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™
March 2020
contents on the cover: Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. New Psalmist Baptist Church 6020 Marian Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 410-945-3000 www.newpsalmist.org
Cover Story pgs 8-12 - Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. is celebrating 45 years as Pastor of the New Psalmist Baptist Church! Grace & Glory has the exclusive interview with Bishop Thomas talking about his 45-year journey as Pastor and Ministry Leader of the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore.
Healthy Soul 20 TRINKETS TO TRIUMPH
22 WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
Tracey George
Exhibiting Esther’s Example
Rhoda Turner
What’s Your Soil?
24 MONTHLY MANNA
Minister Carenda Deonne
What Does Love Have to Do With Intuition 4 March 2020 | Grace&Glory
29 KEEP THE FIRE BURNING
Bishop Shirley & Pastor Timothy Stanfill
Leaving A Legacy
Healthy Mind 16 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Dr. Carla J. Debnam, (Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center)
Life is a Journey
In Every Issue Contributors............................................ 6
Healthy Body From the Editor....................................... 7 Scripture Page...................................... 30 26 BODY BASICS
28 HEALTH MATTERS
Charles & Ursula Harris
Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels
No Pain, No Gain
A World Without Glasses
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Meet the Contributors 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
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jackie Epps EDITORIAL Dr. Carla J. Debnam Min. Carenda McCray Tiffany Bethea Tracey George Dr. Denyce Daniels Charles & Ursula Harris Bishop Shirley and Pastor Tim Stanfill Rhoda Turner Melva Henderson GRAPHIC ARTIST Claire Lesesne www.JandCDesigns.com WEB ADMINISTRATOR Andre Felipe for Arts Period www.artsperiod.com
Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.
Grace & Glory Magazine By Mail! For subscriptions go to our website: www.gracenglorymagazine.org
For more information contact 443-813-6547 • 410-370-2636 info@gracenglorymagazine.org Grace & Glory Magazine is the ideal publication for Encouragement, Empowerment and Inspiration. Follow us on facebook and twitter at: facebook.com/gracenglorymagazine twitter @gracenglorymag Check out our website at: www.gracenglorymagazine.org
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JACKIE EPPS is co-founder and editor of Grace & Glory Magazine. Jackie's career in communications spans over 40 years in advertising sales, program sales, media planning and television production, working in radio for 11 years and shifting to television broadcasting in 1989. She also produces the Grace & Glory show, a faith-based television program that has been on the air for 18 years. DR. CARLA DEBNAM
Dr. Carla J. Debnam is the wife of Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam and an associate minister of Morning Star Baptist Church, Woodlawn, MD. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Association of Christian Counselors and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Debnam has contributed to two books, Those Sisters Can Preach: 22 Pearls of Wisdom, Virtue & Hope, and 7 Ingredients To An Effective Prayer Life Series, Vol.3-5.
TRACEY NICOLE GEORGE
Tracey Nicole George is a licensed minister and ordained deacon. She is a native New Yorker residing in Maryland and married to Danny George. Tracey works with her husband managing their inventory and asset control company, George Imaging. She is the creator of Trinkets to Triumph, a Biblically-based blog and ministry, designed to edify and encourage individuals with a “trinket” of encouragement. She is a member of New Destiny Evangelistic Church.
CHARLES HARRIS
Charles Harris is the owner of Chizel It Transformation Fitness. Charles is a highly effective fitness expert with a passion for health and wellness. He is a certified fitness trainer with the America Fitness Association of America with over 20 years of experience, and a certified Yoga Teacher at YogaWorks in Pikesville, Maryland. He is the author of I’m Too Cute to Sweat, What’s Your Excuse For Not Working Out?, and It Takes 21 Days To Get Fit. He currently teaches his mega cardio workout class throughout the state of Maryland.
DR. DENYCE WATTIES-DANIELS Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels has over 25 years of experience as a clinician and nurse educator. Her areas of expertise include critical care nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology and the use of technology in the classroom. She currently serves as faculty and the Director of the Simulation and Learning Resource Centers of the College of Health Professions at Coppin State University.
PASTOR RHODA TURNER
BISHOP SHIRLEY AND PASTOR TIM STANFILL Bishop and Pastor Stanfill are the co-creators of Kingdom Word & Worship Cathedral. They are humble servants who live by God's word in everything they do in life, love, travel and business. When they are not spending time with family they run missionary programs in Africa; share their ministry across the globe; and manage 3 businesses. They have learned how to keep their fire burning and keep God first, no matter what tests life brings them.
