Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Epic Challenge to the Church…

January 15, 2018, 3:40 am

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Editor’s Note: This is a repost but very relevant today…

Hello World,

TODAY is the official Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday! I hope wherever you are – whether at home or work or serving your community, I hope you pause to remember the dream of Dr. King and how he inspired the nation to come together in equality and peace…

One of my friends, Edward Gilbreath, who is an award-winning journalist and author, and the executive director of communication for the Evangelical Covenant church, wrote “Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Epic Challenge to the Church” a book about Dr. King. Below is an interview with Gilbreath about his book.

Countless books and articles have been written about Martin Luther King Jr. over the years. What inspired you to share another perspective on King in “Birmingham Revolution?”

Edward Gilbreath: There’s a multitude of books about King and the civil rights movement, but I felt compelled to tell the story from the perspective of an African American evangelical who was born a year after Dr. King’s death. Many people from my generation and younger don’t always have a full picture of who King really was—his courage, his radicalism, his faith, his humanity. I wanted to shed light on these aspects of King and, above all, show the church that everything he did was driven by his Christian faith and values. I also think the evangelical community—especially the white evangelical community—has had an uneasy relationship with Dr. King over the years. They’ve wrestled with embracing his vision of racial and social justice but have struggled with accepting his progressive theology. And at times, they’ve used questions about his theology as an excuse for dismissing him altogether.

I want to show that King’s vision was actually more in tune with a complete understanding of the Christian gospel. That despite his failings as a flawed human being, he was operating out of a God-inspired, prophetic Christian vision of justice and reconciliation. Many evangelicals are just now catching up to what King was articulating fifty years ago. I hope Birmingham Revolution can be an entry way for many evangelicals to discover King anew.

What was significant about Birmingham as a stage for the civil rights movement?

Edward: In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the most notorious strongholds of segregation and white supremacy in the South. It was a place described by King as “the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States.” Not only were the public institutions, such as libraries, segregated but it was so severe that even books that contained photos of black rabbits and white rabbits together were banned from the library shelves. It was a city where bullets, bombs and burning crosses served as constant deterrents to blacks who aspired to anything greater than their assigned station of inequality.

There, in April 1963, King and his movement of nonviolent protesters staged a campaign that would transform America. The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a fiery Baptist preacher in Birmingham, had implored King and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference associates to come to Birmingham and help the city’s black community confront segregation. He told them, “I assure you, if you come to Birmingham, we will not only gain prestige but really shake the country.”

He knew that if the movement could change things in Birmingham, it would reverberate throughout the nation.

How is “Birmingham Revolution” different than your mini ebook, “Remembering Birmingham?”

Edward: “Remembering Birmingham” focuses on the events of Birmingham in April 1963 while “Birmingham Revolution” takes a more extensive survey of King’s life, both before and after Birmingham. It’s a dynamic story, replete with action, drama and compelling ideas. I believe the Birmingham campaign was the touchstone for all that came before and all that would follow in King’s brief but remarkable thirty-nine years of life and ministry, and Birmingham Revolution will help readers understand why.

What was the significance of King’s “Letter from Birmingham”?

Edward: The Birmingham campaign started out slowly, but after King was arrested on Good Friday for his movement’s public demonstration on the streets of Birmingham, things began to change. While in solitary confinement, he was shown a newspaper op-ed column by eight moderate clergymen in Birmingham. While they supported civil rights for blacks, they felt King and his movement were going about it all wrong. They implored him to wait for the laws to take effect. But King believed the black community had waited long enough, they needed to take a stand and stir the conscience of Birmingham and of the nation.

His response to the op-ed was a passionate letter that spelled out the reasons why the movement couldn’t wait and pointed out the differences between just and unjust laws. He wrote the letter on the margins of the newspaper, on scraps of any paper he could gather, and when he ran out, he reportedly wrote on the toilet paper in his cell. After its publication weeks later, the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” would become one of the most lucid and convincing arguments for social justice and civil rights that we’ve ever had. What’s more, it was rooted in the theology and principles of the Christian gospel.

Why do you think King was more a “prophet” of social justice?

Edward: It’s easy to want to write Dr. King off as just a leader who gave a good speech. But in doing that, we risk missing the fact that he was vehemently disliked in his day and that as time went on he was becoming increasingly angry and impatient with the pace of change in the nation. Late in his life he wrote that, “Whites are not putting in a mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance.”

While he rejected the militancy of the Black Power movement, he understood the roots of its members’ discontent. As a Christian minister and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, King also felt compelled to speak out against the Vietnam conflict. This also served to land him on some of America’s “most hated” lists. In all these cases, he was speaking out as a prophet of social justice. But that’s typically not the King that we choose to focus on today.

What do you hope readers take away from “Birmingham Revolution?”

Edward: I want people to discover the full humanity of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to move beyond viewing him as this gentle “I Have a Dream” character to seeing him as the prophetic and often radical Christian visionary that he was. I want people to discover and rediscover Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as a message encompassing his holistic vision of the gospel lived out in everyday life. I want people to understand that the civil rights movement was indeed a Christian movement, birthed in the church by a grass-roots movement of ordinary men, women and youth who relied on the Holy Spirit and a gospel-inspired vision to rise to the challenge of confronting the social injustice in their daily lives.

I want my Christian readers to understand that Dr. King’s message continues to have relevance for the church today for our response to issues such as immigration reform, the public education crisis, inequalities in our criminal justice system or racial reconciliation. We are called to live out the truth of the gospel both as a call to personal salvation and social justice.

For more information about Birmingham Revolution: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Epic Challenge to the Church, Edward Gilbreath and other books he has written, go to edgilbreath.com.

Any thoughts?

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Author Stacy Hawkins Adams Contributes to ‘Our Daily Bread’s Black Church Devotional ‘This Far By Faith!’

February 28, 2018, 7:20 am

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In Time for Black History Month...

Hello World,

When I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ about 20 years ago after being baptized as a teenager, I was on the hunt for Christian materials that would help me to learn about God. The daily devotionals by Our Daily Bread Ministries were probably the first devotional materials that I read. I appreciated the entries because they were short but encompassed the breadth of the Bible in everyday situations. I eventually included different devotionals in my reading to expand my repertoire, but I still consider Our Daily Bread devotionals to be the bedrock in daily devotionals. In fact, I’m not the only who thinks so. Millions of people throughout the world read Our Daily Bread devotionals, and they are provided for FREE!

That’s why I was excited to learn that Our Daily Bread published a Black Church devotional edition, “This Far By Faith: Legacies of the Black Church, for first time ever and in time for Black History Month! “This special edition of Our Daily Bread is a celebration of the rich legacy of God’s faithfulness seen in the heritage of the Black Church. It is by the goodness and power of the Lord that believers everywhere have been able to overcome challenges in life and share God’s love with others. This collection of devotional readings will inspire you to engage in ongoing praise and thanksgiving for what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do for those who rely on Him and trust in His Word.”

Isn’t the cover of heartwarming? That is how I felt as a little girl at church – filled with joy and free…

One of my writer colleagues Stacy Hawkins Adams was blessed to contribute to “This Far By Faith” and I interviewed her about her contributions and career below.

1. How did you get to be involved in the ‘This Far By Faith: Legacies of the Black Church?’

When I speak and teach at various writer’s conferences around the country, I meet and network with other writers. A writer friend that I met at a conference in California several years ago is a regular writer for ‘Our Daily Bread.’ When this special edition was announced, she and the publication’s other freelancers were asked to share the opportunity with their professional peers. My friend reached out to me and I submitted sample entries, which I’m grateful were accepted. I wrote three entries for the publication and two were accepted – one for Day 7 and one for Day 17.

2. I love how you drew from your experience being in the ‘watch care’ program at a church in Mississippi while you were in college to relate to how God uses people to provide support and encouragement in various situations in the Day 7 entry ‘God’s Care is Rock Solid.’ I had a similar experience at a black church in Athens, Georgia hours away from where I grew up in College Park, Georgia. Tell me about writing that devotional entry and how it relates to Hebrews 13:1-8, the main verses referenced in the devotional.

I’m glad my entry on my watch care experience resonated with you. This devotional relates to Hebrews 13:1-8 because through the watch care experience, that’s what the pastor and the congregation were exemplifying – extending love to “strangers” (or in this case, college students) who were not going to become permanent members, but who needed encouragement, support and wisdom to continue growing as individuals and in faith. This Scripture reflects how Christians should be doing this at every turn, in whatever circumstances we encounter people experiencing. It also shows that God’s love is enduring, wherever we may find ourselves.

3. I also enjoyed your Day 17 entry ‘Answering His Call’ in which you related Queen Esther and Rahab the prostitute from the Bible to former slave Sojourner Truth. As you highlighted, God encourages us to be courageous as noted in Esther. What inspired this entry?

Writers for the ‘This Far By Faith’ special edition were given various topics to explore, and one of mine was courage. I immediately thought of Queen Esther and Rahab as biblical ‘sheroes’ to reference. Yet for Black History Month, I also wanted to reference a figure who was both relevant to the freedom movement and a person of faith. As a traveling minister who devoted her life to seeking freedom and justice for her people, Sojourner Truth fit this bill. I hope that briefly sharing her story is a reminder that wherever we are and whoever we are, we have something to contribute; sometimes we just have to muster the courage to do so.

4. What do you hope readers will understand and or learn by reading your entries?

I hope readers will be reminded that God is faithful in all seasons of our lives and is ready to guide us to our purpose in all kinds of ways and through all kinds of people. We should never question another person’s ability to be used by God and certainly not our own. I hope that both of my devotions show that God is willing to support us in our spiritual growth and call us into service in both simple and significant ways.

5. ‘Our Daily Bread’ devotionals are read by people throughout the world. What does it mean to be involved with this ministry, particularly as it relates to ‘This Far By Faith?’

Like many people, I grew up reading ‘Our Daily Bread,’ and I was always inspired by the entries to live my faith in a relevant way. Being offered the opportunity to write for the publication was an honor in and of itself. Writing for this special Black History edition, focused on the black church, was especially meaningful, as I grew up in church and can attest to the numerous ways that the ministry leaders, youth leaders and congregation members nurtured me and helped me grow.

6. You have written 10 books including nine novels as well as a non-fiction book, not to mention the fact that you worked as a newspaper reporter for 14 years before becoming a book author. What exciting writing project or projects are you working on currently?

As you can tell, I love all kinds of writing! Whether I’m writing for a secular publication or a faith-based one, I view the stories and the information I share as an opportunity to help readers feel encouraged, inspired or better equipped to make informed decisions, with less judgment, about others.

I am currently writing for an inspirational blog that I started almost a year ago, www.LifeUntapped.com, through which I encourage and empower women readers to aim for and pursue their best lives, and I allow other women to share their stories of growth and transformation.

I also am doing more essay writing and freelance writing on occasion for various national publications, including the Huffington Post.

I plan to write another novel in a couple of years, but in the meantime, I’m fine-tuning a couple of short stories and reading a lot of fiction and nonfiction, to stretch grow as a writer.

I also am mentoring aspiring writers through an online membership group I launched several years ago called Focused Writers (www.authorinyou.com/FocusedWriters). I love connecting with new writers in this way and cheering them on to publication, whether it through a blog they’re launching or a book they’re trying to birth. The group also includes some newly published authors who are seeking guidance on marketing.

7. You have assisted many authors in your ‘Author in You’ mentorship program. What is your biggest tip to become a successful author?

It has been wonderful to watch writers I’ve mentored go on to publication – either traditional or self-published. At least fivewriters I’ve mentored over the past few years have had their books published, and a few others are nearing that goal. Several bloggers who have sought my assistance are thriving as well.

Regarding how to become a successful author, I guess I’d have to say this depends on how you define success. For some, it’s simply being published once; for others it’s having a certain number of books published; for many it’s winning certain awards; and for others it’s making a certain amount of money from book sales. So success will vary author to author.

