WSSN Stories

Original Tuskegee Airmen

By Naomi K. Bonman

PASADENA, CA- On Sunday evening, despite the rainy and cold weather, I enjoyed a nice evening out in Pasadena as I covered the production of “Fly” at the Pasadena Playhouse. The evening started with red carpet arrivals where special celebrity guests, such as Angela Basset and Vanessa Williams, came to support a historic production about the Tuskegee Airmen. Of course, a few of the remaining Tuskegee Airmen were all present and made their red carpet debut prior to enjoying the stage production that depicted their lives.

The cast did a phenomenal job of displaying the emotions set during the time period. It featured Brooks Brantly as W.W. (Off-Broadway: Significant Other, U.S. Tour of War Horse), Ross Cowan as Shaw (Portland Stage: Red, Berkshire Theatre Festival: Homestead Crossing), Omar Edwards as Tap Griot (Fly at Florida Studio Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Loretto-Hilton Center Browning Mainstage, Ford’s Theatre Society), Anthony J. Goes as O’Hurley (Connecticut Repertory Theater: Olives and Blood, Chautauqua Theatre Company: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre: Paul), Brandon Nagle as Reynolds (Guthrie Theater: Mocondo, City Theater Austin: Death of a Salesman), Desmond Newson as Chet (Broadway: Motown: The Musical, 3D Theatricals: Hairspray, San Diego Musical Theatre: Rent), Damian Thompson as J. Allen (Off-Broadway: The Anthem, Around the World in 80 Days, By The Dawn’s Early Light), and Terrell Wheeler as Oscar (Florida Studio Theatre: Fly, Castillo Theatre: Children of Killers, New Ohio Theatre: That Poor Dream).

The Tuskegee Airmen flew over the skies of Europe and North Africa during World War II. Fly dramatizes the historic contributions made by the Tuskegee Airmen to the desegregation of the American military and the furthering of civil rights. After The Pasadena Playhouse engagement, Fly will then have its Off-Broadway premiere at The New Victory Theater on March 11, 2016. An earlier, 55-minute version of Fly was presented by Lincoln Center Institute, the educational arm of Lincoln Center, in 2005.

If you missed the opening night, there is still time to catch the production until February 21. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (NOTE: There will be no performance on Sunday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m.).  Tickets range from $25.00 to $77.00 and are available online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org or by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at (626) 356-7529; or visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Pasadena Playhouse will also offer a special military discount for all performances of Fly excluding matinees. The military discount (buy one ticket, get one free) is available over the phone or at The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Military I.D. must be presented to receive the discount.

Ikhlas Saleem

By Ikhlas Saleem

In 1986 Whitney Houston covered the George Benson hit, “The Greatest Love of All,” which he originally recorded for a film biography of Muhammad Ali. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote that Houston’s cover gave the “message of self-worth an astounding resonance and conviction…a compelling assertion of black pride, family loyalty and spiritual devotion, all at once.”

Now that I work in education, this is a song I often reflect upon when feeling emotionally tasked, particularly the opening lines: “I believe the children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, Show them all the beauty they possess inside, Give them a sense of pride to make it easier, Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be…”

My grade-school friend, Yasmine Muhammad, who was blessed with the talent—and in this case burden—of a great singing voice, was requested to sing this song at every awards ceremony, academic gathering and sometimes basketball games because, why not.

I didn’t know it then but what an incredible message to continuously impart upon children—particularly children that were and are descendants of slaves, carrying almost 400 years of baggage of a dignity lost and a future almost impossible to dream.

So now in 2016, I can reflect and celebrate my ancestors that carried the burden of a back breakin’, cotton-pickin’ South, while spending their nights in hope of freedom trying to make sense of a language that was not their own, while being reminded that their futures lie in nothing but death or labor of the American South.

