MAGAZINE
WOMEN'S FRONTLINE CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT WITHIN
GLORIA WOODS BROKEN SHACKELS.. A MOTHER'S JOURNEY
TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS & HEALING
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE TRUSTING IN HARD TIMES
JUNE 2017 THE BRAVE FRIEND WHO YOU NEED WHEN LIFE GETS HARD..
On The Cover
GENAE
KULAH DESTINED TO BE H.E.R.
Healed Empowered Restored
HALLO READERS! FROM THE PUBLISHER
HILDAHÂ LUNDING
beautiful deluxe baked goods | enquire today | daisymaycakery.com
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Imyhave certainly reached a stage in life where simplicity is what I deliberately go for in my busy day to day schedule. Life is full of information, noise and the race to keep ahead of schedule never seems to work out without keeping things simple. This means working on my walk as a christian and being able to do what I love the most. As I have decluttered, I have found out that I can avoid stressful situations and
enjoy my life....everyday. As we dive into the summer season, i encourage you to simplify your life in all areas. RE-EVALUATE YOUR LIFE. Relax, de-stress and make a deicision what you really want to put your time and effort in. The bibe says that we should delight in the Lord and he will give us the desires of our heart. Now, let us rest on this word and enjoy the simplicity of life everyday.
Hildah Lunding is the Founder & Publisher of the online diigital publication of Women's Frontline Magazine. She believes that everyone has a story to tell, and encourages you to become a writer, Women's Frontline is a platform for you to tell your story, the way you want to tell it. Hildah resides in Denmark and loves to write and co-labours with writers across the globe.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Shelly Wilson Anna Maccarthy Shavonne andrews Chantal Whisonant Joy Jallah Mary Eisenacher Mechelle Stephens Gloria Woods Mary Priddy
Table of Contents
04 04
Classic PepperoniÂ
Significant changes occurred with the discovery of
HALLO READERS
the New World and the introduction of potatoes,
La Cucina Italia's famous pepperoni
by Hildah Lunding
pizza story told by Chef Alesso
tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century.
08
Tuna Carbonara BRAVE FRIEND
by Anna McCarthy
Recipe: A healthy option especially
Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity, abundance of difference in taste, and is one of the most popular in the world, with influences abroad.
for pescatariansÂ
16 10
Chef Julio's Delight WHEN GOD
SPEAKS 02
by Shelly Wilson
Our dear Chef Julio breaks down his favourite dishes to make at home
12 20
Triple Cheese Pizza
COVER STORY
Learn the secret on how to make a
by Genae Kulah
mouth watering triple cheese pizza
Editor's Note
05 07 14 16 18 20 24
Long Noodles Means Long Life Healthy Italian Recipes The Fresh Local Market
Italian Tomato Plantation Chef Margiano's New Restaurant Top 5 Italian Desserts Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Pizza
48
WOMEN'S FRONTLINE MAGAZINE
TOXIC RELTIONSHIPS & HEALING by Chantal Whisonant
THE OLIVE FOOD MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
Table of Contents 52
LIFE IS A JOURNEY by Joy Jallah
54 UNMASKED & UNASHAMED by Mechelle Stephens
32 04
ClassicTRUSTING Pepperoni
INN HARD TIMES
Significant changes occurred with the discovery of the New World and the introduction of potatoes,
by Shavonne Andrews
La Cucina Italia's famous pepperoni pizza story told by Chef Alesso
tomatoes, bell peppers and maize, now central to the cuisine but not introduced in quantity until the 18th century.
36 08
TunaTHE Carbonara TRAGEDY
THAT BIRTHED MY
Italian cuisine is noted for its regional diversity,
abundance of difference in taste, and is one of the
DESTINY
Recipe: A healthy option especially
most popular in the world, with influences abroad.
for pescatarians
by Gloia Woods
40 10
Chef Julio's Delight
02 MARY PRIDDY'S BLOG 05
Long Noodles Means Long Life
Our dear Chef Julio breaks down his favourite dishes to make at home
12 42
Editor's Note
07 14
Healthy Italian Recipes The Fresh Local Market
16 ARE HEALED AND 18 EMPOWERED2024
YOU TripleWHEN Cheese Pizza
Italian Tomato Plantation
Chef Margiano's New Restaurant
Learn the secret on how to make a
Top 5 Italian Desserts
mouth watering triple cheese pizza
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Pizza
by Mary Eisenacher
WOMEN'S FRONTLINE MAGAZINE
ADVERTISE WITH US PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS, EVENTS, ARTICLES & MUCH MORE
by Anna McCarthy
I'm
taking a deep breath and This blog comes from am going to be real with both a painful and joyful you. This is a hard topic place. for me. But before I offer you Over the course of a words of wisdom in the failed marriage, church friendship department, falling outs, parenting let me set the stage for issues, career changes my perspective. and a whole gamut of unexpected life I am a former pastor. I’ve obstacles, I’ve tasted listened to countless the joy and healing of stories of people’s hurts healthy friendships – in this area. I’ve written I’ve equally swallowed a book on forgiveness. the searing sting of painful ones.
Inside of church, I was taught what defined a good “Christian friend”. The list was pretty simple: I’ve been through divorce. I’ve been kicked out of a church. I’ve experienced abuse. I’ve been gossiped about, betrayed – I’ve been judged, outcasted, unfriended, etc. simply because I took a stand for what I believed or because I made a personal decision they didn’t approve of/agree with. During some of the most painful parts of my life “friends” walked out or gave me the worst treatment of all: silence. On the flipside, I’ve felt the love of the most incredible friends who stood right beside me (some for over 20 years) through my successes and failures. I’ve also been amazed at the people I least expected, who showed up on my front door with dinner or with a listening ear when my life felt like it was crumbling.
''
When life gets hard, I’ve learned to pay attention. Pain and heartache are some of life’s greatest teachers.
So, I know a thing or two about what friendship is. Inside of church, I was taught what defined a good “Christian friend”. The list was pretty simple: 1. They hold you accountable and aren’t afraid to call you out on your sin stuff 2. They love Jesus more than they love you (meaning if they feel you are going against what God would want, they have no problem cutting you off and being loyal to God instead of you) 3. They don’t gossip (unless it’s in the context of prayer. Talking about me in the sense of prayer is something I have to be okay with) 4. They know the Bible – and you talk about it – a lot. (Anna rant: And, we wonder why Christians seem to be fake and struggle with vulnerability?? OF COURSE THEY ARE FAKE. THEY HAVE TO BE. Rant complete.)
