WSSN Stories

When the pressure of life seems to boil over—and it does for everyone—Pastor and Grammy-winning musician Smokie Norful has one piece of advice: take the lid off. This concept was inspired by watching his grandmother make her signature dish of sweet rice. When the heat got too high, the pot began hissing and boiling over, like it was about to explode. His grandmother would remind him the only way to avoid an eruption is to remove the lid. Similarly, the only way to avoid an emotional overload is to take our own lids off—that is, to stop being trapped inside ourselves and instead look to God and his grace to show us the strategy for becoming all he intends us to be.

This is the premise behind Norful’s new book Take the Lid Off: Trust God, Release the Pressure, and Find the Life He Wants for You (Thomas Nelson, September 5, 2017). In Take the Lid Off, Norful—who is the founder and pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center, a congregation of 5,000 members with three campuses in the Chicagoland area—outlines four steps that help us to relieve the pressure and draw closer to God in the process:

1. Look Inward, experiencing the cleansing of forgiveness and the power of God.
2. Look Outward, seeking for others to experience the joy of living for God and have the best God has to offer.
3. Look Upward and marvel at God’s love and strength to accomplish his purposes.
4. Move Onward, devising a strategy to accomplish all God has put in our hearts to do.

Norful, through detailed explanations and relatable examples, guides readers in understanding that, when you focus on these four steps, the pressure of life goes down, you gain peace and perception, and things work out much better in the end. By working to “take the lid off,” readers can become the people they were created to be.

To underscore the message of Take the Lid Off Norful is partnering with his long-time label home, Motown Gospel, to release a digital-only album titled Nothing Is Impossible. The twelve-track project, available September 9, 2017, features some of Norful’s most beloved songs of encouragement and inspiration, including “Still Say Thank You,” “No One Else,” and “Run ’Til I Finish.”

For more information, visit www.TaketheLidOffBook.com.

Over the weekend, three people were killed and at least 34 were injured in a hate rally of several hundred right-wing extremists on the campus of the University of Virginia. The stated intention of this white nationalist rally was to protest the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, general of the Confederate Army, yet it was fueled by white supremacy ideology.

“The crime that took place in Charlottesville was one of domestic terrorism. It is the manifestation of the racial divide that we still face in our country that is fueled by fear and hatred of groups whose skin color, religion, or views do not match theirs,” said Assembly Member Chris R. Holden (AD-41), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “The Ku Klux Klan’s, or white nationalists’, atrocious message is a painful reminder that we have great work to do to unite this nation.” 

President Trump addressed the “Unite the Right” protest under the guise that “many sides” were responsible for the violence that ensued. However, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) believes that the rally and the crime represent racism in its purest form.

Following the violent conclusion of the Charlottesville rally, Texas A&M has canceled their “White Lives Matter” rally which was scheduled for September 11^th featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer. California Universities have been targets in the past for white nationalist rallies. 

“The California Legislative Black Caucus stands against bigotry, divisive rhetoric, and complicity.   We ask that the California universities and colleges remain united for peace, equality, and inclusion because there is power in diversity,” said Holden.

Janeth Delacruz Garcia

By Chief Petty Officer Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach 

A 2014 Los Altos High School graduate and San Bernardino, California native is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Germantown.

Fireman Janeth Delacruz Garcia is an engineman aboard the ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan.

A Navy engine man is responsible for the maintenance of diesel engines, high pressure air compressors, lube oil purifiers and main reduction gears on the Germantown.

“Right now, I do a lot of testing of oil and fuel samples from the diesel engines,” said Delacruz Garcia. “I never would have thought I would be working in this field when I joined the Navy.”

With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world.

“Our alliance is rooted in shared interests and shared values,” said Adm. Harry Harris, U.S. Pacific Command Commander. “It’s not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom.”

Commissioned in 1986, Germantown is the second Navy ship named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown. With a crew of more than 900 sailors and Marines, Germantown is 609 feet long and weighs approximately 16,000 tons. Designed specifically to operate landing craft air cushion small craft vessels, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships have the largest capacity for these landing craft out of any U.S. Navy amphibious ship.

