Courageous Lady Matters

LEGACY Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 1 www.CourageousLady.org

eMagazine

It's Never too Late or too Early to Develop Leadership Skills Outreach that Changes Lives Seven Principles of Connection

A Leader Under Construction: A Call to SelfExamination

Reflection for Perfection: Traits for Success

C O U R AG E O U S L A DY

MAT TERS

Spring/Summer 2020 Issue

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 2

www.CourageousLady.org Ladies, I hope that you are well and staying safe during these difficult times we are experiencing from COVID-19. It is my prayer that this issue brings you comfort and encouragement.

I’m so happy to be back and share with you my personal experiences through a lens of transparency, authenticity and from the heart. Although it took me some years to do, I finally realized I must stay true to self, true to my purpose and to let fear go! I had to learn through experiences, skill development, and believing who God says I am to become who I’s supposed to be. I am Bold. I am Beautiful. I am Brilliant. I am a Courageous Lady. Today, I embrace my call as a minister, a higher education administrator, an entrepreneur, an author, and philanthropist who wants to leave her footprint in the sand for many to glean. That’s why in every issue of LEGACY eMagazine, purposeful articles, resources, and encouragement are prepared with a focus on leadership, outreach and entrepreneurship to guide others on their quest to greater.

I’m excited to share with you my amazing husband who is contributing to this first 2020 issue. His passion for developing leaders is what compelled me to include his writing on the Power of Connection, principles for connecting to the right church and the right people.

Join me in spreading the word about this amazing eMagazine. Share with your family, friends and take a chance and give it to co-worker or neighbor you think will benefit from this quarterly publication.

Love and peace, Dr. Christine Courageous Lady Founder

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.

Reflection for Perfection: Traits for Success

4-6

It’s Never too Late or too Early to Develop Leadership Skills

9-11

Black Lives Matter Protest: An Interview with Bishop Herbert H. Thomas, Jr.

14-19

Outreach that Changes Lives

20-21

The Power of Connection

26-27

A Leader Under Construction: A Call to Self-Examination

28-32

Entrepreneurship God’s Way

33

LEGACY eMagazine is a quarterly publication created to share the great things the Lord is doing in the lives of women around the world. Each issue is designed to feature women and at times men who are in leadership, outreach and entrepreneurship roles that have a voice that should be heard by the masses. LEGACY eMagazine is a ministry tool and resource of Courageous Lady used to empower, encourage, edify, embrace and equip women and girls in leadership, entrepreneurship and outreach/service to others.

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Reflection for Perfection: Traits for Success

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 5 Examination of your strengths and weaknessing the Word, I was still surrounded by my own es are critical for developing as a person and premonition, that I was not seeing what God saw the desired roles as a mom, sister, aunt, grandin me. I had to learn how to not only believe but mother, friend, leader, entrepreneur, co-worker, also, know without a doubt that God was transetc. Reflection of self allows you to seriously give forming form the inside out. thought and consideration of one’s past, present and future aspirations. It is when you take time to Today, the Lord has restored my life and has surjudge your actions, examine what is truth in your rounded me around some amazing people who behavior, character and emotions. It allows you to encourage me, hold me accountable, and undersee yourself and reflect on how others see you. stand who I am as a person. I know that I am a confident, creative, and committed pioneer in the When you are truthful with yourself, you are able areas of leadership, entrepreneurship and ministo grow and avoid making the same mistakes try and I believe God is using me to help other over and over again. It is a place of when you women and girls find their purpose, give a push stop being afraid of examining self, and you begin and of encouragement to women and girls who to heed to seeing the need to change. feel alone and to help individuals’ breakthrough fear and rejection of being who they are destined Our hearts give truth to who we are as a person, to be in the earth (Jeremiah 29:11). This is what believer and servant to others. The Lord wants I was destined to do and I want to help individus to serve Him and others with a pure heart. Jeuals who are stagnate! I want you to know that sus is our greatest example and is the perfection the first step is to know who you are and get the we should see in our reflection of our life. It is help, tools and resources to develop and mature not accomplished by works but by our obedience. as you seek to fulfill YOUR purpose!

The glory of God that exudes grace and mercy is available for all of us. It is important that we take So, on this journey of becoming an effective leadtime to stop trying to create ourselves but be truther for your family and others, remember these ful about who we are instead of being fake and five (5) things to assist you in your development: disingenuous on social media platforms such as: YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok 1. Establish a reflection plan that guards your and Pinterest. When we realize what truth really heart. is, we won’t spend time trying to be a fraud but • Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your we will spend time being happy with who we are, heart, for everything you do flows from it. flaws and all. Knowing that God is transforming • Proverbs 23:7, for he is the kind of perus from the inside out. The Word of God should son who is always thinking about the your truth and moral compass for developing into cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but the Woman of God you are purposed to be, at his heart is not with you. such a time as now.

