Straight Up! Newsletter

The Truth Shall Make You Free

2011-09-06T00:14:00.001-04:00

FaytheWorks Publishing

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32, KJV

THIS SCRIPTURE offers an amazing combination of relief and freedom for the believer. God’s life-changing truth can never be trumped by the enemy’s deceptive lies. For those who have a desire to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Scriptures testify of Him. In Him and only in Him is there eternal life. It is simply up to the individual to receive what God has to offer. Considering what the Holy Spirit has taught me, I feel a great obligation to share Christ and love another brother or sister enough to tell them the truth. In my new non-fiction book, Soul Ties, many taboo topics are discussed, but with helpful solutions to those who suffer in silence.

Through all of my ignorance, disobedience, and sin, God still loved me. God loves those who don’t even love Him and this is threaded throughout His Word—the Holy Bible. Jesus Christ saved me from Hell and saved me from myself. When I fell in the desires of my flesh, God still remained the same: loving, giving, patient, and kind. Although we encounter trials and tribulations here on Earth, even after being saved from Hell, God still does not allow us to go through more than we can bear. He does provide us with a way of escape. The problem is that many of us don’t take advantage of the emergency exit He affords. Why is that?

One reason could be that so many are preoccupied with “life” and the things of the world that the open door of escape is either ignored or not even noticed. Being this heavily engrossed could cause a person to become more attracted and deeply devoted to things that are outside of God’s will. What a chilling thought. Through my experience in witnessing, I’ve often found that the generic response or attitude to my deterring others from dangerous pitfalls and toward the Lord is, “Oh, God knows my heart…” This is a sobering truth. Do many realize the divine revelation they’ve actually spoken? And the sad part is that this complacent response typically comes from many professed Christians.

These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.

Matthew 15:8-9, AMP

As the Lord has placed on my heart for some time now to write this book, I finally humbled in submission. I had to repent for procrastinating. My mind swarmed with thoughts of how to present it, how to make it relatable, and how to share without appearing judgmental (although the Word will ultimately judge, not man). Clearly, eternal judgment is reserved for God, as He has the final say. While human beings form opinions and are biased in certain instances, only God can pass judgment to either receive a person into Heaven or hurl them into Hell.

The bottom line is the truth is the truth. There is no way to sugar coat, no way to dress it up to receive widespread approval of man, and no way to share it other than to be direct. God has taught me this by example through His Word. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 12:4).

It is my sincere desire to share with others what I have learned. The damaging effects of Greek Lettered sororities and fraternities, Masonry, along with other subjects are discussed in this book. I aim to encourage readers with the testimonies included from dedicated Christians who openly share the Light of God with the world—not some generic god who is powerless in the face of the One true and living God.

In Soul Ties, at the end of each chapter (beginning with Chapter 2), you’ll find a self-examination question in addition to practical applications to help you discover areas in your life that may need repair. These things will assist you in becoming a healthier and more spiritually minded person.

Other topics covered include deliverance from the devastating affects of rape, molestation, promiscuity, bondage to drugs and other addictions, and domestic abuse. We are our brother’s keeper and should care enough about the next person to share what we’ve learned through Biblical insight and personal experience that line up with God’s Word.

It is not my intention to ignite discord. That is far from my motive. It is to simply share with others the caution that should be taken upon entering any relationship or association, whether with a potential mate or in joining a sorority, fraternity, or secret society that is inconsistent with one’s Christian faith. One day we will have to give an account to God for the things done in this life. We must be careful of the decisions we make because sometimes the consequences may have an eternal effect.

The contents of Soul Ties are in no way, shape, or form intended to condemn anyone. When I justly deserved to be cast out of God’s sight, the Lord was patient with me and I just want others to experience the freedom and mercy that I have. God knew my previous outlook was distorted and not as He would have it to be. In the past, my view was assuredly that of a carnal mind, but what a loving and forgiving God we serve!

This world, Earth as we know it, is only our temporary home and before I leave, I aim to do something meaningful with the life God has given me. Our experiences are not just our own. Our tests can become testimonies. It is my hope to help, even if that means only one person, to receive deliverance from damaging soul ties—deliverance that can only come through God.

View Book Trailer

- Order Book -

Thank you all for your support. May God bless and keep you. Consider sharing this information with a friend or family member. God came to set the captives free.

Ebook coming soon!
http://www.faytheworks.com/

In the Land of the Free

2011-07-04T14:51:00.009-04:00

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed,” John 8:36, NKJV.

Imagine, many Christians don’t enjoy the freedoms that Americans do in sharing their faith. We are allowed to stand on corners, pass out Gospel tracts, go into prisons for services, et cetera, but how many of us, saints, actually do it? We are to let our light shine before the world so that God will be glorified in Heaven.

I encourage every Christian to consider how it would affect you if you couldn’t share your faith. If it wouldn’t matter either way to you, then you need to reevaluate what Christ means to you. I’m well aware that there are moments in life, even in the land of the free, that sharing one’s faith is challenging or even prohibited, but that should never prompt a person to deny God. We can still share Christ by the way that we live. A great example would be that of Richard Wurmbrand, who founded Voice of the Martyrs. In His book, Tortured for Christ, the reader will discover how free you can really be, even in chains for God.

In this issue, I share an interview with a woman of God whom it was a pleasure to meet. It is wonderful to meet another Christian who has a desire to do His will. Deanetta Thompson's life in itself is an inspiration to others as she serves the Lord. Here, you'll get an inside look at the woman who survived numerous setbacks, but pressed forward and became a published author who started her own Christian Lifestyle e-zine (Christian Women Lifestyle xPress) that will become a trademarked LLC in just a couple weeks. Deanetta is a 20 year veteran of the army, defending our freedom here in the United States. I more so salute her dedication for her steadfastness in the army of the Lord.

__________________________________________

Introducing Deanetta Thompson, Budding CEO

With a vision to share through her writings what God has placed upon her heart, Deanetta is well aware of spiritual warfare. As shared in her bio (full bio here), Deanetta accurately identifies that we are living in the last and evil days. As wickedness increase, it becomes even more important for Christians, the saints of God, to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Deanetta admits that her childhood was not easy, but realized that God had a plan for her life. And today as a married woman of three children, she realizes many of those dreams through her steadfast faith in the Lord.

An interview with Deanetta…

Deanetta P. Thompson
Photo courtesy of author

SUN: Have you always wanted to be an author? How did you start writing, and what pushed you to finish your first book?

DT: I started writing at the age of 14. I did not realize at the time what I was doing. I just picked up a pen and piece of paper and started writing. But the most amazing thing is I started writing songs. Something I don’t normally share with the world… but originally I wanted to be a singer. I still have that urge every now and then to blast a few notes, however my magazine is where my heart is.

SUN: What are the titles of your books? What are they about?

DT: I have two eBooks I have on the market now: Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When Choosing Your Man? and Marital Warfare.

Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When Choosing Your Man? deals with all the qualities a woman should look for in a man with biblical Scriptures to follow. This is not a boring e-Book; I had to get raw with a few topics, but I am sure I got my point across.

Marital Warfare is about different women and their issues in life that affect their marriages. The majority of these women came into the marriage with problems. I also provide biblical Scriptures for each story to give my readers a Godly solution to whatever their issues might be.

SUN: In your books, are you able to identify with any of the characters, if so, how? If not, why?

DT: I can identify with Sistas… Do You Know What To Look For When Choosing Your Man? I expressed in this e-Book a lot of the foolish mistakes I made and decisions that caused me pain, drama, along with a life spiraling downhill. [Details will be included in a future book.]

SUN: What do you hope to accomplish in sharing your literary works with the world?

DT: I hope women will be able to grasp the concept “put God first.” Make no decisions without Him. Stop looking for a sugar daddy and value your body. Some women are so desperate for a man [that] they will go to any means to get one. Before you get married discuss it with God. Make sure he is the right one for you; it could cost you your life and sanity!

SUN: As you write, do you find yourself learning new things as the process goes along?

DT: Yes I do. I find out more about myself and how my mind operates which causes all the decisions I make in life.

SUN: What is one thing you’d encouraged someone to do?

DT: Follow your goals and be good at it. Keep God in the picture and ask Him, “Lord what do you have planned for me?” Because your dreams might not be what He has planned for you. Sometimes we can take it upon ourselves to create our own future without including Him and [then] fail, but can’t seem to understand why.

SUN: If you could sum your life up in one sentence, what would you say?

DT: I am a survivor because of God’s grace and mercy He bestowed upon me.

SUN: How can readers get in touch with you (website, email)? And where are your books available for sale?

DT: The older version of my eBooks is on Amazon ready for download:

Marital Warfare

Sistas… Do You Know What to Look For When You Choosing Your Man?

Or the new version can be ordered from my site http://www.cwlxpress.com/

My email is ceo@cwlxpress.com. I am always looking for writers to contribute to my online magazine and of course they will receive all the credit.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my eBooks and thoughts with Straight Up! readers.

___________________________________________

Until next time,

Happy Reading and a safe 4th of July! And remember, true freedom only comes through Jesus Christ.

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

Building Success from Failure

2011-06-01T00:46:00.009-04:00

"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, but wisdom brings success," Ecclesiastes 10:10.

Surrounded by those who go after their dreams, no matter how much adversity is faced along the way; I thank God for where I am in my life. I thank Him for hope, I thank Him for grace, and I thank Him for mercy. I choose to focus on the good things that He has afforded to me rather than dwell on the negative distractions. Isn’t it a good thing to thank God along the way to where you ultimately want to be?

As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, I thank God for a father who did what he knew he could do rather than succumb to what society says he can’t. I thank God for men in my life who are pillars of strength, shunning the image of a black man who’s weak, compromising, and prison-prone. Isn’t it a good thing to thank God for who is in your life now along the way to embracing those who will eventually will be there?

Failure comes in many different forms and it’s meaning varies depending upon whom you may ask. For some, it is in a relationship that doesn't work out, for others it may be in a career path where you can't hold a job, yet let us consider that in God you can’t go wrong. It all depends on how you look at the situation, are you looking through rose-colored lenses or the death-defying shades of negativity? Things may not always go your way, but consider that it is going the way it’s supposed to. What God has for you is for you, and as long as you make Him the head of your life, you’ll never fail unless you stop trying to succeed.

In this issue, Renarda Williams presents an interview with author/talk show host Tavis Smiley about his new book, Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure. Insightful words from a man whose failure provided stepping stones to where he is today.

___________________________________________

Tavis Smiley on Building Success from Failure

By Renarda Williams

In today's society, no one is exempt from setbacks and failures — whether he or she is a renowned (or not so renowned), clergy, educator, attorney, physician, political figure, or scientist. Everyone has experienced some type of failure in their lives. And they had to start all over to succeed and achieve lifetime goals.

Tavis Smiley — a successful business owner, notable philanthropist, host of his own national and radio programs — is no exception. Who would ever believe Smiley experienced setbacks such as: being fired, arrested, and turning down a major television opportunity and risking his future in broadcasting. Well, he did ... and all of these — and more — describes what Smiley faced during his “success scars.”

Smiley shares his "success scars," and how he overcame them, in Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure (Smiley Books, 2011). Smiley has created a "remarkable" blueprint, with Fail Up, to help people overcome failure — by learning from disappointments, setbacks, ... — in order to achieve success in life.

Here are some of Tavis’ 20: Quotes from Fail Up (courtesy of Smiley Books)

Father Knows Best: Even when things aren’t equal, if it’s meant for you to receive God’s grace, you’re going to get it.

Get Ready to Be Ready: The truth of life is that it isn’t always up, but it’s not always down either. Life, by definition, is a series of ups and downs. It really boils down to high-quality choices. The challenge is making the right choice…

Remain Civilized Even When You’re Justified: When we conduct ourselves with dignity, we walk through the world with an inviolable sense of respect that invites emulation. Respect for others means we commit to making sacrifices.

Before Honor Comes Humility: If arrogance is the disease, then humility is the cure. If we want to create a balance where our passions don’t elicit accusations of arrogance, then we must strive for abundant doses of humility.

Cheaters Never Win: You can correct and even reprimand somebody, but at the same time, you can affirm that person. If you are in a position of power, you can also offer a second chance.

Don’t Do Me No Favors: Make sure you always give before you get. Be it in your personal or business life, reciprocity is sweeter when the exchange of services, favors, or goods is mutual.

Due to Smiley's busy schedule, he was not available for a telephone interview with Straight Up. The following is a list of questions submitted by Straight Up, and answers by Smiley in a news release offered by his Smiley Books publicist.

RW: What influenced you to explore that failure can be good for us in Fail Up?

SMILEY: When I turned 40, I realized a crisis point in my life; I didn't believe I would ever succeed at all the things I wanted to do. The fact is that it's true — and that's a beautiful thing. As Samuel Beckett put it, 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.' This brilliant philosophy pulled together what I then understood as an inherent truth: Failure is inevitable. How we respond to failure is the key.

Looking back at my life, I, like many who have succeeded in spite of failure, have achieved what I have because I took life's setbacks and turned them into steps forward. My decision to share what were at times embarrassing public and private shortcomings wasn't easy. The reality, though, is that we all struggle and we all want to succeed. Not sharing this most crucial lesson of success — that it begins by turning failures into 'fail up' opportunities — would be far worse than any blemishes and mishaps I have suffered.

RW: What personal “fail up” do you think will surprise readers?

SMILEY: I can say for sure that some of my earlier indiscretions and mistakes might have some folks shaking their head. Yes, even Tavis Smiley has had run-ins with the law. The section where I find out firsthand what writing bad checks can do to a person, I think, will both surprise and, hopefully, scare some young folks straight.

The other fail up moment I think people will come away surprised by is when I delve into a personal indiscretion I committed while in a relationship, which I detail later in the book. Like I said, I’m not one for letting all my dirty laundry air for just anyone to see, but this situation was very real, personal reminder of how one’s professional life can be impacted by the wrong things said, at the wrong time, to the wrong people in your private life. I learned the lesson the hard way: Loose lips really do sink ships.

RW: How is Fail Up different from your memoir What I Know For Sure, and your previous books?

SMILEY: There’re a lot of similarities between Fail Up and my memoir. But they are, at their core, very different books. My memoir was the retelling of important segments of my life. It was a chance to share my story with my fans and supporters. But like most memories it was a one-way street.

Fail Up, on the other hand, is more of a conversation. Yes, my life and experiences are at the center of the message that adversity can become an asset if you approach it correctly. But Fail Up pulls from the challenges and successes of many others. Many of them are personal heroes of mine. Others are people in the spotlight, whether in sports or politics. I also share the story of everyday folk experiencing a real teachable moment. Through all these treads, Fail Up weaves together a powerful, crucial message that challenges readers to become agents of change in their own lives — by daring to change their minds.

RW: How important it is for young people to experience the opportunity to “fail up?”