MIN. CARENDA DEONNE Min. Carenda was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She received her BA degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a Master's in Law degree from Regent University. Min. Carenda was licensed to preach in 2007 and has been teaching, preaching, and declaring God's word through the power of love ever since. Min. Carenda is also an author of three books. Her latest book, Perfect Patty Messed Up, is a 40 day devotional that confronts the disorder of perfectionism and opens the door to self forgiveness and restoration.
Rhoda possesses a spirit of humility. Her ministry style is graceful, her message is powerful and her presence is comforting. Being the 9th of 10 children, Rhoda has a deep passion for family and the wholistic development of children. She is considered by many as a mentor and mother figure. Rhoda and her husband Pastor Jason Turner, serve as senior pastors of Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Chandler, AZ.
from the editor “I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” Maya Angelou
March is
‘National Women’s History Month' March is ‘National Women’s History Month’. The public celebration of women’s history in this country began in 1978 as “Women’s History Week” in Sonoma County, California. The week including Jackie Epps March 8, International Women’s Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a Editor-in-Chief joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women’s History Month. The 2020 Women’s History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others." Women’s History Month provides an excellent venue to recognize and celebrate women’s historic achievements as well as an opportunity to honor women within our families and communities. We salute our faithful Grace & Glory Magazine woman contributors, who are all successful in their professions and careers. We are mothers, daughters, friends, colleagues, visionaries, dreamers, queens, rulers. We are phenomenal women. That is us. Lastly, in honor of Women’s History Month, we are remembering and celebrating the life of Katherine Johnson, a truly phenomenal woman, and we are dedicating this month’s issue in her memory.
Katherine Johnson August 26,1918 – February 24, 2020 Katherine Johnson also known as Katherine Goble, was an American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics as a NASA employee were critical to the success of the first and subsequent U.S. crewed spaceflights. During her 35-year career at NASA and its predecessor, she earned a reputation for mastering complex manual calculations and helped pioneer the use of computers to perform the tasks. The space agency noted her "historical role as one of the first African-American women to work as a NASA scientist".
“We needed to be assertive as women in those days – assertive and aggressive – and the degree to which we had to be that way depended on where you were. I had to be.” Katherine Johnson
Johnson's work included calculating trajectories, launch windows and emergency return paths for Project Mercury spaceflights, including those for astronauts Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and John Glenn, the first American in orbit, and rendezvous paths for the Apollo Lunar Module and command module on flights to the Moon. Her calculations were also essential to the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, and she worked on plans for a mission to Mars. In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Katherine Johnson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2019, Johnson was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. She was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson as a lead character in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.
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INTERVIEW WITH
Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. New Psalmist Baptist Church Baltimore, MD G&G: Bishop Thomas, it is indeed a special honor to be a part of your 45th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration. It’s been five years since we talked with you for your 40th Pastoral Anniversary, so I’m going to start with the same question from that interview. How do you feel now, five years later? Bishop Thomas: I am still excited about the possibilities that exist for individuals to experience and know God. I am excited about the new opportunities afforded to us to share the message with persons and extend our outreach so we can better serve
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the kingdom. So much has changed in 5 years and I believe we are on the verge of seeing a great revival. G&G: Bishop Thomas, you are celebrating 45 years of leadership, empowerment and legacy. Let’s talk about leadership and empowerment. You have pastored the New Psalmist Baptist Church for 45 years, what do you believe is most important in leading a ministry—mission, core values or vision? Bishop Thomas: I think the most important thing in leading the ministry is
Q&A Bishop Thomas: I still see the church as the body of Christ, the visible presence of Christ on earth and I believe now more than ever we are called to go into communities and speak a word of hope to a community that is struggling. I don’t see the church as just an oasis in the dessert. I see it as a healing station that is treating those G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have who have been modeled the way with 45 years beaten and under your belt as the Pastor of New knocked down Psalmist Baptist Church, how do you by life. I see become an even better leader? the church Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. and First Lady Patricia Thomas Bishop Thomas: I become a better as a place of leader by becoming more aware of the resources sanctuary where one can find strength to handle available to work with the problems that are being what life is putting on them. Finally, I see the identified. We are living in a time when resources church as a community of called together people are more plentiful than ever before and our task is facing the same realities but committed to trusting to find where they are, learn what they offer and the same God. use them. God has given us far more to work with Legacy than we realize.
the connection between mission, vision and core values. It’s not one of them or the other. It is the intersection of all three. I do think successful leadership can be traced to one’s commitment to one’s inner core values or the core values of the institution one leads. Equally the vision must point the way and a good leader works at keeping the lenses clean and clear so that he or she can see the direction in which they should travel.
