SEP 2014
DR. MICHELLE CORRAL
Living, Moving, and Being “Chesed” Color Me Organized FEATURED INTERVIEW
PASTOR MICHELLE TRAMMELL Dealing with Gossip & Slander
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LEADERSHIP pg. 26 DEVOTIONAL pg.34 PROPHETIC INSIGHTS
GLADYS KNIGHT
NEW GOSPEL ALBUM
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
WORD OF THE LORD 2014
pg.36
RECOMPENSE AND RECOVERY FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
More in this issue: YLead? Author and Youth Pastor Domonique S. Washington
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Gladys Knight Where My Heart Belongs
12
Dealing with Gossip and Slander
34
Where is Jesus
(In the Spotlight)
(Prayer & Spirituality)
(Devotionals)
14
Sapphire: Stone of Wisdom
26
Leadership
(Fashion & Beauty)
Right or Responsibility? (Leadership Development)
contents EDITOR IN CHIEF Belinda John, D.D.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGY Phyllis V. Jordan, Sandra King
COPY EDITORS Trellis Cooper, Valeriana Chikoti-Bandua
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER PBK Photography
CONTRIBUTORS Joanna Pope, Michelle Trammell, Kathy R. Green, Martina Young, Natalie Green, Dr. Elke Pettiford, Dr. Renee Hornbuckle, Wendy Williams, Dorcas Laboy, Wanda White, Karen Donald, Trellis Cooper, Tasha Angelle, Annette Long,
05 From the Editor 06 Family & Relationships 12 Prayer & Spirituality 14 Fashion & Beauty 22 G o s p e l S p o t l i g h t 26 Leaders hi p Dev el o pm e n t 28 M i n i s t r y S p o t l i g h t 30 SW Feature 34 Devotionals 36 Prophetic Insights 38 A r t i s t S p o t l i g h t
Elaine Clay-Knight, Dr. Veronica Cochran, Catrina Fields
CONTACT
(561) 247-5402 www.shulamitewomen.com
spotlight pages 22,28,38
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FROM THE EDITOR Sept 2014
Rosh Hashanah/ Yom Teruah and the Ram’s Horn 15 Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. Joel 2:15
During this time of the fall feasts days of the Lord, the blowing of the shofar carries with it a powerful significance and affect throughout the heavenly realms. It produces a sound like no other, when coupled with true repentance and introspection, that echos throughout eternity.
Belinda John, D.D. Editor In Chief
Although it seems, at times, that speaking about sin is unpopular, no matter how much we try and dress up, justify or rationalize it, the wages of sin is still death. Fasting and consecrating before the Lord is still the way into His presence. Remember, we are in a distinct moment in time, as the Lord is revealed throughout the heavens and the earth... What a wonderful opportunity for us during this season —the Head of the Year—to start with a clean slate and lean in closer to God!
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FAMILY AND RLEATIONSHIPS
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The Spirit of a Garden “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” - Stephen R. Covey are one Relationships, like labyrinths; of life’s greatest challenges.
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ife, activities, relationships, hobbies, music, art—pretty much everything we encounter or do requires spirit in order to thrive and succeed. Much like oxygen, spirit sustains the life flowing into our body and our minds. Spirit is what binds our soul. When our Father began creation, he poured His own spirit into all. “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. –1 John 4:13” What do you tend to notice most at sports events or concerts? There is usually a team or person to “hype” up the crowd and stimulate enough energy to increase eveyone’s spirits. The same applies to His spirit within each of us. Praise and worship is a time to refuel and energize the Holy Spirit within. Absorbing and meditating on the word and spending time communicating with our Lord, is our daily boost or dose of nourishment for the spirit much like food and water. Spirit can be depleted, it may be even broken, but it never disappears and our Lord certainly never takes it back. With life changes, challenges, and disappointments, remaining uplifted and positive is sometimes difficult. It is during such downtrodden times when we have the choice and free will to turn things around. It all begins with our thoughts. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.-2 Corinthians 4:16-18” Do not be ashamed or embarrassed to fall onto your knees and cry out to him. Although he always knows what is exactly going on in our lives and knows the tiniest details of our secrets, He does not judge or scold, ridicule or turn us away. If we cannot be vulnerable and
cry out to our Lord, who can we cry out to? I love the people closest and dearest to my heart but I could never get from them, what I can ultimately receive from my God. (And yes, I have tried!) Setting our sights on higher things; Godly things, instead of worldly/Earthly things, should be the best motivating force to continuously stay uplifted and refueled especially when we are running on empty. I am an optimist and will remain faithful because I know I am promised a rightful place in His kingdom. He has NEVER let me down, even in my darkest hours and weary times. He blesses us with many outlets, with comforting words and with the right “cheerleaders” (Pastors, Ministers, Preachers, Prophets, Angels, etc.) to encourage us, to recharge our spirit and to keep our sights on high! “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:9
Be still. Seek wisdom and guidance from Father God. Begin a routine of daily prayer and He will provide the right words/answers to encourage healing and replenishment of your weakened spirit. (2 Peter 1:20) Surround yourself by Spirit led people. We should all desire to be influenced and encouraged by the right things, according to His will.