Nate Bowling has said it before and I’ll say it again, while the fate of black children lies outside of plantation fields, America isn’t quite ready to believe or concede that black children are the future. Instead there’s the exception. There’s the, “Jahmal, despite his circumstances, who has managed to exceed expectations.” There’s also, “Keisha who displays incredible potential.” And of course there a couple of kids from 90220 and 10027 that “made it.”

You see, it’s much easier to find exceptions rather than tending to the whole lot. The fact is we’re not teaching children well and black children are among the groups that suffer most. We’re not making it easy when we lower standards for students and teachers. We’re not making it easier when we lessen measures of accountability for our lowest-performing schools. And we’re not making it easier when we restrict school enrollment to a block-radius. What we are doing is limiting students’ ability to show us all the beauty they possess inside.

Pride is lost when a high school student can be thrown from her desk and arrested in front of her classmates. Pride is lost when disciplinary action is met with a school-to-prison pipeline. Pride is lost when you graduate high school only to take remedial courses at your local community college because your diploma is worthless.

I believe children are the future, but America has to believe that black children are part of that future, too.

PSA! PSA! PSA! LUE Productions will now have its own radio show right here in the IE titled “LISTENING WITH LUE (Launching Unique Entertainment),” a platform for Indie Artist’s and the ART’S. Tune in every Sunday with us from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

LIVE RADIO and INTERNET LET THE WORLD HEAR YOUR MUSIC! Music must be EDITED to be in rotation. The show is hosted by LUE and Co-hosted by Comedian Anthony Stone featuring occasional guest hosts from time to time.

For an interview and/or song rotation opportunity, please email Lue.info@yahoo.com with SUBJECT: “Listening with LUE.”

You can listen in at www.kcaaradio.com, 1050 AM, 106.3 FM, 106.5 FM, or by calling in from your phone at (832) 999-1050

BOTTOMLINE… Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen

Bessine Littlefield-Richard

San Bernardino 6^th and 7^th wards elected their City Council members in a special election on Tuesday. Bessine Littlefield-Richard won the 6^th ward seat and incumbent, Jim Mulvihill won the 7^th ward seat. I congratulate them both for executing and winning hard fought campaigns and I fully expect that both will work to the benefit of their constituents and the City!

I do think that all four of the candidates were good and I hope that Roxanne Williams and Scott Beard, the unchosen ones, will continue participating in San Bernardino’s “quest for excellence”. The City needs progressive thinkers and vigilant activists to take advantage of it undeniable resources. A bankrupt San Bernardino is still a better place to live and raise a family than much of the rest of the nation.

San Bernardino’s potential is worth the effort to achieve.  The world is waiting for San Bernardino to develop its Route 66 entertainment strip… San Bernardino is the West Coast transportation hub waiting to happen! Our international airport is ready to ship and receive freight from all over the planet. The warehousing is already here. Inland Empire universities and hospitals have earned international acclaim… The weather and area beauty, snow-capped mountains as a backdrop to sunshine and palm trees, make San Bernardino one of the great places on the planet!

It is important that as we create winners, that we do not allow ourselves to create losers. Ours should not be a “winner take all” atmosphere, especially when we are choosing from people who want to aid in our “quest for excellence”.

As I congratulate Bessine Littlefield-Richard and Jim Mulvihill for their victories, I also congratulate Roxanne Williams and Scott Beard for their efforts and encourage them to continue to participate in San Bernardino’s “quest for excellence”!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“…Cause a Holy Ghost Party Don’t Stop… If you know the Lord’s been good to you… Come on, and dance, dance, dance, dance, dance….” [Cory Asbury: Holy Ghost Lyrics] It’s Party Time Y’all… God’s banquet has begun! And you’ve been summoned to the party! Come to the wedding feast. Come, for everything is now ready. Yes, God has made all the preparations, and he wants you to come. Everything is prepared. God has spared no expense. He has given his costliest gift for you, His Son. Your invitation is sent by the Father, penned in the crimson ink of Christ’s blood, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. If you don’t respond; if you don’t R.S.V.P; if you make light of the invitation, the servants of the King will find others who will attend. He will find other guests for his party, and declare those previously invited as unworthy, they “do not deserve to come” [Matthew 22:8]. Don’t ignore the invitation! Don’t make excuses, and don’t refuse or reject God’s call to the banqueting hall. For coming to God’s party at once addresses your greatest need and gives you your greatest treasure. The Spirit says “Come.” It’s a never-ending celebration, the greatest feast of joy and gladness and community there has ever been or ever will be. It starts now, and it will last forever! As the Book of Revelation has it, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Yes, blessed indeed!

