Ashly Broussard

By Ashly Broussard

God is raising up prophets to boldly declare “enough is enough.” (Ezekiel 34:1-10 ). I urgently warn those that use the pulpit to display their position of power instead of declaring the Word of God to “ REPENT”. The Bible warns the leaders that take this role that our punishment will be far more severe (James 3:1). Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Are the leaders in your church operating in The Way of Love? Well lets take the  “ Love examine” to examine ourselves, starting with: 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is PATIENT.”

In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible tells us about God not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. His patience isn’t the same patience I see exercised within the body of Christ. Its more a slap on the back. I heard one pastor bragging about how his congregation is consistently changing. Not because it was evolving, but because the sheep were leaving. What happened to us going after that sheep as Jesus told us through the parable in Luke 15:1-7? Souls are out there perishing because we don’t want to take the time to tarry anymore. But who cares, as long as its not us that’s lost right? I agree with this statement I heard one preacher say: Pastors are sending more people to hell than all the drug pushers, crips and bloods. Secondly love is KIND. How kind is it of God not to have forfeited His covenant with our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is so easy for a brother/sister to renege on a promise within the body of Christ, and act nonchalant like the past is the past. STOP making promises to the congregation when your not even for certain of that being God‘s providence. That’s what’s so awesome about Our God, He’s not a man that He should lie.  (Psalm 33:9  For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded and it stood firm.)

Thirdly, It does NOT ENVY. This is something I can write about all day long, but I have to be careful that I don’t fall into a trap. Elders in the church, when you see younger men/women come into the knowledge of God, and their hit by the fire of The Holy Ghost, why hate on them? Did you forget what brought you into the church? If God has taken someone from the back of the pasture, to place them in front in such a short amount of time, this is something to rejoice in, not to be intimidated by. He said In the last days His Spirit would be poured out on all flesh. Stop telling the young people that they don’t have the Holy Spirit because they don’t fluently speak in tongues. They may not be able to sing like and Angel, but they might be able to discern the spirit of a  false prophet. And besides that I’ve sat around elders who “professionally” spoke in tongues in church, but outside the building had potty mouths. Fourth, it does NOT BOAST. It seems seeking Gods hand is better than His face. If you don’t have a jet, a mansion, $2 million in the bank, or your not on a TV reality show, then you don’t have the Holy Spirit. One leader on a church committee board that I’ve attended ,was so spiritually proud that when I corrected her in love with a scripture, she began insulting me about my age. But one thing I’ve learned early on in trusting God is that, if I walk in humility, I will not be humiliated.

So if you are offended by this article please do not respond with hate letters because I will not read them. This also can cover the Fifth in showing Gods Love, it is NOT PROUD. Sixth is NOT RUDE. To use something someone sat down and told you in secret about something they may have been wrestling with, in your Sundays sermon, shows a lack of respect for that person trusting you, and it shows the lack of respect you have for The Father in His House. Honestly, we don’t have to wait for Sister So-In-So or ( the church gossipers ) to sit beside us and slander a brother/sister in the church, the pastor will be doing it for them in their next sermon. Why? Because they are superior to those in the pews, and they can do whatever they want because of their positions. But The Bible says in Psalm 105:15 and 1 Chronicles 16:22 touch not my anointed ones. Those that preach from pulpits, aren’t Gods only anointed ones. There are those that are seated in the pews ( in training ) suppose to be getting fed, but were being starved, polluted and infected. Why? Because of custom. Something that has been practiced for thousand of years by formalist or hypocrites. Jesus said in John 21:15-17 FEED MY SHEEP. If we claim to be that house built on a rock, then we shouldn’t be wavering around what the word says, but doing exactly what is in it. Next, it is NOT SELF–SEEKING.