• Proverbs 27:19, As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

My Truth: • Take delight in the LORD, and he will give After years of serving in ministry, working in highyou the desires of your heart. er education, and developing as an entrepreneur, • A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a I realized that when I looked in the mirror and crushed spirit dries up the bones. what I felt in my heart was a lot of disappointments, realization of pitfalls and challenges that 2. There is nothing you can do to earn God’s true made me hesitant to face my giants of rejection reflection of who you are. You were created and fear. My biggest obstacle was self. Even with purpose and you are a gem in the sight of when I knew and believed it was the Lord’s timing God. When we look at ourselves in the mirror, for me to forge ahead, and I knew that the Lord we should see the glory of God and our behad restored me, my heart and mind kept saying havior and character should exhibit the same something different. The need for me to reflect thing. Meditate on the following scriptures, as became real when I discovered that I was reading these words should permeate in your heart my Bible, praying, meditating, fasting and obeyand mind.

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 6 • Jeremiah 17:9-10, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

• Matthew 6:21, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

3. Accept the truth of what is not right in your life, and take the necessary steps as recorded in the Word of God to transform your life from the inside out.

• 1 Peter 3:3-4, Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

• 1 Samuel 16:7, But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

• 2 Corinthians 9:7, Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Proverbs 3:1-2, My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

4. Take each day, one day at a time, and one step at a time. When we are bruised from the pain of our past, it can cause our reflection of self to be blurred and a misrepresentation of who we really are.

• Psalm 20:4, May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

• Jeremiah 29:11-14, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from

captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

• Proverbs 3:3-6, Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

• Matthew 22:37, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

• Proverbs 10:8, The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

5. Prayer and Praise filled with thanksgiving will help you to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ who is transforming you, even when you do not see the results as quickly as you desire. Thank God daily for him changing you and don’t focus on what others are saying about you or what they think. The more you hear the negativity from self or others, Give God a praise, honor and glory because you know that you are fearful and wonderfully made.

• Psalm 119:10, I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

• Psalm 90:12, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

• Psalm 119:2, Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart • Psalm 119:7, I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

By Christine C. Thomas, Ph.D.

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Courageous Lady cou·ra·geous la·dy /kəˈrājəs/ /ˈlādē/

A Courageous Lady is fearless. She is not deterred by danger or pain. She is bold, beautiful and brilliant. When you are in the presence of a Courageous Lady, you will experience a woman who knows who she is, and she pursues her purpose with passion and does it with confidence. She believes God’s word and what it says about her. She walks boldly in his promises. When confronted with obstacles and setbacks, a Courageous Lady knows how to “stay the course.”

#courageouslady

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I Believe in ME!

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It’s Never Too Late or Too Early to Develop Leadership Skills As a kid growing up, I never thought or considered myself to be a leader. I just saw myself as a mother, sister, aunt, cousin, co-worker, and friend. My Influence in the lives of others was not predicated upon my being a leader but just being a person who wanted to help others do better in their lives and fulfill their purpose.

As time went on, I realized my definition of leadership was distorted and didn’t mean what I thought or what I witnessed in the lives of those I considered effective leaders. I believe my perceptions of leadership was darkened by the many bad leaders I encountered in my life over the past 25+ years. It was my desire to never be what I witnessed.

Today, I have come to better understand leadership through the lens of the Word of God. Instead of my brushing off this concept of leadership, it was necessary for me to define leadership and determine how does this fit into the purpose God has for my life. I don’t know about you and your leadership journey but it was rather difficult to accept the realities of good and bad leadership, and the experiences I faced with individuals who abused their position of influence, authority and power. So, when we say it’s never too late or too early to develop leadership skills, it is imperative that you know what leadership is before your perception is tainted like mine was not long ago.

According to Webster, leadership is the act of leading, which implies someone has to follow in a direction guided by a leader. This definition does not suggest that there is an age that one becomes a leader. Furthermore, it does not say that leadership is a person who leads with good intentions or wrong motives. Simply said, leadership is about how we influence others to do something. Unfortunately, we live in a world where leadership is given to those in political power or prestige, famous people, notable individuals who are seen

by the masses. We never consider ourselves leaders with leadership abilities in our various roles or capacities in life, so we assume that we are not leaders. When I realized this premise, I embraced the fact that I was a leader in my home, on my job, in the church, in my business, and in any opportunity I was given charge to oversee a project. Why? Because I had to influence others to follow the vision to fulfill the goals and objectives in my capacity. The one who makes a difference to others is a leader. As long as people follow the rules of leadership, they are leaders. Everybody can be a leader, but all cannot be effective leaders, as effective leaders have in them extra ingredients that not every leader possesses.

Let’s take a look at the following scriptures from the Book of Nehemiah.

• Nehemiah 2:20: “I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

• Nehemiah 6:15-16: So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. • Nehemiah 8:2-3: So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could under-

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 10 stand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. It is from this book in the Bible, I was able to gain a better understanding of God’s way of effective leadership.