Bishop Thomas with his sons Rev. Walter Thomas, Jr., and Rev. Joshua Thomas
G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have been empowering disciples for 45 years, down through the years has your view changed on how you see the church and its people?
G&G: Bishop Thomas, how would you describe the young pastor that came to New Psalmist Baptist Church 45 years ago to the pastor you are now? Bishop Thomas: The pastor that came to New Psalmist in April of 1975 came with wonder in his eyes and a zeal for God in his heart. I had no clue what to do. I just knew I was delighted to have the opportunity to be able to do. That young man that came here 45 years ago who was everyone’s child has grown to become everyone’s grandfather and it has been a delightful journey. That youngster had the privilege of growing up among Continued on page 10
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Q&A Continued from page 9
Bishop Thomas singing with his daughter Joi
a congregation that helped him to grow up and grew up with him. That 25-year-old would tell the person I am now never forget the gleam that was in your eye and the hope that was in your heart.
back, is there one memory that stands out above the rest? Bishop Thomas: Yes, when New Psalmist took Baltimore City and surrounding areas downtown for a conference on the Kingdom. We called it Kingdom Conference and we had thousands of people downtown to praise God and grow in faith. The focus of this ministry has always been empowering the Lord’s Disciples and that’s what we did when we took over downtown. G&G: Bishop Thomas, I would imagine you have stood on many shoulders; can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your life as the result of their legacy? Bishop Thomas: I would say my mother and father. I would have to name two. I always feel as if I stand on their shoulders. I’ve been blessed to know great people and have them pour into my life. However, my foundation was poured by my parents, Calvin and Elizabeth Thomas, and they waited around to make sure the cement hardened. They taught me so much and it’s upon their shoulders that I stand the tallest.
G&G: Bishop Thomas, knowing what you know now, if you had the chance to do it all again, would you? And is there anything you would do differently? Bishop Thomas: If I had a chance to do it all over, I’d do it in a heartbeat. If I could start over from day one I’d do it in a heartbeat. There would be no question what I would do. But I would, if I could start over, trust God more. There are so many G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have been a huge things that could have been, if my faith had been impact for so many who have come after you. What strong enough to believe it. does it feel like to have so many sons and daughters in ministry who are now a part of your legacy? G&G: Bishop Thomas, I know in 45 years much Bishop Thomas: It does make me feel good to see has happened, if you were to let your mind roll others want to travel this same path. I am forever 10 March March2020 2020||Grace&Glory Grace&Glory 10
Q&A humbled that God used me and uses me to speak into persons lives on such a level that they open the door for God to make serious change in their lives. I know it’s not me. It’s God and His plan being fulfilled in their lives. It makes me aware of how important it is to be connected to God and how significant it is to always give God the glory. G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have pastored people from many genres and walks of life, but is it different or more challenging to pastor your own children and grandchildren, who see you as their dad and granddad? Bishop Thomas: Not really. It’s not really difficult because the key of life is just to be who you are. I
at the same time. They know me as that. They don’t come to me just because I’m pastor or parent but because I am both. G&G: Bishop Thomas, it is truly a blessing to have all of your children serving in ministry, do you see yourself reflected in their lives? Bishop Thomas: Each and every day I see myself in my children. I also see my wife in my children. My wife and I have served together and have been married for 43 years and I definitely see her in them. I see my wife’s temperament and love for the kingdom in them. When I see God moving in them and see glimpses of myself, I am grateful to God for having been able to leave a positive impression upon them that is helping to guide and shape them in that moment.