I believe that anyone who has published a book and presented it in the best form possible to the world – well written, well edited and well packaged – is a success, especially if achieving this milestone is a long-term goal.

I’m just thankful to be published and widely read (though I’d love the readership to grow), and it’s a joy to write words that resonate with others. I often feel a sense of reward when I hear from readers that something I’ve written has helped them heal a relationship, love themselves more, see another person’s perspective or consider God’s grace as available to them. It’s humbling and exciting to know that the words flowing through me can have that kind of impact. I’m grateful to be one of God’s vessels.

To order “This Far By Faith: Legacies of the Black Church” which is an awesome resource for a church during Black History Month, go to ourdailybread.org. To learn more about Stacy Hawkins Adams, go to stacyhawkinsadams.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Author Stacy Hawkins Adams Contributes to ‘Our Daily Bread’s Black Church Devotional ‘This Far By Faith!’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields, Towanda Braxton & More Star in TV One’s Christmas movie ‘Merry Wish-mas!’

March 9, 2018, 8:50 am

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Hello World,

Happy FriYAY! I know it’s a looong way from Christmas (and I’m ready to be done with cold weather), but I’ve found it’s always great when we can look forward to something in the future. So keep reading for something we can look forward to at Christmas time…

TV One has announced that production is underway in Atlanta for the new original holiday movie, MERRY WISH-MAS. This Christmas movie stars Tamela Mann (The Manns) as Keneisha ‘Kenni’ Wright, a single and successful Atlanta businesswoman who hasn’t returned home for the holidays in years, she plays opposite her creative and life partner, husband David Mann(The Manns) as Jessie Jenkins, an old high school friend. The two reunite at Jessie’s fledgling wellness facility, the Beverly Living Center, where Kenni is reminded of the transformational power of love, hope and faith, amplified by the spirit of the holidays. The Manns also serve as executive producers on the project, which will premiere this winter on TV One.

Directed by award-winning actress, director and producer Terri J. Vaughn, this feel-good romantic comedy revolves around Kenni, who has avoided the annual holiday trip to her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina for years. While she is hoping for the best, as with any family, there are unresolved issues lingering that could make the holiday not so bright. The movie also stars veteran actress Kim Fields(Living Single) as Celine, a regular at the center who loves seeing the new smile Kenni puts on Jessie’s face, but is protective about his feelings. Towanda Braxton (Braxton Family Values) plays the role of Natalie, the persistent local woman who has a crush on Jessie. Elizabeth Omilami (Madea’s Family Reunion) appears as Kenni’s matchmaker mom Regina, while Chrystale Wilson (The Player’s Club) steps into the role of Kenni’s sister and food truck entrepreneur Dionne, adding a high dose of sibling rivalry. Rap artist Yung Joc, best known for popular singles “It’s Goin’ Down” and “I Know You See It,” makes a cameo appearance.

I love a small church. This church had beautiful stained glass windows, but unfortunately, I didn’t quite capture them in this photo…But you can get a feel for the sanctuary though…

I got a chance to visit one of the set locations, a lovely, small stone church where the finale is being filmed, and interview Roger Bobb, whose company Bobbcat Films is executive producing the movie; Terri Vaughn and her Nina Holiday Entertainment partner Cas Sigers-Beedles, who wrote the film. In addition, I was also able to speak to Elizabeth Omilami (the daughter of Hosea Williams from Hosea Feed the Hungry) and Chrystale Wilson.

Below are a few notable quotes:

On David & Tamela Mann:

Roger Bobb: I’ve known David and Tamela for ages. I love them as entertainers and as a family. The world will never have enough of David and Tamela.

Terri J. Vaughn: Everyone is used to Tamela being an anointed pillar of strength, but in this movie, the character that she is playing is a bit snooty. She thinks that she created a life that is better than what she experienced in her hometown. So you will see her in not the best light. David usually plays the comedic role, but he’s the straight man in this movie. He’s a strong, spiritual pillar.

On Favorite Scenes:

Terri Vaughn: One of my favorite scenes is a heated discussion between Tamela, her sister and her mom played by Elizabeth Omilami. Another one juicy scene happens between David and Tamela in a junkyard. They have a romantic moment in the middle of junk.

Roger Bobb: I can’t give it away but the finale of this film is amazing!

On Messages in ‘Merry Wish-Mas’:

Elizabeth Omilami: Forgiveness. Life is too short to not forgive. Even if you were right, go back and apologize.

Chrystale Wilson: We don’t respect the elderly like other cultures do. The movie also touches on sibling rivalry and jealousy.

On Nina Holiday Entertainment:

Terri J. Vaughn: This is a divine working relationship and friendship. We’ve been through divorce, remarrying and kids. Cas is super talented, super creative and super smart. She is literally the person I talk to every day.

Cas Sigers-Beedles: (With laughter) We’re work wives! This is the first Christmas film I’ve written. I wanted to tell a story about a woman who is somewhat like me. She is career-driven but afraid of love but she wants to love.

Elizabeth Omilami: When you laugh out loud, you know you have yourself a good writer. My husband was like, ‘What are you reading?’ When you have a great script and the lines are poppin’, you want to do the work.

I filmed a brief video of Terri Vaughn and Cas Sigers-Beedles as they discussed their partnership. (Obviously, I have more to learn in this medium.) After The Altar Call was one of several media outlets invited to the set….

“Heartwarming stories like Merry Wish-Mas that bring families together and make us laugh are as much a part of the season as Christmas trees and Santa himself,” said Vaughn, who makes her TV One original film directorial debut. “And this movie, touching upon family conflicts, singlehood and love, money woes, and wishing for Christmas miracles, is set to become a highlight of the coming holidays.”

So are you looking forward to this new Christmas movie starring David and Tamela Mann?

Any thoughts?

The post David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields, Towanda Braxton & More Star in TV One’s Christmas movie ‘Merry Wish-mas!’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

↧

From Doomed to Doctor – NEW BOOK ALERT!!!

March 18, 2018, 6:34 am

≫ Next: Software Developer & Author Vanessa Riley Writes Code By Day & Romance Novels By Night!

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Hello World,

I am a born storyteller. If you ask me a simple question, I am likely to give the answer plus many more extraneous details that you probably didn’t ask to hear. But I will tell you anyway because just about anything can be made into a story when that is your gift from God. And while that is true, there are stories. And there are stories that must be told because in their telling they have the capacity to bring joy, inspire change and unshackle chains. The best stories have these qualities.

Years ago, through some mutual friends, I met Dr. Bonita J. Gay-Senior, and as we became friends, as friends do, we shared various details from our lives. As she would share a snippet here or there, I began to realize that this woman had been through some situations that would have caused many people to collapse into themselves, sentencing their souls to be among the walking dead. Have you ever met a person who was so beaten up by life, they seem to operate on autopilot? I have, and it is startling. Others would have retreated to a maze of deadening behaviors to distract themselves from the pain. And some would have taken what was never theirs to take: their very lives. She shared about being mercilessly teased by not only by her classmates but by her brothers as well. The teasing was so toxic, she was later diagnosed as having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Her first boyfriend punched her face so hard that he broke part of one of her front teeth. On one occasion, he pointed a loaded gun at her face and threatened to shoot her. Despite the abuse, she dropped a warrant she had against him and had to go to jail for perjury (although she was telling the truth initially.)! When she was in her freshman year in college, she was raped by two men. Sometime later, while still in college, she got pregnant by another man. She watched a brother commit suicide by cop. Her only sister disappeared and has not been found to date.

And yet, the woman I met was a decorated teacher on the way to earning her doctorate in education at Clark Atlanta University. Laughter punctuated nearly all of her sentences. Her optimism rekindled that wonder that all children experience before the duties of adulthood and appropriateness take over. She had a trove of wisdom that she freely shared. ‘How did this woman come to be,’ I asked myself before I eventually found the courage to say the words aloud to her. She was surprised that I was surprised. She thought that many had suffered through similar challenges. I agreed that all of us suffer through challenges but not many people start from so low to ascend to so high. I know a good story when I hear one.

I kept telling her this until she decided to tell the whole story in a book “From DOOMED to DOCTOR 280 Chestnut Street: Born in the Crack but Didn’t FALL Through.” (In fact, she shouted me out in the acknowledgements!) On the very street, Chestnut Street (which has since been changed to to James P. Brawley Drive), where she experienced most of her childhood abuse is the very street where she received her doctorate degree years later at 48 years old (I was there cheering her on )! It’s amazing how God can use the details of our lives to demonstrate that He has brought us from a mighty long way. And she says God is who redeemed her tests into a testimony. She is using her story to mentor other women who have experienced similar challenges.

If you would like to meet her and get a copy of her book, join her at the One Love Spiritual Center, 180 Lakepoint Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215 (Lakemont Subdivision) TODAY at 3 p.m. She is the featured Women’s History Month Speaker!

But if you don’t live here in the A but want to read her story, her book “From DOOMED to DOCTOR 280 Chestnut Street: Born in the Crack but Didn’t FALL Through” is available on Amazon! And if you like to know more about Dr. Bonita, go to her website fromdoomedtodoctor.com.

Any thoughts?

The post From Doomed to Doctor – NEW BOOK ALERT!!! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Software Developer & Author Vanessa Riley Writes Code By Day & Romance Novels By Night!

April 26, 2018, 8:52 am

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Hello World,

I’m always fascinated when I meet people who are truly multi-talented i.e. someone whose fields of expertise are on the opposite end of the spectrum. For example, I know a medical doctor who is also a budding author. That is astounding to me because as a journalist/author, anything involving math and science is like a foreign language to me. Aside from my medical doctor/author friend, I would like to introduce you to another multi-talented author, Vanessa Riley!

Vanessa writes Regency and historical romances of dazzling multi-culture communities with powerful persons of color. She writes for historical romance readers who admire and acquire books that showcase women who find joy in sweeping kisses and strong sisterhoods. Even in the darkness, she promises to give you laughs, maybe a few cries, to show you how light always prevails and how love always, always wins.

Below is my interview with Vanessa:

1. You write novels about the Regency & Victorian time periods. For those people who don’t know about these time periods, please tell me about these time periods and what attracted you to writing about them?

I have always loved history, and the Regency and Victorian periods are strong draws for me because of the changes society was undertaking, moving from agrarian to industrialization, from structure to naturalism, and wrestling with new thoughts of freedom. I particularly enjoy English society and international settings because slavery ended as early as the 1790s and more broadly by 1833 in Europe and the colonies. That same evolution doesn’t happen in the US until 1865 and it occurs by bloodshed and bullets, not by better angels or better thoughts.

2. In addition to your eponymous website, you also have a website christianregency.com. What is Christian Regency? And how do people of color fit into this era or do they?

Everyone say this and repeat it often, “The Regency was diverse.” During the time of Jane Austen, the patron saint of the time, there were 10,000 free Blackamoor and mulattoes living in London. As with all cultures yearning to live full worthy lives— some had means, many struggled, but all were vested in the society.

3. Tell me about your most recent and or upcoming books. Also, one of your books “The Bittersweet Bride” was chosen as a favorite book in February by Sarah MacLean, romance columnist for The Washington Post? How does that feel and has this particular book received any other accolades that you would like to highlight?

It was a great honor. Sarah is a hero and her voice makes a difference. It opens doors.

4. How did you get started as a writer, and how many books have you written to date?

I started writing in high school and never quite stopped. By the end of the year, I will have over 19 books published.

5. Your biography is very impressive. You have a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s degree in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University in addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. What do you do for a living and how do you find time to write?

I am a software developer by day, so one could say I am always writing, code or prose. I feel I write the best when the house is quiet—with a teen that’s two in the morning.

6. In your biography, you also share that you have an unusual romance story as you and your husband married after a 30-day Christian courtship (How long have you been married?). How did that happen and does your romance story weave itself into your novels? You also share that you have uncles who are in arranged marriages. What?! Please share.

Yes, my husband and I have been married for 22 years. We met by a mutual friend and a miracle German chocolate cake. Girls, friends and baking skills are good things.

