Hey,

I just wanted to let you know what I've been busily working on. I am updating my book Take Off The Mask, more insight, fresh new cover, lots of inspiration. The new book will be launched on 10-31-09, Halloween.

Each year, church youth groups and community organizations have the insurmountable task of coming up with a way to celebrate Halloween in a Christian and safe way. Instead of costumes, trickery and a few treats you can host a Take off the Mask (TOTM) event.

This is going to be a huge campaign; churches, youth groups, community organizations, bookstores everywhere will be hosting events on 10-31-09. Media events will include radio, tv, book signings, youth rap sessions, book club appearances, to name just a few.

The TOTM website is currently under construction and will have a link to order the book, along with event suggestions, banners, widgets, and posters to download to help make your event a success.

This is how you can help:

• Mark your calendar now,
• start planning your event
• spread the word
• look out for the Press release and website that will be coming your way next week

As always I appreciate your support in ministry.

It is my personal belief that there is no excuse for men to cheat. Yes, there are alot of excuses that one may give to justify their choice, but it is just that a choice. Men choose to cheat. Just like it was a choice to be in a committed marriage or a relationship.

One of the excuses used most often is that men need sex more often than women. It has been proven that this is true. But, this to me suggests that men lack self control and as soon as they feel an urge they have to act on it. I believe that it takes a mature man not to act on impulse but, respect himself and his mate enough not cheat. That's why marriage was meant for men, not boys. Cheating is a character flaw, not a sexual flaw.

Yes, I know that men aren't the only ones cheating. Women should be equally held accountable for their choices as well.

But wait a minute, why am I talking about cheating, when everyone is celebrating valentines day, the season of love?

I think we focus on love at certain times of the year, valentines day, anniversaries, but not enough attention is given to building the relationship. Couples who have been married for 20-30-40 years are often looked at with amazement. "How did you do it?", they are asked. As if they were blessed with some supernatural gift that the rest of society was not.

Well if there is a secret, here it is: Relationships must be worked on. Just like we take pride in our appearance, we go to the gym, get our hair and nails done. We take our cars to get tune ups and oil changes. We go to the dentist and the doctor for checkups. We even take better care of our pets than we do our marriages.

Marriage relationships must be given the same attention. Make a conscience effort to tune up your marriage, by reading books on strengthing your relationship. You can also go to marriage fellowship meetings that afford you the opportunity to connect with other couples.

I just think that there is no better way to Fireproof your marriage or relationship than with communication. Here are somethings to break the ice:

Fireproof the movie is out now on dvd. If you have not seen it you need too --it is a must see. It's perfect for married couples and those who want to be married one day. Why not throw a party this valentines day and watch the movie? Invite other couples then afterwards have a discussion over some chocolate treats and sparkling cider?


You can also follow this link to download a free book The Truth About Cheating, M. Gary Neuman. It explores why men cheat and what you can do to prevent it. The download will only be available until Thursday 2/12/09 7pm pst. This will definately get you talking.

Why do Men Cheat? Tell me what you think?


Agape,

Happy New Year!!

I for one am estactic to see a new year. I'm equally excited to see 2008 go. It was a really tough year. I've never known such struggle, such testing, such proving. 2008 will definitely be a year that will go down in history, from the historic Presidential election of Barack Obama to the unconscionable economic bail out.

It was a year of repositioning and birthing. One filled with challenges, anger, doubt and tears. In 2007 God spoke to me about an Unexplained Shift, that was going to take place in my life. I new He was repositioning me naturally and spiritually, but nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. It was a year that challenged my faith and stretched it to a degree that it had never been before. There were days that I questioned the very existence of God, but in my Spirit I knew He knew what was best for me.

I celebrated on New years eve, like a weary soldier coming home from war. I celebrated because after all the pain and all the hurt and all the suffering - We Made It! I danced and I skipped and I laughed and I ran. Because I didn't die in the struggle. I didn't die in battle. I didn't give up on God. I held on to Him and allowed His strength to be perfected. WE MADE IT!!

Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because it is the testing of our faith that develops perserverance. James 1:2-3.

I want to encourage you, because if you are reading this, that means you made it also! Don't let the enemy make you think that because you were tested that means you did something wrong. The life of the believer is not without challenges and trials, but we must not quit.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Though the labor pains were excruciating, in 2008 we were able to give birth to The Shofar Church, Shofar University, Shofar Communications and the IMPACT early learning center. Wow, no wonder such pain; we gave birth to quadruplets!


