blessed with the opportunity to write articles for Grace and Glory; it has been a wonderful experience.

Tyniece Pack (Single Life) What a difference a decade makes! Ten years ago we were all introduced to a publication that would strengthen the ties in the faith community. If we were to look back to 2006 and beyond things were amazingly different. Once change has Pastor Tonya & Bishop been accepted and embraced it Greg Dennis takes a bit of reflection to recall Kingdom Worship Center what things were like prior to (Teen Connect) the change. Grace and Glory came on the scene hurdling over barriers that divided the Christian faith.

Back then everyone was purchasing iPods and Mp3 players because we wanted to listen to music. One may even recall needing a handheld calculator to make sure a bill was divided properly at a restaurant. Well a decade later, no one really uses an Mp3 player or calculator because it is all now in our smart phones. We initially did not see a need for a “smart” phone but soon it took over our norms and many are lost without it.

The same rings true with the new publication Grace and Glory that some may have initially viewed as being another “Christian” magazine and there was no need for it. However, words of life continue to come from the pages of each publication from the diverse back grounds of the Christian faith by addressing the holistic needs of all ages. The publication not only raised the question on issues but recommended solutions according to Biblical patterns.

Grace and Glory has proven that we have more in common as the Kingdom of God than areas of difference. It has become a staple in our community.

Congratulations to our Editor-in-Chief, visionary and friend, Jacqueline Epps. Your dream has become a reality for us all as such Grace and Glory has become our norm.

One cannot recall what we did before you entered our lives.

Thank you for chasing your dreams and being an inspiration for others!

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10 Years and beyond!

Congratulations to Jackie and the Grace & Glory family on 10 years of excellence and service to the body of Christ! I can not believe that just that fast 10 years have gone by. For the past 10 years Grace & Glory has been such a tremendous blessing and staple in the kingdom. Each Tiffany Bethea month I look forward to the (Woman's Perspective) incredible articles, interviews and great information on topics as diverse as kingdom finances, health and nutrition, relationships, prayer and much more.

You can never tell what will be featured in the magazine.

Many people have had an opportunity to reach others with their message because of you stepping out in obedience.

I know the journey has not always been easy but God has favored you to continue on and I pray that God continues to favor you to complete your earthly assignment. I pray for many more blessed and prosperous years to come. It is an honor to be a part of this journey and the Grace & Glory family. God's blessings and congratulations again!

10 YEARS. WOW!!!!

What an amazing accomplishment. It is a great responsibility to put pen to paper knowing that the words that you write have the potential to change someone’s life.

What Jackie Epps has Timothy and Brandie done is nothing short of Manigault extraordinary; from her Healing Voices Ministries, own words of inspiration Murrieta, CA and encouragement to the (Bookshelf) investment she has made into finding writers who will accept the same responsibility with humility and excellence of execution. To think about the amount of lives that have been impacted over the last ten years is an overwhelming thought.

As a part of her family, we couldn’t be prouder of what we have seen firsthand that Jackie has invested into this magazine and its readers. As a part of the Grace and Glory family, we are grateful for the opportunities that we have been afforded because of our involvement. We are excited about what the magazine has accomplished to date, and even more excited about what the future holds… BIGGER and BETTER.

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finances

A month ago, I began a teaching series at my church entitled “Set Your House in Order” (Isaiah 38). I shared the importance of believers setting their personal affairs in order so that they are not only prepared to die and leave a legacy but also that they may position themselves for God to bring increase in their lives. The (3) three areas of order that must be established in our affairs are spiritual, physical and financial. Our spiritual house has everything to do with Christ having His rightful place and position in our hearts and lives, and that is first place. When we neglect our time of fellowship with Him, we are robbed of our peace in life. (Matthew 6:33) Another critical area of order is our physical body’s health. Our health is more important to God than our healing. Many people want to be healed but don’t want to be healthy. Having your physical house in order requires exercise, proper dieting and rest. (III John 1:2) The last area of order is why I am writing this article, it is financial. It babbles me how we neglect this area of order, yet it has such an impact on the quality of our lives, yes even the lives of Christian believers.

SETTING YOUR HOUSE IN FINANCIAL ORDER I have been on this financial crusade for many years now and I am just now beginning to feel like the church is getting it.