G&G: Bishop Thomas, serving God and His people for 45 years, I would certainly say is fulfilling your calling and purpose in life, what do you want your legacy to be as it relates to your family and the church? Bishop Thomas: In the years to come I want to be remembered as one who seriously served and trusted God. I want to be seen as one who tried to show others the amazing possibilities that exist for the children of God and the joy that comes from being in God’s family. My legacy will not am their father, grandad, pastor and servant of God. be just bricks or mortar; I want it to be a spirit Those are not different hats. They are all the same of intentionality that grips those who want to live hat. They appear when I am in different settings and for Christ. situations, but I am always the parent and the pastor Continued on page 12
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Q&A Continued from page 11
Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. and First Lady Patricia Thomas
Joi Thomas & Wayne, III
Rev. Walter Thomas, Jr., First Lady Jarrette Thomas, Lillian and Walter, III
G&G: Bishop Thomas, to close, any final thoughts about these last 45 years that you would like to share? Bishop Thomas: I am so grateful that 45 years ago I was given the charge to come to this great church. One year later my wife stood by my side and together we have walked a journey that has grown us and deepened us. It has been a journey of faith. We have moved three times, built two buildings from the ground up, witnessed on television, radio, and
Rev. Joshua Thomas, Candice Thomas, Ava and Joshua, Jr.
now the internet, and sought to be a force for God. Serving God has taught me the strength, validity and power of His word and I have seen God work. There have been and are still challenges but I trust God to resolve stumbling blocks and roadblocks because the work must be and will be done. I guess I would close with words that have always been in the forefront of every disciple builder, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of the Lord Jesus.” New Psalmist Church Previous Locations
New Psalmist North Avenue & Druid Hill. Where Bishop Thomas became pastor 45 years ago.
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New Psalmist Franklin and Cathedral Streets from 1978-1996. First building move under Bishop’s leadership.
New Psalmist Old Frederick Road from 1996-2010. First building built under Bishop’s leadership.
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to your good health
The challenges and joys of life can come at the most unexpected times and cause us to question ourselves, our choices, or our faith. The times of uncertainty and the blessings of life have a way of affecting each of us differently. Sometimes we are prepared for the outcome and other times we find ourselves struggling to maintain normalcy in some areas of our lives. These highs and lows, joys and pain, planned and unplanned experiences often impact our mental, physical and emotional health. Sometimes dealing with the ups and downs has even pushed us to rethink our priorities and reassess our relationships. Some of us have had tough times because of a health problem, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, relationship issues and just the stress of daily living. Most of what we worry about are things that are out of our direct control. We can certainly pray, adjust our habits, make time for family and do other things that help us to cope and enjoy ourselves, but we often focus on the negatives. We must change our mindset when dealing with adversity or experiencing joyful moments. We must begin to integrate the good and bad times and learn from both and remember that life’s a journey. We have heard or have spoken these words “enjoy the journey”. The journey may come with victories and defeats, but we must continue to keep our hope. Learning to appreciate the good times helps when the journey hits rough terrain. Remembering what’s going well will get you through the disappointments, disruptions and discouraging times. Maintaining your joy may seem like a challenge but when you see the positive in spite of the negative your heart will begin to heal from the hurts of the past. This has to become an intentional part of our faith journey. We are not left alone on life’s journey, but we have our relationship with Jesus to see us through. Our thoughts must turn toward the word of God when we are overwhelmed. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT) When we shift our thoughts on what God is saying in our situation then we are encouraged and empowered to continue on life’s journey. Not only do we have God with us on our journey, but we have a cloud of witnesses that have been through what we are going through. Their testimonies can be the catalyst for our being an overcomer as well. The journey of life will continue to have hills and valleys, sunshine and rain, joy and pain but learning to enjoy the journey helps to make each day more special. Beginning to look at what we value differently can free us from the expectations of perfection that can lend itself to a negative assessment of life. Remember the old hymn says, “There’s a bright side somewhere, don’t you rest until you find it.” Life’s journey may be filled with swift transitions, unplanned detours, unspeakable joy and glorious moments. Learn to enjoy them all because they are what makes life a journey worth living.
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Dr. Carla Debnam, Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center
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Pastors and Church Leadership Host a Free information session for Seniors
Our goal is to educate older adults, their families & caregivers on resources like: • Affordable housing • Free legal assistance, including • Nutritious meals deed transfers • Alzheimer's and dementia support • Medicare and insurance savings • Affordable, accessible hearing care • Prescription drug costs • Home modification assistance • Caregiver assistance and education
We are extending this FREE program to help Seniors through June 2020. There is no cost to the event host or attendees. We provide refreshments and a free gift to each attendee.