“This is my first command, the work environment is very respectful, they’re all very supportive and communicate well,” said Delacruz Garcia. “Serving in Japan is great, it’s one of my dream places to serve.” 

Sea duty is inherently arduous and challenging but it builds strong fellowship and esprit de corps among members of the crew. The crew is highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.

“I’m the first to serve in the Navy in my family,” said Delacruz Garcia. “It’s a huge commitment, I don’t think I could have done it without their support.”

The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part a long-standing commitment.

“The U.S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Harris.

Fireman Janeth Delacruz Garcia is an engineman aboard the ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan.

A Navy engine man is responsible for the maintenance of diesel engines, high pressure air compressors, lube oil purifiers and main reduction gears on the Germantown.

“Right now I do a lot of testing of oil and fuel samples from the diesel engines,” said Delacruz Garcia. “I never would have thought I would be working in this field when I joined the Navy.”

With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world.  

“Our alliance is rooted in shared interests and shared values,” said Adm. Harry Harris, U.S. Pacific Command Commander. “It’s not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom.”

Commissioned in 1986, Germantown is the second Navy ship named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown. With a crew of more than 900 sailors and Marines, Germantown is 609 feet long and weighs approximately 16,000 tons. Designed specifically to operate landing craft air cushion small craft vessels, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships have the largest capacity for these landing craft out of any U.S. Navy amphibious ship.

“This is my first command, the work environment is very respectful, they’re all very supportive and communicate well,” said Delacruz Garcia. “Serving in Japan is great, it’s one of my dream places to serve.” 

Sea duty is inherently arduous and challenging but it builds strong fellowship and esprit de corps among members of the crew. The crew is highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.

“I’m the first to serve in the Navy in my family,” said Delacruz Garcia. “It’s a huge commitment, I don’t think I could have done it without their support.”

The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part a long-standing commitment.

“The U.S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Harris.

By Lue Dowdy

The YOUTH IS WHAT IT DO!

It is going down Saturday, October 14 in the beautiful city of San Bernardino. Congratulations to the following individuals for making the I.E. Show It Off 2017 talent competition: Alaondraa Smith, Ty’Ren Tillet, Sheniya Jackson, Xager 8 Dance Crew, Elizabeth Estrella, LaTisha Williams, Moena Parker, Daharien Trotter, Jack Musgrove, and Jahzara and Djehuty (The Garbutt Siblings).

The contestants will be competing for a $500.00 cash prize. Good Luck! Until next time, L’z!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Well ain’t no need of wondering… You know as well as I know why… Truth has left the building…. Truth has been sliced, diced and chopped up. You hypocrite! I want you to know that God’s desire is that His church should no longer be tossed to and fro. When it comes to God’s Word there is no tolerance. There is no variation in God; He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  You ought to know that it is not enough to preach any message you might choose. Rather, the gospel is what you must preach. You must preach ONLY the gospel because IT ALONE is the power of God unto salvation. [Rom 1:16]. You must preach ONLY the gospel because IT ALONE is the means by which we are begotten of God [1 Corinthians 4:15].   You must preach ALL of the gospel, in the TRUE SPIRIT of the gospel. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” – that’s what preachers are charged to preach! Know that you are under the threat of judgment from God for failing your responsibility to do so.  [1 Corinthians 9:16-17]  [Galatians 1:7-9].

Truth itself does not need to be reinvented or retooled in order to make it suitable for the times in which we live. The problem is we got to many people pleasers and not enough God pleasers in the pulpit. The same truth Abraham, Moses, David, and the apostles believed is still truth for us today. Changing times do not change the truth. Scripture is as unchanging as God Himself [1 Peter 1:25]. You dare not soften it or sweeten it to appeal to the vanities and vices of men. The Word of God is alive—it is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword”—and it must be delivered AS IS. Woe unto you for taking verses out of context, manipulate Scripture to introduce a thought, never to return to it for the rest of the message! These things ought not to occur in Bible-believing churches. Warning comes before destruction.  So, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for [God] have not found your works perfect before Him. Remember, therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. If you will not, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you,” saith the Lord [Revelation 3: 2-3].

“I solemnly charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [2 Timothy 4:1-5].

