The "Me" Gospel

I initially wanted to entitle this blogpost, “My, My, My;” but the more I thought about it, it’s better to just call it The “Me” Gospel. So, what am I talking about? This is where the gospel is twisted to focus it on you (giving you the right to be self-centered).

I dedicate this post to a few people that know me to type things like this – considering they would actually agree with me on this. I also dedicate this to those who have been abused (hope you can find refuge in one section of this post).

When you typically think about people who go to church, you would think they go to hear the word of God (regardless of whether the passage will cause a shout of praise or cause a season of repentance). But sadly, many go to hear a “feel-good” message that is self-centered. Some sayings come as: you can be blessed; you can receive health and wealth; you don’t have to tolerate people who don’t think like you; and the list goes on. Somewhere along the way, we lost the message of: “love your neighbor; if your brother is stumbling, help him; suffer with those who are suffering.”

There was a comment I made in my novel Deaf, Dumb, Blind & Stupid that went like this: “Why are we only sympathetic if OUR child has a mental disorder? On the contrary, if you know someone else whose child has a mental disorder, they need a beating. This is unfair, and reflects the worse part of human nature. If you know someone who is being abused, you need to let them know who to contact if they are being abused, especially when a parent sweeps it under the rug, and they don’t want to deal with it. If no one intervenes, the child could very well go on with their life through the abuse and then end up on drugs trying to cure whatever disorder he or she may have.”

The reason why we act the way we do is because we don’t want a gospel of serving others, we want a gospel that’s self-centered and that tickles our ears. If someone is hurting, it doesn’t affect ME so I’m not getting involved or I’ll step on you.

1. I want the Bible where I can claim parts and receive things for ME and not for others (granted, many still feel their talents are just for them and not for others)
2. I can make myself a god and speak my own reality (now that’s nothing short of new age mysticism) – adding to this: you can’t speak nothing if you’re not willing to put in the work (just my little side note)
3. I want a gospel where from the pulpit, my ears can be pleased.

When we want a Me gospel, we fall into the trap of Jeremiah 5 (give us smooth things). And frankly, this is nothing short of idolatry when we want a gospel that caters to our ears and we treat believers and non-believers with contempt.

Relationship 101 (Unedited)

Between February 25 - March 9, 2014, I posted on Facebook what a brother in Christ imparted in my life. I tell you, it was heavy. So, here's the note that I compiled yesterday on Facebook.

On February 25^th, 2014, I talked to a brother who imparted something serious in me. Now some of you FB watchers won't understand this - lol, but I believe it's not just for me; it's for us brothers (and some of you sisters). I posted this on my wall in 14 parts, so here it is unedited.

Part 1
Brothers: When a woman is just coming out of something that's traumatic, such as divorce, loss of a parent or child, a domestic abusive relationship, etc., she's in a vulnerable state. If you love her, your prayers have to be all about her: that entails her healing, her being whole in areas she may know need healing or areas that she doesn't know need healing, knowing that God is the Ultimate Healer. We as men need to stop rushing women into a relationship especially if they have suffered in the present or in the past (now I'm flowing from this point as He leads). Remember we as men are dealing with a woman that God made (and if He created her, that means she's important to Him).

In summary: if she's going through or has gone through, we men must not push her, and implement what the Bible says: let patience have her perfect work!

Part 2

Brothers, when you meet a woman who's been through (past or present), she's vulnerable. If you're a man, you have to ensure that you erase any doubts she may have when it comes to relationships (especially if she wants to love again). Establish a boundary to ensure she has time to heal, that you don't cause her to stumble because she is your sister in Christ ... (yes, I'm flowing as He leads) and that God can deal with your kinks (believe me, I know I have some). We as men need to understand this: women are special and to see another man trample on a woman's emotions, chastity, etc. should break our hearts. Women who have had bad marriages (where men just abandon the relationship or where men just want the benefits and not the commitment that comes with it) or have been in hostile relationships need our prayers (especially if you have a heart for God and her well-being), our understanding (she will need to vent, and we need to cover her with the Word and not our agenda), and most of all time to heal!

In summary: Boundaries must be respected when a woman is healing, and if you love her, pray for her healing and that she be whole on His agenda and not yours.