Contact us to schedule your event 667-600-2100 or afa@cc-md.org
Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
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trinkets to triumph
Exhibiting Esther’s Example
You have to know your worth and work it. March is the month set aside to celebrate women and the month the spring season is ushered in. It is the season to come out of hibernation, embrace the warmer weather, and begin to bloom like the flowers. Like the definition of spring, Queen Esther sprung forth and moved suddenly into position to make an impact and save her people. She had to come out of the comforts of the harem in the palace, compete for the position of queen, and later risk her life by going to see the king without being summoned to save her Jewish people (Esther 5:1). You, too, can be fearless, forward moving towards the blessings God has for you, and be full of faith that God favors you. The time is now for you to spring forth and exhibit Esther’s example by knowing your worth and not being afraid to walk in it. Flowing full force in God’s favor, moving forward in Him, and living a fearless life is exhibiting Esther’s example. Favor was always evident for Queen Esther. Even in the loss of her parents, she was still able to experience the love of family in the father figure she had in her cousin, Mordecai. Mordecai, decided to take her in and raise her like his own (Esther 2:6). The chief eunuch, Hegai, who was in charge of the king’s harem, showed favor to Esther by ensuring she had the best of everything while in the harem (Esther 2:9) and also gave her specific instructions on what to bring with her when it was her time to see the king (Esther 2:15). Esther found favor in the king’s sight and he made her his queen (Esther 2:17). Queen Esther could have lost her life going to see the king unsolicited on her quest to save the Jews but the king welcomed her into his presence and was willing to grant her with the desires of her heart (Esther 5:2-3). Queen Esther had the opportunity to let him know her desires and the king graciously agreed. God is granting you His favor by holding out His royal scepter bidding you to come forward for such a time as this. Your King of Kings wants to favor you like Queen Esther so delight yourself in Him so He can give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Queen Esther was fearless and took a risk. She had a plan to 20 March March2020 2020| |Grace&Glory Grace&Glory 20
prohibit the plot set out against her and her fellow Jews that would destroy them (Esther 4:15-17). She was beautiful but had to be bold too. She told her people to fast along with her and her maids and she would go to the king to let him know about the evil plot proposed and said, “If I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) Her deep decision of discipline demonstrated in the three day fast demolished her fear and helped her to find favor. She was able to let the king know about the plan to destroy her and her people by exposing Haman’s plot during the banquet she hosted for the king and Haman (Esther 7:1-8). Exhibit Esther’s example and be bold. Your King is willing to discredit and dismantle all decrees against you. You can rest assured that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Queen Esther had a forward moving mindset. She was willing to take action. As a result, she is responsible for saving the Jews and her actions are commemorated to this day with the annual two day Festival of Purim (Esther 9:20-31). Queen Esther made an impact that would be celebrated forever. Exhibit Esther’s example and make a remarkable move so that people will always remember you. Spring forth and use the gifts God has given you. You may not be able to have a whole holiday or celebration named in your honor but you can make a lasting impression like Queen Esther. Take your rightful place in the Kingdom and know that you are a part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9). Exhibit Esther’s example by walking in your royalty as an heir and joint-heir with Jesus letting your light shine (Matthew 5:16) fearlessly, favored, and moving forward to impact the Kingdom for such a Tracey Nicole George time as this! www.traceystrinketstotriumph.com
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woman’s perspective
What’s Your Soil?
In Luke, Jesus talked to his disciple about seed time and harvest. Jesus shared a parable to help get his point across, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand’. This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:5-15 NIV) Which soil are you? Are you the type of soil that is going to allow the Word to penetrate your heart and establish roots so that you can receive every benefit that being a believer has to offer, or are you the infertile ground gallivanting around with a willing heart but somehow allowing the enemy to steal what God has planted? Could you be the type of Christian that listens contently while the minister is ministering appearing to be touched by God, but you leave unchanged?
