Catalyst May 2017

2017 CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast First Thursday of every Month

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Call Bishop Redfern II @ 803 730-2758

January 2017 Bishop Redfern II

February 2017 Rev. Carolyn Brailsford

March 2017 Rev. Luella Redfern

April 2017 Rev. Tim Hanley

May 2017 Rev. Anthony Dicks

June 2017 Mac Bennett

July 2017 Elliott Powell

August 2017 Rev. Charles Austin

September 2017 Daniel Rickenman

October 2017 Rev. Ben Johns

November 2017 Rev. Dave Philips

December 2017 Lew Wayburn

CO N T EN T S May 4th • 2017 ARTICLES The Ministry of Christ Tony Evans ................................................................................................................ Page 7 Proof of The Holy Spirt Bonita Britt ............................................................................................................... Page 8 Rev. Anthony A. Dicks, Sr. Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church .......................................................................... Page 10 How to Start a CityLight Prayer Group ................................................................................................................................. Page 12 Newton’s Laws of Influence Chakisse Newton....................................................................................................... Page 18 Short-term Pain, Long Term Gain Jed N. Snyder, D. Min............................................................................................... Page 21 Are We Really Disciples of Jesus?

Daniel Henderson .................................................................................................... Page 22 Jesus Pusher Stephen Manley ....................................................................................................... Page 24 CityLight Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................ Page 26 Celebrating Mother's Day, 2017 | “A Love Note to My Children” Luella Redfern .......................................................................................................... Page 30

FEATURES

Local Events & Points of Interest ................................................................................................................................... Page 4 CityLight Prayer Breakfast Order of Service........................................................................................................... Page 5 Midlands Prayer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. Page 14 Volunteer Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. Page 20 may 2017

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Local Events & Points of Interest SATURDAY MAY 6th TEAM JESUS CONCERT

EAU CLAIRE BAPTIST CHURCH 4427 MAIN STREET COLUMBIA, SC 29203 CALL: 803-920-1530 Eau Claire Baptist Church in partnership with Koinonia of Columbia, Inc invites you to a free community concert featuring Team JESUS, Saturday, May 6 at 4pm - front lawn at 4427 Main St. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Refreshments available.

THURSDAY MAY 18th

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON

USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 900 SENATE ST COLUMBIA, SC 29201 Get informed about the risks of heart disease & stroke.

Know the red flags. Know your heart health story. Go Red For Women inspires women to make lifestyle changes, mobilize communities & shape policies to save lives. Join us at this year's luncheon.

SATURDAY MAY 20th 2017 DAZZ WALK

200 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SOUTHWEST ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA 29115 CALL: 803-937-3010 This walk is too raise operating funds for Dazz which is a pregnancy center helping women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. Our Cause is Life.

Our time is Now.

SUNDAY MAY 28th UNDERSTANDING GOD'S LOVE AND GRACE

AMAZING GRACE MINISTRIES 200 MARKET STREET CHERAW, SC CALL: 843-287-0299 This day will be filled with a deep teaching and understanding of God's tremendous Grace and Love for His children. We are called to live in His righteousness, which He freely gives to us. Service will be led by Pastor Jeff Hart.

See More Events at klove.com 4

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May 2017 Publisher: Redfern II CityLight Founders: Joe & Gladys Grimaud

Associate Publisher: Rev. Luella J. Redfern Operations Manager: Gwen Byrd Director of Chapter Dev: Bonnie Miles Prayer Breakfast Chair: Creative Director: Gabe Lowe Managing Editor: Editor: Casey Lowe Photographer Videographer: Zoe Warren Sponsorship Manager: Registration Manager: Logistics: Min. Bernard Byrd Music Director: Rev. Edward King Contributors: Tony Evans, Stephen Manley, Joseph Grimaud, Gladys Grimaud, Luella Redfern, Bonita Britt, Daniel Henderson, Chakisse Newton and Jed Snyder.

For information about sponsorship opportunities and rates, please contact: Gwen Byrd gbyrd@citylight.org (803)500-0475

Check Out The Catalyst Online Publication at CityLight.org!

© Copyright 2017 CityLight Coalition Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

may 2017

CityLight Catalyst Breakfast Columbia Prayer Breakfast

Speaker: Rev. Anthony Dicks The Local Church Impacting The Nation Through Prayer May 4th, 2017 at 7:00 AM Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | Carolina Meeting Room

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.� -2 Chronicles 7:14

The Campfire Singers ...................................................................................

Welcome and Invocation ........................................................ Bernard Byrd I Will Be Christ to You by Marty Parks ................................... Rev. Ed King Purpose ........................................................................ Rev. Sylvia Mickens

~Prayer Time: Rev. Derrick Myers~

Introduction of Speaker .................................................. Bishop Redfern II Keynote Speaker ........................................................... Rev. Anthony Dicks Remarks/ Benediction..................................................... Bishop Redfern II On Thursday, June 1, 2017 the CityLight Catalyst Prayer Breakfast will be held in the Carolina A Meeting Room of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Mac Bennett will be our Guest Speaker. may 2017

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chapinfurniture.com

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The Ministry of Christ

By Tony Evans

He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

– Colossians 1:18

ment that had been cursed because of the first Adam. The last Adam is the reversal of the curse of the first Adam. And He transforms us so that our new life in Christ shows through.

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Christ also sits as the head of the body. The body of Christ is the church, and He is its head. The job of the body is to carry out the instructions of the head. Just as physical bodies rely on the mind for direction, so the members of the church look to Christ for direction.

hrist has ascended into the heavens and sits at the right hand of God the Father. What is He currently doing—what is His present ministry to His people? Scripture paints several pictures of Christ’s present ministry to help us visualize, understand, comprehend, and appreciate what Christ is about today as He rules on high.