As far as my uncles are concerned, my mother told me my grandfather was very active in telling his boys where to go and get their wives. My aunts are lovely women so Grandpa was right in his arranging.

7. According to you, you were raised in the “restrictive Southern Bible Belt with its stringent definitions of decent behavior and life expectations.” (Where were you raised?) Given your upbringing, what are three things people would be surprised to know about you?

Aiken is a small horse friendly town. Three things…hmmm. Well, I love to cook. I know how to knit and crotchet. I once wrote a 10,000 line program which after sleeping on it, I was able to rewrite in 12 lines.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Only that I am thankful for the opportunity to spend this time talking to you and your readers. Thank you.

Vanessa’s novel “The Bashful Bride, (see cover above)” No. 2 in the Advertisements for Love Series, will be released on May 28. Below is a description of the novel.

When a newspaper advertisement for a bridegroom nets London’s most famous actor, a shy, sheltered heiress risks all to be with him in a mad dash to elope, escaping her overbearing family’s plan for an arranged marriage. But does the actor with the voice of honey have far too many secrets to make a safe happy match?

A friend’s newspaper advertisement for a groom nets the most famous actor in London, Arthur Bex. Shy heiress Ester Croome proposes to elope with the handsome man, who she’s secretly loved for two years, in order to escape an impending engagement arranged by her overbearing family.

Trying to outlive the shadow of his infamous slave-trader uncle, Bex needs to marry quickly—to a woman of good character. And smart, beautiful Ester fits the bill. But a harrowing trip to Gretna Green and dangerous abolition rallies prove to be a more treacherous stage than either imagined. Infatuation and a mutual love for Shakespeare might not be enough to bind a couple looking to outrun the chains and secrets of family and the past.

For more information about Vanessa, please go to vanessariley.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Software Developer & Author Vanessa Riley Writes Code By Day & Romance Novels By Night! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Restoring the Years Global Ministries’ Founder Dr. Rhonda Travitt Heals Through Counseling…

May 17, 2018, 8:53 am

≫ Next: Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving with Peace and Truth in a Hostile World – NEW BOOK ALERT!!!

≪ Previous: Software Developer & Author Vanessa Riley Writes Code By Day & Romance Novels By Night!

Hello World,

I’m all about healing – in mind, body and spirit. To that end, let me introduce Dr. Rhonda Travitt, who primarily addresses spiritual healing which I’ve learned affects the mind and body. Dr. Travitt is a noted author, entrepreneur, certified life coach, and professional counselor. A celebrated international speaker, Dr. Travitt has a passion through a practical and Biblically sound approach to empower the life of the everyday believer and help restore them to proper spiritual health. The founder of Restoring the Years Global Ministries in Marietta, Georgia, Pastor Travitt genuinely engages her past experiences and openly shares her heart with those seeking an empowered and fulfilled life. Her commitment to reach the lost expands beyond the lines of age, nationality or gender. Please see my interview with her below.

Tell us more about you and your ministry, including any particular focus areas.

Restoring the Years Global Ministries is a five-fold ministry located in Marietta, Ga. Through five-fold, we believe in apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors as well as signs, wonders, and miracles. Our primary area of focus is inner healing, simply being healed internally from the wounds, scars, past emotional conflicts and trauma through the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re no longer concealing our wounds with titles, relationships, labels and the like, but allowing the Holy Spirit to penetrate the deep and dark places, addressing them spiritually.

Please share more about your book “Rejection and Rebellion: The Twin Towers.”

“Rejection and Rebellion” is a self-help book that confronts both rejection of self and others while at the same time addressing rebellion — rebellion being the force that prevents us from making the necessary changes in order to be successful to be in our own personal life and space.

I found that a lot of people were masquerading in life because they felt they had to. I wrote the book to pull down the masquerade that some of us have felt is so necessary for survival, to allow for complete healing.

You recently launched Game Changers, an organization focused on helping tackle the recidivism rate in Georgia. What is Game Changers?

In essence, a reentry and mentorship movement Game Changers is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting successful re-entry and reintegration of returning citizens, ultimately reducing recidivism here in the state of Georgia.

We understand that the re-entry process begins the day incarceration begins, but the reintegration process is much more in-depth and takes time and customization. We have partnered with both the Department of Community Supervision and Department of Juvenile Justice, to name a few, and are looking to build and leverage these partnerships to accomplish a great work.

We believe in changing mindsets through mentoring, education and advocacy to invoke cognitive thinking as well as service programs tailored to meet the needs of our individual clients. Some of our service programs include mentoring and counseling, workforce development, adult literacy and GED classes and family reunification.

You have a passion for helping to equip women and men to embrace inner healing. Why a focus on inner healing, and what are some steps to take toward inner healing?

I focus on inner healing because I saw so many people who were labeled as successful, but they weren’t because they were not healed inwardly. To the human eye they possess all of the material possessions and prestige that we equate with success. Still, they lack empathy, compassion, peace and gentleness toward themselves or others they interact with on a daily basis. Thus it compels me to address these inner inequalities to bring wholeness and solidarity to every individual — man and woman —so that they may live and experience a holistic life as God has ordained through divine intervention by inner healing. The first step to inner healing is pulling down our inner mask we hide behind. Address the damaged little boy and the damaged little girl on the inside that hides behind facades, seemingly making them appear whole and complete outwardly but leaving them naked and afraid inwardly.

Is there anything more you’d like to share?

I’m currently keeping busy with NACC (National Association of Christian Counselors), teaching the concepts of Christian Counseling as well as certifying teachers/counselors. The school is available to leaders as well as lay members.

As chancellor and founder of the Apostolic and Prophetic School of Inner Healing & Deliverance, I teach on deliverance, and spiritual warfare — training deliverance ministers and five-fold ministers on the art of spiritual warfare. I teach on how to be free mentally, emotionally, socially and economically. I don’t want to be the church that focuses on one issue.

I love helping women and bringing them together. I love tearing down stigmas that women can’t get along. I have a new women’s empowerment group called the Queens and Rubies for ladies 18 and older. We meet monthly, coming together in our “safe space.” We’re naked, transparent, raw and unmasked — all for the sake of healing, deliverance and empowering one another to know that she’s worth it, she’s enough and that she is a Queen and a Ruby!

I serve on the Board for the Music Foundation of America and the Young Men of Standard. I have a passion for people and life, and also serve as the chaplain for the Motherless Daughters Foundation.

For more information about Dr. Travitt, go to www.rhondatravitt.com.

Any thoughts?

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Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving with Peace and Truth in a Hostile World – NEW BOOK ALERT!!!

May 23, 2018, 7:33 am

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Hello World,

Are you tired of the conflict all around you?

It happens over and over again. A political argument with a friend, a fight about racial issues on the internet, a disagreement with a coworker―at the first sign of conflict, we flee to a bunker with people who think like us and attack everyone else. We feel safe there, but it’s killing us: killing families, friendships, civility, and discourse.

Our fractured world desperately needs a different way: people who will speak gently, value truth, and think clearly. Dancing in No Man’s Land is a rallying cry, a life-giving and practical journey into the way of Jesus that will revolutionize how you view conflict. You can choose to speak both truth and peace in the midst of war. You can step out of our bunkers and into no-man’s land, where only brave souls tread. It may look like you’re dodging cultural landmines. But you might just be learning how to dance.

What you just read is a description of my friend Brian Jennings’ new book Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving with Peace and Truth in a Hostile World. Please see my interview with him below!

Why did you write this book?

Three things happened all in the span of one week, five and a half years ago (I know, I’m a slow writer).

First, I was reading about World War I. As the French and Germans battled each other, both sides dug into the earth. This was the beginning of widespread trench/bunker warfare. Neither side could advance without heavy casualties. The war was stalemated because of this tactic. The bunkers and trenches were full of rats, disease, mud, and sometimes dead bodies. Occupants dared not exit, because to do so would mean likely death. The land between the bunkers was called no man’s land.

Secondly, heated arguments erupted about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Some clambered to a bunker that accused, “If you support this bill, you hate our country.” Others shot back from an opposing bunker, “If you do not support this bill, you hate the poor.” People said these things in many different ways, but the message was clear: “You are either with me or against me.” I left many conversations thinking about bunkers. I didn’t want to hate anyone, which meant I needed to choose no man’s land – which meant I might get shot by both sides!

Thirdly, God taught me something from the book of Daniel. Daniel had been enslaved by King Nebuchadnezzar. He served the wicked king faithfully but, along with all the other wise men, was unfairly sentenced to death. Most of us would’ve plotted some form of revenge, defense, or attack. But Daniel 2:14 lept off the page to me: “Daniel responded with wisdom and tack.” Who does that? Throughout his life, Daniel never sacrificed a commitment to God’s truth or a desire to be at peace with people – even his oppressors. He lived in no man’s land.

The more I studied Scripture, I saw how Jesus also lived in no man’s land. I wanted to learn how to do the same, and I wanted to help the church learn how to pursue truth without assaulting those who disagree with us.

Why does the Church particularly need this message now?

Our culture is polarized, and the church has sometimes added to the mess. It’s possible for the church to, in its defense of truth, mistreat others. This only pushes them further into their bunkers, where they’ll attack back at us. It’s a never-ending cycle.

It’s also possible for the church to, in its desire for peace, to disregard truth – God’s truth. But every time mankind abandons God’s truth, they destroy themselves. God is loving and his ways are always best for our relationships, jobs, lives, and eternities. If the best the church can do is “be tolerant,” that’s a miserable existence. I hope you can more than tolerate me. I hope you will love me. I hope I can love you. Tolerance is cheap, but love costs a lot. If we separate God’s truth from our lives, we’re left with a powerless religion and a bunch of aimless lives.

When a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus (John 8), he said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” He showed unmatched grace to this woman. He offered her a path to peace with God. But before she left, he said, “Go and sin no more.” Truth still mattered to Jesus. This book is a call for the church to pursue truth and peace – at the same time. If we don’t, we’ll wound people, close doors, and wreck lives.

How have people reacted to the book so far? Was there a personal cost in being so direct?

Last week I spoke to 150 Middle and High School students about the book. Two days later, I spoke to about 150 seasoned Christians who work for a large Christian organization. It struck me that both groups equally resonated with the topic. Numerous people, at both events, told me afterward that this topic hit them square between the eyes. They told stories about family fights, social media fiascoes, and how they were so troubled at our divisions. I can’t find anyone who doesn’t feel the repercussions of our world’s bunker-living.

Living in no man’s land does come with a price, but the rewards are far greater. People won’t be happy when you refuse to join their bunker. We all like people to be on “our side.” What’s been most startling to me is when I’ve been accused of being something that I’m not. I’ve been lumped with far-right-wingers and far-left-wingers. That stings, but the reward is that I have doors open with many people. I haven’t forfeited relationships for the sake of winning an argument. In fact, we’re able to have productive discussions about serious topics without beating each other up.

I joked earlier about what a slow writer I am, but the truth is that God has impeccable timing. I believe he’s working in many ways to help the church pursue both truth and peace, and I’m humbled that he chose to let me be a small part of it.

What do you hope readers will do with what you’ve written?

My prayer has been that this book will help people find their way to no man’s land. The bunker metaphor has helped me a lot. When a heated news story breaks, I now see people running for their bunker and firing at those not with them. Then I pray about where Jesus would be. He’d hold onto truth (regardless of what others thought of him), but he’d make every effort to also show love, peace, gentleness, and kindness to people. If we can do this, we can actually help people have their hearts changed by Christ, and we can develop both compassion and wisdom too. For a while, it may feel like we’re dodging lots of bullets, but if enough of us commit to the way of Jesus, it will begin to feel more like a dance.

Brian has graciously agreed to give away one free book! The first person to comment on this blog post will get a free book! After you comment, send an e-mail to me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com so that I can get your mailing address.

