Masterpiece Magazine - Issue 1, 2010 by Masterpiece Enterprises

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Masterpiece Magazine Publisher: Jodine Basterash Co- publisher: Annette Jackson Graphic Designer: Nigeria Riggins Departments: Comedy Corner Entertainment: Jodine Basterash Health: Yvette Willis Personal Dedications: Annette Jackson Reality Check: Kwabena A. Nixon Relationships, Single: Kim Brooks Relationships, Marriage: Pamela Hines Soul Food Connection

Spiritual Healing: Melva Henderson Style/Beauty: Adrian Anderson Travel: Live It Up: Annette Jackson Photography: (This Issue) Isaiah Merriweather Dale Sparage

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Inside SOUL FOOD CONNECTION

March/April 2010

this issue

Banana Split Cake 12

HEALTH

Yvette Willis 28

RELATIONSHIPS Photo courtesy of capitalentertainment.com

MARRIAGE For The Cause 19 SINGLES Why I am still single? 23 Brothers & Sisters After Dark 24

ENTERTAINMENT Networking 11 Vickie Winans goes from trial to triumph on page 31.

REALITY CHECK

The New Decade 10

STYLE

Glowing Beauty 29

DEDICATIONS

n every issue

TRAVEL

Las Vegas New York City 26

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER LETTER FROM THE CO-PUBLISHER

SPIRITURAL HEALING Rise and Be Healed 17 www.masterpieceent.com

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From the Publisher

The last 2 years have been a very challenging time in my life. The progression of my trials seemed to get worse experiencing devastation in my life I never would’ve imagined –one after another. My faith and trust in God was like a roller coaster because I couldn’t understand why God was allowing things to happen. I felt as if God wasn’t listening or didn’t care. The end of the tunnel grew darker and darker without a hint of light. I felt like Job in the Bible. I lost everything except life, and didn’t want that at times. It was hard to trust God when it seemed like everything in my life was failing. I didn’t know at the time, but God had to break me down and strip me of everything to get my attention for what he was getting ready to do in my life. Sometimes God tries to get our attention and we ignore him, relying too often upon ourselves versus Him. He had to teach me how to have faith and trust in Him. He had to show me that I was nothing without Him. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Christ gives us the strength to overcome any attack. He doesn’t want us crippled, He wants us whole in body, emotions and spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be able to stand up in the storms of life, and not only survive, but overcome and become stronger. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who gives you strength and in Deuteronomy 31:6 it says, “He will not leave you nor forsake you.” God has a great life planned for you and I. Don’t let the devil steal it with lies. The devil attempts to keep the mental arena busy enough with the wrong kinds of thinking so that the mind never gets around to being used for the purpose for which God designed it. This is 2010 – a new decade! It’s time to start giving birth and taking back everything that the devil has stolen from you! The enemy may have tried to change your destiny through a series of events in your life, but God will restore you. He will restore to you that which the cankerworm and the locust ate up. (Joel 2:25) He said “I’m going to give it back to you.” The potter never leaves a work in process, but continually molds the clay the whole way until completion. God

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continually works in our life so that we can continually receive the blessings He has in store for us. Right now in this season of my life, I am tremendously blessed. I have overcome the trials and the purging process that God has taken me through. God has taken me to the next level and awesome opportunities have walked into my life. Always remember that circumstances are not your master. If you find a path with no obstacles, it is probably a path that doesn’t lead to anywhere important. Who God calls, He equips. Who He equips, He anoints to do the job. No matter what the level of your ability, God has equipped you and anointed you with more potential than you can use in your lifetime. Start looking at things not as they are, but as they can be. Vision adds value to everything. The key to your future is that you can still choose. What you commit yourself to be will change you into what you can be. God never sends a winter without following it with the joy of spring, the growth of summer and the harvest of fall. Remember this, it says in John 10:10, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus comes so that we may have life and most abundantly.” Jodine Basterash, Publisher

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m Annette Jackson, Co-Publisher of Masterpiece Magazine When I first gave my heart to Jesus it was the most exciting thing that ever happened. I had allowed myself the pleasure of loving God with every part of me. I submitted my ways, my thoughts and my desires. I thought something magical had happened. I was suddenly transformed! I was a conqueror and no weapon formed against me would prosper. That was until times of suffering, times of doubt, and times when my faith in God and His promises were put to the test. During those many trials, I leaned on my own understanding. Not understanding that God was still faithful during those times. I forgot who I was told I was, how I was made, and the many blessings that were in store for me. I had given up. I had been beaten up enough by this game called life and began to think that I should just live life for the moment because after all tomorrow is never promised. Silly me! Of course, I eventually got frustrated with myself and came to my senses because I knew I was better than that. I knew there was more to life and a better way for me to achieve all that I desired if I would just trust Him. But, because I lacked discipline, courage and knowledge, I

From the Co-publisher

allowed myself to be held back and found myself crying out, “Lord, help me, please change me!” I wanted to be transformed into the person that God has ordained me to be. I had to break away from some of the people and things that I enjoyed so much and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I allowed Him to love me and bring correction into my life. Proverbs 3:12 states that the Lord loves those He corrects. He loved me too much to let me stay that way. He revealed that CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME!

Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Our thought life is so powerful that our perception determines how we operate and how far we advance in life. John 3, 1:2 says “Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”

God and nothing will hinder me. It’s time to move forward and remove the shackles off our feet. God knows that we are weak in certain areas because of our flesh, that’s why he has equipped us with a full body of armor. He gave us His Son, His Spirit, His power and His word. The rest is up to us. If you want greatness you must think greatness because it’s impossible to live beyond your own mental capacity. Psalms 2:8 says, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” 2010 has great promises from God. His word is filled with love, peace, life and power! It has the ability to change your circumstances and reveal who you really are. There is greatness inside of you, don’t underestimate who God has created in you. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:33. Like Abraham, those who hope in God, who rely on His promises, and who trust His Word will not be put to shame. God has made his blessings available to everyone.

GET YOURS!

I am not my past. I am free from those mistakes and I will not allow it to hold me back. God has forgiven me, and I have forgiven myself. I will walk in the fullness of the blessing of

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Reality Check

by Kwabena Nixon

I promise to be a writer again this year. I promise to deal with situations and conflicts within twenty-four hours. I promise not to speak slander nor gossip. I promise to listen and honor time more. I promise to deal with today and let yesterday be. I promise not to judge, practice balance and listen to my heart. What a decade it has been! Ten years ago, we were afraid of the Y2K. So we all ran out to get water, generators, heaters and anything that we could use if the world was going to end. Me, as always, I said it won’t get that bad. I always joked that I definitely would of been one of those people who stayed behind in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. Ten years ago, I went home to be with my family in case it did happen. I sat with the women who raised me, who taught me morals and values. I sat with my niece who gave me a new start on life, my ma’dear who has been my rock. We danced to sounds of Sam Cook , Aretha Franklin and The Temptations. My friends called, but I wouldn’t leave. I didn’t stay on purpose, or at least that’s what I think. But I wanted to be there with them. I didn’t know it then, but it was the best way to start the decade off. You want to know something if or all I did? I missed a lot this decade. I was thirty at the beginning of it and have a list of “could of’s”, “should of’s” I want to share with you. I should have written five books by now. I should have written and filmed two movies by now. I should have had a nationally known program, and had at least five CD’s by now. Could have ran for office by now. Could have had a management company or my own venue by now. Could of helped stopped the VIOLENCE by NOW or been much better financially by now. Well, as you can see those ‘by now’s’ add up until they become a mountain, or another obstacle as if you don’t already have enough. You begin to collect so

many of them that they become trophies, placed in the Hall of Shame to be brought after a few drinks, a family reunion, a failed relationship or the stretching of the waist line...The great thing about life is you can’t turn back the clock, but you can wind it back up. So I decided to live right now by getting out of the “If only” zone. The decade is gone and so are all the things I named. The new decade is here and I get to do it better. I get to focus. I get to write it down, map it out and go after it with zeal, passion and purpose. For me, sports have always been a guide. I love reading articles, auto-biographies or anything about champions. For example, two of my favorite athletes are Magic Johnson and Joe Montana. Both were champions in their decade. Magic was with the Lakers in the 80’s and Joe Montana with the 49’ers . I read both of their books and it’s like they wrote them together. Each stated that at the beginning of training camp, anything short than a championship was failure. Both of them set clear goals, played game by game, made the team better, won the division, got home field advantage, got through the playoffs and WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP! So become a champion because I plan to and I hope you do as well. So I close with this…In my teens I was afraid. In my 20’s I found knowledge of self, in my 30’s I found my voice, and in my 40’s I HOPE 2 find GOD....so let’s go forward, let’s lay it out. No room for excuses, no room for arguments, no room for looking backwards. It’s time to LOOK AHEAD....-

About the Author: Kwabena Antoine Nixon (IKAN) is a motivational leader and poet in the urban community and spoken word movement. He is the co-founder and host of Poetry Unplugged (PU) and empowers you to achieve your goals by getting past your environment and background so that you can receive your dreams by taking responsibility of your future through their “Flood the Hood with Dreams” seminars. Follow “Kwabena Nixon” or “Poetry Unplugged” social group on Facebook.

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Networking

Photo Credit: Isaiah Merriweather

by Jodine Basterash

ou attend open mics, showcases, conferences, workshops, or other networking events. You attend the event to meet other industry professionals and want to be prepared and leave a great impression on the people you meet.

Come to the event with a positive attitude and smile on your face. Before you attend the event, research the host or anyone that you know will be in attendance. Google their name and go to websites to learn about the person. After the event, Google anyone you met to learn more about them too.

Start with an introduction and ask about the other person. Take an interest in the other person. This is a relationship business. Do not start a conversation by telling someone everything about you in the first 20 seconds! The pros will do everything they can to avoid that person in the future. Tell them what you do in 10 seconds or less and gauge their response.

3. Eat prior to arrival or arrive early to the event to eat if they are offering food. This prevents you from trying to talk to everyone, shake hands, and do the business card exchange while holding a plate in one hand and a drink in the other hand.

4. Ask positive questions rather than dwelling on the negatives. I may ask a question like, “What type of projects are you working on?” Find a way to ask people about themselves, which will lead to you feeling comfortable at the event. Get to know them.

