My Voice (As A Survivor) Is My Weapon

I dedicate this post to anyone who is a survivor of any type of abuse (but especially child sexual abuse & domestic abuse). Your voice is a powerful weapon if you use it correctly - and I'll explain as you read.

There's a story in Luke 18:2-8 that will validate this point. Let's start in verse 2: He (being Jesus) said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. Now let's think about it, how many judges, lawyers or anybody in the judicial system don't even respect human life? 

Verse 3: And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' Now what is an adversary? It's an opponent, your enemy in relation to a court proceeding. She's asking the judge for justice. Now, this isn't a one time thing. Let's keep reading. Verses 4-5: For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" Notice she didn't cease from justice. I would venture to say that she was diligent, didn't break any laws or take matters into her own hands. This is very critical. Now verses 6-8: And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. 

Now, I need to drive this point home. God's timetable is not our timetable. Remember not to overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8). So what do we do, stay diligent, stay strong, and let your voice be heard for it is a powerful weapon. Justice is life (but justice is standing for what is dear to God, and we as survivors are dear to God).

Now, some of us may feel that we will never be heard because we aren't celebrities. Remember, your voice (if used in love) is a powerful weapon. Your story is your weapon to break the chains off of you and someone else. At the same time, be careful that your words are seasoned with salt so that you don't injure your fellow survivor with words of pride, condemnation. You don't have to be a celebrity to be on a platform. Your platform can start right where you are. So, let's take our weapon and change the world for what is right and just (be angry at what was done us and show love to those who wronged us). I say that because they didn't know who they were abusing, and they are probably tormented now. At the same token, if a crime was committed, we should receive justice. And the way to your justice & freedom starts with your voice. 

The reason why your voice is a powerful weapon is because you are a voice for the voiceless.

Blessings

The Mayne Man

Giving To What Is False

We spend so much money on what we think is true but is so false. Yes, Satan is the god of this world and controls the money. So when we Christians get money, we don't focus it on Kingdom business. We focus it on church growth or it becomes me-centered. Seeing folks getting saved gets lost to feel-good songs, more people in pews (which equates to more income for the leaders). 

I understand when Paul told Timothy that people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. And heaven forbid that we speak out on those teachers, or anyone who claims to be anointed. The tragedy really occurs when give to what we really know is false (whether it be our money or our time). Just cause it itches our ears or give us goosebumps, doesn't mean it's genuine. Now, I'm not saying teaching has to be fire & brimstone, I hope you get what I'm trying to say. 

It's one thing for teachers in their greed to exploit you with false words (from 2 Peter), but it's a travesty when you know you're being exploited but decide to place sponges in your ears and continually give to what you already know is false.

Now it would be interesting to see 2 John implemented today where it says this (from verses 10-11): If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. What we'll do instead is cut off those who are actually doing the right thing, bury our heads in the sand when the truth is exposed and continually give to what is false.

Now is the time to stop giving to what we know is false so we can put our money & time towards Kingdom Business & not self-serving agendas.

Lost In The Wilderness

I initially started typing this near the end of 2011 when I was going my dark spell (in fact, part of ties directly into the epilogue of my novel Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid). Of course, I had to stop working on this blog to deal with my issues and complete the novel. But now it’s time for me to pick this back up. Everything that’s in red is what I typed at the end of 2011 and 99% of it is kept in its original form.

The children of Israel in Numbers 13 & 14 were a perfect example of what it means to be lost in the wilderness. Instead of relying on God that they could take this land, they chose to have a pity party. In fact, they thought they could live on top of the world by going back to Egypt, so they said amongst themselves to choose a leader and then go back to Egypt. Joshua & Caleb were the only 2 out of the 12 spies that said that the children of Israel could take the land. And what do stubborn/selfish people do, they do what’s right in their own eyes (and they said to stone Joshua & Caleb with stones). As a result, God forced them to suffer in the wilderness for 40 years. But there was one problem; Joshua & Caleb were to also suffer because they were part of a team.

Now let’s define what wilderness means: it means barren area, or it could mean an uncomfortable situation (that makes somebody feel confused, overwhelmed or desolate). So, the children of Israel were to remain lost in the wilderness for 40 years and they would die. Now, let’s fast forward to today. Many people are lost in their personal wilderness and if we don’t minister to their needs, they could die there (but there could be blood on our hands if it was in our power to pull them out).

