Author Spotlight (Pamala Mintz)

I initially met this author via Facebook before meeting her in person. She appeared to be so genuine on FB, and when I met her at the African American Author Expo (held in Timonium, MD) in August 2013, I found that she's a genuine person, period! With that said, show your love for my sister & fellow author Pamala Mintz.

Pamala Mintz is a single mother of 3 children, Tiara, Brandon, and Joshua. Becoming a teenage mother did not stop Pamala’s aspirations and dreams. She graduated from Coppin State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Communications and graduated from University of Baltimore with a Master of Science in Health Systems Management in 2013. She will be furthering her education by entering the PhD program in Health Care Administration at Walden University in 2014. Tenacity, hard work and determination have been the driving forces that keep Pamala striving towards greater goals.

Pamala, presently, serves under the leadership of Dr. Todd Hall. It is through his prophetic mantle that she has tapped into who she truly is and the prophetic mantle that she always denied. It is through his teachings that she has gained the confidence to speak. Foundationally, Pamala was raised in the Baptist faith at Community Baptist Church of Cherry Hill under the late Rev. Calvin Thomas. As an adult, Pamala joined First Apostolic Faith Church serving under the leadership of Apostle Franklin Cornelius Showell.

Pamala has authored and published two books entitled Saved, Single Sister: Real Talk, the series with four more books yet to be released. In August, another dream took form as she began co-hosting a radio show entitled “A Different Identity” which airs Monday nights from 8pm-9pm on WXRP radio, an award winning talk radio station based in Atlanta, Georgia. This lady does not allow grass to grow under her feet too long. In the fall of 2013, she will begin production on the stage play/musical, “Saved, Single Sister: Real Talk”.

How We Christians Abuse Each Other

If you were to look at Christians today (to include those who say they are), we are losing all form of ethics and taking it to the point where we are abusing each other and adding Christian lingoes to abuse each other (really just leeching off each other for selfish purposes). It needs to stop and we need to grow up & mature.

So, how do we Christians abuse each other? Let me give you a great example.

Someone comes to me (and they say they are a man/woman of God) and say "can I borrow," or "can you do this for me cause I want to do something for someone." And they give you a 20 minute sermon before or after they ask if they can get some money from you.

Another area how we can abuse each other is taking advantage of a fellow brother's generosity or fellow sister's generosity (and again, adding Christian lingo such as "and may The Lord bless you."). 

When it's all said and done, they'll turn around, smile at you cause they know they just got over on you (even with the Christian colloquialisms). Yes, it can be frustrating, but know that The Lord will take care of you (so you can kind of dismiss when man says "may The Lord bless you."). Now it's not a problem to give out of your heart as He leads, but there should be a flag when people coerce you with the mindset of getting over on you (cutting corners).

We as the body of Christ need to stop abusing each other out of greed, cutting corners or just cause we don't to sit down & count the cost (and plan)!

This Word "Betrayal"

About 30 minutes ago, this word bothered me (though it shouldn't) to the point where I literally stopped what I was doing to type this. You see, betrayal is nothing new to God. In fact, many people know about Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus before Jesus was crucified. But I want to talk about the betrayals we face today (and I believe they will increase as the days progress).

We shouldn't be afraid of the word betrayal, but at the same time, we should not be alarmed when we are betrayed. Now we are not to live our lives in fear of being betrayed, but when we are betrayed, turn them over to God and forgive them.

I want to touch on some of the betrayals I see today (and again, I expect them to increase with greater intensity as we continue living day on this earth):

1. This first betrayal bothers my spirit to the core: parents are giving children (12 years and younger) to sexual predators to be molested, robbed of their virginity for money.

2. The second betrayal is the "what's in it for me" betrayal. I will be your friend, sup with you, join your cliques all for my benefit and then drop you when I got what I needed without even pouring into your life. Judas would fit this one with the exception that Jesus chose Judas and not the other way around.

3. The third betrayal is the "fair-weather friend" betrayal. This is where you want to be around people when they have good days and the moment they go through or offend you (whether major but more importantly minor), you turn your back on them, won't even help them at their point of need. This can also be an "I'm better than you" betrayal and this betrayal can actually lead to their spiritual death (and yes, you could have their blood on your hands).

4. The fourth betrayal involves trust. Example: I tell someone what I'm going through, they sit with me and listen; once I get it all out and they get all of my trust, they turn against me and speak ill of me because I'm not perfect like them. Some would get cocky with their attitude and say, "you need to get over it!" 

The last thing I want you to do is play naive in believing that you'll never be betrayed. Offenses come in different shapes & forms, and betrayal is no exception. Just because somebody is your friend doesn't mean they don't have the capability to betray you. Watch therefore, for wolves will perpetrate to be sheep. But sadly, many will pray and trust their flesh and not God thinking so & so won't betray them. But even if it does, God has you and them. Just be watchful is what I'm trying to say with that point. 

I need to say this too: just because someone attends your church or becomes a part of your elite clique due to church association, pastor association, etc. doesn't mean they still won't sell you out. I'll be honest, I'm expecting it to happen more in my life, people who say they believe will turn against me. Yes, it hurts and will hurt, but I will keep pressing on for His high calling. I don't expect everyone who says they are for me to really be for me. We're human, sinful, prideful, and always in need of being forgiven by God and forgiving others. 

This betrayal is getting so bad that if you don't agree with a political leader, a pastor, a music artist, people will betray you over that. If you have character flaws, they will betray you and flaunt their arrogance over you. Sadly, this betrayal is happening more in the spiritual world (in my opinion) than in the secular world and that shouldn't be. Part of the betrayal is due to our selfish agendas and still clinging on to the "what's in it for me" mentality. We have lost the one-sided love that Jesus had and we need to get our hearts back to this kind of love.

Blessings.

The Mayne Man

Author Spotlight (Christin Webb)

I met this author at the BWABC Literacy Festival (held in Memphis, TN) in September 2013. To me she is an angel. Anyway, this week's author spotlight is my sister and fellow author Christin Webb.

After years of earning degrees, building relationships, developing a career, and adjusting to single-motherhood, writer Christin Webb took a leap of faith to begin following her dreams to become Author Christin Webb.

"Outcomes are merely creations of our own decisions" is the motto that Christin lives by and uses as the basis for her first self-published novel, Enough Time and short fiction blog, 'Is It Real?'. It has been Christin's personal experiences and creative visions that bring her writing to life to ignite growth and inspiration in each story. In recent years, Christin has begun a campaign of encouraging people to intentionally follow their passions through her newest blog, Passion Living Out Loud'. Along with writing, Christin enjoys speaking to organizations on topics from self-growth, overcoming abuse and addictions, to becoming an author.

Christin's nonfiction work has been featured on websites such as 'Diva By Design' and 'For Harriet'. In 2010, Christin published the Memphis 2010 Historical Calendar, which featured 365 days of Memphis history. In 2012, Christin established the Webb Publishing Company that assist authors and small business owners with various publishing needs. More recently, Christin has begun screenwriting and producing short films.

Beyond making differences with words, Christin has always found community and leadership very important and finds giving back an easy task. She has acted in several volunteer capacities with organizations such as the National Civil Rights Museum and the United Way. Christin was formerly an Executive Board Member and Secretary of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. ~ Memphis, TN. Chapter. 

Christin has a BA in Social Work from the University of Memphis and an MBA from Webster University. Christin works in the utility industry and currently lives in Memphis, TN with her daughter, Jasmine. Christin hopes to continue to use her leadership and creative spirit to make positive differences.

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