Gospel Today Responds to The James and Cheryl Fortune Child Abuse Suit

This week I was shocked at the $5 million suit brought against the Fortune family. With a new cd released recently, a BET nomination for Best Gospel Artist and the Fortunes gracing a recent cover of Gospel Today as one of their "It" couples I'm sure that this news becoming public has been a huge blow to their family, friends and fans this week.

From Twitter to blog sites to gospel radio stations people are commenting on this topic. Some with prayer and some with outrage. We can only pray for those involved in this matter and hope for an amicable outcome for both families.

Over the past month we've seen a mega pastor arrested for disciplining his daughter and now this. This is a critical time to reiterate that as Christians we have to know God for ourselves and not rely on those in the spotlight to aid us in building a relationship with God. Pastors and recording artists are human just like we are. The only difference is their wider platforms to reach lost souls and of course their fame and fortune.

If the details of the suit are true my prayers go out to the child at the center of this suit. But let this be a huge lesson that being "It" isn't always as good as it seems.

Go to the following link to read Gospel Today's response.

Gospel Today Responds to The James and Cheryl Fortune Abuse Suit

Embrace the New You Youth Conference 2012

Too Much Oil



My son and I have an issue with lawn care equipment. No matter how hard we try we can mess some stuff up. It could be a rake, a weeder or in this case a lawnmower. OK. Our second lawnmower. The first one was given to us as a gift. I have no idea what my son did, but what I do know is that it doesn't work anymore. Within the past couple of years my father gave us a new lawnmower. Like really new. Well...we haven't used it this year, or last year for that matter because it doesn't, rather it didn't work. It had this whole smoke out leaking liquid thing going on. It didn't look good. It definitely didn't smell good. So we've stopped using it. We come into the garage and just stare at it like "What did we do wrong this time?"

Since summer started I have been hearing several preachers preach about the woman who owed a debt and she had nothing but some oil. I remember one Sunday hearing Pastor RA Vernon preach the scripture and another Sunday I heard it preached by Pastor Jamal Bryant, preach Black Man!! In Pastor Jamal's sermon he discussed how the woman had everything she needed in her house and how the oil represented the anointing. He spoke about how people are always trying to think outside of the box and everything God wants for them is within.

So I'm trying to figure some stuff out here. One of them being who can I get to fix this lawnmower or should I get it replaced?  Would prefer fixed, our yard has issues. Recently one of my closest friends celebrated her birthday, afterwards her husband wanted to come look at our bicycles to see if my younger son could start riding. We he saw the bikes, he looked them over and stated there's nothing wrong with them. Well what about the lawnmower? He decided to take it home and look it over.

Later that week I get a text. A nice/irritated text. He stated "somebody put too much oil in the lawnmower and that's why it didn't work.." So he drained it and we sat the filter out and guess what. My son will be cutting the grass soon. It works!!!! At least for now.

I began to think about the sermons I had heard and the scriptures associated with the sermons. I called my mom and I asked her about being anointed and if one can have too much oil, too much anointing. She told me that God gives you the anointing that you need to do what He calls you to do.

"But Mom can you have too much anointing?"

"Honey, no you can't have too much anointing but you can have enough anointing where it will cause people to come and see about you."

Amen Amen and Amen Everything I needed was inside the box too much oil and all.

Elisha and the Widow's Oil

Light of The World Ministries 6th Anniversary July 13-15

For six years, Light of the World has stood for integrity, impact and influence. Our wonderful staff works tirelessly so that we may transform our city…one heart at a time. So if we're going to work hard, we might as well play hard. We'll be celebrating six years with our... Church Anniversary the weekend of July 13-15.

Friday 7/13 – 7pm

Pastor Mike McClure from Birmingham, AL, Called II Worship, and New Vision will all be in the “House!”


Saturday 7/14 – 11am

We're also taking our 'Lot Party to another level with a Car Show this year! Free music, games, and rides! Bring out the entire family!

Sunday 7/15

Join us for morning worship at 10:30 for our "House" Party!
 

Great Summer Read: Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Bookclub Night On The Town

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

Favorite song ever!!!! Around this time of year I don't even want to listen to the radio. Forever a fan.

SKY VBS 2012 White Oak Christian Church

A couple of weeks ago I had the incredible experience of serving as a Family Leader for Vacation Bible School at Mount Airy Elementary, hosted by White Oak Christian Church and Light of the World Ministries. What I had heard about White Oak was that they did VBS big. What I experienced was that White Oak does VBS incredible!!!

As a mommy, a teacher, and a servant in children's ministry I am always interested in other church's children's ministry programs not only so that I can learn but so that my child and other people's children can learn too.

My role in VBS this year was to be a Family Leader. I was with my family group for 3 hours each day. We worshipped together, ate together, played together, learned together and we created together. I tell you that by the end of the week my group of children and I had became like a little family.