I recall sitting down with a pastor to tell Him where I felt the Lord was calling me for my ministry, and I felt as if I had been auditioning him on a talk show. What started off as a mutual conversation easily shifted to me, me, me, and my, my, my. I remember leaving their feeling what a waste of time. Following that, it is NOT EASILY ANGERED. Everywhere I look I see shepherds killing His sheep.  I cannot be the only one who has seen or heard about leaders getting ready to fist fight in the parking lot at the church. Then we try and justify our actions by saying that we are not to the point of turning the other cheek. ( Luke 6:29 ) Come on Saints of God! Jesus didn’t swing back or insult anyone when He was getting beat for us.( Isaiah 53:7 ) Instead He said “ Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing. ( Luke 23:34 ) We wrestle not against flesh and blood , but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this dark world. STOP KILLING HIS SHEEP. How can we claim to love God but hate each other? God is LOVE! Love does NOT DELIGHT IN EVIL. We don’t have to repay evil with evil just because we may feel hurt by the way someone may have responded to us or even may have looked at us. So what if they didn’t acknowledge you in front of the congregation. Since when did we become man pleasers? Forgive them brothers and sisters, and “ REPENT”. Do we really want to have to stand before God and explain to Him why unforgiveness shouldn’t be a reason for us to get cast into Hell? Lets stay away from the things God clearly hates and turn our minds to what pertains to Him and His Kingdom. In Addition to all of thee above, Love rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The Truth is The Living Word of God. Everything we need to know about God’s love is in His Word. A reason to fear God is for the things we understand about the Bible. Not what we don’t understand. Everyone’s role is important. From the greeters, ushers, tithers, and worshipers. Lets stop despising one another and enter His courts with praise, and His gates with Thanksgiving!  God cannot be mocked. Lets stop being the New Age Pharisees and live as Christians! REAL CHRISTIANS! Stop putting The Sovereign God in a Sunday and Wednesday box and live each day as if He were returning.” REPENT” for The Kingdom of Heaven is near.  May God bless the readers.

Ashly Broussard 24, has been writing since 2007. Only possessing a High School diploma, she depended on her gift as a writer to pursue a rap career in the music industry. After the lose of one of her sisters she gave up the lifestyle of prostituting, exotic dancing, drugs, and alcohol to find the Lord. Now she uses the gift of writing to inspire children and adults alike to honor God and to love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Dr. Joy DeGruy
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome The Continuation

Workshop Be the Healing

Saturday April 25, From 11am through 1pm
Regency West
339 West 43 Street, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Man, I love that song… The songwriter said, “I’m gonna make a change for once in my life, it’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right…..I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat, who am I to be blind? Pretending not to see their needs… they got nowhere to go, that’s why I want you to know I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, and no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change. I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love…. I’m asking him to change his ways … you gotta get it right; while you got the time, you can’t close your mind… you’ve got to stop it, yourself! Yeah! The man in the mirror I’m asking him to make that change…!”

I think it would be safe to say that the reason Michael Jackson decided to sing this song was because he “Understood it!” He understood the purpose of life. The exact purpose that you and I were created for…to be our Brother’s Keeper! Jesus says, by our love for our brothers and sisters – a love that forgets self to think of others – All will know that we are His disciples. Support Brother Keeper Mission Project. The testimony of Scripture affirms that helping hurting people is the right thing to do. In Deuteronomy 15:11; 6 we are COMMANDED by God to be openhanded toward our fellow man that is poor and needy. David declares, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.” {Psalm 41:1}. Proverbs teachers, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” {Proverbs 19:17}. Jesus fed the hungry. He ministered to the sick. He comforted the bereaved. He welcomed the marginalized. We are to do the same. It is what we were created for. It is our intended purpose. And the good thing is there is no shortage of opportunities for us to help the hurting because there are so many of them. It is imperative that we understand the seriousness of what God has COMMANDED us to do… “To love our neighbor as He has loved us.”

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all your getting get understanding. James 1:5 says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him….I tell you the most important thing for us as Christians is to have Spiritual Understanding. When we want to evaluate something, we should ask the Lord to help us understand whatever it is that we are evaluating. Unless we can fully understand it, we might disregard it when we should take its message to heart, or we might take something to heart that we should disregard. Ephesians 5:17 tell us, Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Do yourself a favor: Get Understanding! And when you understand, understand that in the beginning when God made the world there were no needy people. Everyone had sufficiency. But then sin entered the world and it brought ignorance, injustice and inequity. Ever since then there have been people who don’t have enough to eat, who don’t have a place to live, and who don’t have clean water. I cannot emphasize enough that God’s people are called to change that lack by addressing their spiritual, emotional and physical needs. Yes, one day Jesus will return and all injustice and poverty and homelessness and illness will be removed. But until that time the church of Christ should be working tirelessly to help those who are in need. This is the outworking of the Cross.