Part 3

Sisters, if you are coming out of a bad relationship (whether marriage or simply a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship) and you meet a man who has qualities that are pleasing to God and that you did not see in your spouse or the man you thought was "the one," he should love you enough to set a boundary to not only protect him, but to protect you along with your heart, feelings and your relationship with God. It will only be natural to be attracted to him as you see the fruits of the Spirit displayed in his character, but know this: fruit is good but it must be picked at the right time (now that part right there is for men too, cause we can find a good thing, but try to grab it in the wrong season)! #SpeakHolySpirit
#PreachingToMe

Part 4

To the Brothers, if you believe that the woman you're praying for is the one (now let me qualify that, you've consulted God and you have a relationship with Him), then you need to be honest with yourself, and be sure you're praying for her well-being, that she's whole even while you're just friends. Especially if the friendship progresses, still make the focus on her (especially if she has scars whether it be abusive, marriage, etc), because scar tissue can become callous and she may not know there's a wound underneath and it can damage a friendship and possibly a relationship.

We as men have to understand that if a woman has been battered, beaten, abused, abandoned by her boyfriend or spouse, that we have to pray for her wholeness and restoration in terms of who Christ made her to be and no damage comes as a result of what he did to her.

Part 5

Scripturally speaking, if a man abandons the relationship, she is free to marry whom she will, but only in the Lord. The key is not so much that she's free, but is she ready. And that's something we men need to understand - pushing her into a relationship (even if she may push a relationship) displays that we're not waiting on God as well not waiting on her to be healed from the damage that her spouse or boyfriend did to her.

Part 6

Brothers, if you know a woman who's been through (emotionally abused, physically abused, bad marriage), we need to pray for her wholeness and that God will heal her  everywhere she's hurting (physically, mentally, financially & spiritually). This is what it means to cover a woman as the Bridegroom covers His bride #PreachingToMe

No man should push a woman into a relationship when she is coming out of a relationship that was plagued with abuse. Why? It’s because the wounds may not be healed and they can fester in the new relationship.
Brothers, if you know a woman who's been through (emotionally abused, physically abused, bad marriage), you need to pray for her wholeness and that God will heal her everywhere she's hurting (physically, mentally, financially & spiritually) and in the places where she's vulnerable.

Continuing on: This is what it means to cover a woman as the Bridegroom covers His bride #PreachingToMe
While I'm on that subject, God wants both husband & wife to be complete in Him, whole & lacking nothing

Part 7

Now if a man really loves a woman who's been battered, beaten, and suffered much pain via marriages, relationships, rejection, he will pray for her that she be complete in Him so when she thinks of her "exes," it won't be painful (meaning, she can think about it or talk about it and it won't be painful). She can move on and recognize that these men were nothing more than a demonic spirit who was trying to seize the woman (like Shechem seizing Dinah, or the serpent pushing Eve).

Part 8

When a man really loves a woman (or is interested in a woman) he will see facets in a woman that are extremely desirable (not just sexually). The key is to let patience have her perfect work. No man or woman should have anything lacking in their relationship. A lot will be lacking and missed if a relationship is rushed. So a man must check his prayers and to be sure pray for her well-being (now that can work vice versa).

Part 9

When a woman has lost a parent, a child, or the father of the child abandons the woman & child, there's a sense of loss. If you're a man of God and you have an interest in a woman in this situation, God can use you to be the ointment of restoration (my insert: Hallelujah!), but you have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, not rush her and allow her to move at her pace without making her feel like she has to move faster because she might "lose me."
#TheyThatWait

Afterthought: Ladies: the minute a man says that you will "lose him," that's not a red flag, that's a black flag! A man will show that he loves you when he is more than willing to wait on God's timetable and not be operating by his hormones!
#MayneManApproved
#IDontMindWaiting

Part 10

When a man loves a woman and she's suffered a loss (such as a parent/child), or she was in a relationship and the ex abandoned her, this man will implement Proverbs 18:24 and be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. And he's going to need discipline especially when her losses are very recent. Yes, she's a strong woman, but there's pain even though she may not show it. And there are doors that she may not want to open right now. And if the man really loves her, he will continue to be patient with her and pray for her wholeness. Now when she's ready to open the doors and the Lord has predestined for the two of them to progress further, he, being a Godly friend, will be there to help her open the doors if there is a relationship beyond friendship. Otherwise, there will be things he'll never know because she's guarded (to avoid opening up to get hurt).

