march 2013

www.gracenglorymagazine.org 1

2 March 2013 | Grace&Glory


c o n t e n t son the cover:The Female ClergySupport Group of MarylandDr. Karen S. Bethea, Senior Pastor

Set The Captives FreeOutreach Center 7111 Windsor Mill RoadWoodlawn, MD 21244(410) 265-6800www.stcfoc.org

™ MARCH 2013

f e a t u r e s

17 Governor’S PaGe Governor Martin O’Malley

15 Mayor’S Journal Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

21 To your GooD HealTH Carla J. Debnam, MS, LCPC

It’s Time To Recommit

Pg. 8-9Q&A Interview withDr. Karen S. Bethea

19 eDucaTion DiGeST Dr. Tim Tooten

The Future is Now!

23 Teen connecT Pastors Greg & Tonya Dennis

Identity Theft

25 WoMan’S PerSPecTive Cassandra Vaughn-Fox How Will You Be Remembered?

CLASSIFIEDS – 4


Pg. 8-9Q&A Interview withDr. Karen S. Bethea

27 BooK SHelf Brandie Manigault

Soul Detox (Craig Groeschel)

In Every IssueContributors .................................................................. 6

From the Editor ............................................................. 7

Scripture Page ............................................................ 12

43 WorD of encouraGeMenT Donna Williams-Ross

Whose Report Will You Believe?

40 GoSPel inDuSTry neWS Ericka Johnson

30 WorD on financeS Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson

Financial Restoration

35 nuTriTion & you Herline A. Knights

Heart Health


PuBliSHer/ Jackie Epps eDiTor-in-cHief

eDiTorial

PHoToGraPHy Mark L. Dennis GraPHic arTiST Claire Lesesne www.JandCDesigns.com

WeB aDMiniSTraTor Andre Felipe for Arts Period www.artsperiod.com

PrinTinG Roebuck & Son Printing www.hgroebuck.com

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11

Contributors chairman — Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn

Sr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD

vice-chairman — Dr. Frank M. Reid III Sr. Pastor, Bethel A.M.E. Church, MD

Dr. Jerome A. Barber Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple, Hampton , VA

Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., U.S. Ambassador President, ITC Seminary, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Timothy Boddie Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Bishop John R. Bryant Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District

Dr. Harold A. Carter, Sr.Pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, MD

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador

Dr. WIlliam H. Curtis Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Bishop Ralph L. DennisSr. Pastor, Kingdom Worship Center, MD

Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive

Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences

Cassandra Vaughn/Out Foxed Media LLC.www.Outfoxedmedia.org

Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr.Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD

Pastor Timothy V. Manigault

Bishop Dennis V. Proctor Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal Region AME Zion Church

Dr. Kenneth O. RobinsonPastor, Restoring Life International Church, MD

Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr.Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD

Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD

Advisory Board

Grace & Glory Magazine is published monthly by JE Media, LLC, a Baltimore based, independent publisher. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.

Grace & Glory Magazine By Mail!

For subscription and advertisinginformation contact

443-813-6547; 410-370-2636or [email protected]

Grace & Glory Magazine is theideal publication for all your

advertising needs!Follow us on facebook at facebook.com/gracenglorymagazine

and twitter @gracenglorymagCheck out our website at: www.gracenglorymagazine.org

Send us your comments!

Dr. Kenneth O. RobinsonHarold A. Carter, Jr.Cassandra Vaughn-FoxHerline A. KnightsPastors Gregory and Tonya DennisCarla J. DebnamDonna Williams-RossGovernor Martin O’MalleyEricka JohnsonMayor Stephanie Rawlings-BlakeRev. Tim TootenBrandie Manigault

GREAT CLASSIFIED RATES!Rates: $9.00 for the first 10 words and under. 50 cents for each additional word. Add $2.00 for any bold words.Payment: We accept PAYPALL, VISA, MASTERCARD,and DISCOVER.Deadlines: The 23rd of every month at 8:00 pm Categories: Help Wanted, For Rent,For Sale, Autos for Sale, Boats for Sale, Business Opportunity, Instruction, Child Care, Entertainment, Announcements, other.Go online at: www.gracenglorymagazine.org

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN OUR NEW CLASSIFIED SECTION

Classifieds! Classifieds!


chairman — Dr. A.C. D. VaughnSr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD

vice-chairman — Dr. Frank M. Reid III Sr. Pastor, Bethel A.M.E. Church, MD

Dr. Jerome A. Barber Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple, Hampton , VA

Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., U.S. Ambassador President, ITC Seminary, Atlanta, GA

Dr. Timothy Boddie Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Bishop John R. Bryant Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District

Dr. Harold A. Carter, Sr.Pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, MD

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador

Dr. WIlliam H. Curtis Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Bishop Ralph L. DennisSr. Pastor, Kingdom Worship Center, MD

Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive

Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences

Cassandra Vaughn/Out Foxed Media LLC.www.Outfoxedmedia.org

Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr.Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD

Pastor Timothy V. Manigault

Bishop Dennis V. Proctor Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal Region AME Zion Church

Dr. Kenneth O. RobinsonPastor, Restoring Life International Church, MD

Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr.Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD

Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD

Grace & Glory Magazine By Mail!

For subscription and advertisinginformation contact

443-813-6547; 410-370-2636or [email protected]

Grace & Glory Magazine is theideal publication for all your

advertising needs!Follow us on facebook at facebook.com/gracenglorymagazine

and twitter @gracenglorymagCheck out our website at: www.gracenglorymagazine.org

Send us your comments!

Jackie EppsEditor-in-Chief

Thepubliccelebrationofwomen’shistoryinthiscountrybeganin1978as“Women’sHistoryWeek”inSonomaCounty,California.TheweekincludingMarch8,InternationalWomen’sDay,wasselected.In1981,Sen.OrrinHatch(R-Utah)andRep.BarbaraMikulski(D-Md.)co-sponsoredajointCongressionalresolutionproclaiminganationalWomen’sHistoryWeek.In1987,Congressexpandedthecelebrationtoamonth,andMarchwasdeclaredWomen’sHistoryMonth. The2013National Women’s History Monththeme,Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, honors generations of women who throughout Americanhistoryhaveusedtheirintelligence,imagination,senseofwonder,andtenacitytomakeextraordinarycontributionstotheSTEMfields. NationalWomen’sHistoryMonthprovidesanexcellentvenuetorecognizeandcelebratewomen’s historic achievements aswell as an opportunity to honorwomenwithin ourfamiliesandcommunities. Wearededicatingthismonth’sissueofGrace&GloryMagazinetoGod’sphenomenalcreationcalled‘woman’. ToallofGod’sWomen,IsaluteallofyouwiththisspecialpoemwrittenbyDr.MayaAngelou.

Phenomenal Woman


Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,They think I’m telling lies.

I say,It’s in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,The stride of my step,The curl of my lips.

I’m a womanPhenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That’s me.

I walk into a roomJust as cool as you please,

And to a man,The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.I’m a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,That’s me.

Men themselves have wonderedWhat they see in me.

They try so muchBut they can’t touchMy inner mystery.

When I try to show themThey say they still can’t see.