So come, it is the feast of forgiveness, commitment and life.  You see, the Son of God purchased your salvation, gained the forgiveness you needed for your sins, supplied the righteousness you were lacking –and destroyed the power of death for you. All of it, freely and plenteously given. And the Holy Spirit has called you to come and partake. Come and receive the gifts he has for you; share in the celebration of victory. The only action required is to say “Yes” to the invitation. “Will your heart and soul say, “Yes?” Will you Spirit say ‘Yes?’ …Open up your heart and tell the Lord, “Yes!” Say, “Yes!” Say, I’ll obey Jesus; I won’t stray Jesus; This time I’ve made up in my mind, I’ll say “Yes!” “My soul says, “Yes!” My mind says, “Yes!” My heart says, “Yes I will Jesus.” Yes, I’ll do what you want me to do. I’ll say what you want me to say; I’ll go, if you lead me; Oh, lift your hands and tell the Lord, “Yes!” Come on open up your heart and say, “Yes” All God wants is, “Yes!” Submit your way to His; Tell Him, “Yes.” There’s more that He require of thee; He’s calling you higher; don’t be afraid of men and their faces; don’t be afraid! — He said, He’s calling you out of your dry places for He predestined you before the world begin to do His will. Yeah, there is work to do and that’s why he sent me. Seek His face. Hear His voice. The day you hear His voice, harden not your heart. I tell you, He’s calling you higher, so let your heart and soul say “YES!” [Yes…by Shekinah Glory Ministry].

Mussett Gonzalez

SNAP! SNAP! WERK IT! WERK IT! All EYES’S ON ME!

Erika Bardere

The Model Experience (TME) – is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE this week. LUE Productions photographer, Mr. Freddie Washington of Freddie’s Photography, was out and about. Sunday, January 10 he was doing what he do in Orange County. Mr. Washington had the opportunity to be one of the many talented photographers for the fashion show “The Model Experience.”

The Model Experience is based in Los Angeles, California. A modeling development firm for individuals aged 4 to 28. Spoke person for TME, Ashley Covarrubias, says that “The Model Experience is a CATALYST for unsigned Models creating unique opportunities and experiences for emerging models.”

More than 400 individuals attended this year’s event. The Inland Empire was represented by two beautiful young ladies. If you’re thinking about getting into the model industry please check out TME website for upcoming audition dates. Shows are in San Diego, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Until next week L’z Up!

The website is www.themodelexperience.net and contact email is: info@themodelexpereince.net. Congratulations to Local I.E. Model, Erika Bardere. Erika was born in Fontana and grew up in Riverside. She is now living in San Bernardino and has done a few videos with Kid Ink, Chris Brown, Omarion, and Nervo. Her designer was Higher Level Design and the photographer was Michael Moriatis. The other local I.E. Model was Mussett Gonzalez, 19. She graduated from Eisenhower High in 2015. Her designer was B.I.M. Mode and the photographer was Freddie Washington.

By Naomi K. Bonman

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, which stands true when it comes to being from a musically inclined family. David Ruffin Jr., son of legendary former lead singer of the Temptations David Ruffin, understands the expectation that has been placed upon him and he has been on the rise of making his voice heard while continuing to keep that RUFFIN soul with a little hip-hop twist.

