PROMOTING
PURPOSE LET US PROMOTE
YOUR
PURPOSE IN 2015
SPRING CLEANING; SPIRITUAL DETOXING
THE BEST IS YET
SPRING 2015
TO COME DESIGNS, LLC How Marianna Vecchio Zimmerman Brings Life To Every Room She Touches
HOW TO HAVE
A BETTER
REANN RING
PRAYER LIFE
DISCOVERING YOUR
EDDIE JOHNSON
PURPOSE! 6 QUESTIONS TO HELP DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE
PLUS: Gospel Artist Wura Grant, Kevin Zimmerman & More…
HOW TO STOP BEING YOUR BIGGEST
ENEMY
THE DECLUTTER: SPIRITUAL CLEANING ISSUE! ,
DENISE CHATMAN
PROMOTING IN US… PURPOSE! WHAT GOD HAS SALREADY PRING 2015 PLACED | PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM 1
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NEW FROM PROMOTING PURPOSE ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO FLOURISH & EMPOWER OTHERS
PROMOTING PURPOSE
WOMEN
Sherrell Straker-‐Valdezloqui Editor-‐In-‐Chief
Subscribe to Promoting Purpose Women Magazine Today!
PROMOTING PURPOSE
WOMEN
ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO FLOURISH & EMPOWER OTHERS
PROMOTING PURPOSE WOMEN Visit us at: www.promotingpurposewomen.com SPRING 2015 | PROMOTINGPURPOSE.COM
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CONTENTS
Spring 2015 DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN 2015! HOW TO HAVE A BETTER PRAYER LIFE
DISCOVERING YOUR PURRPOSE
6 QUESTIONS TO HELP DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE
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HE LIVES 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come; see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7 ESV
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PROMOTING
PURPOSE UNITED STATES Promoting Purpose Publications promotingpurposemagazine@gmail.com www.promotingpurpose.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui
HAPPY SPRING!
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Felix R. Valdezloqui CONTENT EDITOR Tiff’s Editing Café GRAPHIC DESIGNS & LAYOUT Promoting Purpose, LLC CONTRIBUTING RELATIONSHIP EDITOR Dr. Inecir Matthis CONTRIBUTING & GUEST WRITER’S Dr. Inecir Matthis Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui SUBMISSIONS/INQUIRIES ppsubmissions@yahoo.com CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/promotingpurposemagazine TWITTER @ppurposemag
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SOCIAL MEDIA | PROMOTING PURPOSE
Social Media
We asked a few social media fans… If you could do one thing to impact the world what would it be?
If I could do one thing to Impact the world, it would be to ensure everyone knows- "You Matter"- and you matter more than you'll ever know to people. You are important, you are unique, and you have purpose. So whatever it is in your heart you want to do in your life, you can achieve it. If you don't know what your purpose is in life, don't stop trying to figure it out, and always believe in yourself even if no one else does because God is ALWAYS with you simply because You Matter!
-Jamicka Edwards-
CONNECT WITH US! Facebook.com/promotingpurposemagazine
@ppurposemag
One thing that’s really on my heart to impact the world is to help people walk into their real purpose. I planted a church in the Pittsburgh area, based on restoring hope to the hopeless and revealing purposes through the word of God. I began to walk in my true purpose only within the past few months after the death of my beloved sister. At that time I lost nearly everything because I decided to follow the voice of God who spoke to me through my sister on her death bed, as I walked away from a 36 year long ministry and a Stellar Award Nominated Gospel recording group of which I founded. I not only am the lead pastor and founder of Greater Hope Restoration Ministries a church with a heart for outreach, but I am also working towards opening "Hope House" a short term youth crisis center for non-violent youth.
The one thing I would do to impact the world in a positive way would be teaching people how to overcome a painful past that presently stagnates them and could possibly prohibit a great future!!! Often times we don't realize how the bondage of what happened stagnates what should be happening.
-Free Hill-
Pastor Cheryl Jones-Ross Next question: How did you discover your purpose? Tell us at promotingpurpose.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER | SPRING 2015
When I think of spring the first thing that comes to mind is spring-cleaning. As a child my mom would always open the windows to allow fresh air to enter into the house as my sister and brother and I would help her spring clean. Anything that was old or we knew we would no longer be able to wear would get sent to the Salvation Army or tossed if it was not reusable. This ritual would allow room for the new things we were about to receive for the season that we were in. Spring season meant short sleeve shirts, sandals and even short pants in the south. We no longer needed to wear heavy jackets, boots, etc., although those items kept us warm in the winter. If we wore those same clothes in the spring or summer it would become uncomfortable and potentially cause our bodies to over heat depending on the temperature outside. What once could protect us from the elements could now potentially harm us because of the season we were in. Our spiritual life is the same way; we must constantly stay connected to God and His Word in order to keep our spiritual lifestyle clean.
We must also wear the appropriate armor according to the season we are in. As you read this issue of Promoting Purpose Magazine I pray that you will begin to de-clutter and clean your personal and spiritual life if need be. I pray that you will discover the current season you’re in and wear the appropriate armor of protection. I pray that this year you will leave your comfort zone and flow freely in your purpose.
Haven’t discovered your purpose yet? Keep turning the pages in this issue and you’ll find some helpful tips and tools on how to discover your purpose. If you already know your purpose, keep reading and you’ll find articles that will encourage and help you to evolve in what God has designed you to do. I pray that you’ll enjoy this issue and continue to share us with family and friends. Until next time,
Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui Editor-in- Chief
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YOU SURVIVED BECAUSE… YOU ALLOWED GOD TO FIGHT YOUR BATTLES! And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. 2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV
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CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1: 22-27 (ESV)
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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
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CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE | LIVING
Spring Cleaning:
Spiritual Detoxing Dr. Inecir Matthis discuss the importance of spiritual detoxing.