I say,It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,The ride of my breasts,The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understandJust why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump aboutOr have to talk real loud.When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,The need of my care,‘Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

from the editor


Q&AQA&

Dr. Karen S. BetheaSet the CaptiveS Free OutreaCh Center

Baltimore, mD

INTERVIEWWITH

G&G:Dr.Bethea,welcomebackto Grace & Glory. I am one ofyour many admirers and I alwayslookforwardtotalkingwithyou.As

youknowMarchisNationalWomen’sHistoryMonthandwhatbetterwaytocelebratethismonththantotalk

withyouaboutaveryexcitinginitiativethatyouarespearheading;anewwomen’sfocusgroupnamedtheFemaleClergySupportGroupofMaryland.Wouldyousaythisisoneofthemostexcitingandimportantinitiativesyouhavebeenapartof?Dr. Bethea: Hi Jackie. It is good to touch base with you as always. I would say that this is one of the most needed initiatives that I have been blessed to be a part of. Something really wonderful happens when women come together. There was a need for mentoring on a group level. This vehicle will meet many needs.G&G: Dr. Bethea, would you explain the vision behind theFemale Clergy Support Group of Maryland? How did thisorganizationbegin,wasthereasignificantfactorthatcreatedtheneedforsuchanorganization?Dr. Bethea: It has been on my heart for about five years. I was consistently being asked to mentor females in ministry. I found myself constantly going to lunch or dinner with colleagues or mentees throughout the month and still not spending time with all of the ladies asking. As I begin to communicate with some of my female colleagues, they were having the same challenge. Mentoring is important and those who are in ministry need to reach back and help those coming along. I just didn’t have enough time. I also had been in contact with first ladies and male pastors

who needed somewhere to send their female leaders for sharpening. We then decided to put together a platform where we could group mentor our ladies and maximize our time.

G&G:Dr.Bethea,whatistheprimarymissionoftheFemaleClergySupportGroupofMarylandandwhatwillbethefunctionofthisgroup?Therearemanywomen’sgroupsacrossthenation,why another women’s group, what makes this associationvaluable?Dr. Bethea: Our first motivation is Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Two are better than one. We understand the power of unity and the danger of being isolated. Everybody needs somebody but women in ministry need each other. It was evident at our kickoff in January, that we need one another. The fellowship was so sweet. We were edified. Women can work together and we do. We mutually love one another and rejoice in each other’s victories and progress. We share one another’s pains and provide support for adverse seasons. Secondly we are a local female support group for females in ministry. We are a mentoring program for female leaders and women in ministry to include: senior pastors, assistant pastors, deacons, evangelists, first ladies, missionaries, armor bearers, adjutants, and any woman serving in ministry. We exist to: 1) Bring together females in ministry in the Maryland area for iron sharpening experiences. 2) Bring together females in ministry for the purpose of fellowship, training, mentoring,


T h e F e m a l e C l e r g y S u p p o r T g r o u p o F m a r y l a n d

Dr. Karen S. Bethea


Q&Aand partnership. 3) Bring together seasoned females in ministry with those just beginning for the purpose of mentoring, support, and training. 4) To provide fellowship with others in the same calling for the purpose of encouragement, support, and edification.

G&G:Dr.Bethea,InoticedthattheFemaleClergySupportGroupofMarylandismadeupofsixteenphenomenalwomen.Howdidthisgroupofpowerfulwomencomeabout,wasthereaselectionprocessorwasitallvoluntary?Whatcanyoutellusaboutthesewomen?Dr. Bethea: It was voluntary but there was no selection process. We had all been in communication at various times and when it came time to form I went back through my notes and pulled everyone together. The group is made up of first ladies, elders, and senior pastors. They include: Lady Jacquelyn Brown of Wayland Baptist Church; Rev. Monique Carter of New Shiloh Baptist Church; Lady Sheila Claxton of New Creation Christian Church; Lady Carla Debnam of Morning Star Baptist Church in Catonsville; Lady Marlaa Reid of Bethel AME Church; Lady Wanda Smith of Mount Moriah Baptist Church; Dr. Vanessa Booth, Senior Pastor, Lamb of Life Baptist Church; Pastor Donna Chiarella, Senior Pastor, Sweet Mercy Church and Ministries; Pastor Joyce England, Senior Pastor, Be Whole Ministries; Elder Simone Gibson, Elder, Transformation Church; Pastor Sandy Johnson, Founder, Fresh Water Ministries; Pastor Jekia Ledbetter, Senior Pastor, Victory Ministries of Christ; Rev. Dana Neal, Senior Pastor, Dayspring Worship Center; Dr. Lisa Weah, Senior Pastor, New Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson, Senior Pastor, Good Hope Union United Methodist Church. These women all have one thing in common. They care about other women in ministry and want the best for them!

G&G:Dr.Bethea,whataboutwomeninotheraspectsofministry,doyouhavetobefemaleclergytobeapartofthiswomen’sgroup?HowdoessomeonebecomeamemberorpartoftheFemaleClergySupportGroupofMaryland?Dr. Bethea: The beauty of this group is that it covers women in many functions and roles in ministry. It includes female senior pastors, assistant pastors, deacons, evangelists, first ladies, missionaries, armor bearers, adjutants, and any woman serving in ministry. Our events will cover all of these areas at some point. Our next

meeting in this month is March 23rd from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at New Bethlehem Baptist Church. Dr. Lisa Weah and her team are doing a Preaching Clinic on Homiletics. They will teach on proper sermon construction. It is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcomed. Next year we will expand and open for membership so that other ladies may join the group. We want to give ourselves a year to bond.

G&G: Dr.Bethea,sincethisassociationisafellowshipofwomen,howcriticalisitthatthewomenrepresentedintheFemaleClergySupportGroupofMarylandsupporteachother?Willthiswomen’sgroup benefit the individual congregations represented by themembersofthegroup?How?Dr. Bethea:The iron sharpening events that we have planned for 2013 and 2014 will bless all the women involved. The topics are relevant and will cause all of us to improve in ways that will benefit each of us, our churches, and the body of Christ at large. The members of the group and myself are involving the female leaders in our individual churches in all of our events. I have even had male pastors tell me that they are making our events mandatory now for their female leaders. G&G:Dr.Bethea,lastlyarethereanyothereventscomingupthatyouwantustobeawareof?Dr. Bethea:Our calendar for 2013 is here and all of our events are on our website at: www.femaleclergymd.org. We are very excited about the upcoming Legends Ball! We are having it in conjunction with the Sisters in Ministry headed up by one of our honorees, Dr. Leah White. On Friday May 31 at Morgan State University, we will honor twelve female pioneers in ministry who paved the way for us. They include: Bishop Vashti McKenzie; Bishop Bertha Greene; Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller; Dr. Leah White; Dr. Minnie Washington; Dr. Leslie Barnett Davis; Dr. Patricia Pender; Dr. Joan Sanders; Rev. Cecilia Bryant; Rev. Goldia Wright; Lady Weptonomah Carter(Posthumously); Dr. Marie Antoinette Phillips (Posthumously).

TicketsfortheLegendsBallareonsalenowandcanbeobtainedonlineorfromanyoneoftheladiesintheorganization.Theeventis open tomen andwomen andwill be awonderful evening ofcelebrationandgratitude.Godisusingwomen!Luke1:45


T h e F e m a l e C l e r g y S u p p o r T g r o u p o F m a r y l a n d

Dr. Karen S. Bethea


biobio


biobio

The Female Clergy Support Group of Maryland

Dr. Karen Bethea, Sr., Pastor,Set The Captives Free

Outreach Center

Lady Jacqueline BrownWayland Baptist Church

Lady Wanda SmithMt. Moriah Baptist Church

Dr. Lisa Weah, Sr. Pastor,New Bethlehem Baptist Church

Lady Sheila ClaxtonNew Creation Christian Church

Dr. Stacey Cole Wilson, Sr. Pastor,Good Hope Union

United Methodist Church

Pastor Donna Chiarella, Sr. Pastor,Sweet Mercy Church and Ministries

Pastor Jakia Ledbetter, Sr. Pastor,Victory Ministries of Christ

Lady Carla DebnamMorning Star Baptist Church, Catonsville

Pastor Sandy Johnson, Founder,Fresh Water Ministries

Dr. Vanessa Booth, Sr. Pastor,Lamb of Life Baptist Church

Pastor Joyce England, Sr. Pastor,Be Whole Ministries

Pastor Dana Neal, Sr. Pastor,Dayspring Worship Center

Lady Marlaa ReidBethel AME Church

Rev. Monique CarterNew Shiloh Baptist Church


12 March 2013 | Grace&Glory12 Marsh 2013 | Grace&Glory

The Seven Wordsof Jesus Christ on the Cross

THE FIRST WORD “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

GospelofLuke23:34

THE SECOND WORD “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

GospelofLuke23:43

THE THIRD WORD “Jesus said to his mother: “Woman, this is your son.” Thenhesaidtothedisciple:“This is your mother.”