First, Christ is the leader of a new creation. Adam was the head of the human race, and when he fell, sin entered the world and each of us because Adam was our representative. Jesus Christ represents the new man as the last Adam. He brings life, hope, and restoration to the environ-

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Christ is also the Shepherd of the sheep.

In John 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” Jesus makes provision for His sheep. Jesus said we are His sheep, and we must be guided through the right door—His door—to salvation. In Him we are not only saved but also safe. That truth can help you to rest well today.

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Proof of the Holy Spirt (2 Timothy 1:7)

by: BONITA BRITT, Founder Resurrection, Redemption, & Restoration Ministries International

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n America, we will sometimes use the phrase “the real deal” when a person really and truly is absolutely genuine, Pure gold.

There are four things that give a safety tip whether or not we’re witnessing the Holy Spirit. They are: fearlessness, power, love and self-control.

One thing Satan cannot produce in us is a love for the glory of God. He can bring about many things, but not that. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, there are four things by which you may know you have not been deceived. For some of us here may always be a lingering doubt. There may always be an apprehension that we will be caught off guard if a dove suddenly turns out to be a pigeon.

FEARLESSNESS (2 Timothy 1:7) A person may have a personality tendency to be timid or shy---and probably always will be. Paul isn’t speaking of a personality tendency. The Holy Spirit doesn’t change our basic temperament.

The spirit of fear is alien to the Holy Spirit.

God never oppress us. Satan does. A spirit of fear is a perpetual anxiety that governs a person----worrying that something will always go wrong that you’ll displease someone. “Fear of man will prove to be a 8

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snare” (Proverbs 29:25).

Fearlessness isn’t courage. Of course, one seems to have courage when there is no fear. But you can have courage when you’re scared to death.

If you’re obsessed with what people think of you, this is a spirit of fear, it didn’t come from God, says Paul. Timothy was governed by a spirit of fear (1 Corinthians 16:10). Paul didn’t demoralize him for this, but pointed out the attitude that didn’t come from the Holy Spirit. We all have attitudes that come from the flesh, not the Holy Spirit. Fearlessness is a state of mind that is only achieved by the Holy Spirit.

POWER (Luke 24:29; Acts 1:8) Power is what Jesus promised to His disciples. The Greek word is “ dunamis,” from which we get the word “ dynamite.” At Pentecost, Peter had two things working in him: an absence of fear and the presence of power.

All the gifts of the Holy Spirit show God’s power----whether with Wisdom, Healing, or Prophecy.

Here are two scriptures that come to mind (1) “God’s ways are higher than our ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9), and (2) “He chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” may 2017

(1 Corinthians 1:27-28). The power of the Holy Spirit cannot be successfully duplicated. If a person is supernaturally changed and given a love for God’s glory, God did it.

Whenever power defies a natural explanation that sets people free, it isn’t what the flesh or the devil did.

LOVE (1 John 4:18) Perfect love casts our fear. As light makes darkness disappear, so love makes fear go away. In Galatians, the first fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22-23). I believe that if you truly have the unfeigned fruit of love, the other fruits will follow: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

This is “agape” love, which is self-giving and unselfish, caring about others (1 Corinthians 1:3). This love goes right against nature. When we have been hurt, maligned, lied about, or treated unfairly, the most natural feeling in the world is to get even----to see the other person punished.

The heart is deceitful above all things and incurably wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). The devil cannot manifest agape love. He is full of hate, a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). Only the Holy Spirt knows how to love. The onus is in us to prove it to those around us who are longing to see Christians behave like this.

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Love “Keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

SELF-CONTROL (2 Timothy 2:7) As for the last (but not least) fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23, Paul uses the Greek word egkrates meaning self-control or self-discipline.

Self-control is what we have in the Holy Spirit. But we must exercise it. It brings honor and glory to God. What is more, people admire self-control. No one looks up to a person filled with bitterness, one who cannot control his or her tongue, appetite, or sexual urges. If we claim we have the Holy Spirit and want the Holy Spirit to be given the respect due Him, we should care about Him enough that we discipline our tongues and our bodies.

If your heart yearns for God more than anything in the world, don’t give up. And if you see the slightest way forward by which you can demonstrate the courage of your desires, take full advantages of this. “Don’t wait for God to knock you down.” (Psalm 37:4) These four proofs of the Spirit that God has given us; fearlessness, power, love, and self-control are equally divided. The last two---love and self-control----are within our grasp to do. In other words, to have this type of love make sure all unforgiveness, malice or any other issue is totally dealt with and healed.

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Rev. Anthony A. Dicks, Sr. Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Columbia, SC

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ev. Anthony A. Dicks, Sr. was born on October 22, 1955 in Richland County to Miss Leola N. Dicks. On August 15, 1971, at the early age of sixteen, Anthony A. Dicks, Sr. began his career in funeral service at Jackson-Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., Aiken, South Carolina. This was a result of the awesome consistent impression of the professional care and compassion the Dicks family had come to expect from Robert A. Brooks, Jr. and his family. After graduating from Aiken High School in 1973, Anthony married Denise Johnson of Aiken, SC and relocated to Columbia, SC. Anthony and Denise Johnson Dicks are the parents of four children: Shiquita Dicks West, Anthony A. Dicks, Jr., Ranecci Dicks Hampton, and Maisha Dicks Wilder. They are also the grandparents of ten: Devan, Anthony III, Kennedy, Nakia,

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Jr., Katera, Khalaia, Desiree, Jonathan, Jr., Kaiden, and Joshua.

