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Donate your inspirational messages to Ladies of Christ Ministry!

Posted by Dominique on February 25, 2009 at 9:01pm

Donate your inspiration to Ladies of Christ Ministry to be published in our monthly newsletter "Spiritually Outspoken" Ladies of Christ Ministry has started a newsletter and we are opening up our newsletters to those who love to inspire. We are allowing writers to submit their inspirational messages to our ministry to be published in our monthly newsletter for inspiration and encouragement on varies topics.Find out more details here: http://ladiesofchristproverbs31.webs.com/donateyourinspiration.htm

UNITY, AGREEMENT AND LOVE IS THE KEY..

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on February 25, 2009 at 3:14pm

Unity, Agreement, and Love is the KeyVerily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound inheaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. AgainI say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thingthat they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.Matthew 18:18-19 (KJV)There is power in agreement, unity and love. Jesus said "...Whatsoever ye shallbind..." or paralyze "...on earth shall be bound in heaven."The heaven He's referring to is not the heaven where God resides. There isn'tanything where God resides that needs to be bound. There are three heavens inthe Scripture. And this one refers to the atmospheric heaven around the earth.He said, Whatsoever you bind or paralyze on earth shall be bound in heaven, orthe heavenlies, "...and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed inheaven." Then in verse 20, Jesus makes this statement: "For where two or threeare gathered together in my name [the name of Jesus], there am I." The Greektext actually says, "I am there to make good that which they agree on."The power of agreement puts you in a position where God moves. Good thingshappen when we agree with one another, when we come in unity with one another,when we drop all of our differences and love one another. When we agree, we havethe power to paralyze Satan and his acts. As the scripture points out, if youbind satanic activity in Jesus' name on the earth, it's going to be bound in theatmospheric heaven where demons reside. Whatever you loose on earth will beloosed in the heavenlies. In this sense, the believer, the one who stands in thename of Jesus, is the one who determines ultimately what happens here on thisplanet.So agreement, unity and love is the key to making it work. Don't hold what a fewpeople do against a whole race. That just makes us further divided. Rather praythat the few be revealed. We have Christian brothers and sisters in every race.So it is time to set aside all the junk that keeps us going against each other.No man is better than another man. Jesus died for every one of us. He shed Hisblood which was the price for our redemption. As a result, every one of us canmake heaven our home, and have peace and victory on the earth.Scripture reference: Matthew 5:43-48

It's Black History Month! - Here's video tribute #5 - IMAN!

Posted by OASIS COSMETICS by Kerri on February 25, 2009 at 2:30pm

Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Iman is the daughter of Marian and Mohamed Abdulmajid, a former Somali ambassador to Saudi Arabia. She is Muslim and has two brothers, Elyas and Feisal, and a sister, Nadia. Iman attended high school in Egypt and later lived in Kenya. Fluent in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Italian, and Somali), she studied political science at the University of Nairobi.* CareerIn 1975, Iman was recruited as a model by American photographer Peter Beard and relocated to the United States. Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976.The fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent said, "My dream woman is Iman". She recalls her experience as a house model for Yves Saint Laurent's African Queen couture collection as the most memorable moment of her modeling career.An occasional actress, Iman played a shapeshifter named Martia in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and appeared in the Oscar-winning film Out of Africa alongside Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.Iman guest-starred in an episode of Bravo's TV show Project Runway, where she wore contestant Daniel Vosovic's dress to a publicity shoot, and a Cycle 5 episode of America's Next Top Model as one of the weekly mentors. Iman is currently the host of Project Runway Canada on the Slice network.In May 2007 Iman launched her signature line, IMAN Global Chic, on HSN. She is CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare & Fragrances, a line she launched to market a selection of products towards women of color.Iman is a spokesperson for the Keep A Child Alive program, which provides drugs to HIV/AIDS children and families in Africa and the rest of the developing world.Iman is the subject of "I am Iman" a book about her life, filled with images by the most celebrated photographers of the world, with the cover photographed by Markus Klinko and Indrani.She is signed to 1/One Management in New York City, and Independent Models in London.She also made a guest star appearance in the hit video: Remember The Time by Michael Jackson.* Personal lifeIn 1977, Iman married American basketball player Spencer Haywood. Their daughter, Zulekha Haywood, was born in 1978; the couple divorced in February 1987. On April 24, 1992, she married iconic British musician David Bowie. They have one daughter, Alexandria Zahra "Lexi" Jones, born August 15, 2000. Iman is also stepmother to Bowie's son from a previous marriage, Duncan Jones. Both children bear Bowie's legal surname. Iman and her family reside primarily in Manhattan and London.In honor of Black History Month, we are taking the second half of the month to do daily video tributes to the Icons of our Black History.If you would like to have the VIDEO TRIBUTE sent directly to your inbox in video email form - send us your email address and we will do so!Last week we honored Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, Donny Hathaway and Theresa Graves- "Get Christie Love!" Yesterday (Monday) was Marvin Gaye!If you are on the e-mail list, they are already in your email box.If you missed any or have deleted them in error and would still like to view them, let us know and we will send those to youlThanks for your support and kudos.And please........ share the video tributes with your friends and families. If we don't honor our history....noone else will!PeaceKerri Officer-YoungOasis Cosmetics and Natural Skin Healing, founder/CEOSetYourselfApart@gmail.comhttp://www.OasisCosmetics.ning.com