GospelofJohn19:26-27

THE FOURTH WORD “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew27:46andMark15:34

THE FIFTH WORD “I thirst.”

GospelofJohn19:28

THE SIXTH WORD WhenJesushadreceivedthewine,hesaid,”It is finished;”

andhebowedhisheadandhandedoverthespirit.GospelofJohn19:30

THE SEVENTH WORD Jesuscriedoutinaloudvoice,

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” GospelofLuke23:46

scripture


mayor’s journal


Progressisachoice.Jobcreationisachoice.Whetherwegiveourchildrenafutureofmoreorafutureofless–this,too, is a choice.Knowing thatwe cannot cut ourway toprosperity,wearebalancingrecordbudgetcutswithmoderninvestments. Investments in the very priorities that createjobs and expand opportunity: educating, innovating, andrebuildingforabettereconomicfuture.

Withbetterchoicestogether,thankstohardworkingmenandwomenacrossourState,wearecreatingjobsinMaryland,and our businesses are growing stronger. We have nowrecoverednearly81%of the jobswelost in therecession,thefastestrecoveryrateintheregion.Andoverthepast12months alone, Maryland’s businesses created 30,300 newjobs inourState.GovernorO’Malleydelivers theStateoftheState.

ThebudgetthatwesubmittedthisyeartotheGeneralAssemblyisajobsbudget:itinvestsin43,000jobsrebuildingroads,bridges,tunnels,communitycolleges,affordablehousingunits,cleanwaterinfrastructure,andotherforward-lookingprojectswithyourhelp.Itprotectsnearly26,000lawenforcementjobsthroughoutourState.Anditsupportsover114,000jobseducatingourchildren.

Thisbudgetinveststoimprovepubliceducationandtobuildnewschools.Itacceleratesthetransitionfromchalkandtextbooksinourclassrooms,toiPads,laptopsandsmart-boards,and21stcenturydigitallearningtoolsandyourvotewillacceleratethoseinnovations.Andonceagain,itholdsdownthecostofcollegetuition.

Together,withourbravemenandwomenoflawenforcement,wearedrivingdownviolentcrimeandhomicidesinourStatetothreedecadelows.Butwearestilllosingtoomanyofourfellowcitizenstogunviolence.Therefore,weareaskingforyoursupportthislegislativesessiononourFirearmSafetyAct.

Thislegislationtakesacommonsense,comprehensiveapproach:Itrequiresalicenseandacriminalbackgroundchecktopurchaseagun.Ithasagunsafetytrainingcomponent.Itbansthesaleofmilitary-styleassaultweapons.Itlimitsthesizeofhighcapacitymagazines.Itimprovesmentalhealthtreatmentandtimelydatasharing.Anditstrengthenssecuritymeasuresatourschoolswitha$25millioninvestment.

Asweworktogethertowardsabetterfuture,wearealsoaskingforyourhelpandsupporttoendthedeathpenaltyinMaryland,andreplaceitwithlifewithoutparole.Thedeathpenaltyisexpensive,andtheevidencedemonstratesclearlythatitdoesnotwork.

Andfinally,thislegislativesession,wearemovingforwardwithouroffshorewindbill,whichwillallowustocreate850jobseveryyearforfiveyearsinconstruction,manufacturing,andassembly.Ontopofthat,wewillbecreatinganother160permanent,greenjobsinourState.

Thesearethechoiceswhichenableustoinvestinastrongerandbetterfuture,thefuturethatallofuspreferforourchildren:morejobcreation,moreopportunity,astronger,growingmiddleclass.

governor’s page

BetterChoices,BetterResultsbyGovernorMartinO’Malley

Governor O’Malley delivers the State of the State.


education digest

THE FUTURE IS NOW

Towson, MD – Most of them were just months away fromreceivingtheircollegedegrees.TheyfilledtheTowsonCenteronthecampusofTowsonUniversity.Therewereothersinthecrowdwho’dalreadylandedjobsandwerehopingtochangecareers.BothgroupspacedthefloorinTowsonstoppingperiodicallytomeetwithpotential employers.They came together the annualCareer andJobsfairsponsoredby14Baltimore-areacollegesanduniversities.AccordingtoTheNationalCenterforEducationStatistics(NCES),enrollmentindegree-grantinginstitutionsincreasedby11percentbetween 1990 and 2000. Between 2000 and 2010, enrollmentincreased37percent,from15.3millionto21.0million.Muchofthegrowthbetween2000and2010was in full-timeenrollment;thenumberoffull-timestudentsrose45percent,whilethenumberofpart-timestudentsrose26percent.1Thisallspellscompetition

• Educational Services: Thissectorcomprisesestablishmentsthatprovideinstructionandtraininginawidevarietyofsubjects.Theinstructionandtrainingisprovidedbyestablishmentssuchasschools,colleges,universities,andtrainingcenters.

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: Thissectorcomprisesestablishments thatspecialize inperformingprofessional,scientific,andtechnicalactivitiesforothers.Theseactivitiesrequireahighdegreeofexpertiseandtraining.(Examples-accounting,bookkeeping,payrollservices,architectural,engineering,andcomputerservices).

• Healthcare and Social Assistance: This sector comprises establishments providing healthcare and social assistanceforindividuals.Thesectorincludesbothhealthcareandsocialassistancebecauseitissometimesdifficulttodistinguishbetweentheboundariesofthesetwoactivities.

• Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation): Federal,State,andLocalGovernment,excludingstateandlocalschoolsandhospitals,andtheU.S.PostalService.

• Finance and Insurance: This sector includes establishments primarily engaged in financial transactions and/or infacilitatingfinancialtransactions.4

Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr.

inanalreadycrowded jobmarket. Icouldn’thelpbutempathizewiththestudentsIencounteredthatdayinTowson.Theirfutureisnow.It’safuturestrugglingtorearitsheadabovetheheadlinesofableakeconomy.AccordingtotheJanuary2013BureauofLaborStatistics unemployment report, 12.3million peoplewere out ofworkintheUnitedStates.2However,justanhourbeforemakingmywaytotheTowsonCampus,Icameacrossapromisingreport.It’sayearlydocumentpublishedbytheNationalAssociationofCollegesandEmployers.ItshowedthatTechnicalmajors,particularlythoseinengineering,dominated the listof toppayingmajors in2012.3

Thesurveyalsopointedtospecificfieldswhereemployerswerepreparedtohirecollegegraduates.

Here’smypoint.Inordertoprepareourchildrenorlovedonesfor the Future Now, we must intentionally plan. This requiresparental and guardian involvement in the early grades. I hearsomuchabout the futureduringmyvisits toareahighschoolsandcolleges.Thenewbuzzword isSTEM.It’sanacronymforScience,Technology,EngineeringandMath.Itmayprovideasortofhinttowhereourchildrenshouldbegintheirplanningpriortograduation. I’mreferring tograduation frompre-school,middleschool,highschoolandeventuallycollege.Theremustbeasenseofurgencylikenoothertimeinourhistorytostaythecourseanddoabetterjobofkeepingtrackofthefuturenow.