about God is that nothing is pushed upon us. Everything is a choice. We must not allow the enemy to trick us out of our inheritance. Who wants to go through life only receiving half of what has been promised to us? I don’t. If you don’t allow the Word to take root in your heart, it will have limited growth opportunities and you will not receive a harvest in its fullness. If you read further in that same chapter of Luke it talks about allowing your light to be hidden. Don’t diminish your light for anyone. You possess the light that can bring a change to others. You have the Good News, so why not tell it. When you use your light and tell of the Good News you are activating the seed planted in the soil of your heart and can reap the harvest to its fullest potential. When I was younger I saw people giving to my mother all of the time, and as I watched this play out time and time again, I would always wonder what she did to receive all she was receiving. Over a period of time spent observing her I realized that what she did was simply let her light shine. I remember one night specifically, where she was in a caravan on the highway with some church members to hear my brother preach and was nearly in a car accident. The car that she was following swerved to avoid hitting something on the highway, and in that moment my mother screamed out "Jesus". The car stopped, they all got out to check on the passengers in the lead vehicle, and my mother began to shout, praise and dance while on the side of the highway. Her light was so adorning and graceful. I never saw her allow any circumstance or situation to diminish it. Watching her example I vowed to live my life like she did; never allowing my light to be dim. It’s been a work in progress, but I will not allow the enemy or my circumstances to dictate how I will shine. It will continue to shine bright!
A decision has to be made. One thing
Pastor Rhoda Turner Christian Faith Fellowship Church Chandler, AZ www.cffaz.org 22 March 2020 | Grace&Glory
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monthly manna
I know that it might sound strange to talk about love and intuition, but just trust me; it will all make sense shortly. As this year continues to unfold, it is so important that we hold fast to the things in our lives that help establish a core foundation; one being our intuition. Would you agree with me that we're all born with intuition? How beautiful that God did not leave anything undone concerning us. You and I have the ability to comprehend and understand things that are intimate and forth coming. Let’s be honest, how many times have you said, “I wish I would have listened to my intuition?” I know I have said it a thousand times. So the fact remains that even though we were all born with intuition, all of us may not adhere to it. You do understand that you can have knowledge of something and still be disobedient? This is why I want you to take some time and love on your intuition. Your intuition is not meant to cause you doubt or dismay, but to give you clarity and direction. Just imagine with me for a moment two glasses of water. One glass of water is so pure and clear and the other glass is cloudy and murky. The essence of your intuition is purity. What causes our glass to become murky is when we doubt, not respond to our intuition, or put more trust in the opinions of others above what our own intuition is telling us to do! If you were at a restaurant and the waitress or waiter brought you a glass of water that was not clean, would you drink it? The answer is no. You want your water to be clean and pure. The same holds true to your intuition. It desires to protect and purify you from the things that could taint or tarnish you. This is why it is so important for you to recognize how powerful your intuition is. I want that love
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that you have for your intuition to be so strong that you will no longer ignore its purity. You will no longer second guess its motives and or intentions. When your intuition says yes, wait, no, go, or run, I hope you will appreciate the purity from hence that advice comes from. I am bold enough to say where love is, so is trust. Some of you have been lacking in love towards your intuition, due to lack of trust. However, I promise your intuition will never lead you wrong. You may not fully know in the beginning why, but trust me there is a reason, a purpose and a plan. So if I can share three quick tips with you regarding your intuition it would be this: 1. Don’t ignore that still quiet voice. 2. Journal the moments when your intuition is speaking with you. 3. Be careful on how much you share and with whom you share it with. So now would you agree with me how love has everything to do with intuition? The more you embrace how powerful and pure the essence your intuition is, the Carenda Deonne greater your love www.carendadeonne.com admin@carendadeonne.com and appreciation 888-473-2221 will be. Twitter @cdpgem Live life on Facebook @carendadeonne Instagram @carendadeonne the promise of Blog @ www.carendadeonne.wordpress.com IMPACT!