SMILEY: Kids can do some pretty dumb things—I know I did—but it doesn’t mean mistakes should become life sentences. With the right guidance and compassion, a young person’s shortcomings can become a valuable moment of maturation. It’s important for adults to remember they, too, can, allow a young person to ‘fail up’ simply by taking the opportunity to help that young person become a better person for their failure, rather than beating them down or branding them for life.

RW: What do you hope Fail Up will do to help Americans who struggling to find employment during these tough economic times?

SMILEY: Let me be clear up front: too many Americans today are suffering through no fault of their own. Despite some encouraging signs that the worst is behind us, many parts of America —not least of which is the African American community, which continues to lag behind in employment—don’t feel like things are getting better. In face of this adversity, we have a choice: give in or grab hold.

My hope is that Fail Up will motivate people through powerful examples, helping them to focus on what’s possible, even in these challenging times.

RW: You mention the importance of “faith” throughout Fail Up. Do you believe God wants everyone to fail up?

SMILEY: Absolutely. As human beings, cracked vessels that we are…only through failure are we able to realize how human we are and to see the path that God has laid before us. We all fail at points in our lives and think that we’ve got things figured out better than God, whether it’s in our careers, in our personal lives, or even in what we think we want to major in college. But believe me, what God has in store for us cannot be avoided. Failing up is, in many ways, the process of realigning ourselves with the path that we were meant to be on all along —we just got lost along the way.

That path is different for everyone, but each of us has tremendous potential in what the Lord has called us to do. I am blessed every day that God has called me to do what I do, but there is also an inherent responsibility. In that way it doesn’t matter if God is calling you to be President of the United States or president of the local PTA, your gifts are suited to make you the best at what you are, and in the process be the best for those around you.

Tavis Smiley hosts the late-night talk show, Tavis Smiley on PBS, The Tavis Smiley Show distributed by Public Radio International (PRI), and is the co-host of Smiley & West on (PRI). He is the first American to simultaneously host signature talk shows on both public television and public radio.

Smiley has authored 14 books, including the book he edited, Covenant with Black America, which became the first nonfiction book by a Black-owned publisher to reach #1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

He is also the presenter and creative force behind America I AM: The African American Imprint—an unprecedented traveling museum exhibition celebrating the extraordinary impact of African American contributions to our nation and to the world. In 2009, TIME magazine named him to their list of The World’s 100 Most Influential People. This year, 2011, marks his 20th year in broadcasting.

________________________________________________

Thank you for reading and remember, you never fail unless you stop trying to succeed. Don't be afraid to get up and try again.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind," 2 Timothy 1:7.

Until next time,

May God continue to bless you!

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

It's All About God

2011-05-07T20:17:00.033-04:00

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

Everything we do ought to point back to God. He is the reason why we are here, the reason why we have life. The reason why we were created is to praise and worship God. As we celebrate Mother’s Day amongst other personal triumphs we have in life, let us not forget about Who makes it all possible. We collectively celebrated His Resurrection a couple weeks ago, and praises for what was accomplished on the Cross is reason enough to praise Him every day of our lives.

Family members graduating from college or high school, in some cases, pre-school, ought not to supersede our excitement of crossing the threshold into the Kingdom of God. There are nice accomplishments here on Earth, but our foremost focus should be on things above: Heaven. So, as we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, and other mothers, let us not forget about the One who lent them to us: God.

In this issue, I introduce Christian author, Myra Rutledge. We connected online and I am pleased to announce her upcoming novel, Souls Harbor. I’ve only read the teaser thus far, but I’m sure the book will deliver a message that indeed directs us to the Lord. Look for my review later on In His Name Book Club this summer.

_________________________________________________

Introducing Christian Author, Myra Rutledge

Photo Courtesy of
Author Myra Rutledge

Myra Rutledge is a Christian writer and the author of the self-published inspirational poetry book, A Powerful Woman. Myra is a life-long resident of Birmingham, Alabama, where her love for creative arts began in the local schools. But it was not until she gave her life to Christ that He enhanced her gifts of singing and writing.

In past years, Myra has also sung in local stage productions and has even filmed a commercial, lending her voice as one of three Saving Graces. And she has worked creatively in the Drama Ministry at Church. The upcoming book, Souls Harbor, is her first novel.

In a recent interview, Myra provided more insight into her world of writing. In her words:

SUN: How did your literary career begin?

RUTLEDGE: My career as a writer began in church in the late eighties. Although I had been writing all my life, it wasn’t until I participated in the drama ministry that my gift of writing was developed. During this time, I was born-again and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I wrote original skits, poetry, and produced a play, “Flames of Another Trial,” that was well received by the masses. I’ve written another play, “Juvenile Status,” but I have yet to produce this one. My inspiration comes from church; whether it’s the pastor’s sermons, the congregation, or the Bible stories I’ve studied.

SUN: What has your writing journey been like thus far?

RUTLEDGE: The journey to producing my first novel, “Souls Harbor,” has been an interesting one. I’ve been attentive with an open mind and ears, and I’ve appreciated every person the Lord has sent my way. God is in complete control of my life, so I know He has sent me on this journey and down these paths. Every road I’ve trotted is a learning experience I can use, not only to help myself, but others. In following God’s lead, I’ve learned quite a bit about writing, other authors, publishing houses, and self-publishing.

SUN: What books have you written to date?

RUTLEDGE: I have a poetry book, “A Powerful Woman,” that’s available on Amazon. This is a collection of inspirational poems. This book is named from the poem, “A Powerful Woman,” that’s listed in the book. “Souls Harbor” is my first novel. I’m not releasing another novel until I’ve successfully produced “Souls Harbor.” But I do have another completed novel, “Too Much Like Right,” which I plan to produce later this year, once “Souls Harbor” is released. I also have another novel, “Just Love Me,” that I’m working on and hope to produce next year. I’m also in the works of producing “Souls Harbor” as a play for 2012.

SUN: Tell us more about why you wrote your current fiction title, Souls Harbor.

RUTLEDGE: My first Christian Fiction read was “Church Folk,” by Michele Andrea Bowen. I enjoyed the book and was inspired to write a novel under that Genre. Nowadays, I think that the Genre, Christian Fiction, is stretched too loosely. Being a Christian means more than being a “Church person.”

SUN: What do you hope to accomplish with your books?

RUTLEDGE: Through my novels, I hope that God will use me to bring others into doing His Will. This is the purpose for my writing.

SUN: How can readers get in contact with you?

RUTLEDGE: I can be reached through the following:

www.facebook.com/myra.rutledge1; http://www.christianwriter.biz/ and http://www.myrarutledge.com/

Email: Awowpublications@yahoo.com

About Souls Harbor

AWOW Publications:
Click here for full synopsis

Four years after a devastating Saturday evening car wreck shattered his dream of playing in the NBA, Jamal Greene is married to the beautiful and deceitful Jada Greene; he is oblivious to some events leading to the wreck and the entire weekend.

Living in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, Jada is a devoted choir member at Mt. Zion Church and works in Real Estate Sales. Jamal spends time in physical rehabilitation while holding resentment toward God for his present state of being.

The compromising Latoya Hobbs is Jada's best friend and daughter to the pastor of Mt. Zion Church. Latoya quickly becomes weary of Jada's adulterous liaisons with a mysterious, rich, and older man. In reminiscing about her own failed relationships and a secret sexual seduction that haunts her spirit, Latoya prays for a man to truly love her.

Rain Jefferies, the divorced and born-again Christian, is Jamal's new Physical Therapist who offers him a renewed hope through her pastor's Biblical Study Guide. The answer to a secret she holds can complete her but destroy a marriage and the Hobbs' family ministry.

Pastor Silas Hobbs Sr, holding past secrets that a deacon is desperately seeking to uncover, finds himself trying to hold on to his willed position as pastor of Mt. Zion Church.

As these souls harbor destructive secrets and lies, who will grab hold of the anchor before being completely destroyed?

* * *

For more information about the author and her debut novel, visit the author's website.

___________________________________________

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

There is No Rock Like Our God

2011-04-05T20:15:00.003-04:00

^"There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God," 1 Samuel 1:2

Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in Him that everything [outside of His will] was defeated. Any situation or illness we'll ever encounter has been defeated on the cross. He died for past, present, and future sins. God took everything upon Him, even death, so that we may live — eternally. What an awesome God we serve. To know that no matter what challenges or problems we may endure in life, He is the Answer to it all.

Resurrection Sunday wasn't just merely an event that occured over two thousand years ago, it was The Event. Note in Isaiah 9:6, one of God's names is Wonderful Counselor. What an amazing God to know that even when we get weighed down in this world, He is there to see us through it. To minister exactly what we need to hear and what we ought to do. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, our Comforter. God knew that we would need Him in that way... He knows us, after all He created us.

As we celebrate Easter this month, which is not about furry rabbits and colored eggs, let us remember what was accomplished at Calvary. There we have victory. And if you don't know Who He is, read God's love story to the world: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16.

In this issue, Renarda Williams shares an interview conducted with Lisa M. Brown about her bout with depression. It is noted that many women of color, many black women, suffer in silence because they assume no one will understand or that it's just something that just doesn't happen to black women. Lisa opens up and shares her story and introduces her new book, Strong on the Outside, Dying on the Inside: A Black Woman's Guide to Finding Freedom from Depression.

____________________________________________

Depression in Black Women: A Discussion with Lisa M. Brown

By Renarda Williams

"Depression is a highly treatable disorder affecting some 17-20 million Americans annually," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) reports that only "one-third of all persons with major depression ever seek treatment."

Even more startling, NMHA reports, "African Americans and persons over 65 years old are the least likely to seek professional help. And among affected African Americans, only 12 percent of women actually seek treatment." This resistance to getting help is often attributable to the belief in the Black community that depression is a White woman's illness and not a legitimate health problem.

Published by Xulon Press

In an inspirational and spirit-filled book, Strong on the Outside, Dying on the Inside: A Black Woman's Guide to Finding Freedom from Depression (Xulon Press, 2011), Lisa M. Brown pulls the cover off this taboo subject to encourage Black women — who consider themselves strong and accomplished — to face their depression and seek professional treatment.

"There is simply not enough being said about depression in the Black community. It affects so many of us, yet our cultural norms and traditions — particularly in the Black church — have rendered us silent. This book will be an important step in the right direction for many, especially church-going women," says Terrie M. Williams. Williams is a health advocate, public relations mogul and founder of The Terrie Williams Agency in New York, NY, and author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting (Scribner, 2008).

Brown, a dynamic and passionate entrepreneur, daughter, sister, and mother of three — with the help of God and treatment — overcame depression to lead a thriving Washington, DC-based consulting firm. Brown's book is a blueprint, and should be considered a smaller version of Black Pain, for Black women confronting depression. Brown remarkably uses her experience, and the biblical story of Hannah, to get her point across to Black women about how important it is to face depression head on, and overcome it!

Black women facing depression, who will read this extraordinary book about Brown's personal story, will feel like she is telling their story ... and knowing they are not alone. Amazingly, at the end of each chapter, Brown says a prayer to spiritually uplift readers (especially Black women facing depression) to be encouraged, knowing that God is always with us.

Recently, I interviewed Brown, via telephone, for Straight Up about her book and depression in Black women today.

RW: What influenced you to use the example of Hannah, in your book, to describe the depression of Black women?

Lisa M. Brown

BROWN: It was for my own personal devotion. I was looking for something in the Bible about what I was feeling during my depression. I read the story of Hannah in 2005 ... it struck me and I related to her pain. I was able to relate to her story.

RW: How important it is for Black people, or anyone, who are depressed to break their silence and seek help?

BROWN: We need to get over the perception that nothing is wrong with us. We [Black people] can talk about racism, discrimination, and other issues, but we cannot talk about depression. Talking is the key to healing. By resorting to silence, we increase the pain. Talking to free yourself of pain ... release what comes out!

RW: During your depression, what was the boiling point where you realized God was the only one to help you?

BROWN: I was [absolutely] tired and hit rock bottom. I was tired of being tired ... and always in pain. I told God, 'I need to get out!'

RW: Why do you think some Black women, as well as some Black men, feel like they can take on the world, and ignore depression?

BROWN: It has been a tradition, and a part of our culture, that was passed down ... . We just keep going, going ... as if nothing is wrong with us. We do not want to be [looked upon], or have the perception that we are weak. We want [everyone] to see and believe that we are strong.

Lisa M. Brown attained professional success early in her career and at the age of 35, she became one of the youngest senior executives with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association. She later went on the build Nonprofit HR Solutions, a fast-growing and trailblazing consultant firm focused on meeting the human resources needs of nonprofit organizations.

Brown is deeply committed to living out her faith in God in a meaningful way. She has been an active member of the music ministries of her churches in Toronto, Canada, where she grew up, as well as in Washington, D.C.

Brown also served as business manager for the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University; member of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church under the leadership of Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; and as minister of music and praise team leader with the Bladensburg SDA Church. Brown currently attends Bladensburg SDA Church, where Noah L. Washington is the pastor.

________________________________________________

In Closing,

I pose the question to those who may be dealing or struggling with depression: Is there anything too hard for God to handle? If you aren't a Christian, I can understand how it can overtake your life, but as Christians we are called to lay it at the altar of our Lord and Savior. This is not to say we won't encounter times in our lives when we are discouraged by the things that go on around us, but that when we are we can cast our burdens (our cares) upon the Lord, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). The Lord is with us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrwes 13:5). Just as Hannah sought the Lord because she grieved, we should also. Seek Him in all things. Just as King David sought God for strength, we must also encourage ourselves in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6).

And we too will rejoice as Hannah did. "HANNAH PRAYED, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God," 1 Samuel 2:1-2, AMP.

God can do the same for you. Seek Him ... for everything we need is indeed in the Lord.

# # #

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

Making a Difference...

2011-03-04T20:12:00.003-05:00

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp," Psalm 150:1-3.

Thank God for blessing many of us with the ability to entertain through film, books, and music. This is the month where I present my brand new book, The Eleventh Hour, the third installment of The Fiery Furnace series.

The Eleventh Hour is a title symbolic of God’s grace, love, and forgiveness to the youth as well as the elderly. There are many who have been saved since childhood, but often we do find those who accept Christ in their golden years. Either way, it is all good because God forgives whether we’re nine years old or seventy-nine years old. And in this book, it is my prayer that many will consider forgiving others in the same manner that God forgives us. A brief description of the forthcoming novel is detailed below.

Later in this issue, get an inside look at well known Jazz trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis, through an article written by contributing writer, Renarda Williams. Marsalis' contribution to the arts is well noted and an inspiration to the aspiring musician.

Enjoy!

_______________________________________________

The Eleventh Hour (March 2011)

ISBN: 978-1-934195-53-6

Backed against a wall with time running out...

Challenged by the recent discovery of past events, Jermaine holds fast knowing that God wouldn’t bring him this far … just to leave him. He’s new in the faith, but determined to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Just when a ray of light breaks through the turmoil, Jermaine receives yet another debilitating blow that attempts to change his life forever. Will he be able to endure the trial that stretches his faith to the limit?