Nehemiah was one of the most exemplary leaders to model wisdom, courage and devotion to God (Nehemiah 5:15). He was concerned about God’s people and was obedient in the instructions he received to build the wall. Although he withstood opposition, he trusted God to fulfill their goal. Nehemiah was a practical leader, humble prayer warrior who was watchful. He sought God’s will through fasting and prayer to determine next steps in building God’s people and the wall.

He knew how to take charge (Nehemiah 4:14, 20). He was an amazing servant of God, who obeyed God despite loss and discomfort because he did not want to see his people in bondage, as he was always concerned for others.

True leaders have qualities that come from the inside and permeate on the outside to impact the lives of others. Through Nehemiah’s life and experiences, it has taught me that although I am a leader, I MUST develop in this role, because it is a process. Along the way, I have found that I can’t be an effective leader if I don’t self-reflect. The areas that I have had to trust God in making me a better leader are personal development, skill development, and development of leadership qualities.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Personal development covers activities that improve awareness, identify and develop talents, fulfill aspirations, a lifelong process; and leads to assessment skills and qualities that aims at life goals and personal attainment. Listed below are some personal development skills needed to becoming an effective leader (not in any order of importance).

• Relationship building • Organizing teams • Critical thinking • Focus • Commitment • Consistency • Honesty • Emotional intelligence • Confidence • Going above and beyond the expectations of others (dispel being average)

• • • • • • • •

Listen Actively Make fear your friend Improve your body language Get along with yourself and others Become more proactive Read daily Manage stress effectively Make better decisions

SKILL DEVELOPMENT Skill development is the process of identifying your skill gaps and learning to hone in on those skills to be able to do something well. The following are leadership skills that are developed overtime. The following are areas to develop skills essential for being an effective leader: • Teamwork • Networking • Communication (listening, speaking and writing) Conflict and Discouragement • Interpersonal abilities • Ability to plan, organize and prioritize • Management skills • Ability to pay attention to details • Public speaking • Creativity • Ethics and integrity • Strong work ethic • Computer and electronic skills LEADERSHIP QUALITIES Leadership qualities make a good leader and is comprised of a leaders’ personal development and leadership skill development. Therefore, leadership qualities may appear to be a redundancy of leadership skills.

Leadership qualities is the ongoing development of a leader. It is the growth and maturation of a leader. Subsequently, if a leader does not improve skills or improve personal development, they are unable to develop leadership qualities that are transformative and impact others. People are able to witness the following characteristics that appear to be genuine and result in others wanting to follow them to achieve desired goals.

Some examples include the following: • Exude commitment and passion and motivates others • Great communicators who listen and clearly articulate the vision to achieve desired goals and great motivators • Inspire others

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 11 • Honest and demonstrate ongoing integrity. make a difference. You were created with a They do the right thing even when no one is purpose and you shall fulfill your purpose in looking your home, on the job, in your business, in • Confident in who God has made them and your outreach effort, and in your leadership willing to give respect to earn respect role. You are an effective leader.

• Resilient in the tough times and identify 2. Tackle your fears by recognizing they exist solutions and tackle your fears head on by doing what • High level of emotional intelligence and nevyou are afraid to do. er let others see them sweat 3. Commit to being a life-long learner because • Practice and live a life of humility learning never ends.

• Transparent and willing to be open 4. Know that self-awareness is necessary. Em• Always have vision and purpose and know brace being honest about yourself for yourhow to mobilize teams to execute self.

5. Develop and nurture self each and every day.

Leadership starts at home. It is where you have the op6. Recognize that you have the ability to influportunity to believe in your spouse and children; have ence others. an opportunity to serve others before yourself; and it 7. Empower others by being the greatest examis a great chance for you to be a leader and to follow. ple and giving others an opportunity to lead, Practice developing your leaderships skills by doing contribute and guide. the following: 1. Motivate yourself daily and practice speaking By: Christine C. Thomas, Ph.D. positively to yourself about yourself. You are a great leader. You are a great follower. You

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Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 13

ageous Lady Book & Workbook

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Dr. Christine C. Thomas, Author, Entrepreneur, Higher Education Administrator, and Minister

www.CourageousLady.org

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 14

Black Live

An Interview with Bishop

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 15 A Courageous Lady is fearless. She is not deterred by danger or pain.

She is bold, beautiful and brilliant.

When you are in the presence of a Courageous Lady, you will experience a woman who knows who she is, and she pursues her purpose with passion and does it with confidence. She believes God’s word and what it says about her. She walks boldly in his promises. When confronted with obstacles and setbacks, a Courageous Lady knows how to “stay the course.” #

es Matter

p Herbert H. Thomas, Jr.

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 16 Our nation has faced some very perilous times in 2020. Especially, after the death of Mr. George Floyd. I am 52 years of age and I have never witnessed this type of outrage, reactions and responses from people of all ethnicities around the world. I believe we have reached a crucial time in our history that reminds me of the late Bishop Eddie L. Long. of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. He delivered a message entitled “Enough is Enough” and an anthem song was birthed, that is most appropriate for today, “it is revolution time,” in the United States. It is a time where people are saying, we must take a stand, even if it gets rough, people are not backing down. In the news you are seeing leaders, politicians, pastors, young adults, Black Panther Party, actors, singers and everyday people who are joining forces to fight for change in this country.

