May/June 2016 Issue by HEELS Global Magazine

GOSPEL MAGAZINE

May-June 2016

“To Do” tasks before

you contact a Web Designer

HEELS TheSTYLE Closet Presents:

VEDA BROWN Celebrating 15 years of BLACK GOSPEL PROMO

SUMMER FASHIONS 2016

Karesse Doss For My Good And God's Glory! Breast Cancer Survival Story

DAMARKA WHEELER SUNDAY BEST SEASON 7 FINALIST

The Editor's Notes As this completion of issue of our magazine in being finalized, we are hearing the news of the mass shooting in Orlando Florida that killed 50 people. People who were sons, daughters, friends, loved ones, co-workers and so much more to so many. Heels Magazine would firstly like to express our sincere condolences to all of the families who lost loved ones in that horrific event and extend our prayers for the families and for all of those who were injured during that mass shooting. Many things have been said concerning the shooting as well as opinions and theories as to why this happened. Was it terrorism, was it a hate crime, was Isis involved, how many shooters were there, was the attacker mentally deranged, was he gay, was this God's judgement against the gay community? Many people have voiced their opinions on the matter and many have remained silent. As a pastor of a church I struggled to decide which action would be best because the response of the church has also been judged by the world as the church being proponants of hate. There was a woman in the bible who was caught in the act of adultery and the bible says that they brought to Jesus this particular woman in an attempt to bring an accusation against her. Herein lies our biggest problem as people. We fail to understand that God is not interested in our accusations against one another. He is not interested in the condition of somebody else's heart. Just yours or should I say, just mine alone. He is never concerned with someone elses sins when it comes to dealing with us as individuals, because each relationship that He has with humans is very personal, so personal that even the hairs on each of our heads on numbered. Howevever, we as people, have pronoun trouble. and we are always talking about what they did or what he or she is doing wrong. We are eager to point out others frailties, weaknesses, sins or the condition of someone else's life. We get so angry and indignant with those who don't do as we believe. or act in the way that agrees with the word of God. Forgetting that God draws us with His

loving kindness and His tender mercies. Jesus said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Now, don't get it twisted this does not mean "have at it" go and do what you please because nobody can say anything to you. People like to use that as a license to sin or live any type of way they choose. Well yes, the bible does say judge not that ye be not judged, meaning, don't pronounce your opinion concerning right and wrong on somebody else, because your judgement is simply an opinion, it holds not one ounce of value to God. People may care about our opinions, but God does not. And, He has every right to judge you and to say everything and anything that He wants to say to You about your sin because HE is a Righteous and HOLY God and there is no iniquity found in Him whatsoever. We often think that "christians" are weak or that we are worldly minded or liberal in our beliefs if we choose to love rather than call down the wrath of God. Or we think that a christian is radical if they love God's law and hates what God hates. But Jesus reminded his disciples of what spirit they were when they wanted to "fireblast" those that opposed His gospel. Therefore, love is always right. And yet the world is so critical of the church not understanding that the church is filled with imperfect people whose lives are being transformed by that same gospel that they refuse to hear bccause of finger-pointing and judgemental views towards christians. While we are arguing about sinners, as if we have it all together, we are stepping over them to get to church and not speak to our own brother or sister in Christ, or we are harboring unforgiveness toward a family member who wronged us. While we are speaking against those that love Jesus and His laws and precepts, we are quick to have "prayer vigils" after a tradegy has occured or call on His name during our greatest trials or even come to the church for help with our needs. But we have a right to accusations and opinions towards one another.

SCRIPTURE READING: PSALMS 128:1

Blessed " every one #at feare# $ LORD; #at walke# in h" ways.

HEELS ON THE COVER Model Tenika Moore

May-June 2016 Edition

Contents 2

The Editor's Notes

Editor in Chief Cheryl Jones-Ross

8 Editor Tyonna Singleton

Contributing Writers

Beauty or Integrity Miinister Denise Wade

5 "To Do" Tasks Before You Contact a Web Designer Sharvette Mitchell

Karesse Doss For My Good and God's Glory

DaMarka Wheeler Artist Spotlight

Paulette Davidson Celebration of Life and Legacy

Veda Brown Black Gospel Promo 15th Anniversary

Minister Denise Wade

Satin Boykinds

Sharvette Mitchell

Kingdom Health 4 Life With Satin Boykinds

Heels Magazine's The Style Closet

Staff Photographer Matthew Singleton SICQOGRAPHY

IN THIS ISSUE

VEDA BROWN Black Gospel Promo

TheSTYLE Closet

DaMarka Wheeler Artist Spotlight

“To Do” tasks BEFORE you contact a Web Designer

Karesse Doss Breast Cancer Survivor

Visit us at www.heels-magazine.com

NEW BOOK: Available on Amazon.com and other portials

Anything’s Possible: The 47‐Day Prophecy (ISBN: 978‐1‐943385‐00‐3) Dr. Drayton speaks of her new hot of the press book, Anything’s Possible: The 47‐Day Prophecy: "This book is the story of how I healed enough from a near‐ fatal head‐on collision to go home after 47 days, the number 47 having been prophesied to me a few hours before the accident. During my 47‐day hospital stay, much of it hovering between life and death, I had a series of dreams, encounters, coincidences, and visitations that pointed out to me where the devil was trying to destroy my life and ministry. God helped me interpret those dreams so I was able to joyfully strengthen my ministry. I was told my ministry would change in 47 days. While healing my joy erupted and changed me, which changed my ministry. My powerful story exemplifies how God can use our struggles to make us stronger believers in Christ. I am now a billboard advertising God's healing power. I am a walking testimony!"