Moving into a new phase of life, Nia Thomas reveals a piece of her past for the sake of sanity … but is there something else she’s holding back? Racing against the hands of time, Nia comes to term with the fact that the whole truth must be told. Determined to break free from bondage, she must first learn how to forgive. Will Nia surrender all that she has for a future of peace or hold onto what’s old and familiar?

The final piece of the puzzle lies within the eleventh hour. But first, check out the previous titles in The Fiery Furnace series: The Kiss of Judas & Confessions ... http://www.reneeallenmccoy.com/

________________________________________________

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

By Renarda Williams

The world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis performs a vast repertoire to Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC)-commissioned works, including compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and others to audiences nationally and worldwide.

JALC is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz. JALC advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performances, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages. The productions include concerts, national and international tours, television broadcasts, recordings, jazz appreciation curriculum for students, and adult education courses. Education is a major part of JALC's mission and its educational activities are coordinated with concert and JLCO tour programming.

In 1987, Wynton Marsalis co-founded a jazz program at Lincoln Center. Marsalis is the artistic director of JALC. He is also the music director of JLCO. He spends over a third of the year on tour with JLCO. One of this year's Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis tours was at the University of Central Arkansas's Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway, Arkansas. The orchestra performed to a sold out audience. They started off with Inaki's Decision, a song from their album Vitoria Suite (which featured Paco De Lucia), that was recorded in Spain. This amazing piece of music had an up-tempo beat, and the orchestra was in a rhythmical sequence. There was also an array of solos: from the trumpets, saxophones, clarinets, flute, bass, piano, and drums. Once the group finished, Marsalis jokingly told the audience, "We were so caught up in the moment [to the point] where we did not want to stop."

JLCO played Ted Nash's Portrait in Seven Shades that began with trumpeter Marcus Printup's solo, and then there was Nash's solo. Afterwards, Printup used his trumpet sounds to chase Nash's saxophones sounds. They were so remarkable to the point where the audience did not know what Printup and Nash were playing.

Trumpeter Marsalis, trombonist Vincent Gardner, saxophonist/clarinetist Victor Goines, drummer Ali Jackson, pianist Dan Nimmer, and bassist Carlos Henriquez performed a piece entitled Weary Blues. The song was filled with a "taste of New Orleans." Gardner opened up with a low-up-tempo trombone solo; then, Goines played a soothing clarinet solo. Jackson's drumming and Nimmer's piano playing were outstanding. Marsalis played a "dynamic" trumpet solo that electrified the audience. At one point, during his solo, Marsalis was so energized in playing, to where he had to shake his head and smile to the audience. Out of all the songs JLCO played, there were two that highlighted the evening. And they were: Itsi Bitsy Spider and Old McDonald Had a Farm. It appeared as if the orchestra was telling the audience two "nursery rhyme" stories through jazz music.

I've followed Marsalis' career since 1982, the debut of his first album, Wynton Marsalis, during my junior year at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). I interviewed Marsalis, via telephone, for the Monroe Free Press newspaper in Monroe, Louisiana in August 2000. Ever since then, through his assistant Genevieve Stewart, at Wynton Marsalis Enterprises in New York City, I've kept in contact with him. Before the UCA concert, the last time we met was in April 2002. He performed at ULL's Angelle Hall, where I worked during my freshman and sophomore years.

Marsalis, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana (just like JLCO member Victor Goines) began his classical training at age 12; and he soon began playing in local bands of diverse genres. He entered Julliard School at age 17 and joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. To date, Marsalis has recorded more than 70 jazz and classical albums, which have garnered him nine Grammy Awards. In 1983, he became the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz Grammy Awards in the same year. He repeated this feat in 1984.

Marsalis rich body of compositions includes Sweet Release; Jazz: Six Syncopated Movements; Jump Start and Jazz; Citi Movement/Griot New York; At the Octoroon Balls and In House, On This Morning and Big Train. In 1997, he became the first jazz artist to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize in music for his oratorio Blood on the Fields was commissioned by JALC. In 1999, Marsalis released eight new recordings in his unprecedented Swinging into the 21st series. He also premiered several new compositions, including the ballet Them Twos, for collaboration with the New York City Ballet. Also, he premiered the monumental work All Rise, commissioned and performed by the New York Philharmonic, along with the JLCO and the Morgan State University Choir. Sony Classical released All Rise on CD in 2002.

To mark the 200th Anniversary of Harlem's historical Abyssinian Baptist Church in 2008, Marsalis composed a full mass for choir and jazz orchestra. The piece premiered at JALC and followed with performances at the celebrated church.

* * *

__________________________________________________

In Closing,

I thank God for those who use their musical talents for the good. At times, it helps me through work-outs and long distance travels. May God guide each of us in the use of the gifts He's afforded to us. We can all make a difference ... for the better.

In Jesus Name,

~Renee

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com.

We've Come This Far by Faith

2011-02-02T18:03:00.001-05:00

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not,” Galatians 6:9.

I can only imagine what it must’ve been like for my parents and grandparents growing up in the South. Picket signs, black and colored waiting rooms, and being ignored or pushed aside in a store after a white person enters. It was a different America then. Who would’ve ever thought (fifty years ago) black and white people would interact the way we do today? I know that in the minds of certain individuals that racist attitude still exists, but what an awesome God we serve for helping many to move beyond.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I commemorate those who have paved the way; making possible many of the conveniences we enjoy today. Many who lived in southern states (although other states may have been subject to the same racist treatment) have endured a lengthened amount of degradation by the implementation of Jim Crow: the racial caste system which operated primarily between 1877 and the mid-1960s. Deemed more than merely a set of strict anti-Black laws, it was a way of life for many.

In this issue, contributing writer Renarda Williams shares an insightful interview conducted with Pulitzer Prize winner, Isabel Wilkerson, author of The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. In this interview, Wilkerson speaks candidly about those who fled the South in order to make a better life for themselves, breaking away from the caste system designed to hold an entire race back.

_____________________________________________

African American Migration chronicled in "The Warmth Of Other Suns"

By Renarda Williams

The migration by African Americans from the Jim Crow South to the North and West -- from World War I through the 1970s -- is told through the stories of three people during that period.

Pulitzer Prize journalist Isabel Wilkerson chronicled one of the greatest events in African American and American history with her "remarkable" and "magnificent" book, The Warmth Of Other Suns: The Epic Story Of America's Great Migration (Random House, September 7, 2010).

Wilkerson conducted over 15 years of writing, research, drawing on archival materials, and interviewed 1,200 people for The Warmth Of Other Suns -- one of the most important blueprints of African American and American history.

Wilkerson wrote about the one of the most underreported stories of the twentieth century in this country. She focuses on the lives of Ida Mae Gladney, George Sterling, and Robert Foster. They were among the African Americans who defected away from the horrors of Jim Crow South to seek a better life in the North and West.

The Empowerment Initiative Online Newsletter interviewed Wilkerson via telephone about her book, and how it will impact Black America and America.

TEION: How important the Great Migration was for African Americans who left Jim South in shaping the scope of urban America?

Isabel Wilkerson
Photo Credit-Joe Henson

WILKERSON: The Great Migration was more like a defection from a caste system known as the Jim Crow South -- into the urban North and West, to cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. The majority of African-Americans now living in the North and West are descended from people who were part of this great outpouring of people who defected from Jim Crow.

Before the Great Migration, 90% of African Americans lived in the South. By the end of the Great Migration, nearly half were living outside the South -- in the North, the Midwest and the West. It was no accident. They were on a mission. They had foresight, a vision and a dream to flee the 'caste system' of Jim Crow that [oppressed them]. The outpouring was not a haphazard unfurling of lost souls, but an orderly migration that flowed along the railroad lines and bus routes between certain southern states and certain receiving cities. People followed these routes to the North and West.

TEION: What disadvantages did African Americans encounter once they left the South?

WILKERSON: Well, a question that could be asked is why did they leave? They left because the caste system dictated their every move. It exposed them to everyday indignities and was violently enforced in the form of lynching. What happened to Claude Neal in Florida, whom few Americans have heard of, was an extreme example of the kind of mob violence that surrounded them.

In the decades leading up to and immediately following the start of the Great Migration, a lynching occurred every four days somewhere in the South. There were reminders everywhere that there was a caste system. Blacks and whites could not play checkers together in Birmingham, Alabama, for instance. And in courthouses throughout the South, there was a Black bible and a white bible to swear to tell the truth on.

But they faced many challenges in the North and West in the places they fled to. Many unions would not accept them. Blacks were brought in as strike breakers. Many neighborhoods were off-limits to Blacks. Restrictive covenants prevented whites who might have been willing to sell to blacks to do so and many Blacks faced violence and fire bombings when they did try to move into white neighborhoods.

Even though Blacks met hostility in the North, most of them considered conditions in the North to be better than what they left in the South. They did whatever it took to fit into their new worlds. Some African Americans changed their names, changed their accents.

The Great Migration did not end until the conditions in the South began finally to change. And that took longer than might have been expected. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 were resisted by most Southern states until the 1970s. One county in Virginia closed the school system because they did not want to desegregate schools.

TEION: Out of all the Southern states African Americans left, what state had the most leave the South?

WILKERSON: Mississippi had the biggest percentage of African Americans [who] defected to the North ... and most of them moved to Chicago. There are now more African Americans living in the city of Chicago than in the entire state of Mississippi.

TEION: Did the stories of Ida Mae Gladney, George Startling, and Robert Foster make you understand their importance in making an impact in African American and American history?

WILKERSON: Yes! The African American defection was made by individual people. There were no leaders like Moses, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King ... to lead them out of the South.

Booker T. Washington did not want Blacks to leave the South. He wanted them to remain in the South until things got better. Many black ministers encouraged their flocks to stay in the South. But those who defected to the North did not look to their leaders to save them. They took matters into their own hands and made the decision to leave.

TEION: Do you want your book to reach young African Americans whose parents, grand parents, uncles, and cousins who defected to the North and West, so they can learn about their roots?

WILKERSON: Parents who defected from the South cannot make their children read about Black history and the Black defection. They need to let their children read about Black history ... whenever they are ready.

Every African American needs to know about the Black defection.

Most of us owe our existence in the North and West to someone who made the hard decision to leave the southern caste system for something better. Yet, it’s something most Blacks take for granted.

If it were not for those who left the South, there would not be a Motown. Berry Gordy's parents came from Georgia. Diana Ross and The Jacksons were children of parents from the South.

Music in general, especially Jazz, would not be where it is today. Miles Davis’s parents left Arkansas for Illinois. John Coltrane migrated from North Carolina to Philadelphia where he got his first alto sax. It’s hard to imagine what American music would be and much of American culture had there been no Great Migration.

Isabel Wilkerson won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for her work as Chicago Bureau Chief of The New York Times. She was the first African American woman in the history of American journalism to win a Pulitzer Prize; and the first African American to win for individual reporting.

Wilkerson also won a George Polk Award and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship for her research into the Great Migration.

She has lectured on narrative at the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University and has served as Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University; and as the James M. Cox Jr. Professor of Journalism at Emory University. She is currently Professor of Journalism and Director of Narrative Nonfiction at Boston University.

During the Great Migration, her parents journeyed from Georgia and southern Virginia to Washington, D.C., where she was born and reared.

_______________________________________________

In Closing,

I thank God for those who helped in paving the way for many conveniences afforded to African Americans today. As that "racial caste system" still exists in the minds of many, we must continue to still move forward ... in faith that things will continue to get better.

In Jesus Name,

~Renee

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

In This New Year...

2011-01-04T15:58:00.005-05:00

Many promises are made with each new year. Some resolve to lose weight, be more proactive in pursuing their goals, or developing and engaging in healthier relationships. All of these things are good … as they are rooted in God.

Our decision to live a better life is achievable, but we must be focused and determined to work toward those goals. My goal, rather prayer, is to develop a closer relationship with God. At the end of each year, I try to look back on what I’ve learned versus beating myself up over what I cannot change. I take the lessons taught in the previous year and apply the knowledge obtained in the next. Knowing what to do is good, but what good is it if that information is never applied?

In this first issue of the year, I implore each person to examine themselves. Not a vain introspection of how much money one can make or what model of vehicle one can drive, rather those things that aren’t tangible. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal,” Matthew 6:19-20.

When we lay the foundation with God, whatever we build upon Him is prosperous. Be careful to note that this success is not what the world may deem successful, but rather what God says is. He knows what we want, more importantly, what we need. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart,” Psalm 37:4. What an encouraging Word from God. He sums it up simply in Matthew 6:33 with “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you.”

The key is having faith in God; trusting Him at His word: His Holy Word. Faith must be activated. As evidenced in the following article by Renarda Williams, Stanice Anderson displays her strength as a woman walking on water.

________________________________________________

Stanice Anderson is Walking on Water with Faith in God

By Renarda Williams

Everyone has had their share of trials and tribulations in life. Having a foundation and faith in God always can help overcome obstacles such as depression, unemployment, and homelessness.

Inspirational speaker, author and performance artist Stanice Anderson, fully understands the problems people confront on a daily basis. She overcame heroin addiction, abusive relationships, rape, low self-esteem and a near death experience to rise and share her testimony to strengthen others.

Photo courtesy of
Stanice Anderson

I first met this Washington, DC native in 2003 when I interviewed her for my printed newsletter—The Empowerment Initiative (now an online newsletter) in Monroe, Louisiana—about her first book I Say A Prayer For Me. But I ended up submitting the interview to Straight Up Newsletter. I was inspired by her spiritual and uplifting book. During that time, I faced several ordeals in my life and Anderson's book played a major role in helping me overcoming them. I, in turn, developed a good friendship with her.

Anderson's new book, Walking On Water When the Ground Ain't Enuf (Shout Glory, LLC, Washington, D.C., 2010) takes over where her last book left off. Anderson encourages, energizes, and empowers readers with her words of wisdom, delivered to her from God, with testimonies about her life described as "walking on water" with faith and belief in God to overcome obstacles. Some of Anderson's stories are humorous, but they also focus on the harsh reality of dealing with issues.

Recently, I interviewed Anderson via telephone about Walking On Water, and its significance in delivering a powerful spiritual message.

RW: I Say A Prayer for Me was a powerful, inspirational, and spiritual book. So what type of message are you delivering in Walking on Water?

Published by
Shout Glory, LLC

SA: The message is a testimony of the love, power and grace of God. We are not alone ... we have to trust in Him because He is always there!

The book's message also states that whenever you are in the midst of crisis ... God will always be there to lift you up.

I share my story with others to show them how God has brought me a mighty long way throughout my life. I faced unemployment, double knee surgery ... [but] God boosted me in spirit.

God gave me a way to express myself through this book to help people. Bring togetherness [and a connection] with people. I still have relationships with readers of I Say A Prayer For Me.

My book will encourage people to never give up; mainly, because God will never give up on you.

My son (Mike Tucker) thought it was best to publish Walk On Water during the holidays because of what people face at that time.

RW: How important is this book toward addressing the trials and tribulations that people are confronted with today?