After moving to Columbia, SC he gained employment with the Palmer Memorial Chapel of Columbia where he served as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer.

He continued to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics from Benedict College. He did further studies at the University of South Carolina in Black Liberation Theology. He also earned an Associate of Science Degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in Atlanta, Georgia.

After becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Anthony resumed his full-time employment with the Palmer Memorial Chapel of Columbia until September 1999. In March 2000, Anthony may 2017

purchased the Sullivan Funeral Home 1206 Oak Street in The Historic Waverly Community of Columbia and renamed it A. A. Dicks Funeral Home Sullivan Chapel. In 2006 land was purchased to developed the Promised Land Cemetery at 1740 Cushman Drive. In July 2010, he and his family renovated the old Krispy Kreme Donut building at 2548 Main Street Columbia which is now the new and improved home of A. A. Dicks Funeral Home. During his career, Anthony has gained extensive experience in the art of funeral directing and embalming along with the restoration and anatomical reconstruction.

of American Board of Education; member of the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention of America; Vice President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia; member of Waverly Neighborhood Improvement Protection Association and Chaplain of the Columbia Fire Department.

Rev. Dicks is also member of the Board of Directors of the AC Flora Foundation. He is Owner, President, Funeral Director, and Embalmer of the A.A. Dicks Funeral Home, Sullivan Chapel, 2548 Main Street, in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

Anthony is an ordained Baptist minister with thirty-nine years of pastoral experience. Pastor Dicks gave his initial sermon at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Aiken, South Carolina on June 7, 1973. He was ordained on June 16, 1974. On April 22, 1982, he was called as Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, and was installed on September 22, 1982.

He has pastored the Friendship Baptist Church for the past thirty-one years. This experience has enhanced his love and compassion for the bereaved. His philosophy in life is "I stand in a unique position to catch brief glimpses of people’s lives". Thus, for him funeral service is "The Ministry of Comfort". Mr. Dicks' objective is to help the grieving return to a sustained degree of normalcy after the loss of a loved one.

He is Chairman of the Education Commission of the Gethsemane Baptist Association; member of the National Baptist Convention may 2017

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group

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ityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called - CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing Light to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the Two Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from, but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministers, and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community.

This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) 14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The Two Great Commandments: Mt 22:36 “’[ Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.’”

The Great Commission: Mt 28:16 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV ) CityLight Vision: To bring light to the world by responding may 2017

to the prayer of Christ for complete unity with God and other believers.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ( John 17:22-23) CityLight Mission Statement: CityLight is a catalyst connecting Christ to the culture for community change.

CityLight Slogan: “The light of the world is Jesus.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

How To Start A Prayer Group Worship 1 The first step in starting a CityLight Prayer Group is to enter into a spirit of Worship... a spirit of unrelenting, unceasing prayer.

Taking time to seek the face of God and experience His presence from the very depths of your soul. It is by the will of God and only by the will of God that you can be an instrument of this work.

City Light and it’s leaders. Share your passion and love for the Lord Jesus and this mission of prayer with your fellow believers. Allow the call of II Chronicles 7:14 to resonate in your community and the spirit.

Examine your life, the lives of those in your community and the spirit and values by which you live. As you discover the will of God for this generation, we pray that you will join us as we join with Him in complete obedience and submission.

Knock on the door to your heart and the heart of this generation to live The Great Commission. Allow the door of prayer to open the hearts of a dying generation and give hope anew to those who have not heard the Good news.

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e the members of the CityLight group hereby solemnly pledge our lives, hopes, and dreams to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We promise to uphold, honor and promote the core values of our Christian heritage.

Continued on page 16

Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. The purpose for the entirety of your being. Study the Word of God - the Bible. Pray for the manifold wisdom of God to be made manifest in your every endeavor.

View the 5 twenty minute video sessions of Stephen Manley’s study on prayer and the Book of Ephesians.

Seek the advise, counsel and prayers of your pastor, deacons and church leaders. Learn more about may 2017

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Please Mark Your Calendars And Take Advantage Of The Following Prayer Opportunities God loves hearing His people praying together, asking Him to fill their land with His Glory.

God is already doing great things in the Columbia area. And He has promised to do even better things. Let’s ask God to bring on the best! God is the one orchestrating the united prayer of which we are a part. He’s the one inspiring us to pray as never before. Could it be that God is about to do some of the most amazing things that He has ever done? He wants us to pray about them before they take place. God is setting us up to give Him the praise and glory. Answered prayer is one of God’s favorite ways of being glorified.

Let’s pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done – in this City as it is in Heaven! God is up to something BIG and you will not want to miss being a part.

Greater Columbia Call to Prayer 9:30 – 11:30a - Second Sat of Every Month

Lexington Area Pastors/Ministers Prayer Gathering Every Wednesday 10:30am – 11:30am

Columbia International University 7435 Monticello Road Columbia, SC For more information, H. L. Allen | 803-513-2003 allenhl@windstream.net

Riverbend Community Church 1015 Corley Mill Road Lexington, SC Each Wednesday morning pastors and ministers from around the Lexington area gather to pray for the many needs in our families, churches, state and nation. All area pastors and those in any ministry are welcome.

CityLight Prayer Breakfast Cola, SC 1st Thursday Each Month 7:00 – 8:30am Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC 29201 CityLight.org | CityLightWorldwide.net

Walk the Labyrinth & Pray First Friday every month 10 am – 8pm Wesley Hall at Lexington United Methodist 309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC www.lexumc.com | 803-359-6838 14

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First Friday Prayer Focus A day of fasting and prayer each month for revival and for those in authority 1 Tim www.ifapray.org.