NEW SONG : Available on CDBABY, Amazon.com and other music portals Evelyn’s new inspirational song titled, TELL SOMEBODY, gives her testimony of challenges in life and how God heals, shields, saves, and forgives.

CONTACT DR. EVELYN MURRAY DRAYTON ABOUT HER EIGHT PUBLISHED BOOKS AND HER INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC. SHE IS AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, CONFERENCES, Telephone: 843‐546‐4057 Email: draytonevelyn@yahoo.com Website: www.EvelynDrayton.org

Beauty or Integrity (Is It Possible to Have Both?)

Wikipedia says that Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. The word integrity evolved from the Latin adjective integer, meaning whole or complete. In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. Once I finished reading all the various definitions describing integrity, there was one concluding notation that jumped off the page and put a light bulb above my head; a very simple, not much to say, but yet says it all explanation that brought it home, “It is generally a personal choice to uphold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards.” In a society who pre-determines one’s worth based on their physical appearance, I immediately asked myself the question, “Whenever the talent scouts, movie producers and advertising agents are looking for beautiful young ladies to adorn the cover of magazines, billboards and even to advertise various products, what is beauty to them?” What is Internal Beauty? Some say that internal beauty is about the reflection of your character. It is about your actions, your knowledge, your thoughts, empathy, goodness, the goodness that you feel about yourself. It is about how you think about yourself. On the other hand, someone may ask, what is Real Beauty? For some it is simply seeing the physical appearance of someone. They see their beautiful skin, beautiful eyes, beautiful hair, beautiful teeth, beautiful body, etc and therefore, it will be important for that person to try to maintain and improve their physical appearance. Similarly, if someone considers a person with real beauty as being a person with feelings of love, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness and not those of jealousy, hated and deceitfulness, then that person will aspire and try to maintain such goodness. It has been said that Real Beauty is something that you define for yourself, and you follow or you aspire to follow the real beauty. Having said all that, the real question for us to ponder, Is it possible to be beautiful and still have integrity? I say yes and in my defense, I would like to use Queen Vashti. She was a beautiful woman and she knew it, however she did not flaunt it before others. She remained herself, she honored her anointing and she refused to allow anyone to destroy the grace and favor that God had placed on her life because of her beauty. Whenever the drunk king called for her to come and show her beauty to his guest at the party, she refused to go. She wasn't concerned about the consequences, instead she was confident in her faith; and she had a prayer life which guaranteed that she would never be alone in her decisions as long as she was in God’s will.

Queen Vashti was more concerned about how her actions would affect those who trusted in her integrity and beauty. Contrary to some, Vashti used her beauty to encourage others and to be an example of how beauty can also be integral. Many use their God-given beauty to belittle others, enslave others and as a form of manipulation to get what they want, how they want it and when they want it. But Queen Vashti refused the invitation to be the “bell of the ball” because it was more important that her inward beauty would show dominance over her outward beauty in order that the example she had set before others would not be tainted. She needed for those who were entrusting and benefiting from her ministry to remain steadfast and not become confused or disillusioned by it.

My Grandmother use to always say that Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I never quite understood what was meant by this statement, but Brandalyzer simply reminds us that “Not all people have the same opinions about what is attractive.” The same analogy as, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” There will be times when it won’t matter that we are all looking at the same identical picture, what matters is that we will each see it differently for different reasons. The Fashion Designer Oscar De La Renta once said, “The qualities I most admire in women are confidence and kindness.” His message is that kindness is beautiful. He used Rebekah, Jacob’s wife as an example because of her kindness to Abraham’s servant. She not only gave the servant water to quench his thirst, but she went a step further and gave water to his 10 camels. This was no easy feat for a man, much less a woman. But because of her kindness, she was willing to go against the odds and take care of the animals as well. She was known to the Jewish matriarchs as “a rose among thorns.” Our integrity needs to make us the “roses among the thorns. I found that a thorn asserts itself and protrudes outward and pricks anyone who comes near to them, never caring about the pain it inflicts on others, and never has any good thing to offer. However a rose is soft and gentle and it spends its life opening up, offering those who come close a gift of beautiful fragrance and a pleasing sight. The rose is always giving. So, ask yourself, am I a thorn or a rose? The rose symbolic of Jesus, who is always giving, or the thorn which represents all that Jesus is not. In this media driven world that we live in today, it is challenging to be beautiful with integrity, or to have beauty and remain integral. Many movie producers, reality show producers and even talk show hosts have created a façade that gives the illusion of why be Beautiful and Broke; when your Beauty can bring you Fame and Fortune? Think about it, how many ugly girls are used to advertise cosmetics, hair products or even toothpaste commercials? They are all very attractive; because marketing knows that beauty sells. No one wants to buy Clairol or Cover Girl from a girl who looks like Corrella DeVille!

Beauty has become an exploitation and has given too many of our young ladies the wrong impression of what beauty is and does not encourage them to appreciate what the Lord has blessed them with. God did not intend for us to use our beauty for perversion, seduction, monetary gain or manipulation. Our beauty is not to be determined by our physical attributes only. The most beautiful women in the world are the ones who are comfortable with who they are and use what God has given them to be who God has intended them to be. They are more concerned with being integral and appreciate that their beauty is a gift from God. These are the women who stand boldly before the Lord and declare, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.â&#x20AC;? These women honor their beauty and guard it with their integrity in tack, never to do anything knowingly that would dishonor what God has entrusted in them. As I studied for this article, I decided to take a look at the qualifications for the Miss America Pageant. After all, everyone always looks to see who is the most beautiful, looks the best in their bathing suits and who has the most beautiful evening gown. Subsequently, these are not the requirements to be Miss America. However, I did not see where it stated that the girls must be Beautiful. Only society makes that determination, by the way they cast their votes for these ladies; and based on this assumption, many young girls avoid trying to become Miss America because they feel inferior in their looks and are not comfortable competing with their peers. They feel defeated before they even fill out the application. So here is what The Pageant Committee qualifications are: Seeking an ambitious, approachable, manageable, enthusiastic, coachable, winner who is dedicated and committed to making the required appearances throughout the year. Miss America must be articulate, with excellent social and conversational skills. She must be able to express herself clearly, diplomatically and must project a pleasant personality. In the Evening Gown Competition, attention is focused on each contestants overall appearance, self-confidence, poise, sense of style, grooming, modeling of gown in terms of technique, elegance and the beauty she brings to the gown of her choice.

