promoting purpose magazine
DESCRIPTION
Check out some of the most annointed, inspirational, encouraging, lessoned learned articles around. Also check out the annointed and inspired men and woman that advertised with us in this issue. There spiritual creativity can be a great gift for those your love. visit us at www.promotingpurposemagazine.comTRANSCRIPT
INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES
5 The Reason for the Season!
9 Benefits of a Message
24 Den of Thieves
28 Pastors Byrd
30 MESS!
32 Shades of Black and Blue
36 Break the Chain of
Reaction
39 The Essence of Win-Win
Partnership
THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON
It‟s that time of year where family and friends come to
celebrate by exchanging gifts and eating dinner with those
they love. Although that is how society shows Christmas in
commercials and television shows, the real reason for
Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ. Although there is
no real date indicating when he was born, it is still a
celebration worth having, but we shouldn‟t just wait until
Christmas to rejoice, love, exchange gifts, and remember the
baby that would sacrifice his life so that we would be able to
have mercy and everlasting life. We should remember Christ
at all times, love at all times, rejoice at all times and be
thankful for those you love. We should be able to smile at a
stranger passing us by in the store and say hello at all times,
not just when the Christmas tree is lighted, holiday tunes are
playing, and the malls and stores are crowded with shoppers.
Rejoice and be glad for life, family and friends. Never wait
until Christmas to give and share what‟s in your heart. For
tomorrow is not promised to us. If you feel like picking up a
gift for someone in the month of April, then do so. But most
of all enjoy and celebrate the real reason for the season; and
that‟s the birth of Jesus Christ!
By: Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui
“PROVERBS 31: THE VIRTUOUS BLACK WOMAN
VOLUME 1.”
BY AUTHOR RUSSEL
BLAKE
“If one Black Woman is
thought to be expendable,
then every Black woman’s
immeasurable value is now
diminished in the eyes of the
World.”
“Proverbs 31:The Virtuous
Black Woman Volume 1”
communicates the precious and
priceless value/existence of
Black Women to the minds of
black men, the rights to be
treated with unwavering
respect and dignity in the
minds of black women and the
seeds of reverence to be sown
by the virtue of changing
perception one community at a
time.
ISBN: 978-0-615-34398-3
NOW AVAILABLE AT:
www.russelblake.net
Tina Kay has been chosen as
the face and spokesperson
for Life South Blood Bank.
She will travel the southeast
encouraging people to
donate blood and register for
the bone marrow registry.
See “Be The Match” for more
information.
Tina continues to push her
book “TKay’s Inspirational:
Walking In Your Season and
will soon have a workbook
companion to go along with
her book. She hopes people
will start book clubs in their
homes, work, churches or
wherever with her book and
companion. Living with sickle
cell disease is no easy life but
she takes everyday in stride
hoping and trying to better
others lives. She is a motivational speaker as well as a spokesperson
for sickle cell disease and Life South. If you would like to have her
speak at your event please contact her at [email protected] and
visit her website to purchase a book and soon a workbook.
Benefits of Massage
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is
stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally
and externally, than high stress. Massage therapy is an
effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:
Decreased anxiety.
Enhanced sleep quality.
Greater energy.
Improved concentration.
Increased circulation.
Reduced fatigue.
Massage can also help specifically address a number of health
issues. Bodywork can:
Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of
motion.
Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant
mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
Ease medication dependence.
Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the
body's natural defense system.
Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied
muscles.
Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover
from, strenuous workouts.
Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—
the skin.
Increase joint flexibility.
Lessen depression and anxiety.
Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue
and stretch marks.
Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital
organs, improving circulation.
Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.
Reduce spasms and cramping.
Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused
muscles.
Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the
body's natural painkiller.
Relieve migraine pain.
Shelby Frederick
Licensed Massage
Therapist
Owner ~ Healing
Oasis Total Body
Therapy, LLC in
Reynoldsburg, OH
Marlas J. Sells is a Christian singer, writer,
and motivational speaker. She co-founded
Words of Inspiration Ministries along with
her husband, Robert T. Sells (aka The
Anointed Poet). She is also co-owner of
RobMar Publishing. She is currently
writing a book with her husband, entitled
“Not Denied,” which is her first novella.
Marlas serves as co-director of Wagfest
Inspirations, the inspirational division of
Wagfest/NIANAF, which provides a
networking platform and venues for
independent authors, artists and
entrepreneurs to introduce themselves and
their work to a nationwide audience and
market. Marlas sings with her husband at
many church events and conferences. She sits on the board of
Women of Hope Ministry at Living Hope Church in
Merrillville, Indiana and HIS Strength Ministries at Christ
Worship Center in Dolton, Illinois. She has 21 years
experience as a secretary in the legal field where she honed
her interpersonal and organizational skills as well as her
attention to details.
Working on her knowledge of graphic design, she…..
Read more by subscribing to our Printed issue or digital
www.promotingpurposemagazine.com
PPM Interview with Christian Singer, Writer
and Motivational Speaker Marlas Sells!