And because God is the Greatest Power, we shall not be defeated.

With my goal to read more and watch less tv, I picked up Beyond Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. He encourages the reader to learn to recognize a "Jabez moment" divine appointments, through which you can touch a life or do something for God's purposes.

Bruce described how whenever he is on a plane he would turn to the passenger next to him and ask, "Is there anything that I can do for you?"

Really???? Please forgive me, but if some old guy, (sorry Bruce) mature gentlemen, that I did not know, asked me if it was anything he could do for me, God, prayer and Jabez would be the farthest thing from my mind.

However, I'm always one who tries to stretch beyond my own self-imposed limitations. So I took the test. Would I be able to be as bold as Bruce and ask a perfect stranger this question? I will try it on my next business trip.

Here's how it went.

I'm exhausted-after being molested in security, I mean randomly searched (I don't know why but, they always pick me!) Oh Lord! My drivers license has expired! Did I know?... No..... I'm mean, Yes..... I mean No!

Lord, why did'nt I just bring my passport! Thank you Jesus, they let me through; it was only expired by 3 or 4 days. I must travel with my passport, shoot!

I finally, scuff to my gate with one shoe completely on and the other half way, only to find that the flight has been delayed for 1 hour and 30 minutes. I'm hungry but I refuse to buy the over priced airport food, after all I am a good stewart. (We should get a sandwich on the plane, right? Where are those tic-tacs?!).

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, some friendly voice announces that my gate has changed from 1 to 17. No worries though because the plane is here and ready to go. So hurry up! But by the way, there is no more room on the plane for carry-on luggage, so you will have to check your bags.

Just as I'm reminding myself that in ALL things we should give thanks. A young teenage girl inches her way apprehensively over to me and says "are you waiting to go to Atlanta?"

"Yes, I am. Are you?"

"Yes, I'm just coming from a 12 hour flight from Japan."

"Really? Are you traveling alone?" (She was so cute, reminded me of my daughter).

"Yes, I am. My Uncle is stationed their and I spent 2 weeks with him."

"Wow! That must have been great?"

"Yes, it was. But, my Mom is really nervous about me travelling alone. I had a non-stop flying going there, so she was able to put me on the plane and my Uncle was there when I got off. But coming home, I couldn't get a non-stop so I've had some day, with all the changes and delays.

"I'm sure you have."

"My Mom is waiting for me in Atlanta, she's a nervous wreck right now. But she told me to look for someone who looks nice, she said they would help me. So I saw you sitting over there and I said - she looks nice."

I smiled.

We had a nice chat as we waited to board the plane. She told me about Japan and shared her excitement of being a senior in high school this year. I told her that I had a daughter at home, her age who was also going to be a senior. Maybe they could get together?

As we board the plane and I make my way pass the angry faces in business class-who always look like they are annoyed that the coachers are taking so long. I sit in between (hey..took whatever seat I could get) a Japenese man, who hardly speaks english and a girl who had already curled herself into a tight ball near the window with her earphones and hoody on her head.

Ok, this would be where I'd ask, "Is there something that I can do for you?" Mmm..... Should I ask the Japenese man (I don't speak Japanese)? Or, should I ask the girl (I think it's a girl)? I decided that God had already given me something to do and it was to to be clothed in nice-ness.


Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12


As I got off the plane in Atlanta, (oh, they did give us a sandwich) I motioned to my new young friend, who was sitting a few rows back, that I would wait for her outside. I listened in to her call, as she told her mother she had landed safely, and had indeed found 'someone nice'.

I found myself guarding her like she was my own teenage daughter, "be careful getting on the airtran," I said. "Please hold on, it goes really fast."

I was on assignment.

As we walked to baggage-claim, I found myself hoping someone would one day be nice to my daughter, she too has aspirations of traveling abroad and seeing the world. I can imagine praying and asking the Lord to get her home safely. "Please Lord, send someone nice to look after her."

Just then my reward came sooner than expected, the great big hug of a perfect stranger.

"Thank you, Thank you, for bringing my daughter home to me!"

God had indeed given me a "Jabez moment". But instead of asking someone if there was something that I could do for them, God showed me that I just had to be clothed with the spirit of compassion, kindness, gentleness and niceness so that someone could instead ask of me.