Dr. Tim Tooten, Sr. is an Emmy Award-winning television journalist and Education reporter for WBAL-TV (NBC) in Baltimore, Maryland. He’s also the Pastor and Founder of Harvest Christian Ministries in Baltimore County, Maryland.

1The National Center for Education Statistics, (2012). http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=982US Department of Labor, (2013). http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf3National Association of Colleges and Employers, (2013), http://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/NACEWeb/Research/Salary_Survey/Reports/SS_Jan2013_ExecSummary.pdf 4 Ibid.



Carla J. Debnam, MS, LCPCExecutive Director,Renaissance ChristianCounseling Center

to your good health


TheLentenseasonisuponusandusuallyduringthistimeoftheyearChristianstaketimeouttoreflect,repentandrenew.Wereflectonthetrialsandtriumphsofthepastyear,repentforanyareaswherewehavemissedthemark,andvowtoembarkuponarenewedsenseofpurposeandpassioninourrelationshipwithChrist.ItisthesethreeareasthatwhenpracticedmakeouroverallcommitmenttoourpersonalrelationshipwiththeLordandothersmoremeaningfulandfruitful.ItisalsoatimeofgreatchallengeaswerememberthesufferingandsacrificeofourLordwhodiedandroseagainthatwemightlive.Thisisanopportunitytoconsiderwhatmattersmostinyourlifeandbeginreconnectingtothosepeople,placesandintereststhatyouhaveletgoofbecauseofbusynessandmisplacedpriorities.Thereareatleastthreereasonsthatweallneedtoreevaluateourcurrentcommitmentsanddetermineiftheyareafruitfulandmeaningfulpartofourlives. First,weneedtospendtimereflectingonourgoals,accomplishmentsandourpurpose.Manytimesbecauseoffearofthefuturewefailtolookatourpasteventhepositivesaspectsofourlives.TheLentenseasonisaperfecttimetospendassessingourselvesandthendeterminewhatgoals,dreamsandaspirationswehaveforthefuture.ThisseasonisnotjustaboutdeathbutthenewlifefoundintheresurrectionofJesus.Whatareasofyourlifeneedtoberesurrectedandhowcanyoustarttheprocess?Thesearequestionsyoumustaskyourselfifyouplantomoveforward.Secondly,weallmustatoneforthemistakeswehavemade,themissedopportunitiesandthemisplacedemotionsthatwehaveexpressedoverthepastyear.Wemustlearntochallengeournegativeattitudes,behaviorsandemotionssothatwecandotheworkofthekingdomandcallothersfromdarknessintothelight.Itishardtopointouttheflawsofothersandtrytofixthemwhenyouhavenotworkedonyourownshortcomingsandflaws.ItistimetoturnawayfromtheexcusesforournegativityandmoveinthedirectionofhealingandwholenessthatwehavebeengiveninChrist.Galatians5:1remindsusofourfreedom,“SoChristhastrulysetusfree.Nowmakesurethatyoustayfree”(NLT). Finally,wemustlearntomoveon.Itisimpossibletostartfreshwithoutmakingthedecisiontomovepastyourpast.ThenewlifewehavebeenpromisedinChristcannotbeembracedwhileholdingontowhatusedtobe.Welovetotalkaboutthe‘goodoledays’,buteverythingabouttheolddayswasnotgoodandrenewaliswhatwehavebeenavoidingbyremaininginthepast.WeareencouragedbytheapostlePaultoforgetthosethingsthatarebehindusandtopresstowardthefuture.ThisiswhatJesus’deathandresurrectionmeansforourlivestoday.Wecandietothefailuresofthepast,theflightythoughtsweoncehadandfromtheregretsofourcurrentdecisionsandliveabundantlyinspiteofthem.JesusmodelsforushumilitybytakingadvantageoftheopportunitytobeinGod’swill.HedidnotthinkhiswayswereaboveGod’swill.Taketimetogetrecommittedtoyourfaith,yourprioritiesandyourself.Itwillbethebeginningofanewlife,arefreshingattitudeandhopefulfuture.


IDENTITy teen connect


womans perspective

CaSandra VaughnDirector,BaltimoreCityOfficeofCableandCommunications

Recently we have experienced numerouscelebrity shocking deaths and public battleswithdemons.Howwillyouberemembered?

Leadersofourtimeswhohaveaccomplishedgroundbreaking memorable events; we haveadmired themwhen they are up and scornedthemwhentheyaredown.Howwillyouberemembered?

Buthaveweany thoughtabout theirdemonsor the pressures of life that they constantlyface?DowereallyliveourlivesasChristiansand followwhat the scriptures say about notjudging?“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke6:37

Iaskyouagain,howwillyouberemembered?

Areyoulivingyourlifeasiftodaywereyourlast and thatGod is coming at anymoment?Orareyoulivingyourliferecklesslytofulfillyourselfishwantsnotneeds?Howwillyouberemembered?

Godhassetapathforus.Thefoundationwaslaidbeforewewereconceived.Isuggesttoyouthatasyoureadthisarticleyouconsiderthisthought,howwillyouberemembered?

AnddeterminetodaytoaskGodtoenlargeyourterritoryandopenyourhearttothepathHehassetforyou.

Untilnext timestaystrong, focusonGodandcreateyourlegacy!



by Brandie ManigaultBook Shelf

Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated WorldBy Craig GroeschelHave you ever felt a twinge of guilt when watching a certain show on TV? Or known instinctively that a particular CD was something you could only listen to when you were alone? How about going to a movie with work friends that you’d never see with church friends? Well, there is something in those TV shows, songs and movies that don’t sit quite right with your spirit. That is one of the main points in Craig Groeschel’s latest book, “Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World.”

Too often today, we find ourselves ignoring that little warning bell that goes off in our minds when we’re hanging out and the conversation takes a left turn. We dismiss the alarm that sounds when we watch movies laden with profanity or nudity. Pastor Groeschel talks about how we become desensitized little by little, which makes us more and more accepting of things that not only weaken, but kill our spirit. There is a great comparison he shares in the book about how common and acceptable smoking was when he was growing up. Both of his parents smoked and his friends’ parents smoked, their houses and clothes were permeated with smoke... and it was no big deal. Only when young Craig went out into the world did he realize he had “a smell” and there was something he was missing out on... fresh, clean air. Because he was around smoke all the time it was no big deal to him, in fact, he didn’t even notice it; but when he was around someone who didn’t smoke, just the smell of his clothing from being in that environment was quite noticeable. Did the fact that the smell didn’t bother him make it less harmful to him- no! Poison is poison whether you notice it or not.

That is how we get with spiritual toxins. Sometimes we get so used to things we don’t notice them anymore. At other times, we feel justified in doing what we do or feeling how we feel so we excuse ourselves. As followers of Christ, we cannot allow ourselves to be so full of the bad stuff, that

Craig Groeschel Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a church with fourteen locations in five states. He is married with six children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where LifeChurch.tv is based. Groeschel entered the ministry as an associate pastor in the United Methodist Church. He attended Phillips Theological Seminary, which is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and secured a Master of Divinity degree. He was an associate pastor at First United

Methodist Church in Oklahoma City when it was damaged in the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing. In 1996, Groeschel and a handful of people started Life Covenant Church in a two-car garage. Groeschel later told Business Week that he started by performing market research of non-churchgoers, and designed his church in response to what he learned. Groeschel’s non-traditional style was successful and attendance of Life Covenant grew rapidly, eventually evolving to become (as of December 2009) the second largest church in the United States with thirteen LifeChurch.tv campuses. Groeschel began using video to deliver some of sermons when he was unavailable for the Sunday service; he discovered that the videos were popular with his churchgoers, and his church has continued to use them. In 2006 he set up a website called mysecret.tv as a place for people to confess anonymously on the Internet. Groeschel also began delivering his services to the Second Life virtual world on Easter Sunday 2007. Groeschel was named the 5th most influential pastor in 2006 and LifeChurch.tv was named America’s Most Innovative Church by Outreach Magazine in 2007 and 2008

About The Author

there’s no room for the good. Craig talks about three main categories of internal things we can watch out for to make sure

our spirits remain healthy. We should avoid toxic behaviors, toxic emotions and toxic influences. Those things reveal that the most harmful of toxins come from within. Toxic emotions like anger and bitterness have to do with choices we make.