The past years of financial devastation has negatively impacted all of us, especially churches who did not have their house in financial order. According to Reuters, reported Tim Reid, Los Angeles on March 9, 2012, “Banks are foreclosing on America’s churches in record numbers as lenders increasingly lose patience with religious facilities that have defaulted on their mortgages, according to new data.” However, God has sustained many of us and things are now turning for the better.

In many of my conversations with people all over the country and even abroad, they are determined to do things differently financially this time around, so they would never find themselves in the same financial position individually and corporately as they were when the recession hit in December 2007.

By Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson, Senior Pastor DreamLife Worship Center Randallstown, MD

Let me give you some pointers that will help you set your house in financial order and prepare yourself and your organization for what’s coming in the future. Dave Ramsey, Financial Expert, Author of best-selling book Financial Peace, introduced the term of financial peace to the world because that’s what order in your finances bring, peace. Let’s briefly observe (5) five essential areas for setting any house in financial order.

(5) FINANCIAL AREAS TO SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER:

1. Debt - Debt is the Goliath of our society, and we like David have two choices: flee or face the giant. Seek to eliminate the heavy burden of debt in your life, family, church or business. Take action first by listing all your debts, and solicit the assist from a professional debt elimination company. You can never correct what you’re unwilling to confront.

2. Credit - Credit is an unavoidable essential to have your house in financial order. I know God can give you a miracle but He rather you walk in His wisdom. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name (credit report) is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor better than silver or gold.” Raising your credit score will change the financial landscape of your life and will give you access to more assets (house, real estate property, life insurance, better job positions) and a better overall financial position in life. Sit down with a credit repair specialist and get it done.

3. Taxes - Tax planning is one of the most critical areas of financial order. Having a Tax Strategist not just a Tax Preparer can help save you thousands of dollars as well as keep you from the harassment of the IRS. This year, sit down with someone who can give you a 5-year tax strategy plan, it will help reduce your tax base and bring peace to your home.

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4. Insurance - Getting proper insurance may be the most neglected area of all these essentials, however, every house needs insurance.

Life, auto, health and disability are no longer an option but a necessity for financial peace. Life is not always predictable, and wisdom plans for the best but is prepared for the worse. Proverb 22:3, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” Find an Insurance agent and review your insurance plans and make sure you have the best for your present and future.

5. Retirement/ Estate Planning – Retirement and estate planning are the bedrock of wealth building. Financially successful people always plan long-term not short-term. The primary goal of the poor is survival; the primary goal of the middle-class is comfort but the primary goal of the wealthy is freedom. Retirement/Estate planning is a long-term plan that builds wealth in time. According to Proverbs 13:22, the wealth of the sinner only finds its way in the hands of the man who has a long-term plan for his children’s children.

These (5) five areas of financial order are like the 5 smooth stones of David that will allow you to defeat the Goliath of financial disorder which produces lack, poverty and debt. Focusing on these areas will set your house in financial order.

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bookshelf

Book Shelf Daring Greatly

By Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW “Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement.

Our willingness to own and engage our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection.”

We live in an age where disconnect and disengagement are no longer things we fear, but are things we welcome into our homes. We don’t sit at the dinner table anymore; we don’t call family meetings when things in the culture of our homes are not right. We ignore and suppress our true feelings and desires in hopes that we’ll blend in and not be seen as weak instead of standing out and inspiring those around us to do the same. We live in the shadows, all the while dying on the inside and secretly crying out for more.

Our more, according to Brene Brown, author of Daring Greatly, is found in the depth of our vulnerability, our willingness to live from our core values, and our ability to know we are worthy and enough. If you’ve felt like you’ve lived on auto-pilot, silently battling the constant bombardment of shame, if you simply desire to live the vibrant life you’ve always dreamed of, that you know is promised to you, and if you are tired of wearing masks and disdaining the weaknesses that make you who you are, then Daring Greatly is a great end of summer read.

From cover to cover, outside of the Bible, I don’t think I’ve ever read a more practically eye opening book.

