Grace Point! March 2016

Volume 2 ~Issue 3

March 2016 eMagazine of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

Introducing

Pastors Michael and Barbara Fisher, and their multi-faceted ministry.

Table of Contents 3~Notes from Rebecca 4~PrayerWorks 5~Restoration & Renewal 6-7~VerseWorks by Jaime Dills 8-9~ScrollWorks 10-15~Commissioned/Pastors Michael & Barbara Fisher 16-17~FruitWorks 18-19~Namesakes 20-23~VoiceWorks by Juvena McMahan 24-25~StoryWorks 26-27~JourneyWorks by Rebecca Matthews 28-29~ImageWorks 30-31~Seller of Purple Prayer Journals 32~Seller of Purple Tote Bags 33~Seller of Purple T-shirts Back Cover~Subscribe to Grace Point!

2

Hello to all readers!

First, I want to thank you for clicking on the link that brought you to this magazine.

Notes from

Rebecca

New this issue: I want to thank Pastors Michael and barbara Fisher for being a part of this publication, and for being such a personal blessing to us, and for they work they are doing in the communities that need it the most.

Our goal is to be the bridge for people to cross to when desiring to know more about Scripture from the Hebrew perspective, and how it comes alive when studying the language God used to write it. The purpose of this magazine is for help, hope and encouragement toward our fellow man. It is about promoting Godly endeavors and Godly results. It is not about judgment, or whether our beliefs are the same or not. The Adversary is about division and subtraction; God is about multiplication and addition. We are our brother’s keeper!

Our prayer is that there will be a blessing for each reader among these pages. G-d bless each and every one! Shalom.

Sincerely, Rebecca Matthews Founder, administrator, and ordained minister at Philippi Prospect Ministries Founder, senior editor, writer, publisher of Grace Point! eMagazine Photographer at peinture proximité Artist and curator at atelier de peinture proximité (The opinions and/or beliefs expressed in this magazine by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions and/or beliefs of James and Rebecca Matthews, founders of Philippi Prospect Ministries, and Grace Point! eMagazine.)

3

4

A Journey to

As the name of this newsletter says, the focus here is restoring our views, perceptions and actions, so that we can function in the world around us.

A lot of times guilt, shame and regret ride on our shoulders like the proverbial monkey, hanging on for dear life.

Sometimes, we need to just go outside, give ourselves a good shake, releasing the grip of those feelings.

When our nerves are ragged, and everything is a chore, we need to break fee, if only for a few moments.

We should find a quiet place, and commune with God, finding beauty in our surroundings.

If we can’t go outside and have a good long walk to clear our head, a pair of earbuds with some favorite music, turned up loud, can soothe us until we get past the gyration in our brains. This is what works for me.

The one thing we can’t do is go on pretending that nothing is wrong. That doesn’t do anyone any good. Let it go. Scream, bang our fist on the wall, or cry, whatever is needed to make it let go. In the end, the Lord is there to pick up the pieces, and make us whole again.

When it is over, we can raise our hands to heaven, and thank God for bringing us this far.

We can face the boss, job, coworker, family member, or hopeless situation, with a new reservation to make it through.

The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us, and have us speak out when necessary, and have us keep quiet when our flesh wants to erupt.

Sometimes we must fall down on our knees, so that God can raise us up on our feet, to stand solid on Him. a publication of Ruth Ministries-The Virtuous Woman,TM a woman's restoration ministry/a segment of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

TM

6

VerseWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

Sometimes in life we may not understand, But please realize it is all in God’s hands.

You may find yourself asking why, When you lie awake at night and cry.

Keep your faith strong in the Lord above, And never underestimate his eternal love.

Just stay in it until the race is run, And you go home to be with God’s son.

___

by Jaime Dills 7

TM

He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." __

Revelation 1:5

8

ScrollWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

Focusing on those that have been called to go out and minister to the world.

Pastor and Co-Pastor Michael and Barbara Fisher are native to the area of Greenville and Spartanburg in South Carolina.