David originally created wrote, and sung the chorus/hook for “Gin & Juice,” from the Doggy Style LP released by Deathrow Records in November 1993, which was one of the hottest hits of the 90s featuring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Ruffin Jr has also worked with other unforgettable artist such as: Chuck D, Redman, TmoneyG, MistaPerkins, Classified (Canadian Mc), Spyder D, Kurupt, Daz, Nate Dogg, Sisquo & Jazz of DruHill to name a few.

He has also toured, performed with and opened for the legendary singing group The Dramatics. Over the years, several highly touted music publications such as The Rolling Stone, The Source and Rap Pages have labeled him as  “talented and up?and-coming.”

Currently, Mr. Ruffin Jr. is preparing for his first television documentary entitled, “Real Blood Lines,” which portrays the ups, downs, and in between of a couple dozen of his friends that also happen to be children of world known entertainment, acting, and sports icons as well. The show is anticipating an air date on Discovery-Life sometime this year. He is also working on The Sons of Motown project which is a presentation or production of Temptation music and songs, performed and or recorded by 5 of the Sons of “a” Temptation.

I recently interviewed Mr. Ruffin Jr. where had a great conversation about his father’s legacy, his career and what he has in store.

For those who do not know, we have some youngins’ our there reading this interview, first and foremost, who is David Ruffin?

David Ruffin was the former lead singer of The Temptations and is well-known for songs like, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, “I Wish It Would Rain”. As well from his solo career. One of his solo hits was, “Statue of a Fool”. He was also recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. That’s who David Ruffin is. I am his son.

So you’re pretty much brought boring into the music industry right? And most would automatically assume that of course you would go into music in some aspect. Has this only been a passion of yours?

No, it wasn’t. I wouldn’t say I was born with the bug immediately. I was more in the sports and automobiles.

Definitely far off from the music scene (LOL). So what eventually got you into music?

I guess what really got me into the first of all I had my first tape deck, and then after that I became a deejay. My first real experience in music. My real first experiences in having music published was, “Gin and Juice”. I’ve been around I’ve done some work.

What are you currently working on right now?

I’m working on a few things right now. I’m finalizing mixing and mastering, another LP entitled, “Bloodline,”. I released, “All my life”, E.P.. back in 2010. Then I released, “Live and You Learn”, the single in 2014. And I’ve been really trying to decide if I want to release a single and then the album. But over the next few weeks I’ll make that decision. Either it’s gonna be the album or single, just before the album.

And we can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve. But what can we except?

Western style. It’s kind of like my style. Well, I mean I’m an artist. Okay, so like people paint. Some people paint all different types of art and some people stick to one genre. I write music from different standpoints depending on what the music sounds like is where I might put those songs. But I write Country-Western, Hip-hop, R&B, Jazz and Gospel. I’ve done a little bit of everything.

But I guess I would have to call my own style rough and risque. It’s it’s a lot of conscious music, combined with a good, old fashioned and some seductiveness. Rough and risque would be the kind of approach to the blurred lines. And of course there is a story in each song about my life and about what. I’ve been through and where it has brought me.

Sounds very interesting! Do you have any featured artists on the album?

Yeah yeah. We featured artists that’s gonna be on on this album. I have a couple of people who have shown interest. Miki Howard is one of them. I’m trying to get a couple of people featured. But more than anything because it’s taken us a minute to really work this out, I have to really try to stick to the core and the essence of me and not use other people’s names that to branch or spring off of.

Aside from music, I know you do a little acting. Do you have any projects in the works?

I have been placed as an attorney in the Bridget Harris story, which was shot last August. We’re just waiting for the budget to kick in with that. Other than that, I guess that’s about it. I’ve done some voiceover work. Not much though. The. Biggest thing that I did was an animation called Paradox. The acting thins is growing as time goes on though.