5. Have your business cards in your left pocket, and everyone

else’s cards in your right pocket. Always have a pen available and take notes from your conversations. Follow up by sending a short email stating that you enjoyed meeting or speaking with them at the event.

If you have a specific question or idea that you would like to discuss with someone, the event is not the time to do it! Tell them you have something you would like to talk to them about, give them the topic, and exchange business cards telling them that you will give them a call.

7. Be a resource in your community. Start your own

weekly newsletter. Ask your friends to e-mail their events or schedule to you and compile a weekly calendar. Grow your list and build a data base and you will be the person everyone in the community wants to get to know because you are a resource to them.

8. Create an event. Hosting an event helps get your

name out in the community, not to mention the service you are providing.

If there is anyone that you admire, do not ask for an autograph or photo. You want to be seen as a peer by others in the industry! There is a saying by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar: “In order to get what you want out of life, help others to get what they want in life.” This is also true in business. If you can help someone – then do it! Build your community, get out and attend events, support your fellow colleagues. You will meet the people to help you on your journey through helping others on their journey. I promise you! Build your friendships with your peers. Build relationships, co-write, hang out, and do other things in addition to your field. Learn on the journey and make new friends.

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Food: Soul Food Connection Banana Split Cake

Soul food comes from the heart

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how to make this delicious cake: Ingredients: 5 bananas 3 sticks of margarine 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 eggs 2 cups powdered sugar

1 - 12oz. can crushed pineapple (drained thoroughly) 1 large cool whip

Do you have a delicious homemade recipe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to die for? Send it to us! Just go to www.masterpieceent.com and submit your recipe today!

nuts and cherries

Instructions: Melt one stick of margarine and mix with the graham cracker crumbs.

the filling over the crust.

Press the crumbs firmly in a 9 X 13 pan, put in freezer.

Spread over the filling.

Drain the pineapple really good.

Slice the bananas and put Beat 2 sticks of margarine, them on top of the pineapple. then beat in 2 eggs, then beat Add the cool whip and on top in 2 cups of powdered sugar. of the cool whip put your nuts Beat not LESS than 15 minand cherries, then let chill for utes. You may need to beat a a long time. Preferably over little more. night, if not several hours. Take the graham cracker crust out of the freezer and pour www.masterpieceent.com

Beautifully Designed. Inspirational. Motivational. Uplifting. For more info, visit us at cardsbydrsharon.com or call 301.731.8890

MADEA IS BACK! For the first time in 5 years, Madea will bring his creative energy to the live stage like never before. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss Madeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Happy Family, 12th stage play written by Tyler Perry. He brings to the theater pure entertainment that transcends all ages. He has produced 11 previous successful stage productions, 8 successful movies and 2 successful weekly TV shows. The first show kicks off on January 5, 2010 and lasts all the way up until May! Visit www.TylerPerry.com for dates in your area! www.masterpieceent.com

Personal Dedications NADIA S. HOOPER

ALYSSA MARIE TUCKER

Happy 8th Birthday January 15, 2002, Milwaukee, WI

Happy 8th Birthday February 22, 2002, Milwaukee, WI

We are so proud of you. You give us so much love and Happiness. We are truly blessed to have a granddaughter as precious as you.

We love you very much and we thank God for you! Al, Mom, Anthony, Andrew, Jasmine & Taylor

-Love, Granddaddy Marvin and Granny Adlean

TIRRELL D. NOLAN-JACKSON Happy 20th Birthday February 7, 1990, Milwaukee, WI

DAQUAYSHA A. WALTER Sweet 16 February 25, 1994, Milwaukee, WI

God chose us to be brother and sister because he knew with our strong will and intelligent minds we are a force to be reckon with. We’re the perfect duo. If I had to pick a brother, I would still choose you.You will always be my little brother and I love and thank God for you. -Your BIG Sister, Natasha

let you down.

ARTASIA FLETCHER

Happy 18th Birthday February 10, 1992, Milwaukee, WI You are a beautiful person, inside and out. As you move into adulthood I know you will be a great inspiration to all that you meet. Thank you for setting high standards for us.

You are so precious to me. I would have never guessed that I would have a daughter as wonderful as you, and I couldn’t imagine my life without you. Have faith in the Lord and He won’t

Love your father, Dwayne

ERICA J. SMILEY

Happy 17th Birthday March 30, 1993, Milwaukee, WI I love you just the way you are! Your father, Eric J Smiley

-Love your sisters, Destiny & Erica

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Personal Dedications KHIA R. WILDER

NATASHA M. JACKSON

Happy 2nd Birthday April 16th 2008, Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee, WI

Happy Valentine’s Day to my beautiful daughter and friend.

Thank God for little girls who are as sweet as sweet can be. We love you!

Love, your mom, Annette

Your mom, Kristin and dad David

ARTASIA, DESTINY, ERIC & ERIKA

MB JACKSON

Happy 77th Birthday April 20, 1933, Milwaukee, WI You have been the best father, grandfather and great grandfather that any child could have ever had. Thank you so much for being in our lives, everyday of our lives. We love and celebrate 77 years of you.

