WSSN Stories

By Avis Thomas Lester, Urban News Service

‘Rest in purple,’ millions wish as pop master dies at 57.

As the world mourns the passing of the falsetto-voiced Prince – known for his sexual lyrics, sensual performances and steely determination to control his work  – the music industry is reeling over the loss of a peerless talent.

Prince Rogers Nelson died Thursday at his Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis where he was found unresponsive in an elevator. He was 57.

Local authorities announced Friday that an autopsy had been performed and a cause of death would be forthcoming. Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said there were no signs of trauma at the scene and the case will remain “an open investigation” until autopsy results are returned. Authorities do not believe Prince took his own life.

News of his death stunned fans, inside and outside the music industry.

Prince was “one of a kind, the greatest musician ever,” Washington radio personality Donnie Simpson, a personal friend of the performer.

Stevie Wonder tearfully called him “incredible.”

The praise over the airwaves and on social media was effusive.

“Boys 4 Life…Ain’t nobody bad like Prince!” tweeted Morris Day, head of the Time, a Minneapolis-born funk group whose members worked with Prince and upstaged the star in his own celebrated 1984 movie “Purple Rain.”

“I have no words. The king is gone,” tweeted R&B singer Lalah Hathaway.

“Our GRAMMY family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of seven-time GRAMMY Award winner Prince. Today, we remember and celebrate him as one of the most uniquely gifted artists of all time. Never one to conform, he redefined and forever changed our musical landscape,” posted Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Prince’s death comes a little over two months after the passing of one of his protégés, Vanity, lead singer of the 1980s glam group Vanity 6. Vanity, whose real name was Denise K. Matthews, died Feb. 15 of renal failure; she was also 57. A few hours after her death, Prince remembered Matthews with a special rendition of his popular song “Little Red Corvette” while on tour in Australia, according to news reports.

His passing is the latest among several influential musicians in recent months. Rock legend David Bowie died Jan. 10 after battling cancer. And Earth, Wind & Fire founder and front man Maurice White died on Feb. 4 at age 74 of Parkinson’s disease.

Washington radio personality DJ Flexx said the deaths of Prince, White and Bowie will have a permanent impact on the music industry.  “We are losing innovators. We are losing trendsetters. We are losing leaders,” he said. “We are talking about people who changed the game, were responsible for trends that made people want to be like them. Who are we going to look to now to continue to lead?”

The son of a pianist father and a vocalist mother, Prince showed musical talent early in life. He taught himself to play the piano at age 7 and added guitar and drums to his repertoire by the time he reached high school.

According to statistics from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Prince has sold 20.5 million records.

Grammy-winning producers Terry Lewis and James “Jimmy Jam” Harris, who worked with Prince as musicians in the Time, told Simpson in an interview that Prince was already a talented musician when they met him in middle school in Minneapolis.

“He was gifted, just totally gifted,” Lewis said. “We’ll always be celebrating his life because we’ll be celebrating that music forever.”

Harris said that Prince, Lewis and he took a piano class in middle school that was beneath their skill level. While the teacher was attempting to teach them children’s ditties, they were playing sophisticated music.

“I just remember he could play waves around me, man,” Harris said. “I thought I was good, but I was like, ‘Damn, this dude is ridiculous.’ He was on a whole different level, man.”

Lewis, a bass player, said Prince’s attempts to help his classmates could prove painful.  “He could pick up the bass and give you fits,” he said. “And … he could do that same thing to any person who stepped on the stage because he was a student of music … We used to say, ‘He is music.’ ”

Harris said Prince auditioned for a high-school program playing a complicated guitar solo from Chicago’s “Make Me Smile” album. During a break, Harris heard someone in the music room playing a drum solo so well that he thought it was the teacher.  “I come out and it is Prince on the drums. I didn’t even want to get back behind the drums after that,” he said.

He said Prince’s work ethic was  unparalleled. “Prince would rehearse us for four hours. He’d go rehearse his band for four hours. And then he’d go work in the studio all night. Then, the next morning he’d come to our rehearsal with a cassette in his hand and he’d put the cassette in and all of a sudden “1999” would play. And I don’t mean a demo of ‘1999’ –  I mean ‘1999’. ‘Little Red Corvette’ would play. We’d be like, ‘Damn, when did you do that?’ He would say, ‘Like, last night.’ ”

While many entertainers of his day had faded away, Prince was never far from the spotlight. After a string of hits in the 1980s and 1990s, people around the world welcomed the new millennium partying to his dance anthem “1999”. His 2007 Super Bowl half-time performance, delivered in a driving rain, is considered by many to be the best such performance yet.