Our lack of sympathy for those who are hurting is going to cause a lot of casualties. I believe in the future that many will sacrifice their lives to save a soul and some will die in misery to their own selfishness. We need to stop focusing on health and finances for self-glorification and start caring for others. I’m sure if an issue attacked your home, you’d call your cousin and your family for prayer. This selfish spirit needs to go! In Acts, healings and miracles occurred when the church was on one accord. We need a shakedown! It’s sad that we can’t agree on what’s right and what’s wrong (example: is abortion a sin or not). Can two walk together except they be agreed? And we’re allowing the devil to create this division.

To say that the body of Christ is perfect, is called being blind to reality. We are sinful people and we’ll never be perfect. It’s our job to ensure that we push each other to holiness for the glory of God. To pick on people who nit-pick the problems within the church (especially if it’s legitimate – such as pastors sleeping with little boys), is defending sin. We can’t afford to be lost in the wilderness like the children of Israel.

2 Cor. 4:3-4 in summary says if the gospel is hid to those who are lost for the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe. I could plant a seed, but when 99% is swarmed in darkness, it's going to require more than a seed plant - the seed has to be watered with prayer and possibly fasting. These are tools that the Christian has, but are failing to utilize unless it's for our own loved one or for someone in their closed circle (that's fine, but what about expanding it as well). What about the lost people, we need to pray for them. Translation: we need to get out of the - what's in it for me prayer!
Part of the reason why we as a church get an F minus is because of selfishness and lack of togetherness. I pray this for me, me, me and this is why we're losing its effectiveness in the world. People don't need to remain lost in the wilderness to end up going to the lake of fire with the help of the church.

If the church can’t come together on one accord, what chance does the world have? If the leaders within a church can’t come together on one accord, what chance does the sheep have? If we don’t change and care about the things that matter to God; people are going to die with the help of the church. As a result, there will be a lot of blood on our hands. Maybe I should become selfish and focus on the needs of my family. We have forgotten within the book of Acts, healing and miracles occurred when people were on one accord, and one mind. I would like to believe that the apostles dropped everything to ensure they were on one accord. In other words, their lives were not their own. It was all about serving and not to be served. Christ came to serve and not be served. It’s a tragedy to even think that we can’t even do that. Our lives are for the glory of God and He doesn’t want anyone to perish. We can quote John 3:16 back and forth, and we should have a burning passion within us to not see anyone perish.

Someone needs to stand up and say “enough is enough. I can’t continue to leave in the ‘it’s all about me’ mentality.” Think about this: when we have a crisis in our lives or within our circle, we’ll stop what we’re doing and ask everyone we know for prayer. It’s a grave concern when we don’t think about someone we may not know who needs to experience the love of Christ. We don’t want to take the time to understand what’s going on in their lives. We’ll just shake our head and say “I’m sorry, I’ll pray for you.” We need to seek God and intercede for people in need of love, healing, etc. In order for us to make a major impact in the world, we can’t afford to stay in our comfort ones. Yes, we can encourage each other, but what about the lost sheep. I hope we don’t get so caught up on the 99 sheep that are found that the lost sheep stays lost and ends up lost forever. What’s the point of staying a Christian if we’re staying in our own bubble?

This is why the world doesn’t want to come to church. Why come to church and be divided when I can stay home and be divided?

In summary: the wilderness is not a fun place to be. Looking back between May 2011 and February 2012, I was in my personal wilderness and I’ll be the first to tell that it is not a fun place to be. I do thank those who stayed with me through it, and now that I’m out, I’m obligated to help somebody else out of their wilderness.

Blessings:

The Mayne Man

Author Spotlight (Ornitha Danielle)

I was privileged to meet this author at the Ubawa Book Fair (held in Atlanta, GA ) in September 2013. She's a woman of many hats. So, without further ado, I present to you this week's author spotlight: Sister Ornitha Danielle.


As this up and coming sensational personality in the national and Entertainment and literary world, Ornitha Danielle has become one of the most watched talented novelist women in the media world of these days. She is well on her way to be one of the nation’s latest novelists’ in The Literary industry as the So Fyh Literary Diva (DIVA= Divine, Inspired, Virtuous Vessel of the Lord and A=Ambassador.

Ornitha Danielle is not only succeeding her dreams, but building a career that she’s making this move in opposed to with all the odds facing her. Ornitha Danielle is a native of Memphis, TN. She knows that without God in the midst of all that she does, none of this would ever be possible.