Over the years I eventually threw out that list out and worked out a new definition of friendship – real, honest friendship that shows up when life gets hard. Really, really hard. The kind of friend I want when everything is falling apart. I heard a quote the other day that I absolutely fell in love with. It said, “friends are simply two people not playing God” I LOVED THAT. In essence, real friends do not believe it is their job to “fix” eachother, “convict” each other or whatever. That isn’t our job description and it never was.
were never designed to be. Humans cannot be God. They cannot be the Holy Spirit. And they never will be. A good friend will sit with you and gently direct you towards hearing God’s voice on your own and will champion whatever that voice says to you. And, when you feel like you just want to love someone enough to try and change them, remember they don’t need you to be God. They need Jesus. That’s it. LOVE IS NOT A TOOL TO CHANGE PEOPLE. IT NEVER HAS BEEN. IT NEVER WILL BE.
Our job is to love. Love means this: I accept you and I embrace you just as you are. It is not my job or desire to try to change you. But, ANNA! God doesn’t love like that! He loves us too much to leave us the way we are and we have to love people the same! And I also want someone to love me enough to correct me!! If you are looking to people to constantly check with for approval or for correction, you have positioned them in a place they
THE GOAL OF THE GOSPEL IS NOT TO CHANGE PEOPLE. I feel I may be ruffling feathers. But before you throw me out, hear me on how I landed here. There is a beautiful story in scripture (John 20:19-23) that describes Jesus’ encounter with his “friends” (ie: disciples). He had just re-appeared to them after being dead for three days, after the crucifixion. And remember the context: his friends had left him in his time of
need, rejected him and completely forgotten what he had told them. If there was ever a time for Jesus to call out his friends on their perceived bad decisions, THIS WAS THE TIME.
Why are you hiding in here? Why aren’t you out there telling people to get saved??? Or,
What stands out in this story (and Did you not listen to a SINGLE what I love) is what he said and WORD I SAID TO YOU? I told you a what he didn’t say. MILLION times I would RISE ON THE THIRD DAY! Repent for your His first words to them were: failures so that we can have a peace be with you. restored relationship. Notice what he didn’t say. He didn’t say: Ummm, hello??? Where were you on FRIDAY WHEN I WAS LITERALLY BEING KILLED? Or,
No. No. No. No. In this moment, Jesus didn’t shame. He didn’t condemn. He didn’t correct. He didn’t “fix” his friends into being better followers of him, or to be better ambassadors of his message.
Peace be with you. He wanted them to be at peace. Even in their mistakes. Even in their failures.
He then did something we rarely do: He exposed his wounded parts; he invited them to come close to touch and feel them. This was in part to show them it was really him, but I also see a beautiful moment of vulnerability. Instead of exposing their brokenness, he exposed his own. He exposed the human parts of him that were still healing. And then, in the perfect moment, he spoke to them about forgiveness.
His focus was to: 1. Bring peace to his friends 2. Be vulnerable with them 3. Extend forgiveness
greatest moments of failure or shame, this is the response we long for from our friends. This is where we feel the most loved and the most safe.
He did not: 1. Shame/condemn them 2. Correct their behavior 3. Expose their failures CAN I JUST SAY – THIS IS WHY I’M OBSESSED WITH HIM?? In our
Can you imagine what a difference our churches would experience if instead of frantically trying to fix and save each other, we simply embraced this??
Jesus was about freedom inside of our messes. Grace without limitations. And the beauty of being loved and chosen when we don’t deserve it. It’s easy to condemn. It’s brave to extend grace. It’s easy to shame. It’s brave to listen with an intent to understand.
I don’t know how we’ve gotten so far from this message…regardless, I’ve resettled there. Through all of life’s valleys and mountaintops, this is now my definition of a brave, holy friendship:
them without fear of judgment or shame When you are hurting, this is the kind of friend you want and need.
And, when you extend this kind of friendship to others, you are crafting something sacred; people 1- They are not afraid to sit with may just feel a little bit like they me in my pain, grief or failure until encountered Jesus after being with I find my way out you. 2. They do not try to fix or correct me – they trust God to do that
Love bravely. Love fiercely. Hugs,
3. They protect/cover the areas I am vulnerable in 4. They guard my story 5. They are vulnerable with me and I am safe to be vulnerable with
Anna
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WHEN GOD CALLS! by Shelly Wilson
W
hen God calls you not everyone will believe, celebrate, or support you. There will be times you desire affirmations from people, yet most often you will meet fierce opposition.
You may run like Jonah…. yet Christ will pursue you. You may even refuse the call… then The Spirit of God will reckon with you…
After all, how can you separate yourself from the very purpose Christ wove into you when He formed you with His own hands. This is where the enemy will pull out all the stops to You were made FOR the cause you to quit or doubt purpose.. the call.. yourself. You may try to lay it down…. but it will rise again…
And again and again you will face The Master…Himself…as He whispers, “I chose you, you didn’t choose me.” You will have to learn to lean into Jesus for all acknowledgement and applause. You will have to be satisfied with His voice alone when all others turn from you. You will be as John the Baptist at times … a lonely soul…yet turned a nation to the coming of Christ with what many would call foolishness. You may experience depression like Elijah when the enemy sends accusations and death sentences to your dreams and your voice… perhaps your very life. Yet the Lord will send an angel to feed you for your journey. He will give you strength when you are in need.
His way, and His desires. You will endure when it seems near impossible and breach that which seems unimaginable. You will cross a deep sea when needed, lay hands on the sick that they may recover, strike the water with a mantle if you have to, weep over the broken walls and ruins, you will journey through many a wilderness routes… and you will shout that which you have seen and heard.
YOU ARE A DISCIPLE of CHRIST. You will stand to your feet again and again after the enemy tries to destroy you….You will keep getting back up. Just when you think you’ve taken all you can take the Spirit of the Lord stands up within you and gives you a holy unction and passion for the next leg of the journey.
You may report in agony like Paul that all have abandoned you, yet Paul continued toward the prize…He still had The Christ with him.
Be sure Christ will fulfill that which He has tenderly placed in you…..and His gifts and calling is without repentance.
This is when we know He has truly called… when His very hand that is on a life continues to press onward… yes you may take a break, refresh on a vacation, or even take a little sabbatical… but the true call of God absolutely arrests you….you are unable to escape it even if you try.
Don’t worry fellow warrior… there is One in which you have full approval and endearing applause…. To Him alone set thine heart Love Much, Shelly Wilson
You will go with Christ when there is no money, no help, and no www.shellywilsonministries.org accolades. You will heed His voice,
Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; Jeremiah 9:23
DESTINED TO BE H.E.R BY GENAEÂ KULAH
HEALED EMPOWERED & RESTORED And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
COVER STORY
T
here may be a woman reading this right now who is praising God and getting her shout on publicly. But she is doing it to mask the emotional scars she endured last night from a man who is supposed to love her.
