The Vision of the “Voice of Manifestations” Newsletter is to communicate the various events to our partners and the community. Thus, it helps to build and enhance relationships between the two. The newsletter is also a mechanism to evangelize, encourage, build and lift up. The Voice focuses on the four aspect of Manifestations Worldwide, which are Spiritual Trainings, Education, Job and Housing. Our prayer is that God is touching someone’s life through the Voice of Manifestation Newsletter (VOM). Ultimately, our desire is to be obedient to the commission God has given us; to go and spread the gospel. All we need is an audience; someone that is interested, ready to listen, with a heart to receive. Many go door to door; but VOM newsletter travel email to email; across the country and around the world, seeking the heart in need of a word. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthews 28:20 (NIV)
Editorial Team and Index Name : Yesmin Negron Title: Sister/ Newsletter Chair
Name : Sonya Title: Assistant Editor Name of Article: He Makes All Things New Page #: 15
Name : Calvin Vance Title: Elder Name of Article: A Man’s Perspective: New Gear/ New Years Page #: 7 Name of Article: Until We Meet Again Page: #20-21 Name : Eva Johnson Title: Teacher Name of Article: Not Just for Teachers Only Page #: 10-11
Name : Eddie Boles Title: Pastor Name of Article: Thoughts from Above: Broken Promises Page #: 6
Name : Keith Lashley Title: Brother Name of Article: The Art of Branding Page #: 22-23
Name : Jenifer Grant Title: Sister Name of Article: Newness of Life Page: 14
BROKEN PROMISES Happy New Year believers! I pray you all not. Why do we make promises knowing we’re not had a very Merry Christmas spending valuable going to fulfill it and then suffer negative emotime with family and friends. It’s good to take a tional consequences from our own dishonesty?) little time off from time to time, relax and recharge. Now in the interest of new beginnings; Analyze your motivation becoming a better person and the thought of making wiser decisions comes with a plethora of selfDetermine why you’re making the prom ise or promises that usually fall to the ground by the commitment month of February. So in this issue I’d like to give a few pointers concerning self- promises. Make sure your making the promise for the Two keys from scripture, the first being that it’s right reason better to not make a vow than to make a Take your promises serivow and not pay or ously keep it, and secondly let your yea Why? Because it’s in inbe yea and your nay, ner agreement with yournay lest you fall into self or another and not condemnation. following through causes a lack of trust, damages Too often believers your image, and confind themselves vinces others that you making promises don’t value them. and not keeping them, first to our own selves and secondly to othWrite your promises down (as in a contract ers. We must remember that we are to be people with your signature) instead of verbalizing of integrity and exceptional character, so here are them. some important keys for us to remember as we begin this New Year. Why? Written communication seems to carry with it another level of accountability whether to self or others. TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN MAKING PROMISES: If for some reason you can’t follow through Be honest with yourself initially don’t abandon it, complete or finish it even if at a later date or time. Better to finish or Before making a promise pause, think, and ask complete than to not finish or complete. It’s better yourself the question will you be able to ful- to under promise and over produce rather than fill it over promise and under produce. Ask yourself if you mean it (Truth is we usually know the moment we make a promise whether we’re going to follow through or
Believers, remember your character and integrity are always in question….protect it all cost. Till next month, peace be with you!
He Makes All Things New our areas of challenge, educate us and there Sis Sonya are plenty of volunteer opportunities for training, development and growth! At NO time in What’s up fam! It’s that time again, let’s our lives are we ever without help! bring it in. I wanted to start out by encouraging you to not throw away your confidence beHelp is NOT what we lack. The old saycause of what you did not accomplish last ing, “you can lead a horse to water but you year. As long as we’re still in the land of the can’t make them drink!” Yeah, that right living, opportunity for change and other there... We can’t MAKE a grown person do choices are available! anything. None-the-less, we have the tools and people in place. It’s time to look at the The word states clearly that we receive man/woman in the mirror, not to join with the new mercies morning by morning. So even accuser of the brethren and condemn ourthough we are celebrating a New Year, we get selves, but allow and submit to the conviction to experience that on a daily basis! (Sooo of the Holy Spirit as He points out those AWESOME) Every day we can access God’s “STOP THAT’S” and follow His instruction grace to help us do what we CAN’T do, to as He leads us into the “WHAT TO DO’S.” help us know and understand what we don’t know and understand, as well as help us to Yes, at times we do find ourselves diswalk out His word and His wisdom in life. connected from the winds that are ever blowWe also have Holy Spirit! He is our coming over our lives to cause our expansion, or forter; He leads and guides us into all truths; unplugged from the power that strengthen us He shows us things to come, and He teaches and endows us with ability and might, even us in the way we should go. Lastly, we here at out from under the clouds that continuously CFM have ministries set up to strengthen us in pour into our lives so we are full and overflowing with the heart and like- passions of God. However, our Father is ready to forgive and has already provided us with everything and anything we will ever need to finish strong in life..... on a daily basis. Did you get that? It’s not about the end so much; it’s about the process of getting there! So again, I say don’t not throw away your confidence because of what you did not accomplish last year, you’re still here and God makes beautiful things out of the dust, AMEN!!! Yes, He makes all things new, so let’s follow Him forward. These are my words for you Big Sis Out!