Brian lives in Tulsa with his wife, Beth, and their four children. Brian preaches at Highland Park Christian Church and serves on the boards of Blackbox International (help for trafficked boys) and Ozark Christian College. He has written for Lookout Magazine, Christian Standard, and What’s In The Bible. You can learn about his books, Lead Your Family and Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving With Peace And Truth In A Hostile World (May, 2018) at brianjenningsblog.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Dancing in No Man’s Land: Moving with Peace and Truth in a Hostile World – NEW BOOK ALERT!!! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Soul Force: Seven Pivots toward Courage, Community, and Change – NEW BOOK ALERT!!!

June 13, 2018, 5:33 am

≫ Next: Publishing In Color Conference: Unforgettable Sights and Sounds…

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Hello World,

Speaking of Father’s Day this Sunday, this will be the first Father’s Day that my father is celebrating as a retired pastor! As my father retired last December, sometimes I get worried that my father won’t have enough to do in his retirement. He says that I need not worry since he has always wanted to devote more time to his writing projects. Still, I asked him if he wouldn’t mind reviewing a book Soul Force: Seven Pivots toward Courage, Community, and Change by Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry that I received Herald Press earlier this year. He obliged. So below is a brief book review by my father Dr. Denzil D. Holness.

If you are a community leader, a change-agent or an activist Soul Force is a book you must read, mark, study and digest. For in its pages, Reesheda Graham-Washington and Shawn Casselberry, drawing on their discoveries and rich experiences, have given you a timely resource on how to bring about positive changes both in yourself and in your community in seven key areas.

You will undoubtedly find this book very enlightening as it gives you a critical knowledge and understanding of the following seven key areas you will have to move from and pivot to: from fear to freedom, from barriers to bridge-building, from self-centeredness to solidarity, from hurt to hope, from consuming to creating, from charity to change and from maintenance to movement. Additionally, it will open your eyes to see what it implies to use your soul force to bring about positive changes both in yourself and in your community in the seven key areas you must pivot to.

Futhermore, you will find this book empowering. For it assures you that by tapping into your “soul force” – that creative power or energy within all of us – you can indeed overcome negative messages or lies that you are powerless to affect such personal and social changes.

Moreover, you will find this book challenging. By its “indicator of growth” and set of searching questions under each pivot area, this book is a serious call to self-examination and reflection. So it is an invitation to enter into an honest dialogue with yourself and others.

Finally, you will find this book inspiring. In addition to the growth indicators and set of searching questions, each pivot area also includes inspiring stories from the experiences of the authors and from several people who have tapped into their creative power to affect positive personal and societal changes. You too will be inspired by their honesty, vulnerability and courage to affect such changes.

Well-written and well-organized, Soul Force is indeed a timely and valuable resource for personal and social changes to community leaders, change agents and activists.

Below is more information about the authors:

Reesheda Graham-Washington is executive director of Communities First Association, a faith-based nonprofit committed to asset-based community development, and the founder and CEO of L!VE Café, a boutique coffeehouse that focuses on transformation. She is licensed in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is a former teacher and administrator for Chicago Public Schools. She and her husband have three daughters and live in Chicago.

Shawn Casselberry is executive director of Mission Year, a yearlong urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. He is author of God Is in the City: Encounters of Grace and Transformation. He has a master s degree in world missions and evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jen, live on Chicago s West Side.

Any thoughts?

The post Soul Force: Seven Pivots toward Courage, Community, and Change – NEW BOOK ALERT!!! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Publishing In Color Conference: Unforgettable Sights and Sounds…

July 1, 2018, 5:10 am

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This photograph captures me (in the hot pink) and my new friend Joy A. Williams, to my right, at the Publishing in Color conference. Photo credit: Karynthia Phillips

Hello World,

Remember when I said on my About Jacqueline J. Holness page that “I typically blog on Sundays and Wednesdays (to coincide with Sunday Morning Church Service and Wednesday Night Bible Study), but sometimes I may post more or less depending on what is going on in my life?” Well, I have a deadline to meet tomorrow so my creative juices tank is nearly empty this morning! (Although I have plenty of thoughts about that horrific Maryland newspaper shooting…but words not thoughts make a blog post…)However, I did want to share via my writer friend about the Publishing in Color Conference I recently attended in New Brunswick, New Jersey!

Below is an excerpt of Lisa Crayton’s experience at the conference which very much mirrors my experience and I’m even mentioned in her piece! Thanks Lisa!

Is there a need for new writing conferences?

This is a question that sometimes arises when writers gather. The day before the Publishing in Color conference debuted on June 19^th a writing friend posted a similar question on Facebook. I didn’t respond because of time, but mostly because I anticipated this new conference for ethnic writers would illustrate my usual multi-part answer:

Yes, new conferences are needed, particularly those that address the needs of marginalized writers.
Yes, new conferences are needed, especially regional events that are more affordable, and shorter in duration.
Yes, new conferences are needed because some have become bastions of elitism where new and emerging writers are thrust into a sink-or-swim environment where they, naturally, sink.

Good News!

I heard about Publishing in Color from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s Rush to Press newsletter. Excited I rushed to the Conference website for more details. I didn’t know the host, Brian Allain. But, I did know some of the faculty, individuals with solid reputations in Christian publishing. Their participation assured me the event would be Christ-centered, professional, welcoming and delightful, so I promoted it heavily on Facebook and Twitter, through email, and text.

After registering, I also had an opportunity to interact via email with Brian after a Latina writing friend questioned whether she’d be welcome at the first event designed to reach African American spiritual writers. I assured her she would be, but emailed Brian. He confirmed my response. More so, he slightly tweaked the Conference website and social media descriptions to help alleviate confusion. That spoke volumes!

WHY I ATTENDED

I attended out of curiosity – and hope. I was curious whether some of the publishing reps really were ready to embrace more ethnic writing. I hoped they were.

As I geared up for attending, I mulled Matthew 11:1-6. In the passage John the Baptist was in prison and heard about Jesus’ deeds. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (v. 3)

Jesus’ answer encouraged a review of evidence – including things seen and heard – during His ministry. At different points in my life, God has given me of this Scripture to remind me that evidence exists to prove God’s hand in specific situations.

With this passage uppermost in my mind, I went to the conference with one goal: to hear and see what this event could offer ethnic writers.

CHRONICLING THE UNFORGETTABLE

So what did I see and hear?

Following are just a few unforgettable sights and sounds from the event. Note: here, I don’t mention every keynote, but they were all spectacular. Most of the workshop speakers I heard also did a phenomenal job of providing timely, useful content.

Hope. Comments shared with me and overheard reverberated with hope. I heard many share about their “AHA” moments of knowing that they, too, could actually do what God called them to. I had mine during the tail-end of Sophfronia Scott’s Tuesday morning keynote that opened the Conference.

To read the rest of her post about the Publishing in Color conference, go to lisacrayton.wordpress.com.

Any thoughts?

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Bishop Eddie Long Accusers Announce Release Date for Book Recounting Sexual Abuse Allegations!

July 22, 2018, 8:08 am

≫ Next: New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby Releases Last Book in Rev. Curtis Black Series, Reveals How Rev. Black Almost Competed With Fox’s ‘Empire,’ What’s Next in Her Career & More

≪ Previous: Publishing In Color Conference: Unforgettable Sights and Sounds…

Hello World,

It was just over a year and half ago that the untimely death of Bishop Eddie L. Long, megachurch pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia was announced, sending shock waves in the religious community. It was the end of an era if you grew up in the A. Even if you weren’t a member, I will bet that every black person in the metro Atlanta area knew someone who was a member at some point, thereby multiplying his influence well beyond the church’s walls.

But don’t be mistaken! Bishop Long’s ministry garnered worldwide attention as the world came to his church’s doorstep when the funeral for the widow of Atlanta’s greatest native son the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mrs. Coretta Scott King, was held on the premises in 2006. At the time, Dr. King’s youngest daughter Dr. Bernice King was an elder at New Birth.

That’s why it was so devastating when Bishop Long was accused of allegedly priming and eventually convincing four young men to have sexual relationship with him in a 2010 lawsuit. The matter was settled out of court and presumably never to be spoken of again as demanded by the rules of the settlement awarded to the young men. But as has been said truth is stranger than fiction and as I say, the best fiction is based on truth! To that end, the four accusers – Spencer LeGrande, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg and Jamaal Parris – are writing a fictionalized account of their alleged experiences, according to the AJC.

The roman a clef — “Foursaken” — centers around a scandal involving the charismatic preacher of a thriving megachurch. While technically a work of fiction, LeGrande said there should be no doubt the sordid tale of power and betrayal is one they experienced firsthand.

Now this novel has been in the works for at least a year and this book isn’t the only one written about the experience. The fifth accuser, Centino Kemp, who wasn’t included in the initial lawsuit wrote a book entitled “First Lady,” which was published in 2013. If you want to read an interview with Kemp, check out The Christian Post’s interview with him about that work.

According to the AJC, “Foursaken” will be released before the end of 2018. And the leadership of New Birth Missionary Church, which has suffered a loss of membership since this scandal, will be among the novel’s readership if only to ensure that the authors maintain the settlement’s boundaries. New Birth board chairman Thomas W. Dortch Jr. detailed his position to the AJC.

“If they cross the line, then they’ll answer for it,” Dortch said. “If they violate the agreement or, if at this point, try to embarrass Bishop Long’s family, there will be consequences. We’ll take whatever action is necessary within the law.”

Also, as has been said before, there are three sides to every story, mine, yours and the truth. I don’t know whose account is true, but prior to his January 2017 death from cancer, Bishop Long wrote his own story “The Untold Story – The Story of Adversity, Pain, and Resilience.” Now, according to an interview with Steve Harvey, Long could not address the sexual abuse allegations in the book but all three of these works should give insight into a tragic set of events.

Will you be reading this book when it is published?

Any thoughts?

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New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby Releases Last Book in Rev. Curtis Black Series, Reveals How Rev. Black Almost Competed With Fox’s ‘Empire,’ What’s Next in Her Career & More

July 24, 2018, 8:57 am

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My Interview With Audio!

Hello World,

New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby, the author of 27 books, has reached a milestone in her storied writing career. From Kimberla’s newsletter:

Well, the time has finally come…to bring my Reverend Curtis Black Series to an end. When I first wrote CASTING THE FIRST STONE, which was released in January 2000, I never planned on writing a sequel or creating a series—until my then literary agent, Elaine Koster, told me that because I had such loyal and dedicated readers who were asking me to write a sequel, I had an obligation to give them what they were asking for. Today, I am truly thankful for her advice, as writing the Reverend Curtis Black Series has certainly given me so much joy, and even more, it allowed me to connect with all of you in ways I will forever be grateful for. As readers, you became my family and friends, and it is because of your kindness and encouragement over the years that I was inspired to continue writing the series, one book after another.

Now, though, the end is here, and the 15th and final title in the series, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, will be released on Tuesday, July 31, 2018! This, of course, is proving to be a bittersweet time for me, but I am so happy and excited to have brought Reverend Curtis Black full circle! If you’ve read the first fourteen books in the series, then you know that once upon a time, Curtis was completely consumed with money, power and women, but today, he is a true man of God, a faithful husband and a great father. Reverend Curtis Black is proof that any of us can change for the better if we choose to, regardless of childhood trauma and other struggles we may experience as adults.

In BETTER LATE THAN EVER, Curtis reunites with his terminally-ill sister who he has been estranged from for decades, and if that isn’t enough, he is now forced to relive vivid scenes from his horrifying, abusive childhood. At the same time, his wife Charlotte, decides that she can no longer pretend that she loves being first lady of their church…when in truth, she literally despises it. And then, their youngest daughter, twelve-year-old Curtina, is causing more problems for Curtis and Charlotte than they ever thought possible.

As this is the end of a notable series, I thought I would interview Kimberla about the evolution of Rev. Curtis Black in this last offering, the series coming to an end, what’s next in her life and overall tips for authors and readers. Please see our interview below. And if you would prefer to listen to the interview, that option is below the written interview. Enjoy and learn!