When you’re free, I know you’re a very busy man, but when time permits, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I really enjoy hitting the resorts and sliding down the slopes on the snowboard. I also enjoy making making music. I’ve just recently gotten into production. I like I spending time trying to produce music to pass by time. I enjoy watching and participating in sports, like basketball and football. Every now and then I play PlayStation 2. I try to keep life simple.

Follow David Ruffin Jr.

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Mommie Helen

BOTTOMLINE… Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen

Mommie Helen

Re-edited by Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Sunday, January 24 the community lost another pioneer. Dorothy Pryor Rose, known to most as “Mommie Helen”, was the founder and namesake of The Original Mommie Helen’s Bakery. She was renowned by celebrities and locals for her pies and widespread friendship. She was 69-years-old.

A San Bernardino native, Rose was given the inherited the name Mommie Helen from her mother, Helen Williams, who opened the family-ran bakery in 2000 in Colton before it outgrew two locations before moving to San Bernardino in March 2015. Some of Mommie Helen’s renowned customers included Oprah and Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal ordered 250 peach cobblers from the bakery for his wedding. Magic Johnson was also a customer.

“After “Mommie” had a major heart attack in 2003, she shifted to a consulting role and handed ownership to her daughter Tedra Rose, who kept the business open after her mom died Sunday. “She was — she is — a guardian angel, and she’d want someone to always be at the counter,” Tedra said.

A person of strong faith, Pryor Rose was always getting into long conversations with people she’d just met and helping them out whenever she could, although she rarely told others what she’d done, said Tedra Rose.

Scholarships, loans, free baked goods — it added up, Tedra Rose said. To make that charity a bit more organized, a foundation will be created in her name, she said.

Loved ones and community members paid tribute to Mommie Helen this past Tuesday, January 26 at Sunrise Church.

By Ashly Broussard

“Cash rules everything around me, dollar dollar bill y’all”, ( C.R.E.A.M. ) are the popular lyrics to a song by the Wu-Tang Clan. Then there’s the famous saying or quote “ money makes the world go round”.

The saints view of this should differentiate from the secular, but the saints have allowed the secular perspective to cause a worldly transformation inside the Church of Jesus Christ. Am I the only one that notices the urgent declarations from pastors around income tax season? The call isn’t for repentance, but rather more money. Were being taught that being obedient in paying tithes or giving contributions is and act or deed, that’s accepted from God, even if your hearts are not in the right place. Joel 2:13 says ,“ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love; and He relents from doing harm.”

Just recently I came from under a deception of being bribed into giving bigger tithes and offerings in order to expand a part of the church building, where I had fellowshipped. I remember my husband and I wanting to be anonymous in our giving, so we no longer put our names on the tithe and offering envelopes, but instead just threw money into what we thought was going towards the churches building fund, but since then it seems that particular pastor has become an affiliate of everything and has yet to use the money raised to build the project we were raising the money for. I’ve seen the pastor and first lady bring in a Gospel celebrity to perform, open up stores and even salons. All of which cost money.

Its sickening because this time last year, the entire church was involved in raising around $20,000. This was all under the angel of the house proclamation of it being from God. By the middle of the year, the end of tax season, the money raised for the building expansion no longer was being mentioned, but one of the worst things and what I believe to have been an abomination in God’s sight was them allowing a false prophetess to prophesy lies to God’s children. In the beginning of her performance she expressed to those seated in the pews how a woman at a gas station had asked her if she was going to perform. She told us her response to the woman was that she wasn’t apart of a show, but that’s exactly what it was, a spectacle. We were all drawn in when she gave us a story about God using her as a point of contact to deliver her sibling of cancer. Claiming to have supernatural power is one thing, but she then laid hands on a woman diagnosed with cancer and started doing some weird theatrical movements as though she felt the disease exiting that vessel. Then following that she opened up an umbrella at the altar and all the sheep ran and threw money into it. Instead of God’s sheep using discernment or waiting around to see the prophesy fulfilled, they were under the power of this delusional spirit that boldly dealt treacherously in Gods house. In the biblical days false prophets were killed. In fact Micah 3:11 says, “ Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.”