PPM: Hello Marlas thank you so much for joining
us here at PPM. If you would, please tell us a
little about yourself. Who is Marlas?
MARLAS: "I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana and I am
the youngest of 5 children. I'm a writer, motivational speaker,
and singer. I oversee Words of Inspiration Ministries with my
husband."
PPM: At what point in time did you realize that teamwork and
supporting your husband's, Robert T. Sells (aka The Anointed
Poet), purpose was of importance?
MARLAS: "Immediately. I mean, there wasn't a single
moment that passed from the time he spoke the words to me of
the vision God gave to him. I immediately caught the fire of
the vision and then, amazingly, God showed me that there was
so much more to it than just the book. God expanded the
vision inside of me and it was like a floodgate had opened. So
I began to tell Robert what God was showing me and we both
were like, 'WOW!' just blown away. God is amazing."
PPM: How important do you feel it is to wait on God for a
spouse?
MARLAS: "I think it's the most important thing you can do.
And I say that because of my own life and the things that I've
been through. I was married previously and it wasn't a 'God-
ordained' marriage, so it floundered until it finally failed. The
floundering was us, mostly me, trying to make it work, you
know, because the failure could have come long before it did,
but there's always that attempt at saving it. It's like trying to
Promoting Purpose Magazine 14
bail out a sinking ship with a bucket, even with all of
your efforts, the ship eventually sinks anyway.
But praise God for second chances. I'm a living
witness that you can be redeemed from the mistakes of
your past. We were both praying for a spouse and God
said 'here she is; here he is', it just clicked right away for us. I
mean as soon as we knew for sure, there was no stopping us
and no looking back. God placed Robert and me together and
we've been blessed beyond measure ever since."
PPM: Were there any sacrifices on your part to ensure the
ministry runs smoothly?
MARLAS: "Oh, gosh, yes! There have been days when I just
wanted to say 'look, I'm on the sofa, don't bother me.' But I
know that anything worth having is worth the work. All the
time, dedication, effort, energy and hard work that have gone
into the success of the ministry have been so worth it. It's been
a labor of love from day one".
PPM: We all have our own race to run individually; we all
have our own purpose. Besides being supportive, what would
you say Marlas' purpose as an individual is?
MARLAS: "It's so funny that you asked this question. I think
my purpose is to be a counselor. I'm constantly counseling
someone in this situation or the other, but I truly enjoy it and
there is never a time when someone calls me or emails me that
I don't set aside the time to talk to them or email them back,
because I understand the importance of when someone is
reaching out for help and being able to provide them with
some sort of comfort or that listening ear or that shoulder to
cry on, yet at the same time, also reassuring them through
prayer and scriptures”.
PPM: What is Marlas and Robert Sells' next move?
MARLAS: "A laundry list of projects. Right now, we're
preparing for Robert to go back in studio to work on the
second CD. We're doing the wrap up on the novella that we're
Promoting Purpose Magazine 15
co-writing. It's pretty much done, but it needs some tweaking
and editing, things like that. Books 3 and 4 in the poetry series
are nearing the wrap up stage. There's also a Christmas project
that we're pulling ideas together on and possibly a music
video”.
PPM: We know it takes sleepless nights, long hours, traveling
and lots of sacrifice. What motivates you to make yourself
available?
MARLAS:"The motivation for me is seeing the fruits of our
labors. This has truly been a labor of love from the beginning
for Robert and me. We're seeing how the ministry is touching
people and affecting lives and that's what it's all about.
Making a difference for someone else, helping others to
connect to God through the poetry and anything else we do.
When we get testimonies of how this poem affected someone,
or how something we said or did made a difference for
someone, that motivates you to want to do more. At least it
does for me. I love knowing that the simplest things we do can
make a tremendous impact on someone else. That's what
ministry, real ministry, is about."
PPM: What would you tell someone that has a dream to
become something but at this point they don‟t see any
progress and perhaps feel that it‟s just a dream and nothing
more?
MARLAS: "I would tell them to follow their dream
no matter what, especially if the dream is tied to
their destiny. Everything else will fall into place
after that."
PPM: What do you do to relax?
MARLAS: "Sleep, mostly. LOL I can't say I do
anything in particular to relax, but spending time with my
husband, just being with him, relaxes me. Even if we're
working on something together, it's still relaxing to be with
Promoting Purpose Magazine 16
him. My favorite thing to do is put on my jammies, drink hot
chocolate and watch a movie together. Or sit on the deck with
a cup of coffee with him. My time with him is very relaxing
because we get to shut the world out and just be us. I love it. I
also find cooking relaxing. Since we're hardly ever home, I
don't get to cook much. So when I get the chance, I love to
make a nice home cooked meal for us. Being home and in my
surroundings relaxes me."
PPM: Where do you see yourself in the next year or so?
MARLAS: "That's a good question. I can definitely say
continuing to do all we can to keep the ministry going and
growing in the direction that God wants it to go. Maybe,
venturing out overseas. We've had several requests from
people to bring the ministry to England, Russia and Australia.
