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Forgiveness Social Media (Dis)Connections Depression & Anxiety Read about these topics and more!

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OUR MISSION... Welcome. Music Kingdom Radio is a multi-cultural lifestyles-based live stream radio production, podcast and magazine featuring current news and interviews with artists, authors, and health experts, along with music (old and new), musical reviews, and live music. Our mission is to educate and support people about health and wellness issues through the lens of current news topics while staying neutral, providing people from different walks of life a place to share their views of love, respect, strength, positive change and hope - something this world needs more of. I so believe the following to be true: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence Second Continental Congress Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MKR helps to heal and shine a light of love and respect of others’ opinions and creativity. I feel we can accomplish this by talking with each other, instead of about each other, by talking to our fellow human beings and not at them. Everyone has an opinion and has the right to speak it and open a discussion.

Music Kingdom Radio LLC 570-807-1080 5677 Route 115 #563 Blakeslee, PA. 18610 info@musickingdomradio.com FB@MusicKingdomRadio TW@MusicKingdomRadio musickingdomradio.com OWNER, FOUNDER, VP John Hollis Sr. OWNER/MKR PRINTER Keith McManus OWNER/CO-FOUNDER Gail Mowry LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS Philip Salvagni CONTRIBUTORS Rev. Steven Grey Rev. Lyle Fried Author Jack Kelly

I hope you enjoy our multi-media approach and feel free to engage in a friendly way. John Hollis Founder - Music Kingdom Radio

Radio Station Sponsorship Opportunities Available CONTACT

Email: info@musickingdomradio.com Phone: 570-807-1080 Web: musickingdomradio.com MKR Magazine June 2021 3

Contents Five Loaf House..................................7 Spotlight: Marjy Stagmeier..................8 Forgiveness......................................10 Depression & Anxiety........................11 Why Are We Here?.............................12 Social Media (Dis)Connections...........15 Directory...........................................16 Events...............................................16 Media Kit..........................................17

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Five Loaf House

uilt in 1918, Five Loaf House has served food to the Pocono Pines community under many names through the years: the Lakeside House, the Knottle Hottle Inn, and the Lake House. Though these restaurants were often very popular and well-loved by the community, the Lake House unfortunately closed around 2009 and the property was put up for sale. With the economic downturn, the people of Pocono Lake Wesleyan Church became increasingly aware of the needs around them. After receiving several requests by local families in need of housing and not having a way to help them, the church began looking for creative ways to engage these needs. Around the same time, it became clear that the Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Council’s food pantry would need a new home. Again, no realistic options presented themselves. Finally, on February 22nd, 2013, the people of Pocono Lake Wesleyan purchased what had been the Lake House. With the generous assistance of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity and the support of the churches of the ecumenical council (Blakeslee United Methodist, Faith Lutheran, Pocono Lake United Methodist, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and Salem United Church of Christ), the abandoned restaurant began its transformation into what we hope will be a place of transformation for many people and families.

Five Loaf House needs your support! We depend on generous people like yourselves to keep the doors open. Financial gifts may be given to the Five Loaf House. Since our goal is to invest in our community, we encourage members of other churches to give their tithe to their home church before prayerfully considering a gift to Five Loaf House. Five Loaf House is a 501(c)3 organization and your donations are tax deductible. Checks or Money Orders made out to Five Loaf House can be sent to: Five Loaf House c/o Pocono Lake Wesleyan Church 203 Spur Rd. Pocono Lake, PA 18347 The Top of the Mountain Ecumenical Food Pantry is now located at Five Loaf House, and so we can now accept food donations inside the building Monday through Wednesday from 9 am to 11 am. Food donations can also be taken to any of the congregations in the ecumenical council (Blakeslee United Methodist, Faith Lutheran, Iglesia Gran Comision, Pocono Lake United Methodist, Pocono Lake Wesleyan, St. Maximilian Kolbe, or Salem United Church of Christ). Please do not leave donations outside any of these locations, we have bears in the Poconos! MKR Magazine June 2021 7

Spotlight: Marjy Stagmeier

hen Marjy Stagmeier was 11 years old, she was the Monopoly champion of her 6th grade class in Atlanta Georgia—and she knew right then that she wanted to be landlord when she grew up—and what a compassionate landlord she became.

of the Pulitzer Prize winning book Evicted— opened her eyes: Even with her rents below market, some of the tenants struggled to pay rent, so she began to build an informal resource network for families to get rental assistance.

After graduating from Georgia State University, she started investing in old affordable apartment communities and quickly realized that many of her renter families were low-income single parents who needed services like after-school programs and playgrounds for their communities. In response to the demand for social services, Marjy launched her own 501c3 nonprofit that provides free on-site services to families living in affordable apartments communities—and Star-C has since become a Godsend for families.