Some of the incredible experiences were Bible Adventures and Missions Mania. OMG!! During Missions Mania we all got to pretend that we were on an airplane. We traveled to India, Turkey, Ethopia, and Hati. This truly blessed us to learn about so many different cultures. On the night that we studied about Ethopia we saw a video entitled The Burden of Thirst. In this video we discovered that women in this country had a struggle unimaginable to us. Please view.

The Bible Adventures segment was amazing in that each day the room transformed into the story being presented. The pictures shown on this site are from my favorite adventure story. When I walked in and saw the crosses I about passed out. Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. The person presenting the story never came out of character. He was so good!! He discussed making the crosses and demostrated how a person would be nailed to one. As an activity he gave us black strips of material, this represented bad stuff. We prayed in our family groups about bad stuff and then we layed our strips, the bad stuff, on the cross.

But it didn't end there. Next the faciliator rolled away the stone of where Jesus was buried and the cave lit up and all the children were given glow braclets to represent Jesus being the the Light. Man!!!!! Whew!!!!

This VBS experience truly left me with a different view of Children's Ministry. You first have to have a passion for God and for children. But then you have to be willing to use your gifts and resources to make the Word of God come alive for children. Even the games we played were so creative and engaging.

What an incredible experience for the children and for myself! I've already signed up for next year.

The biggest lesson I learned at Sky VBS this year.

No matter who you are

No matter how you feel

No matter what people do

No matter what happens

Trust God

Sleep Eludes Me

He ignores me when I need him most. He leaves me up til 2 or 3 in the morning. I think he's cheating on me #sleep better get it 2gether💤

Happy - Fred Hammond

Listening to Pandora recently I heard this song for the first the time. It just sends me dancing throughout the house.

Auto Show at Light of The World Ministries July 14, 2012

More information to come.

Visit us at http://www.lowcincy.org/

Breakfast With My Boys



Well summer is upon us. It's been a bit of a slow down for my family. At least enough of a slow down that for one whole week I was able to prepare and eat breakfast with my sons. Not only did they help, but on some mornings breakfast was ready when I woke up. Yay!!

 It really didn't hit me to about Wednesday that this was actually occurring. It's so easy to get lost in moments or to take moments for granted.

As we sat around with our pancakes, scrabbled eggs and Kroger's Homestyle Orange Juice (but of course!!! lol) we laughed and talked about plans for the summer and the newness this upcoming school year will bring. To see them laughing and full of life brought such joy to me. Not mention that after breakfast each morning my younger son put a whooping on us playing Uno. Who knew you could stack the Draw 2's and Draw 4's? Alex and I didn't. Lol.

During the school year it's so hectic with work, making sure homework is completed, keeping paperwork filled out, and attending basketball games. Sometimes we are doing something just grabbing a handful of cereal as we push out the door.

So during this summer, as much as our schedules permit we will sit and have our meals together because before we know it these opportunities will be few and far between.

But, You Said ~ Da'dra Crawford Greathouse

Da'dra Crawford Greathouse is a national gospel recording artist (Anointed) and Worship Leader at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. Yesteday she posted a powerful message on Facebook that I thought I would share on this site. You will be encouraged by her message.

BUT, YOU SAID...


I overslept yesterday morning, so I didn't get a chance to tell you about what happened the night before. I was up very late because my youngest son had me trapped! The previous night, he asked if I could paint his face so he looked like he tiger. I said yes. (That was my 1st mistake LOLOL) But, it was so late, I told him to go to bed and I would do it in the morning. Well.....morning came and we were running behind (busy households know what I'm talking about LOL) and the 1st thing he asked when we were rushing was, "Mom, do you remember YOU SAID you were going to paint my face like a tiger?" I told him I remembered, but we had to get moving and that I would paint his face when we got home that evening. He exclaimed, "But, MOM....YOU SAID...!"


Well, evening came and I was still cooking and cleaning and around 11:00 p.m. he comes in the room saying, "Mom....remember YOU SAID you were gonna paint my face? I have the paint and my brushes? Please Mom, Please?" At that point, I had to honor my word and follow through. Why? I want to teach my children to be people of integrity and to the best of their ability, keep their word. I also want to give them an earthly example of what a relationship with God is like. He keeps His word. So...EXHAUSTED AND READY TO GO TO SLEEP, I agreed to do the face paint...even though he was only going to have it on for a few minutes because it was way past his bedtime. LOL But, Ps. 15:1, 'Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?...those who keep their promises even when it hurts.' Ummm, Even when it hurts...that was me. LOL


The following morning, this came to me...we should all be like children. When you children you are going to do something, they will not release it! LOL They won't give up and they will stay in expectation until you do exactly what you said you would do. My son kept saying, "You said...but you said...but you said." And that is what you need to say. "But, God you said you would supply all my needs according to your riches (not mine) in glory. But, you said the you would make me the head and not the tail. You said you would make to be above only and not beneath. You said you would make me a lender and not a borrower. You said that by your stripes, I WAS healed, so I need a manifestation! You said that I would be blessed coming in and going out. You said that you would open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings that I would not have room enough to contain!