The Word of God says in 1 Peter 4:18 that the righteous is scarcely saved. One of the worst things that has happened to the church of Jesus Christ is to become worldly rich, instead of spiritually. We as Christians have become overwhelmingly distracted by the deceitfulness of wealth, the word prosperity and gain. Paul spoke about this greed in 1 Timothy 6:5 that a time would come when people think that gain is godliness. The actual buildings have become more important than God, His Kingdom and sheep. Every church isn’t called to be a mega church. For those that God have called to be mega, should be viewed as a vast of souls belonging to God  in those vicinities. Not as the pastor being so deep or real that he should be on TV and pastoring hundreds of thousands. Embarrassingly we feel as though were doing the Will of God in making the sanctuary look like something from a fairy tale, thus 50-75% of the congregation is living on some type of government assistance. This paradox has become the churches modus operandi in robbing God publicly. Christians are mocked because we place ourselves in mock-heroic situations. Jesus’ life clearly illustrates that He wasn’t even considered middle class. ( Luke 9:58 Jesus replied “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.)

The bible says Jesus carried the government on His back, yet were appearing on game shows to put on a spectacle for unbelievers? We are the temples of the Holy Spirit, yet we claim to be glorifying God by worshipping MAMMON; PUBLICLY.  Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR. The Bible clearly states that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil, yet we have compromised His Word, and have done everything the Bible says not to do, ALL FOR A LITTLE CASH. Justifying scriptures as though God would really make and exemption, or show partiality or favoritism for one individual. Acts 10:34 God is no respecter of persons. Matthew 21:13 “It is written My house shall be called a house of prayer’, but you are making it a den of robbers.

Excepting tithes and offerings during the services and afterwards having tables and chairs stationed right outside the sanctuary doors, selling CD’s to promote yourselves. If He was angry with buying and selling taking place in the courts of the sanctuary 2,000 + years ago, then most definitely, He would flip over tables and drive out those buying and selling in His house in 2016. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.  Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Acknowledging that we are Christians on TV game shows before and entire audience of unbelievers. Then dancing in the spirit, being slain, falling down and jumping around as though God had part in that. Yes, Proverbs 13:22 says that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. This doesn’t mean that we go out and make ourselves look ridiculously foolish to impress the world, so that they release their money to us. 2 Corinthians 6:14 What fellowship can light have with darkness?  The reason a lot of Christians aren’t walking in victory in their finances is because were practicing trickery, bribery, extortion, lottery and casting lots. Were becoming weary in waiting on God, and more dependent on the things of the world. Seeing pastors engaging in deceitfulness and still following or investing in them, instead of making a bold stand by speaking up. Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied “ we must obey God rather than men. The world has dramatically transformed the church instead if it being vise versa.

Next, consulting psychics and using pendulums, is going to be permitted inside the same buildings we worship God. Do you really expect God to grant your hearts desires or enlarge your territories, and your not doing anything to distinguish you from the wicked? And why? Because their punishment have not been executed, so you think that you can get away with these crimes too? The fear of the Lord is to hate everything that is evil. Not compromise for a little paper because you don’t want to have to work. The Bible says to work with your hands.  Psalms 90:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:11  If your flipping burgers, flip them with all of your heart, as if you were getting ready to serve Jesus a double-double or quarter ponder. Those of you in janitorial or maintenance, scrub those floors squeaky clean, wax them toilets, and shine those tables as though Jesus were coming into your work place today. Security officers and guards instead of staring into outer space, study your Word and show yourself approved. ( this is currently my occupation and I stay feasting on the Word ) Colossians 3:23 whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not men. Then will the Lord make you most prosperous in all your work.  Deuteronomy 30:9 God will do what He promised. He is not a man that He should lie, for He shall supply our every need. Not mammon, deal or no deal, wheel of fortune, price is right, lets make a deal or who wants to be a millionaire. If He wants to make you a millionaire to further His Kingdom, then He will make you a millionaire. But if its not His Will stop forcing it to happen. Maybe your and individual who every time gets a new job, career or mate, forgets The Lord. And by Him knowing this, He’s waiting for you to learn that He wants to be first in everything: your week, day, finances etc.  Or maybe your and individual who hasn’t cared for or managed the little that He has blessed you with. And Him seeing that you are still irresponsible, He’s maturing you. There’s a reason those of us living paycheck to paycheck are in that predicament. But as our soul prospers everything else around us will prosper.  Matthew 6;33 But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