Part 11

What does it mean to be a true friend to someone you care for? Well, though this works both ways, let me speak from the perspective of a man who really cares for a woman. He must be very guarded and not move faster than he should. His motives and actions have to be solely in what's best for her right at this moment and that's a tall order. But a real man will rise to the occasion to spiritually mature.

Part 12

If a friendship turns into a relationship, a man of faith will cease from making the attention on what's best for her and will then make the attention on what's best for them. Through this friendship, a woman should see the authentic man for what he is versus a man who wants to take advantage of her (trust me a woman doesn't need a Shechem in her life)!

Part 13

When a woman (who has been through) sees a true man, then she will able to truly love & care for him without feeling vulnerable (and not subject to being hurt). She will be willing to take the risk of loving him without restraint (but he must prove it by his actions).

Part 14

If a man does what he knows is right when tending to a woman (refer to the other 13 parts), the breakthrough will come and will happen quickly. He just needs to be prepared. Meanwhile, he just needs to do the following
1. Make his prayers all about her
2. Continue to grow in his relationship with God (and let God deal with his issues)
3. Serve God with all of his heart

what will happen as a result is this: folks will be like "where did he come from?"

They will ask because they won't understand the foundation he built, the depth of his efforts, because when people burst out on the scene, it looks like they were there all the time. But he was just implementing Galatians 6:9.

Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: Are You A Well-Spoken Witness or National Spokesperson?

I know this post is going to cause a stir among my fellow abuse survivors and to some members within the body of Christ. But this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Many abuse survivors in the body of Christ look to celebrities as role models, when in fact many celebrities and/or counselors who have survived abuse give the impression that they have a chip on their shoulder and there's no sympathy to those who have suffered (even to the point where they attacked victims by saying, you’re in sin because you’re not thinking right – regardless of what state they’re in). That’s not fair to an abuse survivor, people with an influence need to understand where people are in their path to recovery or are they still struggling with the pain of abuse instead of attacking (even if it’s unintentional). And that’s what led to this post.

I was inspired by a fellow author’s quote: not every abuse survivor needs to be a spokesperson. I couldn’t agree with her more if I tried. In fact, I agree with her quote so much that I asked her to write on this very topic. A few notes before I bring her on: she’s the author of Identity Crisis, Identity Christ Is: A Journey to Love, she’s a powerful advocate of ending homelessness and she’s also a fellow abuse survivor. Who am I talking about? My sister & fellow author Ressurrection Graves. We both agree that many are well-spoken and even well known, if not healed, or fully aware of re-traumatizing others, they can do more harm than help. Though we will be discussing one prominent person as an example, we’re not bashing her by any means and we are not judging her as a person. We are just answering the question, is she qualified to be a spokesperson for child sexual abuse? As you read her thoughts, spokespersons need to

1. Consider the audience
2. Provide warning of the details that may re-truamatize
3. Have counselors on hand as people may recall or come to realize their abuse

I now turn it over to Ressurrection Graves. She said everything I could say (and then some) :)

Many years ago, when my mother described the kind of success that she saw in me she mentioned one name only, Joyce Meyer. She would often visualize me on talk shows, in particular, chatting it up with Oprah on her now retired talk show. Perhaps my mother sees this great preacher inside of me who is a gifted orator, author and humanitarian through ministries who reach the world.

Joyce Meyer does not call herself a pastor, and she does not identify with what the media refers to as the “prosperity gospel” but instead identifies herself as a bible teacher. As someone who struggles with the term pastor, because of my expertise on issues around sexual abuse and the church, I totally get her stance. No matter what title she’s chosen, she has certainly done well in creating a life for herself and her family. Another problem people have with her, but not me.

Tremayne Moore, author of Deaf, Dumb, Blind and Stupid who refers to himself as a sexual abuse survivor was empowered by a quote that I made stating that not every person who breaks their silence about abuse, is called to be a spokesperson in any capacity. As I chime in to an open discussion with him in particular about Joyce Meyer, I wanted to hear her language and her personal testimony; descriptions of her abuse for myself.

While I understand Tremayne’s passion to hold celebrities and people of influence responsible for how they heal or hurt people with their admissions of child sexual abuse, I am careful to allow us all to have a voice, while I listen and hear from God.

