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™
DECEMBER 2016
c o n t e n t s On the Cover
(left to right)
Dr. Lisa M. Weah
(New Bethlehem Baptist Church)
Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson (DreamLife Worship Center)
Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam (Morning Star Baptist Church)
Bishop Walter S. Thomas (New Psalmist Baptist Church)
Dr. Donte' L. Hickman (Southern Baptist Church)
Bishop Gregory Dennis (Kingdom Worship Center)
Special Feature pgs 8-13 - This month our cover feature story is about Baltimore Area Pastors who ‘Give Back’ during the holiday season and beyond. Read about how each Pastor and their ministry is carrying out ‘The Great Commission’ of Jesus Christ and what they are doing to impact the lives of those who live in the surrounding communities of their ministries.
Feature Articles 32 WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE Tiffany Bethea
34 SINGLE LIFE
Tyneice Pack Review/Reflect/Record
Beauty & Grace
38 NUTRITION & YOU
Herline A. Knights, RD, LD
Holiday Eating the Healthy Way
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Healthy Body
46 MAN TALK
Dr. Charles Barrett
The Year in Review:Go Back Another Way
Entertainment
Healthy Mind 30 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Dr. Carla J. Debnam, (Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center)
In Times Like These
Healthy Soul
44 GOSPEL INDUSTRY NEWS
Ericka Johnson
In Every Issue Contributors............................................ 6
36 WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
From the Editor....................................... 7
In Trust Ministries dwilliamsross@aol.com nistries
It Was the Night Before Christmas
Scripture Page...................................... 42
Donna Royalty Ross
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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 PUBLISHER/ Jackie Epps EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL
Herline A. Knights Dr. Carla J. Debnam Donna Royalty Ross Ericka Johnson Rev. Tim Tooten Brandie Manigault Tiffany Bethea Dr. Charles Barrett Tyniece Pack
GRAPHIC ARTIST Claire Lesesne-Nalley www.JandCDesigns.com WEB ADMINISTRATOR Andre Felipe for Arts Period www.artsperiod.com PRINTING Roebuck & Son Printing www.hgroebuck.com
Grace & Glory Magazine is published monthly by JE Media, LLC, a Baltimore based, independent publisher. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction without expressed permission is prohibited.
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Advisory Board Chairman — Dr. A.C. D. Vaughn Sr. Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church, MD Vice-Chairman — Bishop Frank M. Reid, Jr. AME Church 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, Jr. 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. Dennis Sr. Pastor, Kingdom Worship Center, MD Wanda Q. Draper/Media Executive Michele J.K. Epps/Health Sciences Cassandra Vaughn/Media Executive Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman, Sr. Pastor, Southern Baptist Church, MD Pastor Timothy V. Manigault Healing Voices Ministries Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Pastor, Dream Life Worship Center Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr. Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, MD Dr. Timothy Tooten, Sr. Pastor, Harvest Christian Ministries, MD
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It's
from the editor
C hristmas T ime
It’s Christmas . . . a time of good cheer and holiday festivities, a time for singing carols and celebrating with family and friends. Twinkling lights, gaily wrapped presents, laughing children, jingling bells, fresh-cut pine . . . these are the sights and sounds of Christmas.
As the world celebrates the holiday may the true meaning of Christmas never be lost. As believers the birth of Jesus is our reason for the season. The Son of God came to give us hope and peace to show us his Father’s love and compassion for everyone. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel; which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 Christmas is all about seeing Jesus in every tradition, every celebration, and every moment of the Christmas season. So we will not “spend” Christmas . . . nor “observe” Christmas. We will “keep” Christmas . . . may we keep it in our hearts that we may be kept in its hope.
the challenges, the heartbreaks, the setbacks, purpose in your mind to make this your best Christmas ever! This Christmas look up into the Father’s face and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift . . . our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Eternal life and endless joy are parts of the gift. Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. The best Christmas ever is not getting the perfect gift, it’s getting the true meaning of the season: the birth of Jesus! As believers we know Jesus is the reason for the season. This Christmas remember and celebrate the coming of our savior Jesus, the one who was chosen by God and sent with a purpose and destiny. This holiday season honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was born to save all mankind and was sent to give us a hope and a future. Jesus Christ came that we might have everlasting life for all those who will believe.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
The Christmas season comes at the end of the year and you may have mixed emotions about this year coming to a close. This year has been challenging for many of us, to say the least. But I encourage you to still believe, “Don’t Stop Believing.” Don’t focus on the year gone by instead purpose in your mind to celebrate the season with your whole heart. Instead of focusing on Jackie Epps Editor-in-Chief
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Morning Star Baptist Church 154 WINTERS LANE • CATONSVILLE, MD 21228
In a recent sermon, Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam quoted the famous words of the late President John F. Kennedy, Jr., “…ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” The President’s clarion call was a charge to GIVE as opposed to RECEIVING. For the members of Morning Star Baptist Church, GIVING is not just a “holiday activity”, it’s a year-round commitment – more Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam than a one-time exchange - which is embodied in the Church’s commitment Pastor to build and rebuild lives. Morning Star GIVES through Worship, Education, Outreach and Service – working diligently to meet the spiritual, emotional and social needs of a congregation of 4,000 persons and hundreds of additional individuals and families who benefit from the Ministry’s programs and services. Spiritually (through Worship) Morning Star GIVES with relevant teaching, preaching and encouragement designed