' We dress up daily and put on our face and walk in a way that lets the world know we have it all together, all the while suffering in silence.''
and getting her shout on publicly, but she is doing it to mask the emotional scars she endured last any times as women, night from a man who is supposed we look back over our lives with to love her. Or she may be many regrets from decisions or suffering with the pain of a secret actions we have made or better that happened when she was a yet, decisions or actions that were child that cannot be uttered, for made against us. We realize from fear that she will be ostracized or those decisions or actions, that criticized by the church we have issues that we can’t seem community. to get rid of, which have become so ingrained in our DNA that we The symptoms of the pain for believe that is just the way we are. example promiscuity, lying, cheating, and adultery are not We dress up daily and put on our acceptable, so she feels isolated face and walk in a way that lets the and alone. I wonder how many of world know we have it all together, you can relate? I know I can. I was all the while suffering in silence. not always the good little There may be a woman reading Christian girl. this right now who is praising God
M
I did some things, said some things, and acted in ways that did not represent who I was in God, but represented who I saw myself to be through the kaleidoscope of self-loathing, pain, and fear. As women of God we need to be healed, not condemned. The word of God says in Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. So we are destined to be H.E.R. (healed, empowered, and restored) This woman that we are studying stands as a testament to what Jesus will do if we allow Him to, because she was H.E.R. HER CONDITION AND DECISION The Bible says that she has ''an issue of blood'', which means that she is constantly hemorrhaging or bleeding. According to Leviticus. 15:25-27, any woman who has a discharge of her blood for many days, though it is not the time of her menstruation, or if she has a discharge beyond her period, she will be unclean all the days of her discharge. Anything or anyone that she touched or touched her was also considered unclean.
As a result, she could not be around people. The prospect of marriage was no longer available, children were out of the question, she could not work even from her home, because what she touched would be defiled. When she walked through the streets she would not receive a warm embrace or a smile because she was an unclean and untouchable; even the author of the text does not give us her name but calls her a certain woman and defines her by her issue. How many times have we been around people and felt unclean or untouchable because of a personal issue. How many times have we reached out to people only to be received with disgust because they know what we did and continue to do because we have not been delivered? Even in a place like church where we expect a warm embrace or a smile but are met with animosity because we according to them are “a certain woman with an issue of ‌.).
''Emotionally, physically and
spiritually, she was broken down''.. The word of God says she had the particular issue for 12 years. Can you imagine 12 years 4,383 days, 144 months, 624 weeks, and 105, 192 hours? 12 years with no physical touch from family, friends or acquaintances. According to the Medical community isolation is the breeding ground for emotional and psychotic episodes. Could it be that our silent suffering is the cause for our emotional turmoil? How many of us would not suffer from depression and anxiety attacks if we just had our voice back? Next we are told that she went to the people she thought would help her.; the doctors of her day. Not only did they not help her but she grew worst and lost all her money in the process.
Have you ever spent all you had on your issue? Given more of yourself than you wanted to or given money to someone who meant you no good?
Can you imagine how this woman felt? She was searching for the answers to her issue. She needed someone to help her but once again she was left alone and. she would have to beg from the very people who considered her unclean because she had no money.
Emotionally, physically and spiritually, she was broken down. For all intense and purposes she should not have any hope. Based on what she could see, she should have just given up and die but she heard of a man.
This certain women heard about Jesus Christ. It does not say how she heard about Jesus or what she heard about Jesus, but we do know whatever she heard about Jesus was enough to give her hope. She believed that by merely touching the hem of His garments she would be made whole. What was interesting is that she kept saying ''if I but touch the hem of His garments,'' which means she encouraged herself. Many times we will not have people around us that will encourage us or see the pain we may be in. During those times we need to stand on what we heard or read about Jesus and encourage ourselves. ''I am the righteousness of God. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am the head and not the tail. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'' By encouraging herself, she was able to step out in faith and dare to approach the one she believed could help her. She was taking a great risk because if she had been recognized as an unclean and untouchable woman, she would have been subjected to public humiliation, ridicule and possible retribution. As big as the
crowd was they might have gotten worked up and stoned her to death for making them ceremonially unclean. However, for her, it was a risk worth taking. She knew what Jesus would do for her if she could just get to Him and He will do the same for us.
SHE BECOMES HER Her Healing: When she was close enough, she reached out a trembling hand, I believe as she fell and touched the hem of His garment. The word ''touched'' means ''to cling to or to adhere to.'' In other words, she held onto Him until she got what she came after! How many times have we prayed for deliverance but because it was not coming fast enough we just let go? This brings me to the point of my question. How bad do you want it? Do you want it bad enough to wrestle with God like Jacob and say I will not let you go until you bless me? This woman did. She did not let go until she received what none of the doctors or their costly and painful remedies could give her; she got her healing! Instantly, she felt the change in her body.
Now As soon as this woman touched Him and was healed, the word says Jesus knew that ''virtue'' had gone out of Him. In the Greek language, the word ''virtue'' is dunamis which means ''power'' and that is where we get our English words ''dynamite''and ''; dynamic''.
Her Empowerment:
Him, and bowed at His feet and confessed everything to Him. This Jesus knew exactly what had happened so He asks the question was a public acknowledgment of what had happened in her heart in verse 30,''Who touched My and her body. In the presence of clothes?'' Now the disciples Jesus she got her voice back. She responded in my paraphrase “With all these people around you was different and she wass not ashamed to tell others about it! how are we supposed to know who touched you. Everybody touched you or at least are trying When God delivers you, you to touch you Jesus. But the certain better tell somebody. Don’t worry about whether people think woman’s touch was different, it was a touch accompanied by faith. you are bragging. You actually are. You are bragging on Jesus and the Faith is the substance of power He has to break bondages, things hope for and the heal the broken hearted, and set at evidence of things not seen. liberty the captives. This type of faith is what is needed on our part to receive our deliverance and empowerment. She knew that He was talking about her so she took another step of faith and came before
HER RESTORATION After telling Jesus all that had happened, He acknowledged her testimony and spoke words of great comfort to her heart that day. Notice that in the beginning of the narrative she is called a certain woman but after her healing and deliverance Jesus calls her ''daughter'' which is a name that identifies her relationship to Him. You see, she got more than physical healing that day. Her faith brought her into a soul saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION Jesus then tells her to ''go in peace.'' His comforting and affirming words let her know that she did nothing wrong by coming to Him and touching Him because for that very reason He was sent into the earth. Now we know that any other man or woman would have been offended and angry if he or she had been touched by this unclean untouchable woman but not Jesus!