1. Why are you ending the Rev. Curtis Black series now?

For a number of years, I have been leading up to this point. I never actually knew when it was going to happen but when I wrote the last couple of books, books 13 and 14, that’s when I realized that I finally, finally had Curtis in a place that I was trying to get him to. I wanted to bring him full circle. I wanted to show that any of us, anyone at all, can change for the better if they choose to. So Curtis went from being this pastor who was consumed with money and power and women and now today, he is a genuine man. He is a true man of God. He’s a great husband. And he’s a great father. I just wanted to be able to end it on that kind of a note.

2. And you mentioned in the introduction that this would be a different type of book. And it has been a different type of book. It’s a quieter book, but it goes deeper than some of the other books. Why did you do that this time around?

I wanted to, of course, go back and show Curtis’ what childhood was like. While he has mentioned it throughout the years, like in the third book, when his mom passes away, that is when he finally sees his sister again. And of course, he hasn’t even seen his mom until he sees her in her casket. But I wanted to show the effects of his childhood, how that really turned him into the person he once was. It certainly does not justify his terrible actions, all of the sins he committed. It does not justify his hurting the number of people that he hurt in his earlier years. But it certainly shows that whatever happens in our childhood will affect us, in one way or another, for the rest of our lives.

3. And is that what you hope readers will get from this final installment?

I do. I hope they will get that, and I hope that in reading about his estrangement with his sister, now seeing her again in a terminally ill state, I’m hoping that readers will see that forgiveness means everything. That no matter what those issues have been or those problems with family members or close friends, moving on and forgiving others is basically the key to life.

4. As the daughter of a pastor and having seen a First Lady up close, I was really intrigued by Charlotte’s story line about not wanting to be the typical First Lady. Where did that idea come from to explore that?

Throughout these years, when I first started writing the Rev. Curtis Black series and went out on that first release tour, I really, I guess, was afraid of what people were going to say, the kind of backlash I was going to receive. What happened instead was that I heard from First Ladies coming up to me at events and whispering sometimes or e-mailing me privately saying, ‘Thank you for writing my story. Thank you for saying what I’m not able to say because so many of our parishioners will see us on Sunday mornings, maybe we have that smile on our face, maybe we’re dressed in a nice suit, but they really have no idea what we’re feeling and what we’re dealing with the other six days of the week.’

So in talking to pastors’ wives and First Ladies throughout the country over these last 18 years since that first title in the series was released, I realized the private pain that so many of them were dealing with and how they weren’t even focused on their own purpose necessarily in life because they were focused on their husbands’ purpose and that they were dealing with people in their churches who sometimes wouldn’t smile back at them or didn’t even like them for one reason or another yet they were placed in a position where they had to remain silent about it.

5. Another plot point I was shocked by but it was an interesting story to read about was fast mama Curtina. Did that come from something you had heard about? Where did that come from?

That did and not necessarily from pastors and their wives and their children. But I’m seeing it across the board with family members and friends and just acquaintances sharing exactly what is going on with their 12-year-old daughters. And sometimes unfortunately, I’ve heard about it from as young as 10 and 11 year olds. So these are girls who are thinking about things and doing things that I never even considered when I was that age. So it really is a trying time for many of our parents of today.

6. Now, I see you’ve re-released the very first book in the series ‘Casting the First Stone,’ and I wanted to know what made you want to do that now and what has been the response from releasing it?

It’s been great. It’s been a better response than I imagined. Early on, when I published my first three books, those were the print edition and audio edition, and people were not thinking about the electronic edition then. This was before the e-book trend. I’ve had the rights to ‘Casting the First Stone’ and two of my other stand alone titles, but I never really pushed the idea of releasing those on my own, but when I knew that I was finally bringing the series to an end, I thought how great would it be to go ahead and release this first book.

Self-publishing is something I haven’t done in a long time, but also because, when I started to announce that the 15^th and final book of the series was coming out this year, I had so many readers saying they wanted to start from book one and read that first 14 and re-familiarize themselves with the story line to prepare for the 15^th. And then, of course, I started to hear from readers who basically only read e-books.

7. I read through your acknowledgements and you thanked everybody and their grandmamma like they say. So I was just thinking to myself, I know this is the end of this particular series, but since you thanked so many people, I wondered was there a hidden message in all of that.

Well, I think that it is the end of an era because for so many years, I’ve been writing and for a number of years, I’ve been writing two books a year so I have my standalone titles and I’ve always had my readers who have read those books and told me that they enjoyed them and that they really helped them in one way or another. But certainly, over the years, when you hear Kimberla Lawson Roby, most people do tend to think about Rev. Curtis Black.

And so I just wanted to thank my readers and family members and friends and everyone, people like you in the industry who played such a major part in keeping the information about the books out there, hearing those comments from readers, how they saw the characters as real life people so I just thought I couldn’t have done this certainly without God and His grace and the favor He saw fit to have on my life, but certainly because of so many people. So no, I’m not ending my writing career but it is the end of an era with my Rev. Curtis Black series. And now this finally allows me to move forward with other projects I’ve been wanting to work on that really don’t have a lot to do with writing.

Can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Well, I’m certainly moving a lot more into my speaking arena if you will. I’ve always known that God has always had a purpose for my life when it comes to speaking to women so I’m now freed up a little bit more to take on those speaking engagements. I don’t have to pass on them the way that I was doing the last few years.

8. This is an off-the-top-of-my-head question. You’ve written 27 books. What are the top three changes that you’ve noticed in your writing and career as you’ve written these 27 books?

I think from a writing standpoint, my craft has improved over the years and that’s just with writing more books and reading more books and certainly hearing from my readers and really, really listening to them in terms of what they enjoyed and what they were looking for and what was helping them. The second thing is e-books. It’s way different now with my career from when I started out back in the mid to late 90s. For a while, e-books were maybe five or 10 percent of sales when the books would come out with the hardcover. Then I saw it at 20 to 25 percent. Then eventually it was maybe 30 percent. Then, eventually, it was 50 percent. And sometimes even more. We saw it exceed that first month of sales in terms of comparing to the print edition so that’s one thing. And the other thing is social media.

Social media changed everything. It changed the entire landscape for my career because it allowed me to really interact with readers across the board both here in the U.S. and abroad in a way that I would have never been able to had social media not come about.

9. Now to what do you attribute your longevity in this industry to? I know you’re going to say God and of course, that is great. But in addition to God, are there any other things you have done as a writer that you feel has helped you to get you where you are, since you are going to be speaking to women and maybe authors. Are there any things that you can pinpoint?

There are two things or maybe three. Obviously, I am going to say God because we know that nothing is possible without God.

But the second thing is I worked really, really hard to build my relationships with readers one reader at a time, one book club at a time, one group at a time. I started to see them like my family members and friends. That really made a difference and that was always extremely important to me. I never would have continued writing had I not heard from them or received the amount of encouragement and love and support that I received from my readers over the years. I’m sure that most writers believe that they have the best readers in the world and I certainly have always said that and always felt like that.

Also, I feel that you have to stay true to yourself regardless of what becomes popular, what becomes the thing to do. Many writers think well let me sort of jump on this bandwagon. This is where I’m going to become the most successful. And if I do this, this will allow me to sell more books. Even when I knew there were things that I could have done or said to make that happen. For example, I wasn’t willing to cross any lines that would cross or affect or go against my Christian values, my family values and my moral values.

10. All of these books that you have, all of this information, that people in television can go to, have you ever thought about making a movie or a series? There is ‘Greenleaf’ out there. Any thought about that?

I have and I have actually been approached and been in negotiations with a major movie studio. That was in 2013 and 2014 and both times, by the time I received the contracts, I passed both times.

In 2015, I received an offer and went through the contract negotiations with a major network, not cable, but a major network. They were actually looking for something to compete with Fox’s ‘Empire’ and interestingly enough, of course Rev. Curtis Black, even though he is a pastor, he could certainly do that. I ended up passing, and I passed because I needed to know that I would have some input if I saw something in the script each week that would cross the line. And I just didn’t want to see something happen that readers would be disappointed with, that it would veer way too far off from what they had read in the actual books.

So I have interest and once I have a producer who understands that and is willing to bring me on as an executive producer, hopefully that will happen. We’ll see.

Please see information about Kimberla’s upcoming book tour, see below:

To pre-order “Better Late Than Never,” clink on THIS LINK!

Any thoughts?

The post New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberla Lawson Roby Releases Last Book in Rev. Curtis Black Series, Reveals How Rev. Black Almost Competed With Fox’s ‘Empire,’ What’s Next in Her Career & More appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Author/Wealth-Building Proponent & Adoptee Dr. Robert J. Watkins Advocates Living in Purpose in New Book ‘CHOSEN’

August 1, 2018, 7:40 am

≫ Next: David & Tamela Mann Share Story of Their 30-Year Romance & Secrets to Love and Marriage in New Memoir Set to Release Nov. 13!

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Hello World,

As an author, I love other authors and part of my mission with this blog is to introduce you, my readers, to authors who have chosen to share the wealth of their experiences in written form. Today, I present to you Dr. Robert Watkins, author of “CHOSEN: Become the Person You Were Meant to Be.” Below is a brief description of his book followed by my interview with him. Read and enjoy :)!

“CHOSEN” chronicles a journey that includes personal stories of seeking professional speaking opportunities while wearing shoes with holes, turning to a toupee to hide both a fading hairline and insecurities, and searching for his voice while serving his nation in the U.S. Army. These stories count among the testaments of author/entrepreneur Dr. Robert J. Watkins in Watkins’ new book “CHOSEN: Become the Person You Were Meant to Be.”

1. What was the catalyst for writing your new book, “CHOSEN: Become the Person You Were Meant to Be?”

I wrote the book for people desiring to live life in fulfillment, satisfaction and happiness. This only happens when you have a clear path to understanding that at birth you were chosen by God to be uniquely great at something. With my book CHOSEN, I hope to help the reader gain such an understanding.

2. How did you come up with the title “CHOSEN?”

In John 15:16 in the Bible, Jesus says “You did not choose me, I chose you.” He also instructs that we would bear fruit, fruit that will last.

3. Your new book “CHOSEN” is a compilation of inspirational stories and anecdotes that you share to encourage others to find their purpose and fulfill their destiny. What is your favorite inspirational story and/or anecdote in the book and why?

My favorite story is my story of adoption. A 29-year-old married but barren woman by the name of Mary convinced her husband Bob they should adopt a child. Being a married barren woman in the 1960s was considered shameful.

One day, Mary saw a TV commercial for a downtown Detroit orphanage. The commercial highlighted a picture of a black baby boy needing a home. During this era, it was rare for a black family to adopt children, especially outside of their family. Mary, a nurse, and Bob, who worked on the assembly line at the local plant, drove down to the orphanage to find that little black baby boy. After one month, they adopted that little boy, gave him a name and raised him in church. That little boy was me.

Even though I was “given up” by my birth mother, I still have a purpose.

4. In CHOSEN, you point out that you were rescued and adopted as a newborn in the 1960s from a Detroit orphanage. How has your journey as an adopted child inspired your purpose and your book?

It started with changing my mindset from having an orphanage mindset to that of a man of purpose. An orphanage mindset carries feelings of hopelessness and of being trapped with no way out. It’s a “woe-is-me” mindset that can become very angry at a moment’s notice. As opposed to thinking like a man of purpose, who always has a plan to improve his condition and the condition of those around him. His mindset is optimistic, positive and prayerful. Eventually, his life will improve because of his having a plan, positive thoughts and a relationship with his God.

5. As a part of your company Conquer Worldwide, you host free monthly workshops for those seeking professional support or a bit of direction as it relates to entrepreneurship.What inspired you to host these workshops and what kind of feedback have you received from them?