Visit Oasis Cosmetics and Natural Skin Healing

DJ MAMI FRESH PRESENTS LAYDEEZ NIGHT THIRTEEN HOSTED BY NINA ROSS

Posted by NINA ROSS on February 25, 2009 at 8:22am

DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE "DIVA WALK" www.myspace.com/ninarossthequeendj dev diva walk street.mp3

New Company Launched!

Posted by Dominique on February 25, 2009 at 6:34am

Hello,I've launched a new company Eminent Empress. A Jewelry Company and I would like to invite you to check it out. Please leave your feedback and thoughts on the samples in the guestbook. New items will be coming soon!Thanks so much!www.eminentempress.webs.comDominique

Where do Models Come From?!!

Posted by Rickey on February 24, 2009 at 8:04pm

Where do Models Come From?!!Posted by Pamela Young on February 22, 2009 at 11:30pmToday, many of our models men, women, teens and children were in a Fashion Show Held in Paradise Valley, Arizona!Two fashion shows at 11 am and 2pm at the Phoenix Bridal Expo, sponsored by David's Bridal and Men’s Warehouse, were exciting and provided so much experience for each and every model. Our Agency provided flower girls, ring barrers, brides maids, Groomsmen, Mother or the bride and Father of the Bride.At local fashion shows such as this, Models Pus International and The Young Agency have a booth to show a little about who we are and what we do. Some questions I am constantly asked are, how do you find your models, or where do your models come from, do they come to you, or do you have to go out and find them.The very reason I outlined who modeled in todays shows, tells you the diversity we represent, that has made Models Plus International and The Young Agency such a success throughout the past decade. MPI and TYA are the largest Modeling Agencies in the southwestern United States of America representing models of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities, we provide every look for every project.So how do we find our models, we let people know, WE ARE HIRING! What that means is, you who are interested in having a career, or just having fun in the modeling business, now is a great time for you to inquire about how you can get involved, because all looks are in, just turn on your television and look!Where do our Models come from , all walks of life! We spend out time at trade shows and put up booths to share information about the modeling industry. The photos you see above were taken in 2007, at The Phoenix Bridal Expo in Glendale, AZ, where we provided all of the Male models for the fashion shows. The concept being the same, that is, we find models where we find people who are interested in seeing fashions.At Models Plus International, we provide FREE career counseling to help answer your questions about career opportunities and help you outline your goals in the modeling industry.We hold open call auditions every Tuesday evening, call us at 602-234-2628 to get started today!Best wishes,Pamela A. YoungVisit www.mpi365.org