He was not afraid of being defiled because nothing could defile Him. She was made whole. Now the word She was child of God who was in ''whole''is the same word translated trouble and that’s all that mattered. '';saved'' throughout the New And Jesus feels the same way about Testament. It means ''to be us. rescued from all harm and danger. and to be kept safe and We are his children plagued by an sound'';. Her issue of blood was issue that we may have caused or healed, which affected her was caused from someone else’s emotional, physical and spiritual issue. Either way He says to us well –being. With one touch she Come to Me'. was made whole. She was restored.
We are his children plagued by an issue that we may have caused or was caused from Someone else’s issue. Either way, He says to us “Come to Me’.
All those who come to Jesus will not be turned away. When he came to this earth His mission was according to Luke 4:18-19, which was to preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. He came to die so that we might be healed because by His stripes we are healed. But we must do something to receive
this healing. We must touch Him with our faith. We have to believe that He can and is willing, step out in faith, push pass some people, and do whatever it takes to get to Jesus. Because He took the penalty of sin which is rightly ours when He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again with all power in His hands. We are destined to be H.E.R.
Visit www.ShavonneAndrews. com to download your free copy
TRUSITNG IN HARD TIMES BY SHAVONNE ANDREWS www.shavonneAndrews.com
O
ne thing for sure as believers, we must trust that God has us right in the palm of his hands. He is the potter and we are the clay. He is our creator, our father, our provider, redeemer and friend.
may not always see him, hear him or even feel his presence, but one thing for sure, He's right there in every aspect of your life. He always has been and always will be and that will never change ( no matter what it looks like). A lot of times, we tend to trust in God when everything's fine, but what about those challenging times when we haven't got a clue what to do?
He is literally our all in all. You
Often times, we will be faced with many obstacles in life and even though it is the enemies plans to use them against us, it is God who uses them to strengthen us.
trusting in hard times... One of my favorite stories in the Bible is Job. If you haven't read it, I want to encourage you to. Every time someone goes through something and they worry about it, I'd always reply with,
but don't take his life. When I tell you, Job was faced with many obstacles. To summarize this story,
He literally lost everything. But one thing I love about this story the most is that even though his faith was challenged, his health And to my surprise, often times was attacked and he lost the answer is no. Job was a man everything ( especially his who had everything. He was truly children due to death), he did not a blessed man, but it came to a give up on his faith. point where the enemy wanted to prove to God that Job is only Instead, he trusted in God even serving him because he has more. He didn't even question everything. God, even though he didn't understand. Satan told God that if his life was more challenged, he would Do you know what give up on Him, get upset with God did because of that? God and even walk away from his first true love. In response, He restored unto Job double for God told Satan that no matter his trouble. The Bible says that what comes Job's way, it will never turn his heart from mine. every thing that Job lost was The part that's most interesting restored to him. to me is that Satan had to ask God for permission to challenge Job and God allowed it. God told him to do whatever he pleases,
"Have you read the book of Job?"
It's because of this story that I trust in God like never before.
I told God a long time ago, that I will trust in him no matter what. Nothing's going to shake my faith! Because I know the God I serve and one thing's for sure, he's never failing.
Have you ever seen a demonstration of someone telling someone else that they trust them and the other person says, "If so then prove it!
doesn't look good, but God I trust you!" Then imagine yourself, Falling into the Master's Hands.
I want to encourage you with this, when you trust in God no matter Stand in front of me, then close what, you are literally putting the situation in God's hands, believing your eyes and fall back into my arms and don't worry, I'll catch without a shadow of a doubt that you!" And the results would prove he has it all under control. if the person really does trust them or not if they fell with their With Love, eyes close, fell with one eye open, Author Speaker Christian Life or simply chose not to fall at all. Coach Yes there will be times when your faith will be challenged, but in that given moment, close your eyes and breath.
Then say a prayer, "Lord, this
THE TRAGEDY THAT BIRTHED MY DESTINY
Gloria Woods is an author, co-author, counselor and Social worker. As a single mother for many years she experienced much adversity, however because of her undying faith and perseverance lives in victory and freedom. In 2009 after the tragic death of her eighteen-month old granddaughter resulting in the incarceration of her 21-year-old daughter, her life was turned upside
down. Gloria went through a season of trials that caused much anguish, but she remained faithful to God and he brought her out victoriously. As a mother of an incarcerated child and two surviving grandchildren God birthed a prison outreach and counseling and support services to the families of the
Incarcerated. She is an active supporter of Angel Tree Ministry and prison Fellowship which provides gifts for the children of the Incarcerated as well as outreach for prisoners. Her ultimate goal is to establish Scholarships for inmates when they are released so she can contribute to reduce the numbers of inmates who return to prison.
O
ften we look at Destiny as beginning from a wonderful picture, many people look at destiny as a great place to begin with, however Destiny for me begin at the bottom to many it appears as something that they might never recover.
by Gloria Woods
Certainly on the night of October 13, 2009 when the greatest tragedy of my life occurred I never imagined that the Lord would transform it into my destiny and a calling that I would share with others to bring to them freedom and deliverance. I was a Mother of three children who spent the majority of her life raising those children as a Single parent with not much assistance from their Father. On the eve of the events that would change my life forever, I would go to work like I normally would do, never imagining that the events that would
unfold would be shared with the world. The time was about 5:00 p. m. I would get a call from my middle daughter stating my youngest twin granddaughter was kidnapped. Shortly after that I would be told by the County Investigator to meet him at my daughters friend’s home as there was an investigation about the whereabouts of my three grandchildren, The events would lead to the worst tragedy me and my family would experience so we thought.
the tragedy that brithed my destiny
by Gloria Woods
My daughter would be taken into custody and later be charged with the negligent homicide of my 18 month granddaughter.
. This became a big high profile case and of course the blame also became on me as a Mother by the authorities and the media as well. I went through deep My two surviving grandchildren depression and even discovered would be also admitted to the myself in the Stress Center. hospital for child neglect. As the Needless to say this was a period night unfolds the events of this of my life that I didn’t think tragedy gets worst and my there was any recovery. Often I daughter as well as my family would not leave my home and names are all over the media close my blinds because of the both locally and nationally. So embarrassment. In the meantime the night we rush to the hospital I would visit my daughter in the where my grandson has been jail and her transferred for child neglect, the case lingered own for two years. next morning my twin As the process grew I found granddaughter would be myself writing my feelings and admitted barely holding on to emotions daily, this went own life. from a period of tw0-five years. However, because of the investigation the local DCF would not allow me to see granddaughter as she is in the hospital emergency room. The next day we discover in the news that a missing child report had been issued only to later discover that my youngest granddaughter Myleayha Woods had died and my daughter was charged with negligent homicide and placed my granddaughter in the garbage can in her backyard
This process allowed me to develop writings, prayers and feelings that developed to my first book: Broken Shackles a Mother’s Journey. As a result it became a book and a fulfillment of my destiny to reach out to the Incarcerated and their families. This experience has helped me learn the power of God in the darkest situation of my life. But in the end God gave me release, deliverance and ultimate victory and purpose.