She is the proud mother of three children and the wife to Rodney “LeeStylez” Taylor a professional photographer. She is a native of Memphis, TN and now resides in Somerville, TN. Were she’s had the chance to pursue her dreams of becoming a Christian Scribe Novelist and Poet.

She graduated from University High School, and from then School of Hair Design Hair Design with honors. She is a 2007 Southwest Tennessee Community College Alumni. Her former career as a professional hairstylist and makeup artist allowed her to be unique, edgy but very creative. She even became an educator in her field of expertise and taught in several beauty schools in the Memphis area. She later became the salon owner of “Perfection Of Beauty”, after working many years as a Master Stylist she decided to return to school.

After graduating from Southwest Tennessee Community College with a diploma in Emergency Medical Technician. There was something that she loved more than anything and was the love of books. As a child her parents read to her all the time, which she carried into her adulthood. Now she has penned her first novel that was just released on July 29, 2012 titled “A Heart of Reign”. That will be followed by “A Tired Journey” The Road Less Traveled….

Ornitha Danielle is also pursing her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism w/ concentration in Public Relations at The University of Memphis, and Minors in Marketing and Education. Ornitha Danielle is currently working on developing her hair cair all natural products and designer scarves with matching Hobo messenger bags.

Ornitha Danielle is very much the total package, the beauty and brains behind these companies that are growing beyond leaps and bounds. She is the CEO of So Fyh Enterprise, and “So Fyh Entertainment & Management,” and the COO and Creative Director as well as the face of “LeeStylez of So Fyh Photography”.

She’s the CEO’s & Founders of “So Fyh Diva Publishing Ink” and “So Fyh Magazine Online” as well as the “So Fyh Book Reviews “The Professional Book Reviewer” and “The Social Media Diva of “So Fyh Lavender Essence”. She’s also the “Blogger of My Diva Thoughts”.

Now she’s the founder/visionary of “Diamonds Are Forever Ministries” a non-profit organization that helps women and young ladies that have been victims of sexual abuse. With two other non-profits in the making one for the homeless, and the others that are looking to lose weight in a very healthy and spiritual manner.

There is so much to this woman of many talents; she’s a former columnist for “The Memphis Beauty Examiner,” and The Style Editor for Diva By Design Online Magazine and “The Creative Director for Shoots on Sunday”. She reviews books and music for “So Fyh Entertainment & Management”, “So Fyh Book Reviews” & “Diamond Star Entertainment.”

Ornitha Danielle was a volunteer “Event Coordinator” for The Forgotten Souls Festival for two years and The 15th Event Coordinator for “The Annual Stone Awards” as well as and Public Relations / Media Specialist in Memphis, TN. She’s also is apart of a non-profit organization “Saving Lives Through Lit” were she was a contributing writer for the book “Voices Behind The Tears” and “The Internet Media Specialist.” She’s a contributing editor for “Beautiful” ” by Kieixiza Rodriquez.

She was featured in “On The Rise” Magazine based out of Riverdale, GA. And a guest on “The Tony~n~Kie Show Blog talk Radio” based out of Richmond, Virginia as well as “The Reason 2k12 Talk Shoe” twice based out of Detroit Michigan, She also appeared in an online magazine “Today’s Leading
Ladies” she was also spotlighted for a poem that she written, “For That I am wonderfully made” as well as “Sistha’s On Lit” another Internet radio show. She’s also was featured in Allezom International Magazine based out of Orlando, Florida and Sain-City Magazine based out of Brooklyn, New York, and also appearing in the local newspaper the “Fayette Falcon” in Somerville, TN.

Also in her down time she’s an independent Party Marketing Coordinator for Memories Banquet Hall & Event Center. She’s also an Executive Writer for a new talk show “Memphis Actors’ Talking About”

In addition to all her accomplishments her greatest one of all was being called to serve in The Kingdom of God, she’s a born again Christian and has been at the very tender age of 7. In 2009, she accepted her calling into the ministry, when God called her to be his mouthpiece (Prophetess), it came with great processing and feeding on the word of God, staying close to the altar and in prayer.

That is where the name “Divinely Speaking” came from. Ornitha is really living a life of service, intercession, and being a servant first, to those in need. Indeed this chosen vessel has been commissioned by God to do what he’s already ordained before the beginning of life. She ministers in dance as well as speaking the word of God with boldness, and authority.

For more information on Ornitha Danielle please contact
“So Fyh Lavender Essence”
901-825-5493
Danielle_taylor2006@yahoo.com or
editor@sofyhmagazineonline.biz