Being faithful to the calling of God upon their lives, they worked faithfully in The Promised Land Ministry under the covering and guidance of Apostle Tommy Quick, a mighty man of God. While already ministering in local prisons and fulfilling a pastoral roles in other positions under Apostle Quick, in 2008, Pastor Michael heeded the call of God to move to Greenwood, South Carolina, to begin a ministry called “A Place of New Opportunity.” This would be a place where men and women could experience the move of God, accept life's challenges, and learn to live and walk by faith.

As God was working out the details in this new direction, Co-Pastor Barbara was working diligently in the benevolence ministry, visiting the sick in hospitals, and extending God’s comfort to families in bereavement. Both Pastor Michael and Co-Pastor Barbara had lost their spouses to disease and illness, and had previously worked independent of one another under Apostle Quick. But, God saw fit to bring them together as husband and wife in 2009, to accomplish and execute the calling to Greenwood.

The meetings began in a local hotel, and consisted of two dedicated members: Brother Anthony Fisher and Sister Marie Morton. They still serve faithfully in the ministry, among others that God has drawn into the church family. After outgrowing the motel room, they moved the ministry into a building on Montague Avenue, and remained there until less than to months ago. The Lord has blessed them exceedingly with a building on South Main Street, in the

10

heart of town where the need is the greatest. What started out as the empty shell of previous unsuccessful businesses, God has now turned into a jewel that offers the gospel to all those that would venture in. The building has gone through various stages of transformation over the past few weeks, and already it is showing that it is a blessing to the community.

The front of the new building.

The front of the new building.

The sanctuary before the carpet was installed.

The pastor’s office during construction and part of the new dining room.

The sanctuary after the carpet was installed.

11

Minister Windell Davis

Deacon Ricky Davis

Sunday School Teacher Praise Team

Acoustics Administrator

Melvin and Wilma Boyd Ushers/Greeters Melvin Boyd Building Superintendent

12

Lisa Wilson Sunday School Secretary Praise Team

Minister Patricia Jackson Sunday School Teacher

Marie Morton Kitchen Service Coordinator

Co-Pastor Barbara Fisher LaToya Glenn, Assistant

This is just a few of the many talented and gifted people at the Place of New Opportunity Church.

Not pictured: Judy Wiggins, Praise Team Mother Duncan, Mother of the Church Anthony Fisher, first male member, continues to serve as greeter and supporter of the work of ministry

13

Pastor Michael has been ministering in various prisons and local jails throughout the state of South Carolina for the past eighteen years, and he and Co-Pastor Barbara have expanded their ministry to include nursing homes and adult daycares, which they have been conducting for seven years now. Also included is two radio broadcasts, and and several other outreach ministries.

On March 20, the church will be celebrating its eighth anniversary with a special service and special guest speaker, Apostle Tommy Quick.

After feeding the flock with the Word, Pastor Michael participates in the first meal served in the dining area. Hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, french fries and crackers with homemade dip were the staples on the menu. All who ate got their fill. A special thanks to all who took part to make this first meal a great success.

While some remained to eat in the dining room, others took a to-go plate, to enjoy the buffet when they arrived home.

13

17

TM

a closer look at the fruits of the Spirit

In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given a list of the fruits of the Spirit. They are the guidelines to which we conduct ourselves in our daily walk. These are nine different aspects of Godliness that we must adhere to in order to live to our fullest spiritual potential. They vary slightly, depending on the translation, but the foundational fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

While at first glance, these all look the same, a closer look reveals small differences in their meanings, which translates to differences in their application and implementation. This article is meant to shed light on each of these nine characteristics of holiness, to explore their nuances and minute differences. Renewal falls under the category of peace.

Renewal What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to a fresh start, a do-over, or repeating a cycle. But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?

The dictionary describes renewal in the following way: 1.

2.

the act of renewing the state of being renewed

Renewing is described as: 1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc. to resume 2. to make effective for an additional period 3. to restore or replenish 4. to make, say, or do again 5. to revive; reestablish 6. to recover (youth, strength, etc.)

7. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again 8. to begin again; recommence 9. to renew a lease, note, etc Renewed is described as 1. to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again

28

The following are just a few of the Scriptural references to renewal that we should strive to live by:

In Psalm 51:10, David cries out to God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” This is reference to when Nathan the prophet came to David, pointing out his wrong in having the husband of Bathsheba murdered to cover up the fact that he had impregnated her in an adulterous circumstance. We all mess up; we all have done something we regret. This is the cry for forgiveness in the utmost.

Isaiah 40:31 holds a great promise to us; especially those who are, or have been, on the frontlines of the spiritual battle between God’s good, and the evil that constantly tries to prevail. But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.

Romans 2:1-2 probably holds the best example of renewal, because it a necessary part of living a holy and righteous life before God. Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Without the renewing of our minds, then the old man is still in existence, and we have not become a new creature in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Titus 3:4-5 explains how that it is the Holy Spirit that renews us, and reminds us that it has not come because of our merit, but because of His love toward us. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

dictionary credit

Dan Judge

Our names are more than just what we are called.

God gave names, or changed names, in Scripture, in the lives of those whose names were changed. Do up to the character of that name? Or, do you feel

Hebrew Transliteration: Dan Hebrew Spelling: ‫דָּ ן‬ Anyone with the name “Dan” can look very much like his namesake in Scripture. Here are a few examples of the characteristics of the name.

Genesis 30:6 Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son." Therefore called she his name Dan. Rachel had given her handmaid to Jacob so that she could bear Jacob a son through a third party. She indicates that God has seen her plight, and judged her righteously, and rewarded her with a son. His name was only the representation of the judgment that God passed, but how many people that take the name of “judge” and think that it allows them the authority to judge others.

18

They can reveal a lot about our character. When it signified that a change was about to take place you have a Scripture-based name? Are you living a name-change is in order?

Genesis 49:16-17 Dan will judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a serpent in the way, an adder in the path, that bites the horse's heels, so that his rider falls backward.

When Jacob blesses his sons, the tribe of Dan is given the responsibility of acting as judge over the remainder of Israel. The verbiage used to describe this responsibility suggests that the judgment would be severe and precise.

Numbers 10:25 The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to their armies.

The “standard” is a flag or banner, and the tribe of Dan was chosen to carry it. And, they also formed the rear protection of the whole of the people. A modern-day “Dan” will also be a banner-carrier (for Yeshua HaMashiach) and one who protects a lot of people.

Deuteronomy 33:22 Of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's cub that leaps out of Bashan."

This is the blessing from Moses upon the tribe of Dan. The literal meaning was the foretelling of the judges that would come out of the tribe, to rule and judge the nation of Israel and, while still in their youth, Bashan would be where they learned “how” to judge. For anyone who carries the name, and therefore, the characteristic, of “Dan,” God will create a place, a circumstance, and a reason for his calling and existence. That person will carry out the characteristics of the name through their actions toward others.

19

by the word of our testimony

Rev.12:11

TM

What is domestic violence?

According to the Office on Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice, domestic violence is “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain control or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” The emphasis is on “intimate partner.” This usually means a husband, common law partner, or boyfriend. However, there are other forms of domestic violence. For example, the local women’s shelter received requests from women and adolescent girls who had been abused and/ or displaced by a parent, grandparent, brother or sister, friend, or brother- or sister-inlaw who lived in the same household. These females (and sometimes their children as well) were homeless simply because someone they trusted forced them out onto the street after an argument, usually for very petty reasons. However, although the same information may apply to all close social and familial relationships, since the information I shared with you last month fit the same category, this research and the scope of this article will focus on the most intimate relationship between a man and a woman ---that of a husband and wife. Abuse, then, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “is a repetitive pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over an intimate partner.”

What are the general categories of abuse in domestic violence?

According to the Department of Justice1, there are five general categories of abuse in domestic violence. The following list appears on the website: Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc are types of physical abuse. This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her.

Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.

Emotional Abuse: Undermining an individual's sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children.

Economic Abuse: Is defined as making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.

Psychological Abuse: Elements of psychological abuse include - but are not limited to causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

38

VoiceWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

What does the National Hotline add to the list?