What’s being preached is that money increase or financial increase means the Holy Spirit is with you. This is hypocrisy and financial exploitation. There are rich atheist, evolutionist and those belonging to the illuminati. But riches has become normal in the body of Christ and I don’t think Sheppard’s realize that they have become corrupted.  And besides, seeking His hand is just too traditional for those that are on the pursuit of God. Especially if you can fathom it was His mouth that spoke life into existence, so His face is just as exuberant. Sure spending $10.00 on a slot machine that you can walk away $100,000.00 richer, would be and awesome gain, but I’m here to tell you the Bible says to work with your hands, not gamble or lottery. Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. What happened to BE STILL AND WAIT ON THE LORD? Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will be richly blessed , but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. And we wonder why we see so many sick among our bothers and sisters in Christ. Proverbs 1:19 such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it. That Strongman or that Spirit of Whoredoms ( love of money, gluttony, spirit soul or body prostitution ) is celebrated among believers. We jump, shout and run around the church building when the pastor says money is coming, but when Salvation is preached people get up and walk out. Why? Because they heard that message to many times before or they feel their saved so that message couldn’t be speaking to them. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

To many Saints of God are backsliding back into bondage of addiction to drugs, sleep, food and etc. because of the Spirit of BONDAGE, because of the Spirit of HEAVINESS, and because of the Spirit of WHOREDOMS.  But I Love God to much to sit back and watch His people perish because of lack of knowledge. JESUS said in Matthew 23 that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. If it had not been for The Holy Spirit opening my spiritual eyes to all of this, I would have still been the one who received the seed that fell among the thorns, and I would have still been worried about this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. Running to the church jumping around like and Tasmanian devil every time I heard a pastor mention the word MONEY. Then leaving feeling miserable because I wasn’t taught not to worry about this life. Or to look to The Author and Finisher of my fate to supply my every need. But because we have to seek the approval of others we need more money to change our fleshly appearance with bodily surgeries, and better or more expensive wardrobes. And now because were feeling good about ourselves were no longer content with our spouses. We need a bigger house and a more lavish car to go along with our new lifestyles. Saints of God, with greed comes misery. We heard and read how Judas after accepting the money to betray Jesus, he then threw the money into the temple and hang himself. There is not enough money in this world to buy Salvation or to save your soul. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath. Proverbs 15:16 says it is better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. We see preachers making headlines for being exposed for having sexual relations with members in their congregations.