After watching several Joyce Meyer videos on YouTube, of sermons that she shared in front of stadiums full of people, I took away a few things about Joyce, her story, and her ability to share it in front of millions.

Joyce Meyer’s story of incest is the perfect example to use to declare that my petition Make Child Sexual Abuse Grooming a Felony should be given a bill number and passed into law. Click here to read the petition and sign it: http://www.change.org/petitions/make-child-sexual-abuse-grooming-a-felony

Joyce describes that her biological father started with grooming behavior, used manipulation, threats and coercion, and other fear tactics to make Joyce comply with his demands. The behavior escalated to molestation, which is also grooming behavior because the end goal was rape which her father achieved when Joyce turned around 12 or 13 years old. This lasted according to Joyce until she was 18.

Tremayne seems angry, and I join him in the idea that her mother was given a free pass. Joyce uses the excuse that her mother did not know what to do even after walking in on her being molested and/or raped. I also believe that if her daughter was in fact sexually abused by Joyce’s father (which I have found no proof of such admission), Joyce uses this same excuse for herself.

Although Tremayne is not a fan of Joyce, I like Joyce. We are not called to be downtrodden, she’s not making anyone pay for her products, and her conferences that are free provide people who can only afford to get to the meeting a chance to get in, and receive whatever God may have for them there.

However, there are a few things that when sharing with others about her abuse I encourage both she and her audience to be conscious of during her meetings.

1. Although it’s great for the cameras, people sitting in the audience may actually be triggered by the details of the child sexual abuse grooming which included molestation and escalation to rape. Because of the environment, people may be triggered and even re-traumatized, remembering their own abuse and unable to fully process it in an audience. As a courtesy to the audience, a warning is necessary.

2. As someone abused who may be living in silence, there with someone who knows them but not their story, Joyce presents no options for people to feel safe leaving in the middle of her sermon, or actually processing the emotions that surface.

3. From the video of her personal testimony, I think Joyce did a great job of telling people how she feels but I don’t know that Joyce understands her influence. She is unqualified to assist people in the specific area of their abuse just because she’s a bible teacher. She can lead them to God, yes but by telling her story and opening the wounds that she does, she also offers though unintended perhaps, confusion. For example, when she speaks of her teenage years, she discusses her abuse as if she consented. Maybe this is how she feels but I need to clarify that she did not have a sexual relationship with her father, the term is rape.

4. I listened to Joyce’s testimony. It sounded more like dumping to me. Although at the end she tells people how she’s overcome with her career, and to some extent she discusses her emotional health, it’s a one woman session. This is not a sermon, this is not preaching, this is her personal testimony and that should be handled differently. It should be explained in the beginning that the events shared may scare you.

5. I think it is disrespectful for people to assume that she is lying about what happened to her. Some of the feedback from website blogs insinuates that she’s not telling the truth because she won’t name her perpetrator. Well, I won’t name mine either, not because I’m not honest but because it’s none of your business. It serves you no purpose. Additionally, Meyer’s father is dead.

Solutions to the Meyer’s testimony is that she could have a few qualified individuals who she would be open to confiding in, stand in places that are safe for people who may be triggered and need support. Perhaps they could pose as ushers, greeters or in other positions on the floor serving so that when they see someone in need of support, they are there to help.

The biggest concern with Tremayne Moore and I echo this, that she has taken the position of the “get over it” mentality it seems. She presents the answers in her life coaching style sermons as she talks about her ascension out of abuse. She never tells me how much of a role her husband did or did not play in her healing, only that she married him and they’ve been doing that ever since.

For example, before my husband and I were married, I knew that I would go into ministry work and asked for his blessing if he were to be my husband, to which he supports. I also approached him to ask if he would be there for me as I sought additional healing from past family pain by attending counseling with my family (providing that they would be willing to participate), and he said yes.

I asked if he would love me through the ugly cry, and the emotional me who would be trying to heal through uncomfortable memories and present moments. And, he agreed to be there for me. I grabbed a partner, it was my husband.

Before my husband, I did all the work myself in relationship with God but I’m just unclear about how Meyer’s husband helped to cultivate healing in her. In some of her sermons, she just talks about how mean and difficult she was, but never how that all changed. In other words, Meyer takes us from A to Z without helping us understand the journey from A through to Z.