SA: It is major. You need to exercise your faith. Faith is like a muscle; you use it to go to God and ask how to deal with your circumstances.

Trials and tribulations are like secrets. You cannot hide them; you need to hit them head on! Get real! You do not need to be isolated and focus on the past because it will hold you back.

I use "Spokentry"—a combination of spoken word and poetry—to talk about my trials and tribulations. People need to have "Water-Walking Gatherings and Write Shops." We need interconnections. Life is a war. God has given me an international ministry. I have readers in Kansas City, Missouri to Paris, France.

For example, one woman almost committed suicide until she saw the cover of I Say A Prayer For Me and was moved. Her mother gave her the book and it literally changed her life. That’s God’s hand.

When I faced my latest ordeals it caused me to write Walk On Water. When I look at my own story, I look at what God has brought me through ... God must have more for me to do.

RW: You have some amazing testimonies in this book. Are they geared more toward leading more people to trust and believe in God during these tough times?

SA: Yes. God gave me the title “Walking on Water” in 2006. I did not want to write it, but my son said, “I am going to promote you ... I am going to put something together.” We put together a one-woman show Walking On Water at a night club in DC in ’07 and over 250 people attended. I told different stories, sang and did spokentry.

I continued to write stories and a book began to take form. The cover for the book came from a woman in California. She drew a picture of a woman on the water. My son asked recording artist Raheem DeVaughn’s personal painter Demont "Peekaso" Pinder to paint me on the water. Next Mike pulled together picture and painting to create the awesome cover of Walking On Water.

My 6 year-old granddaughter, Michal Zoe Tucker, helped me with the interior book design. She is writing a book about her loose tooth, "The Tooth is Loose."

RW: Do you think your book will make people feel you are telling their story?

SA: Yes, I am writing from their perspectives. My book is like a ministry. I love to see the light come on when people read the book. I also want to make them laugh.

RW: Out of all the things you accomplished, what other goals do you have for the next year?

SA: I want to lecture, conduct “write shops” and do more Spokentry. I also want to teach, especially about the writing process; and how to write a book and get it published. I want to put Walking On Water in E-book form by February 2011 and do a second printing of I Say A Prayer For Me.

# # #

To find out more about Stanice Anderson and to read a free first chapter, please visit http://www.trywalkingonwater.com/

____________________________________________

In Closing,

It is my prayer that in this new year, God blesses us with more of Him.

In Jesus Name,
~Renee

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

Scriptures used in this article are from NKJV (New King James Version)

Jesus Christ ... Savior

2010-12-22T18:33:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone... Over the years, I've seen (even used it in the past not realizing what I was doing) the words Merry Xmas. In recent years, it didn't seem like a simple abrreviation, but a deletion of my Savior. Interesting, note that the “X” replaces “Christ”. We cannot take Christ out of the equation, if and when many do, this changes the entire meaning—well, it makes it meaningless. Some stores peddle off holiday cards that show a merry Santa Claus giving gifts to little children, dismissing the greatest gift God gave to us. What does Christmas mean to the average American?

Many argue that it has paganistic roots while others take advantage of this day to siphon money from unsuspecting Christians. It is obviously clear that the motive behind celebrating this day may vary depending upon who you ask. For me and my family, Christmas is not centered on gift-giving; it is centered on Christ. We give of our time, our efforts, and our love. We often laugh, recalling that it’s not our birthday that we’re celebrating, but Christ’s. We do share a token of appreciation with one another whether it is a card, a phone call, or something that we may need or can afford to give, but that is also practiced all year round, not just because the country has deemed December 25th a national holiday.

Also, it is important to not go into debt trying to impress someone with a present that you can’t even afford. How is that a gift? It may leave you feeling empty and the other person guilty because of the amount of money spent. Consider the hungry, the homeless, and the imprisoned.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me,’” Matthew 25:34-40, NKJV.

In the bustle of storewide sales and preparing dinners fit for kings, let us not forget about the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. He didn’t forget about us.

With ThanksGiving

2010-11-23T12:32:00.006-05:00

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ,” Colossians 2:6-8, KJV.

Many thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for without Him, I am nothing. He made it possible for me to be reconciled to the Father. It is in His love where we learn how to love and appreciate what He has done (and is doing) for us.

As we steadily approach the U.S. holiday known as Thanksgiving, I'm reminded that this is something we ought to do everyday, not just once a year. As Christians, thanksgiving rings within our hearts. We all may not have the opportunity to gather around a large table overflowing with food everyday, sharing it with family and friends we usually see only a few times out of the year, but we are thankful for the many phone conversations and laughter that comforts us until we do meet again face to face.

I thank God for all of His many blessings and pray that as you gather (if you have the opportunity to do so) with family and friends, remember to pray for those who are less fortunate.

In this issue, I offer Book 2 of The Fiery Furnace series: Confessions. If you haven't already read The Kiss of Judas (Book 1), take a moment to read some of the recent reviews on Amazon here. It's been deemed by many a "must read." Also, I wanted to let you all know (as I have been contacted about purchases as Christmas gifts), that currently the discounted price for The Kiss of Judas (on my personal site autographed w/ free shipping) is $11.99 while supplies last. The covers are changing, but the story is still the same.

I appreciate the love and support and please, if there is anything that I can do to support another ministry, don't hesitate to let me know.

Happy Reading!

___________________________________________________

Confessions: A Fiery Furnace Novel (Book #2)

ISBN: 978-1-934195-54-3

Covering up a sin won’t make it go away...

The driven Jermaine Grant appears to have it all together on the surface. He's young, handsome, and headstrong with the perfect job and faithful love planted at his side—so it seems. What happens when all of this is threatened by a looming incident from the past? In the midst of chaos, Jermaine unexpectedly finds himself battling a demon that seems to be the fiercest of them all.

Jermaine's number one counterpart, Nia Thomas, strives to be just as successful at her career as her determined boyfriend of two years. She skillfully juggles a double life while struggling to keep her carefully designed mask from shattering to pieces. Nia's private world is threatened despite her attempts to conceal a secret that could change her family's future forever. A heartbreaking disclosure spiral lives into a startling off course collision.

What happens when confessions are revealed without consent? Whoever thought telling a lie would hurt so much?

This book can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or my personal website. It releases soon!

# # #

Faith, Hope, & Love: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-04T12:22:00.013-04:00

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love,” 1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV.

The greatest is love. In my previous position, I worked as a research coordinator at an oncology clinic. I was able to see first hand the effects of not only breast cancer, but various types of this disease. It can be challenging, depressing, and heart wrenching for those involved, both victims and family members. What can someone say to alleviate the pain? The only thing I can think of at this moment is … God loves you. This is an effective way to not only encourage, but to minister to as well.

As tough as it has been to become friends with those patients who are no longer on Earth, I had to realize that God knows best. Some may question why God didn’t heal, but we must try to understand that His ways are not our ways and that His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). And He does not make mistakes.

This month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month (also referred to as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM)) is an annual health campaign organized to raise funds for research, including cure and prevention. The campaign’s purpose is also to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.

NBCAM presents an opportunity for many to participate in raising money to fund research. I’ve seen firsthand how costly studies can be, however it is important to improve treatment options for patients. The links below present a couple of easy ways you can contribute without even leaving the comfort of your own home:

http://ww5.komen.org/Donate/DonateOnline.html (Susan G Koman)

http://www.cupsofhope.com/ (Dannon Activia)

In addition to those sites, many across the nation have adopted Pink days. This is during the month of October where people raise money by coordinating a variety of activities. Pink day is when employees wear the color pink (either clothing or accessories) to work and donations are made.

This is just one way to show love, so let us make an effort. You never know, the next time you hear about breast cancer, it could be someone in your own home.

Consider some of the many survivor stories:

Diane Becker Krasnick – Breast Cancer Survivor

Diane Foresee, Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor

Jane Gillespie - Overcomer and Breast Cancer Survivor

Debbie Stallings - Breast Cancer Survivor

Robin M. Gray RN, Breast Cancer Survivor

# # #

After the Rain

2010-09-01T23:51:00.008-04:00

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,” Psalm 30:5, NKJV.

This scripture has a particularly moving meaning for me today. Years ago, death was all around me. If it wasn’t a grandparent, it was an uncle or some other family member. As somber the thought, death is a part of the cycle we call life here on Earth. In Genesis 23, a chapter in the Bible that speaks on death, it’s important to understand that grieving is healthy in moving beyond the loss.

In this issue, I interview an author whose debut novel explores the life of a grief-stricken individual who rises above adversity. Jennifer L. Dean, author of My Rising Up, gives an inside look on why she writes what she writes and how a fictional story can help those experiencing similar situations in real life; shedding light in the midst of darkness.

Later, it is a pleasure to have Renarda Williams, freelance writer and columnist, discuss his true life story of overcoming various trials, issues, and situations in his life. Over the years that I’ve known him, Renarda has kept a positive attitude in moving beyond death, trials, hardships, and tribulations on to restoration.

Both Jennifer L. Dean and Renarda Williams drive home the fact that God is indeed with us.

_______________________________________________

~Introducing Christian author, Jennifer L. Dean~

Jennifer L. Dean, author of My Rising Up, enters the literary scene with a powerful story that not only explores hardships that may occur in life, but also the overcoming power of God. As the story opens, the reader is immediately pulled into the life of Brendan Maxwell--a young man who encounters death from an early age. This sets the tone of a seemingly troubled journey that rocks his world into adulthood.

I found this novel an interesting and enjoyable read. Situations and circumstances in the book reminded me of what it was like to live a college life, but more importantly, how it should be done with God as the head in every area. As the story was drawing to a close, I found myself flipping the pages even faster to get to the end!

This story is definitely one where I can relate. I think it is very important that stories like this one are told because so many lose hope in the One who gives hope. It is apparent that this author has an intimate relationship with the Lord because it shows in her writing ... and I appreciate that above all else.

My Rising Up is a wonderfully crafted faith-based read that adults of any age group would appreciate.

The interview, in her words...

SUN: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

JLD: I am the fifth of six children born in rural Mississippi to two blessed and hard-working parents. Living a fairly normal life, I graduated second in my high school class and went on to pursue a degree with honors in Medical Technology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Currently, I reside in Birmingham, Alabama, but will probably always consider myself a true Mississippi girl at heart.

SUN: How long have you been writing?

JLD: Though I entered the workforce as a clinical scientist, I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I was one of those students who actually enjoyed English composition, Literature and creative writing classes—an oddball, I’m sure. Even outside of class, I found myself writing. I wrote several short stories when I was younger—mostly for my own entertainment—and managed to win first place in an essay contest as a high school freshman on the topic of What Makes America So Great. I was also blessed to see one of my poems, Serenity, published in 2000 by the Famous Poets Society. It did not occur to me, however, to write novels on a professional level until almost three years ago. But when the idea began to bud, so did the excitement.

SUN: Tell us a little bit about My Rising Up and what prompted you to pen it? What was the process like?

JLD: My Rising Up is a novel that portrays the life of a young man named Brendan Maxwell who, after a period of estrangement from the Lord when grief, disappointment and pain drives him away to the streets, is now centered in the Lord’s will for his life as an older, mature adult. He’s back in college and church, back connected with his family, and working hard on his job. Mainly, Brendan learns to rise from the ashes of the past and present trials and move forward with the aid of God’s power inside him as he faces daily realities of life: love/relationships, family changes, judgments from others, etc.

This novel has several themes resonating throughout its pages:

1) trying to maintain mental stability in a stress-filled life

2) learning to trust God again after tragedy (or any situation that leaves doubt in God)

3) finding restoration of a broken heart after a failed relationship

4) discovering one’s spiritual gift

5) the reality of miracles

I would have to say that one of the stronger themes in My Rising Up is finding comfort and the ability to live again after the loss of a loved one. As a health care worker in the medical field, as well as in the experiences I’ve had with the loss of friends and family, I have seen the effects of death, the damage and despair it causes. Even while publishing this novel, my own grandmother passed away suddenly. It was totally unexpected and shocked the whole family.

Death, regardless of whatever form it takes to steal a life, is a subject that needs to be addressed with the wisdom and understanding of God’s perception, as I believe that He wants His people to trust that there is a bigger side to death than what usually transpires here on earth. And the process of writing this novel was really just a creative way of portraying the enlightenment I’ve received over time in my own quest to understand the effects of death.

In essence, My Rising Up has many messages, and my hope is that its overall impression will prompt readers to take away whatever message benefits them.

SUN: What is your motivation for writing? Who do you think your audience is, if any specific group?

JLD: My motivation for writing is simply the God-given drive I was born with to do it. Now, I’m not always in the mood to write, but that inner desire to write never leaves. Initially, my audience is myself and God, as I write what flows out of what we have communed about or simply what He shows me, using my fingers as His pen. Eventually, the process of creativity develops into a form that can be appreciated by an audience of various ethnicity and age groups, male or female. But always, at the end of the day, when I look at my work, I ask myself, Will the Lord be a fan of what I’ve written? For me, it always goes back to what will please Him. As an author Himself, God understands the need to portray reality creatively, yet still be responsible to exemplify the righteousness for which He stands. I try hard to follow His example.

SUN: Do you consider writing as another occupation or a passion?

JLD: I consider my writing both an occupation and a passion. It is a job in a sense that it takes dedication, hard work, discipline and time to bring forth into fruition that which is in the creative recesses of one’s mind. But it is also a passion, as it does take that burning inner desire to sustain the process of molding myself into the best writer I can be. Writing, for me, involves a certain level of vulnerability, and to be passionate about what I write is a must-have in order to birth an honest reflection of what I want to represent. If the passion for one’s writing is not behind the words they write, most of the time the reader can pick up on it.

SUN: Do you see yourself writing years from now, if so, what other projects would you like to see come to fruition?

JLD: I do have a vision to write years from now, as I believe that what God births in you to do is a lifelong process of cultivating, learning and nourishing that gift. I have not ruled out any projects that might come to fruition as a result of utilizing the gift of writing, and with that perception, I constantly work on ideas that I believe are from the Lord that will come to light in the future. Whatever opportunities He brings my way, whether it be more book ideas, screenplays, poems, etc, I’m willing to take on the challenge!

SUN: Being a writer, what do you like to read?

JLD: I am an avid reader! It is probably my most favorite pastime; I can smoothly juggle reading several books at the same time. (Is that a talent?) Usually I choose works that are geared to educate and inspire. I like to read self-help books, biographies and autobiographies, as most of them are testimonies to what a person has triumphed over and learned from during life’s struggles, as well as books about America’s history, specifically historical accounts of African and Native Americans. Mostly, though, I read Christian fiction by authors who, I believe, write about the realities of life’s experiences with not only a measure of entertainment, but most importantly, with a standard of Christian responsibility and ethics.

SUN: If you could sum your life up in one sentence, what would you say?

JLD: I was born for a purpose, and regardless of the ups or downs I encounter as I carry out my mission, my destiny belongs to Christ.

~ ~ ~

To find out more information about this budding author whose sophomore novel will be released next year, please visit her online:

Websites: http://www.jldeanauthor.com/, Amazon, My Rising Up Facebook group, and other online retail stores.