The wives’ of pastors having to fight their husbands mistresses. Even how male pastors are engaging in homosexual relations with young men. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having wealth or possessions. Luke 12:48b For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. But when pastors are seeking bigger tithes and offerings, and 50-75% of the congregation is living on government assistance, while they chase after their dreams, this is evil. Its ok to ask for offerings to help expand the building or parking lot, but what’s a disgrace is when the members are out searching for help everywhere else, except the church because their unaware with what the church is really for. Acts 4:32 -36 talks about how believers shared their possessions and their was not a needy person among them. A pastor made a sermon directed to my husband and I, after we gave a woman in need the money she needed to move her and her children from where they lived. He stood in the pulpit the same day I handed her the envelope and said that we are to bring the money straight to the church and then they would distribute it. But from her statements, she had already gone to everybody for help and got denied. If on your way to church you see a homeless family walking the streets, and all you have in your wallet is tithes; do you really assume God would be angry with you from helping out someone in need, and not having money to place in a basket once you arrive to the building? The building is not the Church. You and I are the Church! See we’re being scared half to death and in fear that if we don’t give bigger offerings that what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 will happen to us. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Pastors are bragging about buying their 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th house, yet homeless saints of God are sitting in the pews crying their eyes out, because they don’t have a place to go. It’s a shame when members are afraid to reach out to the leaders and Sheppard’s to lend a help in hand, because of the fear of being rejected.  Sheep are out there struggling to make ends meet, while we sit back and watch pastors self-indulge. But WOE to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin. The Bible teaches that people who hold onto their possessions are stingy, but God rewards generosity not stinginess. We are being taught to become fanatical in demanding God for what we want.( Like Jacob ) When was the last time you heard a pastor say “ Lord only if it is your will, or if it isn’t your will keep this cup far from me?)” Instead, its give me this, give me that. “ Yes I know I’m a sinner, and I haven’t truly submitted to your will, but until I reap the harvest I feel I deserve, I‘m going to continue doing things my way.’’ Boasting and bragging is the new Church trend. Altar calls sound like this “ Come on down to the altar if you want YOUR MONEY!”, “ What would life be without MONEY?” “ Today’s sermon is on THE MONEY GOD IS SENDING YOU.” “ Money, Money, Money.”

We don’t even go to church for deliverance and healing anymore. Do we even believe in healing and miracles anymore? We want the devil to flee from us but what don’t want to do the first part of that scripture which says “ submit to God”. 1 Timothy 6:6 Godliness with contentment is great gain. But we no longer want to walk by faith and trust God when we have needs. As it is written “the just shall live by faith.” ( Hab 2:4, Heb 10:38, Gal 3:11 ) All we want to know is what it means to have plenty. So we end up accepting bribes or bribing someone out of their possessions. A wake up call for me was when I had a dream of someone giving me $5,000.00. There’s nothing wrong with that right, especially if someone has it like that? It is better to give than receive. But the next day after waking up from that dream, the same guy who claimed to be a Christian tried to bribe me into paying him $50.00 so that he could give me a $ 3,000-5,000 credit loan to a furniture store. His exact words we’re, “ Christian or not… everybody’s hustle is the same”.

I would be a liar if I said I didn’t think about it. But I sinned against God by even thinking about committing such evil. And I remembered that JESUS was tempted 40 days and 40 nights, and not once did He give into temptation. But He resisted the devourer and right after that He walked right into His ministry. So I REPENTED. Then I went into Spiritual Warfare with Satan and his demons because I will practice what I preach. Then when I came across that lukewarm Christian again I proudly told him, secular and saints hustle isn’t the same. There are those of us that follow The Way, and there are those of you that are perverse and are trying to get in thru another way, but Jesus is The Way, The truth, and The life and no man gets to the Father accept by Him. Saints of God if we try and rush God for our blessings, we will end up with and Ishmael just like Abraham and Sarah. All God needs is a yielded vessel. Some one who will do what the Word says, not merely, but with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. Please I’m urging you to  chase after Him and His righteousness, not money. Seek justice Saints of God. Don’t be a willing party to the death of your brothers/sisters in Christ. SPEAK UP ! Stop being cowards. Yes the wolves in sheep’s clothing will come after us, but stand firm in your faith and do not waver from The Word of God. Don’t fear what man can do to your flesh but, rather what God will do to your soul. If I would have accepted that bribe, this wide door of opportunity would have never opened up for effective work. But, I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things thru Him who strengthens me. And the same God I serve will meet all the needs of the readers that are blessed by this article, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To Our God and Father be the glory forever and ever Amen.