And this I believe is the unintended “get over it” mentality that hurts members of the Christian community who have experienced abuse. Another area that is drowned out by the applause of people who follow her teachings is the fact that she celebrates his repentance and salvation.

Joyce’s father molested and raped her for 15 years. Even though she doesn’t outright say it, she offers him an excuse of returning from the war as a mentally ill veteran, without actually so that he was. It is implied but not actually true. The truth is, she was three when he began grooming and molesting her, how in the world would she know if he was sexually abusive to anyone else before she were born, or before the war? She does not know, or she knows and has chosen to protect him.

There is no doubt in my mind that the abuse would have continued if she had not left home. Her mother was equally responsible. She did not believe her child, and then walked out turning a blind eye to the incest when she witnessed it for herself. By

teaching people that her mother did not know what to do, she excuses the inaction of every mother in the audience who has a child being sexually abused at home by their father. Her mother and father should have both been held accountable. At the very least, she could have left him, reported him, fought him or had some reaction. By having no reaction she made the rapes permissible.

Joyce admits that her father was a pedophile and rapist. He had more than one victim, and this was his practice. It makes me wonder whether he kept a diary, and whether he was a follower of Alfred Kinsey since, he begin this after returning from the war, and Kinsey’s homosexual-pedophile agenda was released around this time. Judith Reisman, a child sexual abuse expert and adjunct law professor at Liberty University has done an amazing job or uncovering the truth about Kinsey. Joyce Meyer’s father sounds like a follower of Kinsey, based on my research.

Now, from a biblical perspective is this really forgiveness? To pretend that events did not happen? Sounds like denial, and teaching the congregation to live in denial under the premise of forgiveness is where the issue changes from her uneducated ability to identify where she is with abuse, and biblical teachings. Joyce led me to believe that she swept the abuse under the rug on the inside, and was this mighty virtuous heroic woman for standing tall in forgiveness on the outside.

By her own admission, she sent money and kept them well. She never held them actually accountable, she just stayed away. When her father became ill, she took care of him. I wrote about a woman who did that. Her name is Catherine Marie Elder Portillo, and in her case the stepfather who was also related to a huge televangelist treated her much the same way with child sexual abuse grooming escalating from molestation to rape (click here to read about it: http://ressurrection.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/catherine-marie-elder-portillo-healing-hawaii-from-child-sexual-abuse-bestiality-and-spiritual-abuse/

In his eighties, he went to visit his brother and she went to start his car, only to find earrings that would belong to a small child. He was still a pedophile, old and frail.

Joyce Meyer chose to take care of him. At some point, he breaks down and cried a river. When she beckoned to her mother’s call to see what he wanted, it was an apology he offered. She helped him to get saved, and now she preaches that he was baptized and went to heaven. And, that’s where I have a problem.

I don’t challenge that he received salvation or that he was baptized but I say to everyone that you have no idea where someone will spend eternity, because there is no way that you know what is actually in someone’s heart.

My husband and I met in a homeless shelter, knew we were the one for each other and are amazingly in love with one another. He is absolutely the one. However, when I share my story I make clear that this was the way that I was able to overcome homelessness, and do not leave an open-ended idea that this is the norm. Likewise, Meyer’s story is unique in that most pedophiles do not apologize to their victims.

Pedophiles are sociopaths, and do not believe that what they are doing is wrong. In fact, they actually believe that what they are doing is right, and that you are the one who has failed to understand them as “minority attracted persons” who are committed to “intergenerational love”.

Personally, I don’t believe that the father’s apology was sincere but I did not know him, and therefore my opinion (because that is what it is) does not matter.

I wish Joyce continued healing and understanding. I also pray that she chooses to bring in someone who can assist the audience with processing their emotions as it relates to abuse they may have suffered.

Tremayne wanted me to weigh in on whether Joyce Meyer is one of those spokespersons who should not be one. To be honest, from my research, I don’t believe that she is one at all. I think she’s got a platform and in this case has used it to purge, it felt good so she continues to heal from the platform. Unfortunately, for those in the audience, healing from the platform may cause spiritual and emotional injury to those who look up to her as a bible teacher and cannot separate her personal testimony from her spiritual teachings because her denial presents a charge to the audience to forgive.