to empower persons to reach their God-ordained purpose and potential. Educationally, members and visitors participate in Bible studies, weekly discipleship training and programming specifically focused on financial literacy, wellness and social development. Morning Star members volunteer and GIVE their time – teaching and facilitating these programs which are designed for children, youth and adults. Outreach Programs allow Morning Star to GIVE and SERVE throughout the year. The Church has ongoing relationships with a number of area shelters including the Night of Peace in Woodlawn and the Westside Emergency Shelter for Men in Catonsville. For the past several years, the Church has hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for the Night of Peace residents and regularly support the Men’s
shelter with clothing donations and program support. The Church facilitates weekly worship services and Bible studies at four area prisons including the Baltimore City Correctional Center, the Jessup Correctional Institution and the Howard County Detention Center – GIVING men and women – and their families – HOPE and INSPIRATION. The Church also ministers at eight area nursing/senior living facilities including Manor Care-Woodbridge, Brightview Senior Living and Future CareOld Court. In addition to the ongoing worship and teaching services, the holidays provide an additional opportunity to share gifts with the nursing home residents. The members of Morning Star SERVE throughout the year – supporting the aforementioned programs and also coordinating specific seasonal outreaches. An annual Woodlawn book bag give-away provides book bags and school supplies to hundreds of community young people. This month the Church’s Diaconate and SHARE Ministries packaged nearly 400 Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need and a current outreach effort allows members to provide Holiday Retail Gift Cards which will be shared with families during December. In 2015, ten families were blessed with Holiday Gift Cards totaling over $2,500.00. Currently, the Church is also collecting toiletries for shelters and has partnered with Hilton Elementary School in Baltimore to donate winter coats to students. Morning Star GIVES BACK – understanding what our Pastor – Bishop Debnam recently shared, that “giving comes from our hearts, not our pockets”. Find out more about the Ministry of Morning Star at www.msbcministries.org or by calling (410) 747-3417. www.gracenglorymagazine.org www.gracenglorymagazine.org 9 9
Southern Baptist Church 1701 N. CHESTER STREET • BALTIMORE, MD 21213
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. It is the season that honors the birth of Christ and all the hope and joy that his life brings to our lives. I love the ethos of Christmas with its holiday cheer, bright and colorful lights, Dr. Donte’ L. Hickman carols, and yes, egg nog. It Pastor has always been a time for our families and friends to gather and to exchange gifts, share laughs and shed tears. I love Christmas so much that I put up two Christmas trees in
my house the day after Thanksgiving until the day after New Year's. And yet, I am very mindful of those who don't experience the same joy as I do because of financial hardships, the lack of family or for any number of reasons. For some the holidays can be particularly rough because it perpetuates hurtful memories or the loss of loved ones. So we as a church seek to engage our neighbors every year with what we call, Christmas in the
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Community. We ask our congregation to buy and wrap gifts of new clothes and toys to be shared in an outdoor event in the community. We set up a Christmas tree on a Saturday afternoon in December on a large grassy vacant lot with a table of hot chocolate, egg nog, cookies and other treats while the choir sings a variety of Christmas carols as we give out over 500 gifts a year. It has always been one of our most joyous experiences of community outreach along with our Thanksgiving in a Basket Outreach where we serve hundreds of families with a pre-packaged Turkey and meal for their families for Thanksgiving. This year we will add a special caroling event in our two senior citizen residential buildings. We now have 122 units of senior housing and we want to make Christmas for our seniors very special. You are more than welcome to join us as well as make a contribution of a gift for someone who may be in a season of difficulty. In times like these we all need help, hope and healing. May this Christmas manifest for all of us the joy of Jesus Christ.
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DreamLife Worship Center 4111 DEER PARK DRIVE • RANDALLSTOWN, MD 21133
IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND... Pastor Ken Robinson & the DreamLife Worship Center Present: “Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016”-A Community Outreach Initiative Bringing Enrichment and Services to Area Randallstown Community and Families. Joy in the City of Dr. Kenneth O. Robinson Randallstown 2016 is a Pastor faith-based, private-public collaboration initiative between DreamLife Worship Center and corporate, small business and community partners. Following the theme, “Joy in the City of Randallstown”, the city-wide program focuses on bringing families together for a time of celebration and spiritual enrichment, as well as giving them the opportunity to begin the New Year with a highly positive perspective on all areas of their lives. Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 is also a time to foster improved community relations by providing access to outreach programs and services. From the front to the last pew of the 1000+ seat DreamLife Worship Center, people anxiously pack the sanctuary in Randallstown, MD to experience “The Praise; The Worship; The Word; The Walk; and The Witness that Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 brings during this holiday season at the dynamic church led by Pastor Kenneth O. Robinson Jr. This year, DLWC’s Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 will host a special feature called “Bethlehem’s Child”: DreamLife’s Christmas Cantata! The Cantata will present 2 performances on Sunday, December 18 (8:00am & 10:00am). This event is free and open to the public and we invite all to experience the melodious sound of the Cantata as we welcome the accomplished, well-known musical director, Mr. David Parker, former director for the Morgan State choir. In addition, DLWC’s minister of music, Mr. Rusty Sanders and DreamLife’s Praise and Worship Team promise all the ultimate worship experience at any given service during the holiday season! Be sure to attend the Cantata and bring a friend! Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 consists of services, activities and events for all ages! “Our goal is to encourage people to DREAM AGAIN with a renewed level of hope amongst all which includes the socially and economically disadvantaged in our city,” says Pastor Ken Robinson of DLWC, “Through Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016, we look forward to filling DreamLife Worship Center by demonstrating outreach and love for