On Saturday, June 6, 2020, my husband, Bishop, Herbert H. Thomas, Jr. and our daughters, Dr. Ashley C. Thomas and Ms. Kimberly Thomas had an opportunity to join other Montgomery, Alabama natives as a community to say enough is enough.

I was so proud to see my warrior family that God has purposed them to be in this world for such a time as now. They have taken courage to be the voice of the present and future. I heard their voices speaking through participation in the protest. A voice that says, right now, we demand change. A voice that says, I will be the change I want to see. A voice that says, my offspring will see and live without compromise and eat the good of the land in this country.

Due to my being away from home during the march, I decided to interview my husband to get a feel for his experience and what he hopes to come from his experience and participation, and his plans for the future. I hope you enjoy my brief interview with Bishop Thomas.

What did the protest mean to you that was held in Montgomery, Alabama on June 6, 2020?

Even in Montgomery, which is the Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, it was good to see individuals of all different faiths, ethnicities, and political parties come together and bring attention to what is going on in America due to the unfortunate incident with George Floyd. That was just part of it. To continue to shed light on an unjust and unfair system and not

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 17 to let the world forget about Ahmaud Arbery, BreHow did you feel when you heard the news onna Taylor, Tamar Rice, Michael Brown, Sandra about George Floyd and what happened to him Bland, and so many others. I believe what this at the hands of an officer and the other three ofmarch did, it really opened our eyes as we saw a ficers who stood by and watched him be killed? crowd of 50% non-African American protesters.

How did that make you feel?

Not to mention, what I believe was 70% of young I was saddened because my thoughts were, here adults (30 and under). It did my heart well to see we go again. It was like watching the ending to people come out and participate to bring change a bad movie. We’ve protested, we’ve marched, and to make a difference. we’ve brought attention to police brutality, espe-

What does the phrase Black Lives Matter mean to you as a Black man?

Black Lives Matter means, I’m human, I’m to be respected, I’m to be loved and valued as anyone else. When you say, Black Lives Matter, some would want to put a negative connotation on it to say that other people’s lives don’t matter. That is not what I am thinking, when I say Black Lives Matter. The reason why we hone in and bring so much attention to Black Lives Matter is that Blacks are being disproportionately killed by law enforcement officers, those who took an oath to protect and serve. So, that’s what it means to me when I hear Black Lives Matter that I am somebody, I am a human, I am a child of God and my life is valued like everyone else’s life.

cially against those that are African American.

To see an officer with his knee on the neck of a man for approximately 8 minutes and those last 3 minutes where Mr. Floyd was already deceased was heartbreaking. For the other officers not to intervene and stand idly by and watch, I believe they are just as guilty. So, to answer your question, I was saddened, I was hurt, I was angry, I had an array of emotions I was going through at that time.

Outside of the protest and rallies, what else can we do across this country to keep the Black Lives Matter momentum going?

There are several things that we can do as African Americans, number one, we can be sure to vote. We have to go out and vote. I am reminded of something Kwame Ture, most people knew him by Stokely Carmichael. He says if you organize a little, you get little done. If you organize a lot, you get a lot done, but if you don’t organize at all, you get nothing done. So, we must have organization to keep the momentum that we have now. We must participate in what we call Community Oversight Programs. Most cities have a policing oversight committee. These are individuals who are non-police officers that are a part of the local community to monitor complaints and look at different laws and rules that govern police officers. We must hold our elected officials accountable. We must collectively come together and say these are our demands that we are asking for from the government, and from businesses and industry, and if not fulfilled, not only will you hear our political voice, but our economic voice as well. So, we must vote, we must organize, we must hold elected officials accountable, and we must flex our economic muscle. In addition to this momentum, we must continue to educate and train our fellow brothers and sisters

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 18 on laws and on how to interact with law enforcement. These are just things we can do to keep the momentum going.

How does the Black Church fit into this plan or these ideas or this structure that you are speaking of to bring about change during this momentum?

Well as many know, the Black church plays a pivotal role in the Black Community. The Black church and especially the pastors should be the ones who should be leading these protest and leading these marches, and sitting down with elected officials, holding individuals accountable.

Our churches should be educating, empowering, and encouraging the parishioners to go out and partake and exercise their civic duty in different areas. It is the church that should be calling individuals out and it’s not that we are judging individuals but truth is truth and wrong is wrong and right is right. The church should be a beacon of hope, a beacon of light where people can say there is one place I can go, that it doesn’t matter what color I am, they are going to tell the truth and they are going to stand for truth. The Church.

I see you are wearing a shirt that says, LEGACY. How does that fit into the protest? How does that fit into Black Lives Matter? What were you trying to convey to people with your shirt?