There’s so much more, it’s too much to try to encapsulate in a brief review. I consider this book a must read for every

believer. According to Craig, who pastors Lifechurch.tv, we are living in the most spiritually poisonous time in history. How can we not be vigilant about what we allow to influence our spirit? This book was great to read individually, but it would be even more awesome for a group study. One of the things mentioned in the book is accountability. It’s important to be transparent. Not only that, we have to be

open to things other people may see in us that we’re not willing to admit are issues on our own.

I really can’t say enough about the impact this book has had on me. As the old saints used to testify, “The things I used to do, I don’t do no more. The movies I used to watch, I don’t watch no more. The music I used to listen to, I don’t listen to no more! I been changed!” Seriously though, reading this book will change your life. You will once again be sensitive to that still small voice guiding to or away from certain things, people and emotions. I’ll end here with a quote from the introduction of the book: “Everything that we allow into our minds, hearts, and lives—everything that we spend our time and money on—has an impact on how we grow, or don’t grow, spiritually. As the old computer adage reminds us: garbage in, garbage out. Just as we are what we eat physically, we are also what we consume spiritually. If we don’t monitor and adjust our diet accordingly, our souls are in danger of absorbing more and more lethal poison.”

-Siobhan Saulsbury

bookshelf

Dear Readers,

Enjoy this review from Siobhan Saulsbury. It will bless you! -Brandie


You Can Start Over Again! The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” (2 Kings 4:1-7 NIV)Unfortunately,thisstoryparallelsthefinancialchallengesofmanyfamilies today; single-parented, children, much debt, no stableemployment,littletonoincomeandfinancialstressthatisthreateningthesurvivalofafamilyhousehold.However,theLorddeliveredthiswomanfromahorriblepitinlife.Shewastrulyinafinancialhole.Herhusbanddiedandleftherallofthedebt.Thedebthadimmobilizedherlife,threatenedherlife’sdestinyandchildren’sfuturefreedom.However,thisisastoryoffinancialhopeandrestorationbecauseGodgavethiswomanthepowertostartoveragain.Inlife,ittakesaspecialgracetostartoveragain,especiallyafterfinancialdevastationandloss.InevitablytherewillbetimeswhenwewillhavetostartoveragaintoseeGod’sglorymanifestinourlife.Perhapswhenyoumoveorrelocate,afteralossofrelative,afterabusinessfailed,achurchfolded,anevictionnotice,acareerchange,amaritaldivorce,leavingofanoldchurchorevengoingbacktoschool.Allofthe

above challengesand changes inourlivesrequirean evaluation

ofourfinancesandoften timeswewillhave tostartoveragain.DavidBachinhisbook“DebtFreeforLife:TheFinishRichPlanforFinancialFreedom”usestheanalogyofpressingtheresetbuttoninourlives.Sometimeswhenwearefacedwithfinancialdebtandtrouble,wehavetopressresetandstartoveragain.Asitwasinthisstory,whenitappearstobetheend,itactuallycanbethebeginningofsomethingwonderful.Godwasabouttobringrestoration,abundanceandoverflowinherfinances. Likethiswoman,youalsocanfindfinancialhopewhenitfeelslikeyouareattheendoftheropeandallisabouttobelost.ManytimesGodusesseasonsoffinanciallosstoteachusspiritualtruths.WhatweseeinthisstoryisthatGodisverymuchconcernedwitheveryminutedetailofourlivesandcan

deliverandrescueusevenwhenwearefacingfinancialdanger.IfweturnitovertoHimandtrustHimenoughtofollowHisinstructions,Hecanperformamiraculousfinancial turnaround for you. In the middle of ourmost severe financial devastation, God can bringHis greatest financial restoration. Several yearsago,when Iwas letgo frommy job, IhadagoodAccountantpositionwithagoodsalary,havingbeennotlongmarriedwithayoungfamily,Ithoughtthislayoffwastheendforme.Yetwithinoneyear,GodblessedmewithajobthatenabledmetocontrolmyownfinancialdestinyandHeturneditaround,deliveredmeoutofdebtandrestored my finances. Sometimes youmay get fired to get inspired to finallyreleasewhatfinancialpotentialisalready

word on finances


Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson II


You Can Start Over Again!

in you. Such is the case in this story, thissinglemother’sfinancialcrisiswasasetbackfor a miraculous financial comeback. Shewent from unemployed to becoming debtfreeandasuccessfulentrepreneur. Let’s look at a few points in thisstory to see howGod turned her financialdevastation into financial restoration. Thefirst thingshedoesis turntoGodforhelpforherfinancialcrisis.Iamamazedathowmanypeople,evenChristiansarehesitanttoapproachGodabouttheirmoneyproblems.Butwe see in this story that her financialhelp began with the man of God, whorepresentsGodhere.Elisha’snamemeans“God ismysalvation”.ThiswomanknewthatyoucouldcometoGodatanytimeforanything,evenyourfinances.Sohere’showshe got started again...The prophet shiftedthethinkingofthewidowbyaskinghertolookwithin.No time for self-preservation.START OVER AGAIN!!! Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you?”Herfinancialsituationwasabouttomiraculouslyturnaroundbutshehadtofacehersituationandtakethecouragetofollowthe man of God’s instructions. This storygives us the secrets on how to start overagain.HerearethethingsGodneedsfromyoutostartoveragain.

1. your participation.“Tell me, what do you have in your house?”Yoursolutionwillrequireyourparticipation.Weliveinacapitalisticsociety.Anythingyoudowillrequiresomecapital.Capitalisgoodsorusefulassets.Godneedssomethingtobless.HeusedMoses’srod,Elijah’saltar,David’sslingshot,Peter’sboat;Ithinkyougetthepicturenow. Don’t underestimate or underplay what you have.“your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” (2 Kings 4:2 NIV) Doyouhavetheoil?Oil(Anointing)representsyourgiftandcallingonyourlife.Ithasmorevaluethanyouestimate.Don’t be afraid to start over small.“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10 NIV) Your gift makes room for you and brings you before great men.“A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.”(Proverbs 18:16 MSG). “A gift will get you in to see anyone.” (Proverbs 18:16 CEV) You have a lot more in you to start over, you must place a demand on what’s in you.Placeademandonitforgreatersupply.Itisnottoolatebecausethereisnoexpirationdateonoil.

2. A plan. Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:3, 4 NIV)GodwillgiveyouaplanandthenyougivetheplanbacktoGod.Inotherwords,dowhateverHetellsyou.Financialrestorationbeginswithaplan.Itmaybeabusinessplan,debt-paymentplanorvisionplanbutrememberGodneedsaplan. “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)3. Some players. “Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:4 NIV)WheneveryoudowhatGodtellsyoutodo,Hehasalreadyprovidedthepeopleyouneedtoassistyouinyourassignment.Everydreamneedsateam.Godwillgiveyoufavorwiththepeopleyouneedtogetyouwhereyouneedtobe.