Browns humor and whit soften the blows of truth that are found with 32 September 2016 | Grace&Glory

by Lauren Sims

each turned page as the reader comes face to face with the reality that outside of embracing vulnerability there really is no other way to grow and live authentically. As a shame and guilt researcher, her interviews and thought provoking questions that accompany each chapter make it extremely hard to stay the same. She covers the whole gamut from what vulnerability is and isn’t, to how to recognize cultures of shame and guilt that lock us out of feeling worthy and wanting to be vulnerable, to what it means to live wholeheartedly in every arena of our lives. She gives practical ways to fight negative self talk, which she delightfully calls “Gremlin ninja warrior training” and makes it clear the danger we and those impacted by our lives live in when we decide to numb ourselves instead of leaning into the pain the human experience brings.

While her language is sometimes, colorful, this book is a must read for

every church leader, CEO, parent, stay-at-home mom, creative and average Joe. If you’re going to be innovative, if you’re going to change the world, become a better husband, wife, parent, teacher, mentor, if you desire to do anything at all it means you’re going to have to show up, and allow for your truest self to be seen. It’s uncomfortable, undesirable at times and even a little unbearable, maybe even offensive to some, whatever it may be to you, vulnerability is a huge unavoidable aspect of life and Brown presents the facts and paves the way as an “experienced map maker and stumbling traveler”. Without hesitation I say to you this book can help you, show up, be seen and dare greatly. I’ll leave you with this quote from Brown: “Daring greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where scarcity and shame dominate and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable.

It’s even a little dangerous at times… but as I look back at my own life and what Daring Greatly has meant to me, I can honestly say that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what it would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be seen.”

About the Author

Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, is a research professor at the University Of Houston Graduate College Of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame. Her 2010 TEDxHouston talk, on the power of vulnerability, is one of the most watched talks on TED.com. Brene is the author of the number one New York Times bestseller The Gifts of Imperfection (2010), I Thought It Was Just Me (2007), and Rising Strong (2015). Brene is also the founder and CEO of The Daring Way- a teaching and certification program for helping professionals who want to facilitate her work on vulnerability, courage, shame and worthiness. Brene lives in Houston with her husband, Steve, and their two children.

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education digest Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

(Romans 12:10) One of the best definitions I’ve found for the word respect comes from the dictionary. It’s defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I believe respect is earned based on how you treat others and how they in turn respond, that’s called mutual respect. It is to have the same relation each toward the other. At an early age, I was taught respect at home; that is to honor my mother and my father.

The requirement to be respectful extended beyond our home to the people who lived in the community, those I encountered at church, school and on the job.

A few years ago I spoke with a group of teenage males at a local high school. I was made aware they had been labeled as troubled youth. I showed up as part of a bi-weekly mentoring session. I would take time to listen and then share positive responses to the questions they raised in that particular setting. On one occasion, a number of the young men expressed to me that they were being disrespected by some of their classroom teachers. Right away, I had my doubts.

In so many words, I thought to myself, this was not possible and proceeded to suggest to them that they needed to just show up for class and focus on their academics. To my surprise, before I could conclude my stern rejection of such a notion, a high school counselor sitting right next me was quick to defend the students. After all, he was much closer to their situation and had spoken to the young men on a daily basis. He shared that on more than a number of occasions, the male students had shown respect toward their teachers only to be sternly rebuked right in the middle of class to the point of embarrassment. In other words, respect in this particular situation was anything but mutual.

I learned a valuable lesson that day and it was not to judge based on my own preconceived experiences. I was also challenged to take a closer look at how I viewed and defined mutual respect. I pondered this question and concluded, what if I show respect toward someone else and they refuse to do the same? Then what. Should I withdraw it, hold back, or even delay my respect for them? The response for me is no. I agree that respect is earned over time between individuals and not necessarily friends.

Mutual respect is rooted in honesty, trust and meaningful communication. Some of the early faith leaders in the Holy Bible urged their followers to, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10). In this scripture passage, the main ingredient is love. If love is void or missing, respect is hard to attain and maintain.

As you are reading this article, there are people who have already come to mind in whom you’re really struggling to respect. So what’s the assignment, much like a successful baking recipe, add a large portion of God’s love and stir until it feels just right. Be sure to add even more prayer to the recipe. Allow it to sit for a few days, and then watch how God will change your perspective and the person you have become a bit leery of respecting. I would suggest you initially serve in small portions. Now, pass the recipe along to your children, family members and friends.

Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr. is an Emmy-Award winning television reporter with WBAL-TV (NBC) in Baltimore. He’s also the pastor and founder of Harvest Christian Ministries in Baltimore County, Maryland.

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Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr.

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single life

Trust The Process: God is Preparing You for the Thing that He has Preparedd for You

Have you ever been anticipating something great and then when it happens you have mixed emotions about it? As a single parent we sometimes tell ourselves that we can’t wait to experience our children being adults and on their own. We have lived our lives so long making decisions that will be in the best interest of our children regardless of the sacrifice that we will have to make. As a parent we sometimes put our hopes and dreams on hold in order to be fully present for our children.

A little over 3 years ago, my son moved out of our home into his own apartment. I was excited for him because it was another step towards him preparing to get married. I was excited for myself because I was going to have the opportunity to travel more and be a little more carefree. I was so excited about the thought of having an empty nest. For the first time in 26 years I was going to be able to make a decision that was just for me and about me. I did not have to think of my son first I could actually think of what I wanted. Over the last three years I had to rediscover who God called me to be outside of being my son’s mother. I had no idea how challenging the process would be.

A process is a series of actions that produce something or that lead to a particular result. When we enter into a process we usually have no idea of the lessons that we will learn during the process

Life is one process after another, but we don’t all go through them in the same order. God will develop you during the process. One person may be in the process of becoming a mother, a wife, going through a divorce or even rediscovering who God created you to be. It does not matter what the process is that you are in, what matters is how you go or grow through it. No two people come out of the process with the same results.

During the process you must:

to your good health

How can you get to your destiny and purpose with power and potential?

You get there with help from God, with persistence in prayer and with plans to guide you along the way.

Sometimes it seems that the distance between our wants, desires and dreams are our ability to stay on course. Planning and prevailing could be the difference between fulfilling our goals and seeing them fade away. There are so many obstacles that can hinder our efforts to obtain our objectives yet we must continue to work towards them anyway.

Distractions and disappointments are always nearby when you and I get the courage to pursue our passion yet we must press on in spite of the difficulties.

Learning to make the most of your situation is one of the most valuable lessons we can acquire. Of course it’s not that simple to get past your past or your present, therefore you must have insight and intelligence to make the most of your breakthrough when it comes. Jesus encourages us to, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT).

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1. Purge – To clear of guilt. To make free of something unwanted (2 Timothy 2:21 KJV).

2. Renew your mind – To make (something) new, fresh, or strong again (Ephesians 4:23 AMP).

3. Stay focused on the goal – Focus is a point of concentration (Philippians 3:14 AMP).

Some become better during the process and some become bitter. If you don’t allow God to purge you, renew your mind and stay focused on the goal you can become bitter instead of becoming better.

Being an empty nester challenged me to find a new norm. My norm had been always considering what was in the best interest of my son but now I had to adjust to the new norm of thinking what is best for me. I thought this will be easy but boy was I wrong. I discovered that thinking about my son first had become as natural to me as breathing. I did it automatically without a second thought. Now I had to unlearn what had become my norm over the past 26 years. You may not be an empty nester like me but I want to encourage you that whatever process you are in right now embrace it; allow God to transform you.

Even though the process has been challenging through the help of the Holy Spirit I have released a lot of the guilt of thinking of myself first instead of my son. My mind has been renewed, that after 26 years of sacrificing for my son, it is acceptable and my new norm to think of myself first. Now that I am open to my new norm in this season I know that God will blow my mind with the transformation that will continue to Tyniece take place in my life as I remain focused on Him.

Pack

Anyone needing a breakthrough must be willing to participate in its manifestation. Now is not the time to sit idly by watching others pursue their dreams. There is no time limit on the fulfillment of your vision because the vision is for an appointed time so we must wait for it to come to pass.

Waiting is part of the breakthrough process. It is the period between receiving the vision and realizing the vision. Many of us have been on paths that have had a long waiting period. It may have been the completion of a college degree, job training for career advancement, meeting and then marrying your spouse, finding a church home, cultivating a growing relationship with Christ, seeing your children grow and mature and the list goes on. In each of these endeavors there was a time of waiting. This is the part of our journey that gets difficult and can be discouraging especially when it looks like our breakthrough will never come.