Milwaukee, WI

Happy Valentine’s Day to the world’s best children. Love, Your mom, Jodine

Love, Your children, Mary, Jaycee, Adlean, Annette and Angela

AHMAD MOORE Ft. Myers, Fl

You’ve changed my life and I love you for it! Happy Valentine’s Day! From your wife, Star

RYAN BUCKLEY Charleston, MS

Since High School you have been my Sweetheart. I thank you for your dedication and commitment to our family.You are truly one of a kind, Happy Valentine’s Day! Love Valerie and Keely Shay

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Spiritual Healing

RISE

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Photo Credit: Dale Sparage | dalesparage.com

A One-Day Benefit Conference for Women Hosted by the Women’s Ministry of

Christian Faith Fellowship Church

“There is an underlying fabric to all of us as women—a common manner in which every aspect of who we are functions and operates…This means we have been crafted by a loving Creator who endowed each of us with a marvelous and unique set of attributes, skills, and talents that compose the fabric of our lives.”

Thursday, March 25, 2010 Day Session | 9:00 am–4:00 pm

—Pastor Pamela Hines

Pastor Pamela Hines Conference Host

Conference Presenters

Feature Presentations

• Lunch with Charlotte Lyons, Ebony Magazine, Food Editor • Tommy Arnez, International Artistic Team Member for Nexxus • Dr. Regina Flippin, Podiatrist, Urban Foot Care • Donna Allison, Fitness Presenter • The Fabric of You! A Session for Tweens, Teens, and Fashionistas

Pat Smith

Twyla Betha

with Pastor Pamela Hines & Guests

Special 7pm Evening Service with

CeCe Winans!

Join us!

Charlotte Lyons For more information call

Christian Faith Fellowship Church

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8605 W. Good Hope Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224 414.760.2332 18

Marriage

For the Cause By Pamela Hines

“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24 (KJV) Marriages in our nation are failing at a rate of one out of two. One of the main reasons for our high divorce rate in my opinion is that married people do not understand the purpose of marriage. They have never gone to God’s Word and asked, “How does God see my marriage?” Principles apply whether or not your husband or wife is a believer in Jesus Christ. In exchanging vows before the minister, you committed your wills to each other. It was this act of committing your entire selves-body, mind, emotions and will to each other that made you truly married. So many marriage problems result from a misunderstanding of the husband-wife relationship or from the wife’s deliberate refusal to submit to her husband. Submission does not mean that you lose ‘power’. To submit, therefore, means to be the supportive part of a two-person union. Submission is not conditional. Genuine submission is not putting a tagline on it by saying “as long as…” That is a means of manipulation so you will get your way. Both men and women need to understand that submission never reduces a person in God’s eyes. Submission does not take away one bit of a person’s potential or purpose. It doesn’t diminish or reduce any of the gifts, talents, or skills a person has. When a wife submits to a husband, she is never “less” than her husband. Rather, she is fulfilling her role so that God can use her, her husband and their marriage in a way that God desires. When a man loves his wife and pours out himself to care, love, protect and provide for her, and be available to her, he is not “less” of a man. Husbands are called to serve their wives just as Christ serves the church with His presence, protection, power, and provision.

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Christ laid down His life for the church. Husbands are called to cover and provide for their wives. Wives are called to serve their husbands, just as the church serves Christ with its praise, practical service, yielding to Christ’s will, and its fulfillment of God’s directives. Wives are the portion that compliments their husbands-the one that stands beside him, supports him, and helps him in all that he determines the two of them to do together. In order to do that, you have to know what your husband desires. You have to learn what your husband wants, the praise he needs, his dreams, and the direction he is moving. His success depends on the wife’s help in carrying out their desires. Once the agreement has been made, they work together as a team to bring them to pass. A wife who is submissive to her husband has great influence on him. She has tremendous ability to give him strength, to establish his reputation in the community, and to keep him in right standing with the Lord. A wife has an effect on her husband that no other person has. She has an ability to influence him, build him up, and help him in ways nobody else can. She has the ability to create an environment that is so appealing that her husband can hardly wait to get home. On the contrary, she also has an ability to hurt him, destroy his work, and distract him from what he needs to be doing as no other person can. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”

Most people spend 100% of their time discussing the negative aspects of their spouse which accounts for only 15% of their personality. Start spending 100% of your time discussing the positive traits of your mate, which makes up 85% of their personality. A quiet, meek, humble spirit before your husband will do more to influence your husband toward God than all the nagging and complaining you could ever do. Show respect to your husband. Acknowledge that he is the head of your marriage and your family. Listen to his heart so that you can respond to his leadership. Honor and appreciate him. Seek to become a true helper so that together the two of you can fulfill the mission God has for you on this earth. When we understand that both husbands and wives are to fill gender-specific roles that they are called to ongoing submission to God and one another, then we have the proper God-ordained framework for truly understanding the roles prescribed for husbands and wives. You may win a few battles, but you will lose the war. Which is more important?

Pamela Hines and her husband Bishop Darrell L. Hines pastor Christian Faith Fellowship Church, one of the most progressive churches within the city of Milwaukee, WI. Their Marriage ministry helps you recognize the spiritual forces that are intent on destroying your marriage teaching you how to build a relationship that faces difficulties and overcomes them. They are the authors of “Resolving Conflict In Marriage” and “A Wife’s Prayer.”