PRAYER CONNECT WWW.WOMENSFRONTLINEMAGAZINE. COM
Mary priddy's blog I have been going through such a strong battle in my life for a season and it made my heart harden and I isolated from everyone. I really did not know how long it had been since I felt love from another person until today when I went to
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register my daughter for school this fall at a private Christian school. I met the preacher and others at the school and did my regular paperwork and left.'
it until today.
We all need so desperately to be n the way home I cried loved and to feel that love. Not just and cried and thought I was crazy, any love but the unconditional, Why was I crying? Then it hit me powerful love of Christ. It is our Love! I felt the love of Christ from strength and the love of Christ is those people and because of the what restores us to who He war I was in and feeling anything created us to be and empowers us but love, my spirit was starving to do what He has called us to do for this love. I had no idea it had and empowers us just to make it been so long since I felt this love one more day. and how depleted my spirit was of
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We all need so desperately to be loved and to feel that love. Not just any love but the unconditional, powerful love of Christ. It is our strength and the love of Christ is what restores us to who He created us to be and empowers us to do what He has called us to do and empowers us just to make it one more day. Its like when you are hungry you eat and the same with your spirit when it is hungry you have to feed it with the word ofcourse but also with love. When you do not fill your spirit with love it can lead to depression and many other feelings that will cause you to be paralyzed in your walk with God. It will also open the door to the enemy to plant seeds of
hopelessness and lies within. Love is the cornerstone, the very fabric of who we are. We were created by love, to love, and be loved in return and so many of us lack one of those. Because Love is so perverted and made into what it is not in this world we live in. Love is not sex and is not lust and yet so many think it is and for so long that is exactly what I thought love was. It wasn’t until I came to a place in my life where God healed me from so much that I was finally able to receive His love that I was able to understand that Jesus is Love!
WHEN YOU ARE HEALED EMPOWERED AND RESTORED! by Mary Eisenacher
Speaking from experience ‌ I know that when God heals you, a new anointing comes into your life.
The whole experience and process can be converted into a positive that you can use to help others. Nothing is wasted – no detail, no emotion, no happening. To be restored, you have to go through the process. Standing in faith and trusting God is the very best way to be victorious.
From the very hint of a problem or the first symptom, believe that God can do a good work in you. Pray the prayer of faith, and believe that God has heard your prayer.
In other words, you will recognize who is not committed to God. The error of their ways will be evident. You can see that their reward is not Heaven. Heaven or Hell – it is a Pray the promises in His Word back forever deal. For always!!! to God, and He will recognize His words and act on your behalf. So, by committing to God, evil and Be certain that the angels will be harm cannot get in. He has assigned activated! angels to guard you and keep you Tell Him out loud that you trust from falling. You will be able to walk Him as your refuge to keep you safe unharmed and know how to be and sound – every wit whole. protected. Holding onto God will keep you out of trouble, and you I love that scriptural phrase “every wit will have the best of care. That is whole,” because your mind is so such good news! Your spirit is important to God. secure no matter what happens. To have that kind of help as you The only way the enemy can navigate the unknown is imperative influence you is by planting the to your daily walk. seeds of doubt in your mind. He has lots of hidden traps ready to fool To have all of God’s benefits and you, but ask God to spring those fully utilize them will take quality traps before you even get near time to get to know Him and trust them. All of the enemy’s deadly Him. It is so worth it as you grow hazards cannot stand up when you and shine for Him! It is really a get into God’s presence and hear simple thing: all you will need do is His instructions. He is defeated call Him and He will answer, be with already because of the finished you, and even celebrate the victory work of the cross. Your job is to with you. embrace the truth.
I have come to know that He loves to celebrate all along the way with you. It is a plus to count the victory from the first hint of sickness or distress – because I am thinking that healing comes in so many ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, etc., etc. He is able to take care of every kind of healing that you need. I have also learned that there are many levels – deep levels – where He needs to bring His healing touch when He thinks you are ready. He is so merciful and understanding and full of grace and love toward you. Not once does He have an evil thought toward you, because He loves you!
The restoration that comes after healing is like an old house where electric, plumbing, walls, and furnace have been replaced. It is a beautiful new house to enjoy. The good bones are still there, but the improvements have been necessary and costly. It has taken many workmen to bring it up to code. The contractor has had to be diligent about coordinating all of the changes.
He has had to look at the blueprint and point out what needed torn out and replaced. New replaces the old. Then the decorations come in to He promises long life and salvation. I finish off the work and make the have thought many times and been home a comfortable place to live in. ever so grateful for His saving grace in Finally, the ribbon is cut, and my times of trouble. I really do not others are invited in to view the know how a non-Christian can ever handiwork. cope without the faithful God who has been revealed to me. I do not want to know, because it distresses me so. Therefore, I offer my prayers and put my focus back on loving Him and serving Him with my best effort, failing at times … but repenting and getting back up with new determination. It is my goal to reach Heaven and spend an eternity in His presence.
So, it is with you! God is in control. He knows the blue print of your life and how to make adjustments to bring forth the plan, purpose, and destiny of your life. Others will be observant and blessed as He does His best for you and with you. I trust in God that you, too, can be healed in every way needed right now. Believe with me that whatever deep healing needs to be done, He can do it. A new anointing is coming into your life immediately afterward. Everything you have experienced up to this point will be turned around for good and for God’s glory. Others will be helped by your testimony about the process that you have been through. God will work through you to help others. Looking back, you will be grateful for the revelation you have received. The pain, the heartache, the emerging better than before ‌ will fortify your faith and bring a new strength that you never thought was possible. Hold the hand of others going through. Point them to the Savior. Stand back and be a witness of His saving grace. Celebrate with them the victory all along the way. And, know that eternity is available to enjoy all the rewards and benefits of belonging to God through His Son and all that He has done and is still doing through the working of the Holy Spirit. Stand fast and KNOW!
TOXIC REALTIONSHIPS & HEALING
What is a relationship? When people think of relationships, they often equate it to a romance between two people, but that’s not the only definition for a relationship. A relationship is also a friendly association or connection between two people.