Domestic

Violence

In addition to the list found at the USDOJ website, the Hotline also includes the following forms of physical abuse: forbidding you from eating or sleeping, throwing objects, punching walls, kicking doors, trapping you in your home or keeping you from leaving, preventing you from calling the police or seeking medical attention, Abandoning you in unfamiliar places, and driving recklessly or dangerously when you are in the car.

Additional forms of emotional abuse, according to the Hotline, are: blaming you for the abuse, attempting to control your appearance, telling you that you’ll never find anyone better or you are lucky to have him, and gaslighting.

(Gaslighting, or gas-lighting, is a form of mental abuse in which information is twisted, spun, selectively omitted to favor the abuser, or false information is presented with the intent of making victims doubt their own memory, perception, and sanity.)

The Hotline also adds a special category of abuse: spiritual or religious abuse. According to the Hotline, spiritual abuse occurs when an abuser: •ridicules or insults the other person’s religious or spiritual beliefs •prevents the other partner from practicing their religious or spiritual beliefs •uses their partner’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate or shame them •forces the children to be raised in a faith that the other partner has not agreed to •uses religious texts or beliefs to minimize or rationalize abusive behaviors (such as physical, financial, emotional or sexual abuse/marital rape)

What are the warning signs of abuse in my marriage?

According to the Hotline, these are some of the warning signs of abuse: •telling you that you can never do anything right •showing jealousy of your friends and time spent away •keeping you or discouraging you from seeing friends or family members •embarrassing or shaming you with put-downs •controlling every penny spent in the household •taking your money or refusing to give you money for expenses •looking at you or acting in ways that scare you •controlling who you see, where you go, or what you do •preventing you from making your own decisions •telling you that you are a bad parent or threatening to harm or take away your children •preventing you from working or attending school •destroying your property or threatening to hurt or kill your pets •intimidating you with guns, knives or other weapons •pressuring you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with •pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol

In other words, if there is behavior that harms you physically or sexually, causes you fear for your safety or your sanity, compels you to think, feel, say, or do anything against your will, or prohibits you from doing what you want, then it may be time to contact someone to talk about domestic violence.

What if my experience does not directly fit anything I’ve read in these general categories?

Some forms of domestic violence are more obvious than others, including to outsiders, but most abusive behaviors are more subtle and leave invisible scars. You also may not see a direct match to any of the warning signs, but your experience may be more of a variation of a general category. For instance, I experienced economic abuse, but I was not forbidden to go to school or to work. bInstead, in my case, I was pressured to go to school and get a job to earn a degree in order to earn a certain amount of annual income so that all of the economic pressure would be on me. I actually earned a BA degree in English and held a professional job for years, but rather than decreasing, the abuse increased because my success was resented, and I was expected to meet unrealistic demands at home AND earn as much money as I could in the workforce at the same time.

Where do I get more information on domestic violence?

If you think you are experiencing domestic violence, the websites below are good places to start. You will be able to find additional information, as well as find a number to call for help. www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined http://www.thehotline.org/2014/05/what-is-gaslighting/ www.thehotline.org/2015/11/what-is-spiritual-abuse www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/

36

by

Juvena McMahan

TM

John got a new car from his brother as a birthday present. A few days later, as John came out of his office, he saw a young boy walking around the shiny new car, admiring it.

“Is this your car?” he asked.

John nodded, “My brother gave it to me for my birthday.”

The boy was astounded.

“You mean your brother gave it to you, and it didn’t cost you anything? Boy, I wish…”

His voice trailed off into silence.

John knew what the boy was going to wish for; he was going to wish he had a brother like his own brother. But, what the young boy said shook John all the way down to his heels.

“I wish,” the boy went on, “that I could be a brother like that.”

John looked at the boy in astonishment, and then impulsively added, “Would you like to take a ride in my car?”

“Oh yes, I’d love that.”

32

StoryWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow,

said,

“Would

you

mind driving in front of my house?”

John

smiled

a

little.

He

thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile.

But John was wrong again.

“Will you stop where those two steps are?”