Yes, I was wearing a shirt that had legacy. It was two-fold. It was a past legacy and a present legacy. When I say past legacy, my mother and father were active participants during the civil rights movement of the 60s and they instilled in me, as they say, you have got to stand for something or you will fall for anything. Part of my legacy as a college student at Alabama State University in the 80s, I participated in protests, I participated in marches. And for the future, it was a privilege and an honor to have my daughters there participating and keeping the fight going on and not becoming complacent. The question becomes, the legacy, when you are dead and gone, how will people remember you? When you are dead and gone, did you make somebody else’s life better?

As one of the speakers, what valuable piece of information did you want participants to know and leave with after the protest?

The first thing I wanted to share with participants is to make a change at the ballot box. We know that individuals throughout history have given their lives, so that me and others can go to the ballot box and let our voices be heard. Voting is so instrumental and is fundamental to the rights of America. Matter of fact, it is in the constitution about voting and one of the things that I wanted the individuals to be empowered with was to understand the power of the southern vote. When I say the southern vote, more specifically, I am referring to the thirteen confederate states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

The reason those particular thirteen states are very important and the deliberate target of suppression laws are based on raw numerical numbers. By carrying those 13 states, that means you would win 26 senators, which means at that point you only need 25 more and you control the senate. If you control those13 states you will have 30% of the U.S. House of Representatives, which means you only need 21% more and you control the House. If you control those13 states you will have 178 electoral college votes, which means from the other 37 states you only need 92 electoral college votes and you win the White House with 270. According to the Brennan Center for Justice after the Shelby County v. Holder landmark case of 2013, many states immediately enacted voter suppression laws, which led to nearly 1,000 polling places being closed in predominantly African American counties. These voter suppression laws led to lower voter turnout, stricter voter ID laws, increased numbers of voter purging, less time for early voting, easy gerrymandering, and other voting issues. That’s what I wanted them to get out of the message, no matter what hurdles and roadblocks the government throws in front of you, still get to the polls and bring someone with you. If they didn’t vote last time, make sure they vote this time. And that’s what I wanted people to hear and pray that people will do so in November.

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What are your plans for the future?

One of my plans is to continue to be a voice through doing podcast, social media, and other interviews; working with ministry, social, and civic leaders and holding individuals accountable and continuing in my quest to mentor young men.

This is not to cause divisiveness, but one of working in unity. I think right now during this momentum we have, we as one nation under God, have

to work together to see change. We have to seize this momentum, take advantage and go forward.

My desire is to make a difference.

Photos itaken by Lauryn Sakover, June 2020 Reference Revolution Time, 2004, Bishop Eddie L. Long, YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/nygmkS6q7Uk

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Outreach that Changes Lives: Make a Difference

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We were created and brought into this world to make a difference by bringing hope and sharing the love of Christ to others. Service to others allow us to leave our imprint on their hearts in a positive way through service, acts of kindness and mission work (domestic and international). With the prevailing impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have witnessed travesty from the disease, curtailed by a passion of service from so many healthcare professionals on the frontline.

With all of the grief around us today, has it prompted you to want to touch the hearts of others. Every day that goes by it is a moment for us around the world to serve others. We can help a mother, father, children, neighbors, co-workers, a business or even helping your church can make a big difference.

Whether large or small, your contribution of your time, talents and treasures will make a difference in the lives of someone who needs your help and support. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what you should be doing in this season of turmoil. Dust off your skills of service, pull out your talents and gifts and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to an area of service that is beckoning for your help.

We are living in a time where our government on the city, state and local levels are not heading to the power of God, they have their own agenda and don’t care about the widows, the poor, and those who are in dire need of assistance. If we all come together, we can make great strides in bringing hope into our world.

You do not have to do it along. Connect with your family and friends.

Why should we make a difference?

John 13:34— A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Listed below are some ideas for you to consider to help in your neighborhood, to demonstrate your love and compassion for others in need of your service.

• Call or text someone.

• Call your local area foodbank to see how you can serve or make a donation. Outreach is not just giving money, but it is your giving of your time and talents to help those in need.

• Where possible, volunteer in your community. Write and send kind notes of encouragement to the elderly.

• Create arts and crafts and distribute to healthcare professionals.

• Post words of encouragement online for healthcare professionals.

• Create a mask and distribute to the elderly.

• Make phone calls to heck in on church members.

• Pray daily for our government, school systems, prisons and nursing homes.

• Create post that bring hope and encouragement to those impacted by COVID-19 • Donate food to your local area foodbank.

• Do something digital and be creative.

• Create a virtual small group and teach something impactful (economic empowerment, giving, serving, purpose, salvation, online prayer, online Q&A, etc.)

• Just pray and do something you have desired to do, it will make a difference!

Dr. Christine

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Courageous L

e C. Thomas

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Lady Founder

I am a lover of Jesus Christ, a dedicated wife whose in love with Bishop Herbert H. Thomas, Jr., Mother of a Duchess and a Doctor, faithful friend, fearless in pursuing my purpose, passionate about helping women and girls, practical author, creative entrepreneur, and a servant leader!

Connect with me on Social Media.