The Apostle Paul encourages us not to give up or give in to our feelings or observations of our progress but to press on. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT). We are too close to give up on God’s deliverance and assurance to be with us through every season of our lives. Breakthrough is Carla J. Debnam, MS, LCPC coming! Be prepared, wait Founder, with expectation and be ready Renaissance Christian to receive what God has

Counseling Center

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woman’s perspective So I have been working on a new book for months that is finally coming out soon and this topic has been fresh on my heart for some time now. Did you know that sales on cosmetics and cosmetic procedures in this country have increased 500% over the past 10 years? Yet 80% of women report that they are not satisfied with their appearance. Girls as young as 5 years old have been documented for cases of eating disorders and women of all ages are literally going broke and killing themselves to “feel” beautiful. What we have here is a case of many people walking around with Beat Faces and Broken Souls. This current social climate is one that places an unhealthy emphasis on image versus authenticity. We are encouraged to look the part rather than actually be the part. We as women in particular are encouraged to try to embrace a superficial unrealistic standard of beauty created by the computers that magazine photo editors use rather than embracing our natural beauty that God has given us. The question I have for you is whose standard of beauty have you subscribed to?

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NIV. God in His word lets us know that His standard of beauty is focused on our character and virtue as women. The fear of the Lord is what should be our focus. Why is that? When we fear the Lord we will keep His commandments. When we fear the Lord we will carry around the fruit of His spirit. When we fear the Lord we will treat others kindly. When we fear the Lord we will live a righteous and holy lifestyle. When we fear the Lord we will make wise decisions according to his word. When we fear the Lord we will reflect His glory in our daily lifestyle. My sister it is those things that will cause us to appear beautiful and attract amazing things into our lives.

What is more beautiful than a woman who has the glow of

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the Holy Spirit emanating from her being? You can tell a godly woman just by her smile, her stride, her warmth. It is simply magnetic. It is more beautiful than any vain hairstyle, makeup, or accessories can ever add.

So we must make a conscious decision to buy into the kingdom standard of beauty. We must focus our hearts on authenticity versus image. We must set our desires to truly being the part and not looking the part only. “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6 KJV. It is God’s desire that our inward parts be filled with truth, His truth and His wisdom. So how do we cultivate the kingdom beauty? We must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing. We must allow Him to consume our thoughts, desires, habits, mind, body and spirit until we reflect Him. We must allow Him to transform our minds and bring every thought pattern in subjection and agreement to His word.

We must allow Him to remove the stains of sin and every ounce of fear, unforgiveness, anger, doubt, shame, and negativity and remake us in His image. Then and only then will we have the confidence that causes us to be beautiful inside and out.

I encourage you my sister not to get caught up in this world’s system and standard of beauty that will have you only focusing on enhancing the exterior and completely ignoring the true interior beauty. Let us be examples to the younger generations that true beauty and virtue as a woman cannot be purchased in the makeup aisle, it must be cultivated on the altar with God.

Tiffany Bethea She-EO Life Mentor www.Tiffanybethea.com

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nutrition & you

September 1 Enjoy the last of the summer’s sweet corn.

When it is this ripe, it does not even need butter!

September 2 Treat yourself to dinner out with a friend. Split the appetizer, entrée, and dessert to reduce the calories.

September 3 Learn a sport or fitness activity as a family! Try racquetball, dance lessons, or rock climbing.

September 4 Purchase some fresh curly kale while it is at its peak. Make homemade kale chips with a little oil and your favorite seasoning.

September 5 Put out snacks for kids, so that they have healthy options to choose from when they get home from school, such as vegetables with low-fat dip and cut-up fruit slices.

September 6 Make today the day you buy a good multivitamin for yourself. Then take it daily!

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR FOR FAMILY HEALTH September 7 Celebrate the beginning of apple season! Apples are good for you! Eat them as is or with a little almond butter.

September 8 Park on the far side of the parking lot today, instead of trying to find the closest space. Get a little extra exercise!

September 9 Get everyone a Hula Hoop®. See who can “hoop” the longest!

September 10 Did you know that figs are a great source of calcium? Enjoy them in a smoothie or a salad.