__________________________________________________

Life Changes as We Grow Older

By Renarda Williams

In July I, along with my wife Helaine recently visited my mother Mrs. Audrey F. Williams, in Lafayette, La. During that visit I also visited with dear friends from my old college days at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).

While in Lafayette I reflected on how I, at 49, have changed. I wondered how my limited finances and hectic work schedule would ever allow me regular visits to my mother; older brother Darren in Houston, TX; other family members in Alexandria and Baton Rouge, La., and Houston; and additional friends in Louisiana and across the country. I also noticed how my loved ones' lives have changed ... and realized how difficult it is for us all to have stable lives.

Generally, people plan their lives during their teenage and young-adult years, and hope that everything will work out. But as we know, life does not always go as planned. I'd planned to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. That plan was first laid during my childhood. I prepared for this career as an Air Force Reserved Officers Training Corps cadet in both high school and college. But such a career was not to be. God led me where He needed me ... back home to my old south-side neighborhood, the "Sonia Quarters," a predominately black lower income area in Alexandria, La. There, I served as a substitute teacher, staff writer/columnist for two black newspapers, and social worker at the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria. I was a Big Brother/mentor and active in my church as a Sunday school teacher and public relations director.

After five years, God led me to Monroe, La., where I was a columnist/reporter for a black weekly newspaper. (That was my official title; actually, I was more like an advocate for Monroe’s black communities.) In addition, I worked as a part-time caseworker for two juvenile diversion programs under the Ouachita Parish District Attorney's Office, and was a mentor for the office's Big Brother/Big Sister program. I went on to begin my own mentorship for youth and young adults. Also, I volunteered for a non-profit grassroots spiritual organization in Monroe that worked with the homeless. I also became a lobbyist for non-profit national children's, social, and African non-profit organizations.

Three years after I attended the Million Man March, I founded The Umoja Network (TUN) -- a nationwide information network that provides writing services ... magazine articles, editing and ghostwriting services for authors, speeches, press releases and the like. I also provided a free monthly printed newsletter, The Empowerment Initiative, which today is an online newsletter.

In July of 2003, God led me to a wonderful Black queen, Helaine Palmer Freeman from Little Rock. I relocated to Little Rock in Sept. 2004, and we were married on May 7, 2005. I continued with The Umoja Network. I, along with Helaine, volunteered as public relations/communications directors with the African Women's Health Project International (AWHPI), a nonprofit African organization in Little Rock. In February 2006, we traveled to Lagos, Nigeria with AWHPI’s founder, Princess Deun Ogunlana, on a medical mission.

I continued to lobby for national children's and social organizations. Helaine and I also volunteered with Sandra Wilson for her former organization, the Arkansas Housing Support Network. We now volunteer for the Arkansas Homeless Coalition, also founded by Wilson.

Throughout my years in Lafayette, Alexandria and Monroe, I faced a series of trials and tribulations, including job layoffs and and deaths of family members and dear friends. I’ve experienced even tougher trials and tribulations in Little Rock.

At 49, it’s hard for me to understanding why God has not YET allowed me to have a comfortable and stable life -- especially from a financial standpoint -- to provide more for Helaine, my mother, family members, friends, and those who are unfortunate in America and worldwide. But when I'm down, God taps me on the shoulder and makes me realize that it's about His will, not ours.

God often allows us to prepare for one thing so that He can take what we've learned and move us into what He really wants us to do: improve our world as much as we can, from a spiritual, educational, economical, political, and social standpoint.

And then I realize … my plans didn't go awry after all.

__________________________________________________

In Closing,

I'd like to thank both Jennifer and Renarda for their wonderful contributions and insight. Although a little rain may fall in our lifetime, that doesn't mean that the sun won't ever shine again. As we keep our hope and focus on the Lord, He'll bless us with that peace that surpasses all understanding.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isaiah 26:3, KJV.

# # #

The Kiss of Judas: A Fiery Furnace Novel

2010-08-02T00:21:00.008-04:00

New cover as of
January 2011

In this issue, I hope you would join in with me as I celebrate the release of my newly revised novel, The Kiss of Judas, delivering a strong message to all ages. It has been deemed insightful, suspenseful, intriguing, and fast-paced. It has also been reported that the shocking ending is worth the reading experience. Order an autographed copy today and find out for yourself.

As I ponder on my past and how much has transpired since the first edition release, I thank God for just being God. The blessings are too numerous to name them all, but I will express that I truly love Him. What an awesome God we serve!

In my recent move to another state, the Lord covered my family and kept us safe. Over the past few weeks I've stood (and is still standing) on Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” It's amazing the fiery darts that the enemy will hurl, but as stated in Ephesians 6:16, with the shield of faith Christians are able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.

Below, you can get an inside look at this first novel in a series of three and view the book trailer. I hope you enjoy…

Happy Reading!

_________________________________________________

The Kiss of Judas (August 2010)

ISBN: 978-1-934195-55-0

The storm of betrayal is brewing...

Justine Dasant walks the earth in search of something that always seems to be just out of reach. After she's promised herself that she would leave her past in the past, history starts to repeat when her current boyfriend, Isaiah Johnson, shows interest in someone other than her. Justine makes it known that she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants...no matter who gets hurt along the way.

Isaiah Johnson, a young, successful CEO, has climbed himself to a life of wealth. He's worked hard to open his own business and just when success peaks, Isaiah's new found strength to step out on faith drives a wedge between him and the woman in his life. Not only does he regret meeting Justine, it's a challenge for him to escape her calculated stalking. At what cost will Isaiah say no to the world and yes to God?

# # #
~Video features old cover 2010~

Excerpt:

Chapter 1|Isaiah

I was running from the devil as fast as I could. My hair raced in the opposite direction, and my feet floated like raging currents of an ocean. Desperate, petrified, jittery, strapped—something familiar snatched me back.

“Isaiah.” She loved calling my name with the sweetest voice I’ve ever known. Rendering me helpless, her femininity stifled my flow and tackled me to the ground. I knew from the moment we met, something just wasn’t right, yet I allowed my loins to act in place of my brain.

Her beauty struck me every time I laid eyes upon her; pimp slaps to my face, karate kicks to my heart. She presented herself as every woman, every woman indeed.

Justine’s eyelashes fluttered the sweet song of seduction. Her lips pouted the hymn of fornication. And the rest of her wanted me to partake of the forbidden fruit. Movies, dinner, nightcaps, intercourse—her marathon tested my stamina. I never had a chance. Our bodies intertwined as one recreating the effects of a Twizzler stick. She moaned my name, I groaned hers. She grabbed my head in the heat of passion and marked her territory with scratches on my back. I winced a little, but didn’t want to disturb the groove. She’s my one and only. The woman I wanted to marry one day, the woman I wanted to carry my seed.

Her silhouette stirred up my desire, enticed my heart, and teased my thirst. Her beautiful hazel eyes lured me in. Excuse me—her beautiful hazel contacts lured me in. She presented me with every quality I asked for in a mate; perfection should have been her name.

I met this woman at a restaurant while I was having a Boys Night Out with my fellas. She was wearing an orange haltertop-tie-thing with some jeans that accentuated her booming system. Her toes, oh her toes ... I’m a sucker for pedicures. Her hair was in an up do that swung in opposite directions as she walked. She has strikingly smooth, ebony skin tone that should have been featured in the latest issue of Jet magazine. She should have been a Beauty of the Week—captivating smile, alluring fragrance, reputable intelligence, and justifiable conceitedness.

The single candle lit above our heads represented the year we had been together. The pictures on the wall displayed our loyalty to one another … or at least they should have.

I peered up remembering what my best friend told me, and suddenly my desire for her left. The feeling of insecurity injected a glacier into my heart, but I still loved her. She had my soul and I prayed that I had hers, yet envisioning her with another man killed my appetite.

I rolled over to my side of the bed, yanking the sheets up to my chest.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” she asked, placing a petite palm on my left shoulder.

I turned around to answer, almost wanting to ask her if it were true. The thoughts were driving me crazy, but I had to know. I had to know if the woman I had been idolizing for the past year was creeping behind my back. My thoughts shattered as something grabbed my attention to the Holy Bible sitting off in the corner of the room, and I deepened in my regret. The flickering flame reflecting from the scented candle atop my cherry wood dresser shed light in the midst of my dark transgression.

“Baby, is there something wrong?” Justine repeated, this time nudging my chin in her direction. As I gazed into her mesmerizing eyes, I was jolted right back into her trance.

She had me. I was on lock down. I tried to fight my way out, but she always managed to wrestle me to the mat. One, two, three … this time, the championship was her victory—I lost. I think I lost a lot more than I had bargained for.

# # #

Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to others. Thanks in advance for your support!

Moving ...

2010-07-04T19:19:00.000-04:00

Greetings everyone,

There will not be an official post for July as my husband and I relocate to another state. We solicit your prayers in the name of Jesus as we make this transition in our lives. Thank you for reading and I look forward to posting in August.

In the next issue, I plan to share my new book trailer as well any updates for the re-release of my first book, The Kiss of Judas. Also, if you have a testimony that you'd like to share, please contact me and I'll post it.

May God bless you all.

~Renee

In Spirit and In Truth

2010-06-01T00:30:00.000-04:00

Fathers have often served as head of household, although in recent decades the responsibility lags in many families. I applaud those men of God who stand upright supporting not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually. It takes more than money to raise a child and it’s important that parents take an active part in their children’s lives. If training does not take place in the home, it will occur somewhere. Seizing control of what happens with our children today will create a better future for them tomorrow. And we have the greatest example of them all—God.

As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, take note that June has also been deemed Black Music Month. There are many Gospel artists who carry the message of Jesus Christ spreading it to the masses. And one thing is certain, in order to have Christ in your life, you must first be honest and truthful about yourself. Confession is a big part of salvation. One must admit that they’re a sinner in order to receive forgiveness. If a person thinks they have never done anything wrong, how can they be forgiven? In surrendering your all to God, you come to Him as you are and allow Him to change you into who you need to be. Don’t mimic somebody else’s mode of living … that’s not authentic. God calls us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

In this issue, Renarda Williams shares an interview conducted with the Gospel singing group, Mary Mary, about their new book, Be U. Their last album, The Sound, particularly caught my attention as it was upbeat making for good work-out music. This was until I listened closely to the song "Superfriend" on this album featuring David Banner—a rapper notoriously known for degradingly explicit lyrics. It further troubled me that the producer on David Banner’s album (entitled The Greatest Story Ever Told: which defies what's often referred to Jesus’ life) is Warryn Campbell, husband of Erica Campbell (one half of the Mary Mary duo). This record was released the same year as The Sound (2008).

The duo has been singing professionally now for over a decade, reaching out to the lost and downtrodden, and it would be sad to see this side-tracked by actions that show straddling the fence. God has made this evident in my own life, especially with previous editions of my work which included profanity—that by today's worldly standard is deemed okay and even aired on primetime television. Back then I thought I was just being realistic, but whose reality was I portraying? I wasn't one who spoke with such language, so why did my characters? I now accept Christ's teaching and move on to learn more. I have re-written those works to please God, not people.

Below is an inside view as to how Mary Mary aim to encourage young girls to become the women God desires for them to be. I pray, in the name of Jesus, that God leads them in the direction He would have for them to go. We must be mindful that our lives may be the only Bible some people will ever read (Matthew 7:20).

In the testimony corner, meet Sonya Visor, the Founder of TruU Ministries. She also teaches on the importance of being a person of truth by taking off the masks many have been prone to wear. Sonya is the loving wife of Pastor Tony Visor for over nineteen years, and mother of two sons, Jason and Tony, Jr. She and her husband have ministered effectively together in the city of Racine, WI at NCC (New Covenant Church) since 1999. Read about her journey to freedom and how she was able to take of her mask and become the true woman God has called her to be.

__________________________________________________

Mary Mary says just "Be U!"

By Renarda Williams

The gospel singing duo, Mary Mary (Erica and Tina Campbell) has sold more than 2.8 million records in the U.S. alone, since their debut album, Thankful, in May 2000. Every one of their studio albums has been either platinum or gold certified. Mary Mary's newest album The Sound, which was released on October 2008, has sold almost 200,000 copies to date.

Today, Mary Mary has a dynamic inspirational book, Be U: Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional, Be Strong, Be You! (Howard Books, 2010), that is geared towards motivating girls, young women, or anyone who needs inspiration. They encourage others to seek what God sees in them instead of people; to focus on the inner beauty God has placed inside to shine outwardly, displaying their spiritual selves.

Recently, in an email interview, Mary Mary talked about their purpose for writing Be U.

RW: How important it is to empower women from a spiritual, mental and physical (health) standpoint?

MM: Empowering women is quite important to us. And when these three components of a woman's life are healthy, she is an overall, healthy woman. So we feel that we have a responsibility to use this God given platform to help build or at least positively influence the lives of those girls and women watching. Otherwise, we've wasted our God given opportunity.

RW: Do you think little girls, teenagers, and young adult women need mentoring today, more than ever, because of the peer pressure they face on a regular basis?

MM: Girls, teens and young women absolutely need mentoring. There seems to be an over abundance of negative, or just not [enough] positive, images every time you turn on the television or internet; every time you see an advertisement; and every time you go to school or some social setting. It seems like no one has restraints or self respect or individuality or dignity. It seems like the world has lost reverence for God, our parents, and the elderly.

[It also] seems like the cool thing is not following the rules or having standards ... but just following the leader and that's whoever has the biggest, loudest, boundary-less or toughest/fear provoking behavior. So girls and women definitely need mentors to help guide them in a positive direction. Hopefully we and our Be U book will provide that for at least some of them.

RW: What is the most important thing that you both want women to learn from your book? Always put God first, knowing He can do all things?

MM: Absolutely, positively all of the above. They're all essential to becoming strong and beautiful, honest and intentional, and ultimately becoming your best U.

RW: Did you both feel it was time to write a book, to inspire people, just like your music?

MM: Well to be honest, we always think of and consider new way to inspire, but the idea of writing a book came from our manager, Holly. We certainly thought it could be very effective in pushing the idea or movement, Be U.

We so want to inspire girls and young women to embrace who they are, who God made them to be, and give their best shot at being their best self. The most effective place for presenting this concept or philosophy to some is written in a book. So Mary Mary had to write the Be U book.

Erica and Tina Campbell grew up in a large family in Inglewood, California. They first sang publicly in the local church choir and received their first break in 1998 with a song on the "Prince of Egypt" soundtrack. Now, they are three-time Grammy winners, with their most recent being the 2009 win for Best Gospel Performance for their hit single "Get Up." They are also Dove, Stellar, MOBO, and American Music Award winners.