Prayer For Media & Influencers: Ongoing For more information, visit www.mastermediaintl.org may 2017

First Nations Monday The purpose of First Nations Monday is to encourage Native American leaders, prayer coordinators, independent intercessory prayer groups, organizations and churches to join together in prayer the first Monday of each month for Native Ministry. “By praying for one another,” says Jeny Covill of First Nations Monday, “there will be an increase of prayer support for each ministry, as well as an increase in Native Ministry awareness around the country.”

For info visit www.firstnationsmonday.com Or Jeny Covill at jcovill@cyberport.com

Prayer For Our Nation: Ongoing

Join the US Prayer Watch Network Today!

For more information, visit www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Esther Women of Influence Prayer-Line | Tuesdays 6 pm- 7pm 1-712-770-4010 Code:739872

PRAY FOR OUR

NATION may 2017

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How To Start a

CityLight Prayer Group Continued from page 13

“The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.”

These fruits are the result of growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits are tendencies rather than mere willingness, because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” In the person who possesses a Fruit of the Spirit, this willingness bears fruit in the life and behavior of the person.

Charity is love, both of God and of neighbor. It is our love for God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Joy is the happiness found in union with the Lord. It is a glimpse of the perfect happiness of heaven that leads us to desire heaven.

Peace refers to dealing justly with the world, as well as remaining in good conscience before God. Patience, also known as long-suffering, refers to the tendency to endure both temptation and suffering without it leading to sin.

Kindness, also known as Benignity, is the tendency toward acting kindly and doing good.

Goodness is the tendency to avoid sin and do good.

Generosity is an openness to sharing one’s own gifts and goods with others. It is the opposite of both gluttony and envy.

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Gentleness, also known as mildness, is the tendency to allow provocations to go unanswered.

Faithfulness is standing strong in faith, and strength against diversion away from faith and virtue.

Modesty refers to purity in appearance and self-image.

Self-Control, also known as continence, refers to purity in words as well as the tendency to avoid temptations.

Chastity refers to purity in actions, especially sexual purity. Chastity should not be confused with celibacy, which is the avoidance of marriage and marital acts.

Positions in your CityLight Prayer Group Chairman Vice Chairman (Discipleship) Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Fellowship Coordinator Ministry Coordinator Photographer Internet Manager 2nd Generation Prayer Group (Evangelism) Chaplain (Worship Leader) Assistant Chaplain Columbia Prayer Group No. The members of CityLight Prayer Groups are individuals who are guided by II Chronicles 7:14 to save a generation and fit it for Worship and Kingdom Service. We pursue the Face of God in all that we do. We pray that our lives may be vessels of Holiness and Fruit of the spirit. In every area of life we offer our Utmost to his Highest.

We are shaped and formed in groups with a leader and 12 disciples. Our Fellowship may 2017

is for Worship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Prayer is the cornerstone of our assembly each month. Each disciple in every group will grow and mature to start another group of 12 so that we may reach every heart with the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

We are a Chapter of CityLight Inc., a nonprofit 50 1(c)3 organization. We have purposely intentioned to find, recruit, develop, equip, and disciple Christians to be todays leaders with a new standard of Holiness.

We are committed to God, our families, our children, our extended families and our church. We offer our lives in keeping the Two Great Commandments and the Great Commission. By the Seal of our Hands with our commitment to God, we commission CityLight Prayer Group No. Columbia as a new Chapter of CityLight on the___ day of the month of ___ in the year of our Lord ___.

Recruit 12 People to Join You In Prayer one hour each month...

Light to the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the The Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ.

Our members are individuals, churches, ministries and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism.

For more information, visit: CityLight.org or CityLightWorldwide.net

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14 CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land.

II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called- CityLight.

As Christians we are committed to bringing may 2017

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CHAKISSE NEWTON’S

NEWTON’S LAWS OF INFLUENCE Are Bad Questions Costing You Customers?

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ecently, I canceled a monthly service with a vendor I used for several years.

The owner of the company answered my call and said, “I hope you didn’t have any problems with the service.” I was stunned by his ineffective response. It was a safe bet that I had at least one problem with the service, or I wouldn’t want to cancel it.

Did the owner try to save my business?

No. Did he try to learn from my experience? No. In short, he not only lost a customer, but he also lost the opportunity to gain valuable insight about his business that could help improve his service, beat the competition and prevent customers from leaving in the future.

You can learn from his mistake by politely asking one (or more) of the following 11 questions when faced with a lost customer:

1. Why are you leaving us?

2. Did you have any problems?

3. What could we have done differently?

4. If we change the service, would you like us to notify you?

5. Were you satisfied with the service, in general?

6. If you were satisfied with us, would you recommend our service to friends?

7. Can we stay in touch and let you know about new offers/services?

8. What service will you be using now?

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9. Why did you choose that vendor?

10. Can we do anything to change your mind?

11. Would you be willing to answer a brief survey about your experience with us?

Customer insight is invaluable and you have to be prepared for any answer that you hear. Generally, customer responses will only fall into a few areas, and it would help to have a few simple answers prepared in advance.

Also, depending on the service you offer, some people may feel awkward about coming back once they stop doing business with you. Make sure you let them know that they can return to you at any time if they change their minds and that you would welcome them back as clients.

With rare exceptions, no one likes to lose customers. Still, it’s an unavoidable part of business that sooner or later, one of your clients will stop using your service altogether or start to use one of your competitors. While the occasional loss of a client may be inevitable, if you learn to ask the right questions, you may be able to keep that client, or at least, learn how to keep the clients that you have.