After COVID-19 struck in March 2020, many of Marjy’s tenants were laid off from their jobs or had to manage multiple children that were suddenly at home during the day, which made the need even greater.

“Many children have come through the Star-C after-school program, who are now doctors, plumbers, and school-teachers, earning good wages that moved them out of poverty,” she told GNN. “Almost 100 families have elevated from renting to home ownership because we kept rents low so families can save their money.” A chance meeting in 2017 with Bill and Melinda Gates—and Mathew Desmond, author 8 MKR Magazine June 2021

So, in April, Star-C launched an ambitious $50,000 GoFundMe campaign for eviction relief—and the response completely shocked Marjy—when they raised nearly $50,000. Adding icing to the cake, the local municipal government of Cobb County found out about the Star-C Eviction Relief Fund and quickly voted to donate $1.5 million of their federal stimulus funding. Other municipalities, like Fulton County, followed, and Star-C has now raised over $9 million from governments and foundations, giving the ability to help over 3,000 families avoid eviction. Marjy’s staff has spoken personally with thousands of Atlanta families through their hotline, and has, so far, partnered with over

330 landlords representing 65,000 apartment units. “The eviction relief fund works with landlords who offer affordable rents for low-income families,” says Marjy. “Our landlords know their neediest tenants and assists them with their applications.” The Star-C program has been a game-changer not only for tenants but landlords who have struggled as well.

Janice Abrams Cries when she finds out she’s getting financial help

“So many of our tenants and landlords are simply grateful. Our Star-C staff often receives thank you notes and calls from families who have now found work and can pay their rent.” And more good news came with the 2021 federal relief package, which has provided another $4.1 million so they can give even more assistance.

“If tenants and their children are stable in their community, it is a win-win for everyone, including the tenant, child, landlord, and local school.” You find out more and even sign up to volunteer by visiting www.star-c.org/eviction-relief.

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Forgiveness By Keith Bayard

orgiveness is a big part of my life these days. I need forgiveness so I try to give it freely. In a prayer I say often, I ask to be forgiven as I forgive. I try to remember I’m asking my Creator to act in this manner. It’s a choice. Certainly not perfect at this, but I am willing to try. I sometimes forget to forgive someone. This person is of the utmost importance in my life. It is imperative that I do so. That person is me.

When I turned my will and life over to God”s care in a third step, I agreed to try and live His way. If my Higher Power has forgiven me, it is His will I forgive myself. When I go back to these times, I try to also forgive myself. I love and accept this scared, imperfect human just as I accept others who have wronged me. I believe this process is starting to heal the way I think today. None of this would be happening if I hadn’t admitted the need for God to run my life, asked Him to and cleaned out the pipeline to God”s grace, or power if you prefer. Taking steps four through nine accomplished this. Learning to love myself is as much a miracle as my sobriety. Maybe today is a good time to forgive yourself. Give yourself a break. God always has and He always will.

I was a mischievous child. Full of life, seeking adventure, but knowing little of boundaries. I was definitely a risk taker. Sometimes people would say judgmental things to me. Occasionally what they said bordered on cruelty. I especially took this to heart if the negative comments were made by someone in authority over me. As I went through the journey of life, I can see how my behavior changed for the worst. I realized how negative input had an effect on me. I’m in no way blaming others for my behavior. I believe I had the ability to block the things I let into my mind, even as a child.

Peace, Keith Bayard

When I think of these situations, I try to get back to that place and time. I do this in my mind. I realize we all say things we wish we could take back. I forgive them. I pray the Creator’s blessing on them. I ask my Higher Power to help me love them, just as He loves me. Then I do one more act. I forgive myself. I realize I was doing the best I could at that time. Once again I am not excusing my poor decisions or bad behavior. I’m only practicing the love and acceptance my Creator shows me. There was never a time when God left me. No matter what I did, He never deserted me. I was trying to run from Him, not the other way around. 10 MKR Magazine June 2021

Depression & Anxiety By Leah Gastanaga

epression and anxiety can have a chicken and egg cycle, and the same parallel to addiction and depression or addiction and anxiety, or addiction and anxiety and depression. Often having either depression or anxiety or both can go hand in hand. 85% of people with depression are also diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. More than half of all people entering treatment centers suffer from depression or other mental disorders. In active addiction, many self-medicate to combat depression or anxiety. Many also abuse drugs and/or alcohol instead of taking prescribed antidepressants. In the process, they are altering the brain’s chemistry and depleting it of certain necessary neurotransmitters that create the addiction cycle and make it difficult for the user to quit. In recovery, we learn to deal with life “on life’s terms,” however if one is suffering from depression and/or anxiety, life’s terms can be difficult to understand at best. Often, many think once they get clean or sober, their depression and/or anxiety disorders will resolve themselves, however this is not always the case. Sometimes things get much worse before they get better.

esteem.” Helping others is a great way to be productive and by helping others, you are of course, helping yourself. Relaxation techniques such as breathing therapies and exercise such as yoga are often helpful for many. Working out and making sure your nutrition is balanced and that you have proper rest may sound basic, but are parts of the foundation to a healthy mind and body. Depression and anxiety can be episodic or chronic. Sadly, many undiagnosed people with mental disorders are addicts and many addicts have treatable disorders. The gift of recovery gives us clarity to approach treating either issue and having a happier, productive life. It is important to utilize all resources, including outside help and program support. Remember that you are not alone and how far you have come!