Their group was inspired by the two Marys in the Bible -- Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.
_________________________________________________

The Testimony Corner

"Take Off the Mask"

How does a pastor’s wife find herself at the point of suicide? I mean literally, ready to end it all with her four year old son in his bedroom playing with his toys. We are talking about a woman who supports her husband, prays for church members and cheer-leaded others out of their midnights. How did she come to the conclusion of death? I can tell you because it was me, surrounded by darkness when I carried the light of Jesus. There was an internal battle raging inside. I mastered the art of wearing masks to cover up sin in my life. Suicide didn’t care that my husband was a pastor, it was seeking death and I was about to offer up my own hand to the enemy.

Secrets for me started when I was a little girl learning at a young age how to hide sin. My violators—trusted family members—taught me the art of “being quiet” as they touched my body. I walked around hiding who I was by saying what I thought others wanted me to say. I never truly was able to say how I really felt because I assumed that people expected me to be a perfectionist. I was becoming bound daily, walking around pretending that I was “okay”. The truth is: I was living a lie. I wasn’t alright, reaching for silence instead of truth. It was easier to say I was okay than to deal with the pain of my past and disappointing others.

After years of wearing a mask of pretense that “all is well,” the many faces were shattering and I was finally losing control; no longer able to hold it together smiling in the presence of others and crying deep down inside of my soul. It was truly time to become naked and unashamed in the presence of the King. The problem was that I didn’t know how, but God allowed me to be pushed into a corner getting me to scream, “No, I’m not alright!” This was the only way that help would come and liberate me.

On Sundays, I went to church with my husband, playing the role, but my soul couldn’t take it any longer … God was breaking down my masks. He sent my son to me while I was curled up on the living room floor. He voiced these words, “Mommy, God loves you and so do I.” That was it! Broken, set free…and I could smell victory. I felt God’s love despite all of the mess …all of my secrets…all of my shame. God told me that he loved me; the miracle was Him using my son who couldn’t even hear. Wow, what a wonderful day! I was saved and set on a course to live, no longer hiding behind faces that were not true. Today, I am free to be the true me.

Is there something you’re hiding? Deeper than that: Who are you when nobody’s looking? I encourage you to look at “it”. Feel it, don’t brush it off and say that you are “alright” or “okay” when you are not. Deal with it by the grace of God (Luke 8:17).

Be free in the presence of the King. Tell Him your story; after all, He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Be TruU Always,
Sonya

*Sonya Visor is the author of Who I Am Is Not Who I’ve Become. To read more about her testimony and the ministry God has placed inside of her, please visit http://www.sonyavisor.com/ *

__________________________________________________

In Closing,

I thank Sonya Visor and Renarda Williams for their contribution this month. Both fell in line with what God instructs us to do … to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. God says in Revelation 3:16 (NKJV), “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Many attempt to serve God in flesh and in lies still obtaining approval from the world, but this does not profit their soul. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

We must come to God knowing that He is I AM. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We must be willing to say no to the world … and yes to God, no matter what. As Christians, we have to show others the way, not become a lukewarm sideliner. It’s not a decision for the faint at heart, but for those who stand for Christ at all costs, even if it means losing their very life.

To all of the fathers or those who act in such a capacity, I pray the Lord shines upon you. Not only on Father’s Day, but each day of the year.

References: In Flesh and in Lies, Straddling the Fence

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

In the Midst of it All

2010-05-01T00:03:00.011-04:00

This month houses the National Day of Prayer (May 6, 2010). It’s an opportunity to come together and collectively honor God. I don’t express my love for a generic god rather respectfully honor the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit—the One true and living God. In doing so, Christ teaches me what love is and in knowing what love is, I humbly honor mothers as we also celebrate Mother’s Day.

Through mothers, God allow children to multiply upon the earth. Isn’t an honor to pay tribute to those who take part in shaping a young person’s life? We celebrate women who share not only hot meals, but warm hugs and tender words of encouragement. Mother’s Day is a reminder of what many of us offer all year round—love.

In this issue, contributing writer Renarda Williams shares interviews with two influential individuals of our country. First, Terrence Roberts, one of the nine black students who desegregated Central High School in 1957 (commonly known as the Little Rock Nine), and then Martha Hawkins who successfully turned her life around with the help of God to create Martha’s Place, a restaurant frequented even by those in Hollywood, California.

Later in The Testimony Corner, read about one woman’s journey of realizing God’s powerful hand of favor spanning generations of her family. She unfolds her strength to choose life even in the darkest moments.

____________________________________________

Terrence Roberts: Lessons from Little Rock

By Renarda Williams

As a 15-year-old eleventh grader, Terrence Roberts was one of the nine black students who desegregated Central High School in 1957. Though unpleasant, the experience gave Roberts the opportunity to grow, develop his personality, and understand the magnitude of the conflict between him and whites who believed he didn't belong there. He also learned how to overcome life’s obstacles.

Roberts shares these conclusions and more in his memoir, Lessons from Little Rock (Butler Center Books, 2009), which he presented at a Sept. 22, 2009 book signing and lecture held at the Main Library's Darraugh Center. The event was hosted by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies.

Roberts—who owns a management consulting firm in California—state that he learned two lessons from Central High. “First, [that] the institution of segregation was so entrenched and [white] people did what they had to do to preserve it. Second, I see that segregation continues to play a [major role] in American society today.” America never had integration, Roberts concluded. “Integration will never happen in America until racism, discrimination and segregation are eliminated.”

The election of President Barack Obama did not in itself change America's racial attitudes or empower blacks, Roberts believes. He pointed out that blacks had to empower themselves before Barack Obama was ever elected president.

“Obama will not change much,” Roberts stated. “But the most important thing today—[along with improving the education, economy, and health care]—is to close the division that exists among Americans.”

* * *

Martha's Place: A Product of Faith, Determination, and Hard Work

By Renarda Williams

An abiding faith in God, along with hope and hard work, enabled Martha Hawkins to overcome despair and darkness to find success in life. That success culminated in Hawkins' ownership of Martha's Place, a famous restaurant in Montgomery, AL.

With the help of Marcus Brotherton, Hawkins discusses her life experiences and the creation of her business in Finding Martha's Place: My Journey Through Sin, Salvation, and Lots of Soul Food (Touchstone, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, Feb. 2010). Hawkins' manuscript was so well-written; Simon and Schuster made no changes before publishing it ... a rare occurrence.

Finding Martha's Place is a great example of how the biggest obstacles can be overcome if the desire to succeed is strong enough. Readers will find out how Hawkins triumphed over poverty and depression and created not just a restaurant, but a "home away from home" filled with spirituality, love, and joy. A restaurant often peopled with celebrities such as Whoopie Goldberg, Sissy Spacek, Ty Pennington, and Angela Bassett.

Speaking of food, Hawkins shares recipes for some of her mouth-watering dishes, including Southern Baked Catfish, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sallie Hawkins's Cornbread, and Perfect Pecan Pie.

In a telephone interview, Hawkins talked about hardships, inspiration, and her goals for the book.

RW: How does it feel now, after experiencing so many obstacles in your life, to be a renowned restaurant owner?

MH: God carried me through pain and suffering because He had a plan for me to fulfill. And it was ministering to people [through] with Martha's place.

RW: Besides God, how much of an influence was your mother in you creating Martha's Place?

MH: My mother did not just influence me to create Martha's Place, she influenced me with her spiritual life ... I saw how powerful her faith was in God. She always said, 'you have to take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there…'

I also watched how my mother cooked with [such beauty and grace]… and how she invited people in our home that we did not know. She [always] believed nobody was a stranger.

RW: Do you think your restaurant has brought a lot of joy to your customers?

MH: Yes! I believe that it has been a blessing for people to come to Martha's Place. It is not your normal restaurant. People come here to network because it is a place of peace; and [they] know that the Holy Spirit exits here.

Some people ask me to pray for them. Sometimes I pray with them at their tables; or I'll take them upstairs to pray.

RW: What do you hope to accomplish with your book? Inspire faith in people? Inspire entrepreneurship? Let readers know they should never give up on a dream?

MH: All of the above. It's also all about God and Jesus. ... You have to see yourself doing something different to create a successful business that will meet the needs of the people. Don't give up on your dreams. Trust in God and dare to dream!

_________________________________________________

The Testimony Corner

(Permission not given to provide the contributor’s name)

“God gives Life”

Jonathan, born to a single Mom—Katie who became pregnant after a short relationship was carried to term rather than aborted. She chose to have Jonathan despite the fact of being abandoned by the father of the child. Katie knew she could not share marital intimacy with the man she thought loved her, but felt awful that her child would grow up without a father.

Jonathan grew into manhood and married a lovely wife. When they learned they had a child on the way, Jonathan decided to search the records hoping his baby son might have a grandfather. When he made contact, the man refused to meet with him, saying he wanted absolutely nothing to do with Katie or him.

At that point Jonathan and Katie made a decision; the new baby would be named Jonsson. The unusual spelling of the name, Katie told me, was because when Jonathan first held him, he looked into his tiny baby boy’s face and spoke softly, “We are going to name you JONSSON. You are my always and forever son. You will never be rejected by me. Your name will remind both of us whose son you are.”

I thought of this story my mom shared the night before we left to go overseas as missionaries, in 1950. Mom had kept a secret locked in her heart from when she was previously pregnant with her eighth child. It was when she and Dad had recently lost a ten year old daughter. Mom had not been able to stop grieving. She did not want another baby. In desperation, she bargained with God that if He would make her want this child she would give it back to Him. I was that child, the only one of our family to go into Christian service. God had kept His word and without my knowing the story at the time, He called me into His service.

My own experience is the rest of the story. With my husband, we had 3 children ages 2, 3 and 5. I was disappointed when I suspected number 4 was on the way. The doctor who confirmed it asked, “Do you want to get rid of 'it'?” I was shocked! I said, “Oh my, NO!” That son is now the senior pastor in a historic church, a beloved young man, teaching and sharing God’s Word, greatly loved in his growing church ministry. I could not be more thankful that God had us keep our son. It is the proof that God has a purpose in the birth of each of us: Jeremiah 1:5 and Psalm 139.

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations,” Jeremiah 1:5, KJV.

___________________________________________________

In Closing,

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month I ponder on the gift of life God has given each of us. We all have been placed on this earth for a purpose. We aren’t randomly taking up space in some large over accommodating vacuum. It is a journey unfolding with new possibilities each day. God is in charge.

To all of the mothers or those who act in such a capacity, I pray the Lord shines upon you. Not only on Mother’s Day, but each day of the year.

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

Resurrecting Faith

2010-04-01T07:00:00.010-04:00

In this issue, we remember the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for the remission of OUR past, present and future sins…nothing that He did wrong. Salvation was the purpose. He defeated sin by bearing our iniquities so that we could be reconciled back unto God the Father. There are many gifts and talents that we can use to praise God, but there is only one way to Him and that way is Jesus Christ, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” John 14:6, KJV.

Observing the sacrifice of the Lamb brings to mind all that He was willing to give for me…for us. Thinking back to the foolish decision and choices I’ve made in my life causes me to praise Him even more because God has saved me from myself. One of those choices was to commit spiritual adultery. I cheated on God not knowing that I was truly doing myself a disservice. I joined a sorority (Zeta Phi Beta) not knowing really what I was getting in to. I had heard about others being hazed (beaten and/or disrespected), but personally I didn’t encounter any of that. We went to church, we praised God, and we knew who OUR Lord was. But God challenged me one day, thirteen years later in the fall of 2008 (to the season) in which I had pledged (fall 1995).

God had me to pull out those items I had saved all those years since pledging to get rid of everything associated with the sorority: handbook, receipts for dues payments, and all paraphernalia. Now, leading up to the fall of 2008, I had heard God’s voice as His Holy Spirit was dealing with me. I didn’t know exactly what it was when I began feeling uncomfortable in the preceding years (almost two) when I met other Zetas. People who knew I was a Zeta introduced me to other Zetas and it made me feel ashamed. I didn’t know why I was feeling like this, but I now understand that because I was drawing closer to God, He was drawing closer to me (reference James 4:8). He was purging me. He explained to me that He had to separate me because He did not want to lose me. Yes, I heard those words.

In throwing my former possessions into a burning flame of fire, I still searched for something that said it was all right. I looked through the handbook and there was God in the pages, but the Holy Spirit said, “What god are they talking about?” Jesus was no where to be found between the pages. As I tossed sweaters and objects that bore the name Zeta Phi Beta, God had me to look down at numerous receipts of membership dues paid in the past. And again I was convicted about the time I had pledged years earlier. “You paid that sorority when you weren’t even paying your tithes.” That hurt me, although by this point I had been paying my tithes and giving to the church regularly for years. But to come to the realization that I had done that to the True and Living God was sobering. Who was god in my life? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” Exodus 20:3, KJV. Listen here at a song we used to sing on this Zeta chapter's website. That was it! It is so painfully clear now in seeing another greet others in the name of a sorority, fraternity, or any organization for that matter, the excitement of linking up, pales in comparison when finding another brother or sister in Christ.

In denouncing the sorority, I later formally submitted a letter to the headquarters (a hard and an electronic copy) along with this scripture, Revelation 22:12-16. They probably thought I was crazy, but the things of God are considered foolish to the world… “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, KJV.

I have been blessed to be connected with Keya Brown who also pledged the same sorority that I had during the same time that I had and denounced after about the same amount of years I had. I met her after we had both denounced this sorority. What a Divine Appointment. Below you can read her personal account and the road she traveled back to full fellowship with the Lord.

The Testimony Corner welcomes Minister Fred Hachett who not only pledged Omega Psi Phi in the past, but is also formerly of the Masonic Order. He sheds personal insight behind a notoriously secretive organization. Those who have ears let them hear.

__________________________________________________

Introducing Ms. Keya Brown, a former Zeta Phi Beta

I am a former member of Zeta Phi Beta, the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma. And I am a one God Apostolic Christian. I became a member in November 1995. I had joined at a time after stepping away from the Lord. I can admit that I was not living for God, heavily becoming a part of the world. I wanted to be apart of the sisterhood organization because I have only brothers. Another reason was that I wanted to help improve that particular chapter because it had a "big girl" stigma. My purpose for joining had nothing to do with the widely advertised community service; rather I joined in order to have an incorporated organization in which to add to my resume`. Simply because of affiliation many doors would be open to me.

Thinking back, the only time me and my “sorors” (sorority sisters) went to church was on our Founder's Day; and even then we went to some random church. In going together, we were seen as a united group of women which would in turn attract other women to the organization—not God.

God restored me to salvation in 2002. Through dreams, visions and my prayer life, the Lord showed me the fate of my eternity if I did not cut off my right "leg." Before I go into the "leg" part of the story, I'd like to share that I truly had a difficult time internally in the beginning. By beginning, I mean when I participated in my intake ritual that would make me a full member after my underground pledging process was complete.

The false god: I had to kneel before an altar and repeat an oath or agree to some statements by saying, "I DO." Although I was far from God, HE was not far from me. I remember thinking, "What in the heck am I saying??" The whole set up was just creepy. If my mother could be there, she would have pleaded, "The Blood of JESUS" over and over again. But I thought at that time after all of what I went through up to this point, I'll just deal with [it]…later. Thirteen (13) years and two months later I finally dealt with it.