Vol. 2 - Natural Health and Healing - Feb 2008

Posted by Inisea on February 24, 2009 at 3:46pm

NATURAL HEALTH & HEALINGVol. 2 * February 2009The Nervous SystemFOODS THAT HEALApricotssweetUses: anti-cough, cancer treatment, constipation, muscle & nerve disorder,nervous system, skin (healthy), thrist quencherHigh in fiber._________HERBAL THERAPYRosemaryRosmarinus officinalisUses: Asthma - Bad Breath - Chest Congestion - Circulation - Dandruff - Disinfectant - Food Spice - Hair & Scalp Treatment - Mental Fatigue - Migraine Headache - Nasal Congestion - Nervous SystemParts Used: Leaves - StemsPreparation Method: InfusionHabitat: Mediterranean - Sunny areas - Well-drained soilAROMATHERAPYIncense/Oil/Flower: Orange (Citrus sinensis)Aroma: CitrusAction: Anti-depressant, uplifts mind & spirit.Use: Steam rind or us oil in oil burner.Habitat: North AmericaREFLEXOLOGYHealth Concern: Nervous SystemReflex Areas/Points: Brain (1), hypothalamus (4) , pituitary (3), pineal glands(4): located on the bottom of the big toe on both feet.Spinal Cord (15): located on the inside edge of both feet.Solar Plexus (17)*Refer to chart for reflex area/point locations.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

The Importance of Video on Your Web Site

Posted by Khadijah Adams on February 24, 2009 at 7:25am

This is very interesting, “Online video now reaches a mainstream audience. Young adults are the most voracious video viewers with three in four having watched or down-loaded online video.” - Pew Internet American Life Project –August 27, 2007....Notice what the same company said, not 2yrs after this article, “Online Video: 57% of internet users have watched videos online and most of them share what they find with others” - The growing adoption of broadband combined with a dramatic push by content providers to promote online video has helped to pave the way for mainstream audiences to embrace online video viewing. Fifty-seven percent of online adults have used the internet to watch or download video and 19% do so on a typical day. Three-quarters of broadband users (74%) who enjoy high-speed connections at both home and work watch or download video online.” Pew Internet American Life Project –February 17, 2009Check it out for yourselves: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/219/report_display.asp

Looking to start your own business? Come join me at AmeriPlan!

Posted by Idette Brown-Vaughan on February 24, 2009 at 12:44am

If you would like to work in the health care field, from home, as an independent business owner with Daily Pay, Monthly Residual Income, Free Benefits Package, 401K Plan, Full Team Support, and Training please visit click HERE for detailed information or to join!Please note: No Experience Necessary, Just Ambition.

Order vitamins from the comfort of your home!

Posted by Idette Brown-Vaughan on February 24, 2009 at 12:38am

Purchase online prime-quality vitamins, minerals and nutritional products. We have a complete line of Natural Vitamins, Minerals, Functional Food Supplements, Weight-Management Formulas, Protein and Amino Acid supplements, Digestive Aids, Sports Nutrition, Herbal Supplements, Nutritional Skincare Products and more.Get the facts on health, nutrition, herbs, supplements, check out our Health-Nutrition information page.Secure online order system. Offer to U.S. residents only. All orders are Drop Shipped!!To order visit: http://www.vitpower.com/yourvitaminsource

Change of Decor, At The White House

Posted by TotallyLess.com on February 24, 2009 at 12:00am

Design suggestionsWhat changes do design experts think the Obamas should make at the White House? Here are some of their ideas:Go green: "I'd like to see the White House LEED-certified. If you have an important agenda that you want to get into the American home, starting with your own home is the best thing." - Stephen Drucker, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful magazine.Keep it simple: "Given that we seem to be in for a long economic slowdown, and many families are struggling, the president cannot seem to be extravagant or ostentatious." - interior designer Celerie Kemble, author of the new book "Celerie Kemble:To Your Taste." Embrace the digital age: "I see the library as more of an Internet cafe-lounge with state-of-the-art computer, television and surround-sound capabilities." -Lisa LaPorta of "Designed to Sell" on HGTV, who suggests the room as a place for presidential online chats. Use what you have: "Although change is vital to growth, care must be taken to repurpose and reuse as many items as possible." - designer Mark Woodman of the Color Marketing Group.- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSYour Unique Sense Of StyleHome Decor, means everything. After all your home is where you dwell. Its were your relax. Its where most of your meals, should be prepared. It's your place, get it, your place. So, why shouldn't it reflect who you really are. Because my business targets home decor. I've been reading a lot of material in this area. And, I've realized that a lot of people do not focus on making their place just that.. Life, can get very hectic at times.Especially, in these current times. So, why not take a little time to build your nest. One piece at a time. There's a wonderful world of decorating out there. Try new things add new accents. Create a custom theme to express your unique style-it's never been easier, to add beauty and fashion to your home.Today, I want to invite all of you, who happen to read this piece. To visit Totallyless.com, browse around for a moment. See all of the wonderful products, carried to enhance every room in your home. As Will-i-am say's"It's A New Day". And it is, We have a fabulous new First Family. Let's do something new for ourselves also.Let's go home. The Obama's have settled into a totally new home. That their going to take time to, add their signature touchs too. Give it their sense and feeling, of what they want home to feel like, for them. Why shouldnt we.Visit wwwTotallyless.com for yourself and discover your unique home decor abilities. How about adding something to your home or garden to comemorate our new first family. See, that's already a start.Happy New Day! Everyone.Amy SmithTotally LessTotallyLess@gmail.comwww.TotallyLess.com Why Pay More, For Home Decor