Minister Denise Wade

As you can see, the Pageant requires that the girls exhibit integrity first and their beauty is determined by their character and ability to remain humble. Basically, the Pageant requires the same from these girls, that God requires of us all. We are not to be puffed up and or think ourselves more highly than we ought to. Integrity is not boastful. When you have integrity, you don’t need to wear it like a badge because everyone who you come in contact with, will recognize that you are a person with standards. A person with integrity should never be concerned with what the enemy will do to them because Isaiah 59:19 clearly states, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” A person with integrity will always honor those in authority over them and respect the title of that person, even when that person is a close friend or relative. A person with integrity does not always have to be seen or noticed. What they do for others is out of kindness, compassion and genuine caring, they aren’t looking for accolades. They know that their real reward comes from the Lord. They don’t mind being in the shadows, because God promises that the day will come when the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Matthew 23:12 (NIV), For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. In closing, I am reminded of a woman who possesses all the qualities of Integrity and Beauty. I never saw anywhere in the Bible where a physical description of Mary was mentioned, however her beauty came through her love, faith, trust, and obedience in the Lord. Her beauty was measured by her unselfishness and her willingness to do the impossible and to allow herself to become a victim of verbal abuse, mistrust of loved ones and her reputation to be tarnished in the eyes of her peers, while yet believing that this was truly a blessing and honor from God. God had chosen her to bring forth a child who would someday become the Savior of the world. This child would be called Jesus and would heal the sick, give sight to the blind and raise the dead. This boy would teach, preach and one day would give his own life for our sins. It takes a lot of integrity to be the Mother of the most powerful child in the world, and not use that title to your advantage. Can you imagine if you were the mother of Jesus and someone approached you negatively; the first thing you would elude to is the fact, “you don’t know who I am, do you?” But Mary’s integrity would not allow her to use her gift for personal gain. She didn’t need bragging rights, she had birthed the King of Kings and that gift came from the Lord. Whenever God blesses us with favor, we need not use it for vanity, We don’t even need to defend our actions, as Mary did not, because God will vindicate us in his time.

In fact, Mary only speaks four times in the entire Bible. She spoke to the angle who told her she was going to give birth to Jesus, “How is it me a virgin, can be the Mother of Jesus. (Luke 1:34) “Behold I am the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). She goes to see her cousin Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist) and sings the beautiful song of Praises called the “Magnificat”(Luke 1:46-55). During their yearly visit to Jerusalem during the Festival of the Passover, Jesus went to the Temple to teach and was gone from their sight for 3 days. Whenever they found him, Mary asked Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48). The Bible does not say what Mary’s response was to Jesus whenever he answered her saying, “Why were you searching for me, did you not know I had to be about my Father’s business.” But she obviously dealt with him as a mother would because the Bible tells us that whenever they went to Bethlehem, Jesus was obedient to them.

And finally at the Cana Wedding, this is the first time that we may realize that Mary understands who she has birthed, both man and God. And now, as a mother, she lets him know that the guests have ran out of wine. Jesus asked, “Woman why do you involve me in this, it is not my time yet.” But, once again God has entrusted Mary, the mother of Jesus, to bring him into the knowledge and power that God has given him to perform his first miracle as she instructs the others with pride and confidence to “Do whatever he tells you.” (Luke 2:5). Mary’s integrity and beauty followed her all the way to the cross the day Jesus hanged. She honored God’s decision to love the world so much that He would give his only begotten son to die, that whosoever would believe on Him would not perish but have everlasting life. That’s integrity. As a mother, she loved and nurtured this young man, all while knowing that he was never really hers to keep. Her beauty was her acceptance of the assignment with grace and humility. On that day at Calvary, she wept and with tears in her eyes as she watched a young man who knew no sin, hanging on the cross with blood streaming down his sides and a crown of thorns on his head. She stood by silently and listened to the crowd cheer on the soldiers as they laughed, scoffed and belittled our Savior. Although she was a loving mother, crying for her son, her integrity caused her to keep her promise to God. She birthed a son who was born to die and she had fulfilled her obligation to the Lord knowing that one day, this man who referred to her as “Woman” would rise again to become the Savior of the World. I rest my case.

Minister Denise Wade

5 “To Do” tasks BEFORE you contact a Web Designer In this day and time, having a website is a necessity and not a luxury. If you have a business, offer a product or service, oversee a notfor-profit or run a ministry, it is incredibly important to have a website that acts as a communication tool and as a marketing tool. BEFORE you contact a web designer, let me offer 5 “To Do” tasks to help get your ducks in a row! 1) Determine what you offer and be able to articulate that information. For example: •

Gather your list of services

•

Gather a list of your products & their descriptions

•

Document the Community/Social Programs you offer

•

What are your Worship service schedules, children’s programs and outreach activities

2) Determine what you want a site visitor to be able to “do” while on your new website. For example: •

Should they be able to contact you by phone, email or a contact form?