While we are to always possess an open heart to forgive, it should be given at repentance. Forgiveness does not resist accountability, and healing can not take place from a place of denial. Love does cover a multitude of sin, sin that you acknowledge and turn away from.

My closing thought:

There are many other celebrities who are herald as champions of standing against sexual abuse, but are oblivious to what it entails, or they are opening wounds and not healing them. Ressurrection & I both agree that Joyce, along with a prominent filmmaker don't really know that because these are personal testimonies. They aren't trained in these areas. Though I don’t agree with many of Joyce’s teachings, I will agree with her when she says this: when people are going through, and you want to give up on them, don’t give up because it’s the most comfortable thing for you to do. Go to God and ask Him if He wants you to give up on them. And she also says this: sometimes you need to confront issues instead of running away from them. I would inject to say that iron sharpens iron (and the truth sets people free – if done in a spirit of love).

Now that is what love is!

Author Spotlight (Marshall C. Bell)

This brother was one of the featured authors at the 4th Annual AAA Expo (in Timonium, MD) August 2013. I was able to chat with him for a moment and he has a story to tell (and truthfully, we need more brothers like him). So, without further ado, show your love for my brother & fellow author, Marshall C. Bell.

Marshall C. Bell is a Howard University alum, entrepreneur, author, and host of Midday Magazine with Marshall Bell on Radio One WOLB 1010-AM. The former co-host of Celebrity Magazine Live with Donna Briggs and Marshall Bell is a highly sought after motivational speaker, political consultant and commentator, and the managing partner of The Bell Group, LLC, based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Marshall’s background in politics extends over 25 years, beginning with his role as campaign manager for his brother, former Baltimore City Council President, Lawrence Bell III, in 1986. Over the years, he has worked with numerous candidates and causes, both local and national, and has developed a hard earned reputation as one of the sharpest campaign strategists throughout the State of Maryland.

Marshall has a passion for helping people, especially young men and women struggling to find their way through tough and challenging circumstances. He motivates and encourages listeners to achieve their personal goals by making wise decisions, staying focused on success, taking responsibility for their lives, and giving back to the communities from which they come.

A twice published author, Marshall’s first book of fiction, The Darkest Secret, published in 2009, received critical acclaim for its frank and earnest dissection of race relations in the new millennium. His latest work, the eagerly anticipated, Baltimore Blues: Harm City, was released in August, 2012. When asked what motivated him while writing the gritty urban drama, Marshall responded, "It was important for me to be authentic when telling Cameron's story because I know he represents far too many of our youth in America today. They are truly the forgotten children."

Marshall enjoys sports, shooting pool, mentoring young men, and is the proud father of two sons, Kyle and Jordan.

Recently, Marshall announced his intention to run for The Democratic State Central Committee, representing Maryland's 40th Legislative District.

For more information or to book an appearance, please visit: www.marshallcbell.com.

Your Day Of Freedom (To My Fellow Abuse Survivors)

This was not a planned post, so I am going to let His Spirit lead me as I type this. I don't know where you are on your road to recovery from child sexual abuse, but I pray this encourages you today. Do you feel that have suffered too long and you desire that your pain is gone? Please, don't give up on your life or on God. Just like you would give a relationship another chance, I ask that you give God another chance. Let me use a passage to illustrate how we as survivors can celebrate our day of freedom as the chains if bondage fall. 

In Acts 16, starting with verse 23 we see this happening to Paul & Silas: And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Ok the backdrop was that Paul & Silas were on a missionary journey and they spoke against the spirit of divination. As a result, they were placed in chains. What is the message? They weren't arrested and silent for doing wrong. They were innocent (because they were seeking to do good) and were silenced, bound in chains. Many of us were robbed of our innocence and we were told to be silent or else we would lose our lives. I can tell you that I was threatened through the means of fear. So I was in chains mentally! 

But wait, there's more to this story. And if you remember a post I did near the end of October 2013 called My Voice (As A Survivor) Is My Weapon, you'll see right now why it's a weapon if it's used the right way.