The message is clear. Giving to the needy is right. It pleases God, it helps others, and it is an integral part of the Christian faith. God has charged us with taking care of them. If we don’t, then our discipleship is unbalanced. Support Brother’s Keeper Mission Project,” and remember, nothing matters except that which we do for the Lord. And God says, “The least we do for one of them, we do unto Him.” So in all your getting, get understanding, please! Because when we stand before the Lord to be judged we will be commended or chastised for a series of six (6) activities, those we did or did not perform. One, providing food for one who is hungry. Two, giving drink to a person who is thirsty. Three, providing shelter for another who is a stranger. Four, giving clothes to the person who is naked. Five, looking after the sick and Six, comforting those in prison {Matt: 25:31-46}.  You must know that the determining factor in determining our final destiny will be; was we are Brother’s Keeper.

My prayer and plea is for each of us to become the Good Samaritan who was willing to walk the walk and was not willing to just talk the talk. Support “Brother’s Keeper Mission Project” by visiting www.gofundme.com/99b30w and making a donation or send a check payable to: Brother’s Keeper Mission Project, 390 West 5^th Street, #408, San Bernardino, CA 92402.  The simplest of acts can have impacts far beyond our wildest dreams.

If you would like to join Ministry of Declaration/Truth; The Beautiful Gate Church/Ghana, Africa; Church of the Living God, Temple 208; 2 God Be All The Glory Community; Conduit of Grace Church; Ultimate Worship Church International, and Youth Hope, Inc., as we continue doing the work of Jesus and Greater works, please call (909) 649-8148 or send a message via email to colemanlou@hotmail.com.  We are a community sent on a mission together: to keep on doing the ministry of Jesus so that all people and all creation might experience the reconciliation of God. Brother’s Keeper Mission Project – Called and empowered t

What It Do Beautiful People! It’s no secret how much I love talent, especially unique talent. Last year I had a chance to see an amazing artist that they call, “NoFace The Shadowmen”. When I first met him I was like “Ooookkkaaaay!” I was a little unsure and didn’t know what to expect until he began to play. This man is a genius when it comes to rocking on the keys. His music puts you in the mind of Jimi Hendrix. His funky sound will take into a trance and get you dancing all night long. Growing up an orphan not knowing his parents, he was able to use that hurt and pain to make feel good music for all to enjoy and love.
Performing all over Southern California and beyond he has truly left his musical mark.

“Noface” is the shadow who came to life. His magic is music. Calling himself a “Citizen of the world”, he possesses a style and vibe from both past and future. We don’t know where he came from, but we do know where he is going, everywhere! His bold, unique sound turns air molecules into keys. These keys unlock the hearts, minds and souls of the beautiful listener, allowing them to meet him in a sound. “Born of the dark, I create in the dark. I listen in the dark. There, sounds glow like birds on fire in stormy skies. Orphaned. Without a mask, I am beautiful!” states Noface Shadowmen.

Never judge a book by its cover. Make sure to check him out. Until next week, L’s!
For all Booking and Interviews contact Amy Simpson  at bookingnoface@gmail.com, or call her at (951) 722-2677. You may also contact Bigg A – DPG Budeboy Ent RMM LLC at (714) 273-0341.

NOFACE SHADOWMEN VIDEOS:

LIVE PERFORMANCES:
NofacE @ BXB San Diego

NofacE @ CR15 San Diego

NofacE @ Happier Together Perview

BOTTOMLINE… Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors ordered the Sheriff’s Department to create a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of using Body Cameras. The recent NBC video of County Sheriff’s Deputies’ violent capture of a “since-released-with-no-charges-filed-against-him” suspect prompts the BOS concern.

Deputies, and all police should wear body cameras. The concern regarding the effect of police wearing body cameras is a mystery to me. Police serving the city of Rialto have been celebrated across America for their effective crime and violence reducing Body Camera Policy.

The Guardian Newspaper published a statement back in November 2013 regarding the Rialto Body Camera Policy entitled, “The College of Policing”, which recently announced plans for large-scale trials of body-worn video in England and Wales, saying Rialto’s experiment showed big drops in the use of force and in public complaints against officers.”

The New York Daily News published a story in August of 2013, written by Nancy Dillion that quoted the Rialto Police Chief regarding the effectiveness of using Body Cameras.

Rialto Police Chief Tony Farrar said he had worried the cameras would have a chilling effect, but found that wasn’t the case:

“The thinking was that some officers wearing cameras might try to hide and not really do their job. We found the opposite,” Farrar said. “We actually had 3,000 more officer-citizen contacts during the year (of the experiment).”