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Whether you’ve had an exhausting day or desire relaxation, what could be better than to relax and nurture your body and spirit? Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” God has created the plants and natural herbs of this world to help us through these times. As your stress is released, trust in our Savior to remove the burdens of your heart . . . turning them into Perfect Peace.

FAITH-BASED PRODUCTS WITH A PURPOSE

PASTOR PAMELA HINES ‘PERFECT PEACE’ SPA COLLECTION The Perfect Peace Spa collection brings you into an intimate communion with God in your personal sanctuary relaxing your heart and mind for prayer focusing on relaxation, renewal and rejuvenation. Each of the faith based products have been created with a synergistic blend of luxe ingredients that leave the skin feeling refreshingly clean, nourished and peacefully scented. The exotic butters (Cupuacu [coo-poo-ah-sue] and Murumuru) whipped into Perfect Peace are natural-source fats harvested from fruit trees of the world’s green tropics – the Brazilian rainforest. Derived from plants, flowers and herbs, the natural oils blended consistently outperform synthetics by providing multi-tasking skin conditioners that won’t clog pores. The faith based daily body care collection contains Meadowfoam, Sunflower, and Hemp Seed Oils. Infusing the skin with the essential microelements it needs for health, vitality and balance, the botanical extracts found in Perfect Peace are empowered by phytonutrients (beneficial plant compounds). Certified organic acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry extract, grown in the Brazilian rainforest is abundant in antioxidant power and is also fortified with essential fatty acids that help maintain skin integrity. Flax seed is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and redness for smoother, silkier skin. The Perfect Peace spa collection is also fortified with Aloe Vera leaf Juice. Infusions of all natural products are present in the Perfect Peace Face and Body Wash, Face and Body Butter, Face and Body Silk and Face and Body Balm. These ingredients will quench thirsty skin and impart a smooth, silky softness to the touch leaving the skin highly moisturized and richly nourished helping to revitalize the senses with a pleasant scent. Pamela Hines co-pastors with her husband Bishop Darrell Hines at Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Milwaukee, WI. Her grace and message attract women with a variety of racial, economical and social backgrounds. Her aim is to empower women to be all that God has called them to be, focusing on the spirit, soul and body. For interviews and product availability for purchase and resale, contact Christian Faith Fellowship Church at (414) 760-2332 or online at www.pamelahines.org.

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Singles

L ord, why am I still

s i n g l e By Kim Brooks Some single Christians struggle with the fact that they’re still single. No, I’m not talking about when you’re at church, shouting and praising God along with everybody else, and as soon as someone asks you how you’re doing you say, with a wide smile, “Blessed and highly favored and empowered to power!” No, I’m talking about later on that night, when you’re in your house or apartment and you long to hear another voice in the room, so you turn on the T.V. or radio because you want to hear something, anything, besides your own voice speaking to you. I’m talking about as it gets later and later and you check your cell phone to make sure it’s still on and you notice no one has called you all day. I’m talking about when you lay in bed, staring at the wall, wishing that the pillow you grip was a warm body to hold – then you roll over on your back and ask God, “Why, Why, WHY Lord am I still single?” Suddenly

feelings of loneliness overtake you as tears roll down your cheeks as you’ve just accepted the invitation to your very own, first class, pity party. Know this, single believer, God doesn’t like to see you cry. He sent Jesus so that you might have joy, and that your joy might be full. He sees You crying at night, and He longs to hold you in His loving arms and say, “My child, you are not alone. I AM with you. I AM is here. I will never leave You nor forsake you. Am I not enough?” There is nothing wrong with desiring a mate. In fact, Psalm 37:4 lets us know that God gives us the desires of our heart as we delight ourselves in Him. We can stand on this Word; however, God doesn’t want our desire to become a want, or a care. The Lord is our Shepherd; we shall not want. God gives us everything we desire and then some, as He has freely given us all things to enjoy, and everything that pertains to life and godliness. So if you experience nights where you cry yourself to sleep, questioning God, and taking on thoughts such as, “Why am I still single?” “What’s wrong

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with me?” and witness others around you getting married left and right and then you say to yourself, “When is it going to be my turn, Lord?” and “Have you forgotten about me down here, Lord? Hello! I would like to be married and have a family one day, too!” If you consistently struggle with such internal turmoil, then this proves that you have not totally surrendered your desire for a mate over to God. Instead, you have taken on the care, when God admonishes us to cast our cares on Him – Why? - because He truly cares for us. He loves us so much that He wants what’s best for us. He wants us to be happy more than we, ourselves, want to be happy. But He first wants us to be happy in Him. He wants to be the source and center of our joy, not someone else. He wants to bless you with a mate, if you so desire, in His season for your life. He knows what’s best; you just have to trust Him. If we truly ask God to order our steps, not necessarily so we can bump into our mates but so that we can be led by God and fulfill the perfect will of God for our lives, then we have to