Chakisse Newton | 803.753.1311 To read more helpful articles like this one, be sure to visit:

CardinalConsulting.net may 2017

"Customer insight is invaluable and you have to be prepared for any answer that you hear. Generally, customer responses will only fall into a few areas, and it would help to have a few simple answers prepared in advance." may 2017

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Volunteer Opportunities

Christ Central’s # 1 Commitment is serving everyone in a spirit of love and respect.

Our devoted volunteers are dedicated to serve in excellence, regardless of how great or small the need.

We are inviting churches, community organizations, and families to join us in showing the impact that love, caring, and sharing can have in the lives of the underprivileged. You can help by simply volunteering your time or resources to bring hope to enhance the lives of others.

Some of the ways to volunteer are: Your organizations can sponsor a day during the month to come out to Christ Central Columbia and provide the lunch meal to our patrons. Providing the lunch meal includes any or all of the following: Providing the volunteers to cook and serve the meal for the day Providing and/or preparing the meal and/ or groceries Providing the entertainment and inspirational message for our patrons to enjoy during the meal.

Sponsoring a Paper Drive to collect items we use on a daily basis in the center.

Sponsor a Winter Coat/Blanket Drive.

Supply baby items such as pampers, wipes, clothes etc.

Monetary donations and contributions toward a cause that will change someone’s life in a positive way. All donations are tax deductible.

Those are just some ways to volunteer toward a good cause. Any other means or methods of volunteering your time and services are greatly appreciated.

I Corinthians 13: 1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a thinking cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 13: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

How else can you help?

If you and/or your organization are looking for volunteer opportunities or a place to donate goods and services, please consider Christ Central Columbia.

Contact Info: Pastor Sylvia Mickens 803-237-2547

I want the love that cannot help but love; Loving, like God, for very sake of love.

-A.B. SIMPSON 20

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Short-term Pain, Long Term Gain

Jed N. Snyder, D. Min. Founder/President Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com

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hen our military members die so that the rest of us may live, we are humbly grateful. Seventy years after the Great War ended we are enjoying the benefits gained by the blood of our men and women in uniform. The pain of parents, spouses, engaged couples suffered because their loved one died is nearly incomprehensible. Their grief did not seem short-term to them, but the long-term benefit that was gained makes it so. We honor these brave men and women and their families.

Because my father was partially disabled he did not have to serve. I was born during the war. Because of this I never felt the pain that so many have felt, but I have received the long-term gain. My family benefits from the sacrifices of so many.

In a similar way believers in Jesus Christ have benefited from his short-term pain.

He died a terrible death. His mother watched at the foot of the cross. We who

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believe, have long-term gain. We have eternal life. We have our guilt-producing sin forgiven. Our quality of life is nearly indescribably good because he bore the pain.

Here are the words of our Lord: …it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:7-11 The short-term pain that the disciples felt was small when compared with the long term gain that we have received by experiencing God, the Holy Spirit living in us.

Happy gaining a long-term view.

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Are We Really Disciples of Jesus?

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often hear church leaders talking about the paramount need for discipleship in the church, rightfully so. Across the nation we sponsor major conferences on the theme of “discipleship.” Occasionally I will meet a church staff member who serves as a “Pastor of Discipleship.” I like to think of myself as a dedicated disciple of Jesus – as do you.

Too often, we adapt a culturally comfortable idea of discipleship. A true follower in our day is someone who goes to church, reads the Bible, serves faithfully, joins a small group, and even witnesses to others as the opportunities arise. All these are good things but appear to fall short of the core idea Jesus had in mind when He called disciples to follow Him.

Follow Jesus?

This week I revisited the tenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel in my devotional reading. I’ve read this chapter many times, but on this occasion I was riveted by the clarity and cost associated with Jesus’ ground rules for His followers. As He sent them out on their first mission, setting the pace for their long-term obedience to the Master, He laid out this plan: • You are going to the least responsive people and they will oppose your message (vv. 5 & 6) • You have received from Me without pay; give to others without charge (v. 8) • Take no financial resources with you (v. 9) • Take only one set of clothes (v. 10) • You won’t know where you are staying until you get there (v. 11) 22

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• Stay there as long as they will have you, then move on (vv. 12-14) • You are going out like sheep among a pack of wolves, vulnerable and in danger (v. 16) • You will be arrested and beaten (v. 17) • Do not plan your presentations or legal defense in any way (vv. 18-20) • You can expect betrayal from your family because of your obedience to Me (v. 21, also vv. 34-37) • You will be hated by many because you follow Me (v. 22) • You must take up your cross and follow Me. In other words, be prepared to die because of your discipleship (v. 38).

If this were the content of your pastor’s “altar call” next Sunday as he appeals for converts, church members, or volunteers, I wonder how many would respond. If these were the goals of your church’s discipleship program, I wonder how many would sign up.

The Standard of the Call Discipleship leader John Herman stated, “Discipleship to Jesus Christ is the intentional, communal, lifelong journey of being conformed to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s purpose in the world.” Jesus' design for discipleship was based on the standard of His own life and sacrifice. He stated, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (10:24-25). Philippians 2:4-8 speaks of His sacrifice in leaving the glories of heaven, coming as a may 2017

servant, and willingly subjecting Himself to the humility and cruelty of death on a cross. When the standard is clear and compelling, the sacrifice and sustained commitment can become a delight rather than a burden.