We're waiting on God.
PPM: We‟ve discovered you have a talented voice. At what
point in your life did you realize you wanted to minister to
others through your singing?
Read more by subscribing to our digital or printed issues of
Promoting Purpose Magazine!
Promoting Purpose Magazine 17
Hello Mr. Russel, Thank you so much for
joining us at PPM!
PPM: You are known for several things.
Your work as an author of “Proverbs 31: The
Virtuous Black Woman Volume 1”, as well as
being internationally known as a Music
Producer/Composer and Bassist/Concert
Soloist.
Russel: I’ve been very fortunate to have
garnered a level of recognition for my
work in both the music & literary fields.
For this I am very grateful unto GOD.
PPM: At what point in time did you realize
you had the gift of music, and when did you realize you can use it to
inspire and encourage others?
Russel: My first professional experiences began at the age of 12.
I was working/ performing as a Bassist in New York City. In
addition to my Dad’s 10-piece Latin Music Orchestra, I was also
performing/working with the biggest names in Latin music from
12 years old to about 17. People like Machito & His Orchestra,
Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Pappo Lucca, Rafael Cortijo (who
was the founder of El Gran Combo which could be compared to
the Earth, Wind & Fire of Latin music).
I also worked with a number of great Latin-Jazz Artists from the
age of 14. People like Hilton Ruiz, Jorge Dalto (musical director
for George Benson) Michel Camillo, Mongo Santamaria, etc; At
the age of 17 I went on tour with South African Jazz Trumpeter
& Activist Hugh Masakela and then on to Chaka Khan,
Harry Belafonte, Mary Wells, Dee Dee Bridgewater,
Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, etc; From these
incredible musical experiences I witnessed firsthand the
incredible healing and inspirational power of Music.
Promoting Purpose Magazine 18
PPM: Were there any obstacles at the
beginning, when you found out your talent and
how you were able to use them?
Russel: The obstacles I experienced were
due to my young age and the concerns of the
club owners and music festival promoters
that they could lose their liquor license were it either reported or
found out that a minor was performing/working in there
establishment(s). What was most often done was that the
members of the band would all stand in front of me while I was
placed in the back and sitting down performing in order for me
to be hid from view.
PPM: We notice by your website, and both social media and your
various web pages that you‟ve been doing a lot of traveling. How
important is spending time with your family during your down time?
Russel: Coincidentally, I am currently on the road right now
while doing this interview/article. When my Dad first placed the
four-string electric bass in my hands at my tender age of 12 years
old, he had me to study and practice the instrument 4 hours a
day everyday. He motivated me by prophesying that like my
brother Alex before me, this instrument will take me around the
world and enable me to see places that people dream about
visiting. His vision has come to pass in that as of this date I have
performed, toured and taught in 65 countries thus far.
A professional musician’s life garners these benefits and multiple
more simply by virtue of your chosen
occupation. Yet, one of the most regrettable
aspects of traveling and touring is that the
majority of the time you are not able to share
these experiences with your loved ones. With
the exception of calling home and sending post
cards, you are most often in these faraway
places alone and homesick for your family. It is
then vitally important when not traveling, to
Promoting Purpose Magazine 19
spend as much quality time with one’s family in order to
physically re-connect and spiritually replenish one’s self with the
strength, nurturing and love that only one’s family can give.
PPM: Do you receive a lot of spiritual support from others?
Russel: Yes.
PPM: Do you hold a ministry in a church? If so, what is it?
Russel: My home church in Los Angeles is West Angeles Church
of God in Christ lead by Bishop Charles Blake. My personal
ministry is one that has me sharing and ministering the gospel of
Jesus Christ wherever I perform as a soloist. Whether in the
prisons or in the Children’s Hospital performing for terminally
ill children. These two venues alone truly comprise a place where
the Word of GOD must be brought forth for the salvation of
souls in the prisons to the message of healing in the hospitals. I
am currently in partnership with West Angeles to produce a
theme song for Bishop Blake’s Save Africa’s Children Charity
Organization. Save Africa's Children (SAC) provides direct
support and care to orphans and vulnerable children affected by
HIV/AIDS, poverty and war throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and
the Caribbean. SAC partners with individuals, churches,
grassroots organizations, government and corporate
sectors, endeavoring to build a dynamic, diverse
movement to restore hope and a future for Africa's
children. Please visit www.saveafricaschildren.org and
donate to this more than worthy cause.
PPM: When writing your book, what mindset were you in
and what point did you want to get across with “Proverbs
31: The Virtuous Black Woman Vol. 1”?