trust God that He hears and honors our prayers, and we have to stand in faith on His Word. This is not to suggest that we use this “waiting period” to sit idly by. No, we can use this time to cultivate our relationship with God and pursue the purpose that God has for our lives, and we can develop the fruits of the spirit within us which make us become better, more Spirit-led Christians and not flesh-ruled Christians – fruits of the spirit such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, and we can also use this time to develop ourselves not just spiritually but emotionally, physically, and financially. Instead of focusing so much on what we can get out of a relationship, we can focus on what we could bring to a relationship, in order to be a blessing to that other person. And we can do all these things with joy while enjoying our time with Jesus and our fellowship with Him and other believers who motivate and encourage us to become the best we can be in Christ, while still believing God for a mate, and rejoicing with those who rejoice, such as other brothers and sisters in Christ whom God has blessed with a mate, or as I like to call it, a permanent boo. Now repeat this prayer confession out loud: “Lord, I surrender my desire for a mate to You. I trust that You order my steps, and that the manifestation of my desire will come to pass in Your season for my life, and not according to my calculated timetable. I cast this care on You right now, Lord, because I know that You care for Me, and that You know what’s best for me. I use this time to grow in my relationship with You, seek Your face daily, and practice the presence of God in everything I say and do. I present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto you. I am careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, I let my

requests be made known unto You and You promise that the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. So my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. You are my reward, and in You I live, move, and have my being, and in your presence there is joy, unspeakable joy and full of glory. So I bid goodbye to every pity party in the Name of Jesus. No longer will I take on that care; I will instead speak to my soul and encourage my soul to hope thou in God, and I will stand on your Word and walk by faith and not by sight. More importantly, I desire to do your will and walk in Your purpose and plan for my life, and I will fulfill my destiny in You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!” Scripture References: Mark 11:22 Hebrews 13:5 Psalm 37:4 Romans 12:1 Psalm 23:1 Philippians 4: 6-7 Romans 8:32 1 Peter 5:7 Acts 17:28 Ecclesiastes 3:1 1 John 5:14-15 About the author: Kim Brooks of Detroit, MI is the author of Black Expressions Bestseller, “He’s Fine...But is He Saved?” it’s sequel, “He’s Saved...But is He For Real?” nonfiction debut, “The Little Black Survival Book for Single Saints” and soon-tobe-released dating instruction manual for Christian Singles, “How to Date and Stay Saved” Receive your free gift and sign up for her free monthly eNewsletter for singles, The Single Heart, on www.Kimotheweb.com

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Travel: Live It Up

TO LIVE IT UP means to have an exciting time doing whatever one pleases to.

f you love to travel and explore exciting travel destinations around the world, consider this. You work all year for that one or two weeks off. The family vacation is the only time where you can get away from it all and make memories to treasure forever. Your vacation with your family can only be what you make of it.

ids thrive on variety and we all know that happy children make for happy vacations. This issue’s top picks have a large number of diverse activities available. The following places are practically guaranteed to keep your child entertained and allow time for you to enjoy yourself. Annette’s Top Picks Las Vegas, land of neon lights. Last year, the city drew nearly 30 million visitors of all ages.

Here’s a short list of not-to-be-missed attractions: Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage,

by Annette Jackson

where resides a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins Caesar’s Magical Empire, a multi-chambered entertainment complex with performances by top magicians Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain shows at Caesar’s Palace Live circus acts at Circus Circus Hotel The Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand Hotel Star Trek: The Experience at Las Vegas Hilton The Adventuredome at Circus Circus Guided tours through the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage There are also erupting volcanoes, indoor rainforests and thousands of dancing waterfalls. Late winter/early spring is the time to make your plane reservations for the summer. Call the airline’s frequent flier number and see what’s available. If you’re flexible on dates and times, you may be able to snag frequent flier seats into Las Vegas. You should be able to keep expenses down once you’re there. This is the land of the all-youcan-eat cheap buffets and many of the attractions, lo-

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cated in resort hotels, are free. Just stay away from those slot machines and gambling tables and you should be all set. For tourist information, call (702) 892-0711.

ew York City is my all-time favorite vacation destination. New York is the most happening City of United States attracting tourists from across the world. Being one of the most sought after tourist spots, New York is an ideal place for both family vacation and also romantic retreats. There is so much to do but, The American Museum of Natural History is a great place to start. The attached Rose Center for Earth and Space has an impressive and fascinating array of exhibits. There are always kid-friendly plays on Broadway, but if Broadway is outside of your budget, smaller, more inexpensive theatres abound. Central Park has several playgrounds and lots of space for your children to run off some energy. Other activities include; the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, New York Skyride, Madame Tussaudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Circle Line River Cruise, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Madison Square Garden Tour, NBC Studio Tours, New York Aquarium, Times Square and the famous Apollo Theater. Not to mention, plenty of shopping for moms. This is one of the few places in the U.S. where fresh fruit is available around virtually every corner.

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Health

Putting Yourself First by Yvette Willis, Aesthetician, Ethnic Skin Specialist Clinic of Cosmetic Surgery

Women are born to multi-task. At any given moment, we can transform ourselves from a Chef to an Accountant to a Physician effortlessly all in one day. The problem is that we care so much about others, that we often leave ourselves out of the equation. Evidence of this is alarmingly obvious when we look at the state of women’s personal health care. In the latest health statistics of women’s major health concerns, we see a pattern of growth from the previous year. Why? In one word - “Neglect.” Most women are the primary caregivers of their families and extended families.“ It is a common trend for women to neglect their own needs in order to care for others,” states Dr. Miranda Lawson. “It is not unusual for women to feel selfish when caring for themselves and to feel guilty when they do so” observes Lawson. It is exactly this attitude that has been the cause of increase neglect in women’s health. How can we change? 1. BALANCE YOUR LIFE Superwomen is a myth. For most women, we try so hard to do it all that we forget to make our needs a priority. When you are a caregiver for others you serve as the backbone. A house is only as strong as its foundation. Without balance and structure you can’t be of help to yourself or anyone else. Learn to delegate duties. Get comfortable with asking for help if you need it. Take the time to examine your life and make strategic plans to keep it in order and your personal needs met.