After hosting hundreds of workshops for over 10,000 people over a nine-year period, the number-one question I would receive from adults is how to find support. Most people would describe their issues in financial terms, but there would also be something deeper. Perhaps their spouse didn’t support them or a parent didn’t believe in them or perhaps society misunderstood them; those things were holding them back. The lack of money was merely a symptom. That’s why in our monthly workshops we deal with how to find the emotional, financial and professional support they need. They leave with a more rounded view of their lives and ultimately come to fruitful decisions.

6. You are also vocal about police brutality and profiling and the killing of unarmed black men.In fact, you are hosting an Atlanta event addressing these topics on August 7 with Former NFL player Terrell Fletcher, who will serve as one of the presenters. How do you plan to address these issues?

We are gathering hundreds of men of color to address this issue to train them to use their influence in their local communities. The training of men will come from holding honest question-and-answer panel discussions. We’ll pose questions to our audience such as:

“How do you feel about our local police?”

“What can you do to create a better relationship with the police?”

“How can you protect your family from dishonest policemen or criminals?”

Our panelists are prepared to respond with real actionable items.

7. Through your first book “Never Chase a Paycheck Again,” you still present and speak around the country on issues to include multiple streams of income, becoming your own boss, finding your purpose, finding the money you need and more.What is your top secret for never chasing a paycheck again?

My secret sauce is called The Conquer System, which consists of teaching people how to generate seven income streams.

The Conquer System allows our experienced team of consultants to perform an assessment of the individual’s goals. Then we create a personal financial plan and a business plan, and create a team around that individual to hold them accountable. From there, we seek to help to finance their goals in accordance with their new plan. During this 90-day process, we educate them on how to self-fund their dream by understanding the seven-streams-of-income plan. It can include their writing an e-book, starting a side business, understanding the foreign exchange market and other creative ideas that require no financial investment, only time and focus.

Dr. Robert J. Watkins is a well-rounded professional and retired veteran with more than 20 years of experience as a business and financial consultant, real estate investor, media commentator and notable speaker.

Watkins is the founder and CEO of Conquer Worldwide, a consulting agency focused on inspiring and empowering people to become successful entrepreneurs and, ultimately, propel their pursuit toward financial freedom.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in Mass Communications and Journalism from the University of West Georgia. In 2005, he received an honorary doctoral degree in business and theology from the Ministry International Institute for his entrepreneurial teachings while at Emory University.

To buy a copy of “CHOSEN: Become the Person You Were Meant to Be,” go to conquerworldwide.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Author/Wealth-Building Proponent & Adoptee Dr. Robert J. Watkins Advocates Living in Purpose in New Book ‘CHOSEN’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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David & Tamela Mann Share Story of Their 30-Year Romance & Secrets to Love and Marriage in New Memoir Set to Release Nov. 13!

September 9, 2018, 6:15 am

≫ Next: Stellar Award-Winning Gospel Artist James Fortune Turns Page on Domestic Abuse & Divorce, Pens New Book!

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Hello World,

Two-time NAACP Image Award-Winning Actor and Comedian David Mann and his wife, Grammy® Award-Winning Recording Artist Tamela Mann, are celebrating their 30-year love story with the release of their new memoir, Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family (W Publishing/Harper Collins Christian), available November 13, 2018.

David and Tamela first met as teens when they attended an after-school chorus class. Tamela heard David and his friends Kirk Franklin and Darrell Blair (now pastor of the couple) sing; in those days, the boys were known as the “Humble Hearts.” Tamela went on to a different high school, but impressed them with her voice. She and David became best friends, then married, and eventually began singing with Franklin and the large ensemble he created, The Family.

With a relationship spanning more than 30 years, David and Tamela are just as, if not more than, happily in love as they were in the early days of life together. In their new book, Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage and Family, the superstar couple who has delighted and inspired audiences through music, plays, movies, and the television series’ Meet the Browns, TheManns, and Mann & Wife, candidly share a wonderfully inspiring, funny, and up-close look at their lives while offering hope and practical advice for building a strong relationship, marriage and family.

“We’ve always been transparent about our relationship and family with fans. In our first book we’ll tell our whole story and share our secrets to a successful marriage,” said David. “Our marriage is a top priority and our greatest accomplishment. We’re excited to share what we’ve learned about doing life together as a couple and how to fully love your spouse,” said Tamela.

Highlights of Us Against the World include:

Shares tips to help couples grow in love and commitment to each other.
No holds-barred honesty gives hope, no matter how difficult things may be.
Insight into how two successful people-built careers and a family together.
Lays out how to experience true unity and fulfillment in marriage.
Offers encouragement that though blending a family is difficult, it is definitely possible.

Check out the trailer for Us Against the World below:

To pre-order the book and or get on the Manns’ mailing list, go to: tillymannmusic.com

For more information about the Manns, go to:

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/davidtamelamann
INSTAGRAM: @DavidandTamela
TWITTER: @DavidandTamela

Any thoughts?

The post David & Tamela Mann Share Story of Their 30-Year Romance & Secrets to Love and Marriage in New Memoir Set to Release Nov. 13! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Stellar Award-Winning Gospel Artist James Fortune Turns Page on Domestic Abuse & Divorce, Pens New Book!

September 23, 2018, 1:29 pm

≫ Next: 7 Negative Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving Eve…

≪ Previous: David & Tamela Mann Share Story of Their 30-Year Romance & Secrets to Love and Marriage in New Memoir Set to Release Nov. 13!

Hello World,

I believe the God we serve is a God of second, third, fourth, etc. chances if we repent from what we’ve done wrong and attempt to live on a righteous path. Stellar Award- winning and two-time Grammy Award-nominated Gospel artist James Fortune says he is on righteous path following a devastating derailment.

Along with ELOHAI International Publishing & Media, Fortune has announced his first book Destiny Derailed: How to Get Your Life Back on Track by Leveraging your Past and Repurposing your Pain into Power. He chronicles his journey of healing and restoration after a major derailment —public scrutiny following domestic violence that occurred in his home and a subsequent divorce — in 2014. Destiny Derailed is a self-help memoir designed to empower every person who has been knocked off course, experienced loss, let themselves down, or thought that a situation they’ve experienced disqualified them from God’s promises. Destiny Derailed aids in giving readers the encouragement and biblical foundation needed to navigate any tough situation by seeking and believing in God’s promises.

With the recent release of his album “The Collection,” which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Chart, recent marriage and newborn baby, Fortune is a testament to the restoration power of Jesus Christ and proof that a destiny derailed is not a destiny denied. He hopes it is the first of many great informative and life-changing books.

Praise for Destiny Derailed:

“Instead of hiding in the shadows, James most effectively ministers from the broken place and
disarms devils by pointing the finger of responsibility at the one where it all began—himself. Let
this work bless you and teach you the most valuable lesson of all: saying yes to God DOESN’T
eliminate your frailties-it simply gives God permission to get glory out of them.”

Pastor John Gray, Relentless Church

“This book is so full of healing. James literally poured out of a beautiful place of transparency. By
the time you are done, you will be walking in complete healing! Forgiveness will set in, and
shame will be completely gone. Your scars will be turned to stars. People with the worst past can
indeed make the best futures.”

Real Talk Kim, Church of the Harvest, Fayetteville

“Whether you experience a private or public catastrophic decision, disastrous failure,
or a heinous attack on your life, when you are a child of God, your greatest setback
can be the precursor to your greatest comeback.”

Pastor Charles Jenkins, Fellowship Chicago

To buy Destiny Derailed: How to Get Your Life Back on Track by Leveraging your Past and Repurposing your Pain into Power, click on the link.

James Fortune is an award-winning gospel music artist, father, husband, and author. He lives in Houston, Texas and is best known for his transparent records that speak to the hearts and souls of his listeners. Learn more at mrjamesfortune.com.

Any thoughts?

The post Stellar Award-Winning Gospel Artist James Fortune Turns Page on Domestic Abuse & Divorce, Pens New Book! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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7 Negative Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving Eve…

November 21, 2018, 6:32 am

≫ Next: Should Divorced Men Such as Dr. Jamal Bryant, Newly Named New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Be Allowed in the Pulpit?

≪ Previous: Stellar Award-Winning Gospel Artist James Fortune Turns Page on Domestic Abuse & Divorce, Pens New Book!

Hello World,

Y’all, my family is going through a storm, one of those pop up thunderstorms that we didn’t see coming… But God is still good, and I know that I know that I know that He will bring good out of bad or positive out of negative as is noted in Romans 8:28! And I’m still thankful! At this time of the year, Thanksgiving Eve, it is appropos to compile the obligatory gratitude list…I am thankful for my health, spouse, family etc….Yes, all of those are definitely true, but according to God’s word we are to:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:1

This means that God expects us to be thankful for even the negative things that He has allowed in our lives, but we have hope in all circumstances, negative and positive, because:

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

So with those two verses in mind, I decided to turn my gratitude list on its head and praise God for what I originally thought was negative, but God it turned into positive (And I need these reminders on today!)…I’m going all the way back to childhood…Come with me

1. Not Being a Popular Kid and Bordering on Being Chubby For Most of My Childhood…I guess I’ve always been self-conscious which doesn’t work well on the playground…If someone asks you to play with him or her on the playground, and you rehearse your answer before you reply…You will probably not be the most popular kid…You will be probably be among the weirdo kids…Or if you would rather watch the Brady Bunch [insert whatever show is popular now] with a snack instead of go outside and play kickball, you will probably be among the chubby kids…But not being the most popular, kinda chubby kid made me develop my inner qualities like compassion and kindness because I wanted to be treated without compassion and kindness…AND now that I’m adult, I have no illusion that I can just sit around and preserve my sexy…Good thing to know when you’re over 40…I have to eat right and work out…no excuses…God knows best…

2. Getting Into the Honors Program at Howard University, But Not Receiving Any Scholarship Money…Like many of my friends who spent our high school years watching a “A Different World” or attending Atlanta Football Classic games, I just knew I would be attending an HBCU (historically black college or university)! My chosen HBCU was Howard University in our nation’s capital. I had visited Washington D.C. when I was in the seventh grade, and I vowed I would return there as a college student…But it wasn’t meant to be…Although I got into Howard University and the school’s Honors Program, I didn’t receive any scholarship money…It only made sense that at point to go to the school where I had three scholarships…The University of Georgia…a dreaded HWCU…LOL…To my surprise, I had a blast in college, pledged the most wonderful sorority (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.) in the world and got a great journalism education without worrying about being hampered by the debt I would have surely incurred had I gone to my “dream school.” God knows best…

3. Becoming a Christian, and Then Losing My Friends…When I decided to give my life to Jesus Christ and no longer depend on the fact that my father, my uncles and grandfather were pastors, I expected my life to get better…After all, if I know God, the creator of the universe, how could anything go wrong? We cool like that…I was wrong…so very wrong..Many of my friends didn’t understand why I spent more time than the obligatory Sunday morning in church or chose not to go to certain places…I cried and I cried I felt so alone…But it was during those moments that God got me alone that I got to know Him…Many of those friendships have been restored as time has passed…but I still know how to depend on God alone because of that time…God knows best…

4. Losing My Job Right After I Bought My First Home…I must admit I was frantic when I lost my job at a newspaper months after buying my first home…Up until that time, I had been living with my parents and while I paid for my own bills like for my car, clothes, etc., my parents didn’t force me to pay rent or anything although I was a college graduate…All of a sudden, I had to pay more bills with less money…During that year or so, I was depressed…I ignored some bills…I took some jobs beneath my education just to get by…But I also had time to explore my creativity like taking a class on “The Artist’s Way” and seeing a career counselor…And when it was all over, I learned that God was my resource not that job…I learned that I didn’t even want a traditional newspaper job anymore…God knows best…

5. Wanting to Get Married at 30 Years Old, Only to Get Married a Month Short of my 40th Birthday…My mom got married when she was 30 years old…Why would my life be any different? Well, chile, what I did I know? As it turns out, nothing at 30 years old…I had to date some good ones, some bad ones, some crazy ones, etc. before I was finally ready for the man God had for me…Those 10 years were heartbreaking, but they were also precious…a gift of human experiences…I wouldn’t want to go through them again, but I learned so many things about myself and other people that only be taught in the classroom of life…Plus, those years fueled my writing life like nothing else…As any writer knows, pain is the best inspiration…God knows best…