September 11 Add nuts to your snacks and meals for extra protein and healthy fat. Select raw nuts to toast at home or roasted ones without added oil or salt.

September 12 Make your phone calls while walking around or standing to burn extra calories.

September 13 Serve homemade veggie burgers with your favorite

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cooked beans, brown rice, and cooked vegetables.

September 14 Ask your child to invite a friend over to play basketball or play outside.

September 15 Have you checked your freezer temperature lately?

Use a calibrated thermometer to ensure the unit readout is correct.

September 16 Start keeping the pepper mill on the table and the saltshaker in the kitchen.

September 17 Sign up to coach one of your kids’ sports teams. It is great exercise and will make you feel more involved.

September 18 Follow this advice when baking healthy cookies for your school’s next bake sale. Use different parchment paper for the peanut butter cookies and the chocolate chip cookies to ensure allergens are not transferred.

September 19 Eat a salad before your lunch and dinner today.

September 20 Show your children how to stretch their muscles to avoid injury.

September 21 Try a persimmon today! It is a great source of vitamin A and fiber.

September 22 Create a meal with fresh fish or shellfish. Make sure to purchase “frozenat-sea” fish that are flash-frozen at very low temperatures within 3 seconds after they are aboard a ship.

September 23 Go pick some apples with your children today!

September 24 Place a frozen juice box in your child’s lunch to keep foods cold until ready to eat.

September 25 Add ¼ cup of dried cranberries (find ones without oil or added sugar) to your salad for additional flavor, vitamins, and a serving of fruit!

September 26 Wash out insulated lunch bags or boxes with hot soapy water after using them.

September 27 Provide kids with a regular list of chores.

It will help you, and it is good physical activity for them!

September 28 If you see mold on the hard cheese in your refrigerator, cut off at least 1″ around it to ensure safe removal and enjoyment of the remaining cheese.

September 29 Walk 10,000 steps today!

September 30 Look for and purchase bisphenol A (BPA)-free cans of food at the grocery store, whenever possible. Always inspect the cans before purchase. Do not choose any cans that are bulging or with any irregularities around the seal.

By Herline A. Knights, RD, LD

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Gospel Industry News

Donnie McClurkin Has released his 7th solo project titled "The Journey", it includes some of his timeless classics as well as 3 new songs.

The first single released is titled "I Need You" and is doing very well, it's such a great song, and I absolutely LOVE IT! I had an opportunity to experience his ministry live at the "Evening With Donnie McClurkin Tour” last month in Baltimore, at Israel Baptist Church, it was such an amazing worship experience. He took us on "the journey" with his music that evening, and concluded with the new single "I Need You”, if you don't have this single GO GET IT, get the entire album! If you get a chance to catch the tour GO it will bless you!

Chester Burke & Company This group of young people from the DMV just released their debut project titled "Jesus, I Bless Your Name" which is also the title of their debut single. I love their energy and dynamics and hands down Chester Burke is just a great guy with great musical talent and ability. He's very educated in music and it shows in his ministry. Definitely go support him it's available at all digital media outlets.

Lecresia Campbell One of the Golden Voices of Music has suffered a major blow medically and the clarion call went out to bombard heaven on her behalf, and we are here to report victory! The doctors are literally astounded at her progress she is out of Intensive Care and will begin therapy. Her cognitive, motor, and vocal skills are progressing, let’s continue to keep her in prayer, that the healing virtue of God continues to flow in her, and she recovers healthy and whole.

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TRAFFIK, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. My father, the late Rev. Bruce Johnson, battled the disease his entire life, and I being a carrier of the trait, started a sickle cell awareness organization Traffik in 2003, in his honor.

TRAFFIK is an organization that utilizes a myriad of creative expressions, arts, entertainment, and health initiatives to generate awareness and funds for sickle cell anemia. On September 24, 2016 there will be a runway fashion show, "Traffik, Where Music & Fashion Collide" #Detour4TheCure; it will also feature live musical performances. The show will be held in Turner Auditorium, on the campus of Johns Hopkins Hospital. There will be a PreShow & Red Carpet 5:30pm-6:30pm and Runway show 7:00pm. There are still sponsor, donation, and vendor opportunities available. For further info and tickets http://www.traffiktheshow.com/, email traffikshow@gmail. com, or call 443-256-3801.