•

Should they be able to get directions to your location?

•

Should they be able to join your email list?

•

Should they be able to leave comments on the site or blog?

•

Should they be able to see pictures of your products or location?

•

Should they be able to view videos of you in action?

•

Should they be able to purchase products online?

•

Should they be able to download documents?

This information will help the web designer determine the proper features to add to your website! 3) Determine your preferred color scheme. For example: •

Do you already have a logo? What colors are in the logo?

•

Do you have product packaging? If so, what colors were used?

•

Do you already have business cards and or letter head? If so, what colors were used?

•

What are your favorite colors?

•

What are colors you hate?

This information will give the web designer a starting point and help reduce re-work. The web designer will offer suggested design colors as well. 4) Review other websites in your genre. For example: •

If you are an author, look at other websites by well known authors and self published authors. This will give you an idea of what readers expect to find on YOUR website. Do they offer a free excerpt? Did they list the date & location of the next book signing?

•

If you are an artist, look at other websites by artists. Did they have a sample song on the website? Did the artist post YouTube videos? Could you find out how to purchase their music?

•

If you are a ministry, look at other ministry websites. Did they offer anything special for visitors? Was it easy to locate service times? Could you donate online? How did they communicate special events?

Select at least 3 websites you like and share that information with your web designer. This will also give you an idea of different page layouts and how information can be displayed. 5) Pictures, Pictures & Pictures. In many cases, the web design client will need to provide some pictures. Often times, great design work starts with great pictures! For example: •

This could be a picture of you for the “About Me” page. If you don’t have a professional picture, YOU MUST have professional pictures taken!

•

This could be pictures of your products including all color variations available. You may have access to this from your product distributor, if not YOU MUST have professional pictures taken!

•

This could be pictures of your store or location. This is extremely important to build your brand & recognition.

•

This could be book covers, CD covers, Logos and etc. *Some web designers may offer graphic design services for additional fees…

In a nutshell… By gathering this information prior to contacting a web designer, you will be a better informed consumer. This activity will help identify how big or how small your site could be which is a direct connection to the amount you will pay for your web design. You will be ready to jump start your web design process!

About Sharvette Mitchell As Creative Director of Mitchell Productions, LLC (Web Design & Social Media Coaching), Sharvette seeks to bring your BRAND alive and build something AMAZING! Contact her at hello@mitchell-productions.com and visit her website at www.Mitchell-Productions.com

For My Good and God's Glory Our church has recently been having in-depth teachings on grace and following the theme “Empowered Authority and Grace.” This is what should be on our lips from 2 Corinthians 9:15 “thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” His indescribable gift called grace is often defined as unmerited favor offered freely by God. Fortunately for us it comes with no strings attached. But you should know that grace is so much more than unmerited favor. If we continue to believe that it's only unmerited favor then nothing has to happen and nothing has to change. What I want to share through this article is about God's sustaining grace from my own personal testimony. But before I share this information I want to give you four words to feed on and those four words are to ACCEPT WHAT GOD ALLOWS. In your acceptance of what God allows we can activate our faith and more freely accept God's sovereignty. He's going to do what He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it and how He wants to do it. Sometimes we want to take on our burdens, carry that weight and control the outcome but, you must realize that it is all up to God and so we must accept what God allows. Learning to accept what God allowed and allows enabled me not to agonize over many of the circumstances in my life. The testimony I'm sharing with you was based from the very beginning on Psalm 139:13-16 and it says; “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you are breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” God's sustaining grace kicks in when our minds tell us to quit. It helps us turn that bend when our body tells us that we've had enough. His sustaining grace smacks us in the head when we think of throwing in the towel. God's sustaining grace empowers us to endure even when we think we can't. It's at this point that we should realize that we must cross the finish line void of our own performance because of God's gift of grace. The month of October 2013 was a life changing time for me and my family. Myself, my daughter Brittny and my granddaughter Micah were on our way home from the beach on a perfect beautiful sunny Monday afternoon when we got a call from my oldest daughter, Karesse. She was hysterical to the point where I couldn't understand a word she was saying. I quickly pulled over into a gas station to gather myself and to see if I could calm her down with my voice. My voice usually works to calm my four daughters when they are in their life issues so I had no reason to think that it wouldn't work this time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, through her sobs she said, “I have breast cancer.” It seemed like the entire universe stopped and I felt as if my heart had been sucked out of my chest. In a few seconds, I collected myself long enough to say to her. “OK, so let's see what to do.” My calm hun voice wasn't working and I ended up screaming her name over and over trying to get her to breathe and talk to me. Brittny could hear the hysteria from her sister and snatched the phone out of my hand, a little peeved that I was yelling at her sister in the state that she was in. But I know my children. If I didn't get her attention and calm her down just a little bit she would roll in defeat for months to come and we, God and us, clearly had a work to do. Brittny was able to get the doctor's name and phone number and she hung up with her sister and immediately called her doctor. The news was not good. She was in stage four of breast cancer in her right breast and it had even spread to her lymph nodes. They needed her in their office the next day for further testing. Needless to say, the seven hour trip from the beach felt like an eternity and it was very quiet in the car. It was hard to breathe and I just wanted to punch a wall. I was angry and scared and my emotions were all over the place and I still had to drive. Brittny and I could not think of anything to say to each other that would make any sense so the deafening silence was the best solution. And it gave us an opportunity to pray. I thank God for Pastor Neecee (Denise Lewis) who after getting the call immediately went to my daughter's side and promised to stay with her until I got there.