It's Black History Month! - Here's video tribute #4 - Marvin Gaye

Posted by OASIS COSMETICS by Kerri on February 23, 2009 at 11:10pm

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH!Featuring - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and instrumentalist, with a three-octave vocal range. Starting as a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows in the late fifties, he ventured into a solo career after the group disbanded in 1960 signing with the Tamla subsidiary of Motown Records.If you would like to have the video tribute sent directly to your inbox in video email form - send us your email address and we will do soIn honor of Black History Month, we are taking the second half of the month to do daily video tributes to the Icons of our Black History.Last week we honored Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry, Donny Hathaway and Get Christie Love! If you missed any of the video tributes and would still like to view them, let us know and we will send them out to youThanks for your support and kudos.And please........ share the video tributes and blogs with your friends and families. If we don't honor our history....noone else will!Peace*Kerri*Oasis Cosmetics and Natural Skin Healing, founder/CEOSetYourselfApart@gmail.com

Visit Oasis Cosmetics and Natural Skin Healing

Secrets for Free Marketing & Advertising

Posted by blacksynergist on February 23, 2009 at 10:57pm

For more information, contact Crystal Washington @ crystal@ black-marketexchange.com

Multitasking is Dead

Posted by Carmin Wharton on February 23, 2009 at 8:45pm

Do you know why you can’t get more done?No? Then kill multitasking – totally eliminate multitasking from your business life.Have you ever had this happen to you? You're working on a project that requires your full attention and creativity, such as writing your newsletter or designing an information product, and suddenly a family member or employee interrupts you while you were concentrating - deeply. Even if you tell them you are busy and go back to work, it takes you quite a while before you can re-align your mind into what you were doing before.Focus and discipline is what helps you complete a project. If you are a home-based business owner, “projects” usually have profit tied to them and so you must be able to focus and be disciplined enough to say “no” to something else clamoring for your attention at the same time. Here are some things I have started to doing to keep me focused on what I’m doing while I do one thing at a time:1. Clear your desk of anything unrelated to your current project. Believe it or not, those slips of paper, notes and things you “intend to get to” are commanding your attention and draining your energy – energy you need to focus on the task at hand.2. Plan your day out so that you can focus in on one task at a time. Set times to complete urgent tasks, reading and responding to emails (I suggest twice a day for checking email), marketing and listening to teleseminar recordings. Then keep to your schedule. Unless a real emergency presents itself, don’t veer off of your schedule. Complete one project or task and then move on.3. Complete those tasks that have the highest rate of return for your business. High rate of return items are the things that will accelerate your success and increase your bank account.4. Take short breaks away from your desk and office. Go walk the dog, play music, cook or read something purely recreational. Doing something completely unrelated to your business or technology will refresh and reinvigorate you.5. Create your schedule for tomorrow. Schedule your high rate of return items first and then whittle down the remainder of your to do list. If a project or task took longer than you intended and you were not able to mark it off today’s to do list, move these items to tomorrow’s to do list but after the high rate of return projects or tasks.I believe if you stop multitasking and really focus on the project or task at hand you will find that you accomplish more, reduce your stress and increase your profits.Read this article in it's entirety.Carmin Wharton is a home-based business expert and the founder of e-BlackWomenNetwork.com, a membership community designed to take businesses owned by women of color from start up to prosperity. Carmin's mission is to help women earn what they're worth and make it big in their home-based business on their own terms.

YES WE DO ALL NEED EACH OTHER................