4. Patience and persistence. “She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. “ (2 Kings 4:5 NIV)Onceyoustartoveragain,itwillrequirepatienceandpersistencetostaywiththeprocess.Wheneveryoustartrebuildingyourfinancesyouwillhavetofacethedemonsofthepastfinancialmistakesintheprocess.Thingswillnothappenovernightbuttheywillhappen.Bedeterminedtogetoutofdebtandpatientlyworkyourplanuntilyouseeyourfinancialbreakthrough.5. An ordained place. “She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” (2 Kings 4:7 NIV)Unfortunatelymanybelieversmissthispointintheirfinances.Godneededhertoembracethemarketplace.Elishasaidtoher,“Gosell...”.Thisspeaksclearlyofenterpriseandentrepreneurialism.Ifwevaluewhatwehave,wewilltakeittotheworldandGodwillgiveusfavorinthemarketplace.Theoilrepresentswhatmotivatesandlubricates(flow)yourgiftingtogointothemarketplaceandsell.Mostofthehoursofyourdayisspentmakingitforothers,spendsometimeinvestinginyourownfinancialenrichment.Thereisanordainedplaceforyourfinancialrestoration.Inthisseason,GodhasreleasedHisfavorinthisordainedplaceandpeoplearealreadywaitingforyoutoshowupwiththevessels. These (5) things enabled this woman to start over again and go from financialdevastation to financial restoration, abundance and overflow. She went from theunemploymentlinetobecomeasuccessfulentrepreneur,tobecomedebtfreeandthensheandherfamilylivedonthesurplusfortherestofherlife.Asyoutakethesethingsandstartoveragain,IbelieveGodwilldothesameforyou. For appointments or seminars contact: Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson II,Financial Inspirational Speaker, Radio and TV Host of “The Word on Finances”.www.kennethorobinson.com

word on finances



stories of hope

HopeA Story of

Forthelast4or5years,Ihadbeenbattlingablooddisorderthatthedoctorsoriginally thoughtwasdiabetes. Thesymptomsliterally leftmeimmobilized.Mostdays,Iwasconfinedtomybed,unabletodoanythingbutliethere.Ihadwonderful,caringdoctorswhotriedtheirbesttohelpme,butnothingworked.Finally,myfamilydoctorandEndocrinologistdecidedthattheyneededtosendmetoDukeMedicalCenterformoreindepthtesting.ItwastheirhopethatDukewould“getmebackintolife”.Inresponsetotherequestfrommydoctors,DukegavemeanappointmentdateofJanuary15,2013,twowholemonthslater.Inotherwords,twomoremonthsofsufferingorsowethought. Meanwhile,myfamily,churchandfriendswereprayingwithmeandbelievingGod formy healing. We didn’t knowhoworwhen, butwebelievedHEWOULDDOIT!! Well,onJanuary13,2013,wehadaRevivalatourchurchandattheveryfirstservice,BishopOscarE.Bent,fromToronto,Ontarioprayedforme.Now,hedidnotknowme.Infact,hedidn’tevenknowourPastorbecausetheyhadjustmetthepreviousdayatafuneral.TheHolySpiritpromptedmyPastor,BishopDoyleRoberts,toinviteBishopBenttopreachatourchurchthenextday.ThesetwomenofGodhadnopersonalconversationsabouteachother’schurchesormembers.Theysimplyconnected“inspirit”andtheinvitationtopreachwasbornoutofthatconnection.Again,BishopBentknewnothingaboutourPastororanyofthemembers. Afterhepreachedthatmorning,hebegantocallpeopletothealtartoprayforthem.Thethingsthathewassaying,weknewhadtohavebeenrevealedbyGod!IwasatmyseatprayingthathewouldcallmeupbecauseIwantedmywordfromGodtoo! Ifinallygotmychance.HegaveanopenaltarcallforeverybodywhoneededamiraclefromGod.Myhusbandhelpedmegettothefrontofthechurch.BishopBentwasontheothersideofthechurchprayingforpeople.Hedidnotseemecomingup.Hadheseenme,thethingshesaidtomewouldn’thavebeenanythingoutofthenorm.Tolookatmyface,IdidnotlookassickasIreallywas. Anyway,whenBishopBentfinallygot tome,he lookedatmeandthenheturnedandwalkedaway.HecamebackandhesaidtomyPastor,“Bishop, come here. This is going to be a good one.”Thenhelookedmeintheeyeandsaid, “Sister, when you go to your doctor, you tell them, a little black preacher from Toronto, Canada said God healed me!” HetouchedmyforeheadandbleweversolightlyovermyheadandIfeltasetofgentle,tenderarmscatchingmeasIslowlyfellbackwards.Itwasn’tmyhusbandnorwasitmyPastorbecausetheywerebothstandingnearme.ItwastheHolySpirit.IendedupsittingonthefloorwithmyhandsraisedtoGodgivingHimpraiseformyhealing.IjustKNEWIwashealed.DidIfeeldifferentatthatmoment?No,butIstillknewit! After a fewminutes, my husband and Pastor assistedme in risingfrom the floor. Thatwas all the help they had to giveme. Iwalked,unaided, off the platform, down the steps and back to my seat. Witheach step, I was feeling better and better. Not only was my blood

streamliningupwithGod’sWord,butthatoldarthritiswassubmittingtothenameofJesustoo!Godgavemetwoforone! So,twodayslater,myhusbandandIwenttoDukeMedicalCenter.Ihadbloodworkdone.ThetechwasconfusedbecausetherecordssentfromSCdidn’tmatchwhatshewasseeing.Thatwasmytimetosharemytestimony.Isaidma’am,Idon’tknowhowyoufeelaboutGod, but a little black preacher from Toronto, Canada, told me to tell you that God healed me. Thenextladywasanurse. Shewasdoingmyvitals. Sheseesmyrecordsaren’tmatchingupwithwhattheywereexpecting.So,againIgo,ma’am,Idon’tknowhowyoufeelaboutGod,but a little black preacher from Toronto, Canada, told me to tell you that God healed me. ThelasttwoladiesItoldweremyactualdoctorandadietitian.TheywerebothamazedathowgreatmybloodworklookedandtheyagreedthattherewasnoreasonformetobeatDukebecauseIHADNOISSUES!!!!ItoldbothladiesthesamethingIhadtoldtheprevioustwopersonnel,a little black preacher from Toronto, Canada, told me to tell you that God healed me! IhavenotbeensickfromthatSunday,January13tothisday.Myhealingisabonafide,doctorconfirmedhealingandIwanttoencouragemysistersandbrotherswhomaybegoingthroughsomethingsimilaranditjustseemslikeyoudon’tseetheendinsight.JustknowthatGodisnotarespecterofpersons.Helovesusall,unconditionally.So,ifHedidthatforme,willHenotdoitforyoualso? I’vegonefrombeingprimarilybedriddentoworkinginourchildren’schurcheveryweek,andvolunteeringatmygranddaughter’sschool.I’mabletobeablessingatmychurchbyhelpingoutwhereverneeded.I’minHEAVEN!!Staystrong,mysistersandbrothersandknowthatinGod’sowntiming,He’sgoingtogiveyouyourmiracle!

Love&blessings,

Pat Saulsbury Blessedtobeablessing!

By Pat Saulsbury


By Herline A. Knights,RD, LD

I will avoid saturated fats. Sources of saturated fat include:• Fattymeat• Poultryskin• Wholemilk• Lard• Coconutoil

• Palmkerneloil• Palmoil• Butter• Cream• Cottonseedoil

nutrition & you

✔ I will read ingredient lists to make sure that the foods I choose do not contain partially hydrogenated oils.