6. Taking Seven Years to Get a Book Deal…In 2002, I had an idea to write a memoir about developing a personal relationship with God, and in 2003, I began trying to get a publisher for my book…It wasn’t until 2010 that I got a book deal…Yes, seven years after I started…But it took all of that time to show me the book needed to include other women and not just me…When I became a Christian, I searched bookstores looking for Christian life books written by black women…I found one or two here or there, but I knew there needed to be more…Once I got some Christian living under my belt, I wanted to write one for a black Christian woman who, like me, wanted to know how other black Christian women walked out their faith…What I learned by being rejected over and over again was that I needed more experiences than just mine…My book includes the testimonies of 24 women in ONE book…This is so the book I wanted for myself years ago…God knows best…

7. Taking Seven Years To Get a Book Deal…Yes, I know already wrote that…But I have more to share on this topic…In 2007, my dream publisher (I still walk around with the business card of the acquisitions editor of this company.) at the time was interested in my original memoir, but my book was ultimately rejected because I didn’t have a platform….I.Almost.Died…At least it felt like I was nearing death because I got so close to realizing my dream only to wake up to the cruel reality of life for an unpublished author…But I didn’t let that rejection stop me…I got busy on developing my platform…This blog was birthed as a result of that rejection…This blog has become a way that I connect to others across the nation and the world…a place to dream…a place to vent…an online history…I love it so…And it is one of the reasons that I got a book deal as I met former “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, one of the women featured in book, because of this blog…

So what “negative” things are you thankful for today? Happy Thanksgiving

And if you need to praise God while you are going through the storm like I do, here is a song to help us do that!

Any thoughts?

The post 7 Negative Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving Eve… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Should Divorced Men Such as Dr. Jamal Bryant, Newly Named New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Be Allowed in the Pulpit?

November 25, 2018, 6:28 am

≫ Next: TV One Offers Original Holiday Movies ‘Merry Wishmas’&‘Coins For Christmas’ Starring David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields & More…

≪ Previous: 7 Negative Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving Eve…

Hello World,

Now that Season 3 of OWN’s “Greenleaf” is over until next season, I’m back to finding my religious drama and intrigue in real life! LOL.

Last week, Atlanta was abuzz with the news that Dr. Jamal Bryant, founding pastor of Empowerment Temple, an A.M.E. megachurch of about 10,000 members in Baltimore, Maryland was leaving his church to be the new pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which also has about 10,000 members, in Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. He will preach is first sermon at New Birth on Sunday, Dec. 9.

The announcement has people talking for many reasons. One of those reasons is that Bryant’s tenure comes after the death of the controversial church founder Bishop Eddie L. Long, who passed away in January 2017 after battling cancer. Prior to his death, he wrote about his life in his memoir “The Untold Story – The Story of Adversity, Pain, and Resilience.” In a previous blog post about this memoir, I wrote, “Is Bishop Long going to address what really happened with those young men who accused him of sexual misconduct as their claims were settled out of court and why he settled? That’s all people want to know at this point!” What is ironic about that post, which I wrote in 2016, is that the post was about Bishop Long AND Pastor Jamal Bryant. Here is a link to the post “Bishop Eddie Long Releases New Book ‘The Untold Story’ While Pastor Jamal Bryant Sidesteps Paternity Claim Today… What Are The Biblical Requirements for a Pastor?” I had no idea that two years later that these two men who be forever linked by last week’s announcement.

And that blog post brings me to another reason why people are talking about Bryant being named pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Even without all of the Bishop Long controversy, Pastor Bryant has enough controversy that he can claim on his own – from a fairly recent out-of-wedlock paternity allegation to the admission of infidelity in his previous marriage to Gizelle Bryant, one of the stars of “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” He was dating R&B singer Tweet but I guess they have broken up because I haven’t heard anything about them still being together. He referred to her as his “Last Lady” in the clip.

Below are a few comments I saw on New Birth’s Facebook page following the announcement last week:

“New Birth still has members?”

“WoW I’m shocked they gave it to Jamal with all the scandals he been through…but no man is perfect and I wish him the best.”

“Facts: No pastor wants the debt associated with NB! It will take a name to fill the seats & ‘encourage’ people to give! We are all flawed & human! However, for the church’s sake, i pray there’s real accountability worked into his contract! Literally, he just left court on stalking charges! There’s a pattern of poor judgment! I’m just gonna pray!”

“Plenty of women to choose from.”

“Wow, I can’t believe these are Christians on the church website with this garbage. Talking about men of God like we are talking about Love and Hip Hop! Messy!!! Truly I wish that Pastor Bryant would not even go down there in this mess. Because he is loved and wanted at Empowerment Temple and ALL over the country. Half of the people on here don’t support the church financially or spirituality. The way our world is today we better, get our lives together. We don’t know when the Lord’s going to call us home. Please stop being so quick to point out what we think is somebody else faults and get our own selves in order. NB congregation on your new appointed Pastor. Pastor Jamal, love you! I will be praying for you and supporting you the same as I did at ET. I believe in you and the God we serve.”

“Episode of Greenleaf Coming!!!!”

“So he switching denominations!?”

See ALL of the 538 comments and counting HERE.

All of this chatter has got me thinking about being a pastor as a single divorced man. If real life is stranger than fiction (like what went down on OWN’s “Greenleaf” following the divorce of Bishop & Lady Mae), what should be expected from the pastorate of single divorced man? And should single divorced men be allowed to be pastors at all? Years ago, Atlanta-based but known worldwide pastor Dr. Charles Stanley, who is one of my favorite pastors, caused a lot of controversy when he decided to remain pastor of his church, First Baptist Church of Atlanta, following his divorce. His stance was particularly controversial when he previously said he would step down if he ever divorced.

Do you think divorced single men should be pastors? Below are three views on this topic:

While many in the Southern Baptist Convention called on him to step down over his divorce, Stanley refused to give up his role as senior pastor. ‘God said you keep doing what I called you to until I tell you to do something else,’ he told CNN. “I got that straight from the Lord. … I was simply obeying God.’ He added: ‘If somebody doesn’t love you and doesn’t want to live with you, you can’t — nowhere in the Scripture does it say that you’re to preach the gospel until someone does this or that.'” excerpted from “Charles Stanley Names Successor but Will Remain Sr. Pastor, Says Retirement Is Unbiblical” by Leonardo Blair
“In the end, it remains the choice of the congregation whom they call to be a pastor. If a man was divorced prior to becoming a Christian, then 2 Corinthians 5:17 comes into play: “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” A divorced man’s pre-Christian life is certainly part of the “old things” that pass away. Life in Christ warrants for all believers a “new lease” on life. Congregations may also, legitimately, conclude that a divorce for a Christian man was so long ago in the past that it should not hinder his witness or his work in the pastorate. There are no hard and fast rules; only principles, to guide a man in the ministry or a congregation seeking a pastor. ” excerpted from “The Divorced Pastor: Is He the Husband of One Wife?” by Michael F. Ross
“I really think we need to look at it on a case by case basis, especially if the man was divorced for one of the two biblical exceptions: the wife’s infidelity (Matthew 5:32) or an unbelieving wife divorcing him (1 Corinthians 7:15). Although I respect an autonomous church’s right to set whatever policies it deems appropriate (as long as those policies don’t violate Scripture), I, personally, don’t think it’s right to deny a man the office due to his wife’s sin that he had no control over and may have done everything in his power to prevent.” excerpted from “The Mailbag: Can a Divorced Man Be a Pastor?” by Michelle Lesley

If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Bryant altogether, here is a brief bio from the AJC. Boston-born Bryant, a third generation pastor, is a graduate of Morehouse College, Duke University and Graduate Theological Foundation. As he failed the 11th grade and received a GED, he started at Morehouse College, which is in Atlanta, on probation. He is the father of 5 daughters. Also, his sister Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis is a relationship counselor for Pastor Chad Johnson and his fiancée Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny’s Child, on their OWN reality show “Chad Loves Michelle.” (I am really enjoying this show by the way.)

I listened to Dr. Jamal Bryant being interviewed on a local radio station V-103 last week, and he is very personable and upfront about the fact that he has not been a perfect shepherd. And I especially loved how he closed out the interview with this prayer “Lord, Your Will. Nothing More, Nothing Less & Nothing Else.” The first time I heard that prayer was from Bishop Greenleaf, my favorite fictional pastor! LOL. I don’t mean to be cavalier here because we’re talking about real lives and the saving of souls, but art is inspired by real life…

Anywho, any thoughts Saints?

The post Should Divorced Men Such as Dr. Jamal Bryant, Newly Named New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Be Allowed in the Pulpit? appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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TV One Offers Original Holiday Movies ‘Merry Wishmas’&‘Coins For Christmas’ Starring David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields & More…

November 28, 2018, 4:49 am

≫ Next: Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Ex-Wife Gizelle Bryant Pens New Novel Loosely Based on Her Life!

≪ Previous: Should Divorced Men Such as Dr. Jamal Bryant, Newly Named New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, Be Allowed in the Pulpit?

Hello World,

TV One brings the holiday spirit with premieres of two new original movies MERRY WISHMAS, debuting Sunday, December 2 at 7 p.m. and COINS FOR CHRISTMAS, premiering Sunday, December 16 at 7 p.m./6C!

MERRY WISHMAS , starring Tamela Mann (The Manns), David Mann (The Manns), Kim Fields (Living Single), Towanda Braxton (Braxton Family Values), Chrystale Wilson (The Players Club) and Elizabeth Omilami (Madea’s Family Reunion), revolves around successful businesswoman Kenni (Tamela Mann) who hasn’t returned home to the quaint town of Columbia, South Carolina in years. She’s hoping for a peaceful visit when she finally returns home, but unresolved family issues threaten to make the Christmas holiday not so bright. She’s reacquainted with Jessie (David Mann), an old high school friend with a fledgling wellness facility – the Beverly Living Center. She’s instantly thrown into the lives of the center’s residents and meets a host of colorful characters. When Jessie is faced with losing the Beverly Living Center, Kenni steps in to try and help save it. Family conflicts and relationship woes, however, threaten Kenni’s efforts. It looks like only a miracle can save the center and mend broken relationships in time for Christmas.

MERRY WISHMAS is directed by veteran actress Terri J. Vaughn and features a cameo appearance by rap artist Yung Joc , best known for popular singles “It’s Goin’ Down” and “I Know You See It.”

“Having the opportunity to direct my friends David and Tamala Mann was a huge blessing. The rewarding part was their willingness to challenge themselves to go deeper and I’m excited for viewers to see them in the more dramatic moments,” said Vaughn. “The other blessing on this project was being able to direct my mentor and friend, Kim Fields. It was a very rewarding, full circle moment for us. I can’t wait for the world to see!”

Y’all, I was actually on set for one day of filming MERRY WISHMAS and was able to interview some of the members of the cast and writers behind the movie! See that post here: David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields, Towanda Braxton & More Star in TV One’s Christmas movie ‘Merry Wish-mas!’

Below is a trailer for MERRY WISHMAS:

COINS FOR CHRISTMAS stars Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane) (Remember he was on one episode of OWN’s Greenleaf this season as well?), Essence Atkins (Marlon), TC Carson (Living Single), Kelly Price (Saints and Sinners) and Karlie Redd (Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta). The film chronicles single mom Madison (Atkins) who’s saved all year to make sure her teenage kids have the best Christmas ever. That is until she gets fired from the bookstore she manages and comes home to find that the IRS has frozen her bank account due to delinquent taxes her ex-husband failed to pay. Desperate to pay bills and buy gifts for her children, Madison jumps into the ever-popular “gig economy.” That’s when she meets and eventually gets hired by arrogant, sidelined former professional football player Alec Darby (Bishop), who is also secretly on the verge of going broke. This odd couple butts heads time and time again but can the Christmas spirit help these two get past their bickering, learn from each and ultimately forge a lasting friendship?