#livelifeonthepromiseofimpact
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body basics
CHARLES & URSULA HARRIS,
Fitness Experts Chizel It Transformation Fitness Center 9006 Liberty Rd • Randallstown Md 21133 443-253-0090 • www.chizelit.com You may shy away from exercise because of the expected pain that follows a vigorous workout. Exercising is not a painless journey. We all have heard the cliché, “No Pain No Gain,” and this not only holds true in the fitness arena, but in all areas of life whether it’s spiritual, educational or physical, growth can be quite painful. The way forward is to accept that pain is unavoidable and to look for ways to make the growth process manageable and enjoyable. This is something I can help you with. Most fitness programs consists of things that you are most likely doing in your daily life already. You will experience some slight discomfort in the beginning with a new fitness program, pain is unavoidable. Many people over the years have asked me why working out is painful, especially when they first start, and I will explain why this happens. Muscle Soreness The type of muscle soreness experienced after exercise is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and it normally occurs anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after the muscles in question have been exercised. It is most commonly experienced by newcomers to exercise but it can affect anyone embarking on a new fitness program or making dramatic changes in their routine by increasing the intensity or adding a new activity. The soreness is generally, at its worst, within the first couple of days following the new activity, and will gradually subside over a few days. DOMS is thought to be a result of microscopic tearing of the muscle fiber, but scientific research has yet to discover the exact cause in all cases. It’s known that the amount of tearing and therefore the degree of soreness you experience depends on how intensely you exercise, the duration of your exercise session, and the type of moves you do. Any new or unfamiliar movements can lead to muscle soreness, but eccentric movement is where the muscles work while lengthening instead of shortening, it has been proven to cause the greatest degree of soreness. The good news is that muscles adapt to new stresses being placed upon them and muscle soreness is no longer experienced when the exercise you perform becomes familiar. This highlights the importance of staying consistent in your workout routine and making gradual, 26 March March 2020 2020 || Grace&Glory Grace&Glory 26
progressive changes as your body adapts. So you may ask, is there any way to prevent muscle soreness? Nothing is proven effective, but some studies have found the following advice helpful. The only way to discover if any of it is effective for you is to try a few things out and see what happens. Of course, avoiding workouts all together would be one guaranteed way to eliminate soreness but this is not an option for you! Any one of the suggested methods below may help to reduce or relieve muscle soreness, and you may find combining these methods will help multiply the overall effect, leading to a faster return to comfort and a quicker recovery time. Ibuprofen Ibuprofen taken before a workout can significantly reduce post workout soreness in some people, even more effectively than the same medication taken post workout. Since Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug, it may help to reduce swelling and inflammation that cause pain. But, always consult your physician before implementing this suggestion. Stretching Stretching the affected area for 12 to 15 minutes after a good workout can do wonders for post workout stiffness and pain. Also, incorporating a regular yoga routine will help improve your flexibility and alleviate some soreness. Massage Massage has also been shown to reduce soreness from a workout, and speed recovery time. The massaging action can help to increase the blood flow, remove the waste products in the muscle and reduce the swelling. It can also stimulate the release of pain-relieving hormones and aid in the breakup of scar tissue in the muscle. I realize that pain is not fun, and going through the process is challenging. Over time, muscle soreness will diminish, but it will never totally go away. Keep your focus on the many benefits of exercise and all the positive things that regular exercise will bring into your life.
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health matters
Four eyes,"Blind-as-a-bat ," these negative phrases are sometimes used to refer to people who wear glasses. We are all familiar with the image of the individual who is considered boring and reserved only to be perceived as more desirable and funloving when they take off their glasses. Glasses are traditionally not considered as a method of enhancing the appearance or as sexy. However, today many people are shedding their glasses because of corrective eye surgery with lasers. Radial Keratotomy (RK) or laser eye surgery is a relatively simple procedure used to correct nearsightedness. During surgery, small incisions are cut into the cornea (the clear covering over the eye) which changes the shape of the cornea and leads to an improvement in eyesight. RK reduces or eliminates nearsightedness by flattening the cornea and redirecting light reflection to the back of the eye which improves the ability to see objects far away. According to the National Eye Institute, about 250,000 radial keratotomy surgeries are performed in the United States each year. The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgical setting. Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye prior to the procedure. After surgery, the eye is covered with a sterile patch and the patient is usually sent home within a few hours. The procedure is not completely risk-free and without complications. Patients have complained of some pain or discomfort for 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Patients have also reported experiencing glare, starburst and seeing halos around lights for several months after surgery while the eye heals. Some patients have been disappointed because their eyesight did not improve one hundred percent (100%). The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that the surface of the cornea can weaken as a result of RK, making it susceptible to rupture. There have also been reports of serious eye infections, post-surgery. However, 28 March 2020 | Grace&Glory