humanity.” The outreach component started October 16 with Community Fest 2016 an event that provided such services as job opportunities, health screenings, personal care and clothing items, music, entertainment, and family fun. Then in November, Lady Lenyar Robinson presented, “FLAWSOME”, a three day weekend, where more than 100 women and teenage girls came together for enrichment, motivation, bonding, and fun. The Dr. K.O Robinson Ministries is now preparing Pastor Ken’s next event during this holiday season, which is a powerful, life-changing financial seminar featuring Dr. Willie Jolley (International Speaker Financial Motivation), Janean Stubbs-Taylor (CEO, Fruits of Finance Financial Innovation), and Shirley Luu (Wealth Strategist Financial Accumulation) to be held on Saturday, December 3 from 8:30-1:30pm. This life-changing financial planning seminar will give individuals and couples the whole financial package to be successful in the year of 2017. Registration includes lunch & materials, pricing for singles is $99 & couples $150. To register for the event visit drkorobinson.com or dreamlifewc.com and Eventbrite.com. Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 continues with an event tailored to reach our teenage boys and adult men entitled: TIED TO GREATNESS. Tied to Greatness is an outreach program that seeks to improve the selfimage and esteem of at-risk, high school males. Young men will learn how to “tie a tie,” gain positive influence from personal stories from men of color, while becoming strong, educated and articulate, pushing past the negative stereotypes of young men of color. But it’s not over! On Christmas Day, DLWC’S Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 will host a one-hour Christmas service at 10:00 am and we invite all to attend as we lift up the name of Jesus! And finally concluding all, one week after the Christmas Cantata, the synergy continues with our Joy in the City New Year’s Eve Celebration, as we bring in 2017 looking forward to the blessing of a New Year! The Joy in the City New Year’s Eve Celebration will take place on Saturday, December 31 at 9:00 pm, Pastor Kenneth Robinson and his wife, Lady Lenyar Robinson will welcome all with a message that is motivational, inspirational and life changing. Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 supporters include: McCormick, The Felton Law Group, Bowens Clientele, Dunkin Doughnuts, Randallstown Library, Randallstown Fire Department, and a host of other partners. Some of the Government Agency supporters are: MD Fire & Emergency Medical Services Outreach, Child and Family Services, Public Schools, Department of Mental Health, Department of Housing and Community Development, Emergency Management Agency, Office on Aging, Public Libraries, MD Employment Services, and Office of Community Affairs. For general information about Joy in the City of Randallstown 2016 log onto www.dreamlifewc.com or call 202-345-1591.
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New Bethlehem Baptist Church 1354 N. CAREY STREET • BALTIMORE, MD 21217
The New Bethlehem Baptist Church is celebrating God’s greatest gift to the world by spreading the Joy of Jesus during this Christmas Season! Some might question if New Bethlehem has a reason Dr. Lisa M. Weah to celebrate since its recent displacement, due to Pastor a serious fire at its main facility on September 23,, 2016. The answer is YES!! NBBC is #StillStanding and serving SandtownWinchester community by offering relevant ministry and impactful community programs. As the church navigates through the rebuilding process, it continues to maintain a presence in the Sandtown community via its Family Life Center at 1355 N. Carey Street. Here persons receive mental health services via the Renaissance Christian Counseling Center. The center hosts Community prayer with SandtownWinchester residents and faith leaders each Tuesday evening, and arts programs take place all throughout the week. On Tuesday, December 13th New Bethlehem will lead Community Caroling through Sandtown-Winchester, to spread the joyous sounds of the holidays. The Church also continues its annual partnership with Toys for Tots to assist community families with holiday giving; and it will also provide holiday baskets to assist with family meals again this year. On Sunday, December 18th New Bethlehem presents the Christmas production, ‘Twas the NOT so Silent Night Before Christmas’ with its annual favorite, ‘Uncle Benny’; then Dr. Weah will deliver the Christmas Message during Christmas Day Worship at 11AM. Finally, New Bethlehem bids farewell to 2016 on New Years’ Eve at 7:30PM and 10PM - and welcomes 2017 on New Year's
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Day at 11AM! All event locations may be confirmed via the church’s social media pages, and info line 1-800-350-8477. Dr. Weah and New Bethlehem express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of prayer and support received during their recent crisis, and remain confident in the Lord - that the best is still yet to come! May your Holiday Season and New Year be filled with joy and happiness beyond all you could ever ask or imagine!
Kingdom Worship Center 6419 YORK ROAD • TOWSON, MD 21212
Kingdom Worship Center is a non-denominational church, currently in two (2) locations, one in Towson and one in Columbia, Maryland serving a large part of the Greater Baltimore area. Kingdom is dedicated to promoting and strengthening the community through its programs and services to individuals, groups and families. The multipurpose complex focuses on Bishop Gregory Dennis five (5) aspects of holistic living (social, economical, health, Pastor educational and political). These five aspects are derived from core values associated with the ministries of Kingdom Worship Center. The core values are love, faith, family, community and excellence.