Russel: God exacted a vision upon my Spirit, a charge
upon my soul and stimulated the thoughts of my mind to
meditate upon the “Virtuous Woman”. He rested upon
me a mission based on the Book of Proverbs Chapter 31
Promoting Purpose Magazine 20
to author a three volume series dedicated to uplifting,
encouraging, honoring & affirming the “Virtuous Woman”. The
first book in the series is dedicated to the “Virtuous Black
Woman” due to the fact that my first truly exemplified example
of a Virtuous Woman was set forth by my Mother Lurlean
Henrietta Fearon Blake. In this ethnically identifiable sequence, I
next chose to also honor the women of my family, my community
and the significant historical contribution of Black Women from
the time of antiquity in Mother Africa to the physical
dissemination of Black Women throughout the Americas, to the
biblically based significance of the last American Presidential
election which brought the historical precedent of elevating a
woman of African descent to the position of First Lady Of The
United States. Incidentally, my book was sent to Mrs. Obama as
a gift and I shortly thereafter received a correspondence from the
White House with her acknowledgement, gratitude and support
of my work. Praise GOD!!!
“If One Black Woman Is Thought To Be Expendable, Then
Every Black Woman’s Immeasurable Value Is Diminished In
The Eyes Of The World”. It is the prerogative of every duty
bound Black Man to rebuke, counteract and censure the thought
from every source it may originate from that Black Women are
expendable.
Volume II of the Series will honor “Virtuous Women” of all
ethnic groups as virtuous women come in all races of humanity.
Volume 2 of the Series in addition to a separate motivational
book is now in production. Both of them will be published in the
first quarter of 2011.
PPM: Where does Russel see himself 2 years from now?
Russel: Continuing in the ministry of Christ in order to learn
and experience what growth GOD would have for me to purpose
my gifts and talents for the expansion of His Kingdom. I believe
in being a Artist who is creatively prolific. Thus my time I pray
then would be as it is now, in constant production and creation of
Promoting Purpose Magazine 21
works both musical and literary.
PPM: What is one of your most memorable events as a concert
soloist?
READ MORE BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR DIGITAL OR
PRINTED SUBSCRIPTION OF PROMOTING PURPOSE
MAGAZINE!
www.promotingpurposemagazine.com
Promoting Purpose Magazine 22
Promoting Purpose Magazine 23
Promoting Purpose Magazine 24
We have sugar-coated
and patted the person
of man long enough. It
is high time to get our
house in order. It is
time to get up from off the
pews and get into the heart of
the people. Notwithstanding
there are many dedicated
Christians who are still
carrying the cross for Jesus
and have not made the Word
of God of none effect. It is
time for a revival, for the
harvest is plentiful and the
laborers are few.
The world is lost
and shuttered under a dark
cloud of mayhem and sin,
because the church has
succumb to the ways of the
world. The world sees no
difference, no love, no
sharing and no caring, only a
picture of pride, formality,
and self-righteousness.
Anything and
everything is being allowed
to take place in the house of
God. There was a time when
church membership was not
for one to gain a seat in
heaven or to have acceptable
status in society, but it was a
way of saying, “ I am here to
support” and be a light to the
wayward man/woman. The
way of Truth is gradually
being taking out of the
church and instead a throne is
being set up for the Evil
One„s presence. The Word
of God is being watered
down so not to offend
anyone, and there is a decline
in spiritual guidance and too
much playing church.
In times past
men/women held up the
blood stain banner. The
church was a place to come
together for prayer and to
gain strength from one
another. The mourning
benches also had their use,
and the banner stood for the
deity of Christ‟s shed blood.
There were no photos of man
on the walls, just a beautiful
cross symbolizing the price
that was paid at Calvary.
Although the
churches of years ago were
not mega churches, the
results of winning souls were
innumerable. So
innumerable that our nation
transpired upon one founded
upon God. Now we live in a
world where the name of
Jesus and the Holy Ghost is
an offense to those of elite
society.
If you look around,
the sick and the shut in are at
walking distance from the
church doors, but they are left
to suffer alone while the
singing, dancing and shows
are being carried on in God„s
house. We must go to them
for they will not come to us.
Promoting Purpose Magazine 25
Many are without sufficient
clothing and sanitary supplies
as they look on at the fancy
cars strolling by, and
beautiful attires entering the
church house doors. The
poor children grow up
believing this is what church
is all about. Some desire to
be preachers when they grow
up, thinking this will
maintain them financially.
We have got to show them
the true Church.
There is nothing
wrong with having nice
things and looking decent.
Yet if this is what we display
Christianity to be all about,
then we have little to offer in
the way of God. Many of the
hurting do not know there is
suppose to be meat on the
table for them at these houses
of refuge. Some do not see
care packages on holidays
and on those days that their
stomachs growl from hunger.
Some have been turned away
because their names were not
written on a church‟s official
list (Members Only).
Yes, here in
America, our home sweet
home, are hungry children
and adults. In the cities as
well as rural areas, we are
now seeing the new faces of
homelessness. Children,
babies and women are now
more so victims of
homelessness. These people
cannot see Jesus when their
stomachs are empty. They
need to see the one who held
the little child in his arms, the
one who fed the people
before ministering the Word,
and the one who set free the
captive free and did not
condemn the adulterous
woman.