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [Daughter] of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life… Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered they soul.  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Gold, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  [Ezekiel 33: 1-5; 9, 11]

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. [Galatians 1:10]

Patricia Jeraldine Lovett Carthen

Patricia Jeraldine Lovett Carthen, 86, of San Bernardino, passed away August 3, 2017. She was born in Los Angeles on December 19, 1930.

Pat graduated from Chaffey High School in Ontario in 1947 and received her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degrees from Cal State San Bernardino. She was married to James C. Carthen, on November 23, 1952.

Pat had a long career in education, working for the San Bernardino Unified School District, first as a teacher, and then as a high school guidance counselor for over 30 years. She served on the Boards of the YWCA of San Bernardino and Inland Behavioral Clinic; a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc.; and a member of Ecclesia Christian Fellowship.

Pat had a passion for football, theatre, jazz, travel, and most of all children and their education.

She is survived by her children Kevin Carthen, Shelley Carthen Watson, and Tracy Carthen (Twillea); grandchildren Kendall Carthen, Megan Carthen Jackson (Marcus), Sarah Carthen Watson, Eric Carthen, and Kenneth Wilkes; and her great grandchildren Isaiah, Kya, Kendrick and Kobe Carthen, and Ireland Wilkes. Predeceased by her husband, James Carthen, parents Robert Sr. and Frances Lovett, brothers Theodore and Robert Lovett Jr., and grandson Evan Carthen.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 14, from 4 p.m. 8 p.m., at Mt View Mortuary & Cemetery, 570 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino. Homegoing Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E. Date St., San Bernardino. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Omega Omega Ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 1:30 p.m. Repast immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1355, San Bernardino, CA 92402; Phi Delta Kappa Patricia Carthen Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3147, San Bernardino, CA 92413; and Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties or the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Attn: Online Services, P.O. Box 96771, Washington, DC 20090-6771.

By Jasmyne A. Cannick | California Black Media

President Donald Trump’s proposal for a new merit-based immigration system that would screen visa applicants using a point system may be racist and exclusionary but so is an immigrant rights movement that excludes, overlooks, and straight up ignores the voices of their darker skinned counterparts.

Last week immigrant rights activists decried the Republican-backed proposal known as the RAISE Act or Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act, that would highly favor people between the ages of 26 and 30 with a doctorate, high English proficiency and a job offer with a high salary.   Applicants with the highest number of points would go to the front of the line to receive visas.

The Los Angeles area is home to nearly 3.5 million immigrants with approximately one million of them undocumented.  Here, public officials are quick to proudly tout the dozens of languages that are spoken by Angelenos and how much immigrants–regardless of their citizenship status–contribute to the city’s economy and culture.  In theory, Democratic politicians and immigrant right activists will tell you that all immigrants matter but in practice only one immigrant’s voice is only ever represented, celebrated or invited to the table.

Mass deportation and ICE raids under the Trump administration are not exclusive to Latinos.  Under Trump, more and more Africans and Caribbeans are finding it difficult to qualify for asylum or refugee status when they arrive at U.S. ports of entries–one of the primary ways that they can successfully stay in the country.

An estimated 575,000 Black immigrants were living in the U.S. without authorization in 2013, according to the Pew Research Center study, making up 16% of all Black immigrant’s population. Among Black immigrants from the Caribbean, 16% are undocumented immigrants as are 13% of Black immigrants from Africa.

The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and New York University Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic 2016 The State of Black Immigrants report found that Black immigrants maintain higher rates of employment in service and sales positions than their counterparts of other immigrant backgrounds.

According to the BAJI, immigrants from African and Caribbean countries comprise most the foreign-born Black population. Jamaica was the top country of origin in 2014 with 665,628 Black immigrants in the U.S., accounting for 18% of the national total.  Haiti seconds the list with 598,000 Black immigrants, making up 16% of the U.S. Black immigrant population.  Although half of Black immigrants are from the Caribbean region alone, African immigrants drove much of the recent growth of the Black immigrant population and made up 39% of the total foreign-born Black population in 2014. The number of African immigrants in the U.S. increased 153%, from 574,000 in 2000 to 1.5 million in 2014, with Nigeria and Ethiopic as the two leading countries of origin.