Kingdom serves a very diverse community and is blessed to experience some cultural diversity among its membership. Bishop Gregory Dennis has continued and enhanced the ministry and legacy of his father, Bishop Ralph Dennis by providing low income housing, tutorial programs, transportation, outreach on college/university campuses, mentoring for teen girls and boys, senior care, financial consultation to families, counseling and spiritual direction. Weekly outreach efforts include distribution of blankets, food, water, love and the word of God. The Evangelism/Outreach team along with several volunteers prepares bag lunches, clothing and toiletries for the homeless. Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Baskets are distributed to hundreds of families in need every year. Toys and pajamas are also provided for children. Area community service projects afford Kingdom Worship Center to share with people across the United States and the world. This year Kingdom has partnered with Ministry Beyond Myself, Toys for Tots, Beans and Bread and Grassroots Crisis Intervention. The mission is to foster closer family relationships by providing assistance and resources in several key areas that affect quality of living. Kingdom’s existence is to train, equip, empower and mobilize. The ministry is looking to partner with more community organizations and companies that provide service to children, teens, single parents, seniors and families. Consider making a year-end contribution and for more information visit the website at www.kingdomworshipcenter.org
KINGDOM WORSHIP CENTER
6419 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 • 410-377-3500 *www.kingdomworshipcenter.org Gregory & Tonya Dennis, Senior Pastors CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION SERVICE Sunday, December 18th at 11am Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25th 9am – *Columbia Campus • 11am – Towson Campus NEW YEAR’S EVE Saturday, December 31st at 10pm NEW YEAR’S DAY (Combined Service) Sunday, January 1st at 11am
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to your good health People have been consumed with the outcome of the election. Some are angry, anxious, upset and depressed. Others are looking ahead to the changes that are before us with a resolve to maintain their composure and their faith. We have been challenged by the opinions of others, the cultural climate, the images of past persecution and the reality of current events. With all of these competing images and emotions it is incredible that more persons are not on the edge of giving up and giving in. Instead persons who have been complacent and comfortable have been energized by the threat to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. The Bible tells us there is nothing new under the sun and that is true in today’s world. People have always looked out for their own interests. Many have decided to do what has always been in their heart but was made public on a wide scale and has become socially acceptable in some circles. Jesus expressed the following sentiment to the Pharisees who cared about themselves and money more than what was right in God’s eyes. So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). If these things occurred in Jesus’ day then we can expect people to continue to be selfish and unconcerned about others in our day. Christians are not to give in to feelings of discouragement and disbelief but to press on in the face of struggles knowing that we are more than conquerors. Faith in God insures us that this is not the end of our story. In fact, these temporary troubles are not to be compared to the glory that awaits us. Yet this hope does not absolve us of the responsibility to act and remain engaged in what is happening in our midst. We are not called to sit on the sidelines but to observe the signs of the times, pray continually, take action, express ourselves, fight for fairness and to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice” (Proverbs 31:8-9). It is time to stand up for what is best for us all and not for the privileged few, a time to put our love and faith into action. Stress and concerns about the future take place throughout all of our lives. This year seems to have taken many of us on an emotional rollercoaster yet the word of God reassures us in Psalm 37, “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.” Jesus further reminds us, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” We live in challenging and changing times but be assured that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. He was with us in the past. He is with us in the present. He will be with us in the future. Be encouraged by the words of the song In Times Like These
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by Ruth Caye Jones. In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! We are not forsaken, abandoned or forgotten. We are covered with the Dr. Carla Debnam, Founder, presence of the Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God. Renaissance Christian Counseling Center
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woman’s perspective not on our minds. For all of my little sisters out there I urge you to take heed to this passage. Remembering God in your youth will preserve you for the rest of your life. It will keep you! And you can have fun in God, it will not be boring. However it will be the kind of fun that you can have and still be able to look in the mirror without shame. It pays to serve God while you are young!
Beauty & Grace If we turn on the television and watch just one hour of programming, by the end of it as women we will have been bombarded with tons of messages. Most of them will be subtle yet powerful. They will tell us how we need to dress and behave to be beautiful, accepted, appreciated and wanted at every age. Regardless of our age there will be some message that tells us we aren’t good enough and need to alter ourselves. If we are not careful as women of God we buy into those messages and conform to the secular standard of worth. However, we must recognize as Godly women our value and worth is innately connected to our father and His likeness in us. No matter our age, we are beautiful, accepted, appreciated and wanted because of the grace of God. Though our focus, desires, skills, abilities and goals may change over the years; regardless of our age we shine like the crowns we are because of the Spirit of God on the inside of us. There are three phases that we will pass through and at each phase we are to be a reflection of Him. 1. PREPARING- Ecclesiastes 2:1 tells us, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…” There is an absolute beauty and grace to serving God while you are still young. Most of us if we are honest can look back at decisions made in our youth and see their major impact on our adulthood. What a blessing it is to discover a relationship with God while you are young and allowing God to shape your youth. This passage says to serve him “before the difficult days come”. This is hard to comprehend as a youth but as an adult it is easy to grasp. There are many of us who would love to trade places even just for a day with our younger selves and return to days where bills, relationships, children, careers, et cetera were 32 December 2016 | Grace&Glory
2. POSITIONING- As you come of age and continue to walk with God He brings you to a place of positioning. After you have been reared and been impacted by the legacies before you comes the time when you must begin to create your own. Proverbs 31:16-17 in The Living Bible says, “She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard. She is energetic, a hard worker…” It is God’s desire that we allow Him to lead every area of our lives and reflect Him and His glory. As godly women we don’t have to focus solely on our exterior. If we fully surrender and allow God to position us in the center of His purpose, the glory that will shine in us will attract all that we need in our lives and more. We must be diligent about seeking God’s purpose for us and allow Him to establish us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and socially. This will give us the greatest sense of worth, validation, and significance. 3. POURING- Proverbs 31 describes to us the ideal woman as God describes her. Proverbs 31:25 says something very powerful. The Living Bible tells us, “…she has no fear of old age.” One of the messages most targeted to women is that youth is beautiful and older age isn’t as beautiful. We go through great lengths to appear forever young instead of embracing the beauty and season of older age. Titus 2:3-4 gives us the perfect illustration of the grace that we need from older women. There is nothing more beautiful and graceful than experience. Younger women today are especially in need of valuable lessons from the seniors among us. As women we can’t be afraid of aging for fear that we aren’t as attractive and needed. The longer we live, in essence, perhaps the more we are truly stunning from the inside out. Ladies we must reflect God’s glory and virtue at every age. We have to redefine the secular standard of beauty, value and significance and let the glory of God inside of us to cause us to truly stand out from youth to maturing.