Now, this article does relate to both types. A healthy relationship of any kind first must have trust and open communication. If the moment your boyfriend is out of sight your you’re going crazy and worrying about him cheating on you, there’s no trust in the relationship. It’s the same with a friendship.
by Chante Whisonant If you’re worried your best friend is talking behind your back whenever you’re not around and you feel like you can’t tell her anything, there’s no trust in the friendship. When two friends or partners can’t tell each other anything without fearing that they may be judged, there’s some communication lacking between you two.
them no matter what. We all want and deserve that friend, but we don’t always get that sadly. We all want someone who can be honest with and will stick with us like glue to the end, and sometimes we look for that in the wrong people. Some of us are so desperate for friends we’ll accept anything in our lives just to feel accepted, knowing the person will Things like this, respect and support never truly care for us. We will let are good indications of a healthy people talk down to us so we won’t relationship. If your “friendship” is feel lonely. Let me ask you, what’s lack most or all of these, it may be a more important, being tolerated so toxic relationship. A relationship of you won’t be alone, or being any kind isn’t supposed to feel like a celebrated by a friend who loves heavy burden upon your life, it’s everything about you? Which do you supposed to be loving, encouraging think is better? Because I guarantee and solid, no matter what you go fake friends will leave you feeling through. Relationships should never empty. Toxic friendships are onebe one-half always taking and never sided, draining, unsupportive and giving. There needs to be a balance unequal. They well constantly drain for it to the healthy, both sides and take from you until they get should be respected and both sides bored with you. One-sided need to equally give to one another. friendships aren’t helpful and caring That’s a true and healthy in any way. relationship of any kind. They never care to ask about you, but they’ll talk about themselves all day. They’ll never support you, but get mad if you don’t support them. You’ll often find the relationship extremely Everyone deserves an honest and unequal. I’ve had toxic friendships loyal friend. Someone they can trust before, and let me tell you, it isn’t all their secrets to, someone they fun. I’d feel so can always count on and cares for
Friendships:
uncomfortable in their presence, but I put up with it just to have someone in my presence. There’s a thin line between friends teasing each other and just straight up talking about them, a line my “friends” would cross often. Using every chance they could get to tease me, humiliate me and use me. My dad is a businessman who used to sell candy, so they’d try and bully me into stealing candy from my dad and give it to them. When I wouldn’t do it, I’d be talked about and told how bad of a friend I was. They’d only hang out with me to use my stuff, and when something would break I wouldn’t see them again until I got something new. Everything about me was weird to them. The way I dress, the way I talked, my love for God, all of it was always a topic for them on things I should change. I don’t ever remember being told the things they loved about me, only what they couldn’t stand. I always was expected to do what they would demand of me. I wasn’t important unless they could use me, and that my friend is not a healthy relationship with someone.
Romantic Relationships: Toxic relationships with someone you care for in a romantic way can be similar to a toxic friendship. You
must be extremely careful with these type of relationships, often they turn into physically abusive relationships, which is why you must leave if the relationship turns toxic. Same as an unhealthy friendship, the person will constantly talk about you all the time, always putting you down, but never rewarding you. You’ll hear of how much you anger them, how you can never do anything right and why you’re always a problem in their life. You will hear this on a regular basis, but if you’d ever try to leave the person they would go crazy. Again, like a toxic friendship, you’ll always be walking on eggshells for them and you’re basically useless to them unless they can use you for their own needs. Have you noticed in your relationship the other half is always calling the shots? He or she must always pick which movie you go to, what restaurant you eat at, who you guys hang out with, the person controls everything and you never can get a word in about anything. This is not something you want to be involved with, male or female, because the problem will only continue to grow if you let it. Be with someone who invites your opinion on something, a person who appreciates you and loves you unconditionally, that what you want.
Healing: Now that you have probably identified your toxic relationship, it’s time to break free from it and move on. Especially when you a teenager, being involved in these relationships can be dangerous because it can start a cycle. You’ll get so used to being stepped on, you will start to make yourself believe this is what a relationship is supposed to look like when it’s not.
depression, and depression can lead to suicide or self-harm. Or sometimes you’ll turn around and do the same thing to someone else. Focus on God and know what you are worth and know you don’t need that negativity in your life. Know you are not what they called you or made you feel like. Let go, be free and let God work in your life. You deserve to feel loved, not hated. Unload all the negativity downloaded into you and upload love, peace and positivity.
You’ll go into adulthood with that Love and blessings, Minister Chante’. mindset and cause nothing but trouble for yourself. Because soon the emptiness will lead to
LIFE IS A JOURNEY by Joy Jallah
HEALED EMPOWERED RESTORED opportunity to bring a masterpiece out of our lives. When we go through the ife is a journey. and challenges of life, we can see has its ups and downs. God God produce miracles through builds our character through it all. There is always the difficulties of life. Our greatness that is produced character is built and light through the pain we go shines in the darkest moment through. of life. When we experience setbacks, it gives God the
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beautiful in its time. (Eccl. 3:11).
The timing of God is perfect to make miracles happen. God is still in the miracle working business and is turning everything around for good. He will perfect that which he started, concerning us. Sooner or later it will . Pain is an indicator that there is purpose in us to bring solution in the turn in our favor. Things will turn in challenged area. There always must be our favor. God will turn things for the a problems in order to bring solutions good of those who love God and are to the problems in life. The scripture called according to his purpose. reminds us, "With God all things are possible. There is nothing impossible It is turning around all in our favor. This is a season of turn around. God with God to them that believe. will manifest his promises in our lives. God is not a man that he shall lie or Everything in life beginss with change his mind. Everything is believing in something or someone. working in our favor. God's purpose is Then God steps right in and gives us wisdom on how to supply solutions to a bright future for his beloved. It will work all work out for him to get the life's challenges. God has our best interest at heart. It is imperative that glory. Our hope is in the hope of glory. we keep pushing forwards regardless Do not be discouraged in this life. God has a purpose for the lives of his of the obstacles of life. There is purpose in everything. There is much beloved. Keep trusting God at his more God wants to make known to us word. he very area that we go through the most pain in life is, is the very area that God uses uses the most and all is for his glory
through it all.