It is best to seek professional help like that of a medical doctor, licensed counselor, social worker or therapist to assess you if you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from depression or anxiety. Do not be afraid to seek medical or outside help, as sometimes it is necessary and it can save your life. Your sponsor is a key part of your recovery and therefore should be aware of any mental issues such as depression and anxiety. Sharing this with a trusted sponsor is important and will only help you and your Recovery. Seek out a positive peer group and surround yourself with positive people who are healthy and of sound mind. In addition, make sure you are attending meetings and that your program is solid. As my sponsor says, “If you want good self esteem, do things that are of great MKR Magazine June 2021 11

Why Are We Here? By Rev. Stephen Gray

hy are you here? What is your life’s purpose? Some people think we all have one great purpose in life. What’s your purpose the day after that event is over? There once was a man named Solomon. He was a philosopher and seeker of truth. He wrote a book called Ecclesiastes. In it he addresses that very question. He looks at many different things to find what life’s purpose is. He pursues pleasure, wisdom, work, self-improvement and wealth. But in each situation he realizes they are ultimately meaningless. He finally comes to this: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”1 One of those primary commandments is “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.”2 Have you ever seen what happens when we don’t focus on God and others but focus on ourselves? Every evil that contaminates human society comes from our selfish self-focus. Why do people murder others? Why is there human trafficking? What is the force behind alcoholism, drug abuse, greed, affairs and cruelty? What motivates wars, bad governments, and keeps people in poverty? Humanity is at its worst when it is trying to serve ourselves and not others. 12 MKR Magazine June 2021

We are at our best when we put others first. Think of all the great centers of learning we have built to help others. All the hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities that are helping others. All the medical research that has cost trillions of dollars to find cures for others. But what about you? What can you do? Think how you can encourage someone by just stopping by for a visit. How you can help someone by simply carrying a sack of groceries or something. There are so many simple acts of kindness we can do each day. And there are so many larger things we can do. Have you ever thought about a need in your community, and how you can marshal others to help with that need? We are at our best when our eyes are not on ourselves but when we are helping others. Are you struggling with your purpose in life? Send me an email at segray3@aol.com and I will be happy to help you find ways that you can love others. It is so much more fulfilling and encouraging that anything you do for yourself. 1 Ecclesiastes 12:13 2 Matthew 22:35-40

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Social Media (Dis)Connections... By Lyle R. Fried

omeone asked me recently what I thought was behind the abusive language we see on social media. While the complete answer is more complicated than we have time for here, there is one aspect I want to share today. The disconnect of social media has depersonalized our conversations. The same thing happens on our roadways. Imagine I am on my way to church to deliver a message of hope and love, but I am running late. There is a car in front of me that missed the green light twice and then when they do move, they move VERY SLOWLY. I become irritated, wave unseemly hand gestures and say (or yell) things they (thankfully) cannot hear, things that are not fitting with the message I am now going to be late to deliver. So, at my first chance I zip around this person and rush on to the next red light. A few turns later I am pulling into the church parking lot. As I get out of my car, I see the annoying driver pulling in. To my embarrassment it is sweet old Mrs. Johnson who always sits in the front row. She’s 88, and hard of hearing and sits up close to hear the message. And she always greets me afterward to tell me how much she appreciated the message. My heart sinks as I realize who I was projecting my anger toward. If I had known it was Mrs. Johnson, I would not have been so upset with her driving. What happened? I had deper-

sonalized the driver and was essentially yelling at a car. I didn’t see the person inside. That’s what we do on our roadways, and with online conversations as well. We depersonalize them, then we demonize them. We speak (or write) to people online very differently than we would in person - at least I hope it is different for you in person. Pretend the person you are engaging with online is a real, living, breathing person right in front of you. Pretend they are Mrs. Johnson, who has a heart of gold, even if they are sometimes misdirected or confused. I guarantee you will find your message is better received and your life will have more peace and joy. This isn’t an original thought. Blaise Pascal said, “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” Proverbs 11:17 tells us, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.” Try it and let us know how your world changes. Recovery Church Pastor, Missionary, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder professional with special programs for Veterans & 1st Responders (VA contracted facilities).

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