Tiffany Bethea She-EO Life Mentor www.Tiffanybethea.com
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single life What a year 2016 has been! For some people 2016 has been an exceptional year and they may be very sad for it to come to a close. Others may be relieved to move on in hopes that 2017 will be more favorable. Whatever you are feeling remember that December 31st is the closing of one chapter and the start of a new one. January 1st will be the 1st blank page of your new chapter with 364 more pages to write so make it a good one. It is important to look back over your accomplishments as well as to review the decisions that were not as beneficial as you would have liked for them to have been. It is helpful to glance back at the past but don’t allow yourself to get stuck in the past. Many people find it hard to move forward because all they are able to focus on is what did not go well in their past. We must learn to let go of the A.N.T.S (Automatic Negative Thoughts) in our lives and stand on the WORD of God. We must acknowledge the whole (the good, the bad and the ugly) of who we are if we are going to make better decisions for our future. If we want to produce more fruit in 2017 I want to encourage you over the next few weeks to spend some time still and quiet to hear from God. Don’t put God in a box and expect Him to communicate with you the way that He has in the past. Be open to receive God in any way that He chooses to communicate with you. It just might be through a song, a preached word, a TV show, a book, a stranger, and the list could go on. During your quiet time with God I encourage you to Review, Reflect and Record all that you see and hear from God by doing the following: 1. REVIEW the year as whole by evaluating what went well and what didn’t go well. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given. Then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG)
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2. REFLECT on what new possibilities the New Year will present and seek God for His wisdom. If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. - James 1:5 (MSG) 3. RECORD your goals for the coming year. Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him and He will act on your behalf. - Psalm 37:5 (NET Bible) Get excited about God using you to accomplish something great in the earth. We are all born with a purpose and I urge you to make 2017 the year that you will limit the distractions and be more in tuned with yourself and God. Everything that we need to achieve excellence God has already placed it within us. There are things that could have taken us out in 2016 but God has kept us by His grace and mercy. It will be important to have an accountability partner who will encourage and push you on the days that you get distracted or discouraged. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Tyniece (Philippians 4:13) Pack
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word of encouragement
He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified. (John 1:11 13 – AMP)] It was the night before Christmas and the stores were getting ready to close, but the world was scurrying about looking for that last gift. They were wondering if they had forgotten anything. The Body of Christ should be reminding them that “Jesus is still the reason for this season”. The stores are closed and everyone is now home and getting ready to welcome Santa Claus to come down the chimney. The ones that were told – “yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”. Those children were trying to stay up to see Santa Claus but somehow they would be sleeping before Santa would come and deposit his gifts down the chimney. It is the night before Christmas and the world has forgotten that Jesus is coming back for His Bride. It should have occurred to the Bride of Christ that on the night before Christmas, Jesus was getting ready to be born into a world – a world of sin, sickness and disease. A world that He knew before coming to earth. He knew that His own people were going to reject him and would not even recognize Him -- see John 1:11-13. However, when all was said and done Jesus was coming to planet earth to die for the sins of mankind. Sins He had never committed. Oh, what love. In reality, Jesus was born to die. The Word of God tells us both about His arrival and His sacrifice for us including His death, burial and resurrection. Again, it was the night before Christmas and the Virgin Mary was in preparation for the bringing forth of her first born – the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He was born in a manger a place filled with hay. The Bible says that He was made poor so that we might be rich [2 Corinthians 8:9]. The songwriter simply asks of Mary -- “Mary did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations? Mary, did you know?” I am sure that Mary was in awe of this great thing that God had selected and predestined her to do and be. What an awesome privilege for Mary to be selected of all the maidens of that time. Meanwhile our adversary the devil is portraying to the world this Santa Claus – as he is seen coming through the sky with his reindeers. Could it be that satan is yet still in competition with God – the Chief Executive Officer of the Universe? Know for a fact that Jesus will be descending from the sky to take His people with Him [Matthew 24:30]. Isn’t that just how the enemy tries to align himself with the Most High God? Showing us the reindeer coming through the sky. Body of Christ, we are truly in our finest hour, as we watch the world at unrest, unsafe and even bolder and bolder in what they say and do. 36 December 2016 | Grace&Glory
People’s hearts are failing and they are committing suicide [Luke 21:26]; people are more provocative, have cold hearts, etc. Body of Christ – why are we sitting here until we die? The four lepers in the Book of 2nd Kings 7:3 looked at each other and boldly declare “why are we sitting here”. In other words, they knew that they had to make a move. Body of Christ, let us get up and start moving and mobilizing ourselves. The night is far spent – the day is at hand [Romans 13:12]. We have been equipped for this battle. The battle cry has been sounded. The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent takes it by force. Again, we have been equipped for such a time as this, therefore it is time to take up our positions. In conclusion – it doesn’t matter what the world is doing on the night before Christmas. You are a child of God sent to planet earth on a specific assignment. One of those assignments is being a minister of reconciliation. What matters is that you recognize that we are living in perilous times and the world is waiting on us to take our rightful place by going into the highways and byways and compelling them to come in. Don’t look back because the glory of the Lord is your rear guard [Isaiah 58:8]. I encourage you to take your rightful position as the Body of Christ. I encourage you to remember that there are more with us than are with them [2nd Kings 6:16]. I encourage you also to understand that at the end of the Bible – we are the known winners. I encourage you to recognize that this is not the time to look at denominations. If they have acknowledged and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then they are our brothers and sisters. Pray with me: Father, in the name of Jesus, we Your Body is standing on one accord. We are walking in unity, because we understand that where there is unity that is the place that You command the blessing [Psalm 133]. We thank You that You have chosen us to stand steadfast and immovable in such a time as this, amen. On behalf of In Trust Ministries and all its subsidiaries, we wish you a blessed and wonderful Christmas and a God-balanced New Year as we look forward of great things to come. Remember that in despite of what it looks like – Donna we are in this world, but we are not of this world. Royalty Ross (John 17:14-15). In Trust Ministries dwilliamsross@aol.com
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nutrition & you
Great ideas are not always easy to execute, but great ideas work, as long as you put in the effort to make them work. That is why it is so important to know the reason why you are putting in the effort. Here are some ideas to get you started and some holiday tips to help prevent weight gain.