There must be a
difference displayed in the
church so that the hurting
will see the Love of God
through our actions and not
through our words and the
comforts of a four- walled
building. Many people do
not understand that the
Church is the body of Christ,
not a building made by man‟s
hands. The building (church)
is a place to assemble
together with the righteous,
to worship and to gain
strength for the mission at
hand. Assembling is also
done in many other areas and
buildings within the
community. For the church
and the community ought to
be one in itself.
The wounded are
not going to show up on the
doorsteps of the church, they
are afraid. They are in deep
valleys, in desert places,
along alleys and in places
many dare to go. Yet when
one is called by His name,
(Jesus), he equips them with
power to go out into a hurting
world and display his love
and forgiveness.
Promoting Purpose Magazine 26
In the bible the
Church came together, and
people‟s needs were met.
Not one was without. And the
men of God were sufficiently
equipped through the power
of the Holy Ghost to do the
tasks at hand.
Being that the
harvest is already upon us,
we must pray that the hearts
of men and women who
claim the name of Jesus be
changed, and will go into
these fields that are white
already to harvest.
Some things can
come only but by prayer and
fasting. God told us in his
Word that if my people who
are called by my name would
humble themselves and pray,
and seek his face, he will heal
their lands. We are in
desperate need of a healing
and of an awakening.
Revivals were once
intended to win souls and to
awaken the concepts of The
Cross. It was to bring forth a
powerful change in
men/women through the
concepts of love. It started in
a community and spread
throughout towns, cities, and
states. The strength and
unity with other churches and
denominations brought forth
change. Revivals were once
held to win souls and not to
increase the church‟s yearly
financial status.
Deacons, pastors,
mothers and lay members of
the church took their places
and did not compromise the
way of The Cross. The young
women were guided in the
way of moral conduct. They
were taught how to care for
their children as well as for
their husbands or future
husbands. The young men
were taught how to provide
for their household and to be
leaders in the home as well as
taking their place in the
calling of God. Children
were guided with a stern and
loving hand. They were
taught to respect their elders
as well as themselves. It was
in the home as well as
Sunday school that the
children learned the love of
Jesus, the Lord‟s Prayer, and
the Ten Commandments.
The mothers of the
church wore white,
symbolizing holiness, and
they performed in the art of
nurturing. Their catering was
not to man, but to God.
Instead, we now have a
decrease in the true art of
worship and the house of
God has become a den of
thieves.
Ruby Walker Owens,
inspirational writer and poet
Sweet Inspirations
Promoting Purpose Magazine 27
Promoting Purpose Magazine 28
Pastors Michael and Carolyn Byrd
are native Baltimoreans who now reside in
South Florida. Their marriage has a special distinction upon it and a
uniqueness that brings healing to whom ever comes into contact with
them. Their marriage was prophesied to be more than the joining
together of two persons, but a ministry ordained by God that His
hand would forever remain upon. You cannot enter their presence
without experiencing the love they have for each other and those
around them.
Together they have proven to be a beacon not only to their family,
two sons LaVar and Antonio, one daughter-in-law Ashley, three
grandsons KaRaun, Royel, Jeremiah, and their first princess due the
winter of 2011 whom they love and cherish dearly; but also to all
those whom they have counseled, both single and married, and their
church family. Senior Pastors of Love Alive Destiny Ministries, a
thriving ministry in Margate, Florida whose mission is to love one to
life that they may fulfill their God given purpose and walk into their
destiny.
The Byrd‟s are loved and respected by many some of which are their
church family, their spiritual sons and daughters. Anyone that
touches their life has become empowered to come forth from
obscurity to walk in their God given purpose.
These pastors are nationally and internationally known
Promoting Purpose Magazine 29
for raising the bar for Godly marriage, thereby
setting a new standard for regaining the sanctity
of marriage through “God‟s way”. Known for
their special touch for personalizing wedding
vows for the many couples they have joined
together. They have united couples together in
holy matrimony from the sands of the ocean to
the most elaborate mansion. They continue to
be sought after; for they are pastors who have a
passion for marriage. With an uncanny ability
to attract other marriages to them many couples
have experienced everlasting change whereby
they bear witness that devastating cycles of destruction have been
broken after the Byrd‟s have ministered to them through the power of
the Holy Spirit.
Read more when you subscribe to our printed or
digital issue at
www.promotingpurposemagazine.com
Digital 6 months subscriptions are only $7.50 1 month
printed issue $6.95; 5 months $27.80
Promoting Purpose Magazine 30
Why is it that we will stand around
and entertain mess, knowingly on
our jobs? Why is it that we invite
mess to stay in our homes? And we
even go so far as to give mess a
front row seat in our churches
everyday! We don‟t stand up for
what is right, true, and good. But
we will waste valuable precious
time on MESS! God said to the
people when you were doing well
(in the fruitful land in all its
bounty) you did not pay me any
mind. But the minute the crap load
of mess hits the fan there you go
falling on your knees & asking
others to pray for you. You only
ask where God is when all hell
breaks loose. God already
promised you a land full of all that you could ever imagine &
think of according to the power in us for those who love the
Lord & are called according to His purpose. We love to
entertain mess then when all fails and everything starts going
wrong we remember the Lord (Oh, God you know I love
you)...sounding like some love sick cheating fool who has
been found out!