2. BE A CHEERFUL GIVER When you do for everyone else and don’t make time for yourself it builds resentment. Nothing is worse than a caregiver who does so with bitterness and anger. Not taking the time to re charge is the biggest culprit to stealing the joy of giving. Remember there is an honor in doing for others. A positive attitude can move mountains. The best way to keep a positive attitude is to make the time to care for you. It not only benefits you but allows you to care for others joyfully. 3. MANAGE YOUR STRESS Let’s face it; we live in a stressful society. As women and caregivers it is imperative to find a healthy outlet for this stress. We can’t keep running on empty. To do so is a sure prescription for burn out. In order to combat burn out we have to schedule regular ‘me time.’ Anything from exercise to reading a book would qualify as a stress buster. What’s more important than the activity is the regularity. By installing ‘me time in our schedule, we are guarantying a temporary vacation from the craziness of our day to day life. It is in our nature as women to juggle various roles. Hopefully with the information in this article we can finally have the tools to do it effectively without damaging our health.

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Adrian Anderson is a professional make up artist, beauty entrepreneur, motivational/inspirational speaker, artist, educator, businesswoman, singer, songwriter and member of award winning group Trin-i-tee 5:7. She is currently building her own beauty brand. Booking info for Adrian and T57 is Music World Entertainment 713- 772- 5175 or email jennifer.turner@musicworldent.com

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The multi-talented best-selling author, comedian and nationally syndicated radio host Steve Harvey is embarking on yet another mission - The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men. This event was held last year over Father’s Day weekend at his 140-acre ranch in Dallas, Texas. Much-needed guidance and direction was given to 100 disadvantaged African American young men from the ages of 13-18 years old that were flown in from around the country. These young men from homes headed by single mothers were selected to participate in a weekend of mentoring from well-known celebrities, athletes, ministers and business professionals. Along with fun and games, life-skill seminars and workshops are held to uplift and educate the young men, while giving them critical life experiences. “If we create better men, we could fix a lot of things in our community. We’ve got to get more men to step up and show up,” Harvey says. “Sometimes for a child all they need is a glimpse of what it could be like. They just need a snapshot of what life could be for them. All of these kids can be inspired to be something great. The bible says a man without a dream or a vision shall perish. It didn’t say a man that lives in the ‘hood shall perish, or a man who got to go back and face reality shall perish, it said a man without a dream or a vision. We give you a dream, you take that back home and get busy. Are all of these kids going to make it? I certainly hope so.” Harvey’s highly successful career included being one of the Original Kings of Comedy and star of the Steve Harvey Show, which became the WB Network’s top rated television sitcom from 1996 to 2002. Harvey continues with his morning radio show that is broadcasted in over 60 markets around the country. His book “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man” became a New York Times best-seller. In 2010, Steve Harvey is on a mission to raise $1 million to expand his Annual Father’s Day Mentoring Weekend to nine other cities, in addition to mentoring 1,000 boys. Please visit www.SteveHarvey.com to make a donation.

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Fro

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orn Vivian Bowman on October 18th, 1953 in Ecorse, MI, her childhood was filled with church and music. But while singing her first solo in church at eight years old, her parents definitely noticed something special in her. Aaron and Mattie Bowman would have never imagined that their seventh of twelve children, Vickie, would be a Billboard charting gospel icon, successful entrepreneur, Grammy award nominated, Stellar award win-

ning, celebrity spokesperson, television host and comedian! Wow! That’s a mouthful! Even though she sung at church throughout her childhood, her music career officially started when she joined the gospel group Winans II that included Bebe, CeCe, Daniel and Marvin Winans. From the beginning, she was a star attraction. She made her own stage costumes

Her first radio single, “How I Got Over” is Winans’ personal testimony. Taking a line from an old hymn classic favorite, Winans creates a brand new song that celebrates her victories, faith and trust in God. Outside of doing a duet with her son Coconut and ex husband Marvin years ago, she has one on this project with Tye Tribbett that she is extremely excited about. Vickie has served as a celebrity spokesperson for Daimler-Chrysler, Quaker Oats and McDonalds to name a few. She was profiled in Ebony magazine, USA Today, the Associated Press, and Jet magazine including appearances on NBC Today and Oprah. Her profile on BET’s Lift Every Voice remains the most watched episode in that program’s history with over 800,000 viewers. The self managed artist is also a successful business woman who owns a Detroit area jewelry and wig store, Accents by Vickie Winans. Local news reporter Kimberly Hayes Taylor once reported that she is a personable shopkeeper who greets visitors with hugs, kisses and a big warm smile.

and had a personality that mesmerized the audience. This is where she met her first husband, Marvin Winans. After Winans II broke up, Vickie went solo. Marvin and Vickie produced her first cd “Be Encouraged” in 1985. From there on, Vickie starred in numerous hit stage musicals including writing and producing her very own hit play, “Torn Between Two Loves”. Vickie balanced parenting two hit producers and singers with her music career producing #1 hit songs such as “As Long As I Got King Jesus”, “Shake Yourself Loose” and “We Shall Behold Him” to her credit. Her CD “Bringing It All Together” spent 9 weeks at #1 on the Billboard gospel album sales chart in 2003 and a full year in the Top 11. It also won a Grammy nomination and five Stellar awards. Her latest self produced project entitled “How I Got Over” is spinning heavy on gospel radio stations where it hit #20 on the Billboard hot gospel songs chart after only four weeks in release. The CD debuted at #3 on the Billboard gospel album sales chart.