Once we had returned to the city I immediately morphed to my daughter's side. She was lying on her sister Kami's couch still in a state of total despair sobbing and shaking. It was gut wrenching and heartbreaking. I gathered my mother voice pulled from the pit of my stomach and told her that this was the last day for this feeling of defeat. I just knew that we could not enter this journey like it was a death sentence looming like a black cloud over our heads. I told her that she was going to have to get up off her face and work towards her healing. “You have three children that need you,” I told her. “We all need you,” I added.

But she wasn't

ready to hear any of my reasoning so we just sat with her for hours, quietly soothing her and praying for her complete healing. And as I sat there looking at my daughter, my mind went to stage four breast cancer. Then it hit me that there are only four stages! Statistics say that once the cancer reaches stage four that it's not curable.

But

that's what they say. I began praying to the doctor of all doctors and was trusting and believing in His report instead and at the same time accepting what God allowed. I had no other choice. I wasn't ready to lose my daughter to this stupid inhumane disease. When I say we dragged Karessie to the doctor the next day kicking and screaming I am telling you that we literally dragged her. The doctors decided to begin immediately with chemotherapy treatments to shrink the large tumor in her right breast. But before the chemo could even start she had to go through a CT body scan, a biopsy and an MRI. They had to make sure the cancer had not spread to her other organs – the brain, the liver and the lungs. The waiting for the results was brutal. We asked our church and stopped people on the streets to solicit prayers on Karessie's behalf.

The prayers were heard and answered because it had not

spread. We cried. We rejoiced. We cried. We thanked God. We cried and thanked God for his sustaining grace. Because of my daughter's age, she was 39 at the time of her diagnosis, she had not started on yearly mammograms. The age for mammograms technically is age 40. She had felt the lump and visited with her doctors but they didn't detect it until the cancer was full blown.

She insisted that me and her sisters

schedule mammograms.

The test results from her

three sisters were good. Mine came back abnormal. I had to have a CT scan and a biopsy immediately. The results showed that I was in stage one breast cancer in both breasts.

Just having the shock of my

diagnosis wasn't enough.

It turned out that each

breast had a different type of cancer.

I had triple

negative invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast and negative invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast.

I had followed through with my yearly

mammograms but no lumps were detected. Instead I had clusters of microscopic bits of calcium deposits that were cancerous. Now I was forced to eat my own words that I had confidently spoken to my daughter and work towards my own healing and to accept what God allowed.

My daughter saved my life with her

persistence for me to be tested and now I had to be dependent on my faith and God's sustaining grace.

For the months that followed, my daughter and I clung to each other for strength and knowledge comparing notes and keeping a journal through our treatments. She was in a comprehensive research study and on a different chemo than I was on so our experiences were different. The chemo prescribed for me knocked me for a loop. Since my breast cancer was aggressive they put me on something technically called Adriamycin better known as Red Devil because of it's vibrant red color. What in the world? It was administered every three weeks through two Superman size needles over a 30 minute time span. I was also given steroids which bloated me and took away what used to look ankles. It's funny the things we take for granted like ankles but, I was a little distraught about them and prayed to God to have my ankles back and until he answered my prayers my vanity had me hide behind long skirts, pants and boots. By the time my body adjusted to the impact of the chemo it was time for another dose. The red drug boldly entered my body with side effects including fatigue, nausea, mouth sores and metallic taste buds. Hair loss was also in the cards. The doctors suggested that I shave my hair down to a stubble because it would be less traumatizing when it began to fall out. The nail beds on my fingers and toes turned black as well as the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet. As my fingernails began to lift away from the skin they held a sour odor and I was advised to soak in vinegar and water. Looking in the mirror I hardly recognized myself because I was so bloated and a shade or two darker. The doctors watched for low red and white blood cell counts. Another major side effect was its predicted damage to the heart muscle which could lead to heart failure. I had to have something called a MUGA scan to make sure my heart was pumping properly. Thank God for his sustaining grace because heart damage did not happen. I did however develop a blood clot in my left leg and I had to give myself blood thinning injections twice a day in my stomach muscle so that the clot wouldn't take aim at my heart. I was moving at a turtle's pace but through it all I was “still above the grass” because of God's sustaining grace. From February 2014 to August 2014 I had four treatments of Red Devil then twelve weekly treatments of a different chemo called Taxol which was administered through a port that had been inserted under my skin on my chest. Three weeks after finishing up with my chemotherapy, I was scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy removing both breasts. From my lips to God's ears I can proudly shout that I am a breast cancer survivor. 1 Corinthians 15:10 says “But by the grace of God I am what I am” and his sustaining grace toward me was not without notice. I cannot ever look back and wish for the body parts taken from me because body and soul I am wonderfully made. God knows me inside and out and knows every bone in my body. I decided early in my diagnosis that cancer could not, would not have my life. My life belongs to God not to that disease. I decided cancer wouldn't wreck my spirit and turn me away from a God who I knew would heal me. I decided that my healing was 100% my faith attitude and I was not going to complain and make those around me as miserable as I sometimes felt. So I rocked my bald head, fat ankles and saved money not having a manicure every two weeks. I moisturized my darkened skin and my granddaughters gave me foot massages and pedicures. I love good tasting food so it was difficult not tasting what I was eating but eating I was. Trust me, this path of horror was no cake walk but I had to remember that the days of my life were prepared before I'd even lived one single day. So I had to accept what God allowed. We as a family were very often on our faces in prayer and fasting and believing that God would bring us through to puddle through to the next steps. There were days I felt like I was punched in the gut from the chemo and at times I didn't want to get out of bed because of the fatigue but I had to keep my faith in tact, and keep my mind trusting and remembering God's sustaining grace. My daughter and I still to this day have a village of support from friends, family and our church. That support is so important for our healing.

