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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Jesus Christ ... Savior

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 abbreviation, but a deletion of my Savior. Interestingly, take note of Who 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.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

With ThanksGiving


“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!

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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!

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Monday, October 4, 2010

Faith, Hope, & Love: Breast Cancer Awareness Month


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:



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:




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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

After the Rain


“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.

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 ~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.
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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.
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 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.

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Monday, August 2, 2010

The Kiss of Judas: A Fiery Furnace Novel


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!

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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?

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~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.

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



Sunday, July 4, 2010

Moving ...

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

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

In Spirit and In Truth


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.

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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.
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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/ *

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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

Saturday, May 1, 2010

In the Midst of it All

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.

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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!

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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.

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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

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Resurrecting Faith

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. (Now, read Matthew 22:37). 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.

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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/.

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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.***
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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