MIND BLOWING TRIBUTE:
LASHAWN DANIELS
CAREER SPOTLIGHT:
KERI LEWIS
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DEVOTIONAL by PASTOR
STEVEN FURTICK
THE MAN CAVE with KENDALL TAYLOR
PJ MORTON ON FAMILY, MUSIC, AND IMPACT
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BUT I DON’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES a devotion by Pastor Steven Furtick “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) “You don’t belong here, boy. You don’t have anything worth saying to these people.” You’d think a pastor about to preach to thousands of people eagerly awaiting his message would feel confident and courageous as he walks to the pulpit. But as I stepped out on stage, I literally had to talk to myself aloud to drown out the voice inside me telling me I didn’t have what it takes. Have you ever stopped short of God’s calling on your life because you felt almost paralyzed by your limitations and insecurities? We often excuse ourselves from God’s greater vision because we don’t believe we have enough for God to work with. Maybe it’s our insufficient experience. Lack of resources. Lackluster training. Awkward social skills. Maybe it’s a busted up marriage or a job we’re sure is meaningless. Unfortunately, one of the enemy’s most effective strategies is to fill our mind with thoughts about what we don’t have and all the ways we fall short. But when we focus on what we lack, it can keep us from realizing what we have is more than enough for God. You see, God has a history of using what little someone has in order to do great things that only He can do. When I hear that voice reminding me of my shortcomings and limitations, I’ve decided to say, “You’re right. But my greatest limitation is God’s greatest opportunity.” All throughout Scripture God has shown this to be true time and time again. When calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery from the Egyptians, God simply asked him, “What is in your hand?” (see Exodus 4:2). It was just a staff—a common tool used by a common worker for a common purpose. But God used it for something greater, transforming it into an extraordinary tool for the extraordinary purposes of turning the Nile into blood and parting the Red Sea. When feeding the five thousand, Jesus didn’t send the disciples to buy out McDonalds. He simply asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” Five loaves and two fish were more than enough (see Mark 6:30-44). When the prophet Elisha was approached by the desperate widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 he simply asked her, “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” She said she had nothing at all, “except a small jar of olive oil.” It turns out, one jar of oil isn’t a bad place to start. God supernaturally multiplied that one jar of oil until she had enough to pay her debts
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and live with her sons on what was left. And how did these miracles start? They started with something that seemed to amount to nothing. These examples remind us we need to take inventory of what’s right in front of us. Use that. Be obedient right there. Start saying yes to God right where you are. Instead of focusing on your limitations and insecurities and saying, “I can’t,” start praying, “God use what I have. Take what little I have and make it overflow.” Indeed your greatest limitation is God’s greatest opportunity. Dear Lord, thank You that You are not limited to dealing with my current state and weaknesses. I want to be greater and do great things for You Lord. Use the little I have to give and make it great for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Reflect and Respond: Have you ever doubted God’s calling in your life because you believed you didn’t have what it takes? List 3 areas in your life where you can say “yes” to God right where you are. Now pray, “God use what I have. Take what little I have and make it overflow.” Pray this simple prayer any time you start to feel weak or like you aren’t good enough.
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let your
LIGHT
shine Career Man Spotlight featuring
Keri Lewis
T
his is your modern day VH1’s Where Are They Now? update featuring Keri Lewis. He’s famously known as a former member of the American R&B group Mint Condition, contributing to the group as a keyboardist, songwriter, and producer. What you may not know is that he’s a father, writer, producer, and host of 90’s R&B Alumni. These episodes are available on YouTube. Growing up in Southwest Minneapolis, this Midwest native was heavily influenced by a lot of great music from the seventies and eighties. Keri’s love for music stems from his musical family and his father introducing him to jazz. Keri was also specifically influenced by Earth, Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and of course the Minneapolis sound that included not only the likes of Prince but of Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the R&B/pop songwriting and record production team who eventually signed him. Affluent with many genres, Keri masterfully blends them together to
create his signature sound. Oddly enough, having not played in church, Keri really loves the Gospel genre. The longing in his voice underscores that revelation of love. And y’all, if you haven’t recognized his mastery as a producer and writer yet, prepare to be amazed. Keri doesn’t read music. He plays by ear! Keri’s upbringing is perfectly depicted by these lyrics: “I believe the children are the future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” These words are from the classic hit “Greatest Love of All,” sung with such passionate power by Whitney Houston. Keri attended a magnet arts program at St. Paul Central High School, a program that offered a hands-on-approach learning opportunity encompassing instruments, songwriting, and learning to work in a studio. That education, coupled with his talent, led to his signing at 18 years old with the group we know as Mint Condition. Their fusion of funk, jazz, R&B, dance, and hip hop would become their signature sound.