Be Blessed,



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Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb 10:23

God heard our prayers and the Back 2 School Bash was a success. We had everything that we needed and then some to have a wonderful day. We met families and lots of children. One of the families in particular had two small children and one on the way any day. We learned that they were living in a hotel not to far from the park. They are unfortunate victoms of hurricane Katrina and have been moving from place to place ever since. They frequent the park daily to get the kids out of the mundane hotel room. The love of Jesus was contagious and they were quickly drawn in. Pastor George prayed the sinners prayer with the husband of this small family and he accepted the Lord into his heart.

After meeting them and hearing there story, I knew that the fight that we endured to have the event, and the push I felt all week to give birth to something; was all for them. That's why we must not faint in the midst of our struggle because there is a blessing on the other side of through. I know it is difficult especially when it seems like there is no relief in sight. After you get through one thing there are 10 other challenges facing you. Even in battle there is a time that both sides retreat to tend to there wounds and energize themselves again. The enemy of our souls knows that his time is near so he has intensified his attacks and has become relentless with no time for reprieve.

That's fine, because we are not ignorant concerning his devices we know our enemy and we know in whom we serve. The bible says the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2Corinths 10:4niv

The word of God pierces through the enemies plans and it cuts through his devices. It does not matter what the devil tries to do to us. The weapon will form, but it will not prosper. For He who has promised is faithful. We must remember that if God said it; it will come to pass. God is not a man, that he should lie,nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? num 23:19

We can stand on the word of God when everything else is passing away. We know that His word, which is His promises, will never pass away. When I am faced with challenges, instead of getting discouraged, I quickly pull out my arsenal in the Word of God and I recall what God said about the situation.

When I'm facing financial trouble: God said, "He would supply all of my needs, according to his riches in glory."

When problems are overwhelming me: God said, "All things work together for good, to them that love the Lord....

When I am feeling defeated: God said "I can do all things."

When I feel all alone: God said, "He would not leave me, neither would He forsake me."

So then let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.


Be blessed.

Father help us today. Grant us favor so that we can get the money that we need to secure the pavillion for the Back 2 School Bash, grant us favor so that we can have the school supplies to give out to the children. You have already showed yourself strong and we trust that we will have everything that we need on that day. Bless the children, the parents, the volunteers. Divine Deliverance Church who are coming along way to help out. Bless the day with the sunshine of your presence in Jesus name. Amen.

There is so much going on right now with the startup of the church, new house, two teens graduating and going off to college this year and the constant search for paying jobs. Surely if I had known that we would loose our jobs upon packing everything and moving into a 5 bedroom house, I would have stayed in my 2 bedroom rental. God has that unusual way about Him, you know, leaving out information. He will speak to your heart and show you a glimpse of what He has for you, but will not tell you how you are going to get there.

I am learning that the word Pastor is a verb, which is a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence; not a noun as a person, place or thing. Pastor is synonymous with Faith and Sacrifice. Our whole lives is structured around a promise or a word that God has spoken to us. Not just mere words, but a Word from the Lord. Which is more secure than money in the federal reserve. Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." This scripture has been illuminated to me like never before. It is not by our own ability that we live. But everything we do, our very exsistence is saturated by faith. Everyday that I wake up I can tangebly feel my faith being submerged again in the word of God. Without faith, I do not know how we will eat, how we will keep this house, how we will make it. But I must put my trust in the God who is incapable of telling a lie. He said that He would not leave us, neither will He forsake us. And everyday we eat and we wake up to another day in this big beautiful house, and everyday He proves to us that He is there.



I'm reminded of Peter who was filled with excitement to see Jesus walking on the water. This was something new and exciting and had never been done before. Peter's excitement superseded his inability and he began to walk on the water with Jesus. As soon as Peter realized he was doing something that was impossible to do, he began to sink. Like Peter, the excitement of doing something great with God overruled any doubt as my husband and I stepped out with Jesus to Launch this church in a city were we know noone, without money and without jobs. In our desire to be closer to Him we asked "Jesus bid us come unto you" and He said "come." Now that we are out on the water doing something that is suppose to be impossible to do, we cannot lose faith and sink. We must keep our faith in the one who has given us the desire to come closer to Him in the first place.

Be blessed.