He ran up the steps. Then, a few minutes later, John heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little brother, whose little legs were obviously crippled so that he could not walk. He sat him down on the bottom step and hugged his little brother up to him and pointed to the car.

“There he is. Like I told you upstairs, his brother gave it to him, and it didn’t cost him a penny.

Someday, I’m going to give you one just like it, then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the shop windows that I’ve been telling you about.”

John got out and lifted the crippled boy to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable ride.

Moral: We are our brother’s keeper.

21

Running For My Life

When I was around 8 years old, my mom cleaned for Jamie Clarke, former US Congressman (now deceased) from Fairview NC, who had property a few miles from our house. On this property was a clubhouse, a somewhat dilapidated, plank-sided house full of bunk beds and cubby holes. The Clarke's would bring some of their horses for the guests to ride and to graze the pasture there during the summers.

There were four horses that I remember distinctly: Pete, a brown Tennessee Walker; David, a black quarter horse; Holey Smoke-the most gentle and eveyone's favorite-a brown and white Appaloosa. Then there was Young-un, a giant white mare, several hands taller than her male counterparts. I was warned not to get anywhere around her at any time; no exceptions. She would bite, kick, or stomp any human female that got too close to her. She had been severely mistreated by the woman who formerly owned her. The Clarke's had had her only a few months, and was trying to undo the damage.

26

That summer, there was a visitor from Samoa, named Ossi.

He could have passed for the brother of Freddie Fender, a country singer popular back then, in the mid-70's.

One of the times my mom was there cleaning, I was out back, looking out through the pasture. Loving flowers even way back then, I spied some purple blooms not too far away. Scanning the field, I saw all the horses all the way at the other end, almost out of sight behind some tall white pines. Climbing over the gate, I thought I could sneak over, check out the blooms, and get back to the gate unnoticed. Oh, how wrong was I! I was hurrying along the fence, when I heard hooves beating down behind me. I looked back to see a white giant barreling down on me, mane flying and nostrils flared. I began to run as fast as my 8 year old legs would carry me.

As I began to run, I heard a voice call out, and looking down the fence line to the gate I saw Ossi, perched on the gate, leaning over motioning me to come to him, his arm waving in the air. The closer I got to the gate, the closer the horse got to me. I could hear her snorting and feel her hot breath on my back. I didn't slow down, and as I passed by, Ossi reached out and grabbed me by my shirt and hauled me over the gate in one swift motion. Where my feet left the ground was where Young-un planted hers in her next step. Ossi had literally saved me while I was running for my life.

Back then, I was running from the danger I had gotten myself into. Now, I do a different kind of 'running for my life.'

Therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

photo courtesy of Gene Pugh via Flickr/ License

27

TM

44

ImageWorks TM is a trademark of Philippi Prospect Ministries TM

What does this picture say to you?

Do you stand out in the crowd?

Do you shine bright monochrome world?

in

a

Are you in the world, but not of the world?

Do you renew your mind daily with pure thoughts?

Do you look out-of-place in your environment?

For those of us that have had a checkered past, for God to clean us up and put us into a clean, healthy environment can be considered a miracle. He promises to take us back to our youth, when we were innocent of the dirty world we came to know; some of us far too soon.

Don’t be afraid to stand out as a new creature in Yeshua. Our acceptance of him rights the wrongs and breaks the curses.

45

Seller of Purple eStore of Philippi Prospect Ministries

each image is available on:

phone cases prints cards posters pillows tote bags pouches laptop skins laptop sleeves mugs travel mugs leggings pencil skirts scarves tablet cases tablet skins drawstring bags spiral notebooks more of my product art at RedBubble

30

Seller of Purple eStore of Philippi Prospect Ministries

each image is available on:

phone cases prints cards posters pillows tote bags pouches laptop skins laptop sleeves mugs travel mugs leggings pencil skirts scarves tablet cases tablet skins drawstring bags spiral notebooks more of my product art at RedBubble

31

Seller of Purple eStore of Philippi Prospect Ministries

32

Seller of Purple eStore of Philippi Prospect Ministries

more of my product art at Spreadshirt

33