The Greater R eality Alongside this seemingly kamikaze mission, Jesus gives promises and reassurances associated with the calling. These realities inspire our dedication and determination.

• I will give you power to accomplish the supernatural (vv. 1 & 8) • You will be messengers of the kingdom of heaven (v. 7) • My very Spirit will speak through you with the right words at the right time (v. 19) • You do not need to fear because I know you and value you beyond measure (vv. 29-31) • I will confess you before My Father in heaven (v. 32) • As you “lose your life” for Me, you will gain real life (v. 39).

The Right Fear We all conduct our lives based on the things we believe, value, and respect. We make choices about what we will do with our energy, our time, and our money based on these conclusions. Some value riches and fear poverty. Others value notoriety and fear obscurity. Some value acceptance and fear loneliness.

At the centerpiece of this commission to His disciples Jesus says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). The willingness of Jesus’ followers to embrace Him and follow His difficult discipleship path would need to be rooted

in a profound reverence for God. They were to value a life expended for the sake of the eternal soul, not just the trappings of life in this body. They would mark their significance by eternity’s scoreboard and not by their navigation of an easy or successful path in this life.

Our A pplication I’ve often heard Pastor Jim Cymbala say, “The highest form of worship is sacrifice.” As I look at the lives of biblical heroes, church fathers, and notable believers through the ages who brought great glory to Christ, the common denominator was a life of sacrificial worship, obedience, and love. This core commitment motivated all they did, the choices they made, and the mark they left on the lives of people.

To be a disciple should include the processes of growth that we often pursue in the context of church programming. Yet, Jesus’ demands remind us that the heart of a real New Testament disciple is always pursuing the pathway of price in choices about time, money, possessions, relationships, and life focus. As I often say, “The comfort zone is the danger zone.” Real disciples recognize and reject the comfort zone because they have learned that too much time spent in it quenches faith, feeds self-indulgence, breeds apathy, diffuses impact, and undermines Christlikeness.

I don’t know what this means for you today. I do know that every day we are confronted with choices about how we will think, speak, live, and serve. In every decision we must trust Him for the grace to elevate and embrace Jesus’ words, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Copyright ©2017 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.

"In every decision we must trust Him for the grace to elevate and embrace Jesus’ words, “Take up your cross and follow Me." may 2017

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am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). FEELING is another aspect of merciful. Mercy is not an obligation, duty, or law. Law or duty reshapes mercy into pride and arrogance. Mercy motivated by superiority demonstrates selfcenteredness. Therefore, mercy is never an act or a performance; it is always an embrace or feeling. One is merciful because an emotion is aroused by someone else’s affliction.

If being merciful is a simple deed, it is a feat we can achieve. Because it is an emotion, no amount of discipline can produce mercy. Genuine mercy flows from a mer-

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ciful individual who has this characteristic because of his internal state of being. Jesus embraces the poor in spirit and that individual becomes the kingdom of heaven in that relationship. The Comforter comes to abide in the person who mourns. Meekness, the nature of Jesus, brings a new attachment to everything physical. Hunger and thirst highlights an expansion and continuation of the believer’s filling with Jesus. Who is surprised when mercy flows from the heart of the believer? How can it not? It is an expression of the mind of Christ! The believer is merciful; he cannot be other than he is! It is because of Jesus. I am a Jesus pusher!!!

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CityLight|

I

In February 1996, Joe and Gladys Grimaud, along with a group of Columbia area Christians began meeting and seeking God’s direction for our city. The group included Pastors, community leaders, and lay people from different racial, cultural and denominational backgrounds with different talents and gifts. Each member of the group was concerned about the problems and needs of the community, many of which are the result of the breakdown of the family unity. The group knew that there is a wealth of available talent and resources, and that if mobilized, could be used to address the spiritual and physical needs of individuals, families, and the community.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should work together in addressing the needs of the community.

CityLight Columbia organized as a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation in June 1996 to bring churches and the body of Christ together to make a positive impact in our community. Our Mission is “to unify the Christian community by lifting up Christ, evangelizing, disciplining, and impacting the community through the local Church”.

We believe that Churches and the body of Christ should be the focal point of love and compassion in our community and should 26

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a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

work together in addressing the needs of the community. CityLight serves as a liaison and a facilitator between Churches, the public and private sectors, and the community at-large to help identify needs and match those needs with available resources. We help Churches and the community to become more vibrant by encouraging them to become actively involved in community outreach and to experience the rewards of helping the less fortunate and those in need.

CityLight Columbia sponsored the Tony Evans Crusade at Williams-Brice Stadium in May 1997 which served as a catalyst for bringing God’s people together in a spirit of revival to empower us to begin the process of bringing moral, spiritual, and economic change to our community. Dr. Evans’ messages during the three nights of the crusade addressed racial reconciliation, one’s personal responsibility in helping to bring about change, family renewal, and the role of the local Church in reaching out to help meet the needs of the community.

The vision that God has given to CityLight is unlimited. Every day, we are seeking new opportunities to reach out into the community, to mobilize the body of Christ, and to match available resources with the needs of the community. As we grow and the opportunities to serve Him increase, we need more volunteers and workers to help fulfill the Mission of CityLight.

If you would like to join the efforts of CityLight, you can begin by praying for us. You can become a contact person in your own church body to help us form a spiritually powerful and effective movement of God in the Columbia area. You can help support us financially, or volunteer to serve in one of the following areas of CityLight Columbia. may 2017

CityLight

a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change

1. PRAYER NETWORK Establish a citywide prayer network involving Pastors and laity.

2. FINANCE Seek and develop ways to generate an ongoing income stream to support the CityLight’s Mission.

3. COMMUNICATION Coordinate a communication network within the community involving Churches, Christian ministries, and the community at-large.

