Out of the Darkness 2006 by Belinda Pauls-Anderson

The Stats--Over 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.
--Every day, approximately 80 Americans take their own life, and 1,500 more attempt to do so.
--Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old.
--Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old.

The Challenge and the Hope
August 12th – 13, 2006 is the 2006 Out of Darkness Walk. in Chicago thousands of people will walk 20 miles overnight and into the dawn to help shed light on suicide, its impact and its prevention for Suicide Prevention. Each walker agrees to raise at least $1,000. Net proceeds will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to fund research, education, survivor and awareness programs - both to prevent suicide and to assist those affected by suicide.

Death by suicide is on an alarming rise in the young adult and senior population. These are the very people we live with, work with and attend church with. Choosing to end one’s life by suicide testifies to a tragic brokenness. Life is God’s good and precious gift, yet for some, it appears to be a living hell and all they feel is pain and no hope.

As Christians it is our obligation to protect and promote life. We should encourage others to seek their hope in God. During those times of despair, we need to provide love and support for our troubled brethren…and for this reason I choose to take the challenge…to walk 20 miles through the night.

God has blessed me by connecting me with a spiritual based, company Spirit Inspired that is selling tee shirts silkscreened with her poem, Born for a Purpose, to help raise money for this event. To learn more about the walk and/or make a monetary donation go to …go to support a walker…Belinda Pauls-Anderson. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is sponsoring the walk.


Together we can make a difference! It is about faith and trust in God’s promises. We were all “born for a purpose”.

Born for a Purpose

We were born for a purpose,
To do something right.
To provide inspiration
To show Christ’s life.

We were born for a reason,
To Make changes in this world
To proclaim our Lord and Savior,
To tell people God’s word.

We were born in this time.
Determined by God above.
He wanted our spirits here now,
To tell of Christ love.

We were born for a purpose;
Born for this time
God gave us life!
He had a purpose in mind.

Poem (c)2006 Kay Henley

Conflict and Triumph by Deacon Bill Reid

Please check out Luke 8:1-3.

1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (NIV)

Some things jumped out at me when I read these Scriptures:
(1) Jesus had at least two women traveling with Him 'through every city;' these women could be called disciples;
(2) and Herod, who was the epitome of evil (His father was Herod "the great" who had attempted to have Jesus killed as an infant when he ordered the killing of all male children under of the age of two.
(3) His ancestor was Esau whose descendants were the Edomites - historical enemies of God's chosen people, particularly after they had left Egypt.

The conflict continues today!

But check out Joanna, the wife of Chuza, who was Herod's steward. Jesus' power was so strong that he had Herod's steward as one of His disciples. Pulled her out of serving darkness and evil (when you serve evil, you MUST pay a heavy price) and brought her into His marvelous light. Who knows what evil this man had required of Joanna, but by the grace and mercy of Jesus, she was able and allowed to provide to God in the flesh! -- We serve an awesome God.

Grace and peace.
© 2006 Deacon Bill Reid
All Nations Baptist Church, Washington, DC

I Got Baptised! by Joe K.

Stanice:

I am not sure if you remember me. I had purchased your book via Audible.com and listened to it two times. After this, I found your website and told you of the difference your book had made in my life. Well, it has made such a profound difference in my life that I got Baptized this Sunday and the Jordan Lake, along with 21 other people from 3 other churches in the Holly Springs North Carolina area.

I was baptized a Mormon when I was 19 and felt that when I did it, I was just following along, that I never really made a commitment to Jesus but was following the rules to my earned salvation. I am SO excited; I want to tell the WHOLE WORLD. Since you are in the world, you get to hear too!!

Thank you again for honestly sharing your walk with Jesus in your recovery. Your example is helping me along with mine. I thank Jesus for touching a writer’s life and showing how you can use your stories to help people like me with my addiction by betting closer to the only One who can save.

If I never meet you here on this earth, I will look for you in Heaven!

Joe K.

Poetry: Verse, Vibes & Bites on Thursday, July 20th at 7PM @ BN downtown DC

Sistah Joy
Please mark your calendar TODAY and remember to join us at Barnes & Noble for Verse, Vibes & Bites on Thursday, July 20th at 7PM!

This month's featured poets for Verse, Vibes & Bites are Luther Whitley and Thomas Wyche.

Doc Powell ushers in a smooth and serene vibe as he opens the poetry sets and accompanies the poets on his Djembe (African drum). This free, family-friendly event includes an Open Mic, and takes place on the 2nd floor, in "Center Court" near the B&N Café which features light fare including an assortment of delectable "bites."