Facebook: Christine C. Thomas Twitter: Courageious_Lady Instagram: CourageousLadyNetwork SnapChat: CourageousLady1 Pinterest: CourageousLadyNet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christine-c-thomas-phd-60365239

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Psalm When I am af trust in you. I word I praise— and am not af mere morta

m 56:3-4 fraid, I put my In God, whose — in God, I trust fraid. What can als do to me?

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The Power of Connection by: Bishop Herbert H. Thomas, Jr.

In life, we all want to reach that place where God has destined us to be. Albeit, we sometimes have to use alternate routes to get to our ultimate destination. To achieve what God has purposed in our lives, we must make the proper connections. Notice the word “connections” was used and not the words “affiliations” or “associations.” God has given many examples of individuals in the Bible that made the proper connections and went on to fulfill their God-given purpose.

To help illustrate the concept of making the right connection, let’s consider you are planning to take a vacation. The trip is to the beautiful oasis of Bermuda. As you are booking your flight with one of the online vendors, you notice there are several connecting flights in order to get to your final destination: those sandy beaches of Bermuda. Now, let’s take planning a vacation and align it with the purpose of making divine connections. Lesson One: It’s important to remember that there are no direct flights in life. You will have to make detours and connections to get where you want to be in life.

As you approach the ticket counter, the ticket agent asks you to make sure you have the right gate, even though the gate number is on your ticket. She informs you that the airline company makes last minute changes to the gate assignments. Lesson Two: You could be called by God, gifted, talented, educated, and skilled in many areas. However, you still need to check your assignment to make sure you are doing what God has called you to do.

Now, you are patiently waiting and all of sudden you hear an announcement for passengers that are waiting on “standby” to report to the ticket agent. These standby passengers showed up to the airport without any guarantees of getting a ticket, but had expectations and hopes of getting on a flight. Lesson Three: There are people out there that are waiting and hoping to get something that you already have. In other words, don’t waste the purpose, resources, and opportunities that you have been blessed with.

Finally, it’s time for you to board the plane and get to your destination. Nonetheless, there was another announcement over the intercom that said “last call” for your flight. This announcement was for those individuals who had the right

Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Outreach | Page 27 gate, but were not in the proper place at the appropriate time. Lesson Four: Respect the timing that God would want you to do things. You could be at the right place, but will have to wait until the right time to take action on your assignment.

As you can see, this brief analogy was used to illustrate the importance of making the right connections. The Bible has given us principles that will let us know if we are truly connected to the right person and/or ministries. Therefore, there are 7 key principles that one can use for a self-examination to see if they are divinely connected or merely conveniently associated.

PRINCIPLE 1: There is a Closeness with the Ministry.

You must be close enough to touch and to be touched. This touch is not necessarily a physical touch. One needs to be spiritually and emotionally close to a ministry. In 2 Kings 2: 6-9 we see the relationship between Elijah and Elisha.

There were fifty sons of the prophets who stood afar, but the one who was close, Elisha, received the mantle. Through his close connection, Elisha was able to receive a double portion of the Anointing and went on to do great things.

PRINCIPLE 2: There is a Monetary Exchange. If your money is not there, then you are not connected. Proverbs 18: 16 states, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Before Naaman, who was stricken with leprosy, went to see the prophet, he loaded up his wagon with gifts (2 Kings 5: 5). In the Book of Acts, they laid all they had at the apostles’ feet and nobody lacked (Acts 4: 3-35). In each case, the person(s) brought a gift to those with whom they made a connection. You can read the newspaper and do research about different stocks and not care on how they are doing. However, when your money is invested in those stocks, now you have a different attitude on how they are performing.

PRINCIPLE 3: There is an Investment of Time. You can tell what’s important to a person based on where they spend their time and money. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel and worked, the first time, for seven years for her hand in marriage (Genesis 29:20). However, due to the chicanery of his Uncle Laban, he had to work another seven years before he could finally marry Rachel (Genesis 29:27). We see where Jacob worked a total of 14 years in order to marry Rachel. This marriage was important to him and you saw this through a great deal of work and an investment of his time.

PRINCIPLE 4: There is Obedience. “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward…” (Matthew 10:41). The reward is whatever the prophet speaks out of his mouth. That’s why the widow

woman was able to get oil for her and her son. The prophet told her to bake him a cake, and she was obedient to his request (I Kings 17:13). According to I Samuel 15:22, obedience is better than sacrifice. Brothers and sisters, remember that God has given pastors according to His heart.

Therefore, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13: 1-2).

PRINCIPLE 5: There is Loyalty. Ministry gets hard sometimes and doesn’t always go the way you think it should go.

Are you or do you know someone that leaves a ministry at the first sign of trouble or hardships? There’s the story of Naomi, a woman who survived a famine, and when she was in her old age, lost her husband and two sons. One daughter-in-law, Orpah, kissed her and went back to her native land. However, the other daughter-in-law, Ruth, clung to her and continued the relationship* that was built when things were going well. There’s an old saying, “blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family.”