Get a buddy Studies have shown that people who partner up to lose (or maintain) weight tend to do better than those flying solo. Kind of makes sense, right? Imagine you have had a stressful morning and really want two slices of pepperoni pizza at lunch. Your coworker who you buddied up with is there to “talk you down from the ledge” helping you go for soup and salad instead. Or what about when your alarm goes off at 6 AM for your morning run, but you cannot imagine anything better than staying under those warm covers. Your buddy starts knocking at your door and yelling at you to get up and get moving! Having someone in your corner can motivate you to make changes you never dreamed possible, and you can return the favor and do the same for your buddy.
Stay active A 30-minute jog can burn about 300 calories. Doing 30 minutes of interval training can burn a ton more. While many consider nutrition as about 60%–70% of the equation when it comes to weight loss (or weight gain prevention), do not disregard the 30%–40% contributed by physical activity! If you are currently active, stay that way! We often are knocked out of our routines during the holidays because of travel, additional evening commitments, and the shorter days of winter (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere). Take a look at what your current physical activity level is (number of days per week, how long, and how intense), and make it a point to continue that level of activity through the rest of the year. Or kick it up a notch if you feel confident that you could do more. You do not need to do much more, maybe just an additional 10 minutes added to your usual workouts. Consider it a pre-New Year’s resolution. If you would like to become more active prior to the holidays, get started 1 day at a time. Even though the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 days/week for health benefits, increase your activity gradually. If you exercised once this week, aim for twice next week, and try to maintain twice/week for a few weeks. Once you are sticking to twice/week, try adding a little more time to those 2 days. Then add a third day a few weeks later. The key is to feel comfortable with your current routine before making any additional changes. By New Year’s Day, you will have already accomplished the amount of exercise that everyone else is resolving to do!
Stay consistent Rather than going out of your way to make inconsistent changes, why not focus on the consistent things you were doing to maintain your weight (or to lose weight) for the previous 9–10 months of the year? Just like with any job or responsibility, it is much easier to maintain our current habits than to start a whole new set of them. 38 38 December December 2016 2016 || Grace&Glory Grace&Glory
Take a moment to think about all of the successful things you have done in the past 3 months to keep your weight steady. Write them down on a piece of paper. This is now your action plan to maintain your weight during the holiday season. Just keep doing these things—no restrictions or substitutions required! If you slip up one day, do not worry. All you need to do is to reread what you are doing that is successful and get back to it at the next meal or the next day. One unplanned dessert or meal does not result in weight gain. It is the activities we do and the foods that we eat every day, day after day, that lead to weight gain or weight loss. Another thing to consider is the many temptations that you will face during the holiday season—Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and maybe a work party or two. That is about 5 days out of 60. The other 83% of the days are just like any other day during the year, and you can do the same things that kept you successful during those days of the year in November and December too!
Keep a journal Finally, if you really are worried about how you will react or feel when faced with the holidays and its associated foods, keep track! Write in a daily journal, and at the end of the day, rate yourself on how you ate that day from a score of 1 (poor) to a score of 5 (awesome). In addition, write down why you gave yourself that rating. Also write down one improvement you made that day in your eating habits, because there is always a silver lining. If you normally eat eight cookies when you are stressed out but stopped yourself at four today, that is progress—positive progress. Note one eating choice that you could have improved on. It is not just a matter of good vs bad foods. Even some people who eat great 85% of the time make nonideal choices because of many circumstances (travel, lack of planning, socializing, etc). Reviewing your day’s eating habits the day they happen allows you to see where you can make improvements tomorrow. Record and celebrate your successes, because they are real and they are what keep you going. When you are having a lousy day a month from now and you feel that you have made no progress, you can look back at your journal and read about all of your successes. You also need to record areas for improvement, because if you think everything is perfect, odds are things are actually not perfect. Having an area of improvement gives you a specific target and action for tomorrow. It is easy to say, “I am going to eat better tomorrow” and then do nothing. If you intend to eat better tomorrow, you need to know how you ate today and what you are going to do tomorrow to improve from today. That is why writing in a journal is useful. Writing in a journal for 3 minutes a day can By Herline A. make a world of difference. Is preventing weight gain Knights, RD, LD this holiday season worth 3 minutes a day?