It is funny that we as a people have written instinctively on
our hearts (by God) what is right but we choose to do what is
wrong & then have to pay the consequences. My brother
refers to this as going to the auto mechanic for a new motor or
an oil change & you are convinced that you only need a car
wash, only having to come back to the auto mechanic again
for the thing you came there for in the first place. We go to
God many times for the same thing & get to that place in
Promoting Purpose Magazine 31
prayer with God thinking I really want to keep doing what I
am doing, I just need God to get me out of this place right now
(A MESS). We know all about the changes needed & mess in
our lives better than anyone else. We know what corrections
need to be made but we go along with the “majority”, “the in
thing”, “what looks good”, “what sounds good”, & “what will
make us seem like we are good”; knowing it‟s a bunch of
MESS! Paul in Romans says that we need to take an honest
account of ourselves. What mess is in our lives that should
not be there? What is preventing harvest and goodness to
manifest itself in your life? The definition of insanity is
doing the same thing over & over again & expecting a
different result. Why is it that in our insanity & in our MESS
we will jeopardize generations of our lineage, placing them at
risk because of foolish mistakes & choices we made, OUR
MESS
Today, get rid of a stack of mess in your house, messy people
in your life, or the mess you are putting into your body.
An excerpt from “TKay‟sInspirationals: Walking In Your
Season” by Tina Kay Hughes www.tinakay.net
Promoting Purpose Magazine 32
This is an actual unedited note written on a scrap
of paper by a victim of spousal abuse. This is
how she was able to vent her emotions.
I think it’s about time for me to write it down. It’s
been years, and I am hurting. He looks so fine and he
even has a smile on his face. He sleeps on the couch and will not
sleep with me. It is one of his ways of getting revenge. It’s so
embarrassing, because the kids are witnessing this. Sometimes I fall
to the floor in a fetal position because I yearn for his love and
affection. I am so lonely. He watches the games on television and
never go to the children’s game. At least I thought he would love
them. They too are hurting. I just want him to take care of home. I
know I could do better, but I don’t know how. I don’t know how to
leave. Maybe I’ll forget the last verbal assault, the beatings and the
affairs. I can tell he’s sorry for what he has done, but he never says
“I’m sorry”. I’ll take the blame again this time, so that I may have
some peace. Maybe I am not a good woman or wife, but I try so hard
to be. The house is clean. I cook good meals for him. But he never
says so. The children are well taken care of, except they see mommy
go through. I don’t cheat behind his back with other men. Sometimes
I feel I am not good enough. I compare myself with every other
woman, because he does. I am not jealous of another’s look or
position; it’s just that I feel so inadequate. I just want to be loved
and needed. I try to look pretty for him, but he doesn’t notice. I try
nice perfume, but he never seem to smell them. He just looks the
other way. I try to talk to him and tell him how I feel, but it all comes
out wrong. It’s just starts a big argument, then he beats me again. I
just be standing up for myself and I want him to know how I feel.
Maybe I should just keep quiet. Sometimes I feel I am not good
enough. I would like to feel like a woman again. I know I am a
woman, but somewhere she is lost. Where is she? I am weary about
leaving, weary to stay. He is a stone within my heart, leaving my
mind in torment. Yes I will cry again. But this time maybe no one
will hear. Maybe it will be my last time.
According to The Health and Human Services Association, the Center for Disease and Treatment and the Department of Justice,“ On the average more than three women are murdered by their husbands or
Promoting Purpose Magazine 33
boyfriends every day, including school age girls. 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Abused girls are significantly more likely to get involved in other risky behaviors.
Some victims of abuse have an emotional attachment to the abuser. She may love him and hopes that the relationship will improve. She could have religious beliefs that it is wrong to leave her husband. She may be trying to keep the family together. Or she may be in denial and believes she is at fault and is the one that should change.
There are also victims who take the abuse because they grew up seeing their mother abused and the situation was a hush, hush. Fear can also keep a woman from leaving. The abuser may have threatened her life, threatened to take the children away or hurt a family member if she leaves.
Women who are immigrants or refugees fear deportation, so they keep the abuse silent. There could also be a language barrier that hinders them from getting out of an abusive situation. Some women because of their lifestyle and sexual preference are afraid to let their family members or co-workers know, because they fear more rejection and humiliation. Often these victims of abuse are afraid of losing everything dear to them and do not know how or have the courage to rebuild. The feeling of powerlessness and a damaged self esteem can cause a woman to feel she has no control of her situation. She feels she has no rights and no way to escape. If she is unemployed, her abuser uses this as a way to control her, often threatening to stop paying the bills or buying food for the household. If she has a job, the abuser may have complete control over her finances.
Women who are living far away from their family members are sometimes subject to abuse and no one around wants to get involved. Shelter may also be another problem. There may not be any room left at the shelters and she is on a long waiting list for adequate housing.