He stayed relevant even as he worked to stay out of the spotlight. His penchant for privacy, as well as his colorful outfits and trademark high-heeled boots earned a reputation for being eccentric.

“He wore high heels and makeup and I still thought he was the sexiest man alive,” said Dorina Roberts, who was listening to Prince songs on her iPhone at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument in Washington, on Friday. “I loved his music and I loved him.”

Prince was also an activist. He traveled to Baltimore in May, 2015, in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, who died after allegedly suffering an injury while in police custody, and the unrest that resulted. His “Rally 4 Peace” concert sold out. He sang a song he wrote called “Baltimore.” He donated the proceeds to charitable causes in the city.

Robert Scott Adams, student services director at the Omega Studios in Rockville, Maryland, where Prince once worked, said he first heard Prince’s music in 1979 while working as a student deejay at Clark Atlanta University and at rock station WKLF 96.

“I heard the first single from his first album, Prince, called ‘Soft and Wet,’ ” Adams said. “That was back in the day when you would read the album cover. First, I noticed that he had produced it himself and that was a really big deal to produce your own music back then. Then, I saw that he played all of the instruments on the album. It said he played 27 instruments and he was only, like, 17 years old. That was the start, pretty much from then on, I’m a fan.”

Adams, who said he frequently encountered musicians as a deejay, said he found himself speechless when he met Prince while working for a record company in 1983.

“I feel a presence behind me and I turn around and it is Prince and I freeze and I turn into a child,” Adams said, laughing. “I mumble something like, ‘Wow, you’re Prince!’ He said, ‘Yes, I am.’ I wanted to ask him my questions, but I froze. He waited some more, then he just walked away.”

As he signed off from his Washington radio show Thursday, Donnie Simpson said he believes there may be more of Prince’s music to come.

“It’s hard to believe [his] life is over, but I thank God that he left us with so much music, man. You know how much stuff he released. Just imagine how much is in his vault, thousands of songs, man, guaranteed.”

Visit the Urban News Service for more stories like this one.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

You see, there comes a point in all of our lives, when we need to clean house. We need to get rid of the junk in our trunk. We need to let go of some things. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul?  So, whatever it is that prevents you from being the light in the darkness, you need to get rid of it! Whether it is a book, a thought, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a habit, a fantasy, a desire, whatever it is, you need to get rid of it. Listen, ignoring sin will not make it go away.  Sin is missing the mark, falling short of God’s ideal for us.  We are all guilty of sin and therefore headed to Eternal destruction.  However, God has provided a way out through the Gospel.  We need to obey the Gospel in order to escape the devastating effects of sin. So whatever minimizes your devotion to God, whatever hinders your faith, whatever pulls you away from Christ, whatever defiles the temple, get rid of it. That stuff doesn’t belong in your life. You are God’s temple. God’s Spirit dwells in you. Destroy the garbage before it destroys you. You know someone has said the favorite word of the devil is “Tomorrow.” If the devil has a favorite word, it’s Tomorrow. And a lot of people have died and gone to a devil’s hell with Tomorrow on their lips. But Jesus says, today!  Today is the day of salvation… So get rid of it! Get rid of any and every thing that is hindering your walk with Christ.

You know the last thing Hezekiah did in [2 Chronicles 29] was burn the garbage. He disposed of it.  Hezekiah made up his mind and said the Hell with this! I have had to clean house many times in my life. I encourage you to do the same. Carry the filth out of your life. Get rid of it! Burn the garbage! Dispose of it! If, and when you do, God’s praise will echo in your heart again. God’s glory will sparkle in and through your spirit. And God’s presence will return to your soul.  God says, “I will make a new covenant with you. I will place in you a new heart. I will give you a new spirit. I will give you a new name. You will sing a new song. I will give you new wine. I will restore you to the joy of your salvation.”

Think back to those times when you were really happy, when you woke up in the morning with a song in your heart and a prayer on your lips. When you felt like praising God in song. When you felt like whistling. Do you remember those times in your life where you weren’t so rushed and racing, when you weren’t so concentrated on the tasks before you, when you weren’t so sour and negative, when you were truly happy inside? I do. God says, “He want to restore you to the joy of your salvation.” Get Rid of It! Stop holding on! Stop sinning! Let Go and Let God! Oh, taste and see the goodness of God. Don’t wait another day! Get Rid of It!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Jaeden Alex, reigning SAL triple jump champion, a junior at Rialto High School, who won the San Andreas League Triple Jump title as a sophomore in 2015, has been working hard in the classroom as well as the track. She recently ranked as one of the top two jumpers in the league, and one of the best in the area. Her personal best came at SAL finals last year with a 35’ 6 jump, and a trip to CIF Prelims.