The Top 5 Mistakes Divorced Parents Make says, “which causes undue emotional stress on them and forces them to negotiate a situation their own parents could not handle.” Email is an excellent tool nowadays to communicate with your ex-spouse. It allows you to specifically discuss the practicalities of raising your child without detouring into negative areas and opening old wounds. It also provides a recorded message, adSource: WebMD.com missible into court, so parents tend to Breaking up is hard to do, and it may be be more careful when using it. especially hard for kids. Kids of divorce can feel they've been hit the hardest by “If you want or need to speak with your ex over the phone or in person, be fothe end of their parents' relationship. cused and stay on task, and most imSome are asked to broker peace beportant, don't swallow the bait if he or tween warring exes, even as they she descends into anger. Simply say, 'I are grieving the loss of a parent who appreciate your feelings, but I am here has abruptly moved out. Others must to discuss our child's school assigndeal with parents who suddenly can't ment.' Take the high road. Your child's cope with everyday tasks, like making emotional health depends on it.” dinner or helping with homework. Many children carry the battle scars of divorce well into adulthood. But brokenup spouses can help stop the damage by managing their own behavior before the ink dries on the divorce papers. Family and divorce expert M. Gary Neuman, LMHC, gives exes pointers on how to split up without emotionally destroying their kids long term.
2. ... or your therapist.
“Teenagers like to feel in control, and divorce turns their world upside down,” Neuman says. “Don't fall into the trap of sharing divorce details or your angry feelings about your ex with your older kids. Their own anxiety and need for control causes them to be 'understanding' of what you're going through, but you need to be the parent. 1. Don't make your child the messenGet outside help for yourself, get therger... apy if necessary, and maintain those “Too many parents attempt to communi- boundaries. Making your child your cohort is wrong and does them damage.” cate through their children,” Neuman Continued on page18
Continued from page 16 3. Try to "get" your kid.
nothing will leave your child stressed, as if he must compartmentalize both worlds and tiptoe around this other experience. On the other hand, grilling the child puts him squarely in the middle, which is an impossible position emotionally. So ask your kid fun and general questions, which diffuses tension. And then let it go.”
“Kids need to feel as if they are understood,” Neuman says, and after a divorce their feelings may be in turmoil. “Listen to them. Don't tell them what to think. And it might be difficult, but never criticize your ex -- it's a criticism of your 5. Repair the damage you've already done. child, who, of course, is 50% of your ex-husband or wife. Respond specifically to what they are Many divorced parents reading these tips may telling you. Say, 'It sounds like you are feeling recognize mistakes sad/mad/upset they've unintentionally about meeting made with their own your dad's new kids. Is it ever too late girlfriend, is that to undo emotional fallright?' As a parout from a nasty split? ent, you don't “No, children are rehave to have a markably forgiving,” solution. You just Neuman says, “at least need to hear until they reach their them.” later teen years, when “And don't editorianger may be more cealize. You can mented.” If you've suggest your made mistakes, it's imchild write down portant to do the followhis feelings and ing: share them with Apologize for them. your ex, but only Saying you're sorry if the child wants goes a long way with to do so. Stay your kids. trained on your Explain in detail exactly child's feelings, what you've done not yours. Healwrong, and then coming comes mit to changing your through a loving behavior from that moconnection and ment on. from feeling unGive your child a safe derstood.” and specific signal -- for example, tell your child to raise his or her hand when you begin criticiz4. Avoid the third degree. ing your ex -- which serves as a time-out for you, telling you in no uncertain terms you're doing it “I tell parents to treat their child's weekend away again and need to stop immediately." with their ex-spouse as if the child has just visSource: WebMD.com ited an aunt or uncle,” Neuman says. “Saying
Brought to You by: CFM’s Live Again Divorce Care Ministry Contact the ministry leader for more information at liveagain@centerformanifestation.com
Until we meet again… Here are some
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or love to “come alive” it must have an expression. Love was never meant to be kept, but to be given. Words are admirable, and should be spoken; however what gives love “legs” is action. Love always extends itself, by reaching out to touch someone. True Love Feb. 2015
things to remember By Calvin Vance When you value, treasure and cherish an individual, or individuals, you look forward to doing things to express your heart. Appreciation July 2015 The Bible says, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The “evidence” of our sonship is proven when we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. We need to know the Word of God so we have a point of reference for when He leads us, communicates with us or warns us. The Word is the “standard” by which we are to live our lives. How do we know this? God said, “Man shall not LIVE by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The Holy Spirit will never violate the Word of God. So to please God and live a victorious life all you have to do is Follow The LEADER! Oct.2015 Each day we wake up, can get up or go about our daily activities, there is a reason to give thanks. This action reflects an attitude