praise connection
Nov. 30 - Dec. 6, 2016
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Spiritually Speaking:
If you woke up this morning, you need to read this By James Washington
Shirley Caesar’s exciting new business venture announced
Pastor Shirley Caesar is as intelligent as she is talented.
As the inspiration behind the #UNameItChallenge, it’s only right that she get her fair share of the “greens, beans, potatoes, tomatoes” coming her way. With that said, Caesar’s launched a new website where you can buy shirts, mugs, aprons, and more in the spirit of charity. The pastor wrote on Facebook, “Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to announce due to the high demand and popularity of the #UNameItChallenge featuring my song “Hold My Mule” remixed, we have launched a separate website at www.unameitshirley.com #unam-
eitshirley for you to email us how you feel, post your funny and inspiring videos and hopefully, buy a shirt, mug, apron, T-shirt or hoodie.” She continued, “This is my official page, which was needed, as so many folks expressed concerns that others were selling goods not connected to us. We plan to pick various ministries each week to make sure donations are made to feed folks, ‘Greens, Beans, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Lamb, Ram…U Name It’ and to help our ministry as well.” Get your wallets out and support the enterprising Pastor Shirley Caesar, plus some of the best #UNameItChallenge videos below.
Comedy for a Cause: Giving Back and Moving Forward featuring comedian Clipperman and friends
Comedy for a Cause: Giving Back and Moving Forward (CFC) will host two shows scheduled Saturday, Dec. 3. First show begins at 6 p.m. and second show, 7:30 p.m. Both shows will be performed live on stage inside the AMC Star Theater 20, Southfield. CFC shows have been designed to induce out-loud laughter. General audience admission and VIP seating are available for purchase on line. Clipperman is a nationally-recognized comedian and will celebrate 15 years since his performance at the world famous Apollo Theater. He continues to appear on comedy stages, crisscrossing states from New York on the East Coast to California on West Coast, and downward to the Florida Keys, generating laughs and garnering a strong fan base. Clipperman is known for his versatility and integration of a range of impressions including Barack Obama, Katt Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano, Nikki Minaj, Lil Wayne, E-40, Tupac and many more. Clipperman has received hundreds of standing ovations delivering performances that demonstrate his love to entertain and determination to make people laugh. He has worked with some of the greatest entertainers in the business and has invited special friends to join him for the occasion. Detroit’s renowned ballroom dance trainer Kevin Collins will perform a ballroom dancing exhibition. He is self-described as being responsible for bringing ballroom back to Detroit in the late ’80s. “I have been contemplating a partnership,” Clipperman stated. Partnerships with nonprofits and churches with outreach programs focused on making a positive difference in communities is CFC’s give-back to the community and show of participation in the movement forward. On this occasion, each ticket sold will benefit two organizations: (1) Operation HOPE, Inc., since 2005, has provided core financial literacy and economic empowerment served primarily through the Banking on Our Future youth educational
Clipperman
program; focused on silver (not civil) rights empowerment, making free enterprise work for everyone throughout the city to strengthen low- and middle-income families and help build an economy that works for everyone. Ryan Mack serves as president of the Michigan Market. “We are trying to form an economic movement. Combining comedy, a medium we all can understand, is perfect way to help support a much needed economic work for the people. On the 3rd of December we will laugh as well as be empowered,” Mack stated. (www.operationhope.org/5117) And (2) Nehemiah Baptist Church launched in 2010 by the founding pastor, 10 Baptist pastors and 66 members sanctioned the need for a church dedicated to helping people holistically. NBC works with collaborative community partners to engage and resurrect block clubs through activities and events to therapeutically build healthy relationships and nurture bonding among neighbors in pursuit of restoring hope in disengaged neighborhoods. Founding Pastor Dr. Audry L. Turner serves as lead organizer. “We want to bring people together for a time to laugh and dance, reintroducing decency and building healthy relationships in our communities for Christ sake,” Pastor Turner stated. Purchase $30 general admission and $50 VIP tickets online at www. clipperman.biz or at Encore Salon inside the Star Theater or call 313701-6422. Special VIP package with dinner, limo pick up/drop off for the second show only, call RJ Scott at 313.258-1124. Sponsorship opportunities and booth rentals are available.
From evening prayer to dawn’s affirmation of God’s power, I have definitely taken this time as much for granted as anyone. After some morning prayer practice, it’s becoming apparent that I need to thank God for seeing me through the night. I ask Him to order my steps, guide my thoughts and allow me to do something during the course of the day to give indication of a deep appreciation for allowing me to wake up.
James Washington still breathing today? Is someone you know under intense pressure, emotionally, financially or physically? Did you get called about a now deceased dear friend, colleague or relative? Can you begin to see where I’m coming from? God’s Hand is everywhere in your life, if you just stop being busy and take a good look. I promise you if you just slow down a bit, you’ll see God’s presence time and again in your life; that is, if you can see past your ego or maybe it’s your never thought about it attitude.