Posted by GLORIA NEWSOME on February 23, 2009 at 7:54pm

Whether you come from the East, West, North, and South. All of us have something to share and to contribute. We are different from each other, yet we are similar because each of us is Somebody.We may have different backgrounds, nations, languages, colors, cultures, likes, dislikes, habits, and manners in every way of life. Each difference makes us, a people of variety. It is this difference, this variety, that gives life its wonderful mystery and challenge.For when times get hard we all need to buckle down and help each other. We need courage to make it through hard times, but we need each other to carry us for some days we all need someone to go in search for us. Yes our lives may be different, but what makes us similar is our determination to live life fully....we need each other because we have a similar bond. We need each other to get through all the high's and low's that life hands out to us all.Our differences should make us reach out to one another. They should bring us closer together in order to learn from and about each other. The ultimate joy would be experienced as soon as we realized that each of us is a piece of a puzzle and, that without each other, we would make the picture incomplete. The joy of differences will be experienced by our fellowship with one another.Many people suffer from a social disease called cultural myopia. This is the tendency to view members of another ethnic group negatively. And this social disease is one that needs a quick cure. All of us need to open up, for by opening up will make us recognize one another. We need to understand each other so we can appreciate each other, for Appreciation is the foundation of genuine relationships, something we all are in search of.Unless we realize that we as a people are regardless of backgrounds, nations, languages, colors, cultures, likes, dislikes, habits, and manners, we are all on the same team in this life together. It will be extremely difficult if not impossible to experience the joy of differences and the richness of diversity.Let us always keep in mind that we truly do complement each other. That we share the commonality called humanity. Though our cultures may be different, our needs remain similar. All of us need to be wanted, loved, appreciated, and to be needed...we want and need to know that we matter.I have to admit that in the times when I am hurting and my insides are churning, my eyes are full from the tears, which are burning with the thoughts and emotions that causes my heart such struggles. I know that I am in need of someone to help get me through with kindness and understanding. We all have those days when we find ourselves down, hurting, disappointed, disillusioned, alone, lonely with feelings of unloved, unwanted, unneeded that we sit quietly asking God to just send someone to reach out and care what we are going through...for in this life we all are going through something , just many of us have a better way of covering it up.For we all are connected by a system of our cultured roots. We grow up in families that nurture and guide us. We learn early to make friends who support us in different ways. We are not meant to survive long without others. And we do best when we hold onto one another and help each other to keep standing through life's storms. We need others to hold us up, encourage us and to stand with us. It helps to remember how much we really are. It might be time to let someone else help hold you up for awhile, or perhaps someone needs to hang on to you. We all need each other to guide us on our way, so let's promise each other that we will always try to respect be strong, and encourage each other.But what is even more important is people's attitudes, people's minds, and people's hearts. People's hearts can create barriers, because they don't understand each other. For to care about others, it takes a two-way communication. In order to create a truly barrier-free society we as people have to truly be willing to openly communicate with each other.Some of us build walls, houses, cities, borders, and fences just so that we don't have to be burdened with the uncertainty of not knowing the intentions of another. We repress our feelings so deep until we even forget what we ran from in the first place until we explode and we crash. The further we get from each other, the more we alienate each other.Don't hold to anger, hurt, jealousy, non-understanding or pain for they only steal your energy and keep you from loving one another. In each of us there is something that only some other person can fully bring out in us. We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity and the only way we can fully see ourselves objectively is through the reflection of others. We need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving. We need to be slower to anger and more prompt to help. We need to extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. We need to love one another with the highest form of the purest love.We all evolved on this earth from one celled organisms, we are all made the same, we all run the same way, we all think in similar ways, we all care about and are connected to our families, friends, loved one, strangers and we are all connected to neighborhoods and towns and cities and states and countries. What we do affects many other people, and if we were to follow the effects of one action through the days, we would see how much we all really influence each other. And if we are spiritual, we would learn that people's memories are even more connected. And we have the same creator, we just may recognize them by another name, and no matter what it is we are all still connected. We are all born, we live making our mark on this life then we all die, we can all tell what each other is feeling, even if we can't tell what each other is thinking! We all need love, tenderness, a helping hand and trust that we need to offer each other. There is nothing to fear....learn to not see with your eyes but with your heart in order to be accepting of others.Let us stand together as one and celebrate one another. Let us reset our focus and experience the joy of differences. For everything that we do in our lives is to become closer to God in your own way, which doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest.....for we are responsible for each other’s spiritual growth for we all need each other to become complete!We need each other in times of private pain, of fear and stress.We need each other to share our joys, our times of happiness.We need each other to hold on to and to be strong, and encourage when things are going wrong.We need each other to keep the faith and love, and to remind each other of all the things we're dreaming of, for the bottom lines is that we need each other, now and always for what greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all that matters, to minister to each other in all the sorrow, and to share with each other in all gladness, to be one with each others in the silent of unspoken memories!May we always need one another, not so much to fill our emptiness as to help each other to know our fullness.Always remember and never forget that YOU are not alone in whatever you may be going through in your life.I need you all and from my heart I truly appreciate you for who your are!From My Heart 2 YoursMzGloria