Back to the "leg": My right leg has two brands on it representing Zeta - as many of you know markings, cutting or branding of the skin is an action of showing ownership; like slaves and cattle were branded, marked, or pierced. Zeta owned me. God dealt with me being a Zeta for a very long time because I took my time responding to Him (like I have the rest of my life). Between 2007 and 2008 the Holy Ghost revealed many things to me; one was that the symbols on my leg represented what I needed to cut off—Zeta. TOO EASY!! I can cut that off easier than I can cut my leg off. I got mixed responses when I shared this with close sorors. One of my VERY close friends and former soror, T, did not take it well. She said, “Once a Zeta, ALWAYS a ZETA!!" I said, “The devil is a liar!” She defended Zeta and thought I would reverse my decision. Unfortunately, we began to grow apart, but the Word says to be separated from the world. It was not a forced separation; it came on its own.

Other Zetas and Greeks did not express verbally but I knew who had a problem with it because my friendship status changed on Facebook. But a couple of friends, one Zeta and one Kappa, understood that it was God but they just had not come into their season of truth yet [concerning Greeks]. I was in a wonderful place in my career, my relationship, and I was even working on a national project that would go to the movies. I desired to get closer to Lord during this time. I wanted to hear His voice the way I used to. I really was not interested in the sorority like I used to be and I resolved that I needed to understand why instead of just saying, “Oh I grew out of it,” because that wouldn’t have been true. It was crazy because I was THE step-mistress of the southeast and dance queen of the region. I had drawn many interested persons and my leaving the sorority was because of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not because of any strife. I decided to go back into research mode on Greek Lettered Organizations (GLOs) to find where in the Bible they’re supported. See, I needed a reason to stay; to keep the tags on my car; to keep Zeta on my list of achievements on my resume.

A greater interest went into what one of Zeta's symbols is and why we use it. Greeks have a deeper meaning to everything they say and everything they choose to symbolize their organizations—a cat and a dove. The dove came with an explanation, but why a cat? After diligent research, I learned that the half cat-half woman war goddess is the goddess that Zeta represents. Her name is BASTET, sometimes shown as HATHOR (half-cow/half-woman).

Now we did not bow to an image of Bastet or Hathor nor did we even have it in these current handbooks, but we did do enough of the other stuff. We diligently chanted that all of our LOVE/PEACE/HAPPINESS we're going to give to Zeta, and that I love my Z-Phi-B, and many other forms of praise and worship to the sorority. The community service we did was ALWAYS in the name of Zeta; NEVER in the name of Jesus. Through many of the underground pledging we invoked spirits of arrogance, hostility and tolerance for non-sense from our own sorors, but not from outsiders. The greeting the pledges had to say, says that the big sisters are our guiding force to the Zeta light. What?? Yes. I realized I did not need much to see this is an idolatrous organization.

We oppressed people through underground pledging. And if we did not participate, we still knew and let it happen. Mysteriously, in all of that research (which I did on the other organizations as well), I found NOTHING DEALING WITH CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES OR CHRIST—NOTHING. Nothing, I tell you; not in their principles, history, or songs. We did not even pray together except to keep from getting kicked off the campus and at meetings; peanut butter and jelly prayers anyway. It was all Egyptian Mysticism and some forms of humanism; but those who know this are more likely to be Masons or just be quiet. This Supreme13 (http://www.supreme13.com/) group knew this and they embraced it and has a website encouraging you to do the same. View for yourself on the link above.

Serving in an organization like this is contra-Christian. Why? It is idolatry at best. At worst, during rituals it is a form of harmless, witchcraft. Sounds like an oxymoron? Well I weighed my salvation against all of my findings… guess who won? I formally denounced in January 2009.

These organizations are the offspring of Freemasonry; most of them know this but some do not. But Masons definitely know this, so read Matthew 7:18-20. These organizations swear and make oaths to the group. The Old Testament instructs us that swearing is a trespassing sin, Leviticus 5:1, 4-5.; the New Testament fulfills that when Jesus instructs us further in Matthew 5:34-37. You are binding yourselves with non-believers and people who are atheists or otherwise do not have a desire to serve God. Joining these organizations is like a marriage because you are avowing yourselves to the other members of the group. The scripture that convicted me on this was Psalm 1:1 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-15. Additional scripture references are located on my website: http://www.denouncegreek.webs.com/.

___________________________________________________

The Testimony Corner

"Turning to God"

I came to North Carolina State University in 1984 with no intentions of joining a fraternity. The very first experience I had on campus with Greeks was a shirt ripping. This little dude had a shirt with Kappa something on it... not paraphernalia. They left him there ripped shirt and all.

Well, I was going to pledge Kappa at State in 1986, even took a few strokes of the cane, but a minor technicality got in the way. I was not going to put up with potential fruits of pledging, such as broken bones and busted ear drums, which Kappas were (in)famous for. I had heard it all too often from Kappas. Needless to say, one of my supposed to be line brothers ratted on me, yet he was the very individual that cried wolf when the process got too hard.

Now, fast forward to 1989 where I meet a Delta at work. She introduces me to Omega Psi Phi. In 1990, I pledged graduate chapter. I hazed, was twice a Dean of Pledges (DP), remember there was no such thing as DP's anymore after 1990. Yeah, you got it, that old we are not a hazing organization line. Well, I never had to use that line, I never hid that lie.

Somewhere, between 1992 to late 1993, I was involved in the Masonic Order. I denounced before I was born again. I was still an Omega, but one who was struggling with my membership and "profession" of faith status. Well, I went ahead and had a born again experience in April 1994, denounced Omega Psi Phi, and immediately began compiling information on the biblical worldview, of fraternities and sororities. My book Coming Apart at The Seams: Biblically Unraveling the Evils of Greek Fraternities and Sororities and http://www.dontgogreek.com/ unfolded into a reality that a new Worldview of Greek-Letter Organizations was on the block. I am often in thoughtful awe of why God chose me to do such a thing as exposing The Sacred Cow of Masonry and Greek Life.

The most bittersweet reality of this whole thing was that Christians are the biggest enemies, and that the church would become a major focus of exposing wickedness in high places.

***Fred Hatchett is now a minister of the Gospel.***
__________________________________________________

In Closing,

My experience in sharing what the Hoy Spirit has revealed to me has led to much adversity. It is my prayer that many who are in these organizations or thinking about joining one will seek the true and living Holy God in the name of Jesus. He will direct your path. Praise God that I have had a couple of people approach me inquiring about nightmares they’ve experienced surrounding these organizations…because God knew the same things had happened to me. After denouncing the sorority, the nightmares never returned. God knew I was able to speak to these people (whom I hadn’t known previously) to share my personal account. It was a Divine Appointment.

My plea is that many will examine the oaths taken and be mindful of the words being spoken into the atmosphere. This is a spiritual battle for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

Celebrating Black History Month

2010-02-01T08:30:00.006-05:00

As we celebrate Black History this month, I reflect on the positive historians who have paved the way both nationally and locally. Many of us have ancestors who have sacrificed much of what they had so that we could excel in life. It wasn’t too long ago when segregation was a way of life. I listen to stories today that my mother experienced growing up in South Carolina. Of course racism still exists, but we must acknowledge the strides we’ve made in the past forty years.

In this issue, I present an interview contributing writer, Renarda Williams, conducted with Roland Martin (CNN correspondent) and another with Earl Hutchinson (political analyst). Both discussions center around one leader, the President of the United States of America, Barack H. Obama. Although it's been one full year since President Obama has been in the White House, it is still a tell-tale sign of just how far we’ve come through racial barriers.

Before Barack Obama there was a young Civil Rights leader who fought until the end of his life. I ask that you view a short video posted below, recorded the night before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder. Many of you may have heard this speech or snippets thereof, but I think it still speaks volumes today. As I listened to Dr. King's words, I was reminded of Moses in the Old Testament. When you view, I ask that you pay particular attention to the last words spoken just as the video ends.

Later in this issue, read about a new faith-filled entry in The Testimony Corner. Have you ever faced foreclosure? More bills than money to pay them? Well, Victoria Poller, a bold soldier for Christ shares her personal experience and how she made it through—victoriously.

__________________________________________________

Roland Martin: Behind the Scene with the First African American Presidential Candidate

By Renarda Williams

A behind-the-scenes look at coverage of Barack Obama’s historic road to the White House is featured in Roland S. Martin's third book, The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House. The book, which Martin co-published with Third World Press (January 20, 2010), marks the one year anniversary of President Obama’s term in office.

Martin, a journalist, CNN commentator and host/managing editor of TV One’s Washington Watch With Roland Martin, gives an up close in-depth look at his coverage of Barack Obama, the first legitimate African-American presidential candidate in American History. Martin takes readers along with him as he interviews Barack and Michele Obama; individuals who invested in Obama’s campaign; and notable black celebrities and scholars such as Spike Lee, Michael Eric Dyson, and Cornel West.

In a recent interview, Martin talked about his feelings covering the first African American presidential candidate; his assessment of President Obama’s first year; Obama chances of winning another term, and the message in his book.

RW: Was covering the first African American presidential candidate a milestone in your journalism career?

RM: Absolutely! I had an opportunity to be able to cover the ins-and-outs of the campaign. It was always amazing to listen to journalism icons like Vernon Jarrett, Lerone Bennett and Sam Lacy talk about covering some of the major stories of the 20th century, such as Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color barrier, Muhammad Ali's rise to become heavyweight champion, and the Civil Rights Movement. Covering the eventual election of President Barack Obama was on par with those historic achievements. It was the first presidential campaign I have covered exclusively. To have a front-row seat at history was amazing.

RW: What is your assessment of Obama’s first year?

RM: First, no one with any common sense should expect Obama to address all [of America’s] issues in his first year of office. Second, I give Obama a ‘C’ or an incomplete … due to only having one year in office. We have to appreciate what Obama has done for the stimulus package, health care, and foreign policy.

RW: Do you think Obama can win another 4-year term?

RM: Obama has a 50/50 shot of winning a second term. You really cannot say or make a judgement he will win another term.

RW: What is the message you want readers to know about your book?

RM: The book serves as a historical record of Obama’s campaign. It was also amazing to go back and talk to individuals who hit the campaign for then-Sen. Obama, and get an understanding of their motivations [and how] they felt as the race went down to the wire and history was made.

Martin is a senior analyst for the Tom Joyner Morning Show, providing daily reports for the program. He is also a syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate.

~ ~ ~

Earl Ofari Hutchinson on President Obama's First Year in Office

By Renarda Williams

A “no-political-holds-barred” look at America’s first African-American president, Barack Obama, and his first year in office is rendered by author Earl Ofari Hutchinson in his new book, How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge (Middle Passage Press, January 2010).

Hutchinson’s provocative book is a constructive critical analysis of Obama’s ability to handle the rigorous task of governing the United States during his first year in office and for the next three years.

He focuses on the issue of whether Obama kept his campaign promises of improving America’s economy, educational and health-care systems, environment, and foreign policy. Hutchinson also addresses how Obama withstood the onslaught of attacks and counterattacks from the GOP and Democrats over his polices (particularly the battle over health care and resurging the nation's economy); racial attacks; and his handling of the war on terror and the Haitian disaster. Hutchinson’s challenge to Obama is to take control of his presidency and lead the nation to a successful recovery of its domestic and foreign policies.

Recently, Hutchinson was interviewed about the message of this book, Obama's mark in American History, and his assessment of Obama's actions in Haiti.

RW: Is the message in your book, How Obama Governed, geared toward what looms for President Obama if America's domestic and foreign policies does not improve in his term of office?

EH: Yes and No. Yes, in the sense that those same battles will continue to be fought as well as others during his remaining years in office and his political fate hinges on his success (or failure) in those fights. No, in that it was a retrospective look at the major battles that Obama fought his first year in office, and the successes (or failures) that he had in fighting them.

RW: Do you think President Obama's mark in American history was to show America and the world that black people have had the intelligence to become president?

EH: Yes and No. It was arguably a racial breakthrough for him to win and to get substantial white support. No, in the sense that it did not mean that … whites have totally shed their racial blinders (bigotry). Many still have the same stereotypical views of blacks, especially young blacks. Obama won because he appeared to be a black man who wasn't a black man.

RW: What is your assessment of Obama's actions toward Haiti? Good or bad?

EH: Time will tell on Haiti. The good thing is that Obama learned from Katrina and responded quickly to the crisis. The real question is what will the U.S. do when the immediate crisis passes? Will it provide the substantive relief and reconstruction effort to make Haiti a democrat, self-sufficient nation and not a ward, vassal -- or worse, plantation -- of U.S. foreign policy and the U.S. military?

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a nationally acclaimed author and political analyst in Los Angeles, CA. Hutchinson is the author of 10 books on race and politics in America.

___________________________________________________

The Testimony Corner

"Wait on the Lord"

“FORCLOSURE” — it’s an ugly word that no one wants to hear, especially when it’s directed towards them. Since Oct. 2007, my family & I lived in a 27 ft. RV; that’s 3 adults, one little bitty baby and a dog. During this time of confinement, we had to survive on limited supplies of clothes, food and the storage space was interesting. Some of our stuff was in our stored moving van (thank you ABF transport Co.), some was in a rented shed and some was kept over my in-laws home and their shed. Our possessions were all over the place and costing us money; yet God gave us favor during that time.

We continued to serve in church. No, I did not always want to raise my hands during “Praise & Worship” services (see ‘Lifting Holy Hands’, “Where Did That Come From? – Revised”). No, I did not have a “pity-party” (well, I tried not to because God took my invitation list), but I had to confess God’s Word daily, and continue to fellowship with the saints. When you allow God to help you get your joy back you don’t fall into “depression” which could have been very easily done. It’s always good to remain social and not continually think about yourself and your dilemma.

Today, God has blessed all of us with a beautiful new home to continue to serve Him in. We are getting out of debt from the move, and all it took was time for God to move in our behalf and a little TBR (Trust – Believe – Receive) from us.

Read the complete testimony on Ms “V”s Blog; http://www.victoriapoller.com/

___________________________________________________

In Closing,

Thank you for reading and please consider sharing with others. I believe that there are many who can benefit from the insightful interviews by Renarda Williams as well as the encouraging testimony from Mrs. Victoria Poller. God is so awesome. African-Americans have come a long way, but we must remember that it is not man who advances, it is God. The more we understand that it was never about us, the better off we, all people, will be.

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

The Beauty of Starting Over

2010-01-01T07:15:00.015-05:00

As we embark upon a new year filled with new dreams, goals, and expectations, let us reflect for a moment on the old. Have we accomplished what we started out to do this time last year? If so, congratulations! If not, what held you back? I've learned that we shouldn't dwell on the past, but make each day a new beginning for there is nothing we can change from the past. All we can do is take what we've learned from the previous year, or even the previous day and use it for the time at hand. I do believe that we should set goals for ourselves as this makes it more concrete as to what we're working towards.