Chrystal Rucker Released her debut single titled "Excuse Me" it was written by Baltimore's Own, Anthony Brown and produced by Asaph Ward, a dream team! Check it Out! Jekalyn Carr This 19 year old singing, preaching machine is making all kinds of noise right now! She has landed for the first time, not ONE, but TWO #1 Billboard placements! HUGE CONGRATS! BIGGER!!!!

Melonie Daniels One of my favorite singers has released a single paying tribute to another one of my favorite singers, gospel legend Darryl Coley. "I Need Your Spirit"

gospel industry gospel industrynews news

By Ericka J. is available RIGHT NOW, at all digital media outlets.

Maurette Brown-Clark Congrats are in order for Baltimore's Own Maurette on landing her own radio show "Sound of Praise" on Radio One Praise 106.1FM catch her MondayFriday. Much love and support!

JJ Hairston Congrats to JJ Hairston on launching his own label James Town Music. I'm so super-duper happy for him. In addition, he has an exclusive distribution deal with eOne Distribution. “I’m excited about the launch of James Town Music and the vision God has given me not just for the sound of Youthful Praise but for other artists as well,” says Hairston. I can’t wait to hear all the great music that will come from this venture. JJ Hairston is purely and genuinely one of the most anointed, consistent, pleasant artists, he has such a big and pure heart. His ministry is one I love and have followed

Top 5 Gospel Songs #1 "Put A Praise On It" - Tasha Cobbs featuring Kierra Sheard #2 "You're Bigger"- Jekalyn Carr #3 "Better" - Hezekiah Walker #4 "Made A Way" - Travis Greene #5 "Wanna Be Happy" - Kirk Franklin

from its conception. I've seen him endure transition as a true soldier for Jesus, never losing the oil of his anointing in the process, but allowing it to carry him, such a display of God's grace and glory, without wavering in his faith; it’s been key in sustaining his ministry.

Maurette BrownPlease do yourself a favor Clark and go download his new single, "You Deserve It", this song is so HUGE, you will thank me later, I promise!

It's back to school time, let's pray and cover our youth, teachers, and education personnel, as they go back to school. Let’s bind the hand of the devil that would seek to wreak havoc, destruction, and chaos in our school systems. We petition God for peace and prayer in our schools, colleges, and institutions. They can take prayer out of school but they can’t take it out of us! Let's also pray for those affected with Sickle Cell Disease for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month; the need for blood is very vital for those affected, please find a way to donate and help save and preserve these lives.

Til next month, catch me on my radio segment "IN With Miss Ericka J" every weekend, Friday-Sunday, 5:30 pm on Heaven 600, http://www.heaven600.com,/ iHeart Radio, and 102.7hd2. Peace & Blessings!

Til next month www.facebook.com/ErickaJohnson like my fan page on Facebook “Miss Ericka J” www.instagram.con/MissErickaJ www.twitter.com@MissErickaJ

Top 5 Gospel Albums #1 Jekalyn Carr - The Life Project #2 Hezekiah Walker - Azusa-The Next Generation 2 #3 WOW 2016 #4 Shirley Caesar - Fill This House #5 Travis Greene - The Hill

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man talk

Written by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known the world over as Dr. Seuss, and published by Random House in 1954, Horton Hears A Who begins with these words: On the 15th of May, in the Jungle of Nool, in the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool, he was splashing… enjoying the jungle’s great joys… when Horton the elephant heard a small noise. For me, it was the evening of July 23rd and I was in a hotel pool, not splashing, but nonetheless enjoying a mini-vacation with my family when The Lord began to speak to me about the danger of drowning in shallow water.

Because I was in no more than 4 feet of water, it resonated even more with me. In fact, as drowning can result from very little water entering a person’s lungs, children have drowned in bathtubs, and adults under the influence of drugs and alcohol have succumbed to drowning in puddles.