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Career Man Spotlight
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honoring the life & LEGACY of Lashawn daniels with words by Jett DANIELS, Tahshon DANIELS Omarr K. RAMBERT, EJ GAINES, Brandon CADDELL, Eric DAWKINS, Joe THOMAS and April DANIELS
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MY MIRACLE
girl words by Stefanie Jane
L
ittle did I know walking into Bible study that morning that my life would forever be altered. There sat the most frail human I had ever seen. Introducing myself to Dory, I saw a sweetness to her I could not explain, but she was literally killing herself with her anorexia. All the ladies in Bible study circled around her, begging God to deliver Dory from the bondage of anorexia, and in that moment, I joined with Jesus to start a spiritual war with Satan and all his misfits. Satan wanted Dory and thought he was winning, but God sent me in to pray for Dory like I have never prayed for anyone before. When I got home, I somehow knew that I needed to help this young lady. I talked with Nicole, who had brought her to Bible study, and she was at the end of her rope with Dory. Nicole and her husband help Christians deal with a lot of spiritual warfare, and they felt they were now out of options; her demons seemed like they would never leave her. I talked with others in my Bible study who warned me that Dory’s demonic influences were too powerful. However, there was one person, Amy, who felt in her spirit that she needed to help this young lady as much as I did. Amy and I teamed up to seek help for Dory. However, that night Satan tried to send in his demonic influences to try and scare me away from helping her. I had the most terrifying and vivid dream. I literally had to stand under the protection of Jesus to survive the attacks of Satan, but this was just the beginning of the spiritual warfare coming my way. After making many calls, we learned that most of the hospitals and local anorexia services were afraid to take her in because they were all certain she would die on their watch. But God always has a plan;
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it just sometimes takes a little longer to identify. I found out that the county hospital cannot turn anyone away, but Dory would have to check herself in. By the grace of God we were able to convince her. Once she was admitted, we found out that Dory was 5-feet 11-inches tall, yet weighed just 95 pounds and her BMI was at 10. Her organs were beginning to fail, and had we not gotten her signed in that day, I feel certain she would have starved herself to death. Parkland Hospital in Dallas was able to get her vitals stable, but they did not have an anorexia program. So, with Dory’s vital signs stable, another hospital decided to take her in. She wanted to fight; we just did not know how to equip her for the healing she needed. Over the next several months, Dory had a way of getting herself kicked out of programs that we had worked so hard to find for her. She would hide food meant for her to eat; she would work out for hours; and she had tricks I never thought of. Apparently, if you eat enough Sweet ’N Low, your metabolism speeds up. So she continued to lose weight and continued to get kicked out of programs. Finally, when I saw Dory more frail than ever before, I looked her in the eyes and asked, “Do you want to die?” I am not sure if the idea had ever crossed her mind. The look in her eyes changed. She said, “I want to live.” “Then you need to focus on who God made you. You need to accept yourself exactly the way you are, and you are perfect in the sight of Jesus.” Unfortunately, the last program she was kicked out of was the last one available to her. She had been at a halfway house and her demons were affecting everyone there, so she was asked to leave. I was
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The Man Cave
tailoring the TRUTH with Kendall Taylor P H OTO G R A P HY BY D E R E K B L A N K S
I retreated in silence for a short time when I was approached by MB Magazine to write this particular message. In a society where a man’s words are first scrutinized for flaws and shortcomings before ever receiving a sincere invitation of unbiased curiosity, each verbal step toward delivering truth is nothing short of walking blindfolded through hidden landmines of social opinions. I decided to welcome the opportunity to tiptoe carefully yet boldly around the live wires of male insecurities and our hair-triggered egos. All in hopes of getting a clear shot that would kill the excuses we carry as men regarding our character. What is truth? As men, we have abused our gift of free will that was given to us by God and made