We are healed and empowered by everything we ever go through in life Have you been waiting upon God? Trust God will perform his word. Trust that keeps us standing firm in our faith. When we stand for something, God will make a way out of no way. than we will not fall for everything. We Trust God will come through. Are you going through life as if and it stand on the living and breathing word of God. The word of God is alive and seems like God is silent+ active. All we need to do is put the word of God in our lives to work. Trust that God is hearing you and in Taking a look at things as the way God his perfect timing, he will manifest his promises. Everything in life has a views it. The end matter is better than the beginning. process. There is a time and season for everything. Everything is made
BOOKLET
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Introduction~
Today we begin the journey of your unmasking. Soon you will have your debut, where you mount Unmasking opened with me the stage and take your position sharing deep, dark secrets of my before God and all the rejoicing past. The pain and anguish I had angels in heaven who already carried for over twenty-five years. recognize and celebrate the As I wrote this workbook to greatness inside of you. accompany Unmasking, I am in a A lot of people have asked me why place of forgiveness towards and how I wrote Unmasking. They myself, and towards those who have used words like, brave, had wronged me. Additionally I transparent, strong. Well what is have reflected upon and found the in Unmasking is the polished errors of my own ways and owned version, after years of slowly up to them. It is a place of liberty, peeling back the layers of pain, wholeness and peace. It is my embarrassment and a plethora of hope that after you complete this other uncomfortable feelings. workbook you will find the same liberty, wholeness and peace.
unmasked & Unashamed It was not a matter of being strong,
brave or for fame, but it was a matter of necessity. I had to get out the pain on paper that was pent up, bottled up and stifled me for years. People have shared “Maybe one day I’ll be able to tell my story.” Well this workbook is designed that you will be at a place where if you can’t share your entire story, that you will be able to identify/ acknowledge/confront as least one element of their painful journey or maybe you can make a list of painful events in your life and deal deeply with only one. Truth is when I thought I was sharing a lot of painful events in my life, I really wasn’t sharing at all. I was talking…talking in circles, in riddles, dealing only with surface stuff. I wasn’t telling my story. I glossed over emotions I felt, I glossed over re-visiting the reaching back in my mind and becoming that victim that I was in the past. I found out I wasn’t being brave, I wasn’t being transparent, I really wasn’t telling my story. I
wasn’t unmasking. I had even delivered my manuscript to a writing coach, who tore my attempt to telling my story to pieces. He was blunt and brutal at the onset. His words, “Mechelle, you do have a story to tell, but it is not in what you have sent me. I don’t know who told you this was good, but I don’t see what they see.” What? The nerve of him! Was he discounting my pain? Was he minimizing my hurt? I had been so fragile for years and didn’t he know that? Didn’t he know that was killing me, to be told that what I had already poured my heart and soul in for four years he just said “was not it.” Well what was it? I was determined to find out what he saw that I didn’t see. So, I asked him to coach me. It took another two years of being coached to tell what really happened for Unmasking to be completed.
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you tell me you don’t have the strength to edit fifty pages? Do I have ne of the most painful parts to come over there and rap you on the was adding descriptive adjectives to head with a two by four?” The book the story. Why? They put the sat for months and no return email to exclamation to the event, where I’d my coach. I was done. He wanted me originally put a period or a question to give more than I thought I had. I mark. There were things that I left thank God Dr. Morrison pushed me, unsaid (the period in an incomplete not literally, but it felt like it. Pushed sentence) big gaps in my writing, me to a place where I really told my thus the question marks. I couldn’t story because Unmasking is being get on paper what I saw in my head. used for the purpose it was intended Truth is what I put to paper was what to help others heal. To let them know I wanted to be truth in my head. they are not the only ones who have Truth - like it didn’t hurt to delve had to deal with unthinkable, back and allow myself to entertain unimaginable, indescribable painful each emotion that came with an pasts, and that they too can be unwanted touch, the immeasurable unmasked. pain of being cheated on when I’d given my heart to someone I thought I am not discounting your pain nor loved me just as much. Truth like am I minimizing it thinking that this not really being as brave as I thought workbook is solution to dealing with I could be by truly being transparent. some sensitive issues in your life. I am offering you another look into my There was one point Unmasking was journey. Yes, there may be times you almost an afterthought. I was asked want to throw the book. Well guess by my coach to re-write the last fifty what, there were actual times I did pages. throw my manuscript to Unmasking. I didn’t like what was happening to I didn’t want to! I didn’t want to! I me, I didn’t like the girl in the book, didn’t want to! I didn’t want to! she was too confused, too sensitive, That’s how much I had had it, with such a victim, why did she keep doing my coach, with my writing, with the same thing? revisiting the hurt. Then my coach, Dr. Tim Morrison, sent me a friendly email “Mechelle, you have overcome molestation, abuse, an abortion and
unmasked & Unashamed
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s we journey together through the process of you unmasking we will review several instances recorded in the Gospels of inconspicuous, nameless women. Women without names, women that suffered in silence, who blended into the background, trying to go under (or to go undetected) the radar of others, afraid of ridicule and judgment. Yet, Jesus notices them, meets them where they are, meets their needs and heals them where they are hurting. Often we find ourselves riddled with pain due to our past mistakes, hurts, pains and failures. We fail to realize our worth, we devalue ourselves, not really understanding the truth that we are created in God’s own image. That God love for us supersedes any past mistake. God has the power to cleanse us where we feel dirty. God forgives us even when we feel there is no forgiveness. God provides us hope in hopeless situations. God offers us meaning, significance and a life of power and purpose. God finds us worthy of His love in spite of our not so perfect past. He finds us worthy enough to actively seek us, to seek an intimate relationship with each of us. When living a life behind the mask, we are empty inside, there is a void that we are forever trying to fill. God’s love fills that void of wanting to be cared for and validated by someone or something other than Him.
Chapter Five – Reflections – Taking the Steps The following quote is from a dear friend of mine. He often says “When I don’t understand my value or worth how then can I accept a concept that promotes an idea that I’m important to the world? I can’t!” Pastor Sebastian Holley.
The goal of the whole workbook is to provide process through which those who are masked will discover their identity and worth and walk free of guilt and shame. That you understand you are important to the world and you most certainly do matter.
Can you give yourself the “freedom to fail?” Can you try new things without reservation?
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A broch Pick one area of your life in which you paper doc feel insecure. Why do you feel insecure? What might you be able to dofor adv to grow in that area? For example, I folded int don’t like speaking in front of people I or lea don’t feel I can effectively communicate. promotion A way that I have taken to grow in that used to area is to volunteer to speak in different organizati arenas. and i custome publ
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What mantras can you create to increase your outlook on life and is the p generate a positive attitude and increase your positivity? Where could you put custome these so that wherever you go you run after a pu into them? Remember to say/think of success them multiple times daily. Keep it dependent simple. Being overwhelmed guarantees failure. adjust
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Who among your friends will support you? Or who among your friends can you talk to? Think about what you can do to make your current relationships, stronger and more positive. What can do to expand your network?