of appreciation and demonstrates an understanding of the fact that what you are able to do is a gift. An attitude of gratitude will always increase your latitude. As we wake up each morning, go about our activities throughout the day and lie down for the night, let’s be deliberate and intentional to ensure we are always… Giving Thanks Nov. 2015 As believers, we should reflect on the “gift” God gave us in the person of Jesus. Proverbs 17:8 states, “A gift is a precious stone and no matter which way it turns it prospers.” Now let’s look at how this plays out spiritually with Jesus as the gift. God the Father is benefited by Jesus because by Him, God would reconcile man back to Himself and start a family. Jesus benefits too. Because of His life, death, burial and resurrection, He is made King of Kings and Lord of Lords; He becomes the first-born of the family of God and is given a name above every name just to name a few things. We are benefited because by the gift of Jesus, we become God’s children and receive of His Spirit whereby we call him Daddy/Father. We are given His divine nature. We are given the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and are caused to triumph. We are made kings and priests unto God, we are given authority over the enemy, receive everything that pertains to life and godliness, we have eternal life and so much more! We are what we are; we have what we have and can do what we do because of. . . “The Gift!” Dec. 2015
THE ART OF BRANDING In this series of articles we began to discuss how to be creative in the workplace. One of the most important aspects of any successful company and or individual is to understand the concept of branding. A simplified explanation of the meaning of branding is to create a recognizable symbol or image that advertises the product or service. Successful business people often create their own personal style and in turn incorporate it into their business. Think musicians, artists and people like Donald Trump. Branding involves engaging the senses. The first impression is usually via a logo. The logo is created to appeal to the senses through color, design, and graphic proportions. Its purpose is to “brand� the company’s name, history and image into your consciousness. For example, whenever a person sees the IBM symbol, they not only know that it represents a computer company, but it also represents a long history of innovation in the computer field, big business, and perhaps even the future of computing. All of this is conveyed by three capital letters. Donald Trump uses his name and font on all of his correspondence, his buildings and his clothing lines.
is the logo, the packaging and even the way the name sounds. These apparatus appeal to the visual senses, the touch, like a Coca Cola bottle, and even the jingle which appeals to the auditory or hearing sense. All of these are created for one purpose: Making Money. In the present volatile economic climate, companies are fighting to maintain their market share. It is not enough to live on their historical success because technology and the global impact of the internet have changed commerce forever. So branding has taken a far more important role in business than ever before.
Branding is not just about attracting business. More importantly, branding is about keeping business and expanding business. Branding must be backed by the promise that the quality of a product will be consistent. It is the key to any successful business. The product and/or services must be reliable and trustworthy. All the beautiful logos or catchy tunes in the world will not help a business succeed if the product is faulty or the customer service is terrible. McDonalds is one of the most successful businesses ever created because its products are consistent. It is not gourmet food, but you know exactly what Corporations invest millions of dollars you are going to get, and it will be the in developing their branding, whether it same wherever you go in the country.
make their lives easier because it is one less thing they need to worry about in this increasingly complex world?
One other nontangible aspect of branding is its use of emotional bonding. Have you ever noticed how I-phone users refuse to entertain using android products even though the android products like Samsung are better with more features? Advertisers create communities. Communities are created through market share and sooner a company can get its product to market the better. Advertisers show users in action poses, dancing on tables during meetings, in romantic settings to appeal to the senses. The use of specific types of people in advertising is meant to attract a specific crowd. Are they hip? Are they sophisticated? Are they multigenerational? This is all part of branding. The need to connect with their clients and customers must be a part of any business goal. Does the product give peace of mind? Do they feel appreciated? Does your product or service
All of the branding principles above translate into our personal lives as well. What we wear, what we say, how we say it, and the emotional intent behind it are our own personal branding. One must be aware of their role in the workplace and the expectations of the employer. If you are self-employed, then you should have already realized that you must set your business and yourself apart from your competition. Pay attention to what successful people in your business or profession wear, how they speak, and most of all how they connect with others. If you are an employee, it is important to observe your supervisor, managers and the owner of the company. Your own personal “brand” must represent quality and reliability. If you want to change your situation, you must abandon the “I just want a job” mentality and begin to think more long-term; for example, “how can I improve my situation and get ahead?”