Accept what God allows.

Not accepting my diagnosis or my daughter's diagnosis would have stifled the

healing process and stifled God's sustaining grace. It would have meant that I thought he had overlooked me. Believe me, I'm still human and at times I would question where He was. I would close my eyes and mutter through my tears to speak life, speak life, speak life because our very lives depended upon it. I had to change my perspective and focus on the positive. We were both still above the grass. If someone would say “I'm sorry you have breast cancer,” I would correct them and say, “I am a survivor of breast cancer” even though I was still going through the process. And even though this season is behind me it will never be over. I can look in the mirror at my chest and it's constant reminder of my survival but I will not look at it as a constant reminder of the disease and I will need to continue to be proactive to make sure the disease does not return. Oh yes, I will do the maintenance but I will not live in fear. That would be like looking over my shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop and I won't do that ever. That's not my faith. I would rather be confident that I am completely healed and live each day walking in God's sustaining grace. And here's what else I know for sure. What the enemy meant for evil God meant for my good and the glory is all His. Through the hair loss and blood clots.

Through metallic taste buds, nose bleeds and my nails falling off.

Through newly

revived hot flashes and neuropathy in my fingers and toes and through job loss. Yes, in May of 2014, the same year I was diagnosed I was laid off from a job I had for fourteen years and two weeks prior I had moved into a new apartment but His grace is still sustaining me. The Holy Spirit spoke one day recently and said “no more frivolous spending.” I heeded to that word and my bills are paid and I have not missed a meal. So going through those struggles I couldn't find it in my spirit to focus on the enemy's attempt to curse me. I had to focus on God's ability to bless, heal and sustain me in every area of my life. Spiritually, physically, financially. And he did just what he said he would do. Genesis 50:20 says: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." Those are the words Joseph spoke when his brothers sold him into slavery. He endured for at least 13 years at the hands of the unjust while staying true to his God and His ability to sustain him. He believed God. So I tell you this from lessons learned. Don't focus on the enemy’s ability to curse. Focus more on God's ability to sustain you. And don't ever get distracted!

When I was a toddler my mom wore skirts and dresses and if I felt afraid I would grab hold and bury my face into the fabric of her skirt. It gave me a sense of security. I found a hiding place and safety in the folds of her material. In my brief moments of distress, everywhere she went there I was. This is what I would do with Jesus. In my moments of cancer distress. In the moments of my daughter's uneasiness. In the moments of my financial setback. If He moved I would attach myself to Him and move when he said move. My faith in Him would not allow Him to be out of my sight. Since the days of my life were prepared before my conception what would it have profited me to not be in acceptance of His will? To not accept what He allowed? It's not that I believed that I would be healed. I believed that I am healed. I am a survivor and through my healing He allows me to touch and speak complete healing to my daughter. I have to be a witness of hope for her and anyone else who might need the words from this article! We are not immune from the circumstances that life brings. There was purpose in what I endured and it was to realize and grab hold to God's sustaining grace. I did not earn it or work for it and I certainly could never do enough to deserve it. I received this indescribable gift of grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that grace is limitless and it abounds not just for me but for you too. That grace is my salvation and His grace is sufficient in my weakness and thank God I am still above the grass. Oh yes, I am what I am because of God's indescribable gift of grace. I am because He is! I am minus some body parts, my hair is taking its good ole time to grow back, my nails are brittle and still black but his grace abounded with me in my deepest waters and by the grace of God I am what I am. Marinate on these beautiful words from John Newton, the celebrated English preacher and hymnwriter of Amazing Grace. "I am not what I ought to be. Ah! How imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be. I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good. I am not what I hope to be. Soon, soon, shall I put off, with mortality, sin and imperfection. Though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was, a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle and acknowledge, by the grace of God I am what I am.â&#x20AC;?

Written By Karesse Smalls Doss

DaMarka Wheeler

HM: What has been the greatest thing that has happened since your appearance on Sunday Best? DW: I was able to be a part of a great tribute for Richard Smallwood. He is one the best, he is like a musical genius in terms of writing and things that he has put out. So I was honored to be a part of that. That was one of the best moments of my life. HM: When and where did that take place? DW: That was last year in October in Oakland, Ca. HM: How was the Sunday Best experience and how did you end up getting on the show? DW: The experience on Sunday Best was absolutely wonderful. I had so much fun. Actually, I stood in line for a whole day from that Friday night around 9:00 p.m. until that Saturday the next day around 6:00 a.m.. I got there early because I was in the VIP line. That's actually the line where you can skip rounds and try to make it to the judges table to meet them. This allowed me to go from one room straight to the judges. I sang in front of the VIP judges and another Sunday Best contestant who was helping out with some of the auditions. He had already been on another season, but he was actually a part of the judges. After that I went straight to the TV judging.