At the same time, formal complaints against his officers plunged 88 percent during the year, he said. And officer “use of force” incidents dropped by 59 percent.

“When you put a camera on a police officer or anyone, the natural human reaction is that you behave a little more professional. You follow the rules a little more,” he said. “On the other side, if a citizen knows the officer has a camera, that person acts and behaves a little bit more professional, too.”

He said the program cost about $150,000 for the initial 54 cameras, the batteries and the software — all supplied by Taser and Evidence.com.

The local proof of positive results coming from the police use of Body Cameras is in! There is little need for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department to continue dragging feet regarding Body Cameras. They need to simply call Rialto for advice and consultation!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Every now and then God challenges individuals, institutions, churches, communities and nations to take a Big Step. The baby step will not do the job; only the Big Step will appropriately address the issue. For Martin Luther King Jr., other leaders, Black Churches and many Jewish Synagogues it was a Big Step to take on the movement of Civil Rights in America. The movement itself challenged and changed the world. I submit that even today God is challenging somebody – a whole lot of somebodies to take a Big Step. He is calling us to, “Prove Him” … if He doesn’t open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings we can’t contain”… Uh, uh, I just lost somebody right there, I just know it!

But the “Brother’s Keeper Mission Project,” which God has entrusted to me and the Beautiful Gate Church in Ghana Africa, under the leadership of Pastor Richard Yeboah, believe as Scriptures says, “That we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world” {Matt: 5-13}. We believe that God does not extend his generosity to us, you and me, with the intent that we would hoard blessings for our sole benefit; as we are conduits and not repositories of His blessings. What does it matter if you get involved or not? It matters greatly – it matters to your character as a “Christian.” Yes, it’s true that God has other ways to accomplish His objectives. He has other people He can use. He isn’t frustrated or restrained because you and I may be indifferent. But when we have been called “for such a time as this,” how tragic if we are not there to stand in that hour.  Numerous needs and issues surround us. They summon us to stand up and be counted. Numerous jobs around us need to be done. Numerous ministries need to be started. While we will not be able to respond to all of them, the solution is certainly not to respond to any of them! What seems crazy to most of us I know is to give anything when we are so deeply in debt! We can’t pay our own bills. We owe everybody and their brother and everybody and their brother is calling us.  So why would God require this at this time? Because this is the Challenge of Faith!

Can I tell you a story? Paul was traveling around and was raising a collection for the church in Jerusalem who was experiencing extreme suffering and persecution. The churches in Macedonia were also going through extreme poverty, but Paul was amazed with what they did when they heard of the needs in Jerusalem. “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” {2 Corin. 8:1-5). When these saints heard of the need of their brothers, two things happened in their hearts. First, they felt a severe test of affliction, because they had such difficulty imagining giving when they themselves were in so much need. But secondly, they felt an abundance of joy, because here was an opportunity for them to give and reflect on the generosity of God. I tell you when God calls us to give it will be both the hardest thing in the world and the easiest thing to do. It will always be hard because it means we will have to sacrifice and do without something. However, it will also be easy because ultimately we are giving to the One who has given us everything. In verse 3, we see they gave according to their means, but also went beyond their means. They didn’t just give what they could afford; they gave to the point where it truly cost them something. Verse 4 says they were begging earnestly for the favor in taking part in the relief of the saints. This wasn’t what Paul expected. They knew they were poor, but they were begging to give generously. They wanted to show how much they loved them and how much Jesus had given to them. Why did they act this way, so utterly desperate to give?  Because giving to the point where we actually do without, where it hurts, that’s the Cross. Giving to the point where we’re actually sacrificing something, that’s the Cross. The righteous; the folks who are doing the will of God are those who take care of the poor, the widow, the child, and the afflicted. We are to care for the least of these simply out of obedience to God’s Word and the Spirit living inside of us. Once a true need arises, it is a part of every believer’s responsibility to help. And I want you to know, Poverty does not exempt a believer from giving. As revealed by the poor widow who gave her two “insignificant” coins.