These are trans fats.

✔ I will choose healthier sources of fat.

Choose:•Oliveoil•Canolaoil•Walnutoil

✔ I will eat fatty fish at least two times each week.

The following are fatty fish:•Salmon•Tuna•Mackerel•Bluefish•MulletIf you do not like fish, take a fish oil supplement that contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is not as good. Your supplement should provide at least 1 gram (g)/day.

✔ I will decrease the amount of sugar that I consume.

✔ I will eat several sources of soluble fiber each day.

Good sources include:•Citrusfruits•Pears

•Nuts•Seeds•Avocados

•Anchovies•Herring•Laketrout•Sardines

•Prunes•Peaches•Plums•Barley

✔ I will increase my intake of foods that contain calcium and vitamin D.

IfyoudonotthinkthatyoucangetenoughcalciumandvitaminDfromyourdiet,takeadailysupplement.Good sources of calcium include:•Milk•MilkProducts•Fortifiedorangejuice•Fortifiedbreads•Fortifiedcereals•Beans•Driedfigs•Calcium-fortifiedtofu•Cannedsalmonwithbones•Almonds•Broccoli•Carnation®InstantBreakfast•Ovaltine®•Dark-greenleafyvegetables

✔ I will eat plenty of potassium-rich foods.

These include:•Potatoes•Sweetpotatoes•Bananas•Oranges•Halibut•Limabeans•Tuna•Swisschard

•Apples•Oats

•Legumes•Broccoli•Brusselssprouts•Carrots

What Are You Willing to Do?HeartHealth

•Acornsquash•Tomatoes•Watermelon•Grapes•Raisins•Pistachios•Flounder•Parsnips•Milkproducts

✔ I will commit to consuming more plant stanols/sterols.

Iwilleattherecommendedamounteveryday.

✔ I will eat more fresh herbs.

✔ I will eat several servings of nuts each week.

The best kinds of nuts are:•Walnuts•Pecans•Almonds•Pistachios•Brazilnuts

✔ I will use garlic, onions, and leeks often when preparing food.

✔ I will choose cereals that contain more than 5 g of fiber/serving.

Good choices include:•Raisinbran•Shreddedwheat•Grape-Nuts•FiberOne®

•Pintobeans•Wheatgerm•Prunes•Spinach•Salmon•Brusselssprouts•Cantaloupe•Lentils•Milk

What did you commit to?

✔ I will avoid saturated fats.

✔ I will read ingredient lists to make sure that the foods I choose do not contain partially hydrogenated oils.

✔ I will choose healthier sources of fat.

✔ I will eat fatty fish at least two times each week.

✔ I will decrease the amount of sugar that I consume.

✔ I will eat several sources of soluble fiber each day.

✔ I will increase my intake of foods that contain calcium and vitamin D.

✔ I will eat plenty of potassium-rich foods.

✔ I will commit to consuming more plant stanols/sterols.

✔ I will eat more fresh herbs.

✔ I will eat several servings of nuts each week.

✔ I will use garlic, onions, and leeks often when preparing food.

✔ I will choose cereals that contain more than 5 g of fiber/serving.



gospel industry news

Tasha CobbsCongratstoTashaCobbsonhernewalbum“Grace”,itdebutedat#2onBillboard’sTopGospelAlbumCharts,thehighestdebutalbumbyanewartistthisyear.Thealbumalsolandedthe#1spotonBillboard’sTopDigitalGospelCharts,iTunesGospelAlbumChartsandAmazonbefore it’s actual street release date.The single “Break EveryChain” hit the #1 spot onBillboard’sDigitalGospelCharts,soneedlesstosayifudon’thaveityetthisisdefinitelyonetogograb.TashaandtheEMIteamhavemultipleawardwinningartistVaShawnMitchelltothankfortheproductionofthisgreatalbum!

William MurphyMurphy released his first album on amajor label last month. It landed the

#3 spot onBillboard’sTopGospelAlbumCharts,thehighestdebutofhismusicalcareer.Thesingle“YouReign”hasalreadybeenringinginchurchesbypraise teamsandchoirsallacross thecountry.The title of the album is “GodChaser.”Murphyhadthistosayabouthisproject,“Theessenceofmyministry,mycalling,istousherpeopleintothepresenceoftheLordinawaysopowerfulthattheybecometrue“GodChasers”.Thatistheessenceofmylife,sotheCDisacollectionofpropheticsongsthatcametousinprayer,andintimesofworship.GodChaserisacollectionofsongsknowninthechurchas‘songsoftheLord’.”

Charles Butler & TrinityCongratstoCharlesButlerandTrinityonthereleaseoftheirnewproject,theyrecentlysignedtogospelartistEarnestPugh’slabelEPMMusicGroup.We’veseenCharlesButler&Trinitymaturemusically in the 15 years they’ve had together.They arenostrangerstothemusicindustry.TheirvoicesareheardonEarnestPugh’salbumandquiteoftenseenonBobbyJonesGospelsingingbackgroundvocalsforvariousgospelartiststhatcometotheDCarea.It’snowtheirtimetoshineandstepuptotheforefrontofmusic.ThealbumwasproducedbysomeofBaltimoreandDC’sbest,ChrisForbes,MorganTurner,andRylandAndersonakaRC.SomeofthefeaturedartistssingingontheprojectincludeLorraineStancilandBrittneyWright.SongwritercontributorsTriniMasseyandBaltimore’sOwnSteveMcCoytonameafew.ThealbumisavailableonalldigitalmediaoutletsincludingiTunesandAmazon.



Follow me on twitter,www.twitter.com @MissEricka J, facebookwww.facebook.com/ErickaJohnson, or viaemail [email protected]

gospel industry news

Local Artist Spotlight

Steve McCoySteveMcCoy haswritten and released a new singletitled“Rest”,rightinthespiritofgearinguptocelebrateResurrectionSunday this song is in adorationof thefinishedworkonCalvary.It’sdefinitelyoneyou’lllove,goandgrabitNOW,it’soniTunes&Amazon.Steve’spen has definitely been busy, in addition towritinghisownmusiche’spennedsongsforKevynTerry&Predestined,VaShawnMitchell,EarnestPugh,BishopJakes&ThePottersHouse,andBishopPaulMorton’sCovenantChoir.BigthingsinstoreforSteveMcCoy,keepyoureyesandearsopenforthisguy!

Dee Dee Showell Legacy Award Winners

FavoritePraiseTeam.................................Carter Memorial COGICFavoriteMaleArtist.............................................................Jeff JacobsFavoriteFemaleArtist........................................................Joy MorganFavoriteGroup..............................Danton Whitley & Mosaic SoundFavoriteRadioPersonality(Male)...........................Derryck FletcherFavoriteRadioPersonality(Female)...............................Dion FarmerFavoriteChurchBand...........Beth-El Temple COC, Spirit of DavidFavoriteCommunityChoir .....Eric Waddell & Abundant Life SingersFavoriteChurchChoir...............Beth-El Temple Celebration ChoirFavoriteNewArtist................................................................April HallPeople’sChoiceAward.....................................................Brad RogersTrailblazerAwards..............................................Bishop Ralph Dennis............................................................................Bishop Jerome StokesCongrats to all the winners as well as the nominees, and thanks toBaltimore and everyone that voted, the total vote count tallied over350,000 votes. The attendance the night of the awards and concertrankedover 4,000 itwas an absolute great night!!Thanks to all theLegacyAwardsstaff,CRLStaff,presenters,performers,aswellasourawesomeMC’sBishopHezekiahWalker&BishopAndrewJ.Ford.Specialguests,GreaterAllenCathedralofNY,AnointedVoicesofFordMemorial and surprise guests JJHairston&YouthfulPraisewere allabsolutelyphenomenal!Can’twaittilnextyear!!!