HM: What was it like singing in front of such great names in gospel music? DW: I was so nervous, there was about ten of us sitting on the side waiting for our turn to go up and sing in front of all of those celebrity judges. You could hear the critiques coming from the judges and what they were saying about the other people. We were all so nervous, hoping that we picked the right song or that we would not mess up and embarrass ourselves. I was so nervous. But when it was finally my turn, they loved me from the beginning to the end. The audition was amazing. There were so many things that happened during the audition that wasn't added to the TV show. I walked off that stage crying because I didn't realize beforehand how blessed I was actually going to be just from that little moment. HM: So what made you audition for Sunday Best? DW: I never liked competing with people. I never wanted to do that especially not a gospel competition, but I had a couple of people say, it's not about competing but about the people seeing you and the exposure. You don't know who you are going to bless. And it all worked out and blessed so many people. It was a shock. After the audition I traveled to Atlanta. My first performance was one of the best. It was a dream come true to actually sing on that stage. After I sang, Kierra couldn't even judge me and Yolanda Adams said some of the most beautiful things. She said " We are honored to be in your presence". That almost made me cry. And then Pastor Donnie said, "You are so anointed, never be afraid to use the gifts that God has on you.". But Kierra couldn't say anything, she just kept on singing the song that I had sung. Then Kirk Franklin put the mic in my face and said "Go ahead and sing.". So me and Kierra Sheard just kept going back and forth. The whole place loved every bit of that. It was bananas! When you see Kim Burrell stand up for you, you are doing something. So I made it through the first round and went through to the top ten. Then there was a section where we had to do a duet. My duet was with another contestant from Rochester, New York. There were a few things that they didn't like about the duet, so they sent me home and then they brought me back as the wild card. It was the band that picked me as their favorite singer of the show causing me to be brought back to compete again. They brought me back but unfortunately they sent me back home again. I know that there is a lot of politics and different things like that, but it was a great, great moment. I had fun, I enjoyed it all and I was there for about two or three weeks.

HM: To have that on your "resume" for lack of a better term that you made it to the finals of Sunday Best must have been huge. Was it for you?

DW: It has a been very very good for me. I have been judging a lot of competition shows here in Buffalo, I did three as a matter of fact, and I have been able to encourage a lot of people but this isn't all, there are more things that I want to do. HM: Where is your home church?

DM: I go to Antioch Holiness Church under Bishop James H. Bowman and first Lady Kathy Bowman. It's located on Michigan Ave. not too far from East Ferry Street. I am one of the worship leaders there and one of the main lead singers in the Sanctuary Choir. I am also one of my Bishop's main soloist when he travels to preach at other churches. There are a lot of us that do solos, I am just one of them. We have an amazing choir under the leadership of Pastor Malcolm Wilson here in the Buffalo area. He is awesome. HM: You are working on a project and looking for some producers and writing your own music. Is there any anticipation of when your project will be released? DW: I am not sure when it actually will be released, but our church organist is my musician who travels with me a lot when it doesn't conflict with his duties at the church. I have a song that we are working on together. I have a couple of other songs with some other producers who don't live in the state that I may be working with. I am just trying to tie up different things and get harmonies right. However, I am looking for a single to come out by at least the fall around September or October . I am pushing for spring to put out a 4-5 song EP. I am not signed with anyone right now, I am just doing everything on my own, So it takes money and it takes time. You really have to know this business. I am a person who prays because I need the right people connected with me.

Reverend Paulette Virginia Davidson co-pastors Creative Ministries Berachah with her husband, Reverend John T. Davidson, Jr., in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. She is also the founder of Heartstrings Ministries and is an accomplished author of numerous Christian dramas, poems, and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s messages. With her degrees in early childhood education and communications journalism, as well as her degree from the Marilyn J. Davis International School of the Bible, Reverend Davidson uses her gifts and talents to minister the Word of God and usher others into His presence. She has five children and three grandchildren and resides with her husband in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The baby girl was never supposed to be born. Doctors had declared her dead to her distraught mother, who refused to believe the child she had carried was no more. Then, before the doctors could begin their task of removing the supposedly deceased infant, Paulette Virginia Brown Poindexter announced her grand arrival to the world. Blind at birth, the child also suffered from epilepsy, a condition that would plague her for many years to come, though the blindness would prove temporary. Pauletteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother struggled to care for her special-needs child, as well as an older brother and sister. When their mother landed in jail on a larceny charge, Paulette and her siblings ended up in the foster care system, where she endured rejection, cruel treatment, and physical and sexual abuse for over twelve years. Never feeling as though she belonged, Paulette struggled to know who she was, where she had come from, and where she was going. Through the many ups and downs of her life, Paulette found an anchor for her soul in Christ and is today a healed, victorious woman of God who celebrates her life and rejoices in the legacy God has given her. Her story of triumph will inspire you to press through your own trials and emerge victorious into a life of celebration and a legacy for the generations to come.

Book and Author Detail Credits: Xulon Press

VEDA BROWN

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of speaking with Veda Brown, marketing guru and CEO of Black Gospel Promo. Veda Brown will be celebrating her Black Gospel Promo 15th Anniversary on June 24, 2016 at The Musical Soul Food Festival to be held at Chesapeake City Park in Chesapeake, Va.. Veda Brown is not only the Queen of faith-based digital marketing, but was the first to introduce email marketing campaigns as a way to "brand" ministries, churches and businesses on a global scale. Due to a lack of "chatrooms" for christians and those who loved gospel music, Ms. Brown started and managed one of the most popular channels on AOL's NetNoir called the Black Gospel Chapel. The channel would bring some of the greatest names in gospel music to the people and it grew so much in popularity that NetNoir hired Brown as a consultant. She remained with the company for several more years until the company was sold. Over the years, she had accummulated thousands of email addresses, however she did not immediately know what to do with them. It was not until several years later that she was approached to ask if she could send out an email to help someone promote their event. Word quickly spread about how her email marketing campaigns were bringing people's visions and dreams to those that they would not have been able to reach. Her popularity grew as a force in marketing even before her company was actually formed. As a matter of fact, she didn't even have a name for her company when she first started doing email blasts. In trying to come up with a name in order to incorporate she chose "Black Gospel Promo" from the name of her popular Gospel Channel. She soliticed the help of an associate who assisted her incorporating so that she could open a bank account for the company and the rest is history. Black Gospel Promo has promoted, gospel artists, churches, ministries, authors, pastors, and divers companies to the faith based community. Some of her clients include Vickie Winans, Kurt Carr, Bishop TD Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Ministree, David and Tamala Mann, The Word Network, Tyscot Records, and many more. Black Gospel Promo has been successful in bringing its clients brand to over 100,000 subscribers.