Have you ever committed actions where you fear you no longer measure up to God’s plan for you? When have you felt that you no longer measure up?
As you think about these questions it is important to remember God loves you no matter what you have done in your past. God sees love and goodness in our hearts, even though we see garbage.
ABOUT US Do you believe in your heart that Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as A brochure is anexpiation informative you are good and that there is an by his blood, to be documentreceived (oftenbyalso nothing you canpaper do to declare faith. used This was to show yourself good? There not God'sthat righteousness, forare advertising), can be because in his enough works that one can do to divine forbearance he had passed folded into a template, pamphlet declare oneself good in the eyes of over former sins; 26 it was to prove or leaflet. Brochures God. at the presentare time that he himself promotional documents, is righteous primarily and that he justifies Romans 3:19-28 Now we know that him who has faith in Jesus. 27 Then used to introduce a company, whatever the law says it speaks to what becomes of our boasting? It is organization,products or services those who are under the law, so excluded. On what principle? On and inform prospective that every mouth may be stopped, the principle of works? No, but on customers the 28 For we and the whole world may be heldor members the principle of of faith. accountable to God. 20public For no of the holdbenefits. that a man is justified by faith human being will be justified in his apart from works of law. sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge Titus 3:4-7 but when the goodness of sin. 21 But now the and loving kindness of God our righteousness of God has been Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not manifested apart from law, because of deeds done by us in although the law and righteousness, butto in virtue of his  is the theprophets provision of service bear witness to it,customers 22 the own mercy, by the washing of before, during and righteousness of God through faith regeneration and renewal in the after a purchase. The perception in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured out success such interactions is Jesus Christ For there is no of distinction; 23 of since upon us richly through all have sinned and fall short on of the our Savior, 7"who so that can we might be dependent employees glory of God, 24 they adjust are justified justified by grace and become themselves tohis the by his grace as a gift, through the heirs in hope of eternal life. personality of the guest". redemption which is in Christ
SERVICES
What negative thoughts hinder you? What causes you to feel unworthy?
ABOUT pattern US Are you willing to change your thought A brochure is an informative from a negative one to a positive, affirming paper document (often also used one? Are you willing to press your way past all of the negative thoughts about yourself, to be all you were created to be and to live a life full of joy?
for advertising), that can be folded into a template, pamphlet or leaflet. Brochures are promotional documents, primarily used to introduce a company, organization,products or services and inform prospective customers or members of the public of the benefits.
This is the place where we no longer concentrate on the former things. Your mind becomes renewed. You will need paper, pen, and white out for the following exercise. The SERVICES first part of the exercise is committing the following scripture to memory. Â is the provision of service to
customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest".
Memorize 2 Cor. 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. Thoughts produce feelings which bring forth a behavior. In order to change your emotions and your behavior, change your thoughts concerning yourself. If you think you are a “nobody,� and worthless you will feel depressed and your behavior may entail drinking, drugs,
being very sexually active.
Bring to mind and list some of your greatest accomplishments.
What do you experience within yourself as you look at your list?
Who has shamed you in words or behavior? When have you felt grace in your life?
What were your moments of defeat, self doubt?
How did they make you feel?
Describe yourself (i.e thoughtful, helpful, kind, loving). Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks within himself, so he is.”
What are some things you do to help you overcome your own despair? How do these things help you?
Anxious thoughts and depression could begin to be your “norm.” What activities can you do to increase your peace and happiness? Possibly volunteer at a shelter, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity What does God say that you are? or visit the local nursing home. Describe your relationship with God and what do you do to maintain it? Do you think quiet time alone with God will help you maintain a relationship with God? For some attending church and bible study God declared you “Good” Genesis helps. Maybe reflecting on the 1:31 And God saw everything that he victories, God has given you in your had made, and behold, it was very life. What is the most effective way good. And there was evening and for you? Try different things. there was morning, a sixth day What causes you to feel unworthy and why? What would you do to overcome that feeling of unworthy?
Have you been in therapy, are you in therapy or have you ever considered therapy? Flashbacks, depression, anxiety, overwhelming anger, and insomnia may be alleviated. Many Christian counselors are available if that is your choice. Therapy can help you gravitate towards God—not push away from him.
What are some things or thoughts that cause you to have persistent, hopelessness? What seems to trigger them? How can God help you overcome them?
God loves you, and He works through other people, too. Whom can you identify that loves you? What can you do to support them?
What has had you hiding among the crowd, too afraid to really unmask and identify yourself?
He already knows you are in the crowd. He knows exactly where you are. What issue(s) have you longed to be healed from?
Take this time to write a prayer for healing of those issues, be honest and press your way pass the hurtful feelings that you have suppressed causing you to hemorrhage on the inside, to ache with pains that no one else can see because you’ve mastered masking them. The issues that man can never fix, that no amount of money can erase. Come on. Let’s deal with those issues once and for all. Create a prayer for healing of deep, unresolved issues, unmet need and unhealed hurts. Depression is sadness but also self-pity. When I find myself in a place of depression and despair I often find it is because I am overwhelmed with multiple issues that demand my attention all at the same time. I have found these four things help me tremendously.
Sleep on it. Think on it . Work on it. Wait on it. Sleep on it. More sleep gives you more energy and almost always yields a different perspective. Think on it. Turn your negative cognitions into positive ones. Selfencouragement and affirmative affirmations lighten your mood. Work on it. What relieves the anxiety you feel? Get out of the house. Exercise. Do something!! Wait on it. Sometimes you need quiet time and reflection. How can you restore your peace? Reflection can be rejuvenating. When reflecting, can you identify growth in the areas of your life? Chapter Six – Your Unmasking Story “Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is no limit to where you can go.” James Baldwin in A Letter to My Nephew.
Remember at the beginning of this book I shared that many individuals have said to me “Maybe one day I’ll be able to tell my story.” I want to encourage you now that you have begun the work of unmasking, by transforming your mind with positive, affirmative thoughts about yourself and your situation that you would continue to do the work. My prayer is that you continue your journey of unmasking. I want to encourage you to journal. Journaling gets your spiraling thoughts to stop. Where and what time of day would be the best to journal for you? Don’t worry about form or if you are doing it right, just write.
Here are some questions to think about. What is one thing you’ve always dreamt A brochure is an informativ of doing? paper document (often also u for advertising), that can b folded into a template, pamp or leaflet. Brochures are promotional documents, prim What are some things usedyou to introduce that keep from a compan organization,products achieving that dream? or serv and inform prospective What are some or steps customers members of t and/or some sacrifices public of the benefits. you are willing to take towards achieving those goals?
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