Listen; when we give, we honor God, we advance His Kingdom, we demonstrate faith in His promises, we expose ourselves to His blessings, and the Lord is given the wonderful opportunity of proving His power to provide for His people. But when God is denied this opportunity, then the child of God has forfeited a great blessing and has entered into a state of unrepentant sin before the Lord. Don’t underestimate the importance of Jesus “love-your-neighbor” addition from Jesus. Support “Brother’s Keeper Mission Project… It matters!  We are blessed to be a blessing to others; we are privileged to serve others. Jesus said, that’s were true wisdom lies – in helping those in need.  So let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” In (Mark 8:2) Jesus said, “I have compassion on these people, they—have nothing to eat.” The persistent challenge poverty presents to Christ’s followers is to move beyond speaking the truth about love, compassion, and concern, to living the truth in deeds of compassion and acts of kindness. We must find concrete ways to relieve the burdens of the poor and needy. We must see them as people with whom we are all one in God. For we cannot truly “praise God from whom all blessings flow” and ignore the reality of a world of human suffering and misery. God’s blessings must flow through us in ways that will make a difference in the life of those in need. As a covenant people, we not only share the gospel but our lives as well. For the Gospel, is the power of Christ that empowers us to live not for ourselves, but to live first for Christ and then for others. We do this by employing our gifts and resources for the need of others. Support “Brother’s Keeper Mission Project” by going to http://www.gofundme.com/99630w and making a donation or send a check payable to: Brother’s Keeper Mission Project, 390 West 5^th Street, #408, San Bernardino, CA 92402. If you would like to be a part of “Brother’s Keeper Mission Project, please call (909) 649-8148 or you may send a message via email to colemanlou@hotmail.com.  Our mission is to glorify God by serving others! This is our highest motivator and all-encompassing purpose. Planting, strengthening and partnering with churches around the world as we minister to human need.

Attention! Attention! Attention! This week the Album Release Party of LUE Productions artist Mack Pepperboy and recording artist Jet Tanner is WHAT IT DO! Two talented forces have united together to bring forth a powerful project!

This Sunday, April 12, is the album release party for their project titled, A.B.S., which stands for “ALL BOUT SALES”. The project features songs such as, “All I know”, “Backpack and Shades”, and “Birthday”. I think the name of the project is perfect for these two artists due to their nonstop hustle. When I say hustle, I’m referring to their push of their album sales. It is no secret how often they go back and forth out of state promoting and networking. They understand the importance of being relevant and staying before the people.

Mack Pepperboy is an artist with that Cali sound and New Orleans flavor. His bars and performance will leave you wanting more while Jet Tanner is an artist that brings that swag through his lyrics and his beats. Are they the modern day Batman and Robin but musically?  Well, I say yes! The chemistry just works. So, with that being said please come out this Sunday and support these two talented artists. Make sure to check out their music links on all media sites under Mack Pepperboy and Jet Tanner. Until next week L’s!

Come Support Please! LUE Productions Presents (The Album Release Party of Mack Pepperboy & Jet Tanner), Sunday, April 12 at the Office Saloon in San Bernardino at 123 N. “E” Street. The night will also include other Performances, live music from DJ Money on the 1z and 2z. There is a $5 cover charge, and a $3 cover for affiliates only. For more information please call (909) 567-1000.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Last week, world acclaimed investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas met with publisher of the Westside Story Newspaper, Wallace Allen, during a brief visit to Southern California. You can view Anas’ extensive portfolio at anasaremeyawanas.org.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Yes, this life’s journey is tough. It gets hard sometimes and it makes many of us want to just walk away, give up. But the devil is a liar! We have come too far to give up now! I decided that come hell or high water, I will not give up! I will not throw in the towel!  The struggle has been too hard and certainly too long, but like Paul, I am pressing towards the mark of a higher calling. I’m reminded of the woman in the Scriptures that had an issue of blood for 12 years. Twelve years of suffering in her life. But one day, Jesus came to town; she pressed her way through the crowd and touched the hem of His garment. She was healed instantly. So to Hell with the Devil and his tactics! I’m going to keep on keeping on and I want to encourage you to do the same. Keep pressing and don’t let anybody, anything, situation or circumstance, stop you from pressing towards your blessing. I understand things will stand in your way. I understand that people will mistreat you, and they will lie on you. I understand that things didn’t turn out the way you wanted them to or the way you thought they should have. I understand that you are tied, but keep pressing because God is getting ready to bless you. Be steadfast, don’t give up. Be steadfast, don’t grow weary. Be steadfast, and don’t faint at life’s obstacles.