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cripture scripture page
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Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:7-14
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 7
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gospel industry news Jekalyn Carr
This "Little Powerhouse" is making "Power Moves" in this industry both musically and in ministry. Not only is her current single "You're Bigger" doing extremely well on Billboard, but she's releasing her first ever Christmas song titled, "You Are Our Joy Christmas," which is available right now at all digital media outlets.
Showtime At The Apollo
YES! You heard it right the legendary Apollo Theater and “Showtime At The Apollo”! The historic landmark and foundation for music and talent is returning to television! "Showtime At The Apollo" ran for more than 20 years, not to mention "Amateur Night" launched many of the music and entertainment legends we know and love today, including but not limited to The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Steve Harvey. There will be a 2 hour special airing on FOX, December 5. Steve Harvey the host for many years will return to host the special. The Amateur Night segment of the show, will also be returning but with a new spin to it, I can’t wait, I'm excited to see what this new platform for up and coming talent will show us.
Tamela Mann
Congrats to Tamela Mann on her record breaking single "Take Me To The King" reaching PLATINUM STATUS!! The single sold over 1 million copies. We can’t recognize her without a shout out to the man with the Midas touch, Kirk Franklin, everything he touches turns to gold. Kirk Franklin wrote and produced the song “Take Me To The King” for Tamela.
GOSPEL The Worship Tour
I'm happy to announce three of Gospel Music's leading artists Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Travis Greene, and Jonathan McReynolds, have joined forces and will be hitting the road in February! This has to be in my opinion one of the greatest tour rosters in gospel music history. This is one for the books, www.livenation.com for tickets!
Charles Jenkins
Charles Jenkins is producing an hour long music television special titled "Holiday Praise," it will be filmed at the historic Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. It will be hosted by Charles Jenkins and will feature some of gospel music's leading artists, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Erica Campbell, Deitrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds, Brian Courtney Wilson, Baltimore's Own Jonathan Nelson, Issac Caree, and Tasha Page-Lockhart to name a few. The show will air in syndication from December 3-January 1, on ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC affiliates.
Todd Dulaney
Todd Dulaney will be recording his new project on December 9, at the Calvary Church of Naperville, in Illinois. His first project "A Worshipper's Heart" did extremely well, topping Billboard Charts; from baseball to Billboard, this athlete is doing well in gospel music.
JJ Hairston
Congrats to JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise on their single "You Deserve It," sweeping the country and topping Billboard Charts. He also released his video for the song and it premiered on BET and Centric, last month. I am so super duper happy for him, HE ABSOLUTELY DESERVES this honor and more. JJ is undoubtedly one of the most humble, talented and anointed artists in this industry and he's waited his turn and celebrated everyone else in purity from his heart. I'm excited about what's to come for him and his new label JamesTown Music. If you don't have the single, go grab it, you'll thank me later, and you won't stop singing it! 44 December 2016 | Grace&Glory
2017 BMI Trailblazer Awards
Congrats to Kim Burrell and Marvin Sapp on being the recipients of the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music. The 18th Annual Awards show will be held next month, on January 14, 2017, in Atlanta at the Radio Center for the Arts. The host for this year’s event will be Yolanda Adams and VaShawn Mitchell. One of the categories of the event is "Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year," I have my prediction but we shall see if I'm right!? First Letter of the artist name is "H" and last name beings with a "W," we shall see.
NEWS
with Miss Ericka
gospel industry news
Follow me on twitter, www.twitter.com @ MissEricka J, facebook www.facebook.com/ ErickaJohnson,or via email missericka75@yahoo.com Top 5 Songs
Jeremiah Hicks
One of my favorite up and coming artists Jeremiah Hicks will be celebrating his CD Release Concert and Listening Party on December 9 (My Birthday!) "A Worship Heart”; this guy is absolutely on to something great, his worship through his ministry is absolutely amazing and captivating, when he sings he means it. Jeremiah Hicks is an artist you wanna know and support, his release concert will be held in Washington, DC at New Smyrna Baptist Church. Singer, songwriter, and producer Phil Bryant has laced this production, shout out to WriterzBlok Music group. Follow Jeremiah on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter @ jeremiahhicks.
Nadja Scott & Divine Anointing
I had the awesome pleasure watching this choir execute with such poise grace and vocal ability over the last year or so. Choir music needs to be kept alive and with choirs like this, it shall do so. Being one of the choirs from the DMV, I must say they have represented us well. Last month they celebrated their 6th Anniversary as well as released their debut project "Forever Follow," it's currently available at all digital media outlets. Support choir music, support DMV Artists!