How to Get Better Results with Less Money

Posted by Joyce Oladipo on February 23, 2009 at 7:30pm

You need to make sure your marketing message resonates with the audience you are targeting. Most business owners don't spend enough time in selecting who they are going to market to.Not only do you have to select the right target market but you need to make sure that they want what you provide. Most people think they need to reach a lot pf people but that’s not true you need to reach the most qualified people.The key to your success is shrinking the size of your target market so you can market to them over and over again. It is immeasurably better to contact a prospect list of 1,000 people continuously than it is to mail to 10,000 one-time.That is why I love lead generation marketing. You can mail some many times to a huge group of prospects and then only contact those who raise their hand and show they are interested in what you have to offer.If you have an extremely small target market, you should probably forgo lead generation and just start contacting them at least once a month via email or by phone but if you have a huge list of suspects, then you should absolutely use lead generation advertising you start by sending letters to a small target audience to shrink the size of your list.Bottom line: You need to shrink the size of our target market so you can contact your prospects repetitively."Would you like to learn more simple ways entrepreneurs can grow their business, and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses? Check out my web site, http://www.beawealthyentrepreneur.com, for free articles, free resources and to sign up for my free proft building kit, including my report "19 Secrets to Exponentially Grow Your Business."

Busy Bee

Posted by Michaela on February 23, 2009 at 4:44pm

I was a busy bee last week. We had a mandatory shutdown on President's Day, I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Wednesday and took Thursday off to "recover".I had plenty of time to get alot of things done. Monday I spent most of the day cutting and making 4 new bags for the Spring. I have 2 new Jenni bags up and posted and I also made 2 more Book Totes. I just love those 2 styles and every time I look at the photo's, I just want to keep them for myself.

I started making product pages for my website and I am satisfied with that. Building a website with NO prior knowledge of HTML and such is hard... it's VERY hard. But it is worth it. I love knowing that I created it. There are alot of other things that I would like to do with it and plan on taking a Dreamweaver course in the Spring, hopefully if we get schedules figured out.Last week, was a very productive week and I hope to have more like that.Michaela PhiferOwner/Designer Myla's Bagswww.mylasbags.comwww.mylasbags.ecrater.com

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER..

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on February 23, 2009 at 3:07pm

Moving Forward TogetherThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neithermale nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28America has just made history by electing its first black president. It is trulya great testimony to the social reform that is taking place in the World today.As an African American I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement about what thefuture holds. No longer can any excuse be used to justify a lack of initiative.However as a Christian when I reflect on where the church is, I must admit thatI am saddened. Despite the fact that Martin Luther King, Jr. shamed hisChristian brethren in 1963 with the words "we must face the fact that inAmerica, the church is still the most segregated major institution in America."At 11:00 on Sunday morning when we stand and sing and Christ has no east orwest, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation."According to the Multiracial Congregations Project only 8% percent of churchesare statistically multiracial, meaning that no one racial-ethnic groupconstitutes more than 80% of the membership.Obviously, there are some practical reasons for separate worship such as musicperformance, preaching styles and worshiping closer to home.Worshiping separately is both bad and a good thing. Bad in the sense it givesthe impression of disunity within the body of Christ. It says that we are whiteor black first and Christian second. It could be viewed as good only in thesense we get to worship in freedom, where we want.Paul, in his letter to Galatians said "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there isneither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one inChrist Jesus." In Christ we are Christians! Our race, ethnicity, income,posterity and educational achievements should all be secondary to the fact weare Christian!Let's not let reform only exist in the world of politics; let's reform thechurch by understanding who we are in Christ and walking in love.

LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS..