Scripture tells us that Job faced the crisis of his life. He had lost his entire family, all his possessions, everything. And his body was covered with boils from head to toe. He had come to a place where he could not take any more suffering. And he cried out (Job 6:4, 8-9) and said, “I have only one request – to die! I’ve had it, God. Cut me off!” Scripture testifies that Job had no known sin in his life. He stood as perfect as any man could be before God. And yet God allowed him to go through such despair that his life became unbearable (Job 7:3-4). Job was in anguish because his problems were unsolvable! He couldn’t reason his way out of them. He was completely at wit’s end.  Tied and ready to give up, but knew quitting was not an option!

I believe I am speaking to a number of Godly people who love Jesus with all their heart – and who are at a point of deep despair! Perhaps like Paul, you are being pressed beyond measure – tested beyond your endurance. Your strength is nearly gone, and you are on the brink of giving up. You see no way out. You want to run, but there is no place to go. So- how do you get out of it? What is the way to victory? All I can tell you is how God continues to bring me out. Five important truths He has given me: One, don’t think you are experiencing some strange, unique battle. On the contrary- you are in good company! Recall Job, Jeremiah, Elijah, David, and Paul – even me, God says. What you are going through is common to believers throughout the centuries (1 Peter 4:12-13). Why it seems that when you give your life to the Lord, all you get is suffering in return. No one, within the church or without, has ever understood how a loving God could allow those who have given their all for Him to go through such times of trouble and despair, but what we do know, is that everything works for the good of those who loves Him. Two, when you think you can’t go on another hour – when everything looks absolutely hopeless – cry out to God with all that is in you, “Lord, help!” {Psalm 55:16-18) (18:1-6) (30:2-3) (72:12.) Three, dive into God’s Word, lay hold of your special promise, take it into your secret prayer closet and hold God to it. (Matt 7:9-11) (Ephesians 3:20)…Take this promise to God every day, saying, “Father, You said, you’ll do above everything I ask. Today I’m asking You to answer my prayer.” Four, trust the Holy Spirit, who abides in you. The Father has sent His Spirit to reside in your heart. But you have to acknowledge the Holy Spirit within you! You’ve got to believe that when you cry out, the Holy Spirit abiding in you will answer. That is the secret, plain and simple: As you face your present hour of sufferings and confusion, turn everything over to the Holy Spirit. Say to Him, “Holy Spirit, You know the way out of this mess. I don’t, it’s completely beyond me. So, I’m resigning, right now. And I give up direction of my life to You. And lastly, five, always know that no matter what, God got you!

Listen; Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David and many more struggled, they fought, but they made it. They won. They kept the faith. They laid aside every weight and sin; and endured until the end. They completed the race. They didn’t just start the marathon, they finished the marathon. We too must finish what God has started in us. We can’t quit now. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.” We can’t give up now. Decide to “Live Radical” for God. Trust Him. It is only that you do not understand that heaven has commenced an action in your favor and God is at work in your life. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. His Word in Ps 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” There is hope. Keep trusting God. Keep travailing, keep giving, keep rejoicing, and keep fighting until the victory is won…  Hold on! God will bring His promises to pass. I tell you, there are incentives, promises and rewards to those who do not grow weary in doing good. I tell you, Quitting is not an option!

Start declaring and decreeing that it’s your time! You see, the Bible has much to say about the important role our words play in our lives, and all the more when we are speaking the Word of God over our situation. Speaking out your possession of the Word of God will bring about the desired change! Remembering, God’s Word does not return void and He watches over His Word to perform it (Isaiah 55:11 Jeremiah 1:12).  In other words, it is His job to bring it to pass and your job to release the Word into your life by declaring, decreeing and proclaiming. All we have to do is speak in agreement and He performs it. Reflect back over creation and remember how many times God said, “Let there be!” Obviously speaking has great relevance and power. God has given us an abundance of building blocks in the Word and we can choose to use them or not, to speak life or not. Regardless of which we choose to do, speak life or speak death, the Word is clear. We will eat the fruit produce by our labors, our words. Declare decree and proclaim it’s your time to receive. To God be the Glory!

Yasmeen Muqtasid

By Yasmeen Muqtasid

Fox’s new hit series, Empire, broke records and rules during its 10-week introduction to the new world.  Empire revealed a new viewership that shatters all myths that people won’t tune in to see a majority Black cast with its winning ratings and non-stop social media chatter. The Empire has already conquered a viewership of more than 14 million weekly.  However, if Empire producers follow the suggestion of its leading male star—Terrence Howard—a powerful empire of the show’s fans and non-fans alike might strike back and quickly kick-drop what has become a weekly ritual for many African Americans and viewers of all backgrounds.