If you allow yourself to concentrate on what God has done for you on any given day, then it becomes obvious that He is indeed here and working wonders on your behalf. If you do not believe, try this. At the end of today, take a moment and reflect on those things that you can think of that prove God was with you all day. Start with this morning, because you really didn’t have to wake up. If you hadn’t noticed, some people didn’t. If you drove, flew, took a cab somewhere and arrived safely, you might want to give God a little credit for your being accident free.
Once you begin to realize that God is present all the time, then, prayer easily and rapidly becomes praise. I mean once you recognize the real possibility that God held “my” hand today, then it stands to reason that a genuine thank you is in order. So now out of any sleep I’m awakening from comes a hand palms open with a praise that goes something like this: “Thank you Father God for seeing me through the night. Stay with me and remind me during the course of this day of your infinite blessings bestowed upon me. Let me do something. Let me say something today to make you proud and show you my appreciation of your giving me the time and opportunity to demonstrate who I am and whose I am to the world.”
Can you remember seeing anyone in need of food, clothing, a few dollars, maybe a bath? But it wasn’t you? All “natural disasters” on this day missed your house. No floods? No tornadoes? No hurricanes? No earthquakes? While I’m at it, how’s your family? Are your kids healthy? Are they simply alive and
The words might change from time to time, but the intent is the same. I hope to no longer take my consciousness for granted. There’s a reason my eyes were opened and I must acknowledge I had nothing to do with it. As such, I think it prudent to acknowledge the One responsible and seek His will.
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Christine Morris Services for Christine Morris were held on Wednesday, Oct 26, at Christian Community Baptist Church with Pastor James Fergerson officiating. Mrs. Morris passed away on Oct. 18, 2016. Christine Morris was born on Feb. 15,1928 to Clarence and Minnie Shipp in Como, Mississippi, the second of five children. The family moved to Detroit in 1958 where she worked as a domestic tech, retiring in 1993. In 1968, she and Frazier Morris were married. Mother Morris was very active in the church.
(The Dallas Weekly, NNPA Member)
The closest person in the world is responsible for this one. It’s all about praying and meditating in the morning. I have watched a personal transformation right before my very eyes. I’ve watched as the quest for the habitual has become the reality of ritual, so much so, that it’s something I am trying to emulate. As a concept, it’s actually pretty easy to do. In the morning, I am not particularly in need of anything, but I understand now that calling upon the Lord is an act of spiritual clarification.
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She loved spending time with her family, traveling, church picnics, talking on the phone and going out to dinner. Cherishing the memory of Christine Morris are her children, Adrian, Darryl, Kelvin, Lawrence and Vernistine; two brothers, Jessie Davis and George Davis; a sister, Juanita House; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Interment took place at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Theo Ted Smith Services for Theo Ted Smith took place on Friday, Nov. 11, at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Jeffery officiating. Mr. Smith passed away on Nov. 3, 2016. Theo Ted Smith was born on Nov. 9, 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Theo and Kathleen Smith, the second of their six children. Following their untimely passing, Theo was raised by foster parents, Thronell and Theora Fourtner. They later moved to Detroit where he was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Southeastern High School. After that, he participated in the Upward Program at Wayne State University. He joined the Detroit Police Department. Upon retirement, he worked as a private investigator. At various times in his life he also held management and security positions with the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Medical Center and the Detroit Tigers among others. He enjoyed cooking and taking care of his lawn. Mr. Smith’s memory is being cherished by his children, Jerome, Toi, Norrell and Chutney; two sisters, Velma Tutt and Kathryn Anderson; three brothers, Mirthus Thomas Smith, Thronell “Leslie” Foutner and Earl E. Smith II; and many other relatives and friends.
Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.
Jessie Mae Burns-Hernandez On Thursday, Nov. 3, services were held for Jessie Mae Burns-Hernandez at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor David Lee Roberson officiating. Mrs. Burns-Hernandez passed away on Oct. 23, 2016. Jessie Mae Burns-Hernandez was born on Dec. 23, 1943 to Jesse and Ollie Burns in Autaugaville, Alabama, the second of ten children. Later, there was a move to Detroit where she was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. She worked at Providence St. John Hospital in labor and delivery. She was married to the late Estanislao Hernandez and they had two children, Milissa and Dianna. She is survived by those and her four other children, Demetria, Marvin, Anthony and Aloni; three brothers, David, Bennie and Leslie; four sisters, Flora Parker, Zedora Cutler, Jean Wilson and Joann Hall; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements along with Ashley Williams and Son Funeral Home in Salem, Alabama. Interment took place at Old Harmony Church Cemetery in Autaugaville, Alabama.
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