Emerald Taylor, a senior at Rialto High School, who won third place at the SAL finals last year as a junior and 4th in league as a sophomore, she’s set her sights on solidifying a 2016 league championship this year and going back to CIF prelims. Spending her whole off-season training and focusing, she recently jumped 36’ 4 against Indian Springs High School on April 13. She is college bound with a 1350 SAT and a 19 on her ACT. Colleges have already begun showing interest in her as a jumper.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The IECAAC would like to invite you to our Annual Unity Service event on Sunday April 24 at 4 p.m. IECAAC Annual Unity Service will be held at Immanual Praise Fellowship at 9592 7th Street, Rancho Cucamonga California.

This year’s keynote speaker is Pastor Jody Moore who is a native of California. Pastor Moore attended Texas Southern University majoring in Economics and Public Affairs. He was ordained to the Office of Pastor on December 2, 2001 and currently serves as Senior Pastor-Teacher of Praise Tabernacle Bible Church in the City of Chino. Pastor Moore earned a Master’s Degree from the Talbot School of Theology and has held executive leadership roles both in ministry and in several Fortune 500 companies. Pastor Moore specializes in leadership development and organizational assessment. He is the published author of ‘God’s Will is Greater Than Your Plan’. Pastor Moore resides in Chino, California with his wife and three lovely daughters.

For more information please contact Dr. Cummings at (909) 545 -7042.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

I’m going to make this short and sweet….. It’s a simple message backed up by simple behaviors and a better knowledge of life. You shouldn’t think twice about it! The normal response in the face of greater knowledge and insight is to listen, learn and apply.  Only a fool would deign to say, “Thanks, but no thanks. I got this one.” In fact, that would be downright rude and would showcase how arrogance begets stupidity. This is the most basic message of wisdom: Never “backseat drive” someone who clearly knows more than you and wants to help you.

You see the Bible [God’s revealed mind] has survived the test of time, withstood the stiffest criticisms and defeated all philosophical flavors. And yet the historically unproven, self-serving and foolish thinking of prevailing culture is sending a loud and audacious message to God: We know better. Thanks, but no thanks. We’ll take it from here. Key word… Moron. Only morons would give God the Heisman and say, “Talk to the hand.” Only a moron would say to his Maker, “I’ll take it from here.” Only a moron would attempt to rewrite the conscience, and trick himself out of the simple and divinely ordained mandates written onto the soul. You keep going on like you are; the end will result in a massive time out. It will be weighed, measured and exposed too. And in the end, all will see the folly of pride and the stupidity of arrogance to tell God His business.  You know nothing! God knows best! Living as if God wasn’t even around!

I want you to get this and I want you to get it good as James said in [2 Corinthians 10:10; James 4: 13-17] “For those of you who have reasoned this out and you’re continually talking like this, I have something to say. To those of you who have absolutely no regard for God’s will at all, you reason and you articulate your plans as if God never existed. You say “today or tomorrow, we’ll go into such-and-such a city and continue there a year and do business and make money.” That’s pretty confident talk, isn’t it? That’s typical non-contingency self-designed planning… typical of men. The issue here is not in what is said, the issue here is in what is not said. That’s the implication. There’s no mention of God. There is no thought for God. The foolishness of planning your life as if God did not exist at all, though you even may believe He does. An attitude much like the sinner; exalting yourself above the law of God! Think you are running things and ain’t running nothing! Foolishly ignoring God and showing utter disrespect for His sovereignty. There are no contingencies at all. And the fatal flaw, frankly, is presumption [Luke 12]. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself!

Seriously examine your spiritual direction, devotion, and disposition to develop a plan for doing better continuously. For there is always room for improvement, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Do not greet the next moment in the same form that you entered this one or you might find yourself short when He comes again. “Humility is a choice.” Bow now for certainly you will bow later!