PRINCIPLE 6: There is Service. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). The definition of ministry is “a help or service to the people.” If you are in ministry, always remember the reason you accepted your calling to the ministry. The answer is to be of help or service to others.

PRINCIPLE 7: There is Prayer and Intercession. “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5: 16). Pray for the leadership and laity at your church. We all say that prayer changes things, so let’s start praying more. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

In closing, let’s continue with the airport analogy. Some of God’s people have packed their bags and are still sitting at spiritual airports, due to not making the right connections.

The pastor, prophet, or whomever God decides to use tells the person that it’s time to move towards their destination and purpose. Some people hear the call, go to the right gate, and get on the right plane, and some people don’t.

There is a particular place, purpose, and position that you are supposed to possess. You are not where you are by accident. To grow and move forward, you must be properly connected. Please understand that God will provide for what he has destined. Moreover, God will validate what He initiates.

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A Leade Constructio Self-Exam

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er Under on: A Call to mination

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24 The Bible has several scriptures on the need for believers to conduct a self-examination and to have a truthful assessment of self-awareness.

This means we must take time and look in the mirror to really know our strengths, shortcomings, imperfections, and areas that we need to grow in to be effective in ministry, and not to mention outreach, leadership and entrepreneurship. Our humility and willingness to let God examine us according to the Word and not our emotions or allowing others to think and tell us who we ought to be. For example, there are a number of scriptures that mandate or better yet command us to conduct a self-examination. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Job 13:23 asks the question, “How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.” Psalm 26:2 records, “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.” In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 13:5 says “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless indeed you fail the test?”

of our being must be humble, and we must do as Lamentations 3:40 suggests, “Examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the LORD.” This means we must be honest with who we are completely, without ignoring certain aspects of ourselves. Once we acknowledge who we really are, we can lay our issues before God and allow the Holy Spirit to work on us from the inside out.

Let us go back to Psalm 139:23-24. These verses of scripture provide us with instructions on how we should humbly go to the Lord when we are truly desiring to conduct a self-examination.

These scriptures should remind us continuously of God’s mercy and a need for us to be humble and to never get puffed up and proud in who we are as believers. These scriptures should lead us to trusting in the Holy Spirit to transform us from an unrighteous way of living into our walking in righteousness and aligning with the will and way of the Lord. Only God knows what is in our hearts and the truth of who we are. It is important that we recognize that our heart is deceitful and must be transformed.

Verse 23 says “Search me, O God, And know my heart.” This step is a searching and revealing process. It’s important that we recognize that God is sovereign, holy, righteous, and the only one capable of examining all that is in our hearts (the spiritual heart of man). In 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) we read, “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Although we may think that someone is living a holy and righteous life, the Lord may see something different. We should all be mindful that God knows who we really are and he is waiting on us to humble ourselves and come to him, so that He can transform us from the inside out. This verse is rather interesting because it says “search me” and is followed by “and know my heart.” Then we see in I Samuel 16:7 that “God knows our heart.” If God already knows our heart, why does the scripture say, “and know my heart”? When we allow God to search our heart, he reveals to us what is in our heart. He illuminates those areas that need fixing, but He also uses the word of God to clean us up! The most precious part that we must remember as leaders is that as we seek to help others, God is working on us simultaneously. We are all under construction!

As leaders, the Lord will continue to grace us to serve with a focus on advancing the Kingdom, soul-saving, and bringing glory and honor to God in the name of Jesus. Once again, in order for us to be efficient and effective, it means every fiber

Verse 23b says “try me, and know my anxious thoughts.” This step is a testing and trying stage and where God* reveals who you really are to yourself according to the scriptures. When we reach a place of asking God to search our

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heart and we are made aware of our ways, this is where we are tested and tried. How often as leaders and believers do we go before God and say, “Lord show me my heart and help me to live right, walk right, talk right, and treat others right.”

It is from those confessions and often times just by us being believers that we are tested and tried.

Even when we are going through test and trials, it is for our good. This is all a part of discipleship as a believer. We are tested and tried and with it may come persecution through the transformation of your heart; the Lord is performing surgery on our inside that leads to our walking in the path designed for our lives. We must have a strong foundation, just as a building is constructed. It requires digging deep into the soil. The taller the building the deeper the foundation. As it goes deeper, it allows the building to establish strength to withstand the storms, inclement weather, and natural disasters. So, when we are tested and tried, God must go deeper into our hearts to remove all of those issues, He digs deeper into our past to see what causes us to waver and become anxious and has us to drift from the instructions the Father has given us to develop and grow as believers. We should never grow weary in well doing or even be anxious for anything. Instead, we should trust in the Lord with our whole heart and lean not to our own understanding, because our minds are now being transformed by the Word

of God. We are learning from the experiences to cast our cares upon the Lord because he cares, and we are learning to trust and submit to the will of God, who already knows every fiber of our being. How powerful is it to know a God like that.