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on February 23, 2009 at 3:04pm

Loving God, Loving OthersWe live in a world today where love, the unselfish loyal concern for others, isnot discussed, described, nor displayed enough. But there is discussion,description, and a full display of the opposite of it.There's war, violence, hate, prejudice and much more we see and hear ofeveryday. And in the body of Christ, it's not in full operation or productioneither. There's jealousy, envy, strife, selfishness and much more when we walkin and out of those doors of the "four walls."We the church are the light of the world, so the love that flows from God intous, should flow out of us, and be more evident and reflective among us. "Yourlove for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John13:35).How can we say that we love God without having the love of the Lord for oursisters and brothers? It can't happen any other way. When we love others, it'salso a sign of worship to the Lord. As our love for the Lord continues todevelop and grow inside of our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls, we can't helpbut love one another.As a Worship Leader, after leading God's people into His presence, I would oftenremind the people of God, "Now with that same love that you have, turn and showsomeone else that you love them." Jesus, the True Vine tells us, "I command youto love each other in the same way that I love you." (John 15:12).1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is what we call the love chapter. It tells us that wecan have every gift and tremendous talent there is, but if we don't have loveone for another, they wouldn't mean a thing to God, because he calls His peopleto love each other.The gift of speaking in tongues would sound like brass used for making a loudsound or like clashing cymbals, just a bunch of noise! We can have the gift ofprophecy and know everything about everything and the gift of faith where wecould speak to a mountain and tell it, "Get out of my way!" but we have no love,we wouldn't be of any good or help to anybody. We would be absolutely nothing.This chapter of the word of God is one that we can read over and over and overand then apply it to our lives over and over and over . . . the greatest of allis love.To love others also means to forgive others. If you love someone, you should beable to forgive them also. That's the kind of love that God has for us. When wesay we love God and others, we're also saying that we need one another too.There's a song that we sing often in our church entitled, I Need You To Survive.Let this song become a part of you today.

SOMEBODY NEEDS WHAT YOU CAN GIVE...

Posted by WHO'S THAT GIRL BLESSED BY GOD? on February 23, 2009 at 2:52pm

Somebody Needs What You Can GiveNumbers are significant to God.The number "9" signifies "gifts," and "fruit." 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 states thatwe are given nine different ways in which the Holy Spirit shows Himself in ourlives. And as with the "gifts of the Spirit" described in Galatians 5:22, theseare inner qualities that bless those around us when we share them.For those of us who love God and truly want to see His presence manifested inour lives, I believe that in 2009 it will be especially important to reach outto those around us with the gifts we are given.How we share our blessings, gifts, and talents with others is how we show God'slove and allow our lives to be a light to the world around us.Love is a verb - an action word. We can love those around us by our simpleactions of giving. Each of us has something to give our world. And somebody outthere needs what you can give!Giving is not about a financial thing -- although that is one way to give.Sharing with others stems from our inner being; it is giving of ourselves, ourtalents and our abilities. Today one of the most valuable gifts we can givesomeone may be our time.Any time is a good time to give, however, during seasons of struggle, hardship,or transition -- which many of us are experiencing now -- I think it isespecially important. It is easy to become self-absorbed, and feel we havenothing to give.But I assure you, you have something somebody needs. It may be a warm smile, ora friendly touch! I have found through my own experiences that when I'm goingthrough difficult times, it helps to make a deliberate and conscious choice togive of myself to others.While going through a series of very painful experiences, I visited a nearbynursing home and devoted a portion of every week to five elderly people who hadnobody else visiting them. My gifts to them were simple:I listened to stories of their childhood adventures.I held their hands and told them stories of my own.I joked with them.Sometimes I brought them soft cookies they could "gum" on -- or little bouquetsof flowers they could smell, even if they couldn't see them.By sharing simple acts of kindness with these precious seniors, not only wasGod's love manifested, but it brought me incredible blessings of joy andhappiness and allowed me to focus on the positive side of my personal life. Whenwe give to others it is impossible not to be blessed.In 2009, a year that I call "The Year of the Spirit," I encourage you to taketime to hear the small still voice within.Be sensitive to God's Spirit in every area of your life. Find simple ways ofsharing the gifts He has given you with the people around you. You will, inturn, find yourself filled with joy and contentment, as you become His handextended to a hurting world.Remember, your life is a gift from God - what you do with your life is your giftto Him.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.