4. VOLUNTEER COORDINATION Coordinate and integrate CityLight volunteers based on their areas of interest.

5. EVENTS Coordinate information on Christian events taking place in the Columbia area and coordinate CityLight sponsored events.

6. MINISTRY COORDINATION Coordinate information on Christian ministries and outreach opportunities in the Columbia area and develop a “Ministry Directory” listing available ministries and resources in the community.

7. UNITY AND RECONCILIATION Promote unity and reconciliation across racial, cultural, and denominational lines by encouraging Pastors, laity, and the business community to work together to bring moral, spiritual, and economic changes to the community.

8. CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Mobilize Churches and the community to capitalize on available gifts, talents, and resources to address the problems and needs of the community.

9. CHURCH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Train, prepare, and equip Churches and community leaders for maximum community outreach. may 2017

10. FAMILY RENEWAL Rebuild and strengthen families in the community according too Biblical family principles, with an emphasis on targeting “at risk youth”.

11. EDUCATIONAL REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community in the areas of youth tutorial, remedial instruction, illiteracy, and other educational related problems.

12. HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT Foster safer neighborhoods, promote and provide affordable housing for the homeless and others with housing needs, encourage neighborhood property beautification, and strengthen neighborhood relationships.

13. HEALTH REVITALIZATION Work with Churches and the community to identify and address problems that are contributing to the deterioration of the physical and emotional health of the community.

14. BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Work with Churches and the community to promote business stability and growth using available resources to help the unemployed, underemployed, and others in need in the community.

If you would like tot be a part of the move of God in Columbia and volunteer to serve on one of the CityLight Committees or if you would like more information about the CityLight Mission, you may call or write to us at:

CityLight

P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC 29202 (803) 200-1940 CityLight.org | CityLightWorldwide.net

CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change CityLight.org

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CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY, 2017

“A Love Note to My Children” by: Luella Redfern

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other’s Day is one day out of the year, we can give back, acknowledge and give thanks for everything our mothers have ever given to us. It’s an occasion when you can give gratitude to your lovely, kind and gorgeous mother. All the various sacrifices she made while raising you. And all the happiness and bunches of cheerful moments that she has given you is indeed a call for celebration. After all, she is the one who first introduced you to the world. She was your first teacher and your first lover.

Mothers take every pain simply for our children. We can do this without uttering a single word of dissatisfaction. No one is as loving or caring as a mother. Every mother deserves to be celebrated. She makes life a celebration with her spoken and unspoken prayers and continuous efforts to keep her children happy and to fulfil all of their dreams.

Mothers are the sweetest God given gift.

Personally, I don’t think we could ever really thank our mother for all she does continuously for us nevertheless, we must make it a habit to keep reminding ourselves to say thank you. Let’s give our mothers their flowers while they still yet live. Mother’s Day is the best time to say with words, flowers, cards and visits, how much you love and care for your mom.

A mother’s love is a love like no other. For many of us it begins the moment we learn we are expecting our first child. The heart of a mother is like a precious jewel. Even though all mothers are not the same, I am

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so thankful that my mother loves me during the best of times and the worst of times.

As a mother of three children and a grandmother of one, I feel overwhelmed sometimes, with appointments and playdates, church and school information and performances, crafts, milestones and expectations. I constantly compare myself to my mother, feeling anxious about the mother I am. I witness my mom not only nurture us and our children and grandchildren but also assume the role of mother and grandmother for many other children and adults in her community.

She always has time. It is but by the grace of God that I am comforted in knowing that, I don’t need to be any more than I am. I can’t do everything as well as my mom, nor should I. My children’s world is bigger than me and I thank God every day for my mom and the other people who are positive influences in their lives.

With God as the designer, mothers are the nurturers of the men and women of tomorrow. We shape the next generation.

God equips us for His divine purpose of motherhood. No disrespect to fathers. Understanding that fathers also have a profound influence in the role in raising our children. Mothers usually set the tone for the household, creating with our words and demeanor either a positive or a negative atmosphere. Traditionally we spend more time with the children.

Motherhood is a tough 24-hour job, no pay, no day off, sometimes unappreciated, may 2017

yet resignation is impossible. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Who would resign anyway? God created mothers to bring love, joy, happiness and compassion into His world. I am so glad God created me to be a mother. Even though motherhood is a full-time job, and a mother’s work is never done, I love being a mom.

Over the last few years, I have come to realize that Mother’s Day is not for me.

Somewhere during my 30+ years of being a mom I lost my identity. I went from Cedric’s mom, to Shelton’s mom, then to Jasmine’s mom and now Ava’s Grammy.

Now for a day that is supposed to be all about me, none of it is actually about me.

Mother’s Day isn’t really for mothers. We aren’t being celebrated for who we are as individuals, rather who we are to someone else. It should be called Mothered Day, for the children of mothers.

With that said, I absolutely love and savor every handmade Mother’s Day card, ce-

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ramic cup, burnt toast, egg-shell omelet and special moment with all three of my babies. Because of my love for my children, I decided to write them a note explaining why I have decided that Mother’s Day isn’t really my day. My Mother’s Day love note to my children: My Dearest and Precious Children, It’s Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14, 2017.

You may not realize this as I have been a tiny bit obsessed lately with the celebration of my 60th birthday. And there are plenty more celebrations to come for our household since we are planning for Shelton’s graduation from Wofford College next Sunday. I just wanted to let you know that I don’t want you to waste your money on flowers or chocolates or anything else for that matter. Because, to put it simply. I don’t need anything. I need to lose weight anyway and I am thankful just to have your love every day.