most patients have experienced a marked improvement in their eyesight immediately after surgery, with many patients reporting near-perfect vision two months postoperatively. Is radial keratotomy for you? Here are some factors that need to be considered before opting for RK surgery: • Radial keratotomy is considered cosmetic surgery and is not covered by many insurance plans. The surgery usually costs between $600 to $1,500 per eye. • This surgery is not recommended for individuals that have problems with wound healing. Chronic diseases that may affect healing include Diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, HIV and AIDS. Patients that are taking immunosuppressive drugs for cancer treatment, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are also at risk for a complication after surgery. • Individuals with other serious eye disorders such as glaucoma and retinal diseases are not considered optimal candidates for RK. • Not all patients gain a 100% improvement in eyesight after surgery. Individuals who are not comfortable with the possibility that they may still require the use of corrective lenses after the procedure are not recommended surgical candidates. Laser eye surgery or radial keratotomy (RK) uses to correct nearsightedness is a relatively new outpatient procedure that has radically changed the need for corrective lenses in selected individuals. As with all surgical procedures, RK is not without complications. Individuals that are considering this procedure should Dr. Denyce Watties Daniels consult with a reputable ophthalmologist. Assistant Professor College of Health Professions Prospective patients should carefully review Coppin State University the benefits and risks of this surgery to DWatties-Daniels@coppin.edu determine if this surgery is appropriate for healthytips 025@gmail.com them.
keep the fire burning
Leaving a Legacy by Bishop Shirley and Pastor Tim Stanfill
The Reverend Billy Graham says – The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. ...The greatest waste in all of our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day.‟ In the words of an anonymous sage – “This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... Let it be something good." From launching three businesses, to traveling, to recently purchasing a beautiful home, many people are surprised with what Pastor Tim and I have accomplished in just over two years together. We all have to go through it to get to it and like so many others we have made tremendous sacrifices and worked very hard to get to where we are. We wake up every morning, pray together, and go out and do whatever we need to do to serve God first. With our full commitment to live and love by His word, we have been able to accomplish so much even with little resources but a lot of faith. You have always been concerned about getting value for your money when you go shopping. But are you getting value for the time in your life? Are
you passing away the days pointlessly and without purpose? Or doing work or a job that does not bring you joy? Can you remember what you did three days ago? If you cannot remember, then you are throwing away the most precious resource of your life. Time is the most important building block of your legacy. Someday you may have a lot of money and people working for you, but you will have run out of time. You can't borrow time. No one will lend it to you. So the moment to start working on your legacy is NOW. Get off that couch and do one small thing that will stand for you – reach out to a friend or neighbor in need, send a letter to your local paper about an issue that troubles you, teach local kids a useful skill, organize a community cleanup or do something that helps fulfill others and it will also fulfill you. You are the boss. For every day of your life, demand that you get your fair share of life and its rewards. Give notice that henceforth you have taken charge of your time!
Watch The Tim and Shirley Show on Facebook, Tuesdays at 8 PM www.facebook.com/TimShirleyshow Please email your questions on Marriage & Relationships to Tim & Shirley at TimShirleyShow@gmail.com www.gracenglorymagazine.org 29
scripture page
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (wo)men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Celebrating Women’s History Month The 2020 Women's History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others." 30 March 2020 | Grace&Glory
VISION Where there is no vision... PROVERBS 29:18a
NEW SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr., Pastor
Worship Opportunities SUNDAY • 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. (as scheduled)
Mid-Week Worship
Early Morning Prayer DAILY • 6:00 a.m.
Educational Ministries
WEDNESDAY • 7:00 p.m.
Saturday Church School • EACH SATURDAY, 9:00 a.m. The Carter School of Music • MONDAY-SATURDAY
Holy Baptism
Broadcast Ministries
FOURTH SUNDAY • 5:30 p.m.
Holy Communion
FOURTH SUNDAY • 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning Service • Live Stream, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. via our website newshilohbaptist.org Sunday Morning Joy • Sundays, 8:00 a.m. -12:00 noon, Magic 95.9 FM Grace & Glory • WMAR, 5th Sundays, 7:00 a.m.
2100 North Monroe Street • Harold A. Carter Way • Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Phone 410-523-5306 Fax 410-523-9812 Email info@newshilohbaptist.org For more information visit us online at www.newshilohbaptist.org
A Church Determined to Live with Christ www.gracenglorymagazine.org 31
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