By Diana L. McKee

Many of us can trace our fondest memories or greatest leaps of confidence back to one of our school teachers.  For some it was the second grade teacher who encouraged them to excel at mathematics.  For others it was their 4th grade teacher who comforted them and encouraged them to strive even though sometimes the world just wasn’t fair.  For others it was the counselor who encouraged them to be a strong man or woman and to work hard to achieve their goals because after all, we must strive to shoot for the moon.  If we miss at least we will still be among the stars.

Nowadays it is hard to find teachers who care enough about the students to take a personal interest in their personal and educational development above and beyond their duty of just teaching.  I am sure we can find at least one or two at each school in our Inland Empire Community.  Would it not be fantastic if the majority of the teachers had the same high level of enthusiasm to devote themselves to the success of our students?

Now one of the new charter schools, which will open in August of 2016 is making the act of caring for your students a requirement of being able to teach at the school and remain a teacher at the school. Transforming Lives Charter School literally demand for the teachers to serve as a homeroom type teacher to essentially be a mentor type figure for each student in their homeroom  class.

No other schools in this area has gone through such extraordinary measures to increase the benefits of student support at the level of 7th and 8th grade.

Similar to other STEM schools, I am sure the scholastic aptitude of the students will increased dramatically due to the implementation of the homeroom type style of education, this new charter school is poised to be a record breaker as far as how many of their graduates do well after high school whether they chose to go to the military, university or to immediately begin their career.

If you know of children who are starting the 7th or 8th grade in August 2016 I suggest you register in the school before the spaces are all taken.  The name of the school is Transforming Lives Charter School.

Ka’la Hill, during the Bodies by Bella Program.

GREENSBORO, NC — Bennett College Junior, Ka’la Hill is stretching her way to the top with her program “Bodies by Bella.”  She was inspired to start the program by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Hill, who is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, started this program as a way to encourage her fellow students to become more physically active and maintain healthier lives.

On September 29, 2014, Hill scheduled her first Bodies by Bella class.  At first, attendance was very inconsistent.

“I kept showing up, even if no one was there, but that gave me time to learn new things to contribute to my workouts,” she said.

This year, her class popularity has grown from 12 to 20 students in attendance.

Aside from just wanting to help her sisters, Hill attributes her inspiration for starting her program to First Lady Michelle Obama’s, Let’s Move Campaign.  The First Lady’s campaign seeks to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity.

“I would love to get the chance to say thank you to the first lady for inspiring me and teaching me the importance of being physically active,” she said.

Hill is also grateful for the Bennett College experience she has had thus far.  “Bennett taught me how to be a leader. The support of professors and the encouragement of my sisters has helped get me where I am today.”

Now that Hill is a junior, she has been thinking about her plans after Bennett College.  She wants to earn a master’s degree in social work and start a community-based program to target childhood obesity.  She also wants to implement nutritional programs for low-income people.

Until then, she is focusing on how to continue fitness programs for Bennett College.  “By the time that I leave [Bennett], I would like to have several fitness programs in place for my sisters.”

She says that one of the most rewarding experiences from her program is when she hears her sisters say that they have lost weight or that they are seeing a difference.

Bodies by Bella is offered every Monday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., in the Gym at Bennett College.

By Michael H. Cottman, Urban News Service

Ray Winans, once affectionately known as “Killer Ray,” is helping reduce gun violence in Detroit — one gang member at a time.

The 37-year-old former gang member is an unconventional activist who mediates among gangs, police and federal prosecutors while encouraging young black men to end their lives of crime and hand their guns over to officials.

Winans explained he has attended too many funerals for young black men killed in violent confrontations. He has persuaded 10 young men to stop associating with Detroit’s gangs since 2014, according to Winans and police. 

“I never thought I would ever work with the police and it changed my whole view of law enforcement,” he told Urban News Service. “Now I’m working with friends in gangs and their children in gangs.”

A former member of the Head Banger Bloods, Winans and his wife, Shaelon, co-founded Keeping Them Alive in 2012. This non-profit agency is dedicated to ending gun violence in Detroit.

Winans runs his initiative on a modest budget through donations, his own money and a $10,000 grant he received in 2013 from the Knight Foundation’s Black Male Engagement project.

Winans faces tough odds in his quest: Homicide is the leading cause of death among American black men between the ages of 15 and 34, the Centers for Disease Control reports. And only 50 percent of black youth feel confident they will live to age 35, according to the American Sociological Association and the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 

The challenge, Winans said, can be summed up in one word: Trust. Gang members can relate to him because of his own violent past.