This year, unlike the last, I plan to be more active in my writing. As many are aware, I have been silent for almost five years, up until the past fall....but that was then and this is now. With the gift that God has given me, I plan to use it to His glory laying aside my own insecurities as to what others may think. It is only God we must aim to please, letting His will be done not our own. I pray that in 2010 many will recognize that life is too short to be preoccupied with the past and too precious to be laden with the "what ifs" of the future. It is a day by day effort of how we must live as tomorrow is not promised and yesterday is gone. Today is the day...

Also, I wanted to take a moment to introduce The Testimony Corner. A place where readers, writers, teachers, administrative assistants, social workers, specialists, policemen, people (anyone) in general can post something they're thankful to God for. It can be a grand miracle or one of the many blessings God provides for us on a daily basis. I have read and seen many encouraging stories about real-life that has moved me to tears and I'm sure if it helps me, it will definitely help others. There maybe something you've been through that you can share with another. Please, be encouraged to share God through what He's done in your life. My first is posted below.

In this issue, the feature article is about bestselling author Kendra Norman Bellamy. With this newsletter, I aim to showcase people with a passion for the Lord; those who willfully encourage others with a heart to serve and give, not only to receive. I've found Kendra to be not only generous, but the more I learn about her, the more I see genuineness shining through her life's work. She's an author by occupation, but a Christian by choice; and that, I respect above all else.

___________________________________________________

~ Feature Article ~

An Interview with author, Kendra Norman-Bellamy

This issue's feature article takes a look into the life of bestselling author, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, who resides in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Kendra is a devoted wife and mother of two daughters (ages 17 and 20) where the oldest daughter, Brittany Holmes, is also a national bestselling author of Christian fiction for teens and young adults. Brittany has published three books to date.

Kendra is the founder of KNB Publications LLC, an independent self-publishing house for Christian writers and Cruisin’ For Christ that celebrates Christian artists and artistries. She's also the creator of The Writer’s Hut, a national support network for published authors of African American fiction and The Writer’s Cocoon Focus Group, a national support network for aspiring and new writers. With a heart for people, Kendra openly shares with Straight Up! Newsletter (SUN) her motivation for writing as well as her faith in Christ which paves the way. Please join us in our interview session that Kendra so graciously donated of her time to do. Learn more about Mrs. Bellamy, in her words.

The Interview...

SUN: Have you always wanted to be an author?

KNB: I get asked that question quite often, and sometimes, I wish I could say yes just because that seems like the right response. I have industry friends who say they knew they wanted to be writers when they were barely able to walk, talk, or even pick up a pencil. There are those who have said that they knew from their mother’s womb that they were destined to be authors. There are days when I wish that was my testimony. How awesome it must be to know your purpose so early in life. Such a keen awareness cuts out years of what would be considered “wasted time.” But every writer has his or her own testimony, and to be honest, mine doesn’t come with that early knowledge of my life’s direction. I didn’t have a clue that writing on a professional level was my destiny. I’ve enjoyed creative writing since I was an elementary school student, and throughout my school years, subjects surrounding writing (English, Journalism, Composition, etc.) were where I would shine the most. But even with all of that, not once did I aspire to be an author. I recall wanting to be a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, a florist, and even an executive secretary, which is ultimately what I became after graduating college. This author thing was in no way a planned career choice for me; therefore, I don’t necessarily see it as a career. It’s far more of a ministry; a divine calling. I didn’t see it coming, but God did. He assigned it to me before I was born, but chose not to reveal it to me until much later – in His own time.

SUN: What prompted you to begin writing, and why Christian fiction?

KNB: I started writing poems as a child, and my first piece of poetry was written as an assignment in my fifth grade class. At that point in my life, it was my attempt to be creative, as my teacher had instructed. That started my journey to becoming a gifted poet, and I still write poems today, but primarily on demand; when people request me to do so for special occasions. Novel writing was an entirely different journey. I never meant to write novels – fiction or nonfiction, but here I am now doing both. Writing books was a purpose that was found through pain. It began with me sitting down to type what I thought was going to be a single journal entry three years after my first husband’s death. Until that point, I had not properly mourned his passing. I had hidden my grief, choosing to put on a front and smile through the pain; not wanting to admit – and to an extent, not even realizing - that I was a broken mess on the inside. So there I was, three years after burying him, sitting in front of my very first computer, typing out my harbored feelings and crying so heavily that I could barely see what I was typing. It was the first time I’d allowed myself to cry without restraint. That “single journal entry” turned into a 30-day purging process, and when all was said and done, a 125-page manuscript stared at me from my computer screen. I didn’t realize it then, but that would be the launching point of my writing ministry. From that day, fictional stories began forming in my head, and I began writing them with absolutely no intent to publish. The thought of publishing came about three years later. Being the daughter of two preachers and having been reared in a Christian home, I’m sure, played a big part in carving out the Christian fiction path. I never set out to write Christian fiction. What was inside of me is what poured out of me, and it was all Christ centered.

SUN: How did you start writing, and what pushed you to finish your first book?

KNB: This question is similar to the one before it, so I think I may have answered the first half of it in my previous answer. But as far as what pushed me to finish my first book, I’d have to say that the joy of writing was my motivation. It was never about seeing my work in print or on bookshelves across the globe because I never thought about publishing a book until I’d written several manuscripts. “For Love & Grace” was the first manuscript I tried to get in print, and it ultimately became my first published novel, but I think it was the sixth or seventh manuscript I’d written. Writing was therapeutic for me. I wrote because writing liberated me and made me happy. Getting my writings published was an after-thought, but having a back-log of manuscripts already complete made it easier for me because I was acquired by two mainstream publishers almost simultaneously, and having more than one completed work was a definite plus in meeting those early deadlines.

SUN: In your books, are you able to identify with any of the characters, if so, how?

KNB: Absolutely. Their stories aren’t my true-to-life experiences, but I can relate to their emotions and struggles. As Christians, we are not infallible. We are faced with a lot of choices on a daily basis, and we have to trust God to lead us to make the right ones. Additionally, many of the personality traits of my novels’ heroines are mine, and many of the traits of the heroes in the stories are those of the strong men in my family and my circle of friends. When it comes to the major players (leading men and women) in my books, many of their likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses are drawn either from me or from people in my life.

SUN: Do you ever find yourself “counseling” through your books by the Word of God?

KNB: When writing is ministry, I don’t think the counseling aspect is avoidable. Don’t misunderstand me, I want people to be entertained by the stories I create, but most importantly, my prayer is that they walk away having been changed in some positive way by reading my books. Change often comes about when a person has been advised, warned, encouraged, or given direction in some form or another. And that is what I desire for the readers of my works.

SUN: If you were to sum your life up in one sentence, how would you describe it?

KNB: My life has had its tests and trials, but beyond all else, it’s been blessed.

SUN: What is one thing you want readers to know about the woman behind the books?

KNB: I’m just a sister who loves life and loves God. I love music, seafood, traveling, taking cruises, and sharing time with my friends. I am determined, resilient, and a believer that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Anyone who really knows me knows that I have a pure heart; always willing to help a fellowman if I have the ability to do so. If I can help open a door for someone to walk in their calling, I will, and even though my generosity has been misused by others, I refuse to allow their abuse to change who I am. I’m a King’s kid…God’s girl…and I believe that the sky is NOT the limit; it’s only the halfway point.

~ ~ ~

To date, Kendra has successfully published thirteen novels (eight of which have been national bestsellers) and has four titles due out in 2010. The first title releases in the month of January entitled The Morning After published by Urban Books. Following titles due out are Fifteen Years (February 2010) Publisher: Moody Publishers, Song of Solomon (July 2010) Publisher: Urban Books, and her debut nonfiction book I Shall Not Die (October 2010) Publisher: KNB Publications.

If you would like to purchase any of Kendra’s works or to find out more this author on the move, please visit her websites: http://www.kendranormanbellamy.com/, http://www.knb-publications.com/, http://www.cruisinforchrist.org/, and http://www.ishallnotdie.net/.

Releases by Kendra Norman-Bellamy scheduled for 2010…

__________________________________________________

The Testimony Corner

Since this is a new section of the newsletter, I offer to share a testimony first. It is one where I'm proud to share with others and humbled by mere survival through the grace of God. There was a time in my life when I thought I was seeking God's wisdom and guidance, yet fell prey to my own. During my time of silence, not only had God allowed me to go through some things, but He loved me through the entire process. Years ago before I met my husband, I found myself in a relationship with someone I thought of as an unlikely prospect. He was not someone I'd ever dream of dating, but somehow turned out to be a prospect I entertained. As time went on, I found out that this person was a drug dealer. When I learned of this, I felt betrayed and lost. But being the person that I am now, I would have dropped him like a bad habit. Instead, I felt like I could save the world, and tried to lend my hand to help this fallen brother. Little did I realize at the time, no matter how much a person says they want to change, it has to be a heart conviction.

To make a long story short, I hung on, thinking he would change and become who I knew he never was... I could have been dead behind his dealings; I could have been in jail because of my naivety. I could have been without the loving husband I have today. But can I say that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose," Romans 8:28. I still had faith, I still had love, and I still had God. What the devil meant for harm, God turned it around. All that I had believed God for in a mate, He provided. Everything! As I celebrate my 3rd wedding anniversary on tomorrow, I say to all the single ladies in waiting, wait. Wait on the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). I'm a living testimony...look at where He's brought me from.

~Renee McCoy

___________________________________________________

In Closing,

I thank you for reading and hope that you'll share this newsletter with others. It's just a small space on the web that glorifies God as I share my passion with others. Remember, only what we do for Christ will last...

To submit a testimony or an article for contribution, please email me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com

Back to Basics...

2009-10-22T09:30:00.022-04:00

Greetings,

I pray all is well. I am sending this message after years of inactivity. I wanted to invite everyone who had originally been apart of this group to join my blog here and at renee-mccoy.blogspot.com entitled In His Name. Also, I wanted to apologize for my absence in the writing world. I allowed distraction and procrastination to take control...completely ridiculous as I look back.

I wanted to take the time to express that years ago when I attempted to write the third installment to the then entitled Quest Trilogy, now known as the Fiery Furnace series, all I completed was some of the prep work, but never applied it to actually begin writing. I apologize to those who inquired about my work for years...so patient and so kind. Thank you.

To date, I have updated my website at reneeallenmccoy.com/ (which has more detailed information), completed reading and reworking the first two novels and written a portion of The Eleventh Hour. I am very happy that I took the first few steps and hope to have the novel completed by the first part of 2010. Not sure when it will be published, but I will let everyone know.

I will only post on this newsletter blog periodically (my next post is scheduled for January 2010), but please feel free to reply or comment as you see fit. I welcome questions, concerns, and suggestions. I plan on interviewing some other authors and entrepreneurs who have inspired me to start back where I am. I hope that you will join me as I begin my journey again...

I thank God for rekindling my passion to write and hope to hear from you all soon.

Also, during my absence...I got married! God is so good. My new name is Renee McCoy, but for writing purposes, I will be using Renee Allen McCoy.

In His Name,

Renee Allen McCoy

Volume 1: Issue 1 ~ Sex and Religion

2002-11-14T09:30:00.007-05:00

From the Archives...This was one of the first issues sent out in 2002. All other past issues are posted through the group's site. To view, join the mailing list through Yahoo! groups.

Greetings! Welcome to the debut of Straight Up! Review

This newsletter begins with intentions of expanding into a printed Christian Magazine. As it is in its first stages, I'm growing and learning the areas in which I may need to improve. As a focus, I've shared with others my interest in exploring the areas most talked about, and by far most controversial. This issue is the first of many to come, but not limited to its current contents.

__________________________________________________

Straight Up! Review--a newsletter

Volume 1 Issue 1 November 2002

Feature Topic: Sex and Religion

In today's world there are many standards of what we as human beings should do and shouldn't do when it comes to our bodies. There are stereotypes made when concerning are dress and code of conduct. Have we been reduced to embracing the world's standard of what we should be? Is there one single person who can say that each individual should or shouldn't behave a certain way? God has created us all as unique individuals in His own image and have purposed and destined our lives according to His will. If some or even every one of you agrees with this statement, then why are many of us constantly living lives based on what others say or what's naturally accepted in society?

I'm not sure that everyone reading this is a believer that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and it's really not my job to make you believe He is just that, instead I'm positioned to acknowledge that there is a thirst to know more about a supreme being. (Ezekiel 3:17-21) In the course of everyone's life, situations arise and what has to be the most controversial and trivial subject matter to date among believers is the issue of having sex before marriage. Do you think that God created sex?

Of course He did. God created sex as a wonderful enjoyment for us all to engage in within the confinements of marriage. Yes, within the confinements of marriage. (Hebrews 13:4) Often, you'll hear critics, non-believers, and "believers" as well debate back and forth as to what that really means. You'll hear some argue each other down about what's right and what's wrong, what's acceptable and what's not. But what is acceptable? What is right? What is wrong? Who's to decide?

Well the answer is clear and simple, God makes the final decision whether we choose to adhere to it or not. He's the One who ordains what's right or wrong. He has set forth a guide book to life, the Bible, and expects us to follow it and not take anything away from it or add anything unto to right? He did say this, right? (Rev. 22:18-19)

So many times when things don't go our way, we blame others. Why is that? Why do we so often point the fingers at others rather than at ourselves? Isn't it time for self-examination? Isn't it time for us to step up to the plate and admit to ourselves that we are really human beings and do fall short of the glory of God? No one is excluded and put in certain classes, but some of us seem to think that way. God is calling everyone to accountability. He is calling His people to recognize the errors of their ways before it is too late. And no man is exclusive of this.

Throughout the times of man, many have risen up and proclaimed the Word of God. In conflict, many have risen up and defamed Him at the same time. I've recently read an article about a reverend stating that its okay for young women (no mention of men, but that's understood) to engage in sex and openly express their feelings without becoming frustrated. This reverend goes on to say that the Bible is "ancient biblical text." If you are a true believer, why make excuses for the situations encountered? Why twist scriptures of the Bible to fit your own lifestyle? If the Word is one way and you're going in another direction, some things have got to change. And guess who's got to do the changing?

The focus of sex and religion is almost being commercialized. Statements are made such as: God loves me; He'll never put me in hell for this. What I'm doing is not as bad as what he/she is doing. I'm young; I have my whole life ahead of me. At least I'm not out there selling my body. Guess what, many of us out there are selling our souls. I had to take a look at my own life and make some changes as no one's excluded. It's one thing to repent, asking God for forgiveness of our sins, but it's something totally different to feel no remorse for your actions. Asking for forgiveness is the way to salvation, not denial. We all must admit and own up to our vices and then take them to the Lord. He'll forgive you if ask.

Some people are saying right now that I'm just another fanatic trying to get people to come to Christ. If you're not a fan for Jesus, then who are you a fan for? (Matthew 7:26)

Renee Allen, author of The Kiss of Judas

http://www.reneeonline.com/

Questions or comments, please reply to write1renee@yahoo.com

Next issue will feature responses from the public, feel free to reply.