Los Angeles has a large and vibrant community of Black immigrants that but you’d never know because they are seldom reported on or heard from in the fight for immigrant rights–a fight that is led and dominated by Latinos. And while I expect Republicans to overlook Blacks until it’s politically convenient to pit us against one another, I do not expect the party of coalition building, solidarity and ‘we’re stronger together’ to do the same.

Let me put this into the right perspective for you. The party that calls out people, organizations and Republicans for their exclusion of women, transgender, the LGBT community, people with disabilities, members of the Asian/Pacific Islander community, Latinos, Blacks, veterans, seniors and I could go on and on does not itself (or very rarely) include Black immigrants.

Seldom discussed in mixed company is the fact that African-Americans privately agree with Trump’s assertion that “illegal immigration” has harmed the Black community economically. And even though Trump has no problem throwing African-Americans into the mix when it bolsters his immigration agenda, immigrant rights activists haven’t been as willing to include Black voices in their shared fight.

I look at the fight for the undocumented in America and think–strategically–Latino immigrant rights groups would do good to include the voices and images of Black immigrants to gain support from an already apprehensive and on the fence nation of African-Americans who may need more convincing that the fight for immigrant rights affects Blacks.  Despite HUD Secretary Ben Carson’s belief that slaves were immigrants–most African-Americans do not see themselves as immigrants and many are wary of and oppose the Democratic Party’s insistence that “illegal immigration” doesn’t harm Black employment.  Like white gay rights advocates and the Black community–it wasn’t until the visibility and voices of Black LGBT folks increased that real advances were made on LGBT issues with Blacks who mainly say gay rights as affecting and benefiting wealthy white gays.

Trump and the Republican Party are not going to stop pushing their anti-immigration narrative that “illegal immigration” threatens the jobs of poor Black people.  Many African-Americans already believe that there’s a prevailing attitude among Latinos that they don’t need anything from us except for the blueprint from our fight for our civil rights.

The pathway to victory for Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform needs both Black immigrants and African-Americans to succeed. While Latinos may outnumber African-Americans in cities like Los Angeles the reality is that our vote still matters and neither immigrant rights activists nor the Democratic Party can afford for African-Americans to remain on the fence about immigration reform. We win elections by bringing people together and working together

Quictamac

By Lue Dowdy

Rap Artist, Quictamac is What IT DO Inland Empire! Another dope artist making it happen through music. I’m going to need y’all to read all about it right here.

Quictamac Samuel Quictamac” Maeshack is a Hip-hop artist born in Los Angeles California and raised in Long Beach, California. As a teenager, he was recognized locally for having great rhymes and lyrics needed to become a Hip-hop legend. In 1993, he was approached by the Press-Telegram, who wrote an article about his prevailing name in hip-hip music.

Quictamac has an active solid fan base locally and globally. He has been actively involved in the Hip-hop industry since 1993, which gives him over 16-years of industry experience and exposure.

It is known on the streets that Quictamac lyrically battled daily, as he was born to do. Over the course of his career, he has written four songs for Lil Half Dead’s debut album, “The Dead Has Arisen,” and he was also featured on Half Dead’s second single and video, “12 Pacofdoja.” He went on tour with Lil Half Dead and the Dogg Pound across the country and performed at Teens Summit in Washington D.C. Quictamac’s image continued to grow and that growth resulted in a signed contract with Def Jam West in 1995 through 1998, fulfilling his contractual agreement.

As Quictamac developed into an artist, he also developed into the role of fatherhood, placing a strain on his development and growth. He saw this as an opportunity to commence his college career and develop not only as an artist, but as a father, leader and manager in the Hip-hop industry. His keen ability to learn and develop resulted in his following features: “True Crimes: Streets of LA” soundtrack which was featured on Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Game Cube which co-featured Snoop Dogg (2003).

Quictamac’s unique style can also be heard on Lil C-Style’s Blacc Balled album, “Bounce Yo Ridahz.” In addition, Quictamac has performed with some of Hip-hop’s legends such as Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Tha Twinz, Mack-10, KRS-1and Slick Rick to name a few. He has a current following on the internet and has thousands of fans which frequently blog with him daily. Make sure you follow and support this talented artist on all social media channels under Quictamac.