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CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY, 2017 “A Love Note to My Children”

By Luella Redfern | Continued from previous page

No matter how old you get, you will always be my babies. You are my heartbeat. Being your mother is God’s greatest gift. As babies and now, you have stolen my sleep, but thank you for giving me my dreams. Over the years as you have grown, we have experienced a lot of give and take. When you ask, what do you really want for Mother’s Day? It’s to be more than “just your mom.”

The freedom of my pre-parenting days was so long ago. It’s only but a memory. You have replaced those days with a renewed permission to work hard and play hard.

You have taken my body, my mind, and my soul. Yet you have given me my heart.

inner child. You were always the perfect son never wanting to get dirty. You were always very curious yet creative, cutting the fingers off my nice leather gloves to make driving gloves for riding your bike and taking the radio speakers apart and hooking them up to the home phone so it would ring through them. I never figured out how you did that. I remember when I nervously dropped you off at school for the first time. I cried when you said okay mommy you can go now.

Shelton, I remember the day you took me outside to teach me how to play, because you thought I was just too uptight. You have

I’m learning so much from you. I never knew how one person could be so in love with three people at the same time. You have shown me I now have weaknesses and fears I never knew I could have. You have inspired in me an unconditional love and unending wells of strength and fearlessness. I didn’t even think possible. I thank God for you.

Many times over the years you’ve trample the shreds of my sanity. Even though you may not believe this, I know I’m not perfect. Yes, I get cranky. Yes, I nag when you test my patience to the limit, but rest assured, I’ll always love being your mom.

When I shout at you for the least little thing like spilling soft drink on the kitchen counter and watching it run down the cabinet door to the floor. Or bark at you for not doing what I say when I tell you too, I still love being your mom. I thank God for granting me patience out of nowhere.

As a young mother, Cedric you forced me to somewhat reluctantly grow up, however you also released my long-napping 30

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always been my little preacher memorizing and quoting scripture. You were a public speaker at 4 years old. You are still my social butterfly. You challenged me those times I continuously had to ask you to come off the XBox for about the 700th time.

And Jasmine, you are still teaching me how to mother a daughter. You ask quesmay 2017

tions, often and repeatedly that sometimes I can’t answer. You teach me daily to stroke my own curiosity. I always wanted you to be a prissy little girl always putting matching hair bows in your hair when you were a little girl. Now that you are a preteen, I am forced to accept the fact that you are not by doll baby. You have your own identity.

effort and determination, the nervousness I felt at your first school performance or reading scripture in church, oh and how my heart burst with pride, when I watched your first musical play, or saw your first football goal, all these precious moments help me to see how blessed I am to have you as my children who belong to God.

As y’all began to grow older, I could see your personalities developing, and giving us little snapshots of who you might become in your adult life. Cedric as I watch you and Shelton both now that you are grown, and Jasmine cope with some of the same challenges from school and face

Moms aren’t celebrated for who we are as individuals, rather who we are to someone, our children. My knowledge of Harry Potter, computer games, Netflix and Yeti coolers is now vast and ever-expanding.

The three of you crash my bed time curfew and yes, I nag about going to bed earlier and huff and puff when you dragged it out way longer than you should. You tested my no TV during the school week even on Sunday night rule and no playing ball or cartwheels in the house, but you always assured me of how much you loved me and that I would never be alone.

You’ve taught me what it is like to hold on so tight you can’t breathe, but I soon learned how to let go and just hold my breath. You’ve stolen the identity I’ve worked my whole life to sharpen. I’m now known simply as your mom and Ava’s Grammy, which are names with purpose and superhero status.

the world with such enthusiasm, energy and determination. I just can’t thank God enough for giving me the privilege of caring for you, His precious treasures.

It’s days like this when I remember, how I felt when I heard your voices for the very first time, watching you walk for the first time and bump down on your bottom with may 2017

People say having children is a blessing.

And they couldn’t be more right. Being your mother means you are never alone, and don’t ever want to be. I walked with you when you took your first steps. I laughed with you when you laughed your first laugh and I cried with you when I heard your first cry too. I felt your pain when you hurt your knees and when your feelings were hurt.

My heart beats for the three of you and also for Ava and it’s beating all the stronger because you are in my life. Thank you Continued on next page

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CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY, 2017 “A Love Note to My Children”

By Luella Redfern | Continued from previous page

Cedric for giving me such a beautiful granddaughter.

You will probably want to give me a card anyway, or Jasmine will want to make me a cup of coffee and pancakes in bed. I don’t expect anything from you. You have already given me more than I could ever expect from you. For me, Mother’s Day is not about you championing me. I think it should be about me and mothers everywhere celebrating the special role you, our children have in our lives. If it was not for you, we would not be the mothers we are today.

All of you have given me moments of sadness. However, the moments of joy you have given me are more than I would have ever thought possible. I have danced around the room like a child with you and you’ve held me close when you’ve sensed I’d received some bad news. You taught me

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to laugh loud and cry hard.

Thank you for taking my “me” and changing it, creating and giving me “us.” Being your mom has given me the reason to celebrate Mother’s Day. That is the most amazing gift and I will cherish you forever.

I am forever your mom and Ava’s grammy.

I will close this love note with one of our favorite songs by Robert Munsch that I sang to all of you.

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As, long I’m living, my baby you will be.”

With Love, Mom.

Luella Redfern

Executive Director of the Esther Women of Influence, shown with her husband, Bishop Redfern II

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may 2017

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