Verse, Vibes, and Bites is hosted by Barnes and Noble Poet-in-Residence, J. Joy Matthews Alford, known as Sistah Joy, author of Lord, I'm Dancin' As Fast As I Can.

Bring a friend or 2 and a poem or 2 (yours or merely your favorite!) to share during the Open Mic segment, or just come listen to our featured poets light up the mic!

*Tip: Take the Metrorail to Metro Center to this 3rd Thursday monthly event since parking spaces in the area are often hard to find!

EVENT DETAILS:
When: Thursday, July 20, 2006 (7 - 9 PM)
Where: Barnes & Noble Books (Downtown DC store)
555 12th St., NW.,
(Corner of 12th & E Sts, 1 block from Metro Center)
Cost: FREE

Sistah Joy is Poet and Author, Lord I'm Dancin' As Fast As I Can; Host & Co-producer of Sojourn With Words which airs on Thursdays, 7:30 PM, (Ch. 76-PG County, MD)

Berfplaceaneosoul by Stacey Lunsford

unborn baby at 10 weeks after conception
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Creatively, created by the Creator
Strategically and purposefully placed inside of my womb
For nine months he did reside
Everyday, I felt him growing inside
I nurtured him
I educated him
I fed him the truth of Gods word
I prayed for him
Preparations for blessings
Creatively, created by the Creator

Berfplaceaneosoul
My firstborn
A chosen generation
My royal seed
A royal priesthood,

Berfplaceaneosoul
A holy nation
Called out of the darkness into God's marvelous light
Eloquently Speaking
A city on a hill, can't be hid

B is for the beauty that's inside,
The contents of his heart
A rare jewel you will find
A diamond in the rough

E is for the extraordinary way that he writes
Profound messages, full of substance,
Faith comes by hearing
Hearing by the word of God

R is for the reality of who he is,
Where he's at And where he is going

F is because he is faithful, fearless and fired up!

P is for the panoramic view I have of him
North, South, East and West...
Berfplaceansoul,
He is destined for success

L is for the lucid lyrics that he writes

A is for his artistic abilities,
the gifts and skills that God has given to him
Not for him
But for God's glory

C is for his character
The texture of who is he,
The essence of what he is made of
Bold, strong, courageous and tenacious

E is for the execution of the prophetic word
That has been spoken over his life
Words that he has written down
Expecting the manifestation of the promise

A is for another level, another season for a breakthrough
A season to do nothing but trust God

N is for the "Navigator" the compass of his soul
Who leads him unto His paths of righteousness for His name sake

E is for his exemplary conduct in mentoring, motivating and teaching our youth
For Tomorrow,
For the Future,
For Our Grandkid's kids

O is for the outstanding model leader that he is

S is for the sorrows that he has known
Sent on assignment by the enemy to destroy him
Intercepted by God,
Used to sculpt,
Make and mold him

O is for "Out of the Darkness Comes The Light",
A poem that he wrote about me

U is for the unity formed by the trinity within him
His confidence in God and in himself
His uncountable words that have yet to be expressed

L if for the love that's deep down inside
The first letter of his last name

Lunsford,
The Legacy Continues
With my royal seed
Berfplaceaneosoul
The legend
The man
His music
His poetry
His spoken word

© 2006 Stacey Lunsford

FEAR is Conquered by Taking Action

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. When you dare to face the things that scare you, you open the door to freedom and success.

Most of your obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them or procrastinating about dealing with them, you make up your mind to walk boldly through them.

Don't be afraid to take the steps you need to take to make those positive changes in your life. To fight your fears, you must act. Your fears increase when you wait, put off, or postpone. If you understood your situation enough, you would never be afraid.

The attainment of your dreams is but a determined action away. Successful people take action.

©2006 by Max Steingart

Stanice Note: I found this today on Eduardo Dancel's blog, Daily Motivations

Memories of Katrina by Darby Diana Beattie

Dear Stanice,
I am 62 years old. I lost everything in Katrina. I am living in Tucson,Az. now. Your poem, Tell Me" is awesome. I am also writer/poet. I have prayed for the dead. I saw too much political greed. I am not returning to New Orleans.

I have attached my personal experience story, Memories of Katrina, for you to read. Please feel free to reprint and give to your friends and let them know the true story of Katrina. It was racial genocide,our politics did not care about poor Americans. I will always believe this. God will repay corruption in New Orleans. Kind Regards,Darby Diana Beattie

Go to my webpage. I write childrens poetry.