Until next week L’s way up in da air!!!

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media 

California Community Colleges have kicked off a new campaign to inform underserved populations about the good-paying jobs available through career education.

According to a press release, there is a skill and an information gap in California, as many high-paying jobs go unfilled because employers can’t find employees with the right training.  This includes jobs in the information technology, healthcare, biotechnology and digital media fields. 

Many people are put off by the cost of college education, but advocates say community colleges offer a low-cost alternative to career education programs and are expanding new efforts to ensure people are aware.

“Both adults and high school students hesitate to pursue higher education to gain new skills and refresh existing ones because they worry about student debt,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. “Career education offers a great pathway to increase earnings and make a living wage without that type of debt burden.”

She added that the legislature had allocated money specifically targeted for students interested in training for new careers.

The campaign will target potential students through ads on traditional and digital media, a website and an app. The promotional campaign is part of a $200 million recurring investment made by Gov. Jerry Brown and the California legislature, according to a news release. 

Ton-Quinlivan also said community colleges would work with local organizations to spread the message.

“We will get the advice of community leaders on how to get the word out,” she said.

Cassandra Jennings, president of the Greater Sacramento Urban League, said working alongside community organizations was an important part of spreading the word in the Black community.

“What’s going to be critical to their success is working with non-profit organizations, community-led organizations to really do a targeted outreach to reach certain populations,” said Jennings.

The California Community College system has 114 campuses and educates more than 2 million students. It is the largest provider of workforce training in the nation.

African-American students make up 6.5 percent of the students at community colleges. About 5 percent of the more than 6 million students in the K-12 system are Black. Black students make up 6 percent of students enrolled in four-year colleges.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

What would it take for you to realize that it is time to put your house in order? That it’s time for you to get your act together! Oh, I know, you’re hoping to be like the thief on the cross and meet your Savior in just the last minutes of your life? Well thus saith the Lord, “I want you to give careful thought to this once again, “What is your life? A vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away.” [James 4:13-17].  Get your act together or you are going to Hell! Set your house in order, and pray that you are found worthy to escape the tribulation that is coming upon the whole world. Warning after warning in Scripture, telling you that the time is short; have sense enough to discern the signs of the times and see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise… [Ephesians 5:16]. I want you to know that Hezekiah was forced to reflect on all aspects of his life.  He had to wrestle with the short time he had yet to live.  He had to wrestle with what would happen after death.   You see, death for all of us is just a breath away. And the nearer death is, the closer we are to answering to God for all we have said and done.”[2 Corinthians 5:10]. Get your act together or you are going to Hell! Believe it or not!

I want you to know that when Paul preached to Governor Felix he reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. Thus, Felix was terrified! When Peter preached, the people were pricked in their hearts and cried out, “What must we do?” Today however, nobody trembles and cries out in anguish over their sins. Just like when Stephen preached they stopped their ears and all rushed upon him. But I tell you life is short; death is sure and God’s judgment is coming. So as [2 Kings 20:1] admonish you, “Set thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live.” Prepare to meet thy God! [Amos 4:12]. Your very salvation depends upon it. The Bible makes it perfectly clear that God’s judgment is certain. And it IS coming! [Acts 17:31] tells us, “…because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” I don’t know about you, but even now I can hear the thunderous hooves of the four horses storming across the stage of human history, bringing deception, wars, hunger and death on a scale so massive it staggers the mind! Our time is growing short! While no man knows the day or the hour…all of the major players are walking onto the world stage. I believe that we are literally watching Bible prophecy unfold before our very eyes. So I will make it as clear as I can. Get your house in order. While you do not live in fear, you must be prepared. Your time grows shorter with every waking hour. Don’t wait another second to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. You have no time to waste! Death is not just probable, but absolutely certain, and can happen at any minute,

“Then I saw another angel flying the in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wind of the wrath of her fornication.” Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength in the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosever receives the mark of his name.” [Revelation 14: 6:11].

“So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” [Psalms 90:12].