Even after the abuse is over, the problem of gaining employment, adequate housing and the emotional scars still remain.
Promoting Purpose Magazine 34
From the roots of these emotional and physical scars stems the growth of women abusing children as well as men. Their perception of men and their choice of partners is often a tainted one. Their damaged hearts causes them to choose the lesser.
Abused women and girls build walls around themselves, often keeping out a true love or trusted friend. As the saying goes, sometimes “hurting people hurt other people and even themselves”.
It is love that makes a woman. We know God is love, but God made a woman for a man to stand by each other’s side, for support and strength. He is to love and cherish her as Christ loved the Church. Christ not only loved his children but he adorned them with beauty.
A woman is the weaker vessel, meaning she is like a flower, fragile, yet beautiful. She enhances her environment, and the aroma of her presence is to be the glory of her man. Only through gentle love and care can she blossom into real strength. If she has no earthly husband, God will adorn her in the spirit of his similitude, molding and creating in her a spirit of a virtuous and beautiful woman who fears the Lord. Maybe you are longing to be this kind of woman. God will renew your strength, your youthfulness, your confidence and bring longevity to your life. He will also give you peace in your present storm. There are still rocky roads ahead, but God will see you through. We don’t understand it all, why our sisters had to lose their lives or be imprisoned for life. We just have to know that man makes mistakes, but God never fails. We all have made mistakes and made wrong choices, but it is the learning from our mistakes that will make a difference. Resist fear, because fear will keep you bound. Have faith, be wise in your decisions and use available resources. Be an advocate for those who have none. Stand for the cause against all manner of abuse. Remember this one thing, the greatest of all your efforts will be relying upon God, for he will make a way out of no way.
By: Ruby Walker Owens, inspirational writer and poet
Sweet Inspirations
Promoting Purpose Magazine 35
Promoting Purpose Magazine 36
Let your Day Begin~
“Break the Chain of Reaction”
By AdriennaDionna Turner, author of “The Day
Begins with Christ” & “Desire at Will”
Author Site: www.adriennaturner.webs.com Dream4More Firm:
www.dream4more.us
As a person who loves people dearly and sees the best in
everyone before they show their true character, it starts with a chain
of reaction. We have become who we are by what people spoke in
our lives, who they called us, or what we dreamed for and are willing
to do what it takes to get it. There are some journeys that seem
peaceful, as other journeys take you off the tracks. You want to get
off the track of your life path because of things that come your way—
heading for the worse, destruction. How do we get to this path of
destruction?
After watching an uncanny movie called “Ink”, it taught a
life lesson that we have to break the chain of reaction. It takes links
to make a chain. In other words, a chain needs links that are attached
together to create a chain. So when we have a downward spiral, at
our breaking point, it takes a chain reaction that is based on our
reactions. Some of our make-ups are more emotional and loving than
others such as INTJ or INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinker/Feeler, and
Judging). Others can take the beating and care less about what it
takes to get where they want to be. Regardless of your personality
design, the chain of reaction starts with a weakness or shortcoming in
our lives that we leave untouched. We either are not forgiving
someone for what they‟ve done or we did to them or we are saying
slanderous and demeaning words about another person (gossiping,
lying, and so forth). We view our weakness instead of speaking
power in that situation. This weakness turns into a flaw. The flaw
causes us to feel guilty. This guilt leads to shame. Once shame sets
in, we compensate shame with pride and then vanity. After pride and
vanity, destruction becomes our fate. Therefore, something has to
stop the “flow”. Look at Lucifer, the angel in God‟s eye, who
Promoting Purpose Magazine 37
allowed pride to set in and lead to his destruction. We have to break
the chain of reaction.
WeaknessFlawGuiltShamePride and VanityDestruction
We can‟t always fight evil with our words, physical
strength, or even fight within. We can hunger for God and allow Him
to fight our battles for us. The enemy wants you to retaliate with our
demeaning, forceful words that kill the person‟s dreams, passion, or
destiny and feel worthless, meaningless and death follows. We have
to remove the dark clouds through prayer, meditation, reading and
learning God‟s Word, and seeking forgiveness when needed. We
have to fix and get to the root of the problem, then break the chain by
doing what the Word of God tells us. For example, greed takes
giving. Weakness takes knowing your strengths. Flaws take
knowledge and learning from other examples or experiences to your
life. Guilt takes apology and/or forgiveness to no longer hold that sin
on your chest that will later make you feel shameful. Remove the
shame before pride and vanity settles into your spirit. God loves you.
We all fall short of the glory of God. Confess, repent, and leave the
rest to Him. Remove pride by admitting it is God our Creator who
makes everything possible when it seems impossible, not “I”. Then,
vanity will not happen when we remove the “I” and admit it‟s “God”.
Now, we have broken the chains of reaction where our emotions
don‟t flare up and lead to our destruction.
Promoting Purpose Magazine 38
Promoting Purpose Magazine 39
Pastors Carolyn and Michael Byrd have
written a book to target those who are
considering marriage to learn the ins and
outs of such a commitment, and those
who are in an unhappy, unhealthy marriage that
are seeking help before it’s too late.