word of encouragement

Who has believed (trusted in, relied upon, and clung to) our message [of that which was revealed to us]? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been disclosed? [Isaiah 53:1 -- Amplified Bible]Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you halt and limp between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not answer him a word”. [1 Kings 18:21 – Amplified Bible]

AsIlookedforthefirsttimeonTheWeatherChannelonFebruary2,2013,withregardstoGroundhogDay,Icouldn’thelpbutwonderwhatatraditionthatreallyis.Firstoffitwasreportedthatalmost6,700peopletalkedaboutitonFacebook,538peopletweetedaboutit,343emailedittoothersand905peoplecommentedonit.Tomethosewerestaggeringnumbers.StaggeringtomeonlybecauseasanavidpromoterofGodonFacebook,sendingouta“WordofEncouragement”,“Accountability101” [be accountable toGod daily],Godscope [God’s alternative toHoroscope,DailyChoices]andsomanyotherGodrelateditems,IfindthatmoreandmoreChristiansonFacebookarecommentingon“howgreattheyare”andnothow“wonderfulGodreallyis”. BelowisanexcerptofanarticlefromHuffPostthatIlookeduptoenteronthisWordofEncouragementarticle.

Groundhog Day 2013: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Spring Is Coming! “Following a recent stretch of weather that’s includedtemperatures well below freezing as well as record warmth,tornadoes in the South and Midwest and torrential rains inthe mid-Atlantic, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lairSaturdayinfrontofthousandsbutdidn’tseehisshadow.LegendhasitthatifthefurryrodentseeshisshadowonFeb.2onGobbler’sKnobinwest-centralPennsylvania,winterwilllastsixmoreweeks.Butifhedoesn’tseehisshadow,springwillcomeearly.” The prediction is made during a ceremony overseen bya group called the InnerCircle.Members don top hats andtuxedosfortheceremonyonGroundhogDayeachyear.

Weknow that followingwinter therewill alwaysbe spring. GodHimselfhasset theseasonsinitsplace. Itwillneverbe[unlessGoddecided]thatwinterwilllastforeighttotenmonthsorthatfallwillfollowwinter.Withthatsaid“Whosereportwillyoubelieve”?TheGroundhoghasnopowertopredictwhenspringwillarrive,onlyGodcandothat.TherewerethousandsofpeopleonGroundhogDaypredicatingthata

Groundhogshadowwoulddecidethat“springisgoingtocomeearly”.Truthbetold,springisgoingtobeherewhenspringgetshereandJesuswillreturnwhenHiswordispreachedtoeverysoulonplanetearth.

AstheBodyofChrist,weareheretoproclaimtheGoodNewsthatJesusChrististheOnlySavioroftheworld.No,therearenotmanywaystoGod,butonlythroughJesus,whogaveHislifeonCalvary’sCrossforallwhowouldbelieveinHim.WeareheretoshowforthsignsandwondersfromGodandallowHimtouseustoglorifyHimintheearth. Withthatsaid,letusastheBodyofChristendeavortopromoteGodlikeneverbefore.WeareheretobelievethereportoftheLordandreportthatJesusisreturningandwearetobeaboutourFather’sbusiness.WeareheretosaythatwewillminstertheWordinseasonandoutofseasonsothatthelostcangivetheirlivestoChristandnothavetoperishthroughouteternity. DailywearepresentedwithchoicestotellothersaboutJesus,and/orshowthislostanddyingworldJesusthroughourlifestyles.DowechoosetobelievethereportoftheLordandtakeandstandandhavingdonealltostandlettheworldknowthatwetrulybelievethereportoftheLord,ordowechoosetolivelifelikewearenotgoingtostandbeforeGodandgiveanaccountforwhatweshouldhavetoldthelostbutdidn’t?IdaresaythatIamguiltyoftimeswhenIshouldhavetoldothersthatJesusisLordandevenexhibiteditinmybehavioranddidn’t. Let us not allow theGroundhog or any other false gods reportabouttheweatheroranyotherthingrelatedtoourLordandSavior,JesusChrist.Letusnolongerhaltandlimpbetweentwoopinions,butspeakthewordonly.Letusdecreeanddeclarethatwewillferventlystandupandtakeourrightfulplacesandgointothehighwaysandbywaysandcommandthelosttocomeinandnotbeincompetitionwith each other as to howmanymemberswe have or howmanypeoplearefollowingusonTwitterorFacebook. InsteadIencourageyoutopromotetheWordoftheLordthatJesusissoontocomeandletusnotpassothersbywhoaregoinginthewrongdirection–awayfromChrist,insteadofrunningtothemercyseat. Prayer:Father,inthenameofJesus,helpustonothaltandlimpbetween two opinions about anything in our lives or the lives ofourfamiliesandfriends.HelpustogooutandtrulybeaboutYourbusinessbyboldlydeclaringtheKingdomofGodwillsoonbehereandbybringinglostsoulsintotheKingdomofGod,amen.


Donna Williams-RossIn Trust Ministries

[email protected]


CLASSIFIEDS !! CLASSIFIEDS !! CLASSIFIEDS!! ANNOUNCEMENT

The Huber Memorial Church, 5701 York Road, will have their Easter Sunday Resurrection Service at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive on the campus of Morgan State University on Sunday, March 31st starting at 9:30 A.M. The Pastor is Rev. P.M. Smith. 410-435-8500.

FOR SALEFuschia Hat by Whittall & Shon. Regularly priced at $140, being sold for $100 or best offer. Call 443-764-9907.

FOR SALE Ballooning - Are your loved ones in the Hospital? Then why not send them scriptural balloons to lighten up their mood and have them reflecting on God’s healing power. Contact us and we deliver to residences, hospitals and nursing homes. We also have birthday and wedding inspirational balloons. Check us out at www:intrustdesigns.com.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!Go to: www.gracenglorymagazine.org Click on “Classifieds”

See our great rates on page 6.

JOB OPPORTUNITYGrace & Glory Magazine is looking for Ad Sales Representatives - Great commission. Work from home. Set your own hours. Call 410-370-2636. Leave message.

JOB OPPORTUNITy

is looking for

Ad Sales RepresentativesSalary-commission based only. Work from home.

Call 410-370-2636 - Please Leave Message


PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!Go to: www.gracenglorymagazine.org Click on “Classifieds”

See our great rates on page 6.

Call 410-370-2636 - Please Leave Message

AccessoriesWedding InvitationsSPECIALIZING IN

&

• FREE SHIPPING . . . & delivery of your invitation order.

Offering a collection of fine invitations for all occasions from:CARLSON CRAFT • BIRCHCRAFT STUDIOS & THE

HERITAGE COLLECTION for the African American Bride

J&C DESIGNS also offers:

GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICESBusiness Cards • Post Cards • Advertisements Brochures •

Flyers • Magazines • CD & Book CoversSeals • Logos • Customized Plaques & much more!

410-686-7233 • 443-600-9722 • www.JandCDesigns.com9801-J Tailspin Lane • Baltimore, MD 21220

• PRICE MATCHING . . . of invitations

• WE DELIVER . . . our invitation albums to your home. Keep them for a few days to browse throughwith your fiancee at your convenience.

J&C DESIGNS is

GRACE & GLORY’SGraphic Designer

WEBSITEDESIGN

nowavailable!

march 2013

Documents

sharon baptist church

ararat baptist church

new psalmist baptist

new shiloh baptist church

life international church

classifieds page

scripture page

abaltimorebase glory