Recently in March, Terrence Howard in an Access Hollywood interview said that using the N-word in Empire would be more authentic and be in step with keeping true to everyday black life.  In a bizarre series of rationalizations, Howard says “that as long as you remember to take out the “er” then anyone can say it,”—he also said that his white friends use it with him.  This suggestion comes on the heels of Howard’s  nasty divorce in 2011, which he reported in court documents that his estranged ex-wife allegedly “hated black people” and would often call him names such as “monkey” and “n**ger.”  Lucious Lyon—we are thoroughly confused.  Which one is it?  Is it ok or is it not ok?  Obviously, Howard understands the sting of the word from his marital woes, but does he really understand the historical stench that permeates from a word birthed from such a hateful place.

To introduce the N-word to Empire would be to devalue the very power that the cast has established both onscreen and off-screen.  Using the word on Empire would be akin to African slaves tasting their freedom having established new free settlements in the North, only to decide that they miss their Masters and are willing to give up their freedom and to be enslaved again.  And that’s what the N-word does every time we allow others to say it—unchecked, whether one is black or white—it’s a step backward not forward for black people.  Using the N-word is an indication that one is still not free—mentally.  If you were free, you would not desire to use the word, because you would understand that the word takes us as a people back.  The word weakens the empire our ancestors built so that we might exist today.  I wonder if the same people who advocate for using the N-word would dare to say it in the presence of a Dr. King, Malcom X, Rosa Parks, Emmet Till.

Let’s give Howard the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he has not thought about the lasting consequences that such a change in the tone would have if Taraji Henson a.k.a. “Cookie” called him out of his name on the regular with an N-word here and there.  We must ask ourselves what would be the worldwide ramifications of having the N-word on such a popular show that touches the minds of millions of people.  This is a question for all artists on television, film and music—what’s the impact of this word when it’s memorialized in such powerful mediums.  Is that what we want our Black empire to be remembered for—the N-word—and a continual resurrection of the word in pop culture?  We must let this word die.

It’s ludicrous that Howard would even suggest in conversation to Lee Daniels, creator of Empire, that the N-word be incorporated.  I wonder if Jewish actors have ever insisted that Steven Spielberg use the  K-word in his latest production.  Yes, there is a derogatory word for Jews, but guess what–they don’t use it amongst one another, and their community will ensure your demise (as it should) if you try to drop it casually and say, “it’s a term of endearment.”

In the midst of such supreme success with Empire, one has to question Terrence Howard’s mindset to have even thought to share the suggestion that the N-word be used.   What should anger Howard and all of us, is the fact that so many black people past and present were killed and still are being killed by someone (white, black, etc.) who dares to think that we are “N**gers” and feels justified in treating us as sub-human.

The progress of our first black president, our first black attorney general, and our first black female attorney general in waiting way, are all contrasted against the real drama of the daily murdering and terrorizing of unarmed black men and women by police and vigilante American citizens.  Considering all of the recent killings and beatings of unarmed black men and boys from the University of Virginia—where honor student Martese Johnson was brutally beaten to the murder of Anthony Hill, an unarmed, naked U.S. Air Force veteran to 12-year-old Tamir Rice’s execution, why on earth would Terrence Howard think it a good idea to incorporate the most vile word known to black humanity into the Empire storyline.  The N-word is the last word that far too many black souls audibly or symbolically heard on this side of heaven.   Whether they heard it while being sold from their parents, while being lynched, while being beaten, or while being raped—one thing is clear, that the aggressors in each of these very real life horrors thought of black people as sub-human N**gers.

Words have power—and if we think there’s no power in what we call ourselves and allow others to call us—well—therein lies the reason why the only formidable “Black Empire” that will ever be realized is in the fictional world of Lucious and Cookie.

Yasmeen Muqtasid is the founder of Black Women Matter, Inc.  Black Women Matter was founded in 2010 to address matters that are important to Black women.  BWM uplifts, encourages and empowers black women–because WE matter. Yasmeen is a California native and UCLA graduate who loves good conversation, good people and good food.  Find her on Twitter @bwmatter or email her at info@blackwomenmatter.com