In Judges 13, we are introduced to more than a fictitious Biblical figure with presumably long, flowing locks of hair. Samson, although his strength was somewhat mythical, was a real man, living in a real world, facing real challenges. Like David, the anointed musician and faithful shepherd who despite wrestling a lion and a bear and defeating a giant could not resist the temptation of a married woman bathing. Samson, in spite of killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey, went to see a harlot. Like some of us today, Samson and David were two brothers who found themselves drowning in shallow water. As voyeurs into the life of Samson, Judges 16:6-20, highlights aspects of his personality that led to an unfortunate outcome. Let’s look closer…

LESSON 1: LIVING ON THE EDGE Samson might be described as an edge dweller—one who enjoyed the thrill of flirting with risky situations. Because of this, he played a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Delilah. But as he placed himself in this perilous predicament, he did not recognize that he was on the verge of losing everything. And rather than guarding the gift that God gave him, Samson carelessly exploited it and lost. In other words, Samson played with fire and got burned. In Judges 16 we read that Samson toyed with Delilah about the secret to his strength, not once or twice, but four times!

LESSON 2: OVERCONFIDENCE IS A PRELUDE TO DROWNING In addition to being an edge dweller, Samson was overconfident. Because of his supernatural strength, had Samson become overly confident in his abilities? Did Samson think that he was too strong to fail? Even today, how do brothers drown in shallow water? No doubt, there are myriad responses to this critical query; but fundamentally, like Samson, we drown in shallow water because we underestimate the strength and weight of sin.

Although the lazy days of summer have come to an end, last month, The Lord continued to speak to me, yes, while in the water. Despite standing in an area that was barely waist deep, I was overpowered, multiple times, by what my wife called an angry sea. Despite my intentions to simply enjoy the beauty of the beach and the warmth of its water, my humanity was no match for the waves controlled by the All-Powerful Architect of Creation. And so it is with sin: that which is enticing to the eyes, in a moment, can literally knock us off of our feet, bring us to our knees, or carry us farther than we ever intended until we are drifting in an 50 50 September September2016 2016| |Grace&Glory Grace&Glory

Dr. Charles Barrett

everlasting abyss. As Bishop Norman Lyons has poignantly said about sin, “You either deal with it or it will deal with you!”

LESSON 3: THE ABUSE OF GRACE In the words of Pastor Curtis Thompson, Samson was also an abuser of grace. Said another way, he took advantage of the grace that was extended to him, which also inadvertently reinforced his risky behavior. Yes, grace ensures that we don’t experience what we deserve (punishment) but rather what we need (love and forgiveness). But some of us misinterpret the absence of punishment for sin as God’s approval of what we are doing. We even rationalize, if God didn’t punish me, then it must not be sin. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth, even as Paul cautions us against such errant thinking in Romans 6:1-2. Like Samson, most people don’t intend to drown—especially in buckets or bathtubs. But the repeated playing with grace, coupled with living on the edge, and being overly confident in our own strength while underestimating the weight and lure of sin, will most assuredly lead to our demise. Brothers: drowning in shallow water is not the byproduct of colossal problems but the seemingly insignificant episodes that ultimately consume us, although they shouldn’t.

LESSON 4: YOU DON’T HAVE TO DROWN The beginning of school is one of the most exciting times of the year. So to all of the young brothers who have recently returned to school, don’t drown in shallow water. As a psychologist, I’ve sat in too many meetings with too many students who have allowed themselves to be overtaken by things that were well within their control. Having met with young people to discuss how parents and teachers can best support their success, and despite the numerous interventions and systems that have been offered to them, some refuse the assistance! In fact, when asked if their assignments were too difficult, many have said that they simply chose to not do their work. As a result, they drown in shallow water. Sadly, because it could have been avoided, they fail and jeopardize grade promotion and graduation.

Young brothers, let this year be different. Don’t allow anything or anyone, including your own choices, to cause you to drown in shallow water. Many of you have worked too hard to get to your final year in high school or college. And even if you’re not a senior, you, too, have sacrificed too much to drown in shallow water. As Samson eventually ran out of time and did not have the strength to fight his attackers, don’t let it be too late for you. Rather than procrastinating, do all that you can to get ahead and remain ahead throughout the school year. As drowning begins with only a little bit of water entering our lungs, remember that problems arise when we slowly dig a hole for ourselves that eventually becomes too deep to escape.

Peace and Blessings.

Dr. Charles Barrett is a school psychologist with Loudoun County Public Schools and Associate Professor of Psychology at Northern Virginia Community College.

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