Like clockwork at the onset of every spring season, my mother would begin her annual spring cleaning of every single room in our home. She left no area untouched. And like the previous year, we received individual and shared tasks that engulfed our entire Saturday! While our friends were playing outside, we pulled down curtains for washing, cleaned windows, sills and screens, removed pillows from the couches to look for and retrieve the lost items that slipped past the pillows. We cleaned the walls, floor panels, pulled out the stove and refrigerator to sweep, clean and mop. We also cleaned out every closet, dresser drawer and cabinet removing items that were no longer in use, expired or too small to wear. Items were either trashed or given away in order to complete our spring-cleaning assignment. The sole purpose of our annual springcleaning event was to clean areas and items that may have been overlooked throughout the year and to remove items that were unnecessary. Like spring cleaning, spiritual detoxing is necessary and should be ongoing in order to keep your mind, soul and spirit from all of the worldly clutter that we encounter on a daily basis. Apostle Paul understood the necessity of spiritual detoxing when he stated: "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes" (Ephesians 4:23 New Living Translation).
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Because many of us have been in a particular mindset and behavior for so long, we are not aware that we are in need of spiritual detoxing so we continue on as we are. However, when we do so, we are amassing an enormous amount of spiritual clutter in regards to our thoughts, ideals and behaviors that becomes a constant erosion to our spiritual walls and boundaries. "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it give birth to death" (James 1:14-15 NLT). Without spiritual detoxing, there is a slow spiritual death. Whenever we allow our flesh to dictate and rule our speech and behaviors by way of gossip, character assassination of others, lying, unforgiveness, bitterness, stealing from one's employers or others, fornication with the excuse of pending marriage or the "just can't help it” attitude, adultery, consistently forgoing Sunday services or bible studies, the list is endless. Spiritual erosion has taken residence within our spirit and it is time for spiritual detoxing of the mind, soul and body. Spiritual detoxing should be a daily experience with discipline and consistency of prayer time to commune with God, reading the bible for instruction, guidance and wisdom, times of consecration and fasting to detoxify your mind, soul and body for spiritual clarity, restored/renewed purpose and zeal for God and His will for your life. If you are feeling spiritually sluggish, I admonish you to begin your personal spiritual detoxing journey today!
Dr. Inecir Matthis is the CEO/Founder of Visioneer Coaching & Mentoring Services. Website: www.visioneermentoring.biz, Twitter: @visioneermentoring, Podcast: www.DrIMatthis.buzzsprout.com
Did you enjoy this article? Tell us if it was helpful! Email: promotingpurposemagaizne@gmail.com
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CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE | PURPOSE
DISCOVERING YOUR PURPOSE: 6 Questions to help discover your purpose
That particular summer we didn’t really do anything because both of my parents were working. My mind started running and by the time I was done I was in front of the class reading a story about my trip to Disney World. Although it wasn’t true I wrote it so well it was believable. As I grew older as a teen my creativity expanded into the poetry world. I became one of the contestants, my senior year, for the Miss Georgetown High pageant. Although I competed for the title of Miss Georgetown High my dreams for wanting to be in a beauty pageant evolved into wanting to be a model and a lawyer. If I became a model and a lawyer I’d feel as though I would represent being a positive role model and help those in need and who were unable to defend themselves.
Do you feel like a missing puzzle piece that’s trying to figure out how and where you fit in? It’s time to start asking yourself questions that will stir up the greatness on the inside of you. Promoting Purpose CEO Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui presents 6 questions to help you discover your purpose.
DREAMS… I knew God had something He wanted me to do, but I just didn’t know what it was. As a little girl, every year I ensured I was in front of the television watching the Miss America pageant. I recall saying to myself, “One day I’m going to run for Miss America and all of the little girls are going to look up to me like they look up to Miss America.” Even at the tender age of 5 I knew I wanted to be in a position where I could make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Today I am the author of 3 books, the CEO of a Christian magazine and publishing company and an Evangelist of the gospel. God is good! Enough about myself, I want to leave you with a few questions that will allow your purpose to stir up on the inside of you. Remember while answering these questions seek God for clarity and perhaps other questions will come to your mind. Never forget, our purpose is not for ourselves, it’s to glorify God, our creator, and to help others.
CREATIVITY On the creativity side I enjoyed writing. I can recall in elementary school the teacher asking me to write a brief story about what we did during the summer.
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Instructions: •
I recommend that you find a quiet spot where there are no interruptions. Step away from the computer; turn off anything that will interrupt you such as a telephone, cell phone, etc.
•
Take out a few sheets of paper and your favorite writing utensil.
•
You should be the only one reading your response so please be truthful in answering these questions. In order for God to reveal some things to you you’re going to have to be truthful to yourself and God.
•
Don’t worry about misspellings or grammar, just write!
Questions to ask yourself:
1.
When you w ere a child, w hat did you dream of being or doing w hen you grew up?
2.
What gift or skills do you feel you have (what are you naturally good at) and how can you use it to glorify God and be a blessing to others?
3.
What issues do people typically ask for your assistance?
4.
Everyone has a testimony. What were some challenges, difficulties and hardships you’ve overcome? How and who do you feel you can help by sharing your testimony?
5.
If you had to teach something, what would you teach?
6.
If money and other resources w asn’t a factor what could you see yourself doing right now? (This relates to your inner dream)
If you’ve done the work then you’re on your way to finding your life’s purpose.
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