Clifton Ross lll
Globally most people had the chance to experience the music ministry of Clifton Ross on BET’s Sunday’s Best Season 2, as one of the finalists and one of the call backs for the BET "Sundays Best All Stars". However, I have watched him as an artist sow into other ministries throughout his musical journey. He was one of the singers in the male group "REAL," he was also director of Howard University’s Gospel Choir. He sang background as well as lead for many artists such as VaShawn Mitchell, Byron Cage, and Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. He is also in the ranks as one of the music directors at Ebenezer A.M.E Church in Fort Washington, MD. It was inevitably just a matter of time before he would chart his own course as a solo artist. Clifton has released his debut single titled, "He Never Changed His Mind," I absolutely love this song! His full EP "I Believe God” along with the single are both available right now at all digital media outlets. ’Til next month catch me every weekend at 5:30 pm, "IN With Miss Ericka J" on Heaven 600, iHeart Radio, www.heaven600.com, 102.7HD2
#1 M ade A Way Travis Greene #2 H old My Mule Shirley Caesar feat. Albertina Walker & Milton Brunson #3 You're Bigger Jekalyn Carr #4 Put A Praise On It - Tasha Cobbs feat Kierra Sheard #5 You Deserve It - JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise
Top 5 Albums
#1 One Way Tamela Mann #2 Losing My Religion Kirk Franklin #3 Trust In The Lord: What A Legacy Since 1960, Volume 1 - Rev. Clay Evans & The Ship #4 Secret Place: Live In South Africa - VaShawn Mitchell #5 Worship Journal: LIVE Fred Hammond Please pray for the families of gospel artists William Murphy in the loss of his mother, and Leandria Johnson in the loss of her brother. As we come to the close of 2016, please take time to reflect and be grateful for all God has done, we have to thank him for the good and the bad, we have to thank him for not just what he allowed to happen, but what he didn't allow to happen. I know with the current state of the United Sates and the world at large emotions are all over the place. As believers we have an assurance that God is the greatest power and will not be defeated no matter what it looks like. Look forward to 2017 with faith, hope, and love. I pray God's richest blessings on you and yours during this holiday season and comfort and love to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We lost 2 dear people to me this year Lecresia Campbell and Thomas "TC" Clay. I'm extremely grateful to God for celebrating another birthday this month and God I Thank You with my whole heart, for life, health, and strength!! Merry Christmas and keep Jesus in your Christmas! www.gracenglorymagazine.org 45 www.gracenglorymagazine.org 45
man talk
For me, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Amongst the reasons that are too numerous to name, I particularly enjoy the sounds of the season. Released in 1971 by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Happy Christmas, which is also known as War is Over, includes the following lyrics: “So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun.” Coupled with enjoying quality time with family and friends and the excitement of presents under the tree, Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on all that we’ve experienced over the past 12 months. So brothers, what have we done this year? In the opening pages of the New Testament, Matthew chronicles the genealogy and birth of Christ (chapter 1). Chapter 2:1-12, presents the account of wise men who travelled from the East to worship the newborn King. After following the star for several years that led them to the house in which Jesus was with his mother, the wise men worshipped and gave him gifts. Although worship and giving are certainly important, as we look closer this month, let’s focus on the significance of verse 12: And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. POINT #1: ADJUST THE PLAN, BUT DON’T ABANDON THE GOAL As I’ve previously shared, 2016 is the year of focus. If we focus on what God desires for our lives and remain faithful to what He has called us to do, we will experience great success and accomplish more than we’ve thought possible. But what happens when we find ourselves in the last 30 days of the year having not done as much as we had hoped? Likely, we feel discouraged. But instead of abandoning our goals, we should adjust our plans. Especially when we are confident that The Lord spoke to us about what we should do, unexpected setbacks are not indications to stop pursuing our goals. In fact, these delays are better understood as opportunities to refine and revise our strategy rather than giving up on what God has called us to be and charged us to do. And, because life, especially the Christian life, is always about growth, the frustration of deferred dreams could be God’s way of developing our Christian character (Galatians 5:22-23). When the wise men were told to go back another way, very importantly, they were returning home. In other words, their destination hadn’t changed but the method by which they would get there was different. Because of this, going back another way was also a test of their faith. Instead of simply retracing their steps via the familiar route, the instruction to take a different path was to ensure that they were depending on God rather than their own abilities or astrological acumen (II Corinthians 5:7). Although the star led them to Jesus, The Lord would direct their path home. 46 December 2016 | Grace&Glory
So brothers, be encouraged. Yes, we might not have accomplished all that we intended this year. But instead of throwing in the towel, let’s change our current practices so that 2017 is not another year of business as usual. Although going back another way will likely be inconvenient and filled with uncertainty, let’s embrace all that God will show us as we do things differently. In fact, in order to have what we’ve never possessed, we need to do what we’ve never done. POINT #2: LIFE AFTER WORSHIP As church attendance, membership, and participation in religious activities become common indicators of professing our faith, many Christians are complacent with such superficial engagement. But there is much more to Christianity—not as a way of doing, but a way of living. Like the wise men, worship has, and will always be, central to our relationship with Christ. But worship is more than bowing and bringing gifts. Worship is our life and service. For this reason, could it be that the directive to return by another route was to show the wise men that there is life after seeing Jesus? Consider this: they came to the house, worshipped, and gave gifts to Jesus. Some would say that this was enough because they were in the presence of the King. But experiencing the presence of God is only the beginning. More importantly, what happens afterwards? Have we been changed and challenged to live differently amongst our sisters and brothers? Do we pursue peace according to Matthew 5:9? Do we follow peace with all men according to Hebrews 12:14? Especially after a tumultuous 2016, are we committed to living The Gospel, which is plainly articulated in Luke 4:18? Going back another way is important because there will always be more that God wants to show us and accomplish through us. Without a doubt, there are people along this different path that need your encouragement. Others need to know and witness through your actions that you have indeed been in the presence of the King. As we embark upon 2017, I pray that we would not be limited by what has worked in the past, but obedient to the ever-speaking voice of God that perpetually provides all that we need. Happy Christmas. Dr. Charles Barrett
Dr. Charles Barrett is a school psychologist with Loudoun County Public Schools and Associate Professor of Psychology at Northern Virginia Community College.
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