When he was 15, Winans was convicted of manslaughter following a fit of anger in Detroit, according to both him and police. Winans said he was charged as a juvenile and served three years in jail for beating Chester Bownes to death with a hammer. Winans said he was freed at age 18 from High Plains Youth Center in Brush, Colorado.

(Winans’ juvenile court records are sealed, a police source said, so he could not identify the victim nor confirm the spelling of his name.)

After his release, Winans was in and out of jail until 2009. But six years ago, his life changed. 

“I told God, ‘I am willing to get a job and not hurt anybody anymore,’” he said. “In 2010, I gave my life to Christ and started working in a local grocery store. The news spread like wildfire and gang members were coming to the store to see for themselves.”

Today, the father of five tries to quiet Detroit’s guns. There were 295 homicides in 2015 and 1,035 non-fatal shootings in Michigan’s largest city, according to police data. Detroit is America’s most dangerous city, according to FBI crime statistics for 2015.

Winans’ partnership with Detroit police is a “highly unusual relationship, but very effective,” said Sgt. Edward Brannock, head of the department’s gang intelligence unit.

Winans joined Brannock recently to teach community mediation and gang intervention to 25 Detroit police officers, community outreach workers and the department’s chaplain.

“I’ve called on Ray in high-stress situations,” Brannock  said. “We’ve been on shootings together. He’s pulled gang members out of school and helped us locate an AR-15 assault rifle and a 9mm Glock that a suspect was hiding in a dope house. And he’s helped me close cases.”

“Who would ever think that a guy who was in prison for manslaughter would be working this closely with law enforcement?”

Saul Green, a former Detroit deputy mayor and former U.S. attorney for  Michigan’s Eastern District under President Bill Clinton, said Winans’ work with police and gang members is remarkable.

“I’ve been around public safety in Detroit for a long time and I have not met another person who is bringing this kind of positive change to this community,” Green said. “Ray works with young men morning, noon, nights and weekends. We need 1,000 more Rays in Detroit.”

Gang members, meanwhile, say Winans offers them a second chance to succeed in life.

Anthony Crews, 18, quit the East Warren gang after meeting with Winans in 2013. Since then, he has enrolled in a jobs program for people on probation.

“I trust him,” said Crews. “He has never lied to me and he’s always there for me. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

Yolanda Holder

By Cecilia Harris

Yolanda Holder is a twice Guinness World Book record holder, a mother of two grown children, a wife, a power walker, and a goal achiever.  Seven years ago, when she turned 50, she wanted to challenge herself to do something different in her life.  Her kids were in college.  So she decided to walk – power walk – 50 marathons in 50 weeks.  She did not succeed.

Instead, in October 2008 when she finished her 50^th marathon (Silicon Valley Marathon) she realized that she still had more time left in the year.  So she completed 65 marathons in 52 weeks.  This was her start that has no end.  In 2009, she went on to complete another 77 marathons/ultras.  She would complete an ultra marathon (50K) on a Saturday and then complete a marathon on a Sunday.  It wasn’t until November 2009 that she realized that she was different—so different that Runner’s World has yet to do a story on her—because she is NOT a runner.  Yolanda has never been a runner.  When you are runner, you can slow down and walk.  But when you are a walker, how do you slow down?  You are already walking!  It is not easy to be a power walker.  But no one said life was easy.

After contacting Guinness to find out if there were any other women who had completed more marathons in a year, she completed 106 in 2010.  Her first World Record.  But runners were still not giving her respect. 

In 2011, she cut down on her events and only completed 50-60 marathons.  She was still referred to as “just a walker.”  And in her mind she was not an athlete.

But 2012, she was determined to set the record straight – a second Guinness World Record!  She not only completed 120 events, but she power walked three 100-milers, two 50-milers, 40 50Ks, and 75 marathons in one year.  Bam – in your face runners!  Yolanda was now a world champion walker; and an athlete.

2013 brought a total of 300 lifetime marathons before having major surgery in November 2014.  And on February 14, 2015, she hit the mark for 500 lifetime marathons/ultras. 

It was in Alaska at her first 6-day event.  She power walked 403 miles, placing 3^rd for women and 10^th overall out of 100 runners.  Only about 15 Americans competed.  The multiple-day ultra is more popular around the world than in the United States.  But that may be changing. 

Yolanda has since completed two other 6-day events (getting on the podium in all three) and will be competing in her first 10-day event “Sri Chinmony 10 Day Race April 19 – 29, 2016, Queens New York.  Yolanda will be breaking Sutushi Lang (USA)  19 year record (510 miles) and will be the second American Woman to run or walk a 10 Day Race.