Veda understands that everytime an email campaign is received by a subcriber, it is helping to brand her client as well as Black Gospel Promo. She believes that email marketing is still the best way to publize and market because "Everyone does not have a Facebook or Twitter account, but everyone has an email address and will look at their email messages daily". When asked what was her most memorable success story, she began to talk about a man who had written a book and asked Black Gospel Promo to do an email marketing campaign to publicize the book. "One day I received some flowers and when I looked at the card, I saw that it was from this particular author thanking me for helping him to market his book. He stated that he was about to travel to London to do a TV show to talk about his book, something that he did not anticipate happening. It was because of the promo that was distributed by Black Gospel Promo that he was being given opportunities to travel and promote his book in ways that he never thought was possible". It struck me that Ms. Brown didn't answer my question by talking about all of the celebrities, TV personalities and gospel artists that she has had the oppportunity to work with and promote herself on their success stories, or even talk about the money that she may have made doing marketing campaigns for mega-churches, but that she was touched by someone who was not world-renowed but whose life was changed because of a service she made available and affordable to all. When asked what her plans were for the future, Veda began to talk about her desire to teach churches how to market their ministries and services on a local platform. It is her desire to train church leaders across the country on how to build and maximize their brand by learning the techniques of marketing to those in their own regions. It is no surprise that Veda Brown and Black Gospel Promo, still remains the "CNN of Gospel Marketing". Please join HEELS GOSPEL MAGAZINE in wishing Veda Brown and Black Gospel Promo a Happy 15th Anniversary!

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My Way What I plan for you Is so much more Than anything you Would ask me for My thoughts are different Like yours they're not The angels agree I love you a lot You are my princess I am your King Let me present you With beautiful things Set aside your plans Seek mine today I promise you,daughter It's Better My Way Isaiah 55:8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord.

Victoria Wallace

KINGDOM HEALTH 4 LIFE with

SATIN B.

Greetings!

This article is not entirely about healthy eating, although I am still steering you in that particular direction. This article, however, is about fasting and detoxing your body. The body accumulates many toxins from the environment such as heavy metals, toxins from pesticides that we unknowningly come in contact with on a daily basis.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve recently reconnected myself to fasting and I am loving the spiritual and natural benefits from it.

From a biblical perspective, it is a must to fast for spiritual enlightment, to stay sharp in the Holy Spirit and keep in tune with the Lord. But it is also good for the body to take a break from eating in order to allow our digestive system to rest from working to digest food on a constant basis.

Many fast by way of a Daniel fast however, I suggest a total fast from eating food. A liquid fast is a good alternative to anyone who wants to give their system a break and keep it healthy.

KINGDOM HEALTH 4 LIFE with

SATIN B.

The benefits of fasting are as follows: 1. Weight loss 2. Metabolism boosting 3. Promotes longevity 4. Improves brain function 5. Improves your immunity 6. Increases energy levels 7. Allows cleansing and detoxification of the body 8. A deeper praise 9. Sensitivity to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice. 10. Soul cleansing 11. A new desire for God. 12. Increase in power. Some cannot do a complete fast because of medications therefore, I recommend a fast like Daniel's or a liquid fast with only broth, water fresh fruit or perhaps green detoxing smoothies. I recommend fasting a few days out of the week. Fasting does the body good! I also suggest detox teas to start your fasting such as Flat tummy tea or any detox tea of your choice. Vegetable Broth (vegan) or Chicken broth and of course water is a must for the days you choose for your fasting.

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HGM'S

TheSTYLE Closet With the unofficial beginning of summer, comes the time for you to pull out all of those ideas that you had about how you want to present yourself to the world this summer! Anything is acceptable! So go ahead, try it! Who cares if it is not monochromatic? What does it matter if society says that every color and print combination has to match? What does your inner fashionista say? Are you bold enough to wear more than three colors at a time? Or will you settle for looking like the rest of society even though your soul is screaming for boldness. HEELS GOSPEL MAGAZINE is saying "Let your look speak for itself!". Don't be afraid to do something different to your hair this summer, or wear more or even less make-up. Pull out the shorts and chiffon skirts. Summer is all about fun, so why not have some fun with your summer fashions too?

TheSTYLE Closet

Stylist: Cheryl Jones-Ross Make-Up: Tyonna Singleton Photos: Sicqography Models: Tenika Moore, Marsha Seaton, Brianna Singleton Fashions: The Clothes Mentor, Bridgeville, Pa.

TheSTYLE Closet

Summer is the time we pull out the white. White shoes, white dress, white pants. And this summer season of 2016 happens to be featuring white as the predominate color. However, your outfit does not need to be snow white. You will still be fashionable in any shade of white, including eggshell, ivory, bone, cream or pearl.

TheSTYLE Closet

Who doesn't like buttercup! It is another one of the top colors for Summer 2016. Remember, it is not a fashion sin to wear pieces that "do not match". There really are no rules in fashion, exept the ones that do not flatter your own body shape and your sense of style. If you look great in it, then you have set your own rules.

HEELS HEALING ENCOURAGEMENT ELEVATION LOVE SOUNDNESS FOR THE TOTAL WOMAN

For information on advertising your business, ministry or event in HEELS Gospel Magazine: visit our website at www.heels-magazine.com or call us at 216-200-6347