the audacious move to rewrite what constitutes truth. Where truth should be the core foundation for how we govern ourselves as men, we attempt to manipulate and tailor universal and national laws in order to satisfy our insatiable appetites of lust and greed. Men have been fearfully created to be clothed in the fabric of truth. When worn, it clearly communicates the caliber of a man in a world where the uniform of choice appears to be stitched together using threads of compromise. But what exactly happens when the fabric of truth doesn’t meet the measurements that we’ve designed for our lives? Instead of embracing truth by committing to the required training and conditioning of our character in the gym of personal development, we choose to escape any pains of accountability by stretching the truth so it can fit the contours of our temptations and desires. Loose and baggy character will surely never be in season. So, this clarion call is to my brothers who have courageously taken in the seams of their weaknesses and avoided certain color choices that don’t fit the occasion of destiny. I salute every man who decided to avoid the current fashions of toxic culturalism and found his own sense of personal style that echoes his sense of self-identity. I also encourage the younger men reading this to walk pass those high-priced brands of peer-pressure and to search for labels of authenticity as a brand can’t substitute for the inscription written on your heart. For no man knows the hour of His visitation, so it’s best to have our clothes already laid out! — Salute
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The
a musician's
MUSICIAN
LIVE SHOW
KILLA
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from tHE EDITOR
W
hen I say that the man of God featured on our cover has had a most amazing and illustrious career, that his many Grammy Awards and epic, award-winning performances have inspired millions across the globe, those words still cannot hope to capture the height of awe we feel at the realization that THE PJ Morton has so enormously blessed us here at MB Mag. Now PJ may just be smiling at these words and shaking his head because he is so humble and down to earth. Truly, he’s so sincere and real when you talk with him, and perhaps that’s why he can influence so many and capture all of our hearts. And that’s also why we just want to give great gratitude to PJ as our cover feature for our very first "Men's Edition." His graciousness is evident throughout his testimony and interview, and I pray now that he will bless, inspire, and move you — toward a deeper faith and trust in our great God. Thank you once again, PJ! You epitomize the kind of heart toward others and toward Jesus that we all seek to have. You use your talents to touch our souls in ways that perhaps no others can do, and perhaps that’s the best way to say “thank you.” We deeply appreciate you!
PJ credits some of his fashion sense to the fact that his mom, while he was growing up, always had the TV tuned to runway fashion shows. As he’s notoriously known for his message of love, it comes as no surprise that he spreads that love to the women closest to him in life, first to his mom and then to his wife, Kortni. When he speaks about Kortni, there’s no mistaking his love as he states, “My wife is Superfly, just a natural sense of style. I’ve always loved that.” The pride he has for his family is evident, including for the loving and amazing family he grew up in. Now, being a father is his favorite thing, he attests. His A personal favorite for PJ is “First Began.” Listeners are expecting a advice for other fathers? “Have grace,” he says. “Just like you, every beat to drop, but then have an intriguing surprise when they hear the single kid is an individual. Take it easy and understand that you are slightly outta tune sweetness. It’s intentional on PJ’s part, so much there to guide. I think love is the main thing.” so that he’s known to ask, “Who’s new in the audience?” He delights PJ and Kortni will celebrate 13 years of marriage later this year in watching the music transform the ear of the beholder. Music is a and are parents to three children. The couple’s creativity flows in language that knows no barrier. And PJ, a voice for the voiceless, excess to Jakai (age 16), Paul, whom has shown through every one of his they call P3, (age 10), and Peyton bodies of work that he’s fluent in that (age 8). Jakai’s creativity lies in sports, language. He connects every heart especially now that he stands about and ear in a way that brings perfect 6’1”. P3 is described as a future movie harmony. Almost as if the audience is a director because he’s always putting choir and he’s the director. on shows and making up