One of the biggest nuggets you can take away from the testing and trying that will happen in your life is an appreciation for how those experiences show us where there is chaos and a lack of order in our lives. Once we see this, it allows us to pray and ask the Lord for help, study His Word, learn to believe and trust God at His word, and walk in faith for the manifestation of His will to happen in our lives. Sounds like a lot? Yes, it is when you try doing it on your own. This is why it takes us allowing God to change us by the power of the Holy Ghost!

Verse 24a says, “and see if there be any hurtful way in me.” I’m sure all leaders and believers can attest to a time or two when you were doing the will of God and didn’t realize you were hurting yourself and others in the process. When we fail to conduct a self-examination, we continue to perpetuate seasons, circles, and cycles that often times have a negative impact on the lives of others. We need God to continuously teach us his will and his way to stop negative types of behavior, which are quite damaging. We exist to establish His will in the earth and we can’t do it on

Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 32 our own, we need the grace, mercy, and love of God. We must remain humble to walk in the favor God. This stage should bring us to a place of repentance for our actions. The test and trials we are succumbed to in life ultimately are used by God to draw us closer to Him and it is hoped that we learn to trust, pray more, rely and depend on the Father, and seek strength, power, and righteous results from the Holy Spirit. Most certainly, it should lead to our realizing that Jesus paid the price for everything we have gone through or will even go through in our lives. It is all for our good and it is a testament of God’s will being performed in our lives, which is to heal us and make us whole from the inside out. If we were to be honest, these experiences will illuminate and show us our areas of struggle in our soulish area (which is your mind, will, intellect, emotions and imagination) and how we need to conform, align, and submit to the will of God. To do so we must do as the word says in Romans 12:1-2.

When we are under construction as leaders, or even as believers who are praying for God to reveal our purpose, one area that we must allow and submit to the e transforming of our minds by the power of the Holy Ghost. A transformed mind equals a transformed heart. It is hard to serve a God, trust that Jesus paid the price for you, and believe that the Holy Spirit will empower you if your heart is not right and you have the wrong perception.

Verse 24b says, “and lead me in the way of everlasting.” The searching leads to revealing of one’s ways, followed by testing and trials that demonstrate what you are made of. God showing us the everlasting way should lead us to carrying out the day-to-day acts of the Apostles that consisted of being persistent in prayer, serving others with joy and zeal, believing with a righteous confidence, confessing with humility, giving with gladness, and reaching others with love and grace. The everlasting is what we are graced to do in our heart in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in honor and glory to God and by the power of the Holy Ghost. Leaving this earth having done well as a servant of God is what we do hear. When we consider our ways, we will turn toward the Word of God, judge ourselves and examine our own work. We would also spend time

focusing on our prayer life to determine if we are praying strategically, effectively, and efficiently.

As we continue to move forward in 2020, let us be mindful that God has graced us to serve in leadership capacities and functions in a variety of ways.

This is an important responsibility, and to whom much is given much is required. As God elevates us, it requires us to grow more, do more, serve more, and love more with a heart that permeates with the fruit of the Spirit. As leaders, let us allow God to work on us and keep us on the potter’s wheel, so that it is evident in our walk. Let our lives become a living epistle of God’s glory, holiness, righteous, saving grace, and love towards us and others. Let us see Ephesians 4:11-13 come alive, because God gave “some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:” We have a responsibility to God and it’s all about his will being fulfilled on the earth!

If we want others to be mature, it requires us to continuously grow and develop as leaders. Let’s allow God to change our thinking. Let us move and flow with power together! Let us pray and see the signs and wonders happen immediately!

Let us walk in unity and agreement to see the salvation of the Lord for our family, friends, and this world! Let us do the work of the Lord with grace and in excellence, love, mercy, and harmony! Let us continue being constructed, because there are great things happening and more to come for each of us to do in the name of Jesus! Everything we have and do is all for and because of HIM! “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons,” Colossians 3:23-25.

A Servant Under Construction Dr. Christine

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Entrepreneurship God’s Way Ladies, it takes diligence to be an entrepreneur and establish a successful business.

Women we must work hard and trust God. Statistics reveal a significant disparity in female versus male entrepreneurs.

More specifically, the number of female entrepreneurs by race is significantly lower for African American women. Whether you have a home business, daycare, a business owner in a Multi-Level Marketing Company (i.e., online travel business), t-shirt designer, teaching your own online courses, you know that your business will not grow if you do not invest your

time, talents and treasures. It requires a significant amount of investment to yield the harvest that will bring your diligent hands wealth.

As your wealth grows little by little (Proverbs 13:11), stay focused, serve with excellence, and watch your expansion as you build honesty and resiliently your business.

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 10:4 (NIV)

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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

1 Corinthian 16:13-14

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Future Issues of LEGACY eMagazine

July—September 2020 Issue Outreach Matters with Dr. Christine C. Thomas and Mr. Kuntrell Jackson October—December 2020 Issue Leadership Matters with Dr. Tanjula Petty January-March 2021 Entrepreneurship Matters with Dr. Ashley C. Thomas

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