Below is a trailer for COINS FOR CHRISTMAS:

MERRY WISHMAS and COINS FOR CHRISTMAS will be featured programming during TV One’s Holiday Movie Marathon on December 24-25. TV One will also air Christmas movies every Sunday until December 23.

Written by Cas Sigers-Beedles, MERRY WISHMAS is executive produced for TV One by Roger Bobb, Angi Bones (Bobbcat Films), Terri J. Vaughn and Cas Sigers-Beedles (Nina Holiday Entertainment). David and Tamela Mann also serve as Executive Producers. George Pierre serves as Casting Director. For TV One, Tia A. Smith is Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting, and Robyn Greene-Arrington is Head of Original Programming and Production.

COINS FOR CHRISTMAS is written by Rhonda F. Baraka and directed by Jamal Hill, with casting by Leah Daniels-Butler and George Pierre. The film was produced by Swirl Films, with Eric Tomosunas serving as Executive Producer. James Seppelfrick, Ron Robinson, Keith Neal and Darien Baldwin serve as producers. For TV One, Karen Peterkin is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting, and Robyn Greene-Arrington is Head of Original Programming and Production.

For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tags #MERRYWISHMAS, #COINSFORCHRISTMAS,and #REPRESENT.

Any thoughts?

The post TV One Offers Original Holiday Movies ‘Merry Wishmas’ & ‘Coins For Christmas’ Starring David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields & More… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Ex-Wife Gizelle Bryant Pens New Novel Loosely Based on Her Life!

February 10, 2019, 6:24 am

≫ Next: Our Daily Bread’s Discovery House Releases ‘Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy’ (Including 45 African-American Authors)!

≪ Previous: TV One Offers Original Holiday Movies ‘Merry Wishmas’&‘Coins For Christmas’ Starring David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields & More…

Hello World,

One of my favorite ways to relax on a Sunday evening is to watch The Real Houseswives of Atlanta. While Real Housewives of Potomac star Gizzelle Bryant doesn’t live in the A, I wonder what her ex-husband Dr. Jamal Bryant, who recently became the new senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia thinks about his ex-wife’s new book “My Word?” The novel, which is being published by Brown Girls Books, according to Gizzelle’s Instagram page is “loosely based on my dramatic, happy, fun, sad, crazy life.”

View this post on Instagram

I’m SCREAMING! My book MY WORD is here! This book is loosely based on my dramatic, happy, fun, sad, crazy life. It is a GREAT READ! Go to AMAZON.com to PRE ORDER the e-book, the paperback will be up in a few weeks. Thank you Brown Girls Books

A post shared by gizellebryant (@gizellebryant) on Feb 7, 2019 at 8:33am PST

Below is the description of the book, which can be pre-ordered before it’s official debut on April 3o:

After marrying her college sweetheart, Ginger Williams gave up her own professional dreams to help her husband follow his dream of building a megachurch. It’s not long before Ginger and her husband, Jeremy, turn a small D.C. church into a burgeoning empire….catapulting the couple into a popular powerhouse.

But with a bigger spotlight comes more temptation…and the power is corrupting Jeremy in ways Ginger never imagined. When she seeks the advice of her peers on the First Ladies’ Council, she’s shocked when they tell her to accept Jeremy’s infidelities so she doesn’t damage the church and affect the many business opportunities coming their way.

With every part of her life—family faith, and finances—hanging in the balance, Ginger must decide if she will continue to live in the shadow of the sins of her husband…or face life on the other side of the pulpit.

Is Ginger really Gizzelle? And is Jeremy really Jamal? That would only make sense…And Gizelle, with some rosary beads dangling from her red lips, is the cover model for her upcoming novel so….My Word For Real!

Gizzelle wrote about the inspiration for “My Word” on her Bravo blog…

“I have lived a very interesting life. I am now in a space where I want to share tidbits of my story in a fictitious way on my terms… Again, whether I wrote one book or 17, this is FICTION and I can’t nor do I want to damage the black church…”

Although both Dr. Jamal Bryant and Gizzelle Bryant (or Jeremy and Ginger ) have spoken about what broke up their marriage, they seem to be getting along well right now, at least according to Gizzelle’s Instagram’s page…

She congratulated him about coming to New Birth….

View this post on Instagram

Sooo happy and proud for you @jamalhbryant You are going to turn @newbirthmbc and Atlanta upside down. The best is yet to come! #WontHeDoIt

A post shared by gizellebryant (@gizellebryant) on Nov 21, 2018 at 11:50am PST

Dr. Bryant will officially be installed as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on March 10!

And on last Father’s Day, Gizzelle said this about Dr. Bryant…

View this post on Instagram

#HappyFathersDay @jamalhbryant because of you we have the most amazing beautiful girls in the world. #FamilyFirst #Blessed

A post shared by gizellebryant (@gizellebryant) on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:37am PDT

So will you be buying “My Word?”

Any thoughts?

The post Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Ex-Wife Gizelle Bryant Pens New Novel Loosely Based on Her Life! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Our Daily Bread’s Discovery House Releases ‘Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy’ (Including 45 African-American Authors)!

February 20, 2019, 6:31 am

≫ Next: Why ‘Insecure’ Actress Yvonne Orji is Right To Be Happy Following Her Breakup With Emmanuel Acho…

≪ Previous: Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Ex-Wife Gizelle Bryant Pens New Novel Loosely Based on Her Life!

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Hello World,

While black history is relevant every day of every year, it is during Black History Month that black people can truly reflect on the fact that we’ve come a mighty long way! My favorite time to reflect on that fact is when I spend my time alone with the Lord each morning! It is during those times with the Lord that I journal about what is going on with me and others as it relates to my personal relationship with God, read Christian materials and ponder what message God is trying to communicate to me through them and pray and thank God for what is behind and what is ahead. There have been many, many books that I have read during my quiet time and I’m always looking for more! And it is especially helpful and meaningful when I can get my hands on materials that speak to my heritage.

If that is true for you too, I’m sure you will be glad to know that Our Daily Bread Ministries, the bedrock company for devotional materials in the country if not the world, through its Discovery House has released Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy from Editors Joyce Dinkins and Diane Proctor-Reeder!

Below is a description of Our Help featuring a cover illustrated by Coretta Scott King Book Awards medalist Jan Spivey Gilchrist and including entries from more than 45 black authors:

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” –Psalm 46:10 NLT

God has given us an open invitation to spend time in His presence, reflecting on His power and majesty and our faith in Jesus Christ. And every time we accept this opportunity to go before His throne, we grow stronger in our relationship with the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Our Help presents a variety of short devotions and feature articles, sprinkled with creative poetry and inspiring thoughts that offer hope and encouragement as we endeavor to do God’s will.
Speaking to the hearts of those in ministry, this engaging devotional includes:

> A mosaic of stories from multiple generations
> Reflection questions and suggested Bible readings
> A Scripture index and resources for personal or small-group use

Our Help invites us to reflect on God’s wisdom that’s available for every adversity; to remember the victories He has already provided; and to realize the hopeful future He gives to all generations that rely on Him.

Click on THIS LINK to read a sample!

Also, below is a video of a few of the authors speaking about their entries:

AND if you are interested in receiving a FREE HARDCOVER copy of Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy, leave a comment including a little known black history fact. The person who has the most interesting black history fact (in my opinion) will receive a free book from me. That means that you have to come back to the blog after you’ve commented so that I can tell you to e-mail your mailing address to me .

Any thoughts?

The post Our Daily Bread’s Discovery House Releases ‘Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy’ (Including 45 African-American Authors)! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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Why ‘Insecure’ Actress Yvonne Orji is Right To Be Happy Following Her Breakup With Emmanuel Acho…

March 6, 2019, 6:23 am

≫ Next: It’s First Lady Friday Featuring…Dr. Elaine Gattis, First Lady of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Stockbridge, Georgia!

≪ Previous: Our Daily Bread’s Discovery House Releases ‘Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy’ (Including 45 African-American Authors)!

Hello World,

Insecure actress Yvonne Orji is not my friend in real life, but she is my friend in my head for many reasons. I interviewed the Christian actress for THE LOOKOUT in 2017, and I really admired her stance on virginity. This is what she told me:

“From the time I was 17 until now that I’m 33 going on 34, I’ve seen too much. I’ve seen the hand of God over the years in my life, and this one thing that he asks of me. I mean he asks many things of us. But this one thing [virginity] that is a roadblock for so many people, he’s been so faithful to me in the darkest of my days, it’s no biggie.”

Although I am married now, I was single for several years before then and I know her struggle. Also, since Yvonne is a first generation American born of Nigerian parents, I identify with her on that topic as well. My parents are Jamaican, but I was born in America. She has even created a show based on her experience as a first generation American. Below is more about her show:

Aside from this series, Yvonne is also developing her own half-hour sitcom, FirstGen, which is executive produced by media mogul Oprah Winfrey and actor David Oyelowo. Semibiographical, the show features a Nigerian girl who drops out of medical school for a stand-up comedy career and the shenanigans that ensue after her strict African mother discovers her plans. “This is my vision so it’s a very family-friendly show.”

If you would like to read the entire story, go to lookoutmag.com.

So in July 2018 when I learned that Yvonne had a new boyfriend after openly expressing her desire to meet her mate, I was hoping he was the one and wrote a happy blog post about it – Christian Actress Yvonne Orji Shares Prayer She Used to Attract Her New Boyfriend Emmanuel Acho! Emmanuel seemed like he could be the one she was waiting for…I mean his name means Messiah first of all and he is a Christian! And then they had the Nigerian connection. His father is from Nigeria. Also, although he works as an ESPN analyst, he has an artistic side as he can sing and play the piano! And on top of all of that, both are committed to charitable causes. Yvonne worked in Liberia with Population Services International, and Emmanuel worked in Nigeria with Living Hope Christian Ministries! And to put it all together in a pretty package, as a former Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker, her man was all swole and stuff! When Yvonne announced their relationship on Instagram, she even said, “Jesus out here answering prayers on a Sunday.” He did seem like the answer to prayer…

But Yvonne Orji recently told her friend and author Luvvie Ajayi, who also has Nigerian heritage, on their Jesus and Jollof podcast that Emmanuel is no longer her man. Yvonne and Emmanuel have broken up. This is what she said about it, according to madamenoire.com:

“I just have to say, the reason I am so good and so happy is because I know how God works,” she said. “I have seen God’s MO so many times, that like in the way that you can be like, ‘Aw man, I thought this was it! I thought this was the one!’ God be like, ‘Oh that’s what you thought? I got the goods for you.’ It happened in my career when someone offered me a show and I was like, ‘This is it!’ and then the show went to nowhere. I got borderline depressed. Cut to Insecure. Cut to my life has changed.”

I believe Yvonne is right. Emmanuel may have been the prototype, but the finished product is on the way…and soon too…I’ve seen God do this many times in many areas of my life as well…But as it relates to romantic relationships…I remember in November 2009. I was despondent after yet another relationship blew up in my face…I had suffered through many breakups before but this one really took me out. This particular boyfriend/manfriend (I mean he was in his 30s at the time…) was one who I had dated before. When we first dated, he told me that he did not want to have a relationship. I wasn’t happy with his stance, but I respected his honesty. We remained friends for years. And then he changed his mind. My feelings hadn’t changed and I was available. It was so on until it wasn’t…It seemed cosmically cruel for life to play out that way…

But February 2010, the week of Valentine’s Day, I went out on a first date with the man who would become my husband…It was literally months after the breakup…Nothing but God…And if He did it for me, He can do it for you…

So Yvonne you better be happy because I am claiming on your behalf that the one worth waiting for is on the way!

Any thoughts?

The post Why ‘Insecure’ Actress Yvonne Orji is Right To Be Happy Following Her Breakup With Emmanuel Acho… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

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