See, when you do this, you are reminding God of His promises to YOU! Is. 43:26 says, "Put me in remembrance: let us contend together: state your case, that you may be proved right." I love it! Why would God need to be reminded of anything? Reminding Him is not for Him...IT'S FOR YOU! God is telling you right now to remind Him of what He has declared for your life. And listen when you find the promises in His word, you need to SPEAK them out loud. Why? Let me give you 2 reasons: 1)There is power in what you say! You will have what you say and if you say the right things, then you life will go in the right direction. 2) Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. In other words...your faith to believe what God has spoken to you will only come by hearing these words spoken over your life. Let me tell you, I always thought this scripture limited the speaking to a teacher or preacher or someone else. I thought that my faith would increase if I heard someone else speak it over my life. But, I have come to realize that faith comes by HEARING and you can hear yourself speaking over your own life.


Who am I talking to today? You don't have to wait for some one to give you a word...you speak the word over your own life! LOL I love it! Oh, I feel it this morning. You are the architect of your own destiny and God has already drawn up the plans! Put God in remembrance of them! Tell Him, God, YOU SAID that I would be married. YOU SAID that you open up new doors for me. YOU SAID that I would not die but LIVE and declare your works. YOU SAID it ain't over until YOU SAY it's over. YOU SAID that you would never leave me nor forsake me. YOU SAID that I would recover all! YOU SAID, that you would give me double for my trouble. YOU SAID that you would make my enemies my footstool. YOU SAID that I am more than a conqueror. YOU SAID THAT I AM VICTORIOUS IN YOU!


What has God said to you? He will keep His word if you say what He said. If you receive it, shout, "YEAH!" Whew. Have a blessed, prosperous and productive day. I'm gonna go workout now. Love ya'll

WIP The Runway Fashion Experience

What do you get when you combine a woman with a vision, a beautiful location, and a host of Christian designers? What you get is an absolute wonderful evening of fashion, fun and networking.  All of this in a church sanctuary. That's right the sanctuary was transformed into a chic, fashion runway. Lights! Camera! Action!

For about six years I have passed Towne Worship Center to and from work. I had never been inside and was more than excited to attend this event. I had met the organizer, Stephanie Gordon, last summer and we are friends on FB. She has a sense of style that is obvious to the eye when you see her. So when she started posting info for the WIP (Wear It Proud) Experience I knew it would be an awesome event to attend.

The evening included not only fashion but some powerful videos and ministry by The Movement and SYNT also. What I loved most about this fashion show was that it was located in a church and yet it didn't have that pastel suit/hat combo feel to it. All of the models looked amazing in their outfits and it made me think Hmmmmm!!! I see some items I can purchase that would benefit designers that are believers. Now that's something to be proud about.

Below are a list of designers showcased at this event.

Disciple Clothing Co.

Warrior Poet Clothier

Jesus Life

Higher Authority Clothing

C28

Active Faith

Agape Gear

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

When It All Falls Apart ~ Riva Tims



I can reflect back now on waiting to see Pastor Zach Tims on the Word Network or TBN. He always had such an amazing and magnetic energy. I would love to watch him and his wife minister together. To many they seemed to have it all. Good looks, a family, and a growing ministry. Then all of a sudden you heard the rumors or you read about them online and eventually it all fell apart.

I follow Pastor Riva on Facebook and when I saw she had a book out I knew I had to read it. I knew she had some revelations and principles that I could apply to my personal situations. Once I downloaded to my Kindle I sat and read the Preface. Whew!!! Just that section alone confirmed that Pastor Riva's experiences were going to aid in blessing and healing others. The tears fell as I thought about how through our trials God still keeps us. He's an awesome God!!

What I love about this book is not just her openness but also her ability to line up scriptures and stories in the Bible so that readers can have a point of reference to further understand that our problems don't catch God by surprise and that He is always there, even in our darkest hours.

Be prepared to discover more about yourself as Pastor Riva shares her pains, heartaches and restoration on her path back to ministry and back to who God called her to be.

I would recommend this book for a Women's Bible study. So many women are going through but don't know how to get through. When It All Fall Apart helps you get through.

Steve Harvey Preaching On TBN..... Know Your Purpose ...

You have to attach yourself to your gift. Your gift is the thing you do the absolute best with the least amount of effort. Your gift is what you do.

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. (NIV)

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. (KJV)

Stop chasing the passion and pursue the gift.

This message is INCREDIBLE!!! My favorite quote from Steve Harvey ~ I was who I was but I am who I am and I'm cool with both them people.

You have to sit and really listen to this message. Your gift will truly make room for you but you have to prepare the way for the gift to come.

Be Blessed and Go Get It!!!!

William Murphy III Overflow

The Gospel In Four Minutes

Victorious Secrets - Light of The World Ministries (Cincinnati, OH)