Yolanda believes the human body is amazing.  “If you treat it well – run, walk, ride a bike – the body will achieve what the mind believes.  Physical, mental, anything – it can be done.  Positive thinking and believing – believing got me through it,” proclaims Yolanda.

After losing her father in 2003 and then her mother in 2013, Yolanda needed to honor her parents and take a stand against Type 2 diabetes.  With her sponsor, Nissan, she walked from Corona to Oakland – 525 miles – to raise funds and awareness for the devastation that diabetes has and is causing in the African American community.  She believes that you don’t have to be a runner. You don’t have to go to the gym 7 days a week.  But you have to be responsible to yourself and move.  A little today, a little more tomorrow, a little to save your life so that your kids don’t have to keep picking up the phone to call you only to remember that you are gone – too soon.

Today, there are lots of people who have done a 5K or a 10K.  The numbers of participants in half marathons has exploded.  And it is not elite athletes that are building these numbers.  It is the middle-aged woman who decided that she didn’t want to sit on the couch anymore.  It is the young girl who has joined her girlfriends to walk for a cause.  And soon, the ultra – the 100 miler – is going to be the new 26.2.  Because you don’t have to win, you just have to complete.  And if you want to win, that’s okay too.

Today, Yolanda has completed 527 lifetime marathons/ultras.  She is competitive, but she still will make time for a selfie or two out on the course.  He father would always tell her, “I can never help my family,” and she lives this as well being one of eleven siblings, three with diabetes.  She inspires who she can.  This is her lifestyle.  She believes the average person can do anything.   Know your goal.  Stick to your plan.  Believe.  Achieve.

By Lou Coleman

According to Jesus, there are some who claim to be Christian, yet who are still lost and headed to Hell! What a startling communication. A statement by Jesus that engages and holds my attention appears near the end of the Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 7:21]. He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY HE WHO DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven. God makes it clear that not all who profess Him possess Him!  I tell you, “Everybody talkin’ ’bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there – O my Lord.” This should awaken us to examine the quality of our obedience to God— above all else. It is clear that Jesus is telling us that there will be some who will think they are saved and in reality they are deceived. Tragic!

Why would I believe this? Because the Bible has much to say about this matter:  “For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22:14]. The parable of the Wheat and the Tares [Matthew 13:24-30; 13:36-43]. Paul also knew that there would be some in the church who would be fooled by their profession [2 Corinthians 13:5]. Simon Peter also mentioned this phenomenon, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” [2 Peter 1:10].

Listen, Heaven is prepared for those who are prepared [Hebrew 11:13-16]. Your life affects your eternity, [Galatians 6:7-10; Romans 2:5-11] and Jesus warned to live right! [Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Peter 4:1-6]. The shock is that many who call Jesus Lord will be sent by God to eternal hell. We do not want to be ignorant, deceived or wrong about our future beyond the grave. Do not take this lightly. Remember, the gospel is always a command. So, how can we be certain that we enter the kingdom, that we struggle, strive, agonize in the right way, you may ask? Read [Luke 13:22 – 13:35] which is primarily about heaven and how to gain entrance into it. Do not be deceived. Hell is full of people who admired Jesus, the Bible, even the Sermon on the Mount. Hell is full of people who admire Christians. Hell is full of people with empty words and empty hearts, who will claim right up to the end to be worshippers of God and Christ. Don’t deceive yourself, be sure.

The Bible says that if we will confess our sins, God will be faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Write [Revelation 20:11-15] in your membrane. That passage tells us that God has a record of every sinful thing everyone has ever done and that each individual will have to stand before Him one day and give a personal account for their sins. Can you imagine the desperation a person will feel when they hear Christ say, “Depart from Me for I never knew you?” Tragic!  Hopelessly lost for eternity! Don’t wait until it’s too late! Seize the opportunity to enter the kingdom.

It is my prayer that you will allow the Spirit of God to speak to your hearts today. It may be that there are some who have never been truly saved. Perhaps this is the day when you will meet Jesus as your Savior. Maybe there are those who think they are saved, but in truth, you’re not. I am praying that God will speak to your heart today! Perhaps there are those who know you have never been converted. There is no better time than right now to get that taken care of. My friend, you had better be sure where your faith is today! Why? Your eternity depends on what you trust in! Remember, not everyone gets to go to Heaven!