In her early years of business experiences, Vickie was led to take charge of her own career. She was in her mid-30s when she made her first CD, and after a few bad business experiences, she decided to become her own manager and booking agent booking hundreds of shows per year. “I wasn’t able to go to college, so I just asked the Lord to help me learn how to manage and book myself” she says. She started her own company based off of her first name, Viviane, Inc. “My thing is this: You have to pay a booking agent 15 percent, you have to pay a manager 15-20 percent, you’ve got to pay your tithe and that’s another 10 percent--that’s a potential 50 percent,” she says. “I figured out a long time ago that all I have to do is pay my tithe and pick up this telephone. If they’re looking for me, let them call me. And I always call everybody back.” Vickie is known as “the hardest working woman in gospel music” because she’s on the road for 200 plus shows every year, hit album or not. It’s common for her to perform in different cities on the same day while conducting phone interviews and managing her own career by cell phone. “It speaks to the blessings of the Lord, to being touchable, reachable and making sure that people love you and that you love people,” she says. “The Lord has given me the wisdom to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on--to not be uppity or snobbish.” Vickie says she likes to be hands-on, down-to-earth and loving.

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two divorces, illness causing her to loose weight weighing only 99 pounds, and in addition, the loss of her only daughter, Destiny Joy. Her triumphs led to her CD “How I Got Over”. She says “God has been good to me. I give Him all the praise. He’s stayed with me and held me up when I couldn’t hold up myself. There are so many great things happening that I just have to say that it’s because of God that I made it over.” On Vickie’s 2006 CD release, “Woman to Woman: Songs of Life”, she speaks to the issues of pain that women deal with and how to survive the storm’s of life by hosting a 30 song collection that she has been developing for almost a decade. Black Entertainment Television (BET) signed Vickie to host a new family comedy TV series that will began in January of 2010 called, “A Time to Laugh”. Her character is a woman in church doing a full monologue featuring her hilarious comedic talent plus other G-rated comedians and inspirational music.

TRIALS Life hasn’t always been this grand for Vickie. On December 12th, 2006, Vickie’s best friend and mother, Mother Mattie Bowman, suffered a heart attack. Vickie often mentioned her mother throughout her various projects. In her 20th Anniversary release, “Woman to Woman, Song of Life”, she included a picture taken of her and her mother. After a long term relationship with Verity Records, Vickie requested and was granted a release from her recording contract to pursue her own independent venture. She left Verity Records and went through the trials of launching her own record label, Destiny Joy Records. The new label’s name is very personal to Vickie because she became pregnant with a girl after she had her son Marvin Jr. They were planning to name her Destiny Joy Winans. Unfortunately in her fifth month of pregnancy, she miscarried. She kept the name alive not knowing that one day she would start a label named after her. Recently, Destiny Joy Records has received an exclusive distribution deal with Central South Distribution in Nashville, TN. After the divorce of a sixteen year marriage to gospel artist Marvin Winans, Vickie began to eat excessively and gained a lot of weight. The stress of the divorce caused her to develop ulcers on her esophagus as well as the development of diabetes.

TRIUMPHS A producer, director, songwriter, actress and comedienne, Vickie Winans does everything in excellence. She has no doubt that she’s a blessed woman and she’s eager to share her life’s experiences with everyone she comes into contact with. “Although I’ve had my share of heartaches, pain and sickness over the years, I know that God has blessed me and given me great favor. It’s because of Him that I have a fantastic family, great friends and a rewarding career”, quotes Vicky. “I’ve got this little energy, something inside me that just constantly wants to keep on pleasing Him. I never ever stop. It will be 25 years soon and I just don’t stop. I never stop. I just keep going and going and I want to get better and better. I don’t have to be super, super, super mega famous but I just want to be consistent. And that’s what I had planned out to be and that’s where God has placed me and I’m so eternally grateful for that. Just be consistent.” Vickie is now happily married proving to women with similar stories that there is yet true love to be found and not to give up hope. In 2011, she will be celebrating 25 years in the music industry and she continues to remain one of gospel music’s top 10 artists. Vickie Winans…Masterpiece Magazine salutes you for being an inspiration for other individuals with similar trials as yours proving that there is yet light at the end of the tunnel even when you don’t see a sparkle.

Behind that beautiful smile, Vickie has shed plenty of tears. The loss of both parents and relatives,

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Family Is Important. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we are looking for writers in our family department. If you are interested in writing about family, drop us an email at Editorial@MasterpieceEnt.com We look forward to hearing from you! www.masterpieceent.com

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