characters. One would think that a masterful As for Peyton, PJ’s princess, he sees so conductor of sound waves like THE much in her, especially her ability to PJ Morton wouldn’t share his trade draw, which PJ relates to. He started secrets, but he does. I’m gonna blow out drawing as a kid himself. When he your mind when I share just a bit of does tours, he still draws out the stage those precious gems. Ya know, it’s plot and his ideas for wardrobe. kinda our thing we do here with this ne of the most fascinating magazine; it’s literally our name. ;) things I learned about PJ Anyhoo, I digressed ... allow me to during our conversation was continue. Remember when I told you that he was incredibly shy as a kid — that PJ has a quiet, confident swagger? the shaking and afraid level of shyness. I truly believe it’s because he’s taken His father knew he could sing and to heart the age-old wisdom passed would continually push him towards down from our elders, generation it. Had it not been for his father, we to generation. That advice? “Just be would not know PJ as the Live Show yourself.” Easier said than done ... trust — Kortni Morton Killa — named as such because when me, I know. he puts on a show, it’s almost as if he’s However, PJ continues our a DJ. The music never stops and no conversation with a further word of two shows are the same; they always reflect different expressions of his encouragement that we can all draw strength and confidence from, for genius artistry. The crowd favorite, “How Deep Is Your Love,” will our respective situations. He says, “Today is probably the best time in always be part of the setlist. If not, PJ would have some very angry fans. the world to be a creator. There’s an audience for you … the only thing that separates you is you being exactly who you are.” MB Mag Fam,
O
“Whew, where do I start? There’s so much I can say... from the way we joke on down. The thing that means the most, matters the most and stands out the most would be our family. Paul loves his family. He works extremely hard and shows up for us. GOT to love a man that’s about his family.”
I need y’all to go subscribe to our YouTube channel, The MB Mag. Why? Cause you’re not going to want to miss this interview when it goes live. I promise I didn’t even remotely touch all the gems PJ holds in the prowess of his creative mind.
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Reader's Choice: God Fearing Man
trusting where
god leads words by: Chris Michaels P H OTO G R A P HY BY E R I C K A G O R D O N
My testimonies have been both consistent and new. God has had no problem with showing me who He truly is in my own life. As much as I’ve felt worthless at times throughout my life, He still is the same God. Areas where I offered life commitments, with loyalty being my most notable attribute, those same areas only ended up breaking my heart. Unbeknownst to me, God was already preparing my steps. When I hear His voice I have two choices: to harken or not, to listen or not. There’s an abundance of blessings in doing so. My life changed in so many ways after being fired from a 20-year broadcast career. God told me to clear out my things from that space one year prior to that event; I harkened. God told me to form alliances with new people, some who may even seem odd; I harkened. God told me I was sitting on the gift He gave me, so put it to work; I harkened. He told me to invest; I had no idea how, where or why, but I harkened. He told me I think too small, Go Bigger; I harkened. Wow! He’s still telling me now, go bigger!
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What I came to understand was that what I Ioved was simply in place to obstruct my view from what God had already ordered in my steps. God changed my own perception of me. The trick of not knowing worked briefly, until I regained sight of God! When I say I have been flooded with options of one opportunity after the next, it’s nothing but God. As a believer, I learned not to measure myself according to man’s standards. God is only doing in me what He has always done for His children, who believe He will. The best thing I have ever done is become completely honest with God. Not that He doesn’t know and see all, but I believe He wants us to freely give Him the opportunity to be a vessel for a testimony. In all my life, I’ve known he was there, yet I was afraid to speak to Him in all my brokenness. I believe it’s the only way He wants me to come to Him. Give Him your pure self, always! □
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“When I hear His voice I have two choices: to harken or not, to listen or not. There's an ABUNDANCE of blessings in doing so.”
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