Verse 25 & 26 in Acts 16, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

So what is the message here? Pray for justice and mercy. But sing praises for His Goodness. Let me say this: No, you did not deserve the abuse, it was not your fault. What am I talking about here? Your scars and pain (coupled with that the fact that you're still alive) is a testimony that you are here with a purpose to share your story and help remove the chains of someone else. Praise God that His true justice will come in due time and praise Him for your life. If you look at the interview I did to the right of this blog, you'll see what I'm talking about. 

Also note, this was at midnight, in the darkest part of the day. For many of us, we have had our dark days. I'll put this out there: two years ago today, I didn't want to live, but I constantly prayed and didn't give up on His plan for us. Understand the mere fact that because we went through and we're alive, not only are we strong, but we're over comers. Many people wanted us dead (our abusers, those who neglected us, etc.), but you should be able to rejoice in the fact you're still alive. Notice the chains came off when they rejoiced and praised. You have a purpose in this life. Don't feel that God has abandoned you. Because I went through it, I can boldly type this post. 

As Jesus Culture said in one of their songs, there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain. 

Let this day be your day of freedom.

Blessings:

The Mayne Man

I Have A Dream (poem excerpt)

Here is an excerpt of my poem entitled "I Have A Dream." The entire poem is in my debut poetry book Take It From Me: Cautionary Tales From A Former Fool (The You Can Take It Poetry Series: Volume I). Blessings to you all today.

I stand today and see the dream inside of me

It’s deeper than what my eyes can see

Look at me, I have ambition, I have a desire

Nobody can put water on this fire

I have this dream inside of me that’s growing strong

If I can bear the short-term discomfort, the dream won’t take long

I am encouraged, I am blessed, and I am a soldier in this fight

Because I’m strong in the Lord and in the power of His might

I can’t let anything tie me down; I have too much at stake

I know I have to press forward and do whatever it takes.

Never to neglect the Lord who blessed me and saved me

Because it is He who loves me and it is this dream He gave me

I have to fulfill it; I have to nurture it with all of my heart

Because He knew this dream was for me from the start

If Pharaoh and Dr. King can have a dream, then I can have a dream

And when it’s resurrected and affirmed, it’s not as distant as it seems.

If I neglect this, I’m letting you, God, and myself down

This is my time, and I’m turning this life of mine around

This is it! Destiny has to be fulfilled

I refuse to be tied down; that’s not God’s will

This poem might be hard for your ears, so it seems

But this is me, and I’m blessed to be living the dream.

Author Spotlight (Kelli Bolton)

I met this author in September 2013 at the BWABC Literacy Festival. I was privileged to sit across from her (that meant she had to put up with my jokes). Anyway, this sister has a glow in her spirit. Show your love for sister & fellow author Kelli Bolton.

Kelli Bolton is a compassionate young woman with a desire to see the Word of God set the lives of his people free.

She earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development in 1998 from Columbus State Community College and a B.A. in Cross-Disciplinary Studies from Ohio Dominican University in 2004. It is at this time that Kelli acknowledged the call of a teacher on her life. She has spent the past ten years helping at risk youth and families through various programs such as; Conflict Resolution, Independent Living Mentor, Community Support Provider and ABLE/GED Instructor.

In 2000, Kelli received a prophetic word concerning writing, it was in 2001 that she started her first book “A Good Man or a Godly Man, Which Do you Prefer?” Again in 2005, she received the same word, this time with an emphasis on “books”.

Not sure what God was doing on leading her to do, Kelli continued to write. In March 2009 Kelli was inspired to write a book about teen dating and domestic violence after the recent incident between young Hollywood’s hottest couple. Through Kelli, God is showing young people what real “love” looks like in her book “You Said You Loved Me”. Now she has released her second novel titled “Church Gossip” addressing a serious matter in many churches today. Kelli’s hope is that people will look beyond the title and allow the message to mend those that have been broken by the judgmental attitudes of people in church.

Kelli is a faithful member of Agape Family Worship Center under the leadership of Pastor Yolanda Tolliver where she is actively involved in ministry as; Administrative Support Staff, Deaconess in Training, Helps & Hospitality Ministry, Intercessor, and Youth Sunday School teacher . She enjoys fellowship with family, friends and the body of Christ. She is also a member of the Columbus Christian Writer’s Association. She has had two articles published in the online magazine First Lady Magazine and is credited as a contributing author.

She and her husband Vernon have three children whom are deeply committed to training up the way that they should go.