As a single woman with plans for marriage, I see
concepts and scenarios from the Bible that gives
a brief explanation on a covenant vs. contract of
a marriage. However, what sticks in my memory
is how Boaz viewed Ruth--he did not focus on her
beauty or what she'd offered but her commitment
and covenant alongside with Naomi after the loss
of their husbands. She could have ran off and
found a new husband, but everything was lined
up in God's timing.
These God-given words are not preaching but teaching applications
where one can obtain the true significance of marriage as God views
it (covenant). I took my time with this book and saturated every word
and embraced every concept to see marriage for what God intended
it to be--more than a wedding ceremony and ring. I thank God for
this married couple and pastors for writing such a book for our day!
Dream 4 More Reviewer,
Adrienna Turner
SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING……….
Glory to God, our marriage has been
strengthened and empowered by the anointed,
dynamic, loving and extraordinary marriage ministry of Pastors
Michael & Carolyn Byrd. We have experienced firsthand the power
God has given them through Jesus to save, strengthen and equip
marriages via counseling, mentoring and attending their inspirational
and educational marriage retreats. Pastors‟ marriage ministry is the
epitome of becoming one in marriage and ministry.
-Herman Jones & LaTonya Bell-Jones-
Promoting Purpose Magazine 40
TheEssence of Win-Win
Partnerships
The Essence of Forming
Strategic Win-Win
Partnerships. Yes. I said
Partnerships. Contrary to
popular belief, forming a
partnership with someone
else in order to get what you
need to accomplish your
goals is not an admittance of
failure. It‟s not an indictment
of your capabilities. It‟s not
a smudge on your personal
abilities. It‟s not a
manipulative act (unless your
intentions are less than
honorable) and it‟s something
that should be and is being
done more and more.
Forming partnerships—true,
“win-win”, strategic
partnerships—is perhaps the
smartest and strongest thing
you can do.
As a leader, head of
household or business owner,
it‟s your responsibility to
make sure that problems are
solved, goals are met and
objectives are achieved. The
buck stops with you and your
need to explore every option
available to insure that you‟re
able to make things happen.
Forming a strategic “win-
win” partnership is an avenue
that many people find
themselves turning to more
and more these days. With
the seeming scarcity of
resources and an increase in
needs that we‟re faced with
in our communities, it‟s
imperative that we start
adopting a “cooperative and
collaborative approach”
instead of a “competitive”
one.
What this means is that
instead of remaining an
island to yourself, you need
to take stock of what‟s
available and make an
informed decision to seek out
strategic “win-win”
partnerships that will help
you achieve your goals and
meet your objectives.
So just what’s involved in
creating a “win-win”?
Find out more about The
Essence of Win-Win
Partnerships in January issue
by : Keisha A. Rivers-Shorty,
President The KARS
Consulting Group, LT
Promoting Purpose Magazine 41
CEO/Writer/Graphic Designer Advisor/Writer
Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui Rachel Moore
Editor
Damon Moore
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
From Left to Right
Tina Kay Hughes; Ruby Owens; Adrienna Turner; Shelby
Frederick; and Keisha Rivers
Promoting Purpose Magazine 42
Promoting Purpose Magazine wants to thank you for your
support in every way: prayers, encouragement, advertising,
subscribing and more. We are blessed to be a company both
digital and in print to accommodate those who enjoy online
viewing and those who love to have a hard copy. Although we
have just come into existence 3 months ago God is constantly
elevating us to a new level. We are ready for the new years and
understand that each day many are faced with difficult times,
whether or not it‟s from finances, job, children, spouse, other
family members or just the stress that we sometimes run into as
humans. Therefore my staff and I are constantly in prayer on
what to share in our monthly issues to ensure we can release the
spiritual tools and testimonies that are needed. If you have been
moved by God to share your anointed writing with PPM we
would love to have you on board as one of our contributing
writers. You may contact me by email at
[email protected] inquire about our
contributing writing positions. Please continue to pass the word
about Promoting Purpose Magazine. Remember PPM promotes
“What God Has Already Placed in Us”
Thank you for your love,
Sherrell Straker-Valdezloqui
CEO
Promoting Purpose Magazine 43
PPM and its Staff would like to wish everyone a blessed and safe
holiday. Thank you for all of your love, support, and other
contributions you have made to Promoting Purpose Magazine. Get
ready for our 2011 magazine in which we are out with the old and in
with the new. As always no matter what year we are in, God is
always the same loving and forgiving God. Our January issue is
going to be dynamic. Please don‟t forget to subscribe to our printed
magazine. 1 month is $6.95 and 3 months is $27.80.
All checks and money orders can be sent via mail to
S&V PROMOTING PURPOSE MEDIA
7711 S. Raeford Rd.
Suite 102-109
Fayetteville, NC 28304
If you are interested in advertising or subscribing please visit
our website at www.promotingpurposemagazine.com
Promoting Purpose Magazine 44