Make a conscious choice to do what is good versus what may feel good. (Romans 8:5) Phyllis JoanneVictoria Pope is Jordan a Certified is a devoted PersonalChild Trainer of God, and Judge Woman, with Wife, the Mother, Nationaland Physique creative, Committee. loving spirit. She She went currently from being an resides in overweight Frederick, MD yo-yo with dieter her family. to fullyAs breaking an aspiring her writer sugar addiction and Entrepreneur, to comfort shefoods creatively and shares, has become the upsa Professional and downs, and Fitness joysChampion. and pains of She relationships. shares her testimony Her column of professing “ The Garden” God’sistransforming sure to capture word theover hearther of life, her on “Total readers asU” sheanweaves SW fitness her witty, and nutrition straight-forward, column.and fun loving personality into her writing.
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Do you find yourself confused and questioning your purpose in life? Do you desire to deepen your relationship with God? Would you like to grow in your faith and in your knowledge of God’s Word? If so, then this devotionals journal is for you. Learn to make time with God a daily focus, mine rich insight into His word, and draw applications for victorious living.
ENCOUNTERING
THE SUPERNATURAL 2014 Renny McLean Ministries Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 7:00 PM Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:00 PM Irving Convention Center 500 Las Colinas Blvd
Event Details Speakers: Drs. Renny & Marina McLean Accomodations: Holiday Inn Express Irving Convention Center 333 W. John Carpenter Freeway Irving, Texas 75039 $75.00 per night (Ask for the Renny McLean Ministries Group Block Rate) 972-910-0302
PRAYER & SPIRITUALITY
Dealing With Gossip and Slander
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SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM THE MALIGNING TONGUE
We have all found ourselves at times engaged in uncomfortable and awkward conversations with others. We may have been with a friend having a wonderful time when all the sudden your conversation takes a turn down a dark alley of gossip and slander. This concern may even be presented as a pray request, but we can all feel that check in our spirit and must beware not to walk down that treacherous ally way. The tongue is the most difficult member of the whole body to tame. It is also the one in which we will be held the greatest accountability. We will be justified or condemned by every idle word, Matthew 12:36-37. The tongue is also likened to a wild fire, which can bring destruction to everything around it. This is a very present danger within the body of Christ. When we speak of slander it is equivalent to murder. The crime committed has been a character assassination. The individual who is listening to the crime is actually considered an accomplish to the crime. The law is very clear that if an individual has stood in agreement or acted in any way connected with the crime they will also be prosecuted for the crime. The same is true at the judgment seat of God. If we take a deeper look at this issue the real roots of gossip and slander are jealousy and pride. A person that feels inadequate will find it necessary to bring down another to make themselves feel better about the state of their own condition. This is never acceptable to God.
There are somethings we can do to protect ourselves and the individual that is being gossiped about. 1. 2. 3.
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You can remove yourself and kindly relay that you do not want to take part in the conversation. Remind the individual that God is not pleased when we speak ill of our brother or sister. Do not repeat any little bit of conversation you heard or vocalize that it took place to another individual.
ShulamiteWomen | Sept 2014
This may seem elementary but when you find yourself being pulled into this web what will you choose, silence or victory? In Leviticus 14 we find that the whole chapter in hebrew is about gossip and slander. It is also referred to as the leper. In the chapter we see that the offering of the two birds represents the twittering and chirping of the gossiper and slanderer. One bird must be buried, while the other is set free to fly after repentance. The Jewish people were very familiar with this reference in the Torah.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER METAPHORS DEPICTING THE TONGUE. SUCH AS, BITTER AND SWEET WATER CANNOT FLOW FROM THE SAME CISTERN; LIFE AND DEATH ARE IN THE TONGUE; AND SO ON. WE, AS BELIEVERS, MUST ALLOW THE COAL TO BE TAKEN FROM THE ALTER TO TOUCH OUR LIPS SO THAT WE MAY BE PURIFIED AND FORGIVEN. MAY THE LORD HELP US BRIDAL OUR TONGUES THAT WE MAY EDIFY AND EXHORT THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Michele Trammell and her husband David, who is a Lt. Officer for the Aurora Fire Department, have been married twenty nine years. Michele has served and has been in leadership roles through out her life. She has directed ladies, youth and children choirs. Her life long passion has been the worship arts. She has participated and directed in music, drama, dance, set design, and technical crew. She has been trained and has participated in the house of prayer, and has been certified in theophostic and deliverance ministry. Currently, Michele continues to use her gifts has a worship leader, song writer, and intercessor along with her husband David in their worship and prayer ministry called, “The 11th Hour.” Her heart for ministry is to bring believers into a more intimate relationship in Jesus. Her desire is to present the priestly, kingly, and governmental dimensions of the tabernacle of David.
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Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)
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FASHION AND BEAUTY
SAPPHIRE: Stone of Wisdom
Bold and Striking 14
ShulamiteWomen | Sept 2014
Blue Sapphire is often associated with being
Sophisticated and Royal
S W E E T AND S A S S Y ShulamiteWomen | Sept 2014
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Pure and Romantic
Like Blue Sapphire, we can be solid foundations and represent all of these by using wisdom. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and thy foundations with sapphires. (Isaiah 54:11) CaTrina Fields, an Interior Designer and Educator loves improving the lives of people by “Transforming places they live into places they love “ and touching their homes and hearts as she inspires with her unnoticeable flair for fashion and beauty.
rmministries.com Drs. Renny and Marina Mclean
Chronicles of the Supernatural RennyMcleanMinistries
The Glory of God | The Holy Spirit | The Dimensions of Faith
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