M

OT

WOW!
DA H
™ Y I ER
SS ’S
UE

WOMEN of the WORD

M A G A Z I N E

Bunny Debarge hot colors

Shares for
Testimony SPRING
of Abuse

DR. IAN
SMITH
& Pound
The 50 Million
Challenge WOWderful
Woman
Donna
Dyson
An Advocate for
The Special People

Incomparable
ce ce May 2008

winans www.wowmagazine.org
 contents
32

10
INSPIRE
Profile of the Month.................................6
Open Heart............................................14
Stacey L. Owens....................................18
WOW! Teenz..........................................31
Thought for Today..................................44
ENCOURAGE
Ask a Life Purpose Coach.....................20
Dolores Lee...........................................28
Rhonda White........................................29
A Word at the Well.................................38
Pebbles with Pastor BJ.........................42
40
ARTISTIC PROSE &
CHRISTIAN FICTION
Vanessa Davis Griggs...........................46
FEATURES
The Incomparable CeCe Winans..........22
FLRT Profile of the Month.....................30
Bunny DeBarge......................................32
The WOW! Mom.....................................37
WOWderful Woman: Donna Dyson ......40
Pretty Girl Blues....................................51
CeCe Winans
22
BEAUTY, HAIR, HEALTH
& FASHION
Sistah Health...........................................9
Fashion & Beauty with
Genean Cross........................................16
Spirit Fit..................................................19
Do Your Do with Chiku..........................36
FINANCE & BUSINESS
Money Matters.......................................43
Women’s Workplace Wisdom...............48

BOOKS &
EMPOWER ENTERTAINMENT FOOD, TRAVEL &
KQ Tidits...................................................8 Music with George Ward.......................10
FEATURES
Just for His Glory....................................26 Tameka Delaney Edwards.....................47 In the Kitchen with WOW!....................34
Keys to Dynamic
Bible Study.............................................50

WOWderfully FUNNY
A Joyful Toon..........................................21
Bishop Bigelow......................................21
 WOW!
™

WOMEN of the WORD

M A G A Z I N E

CEO AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Candie A. Price

MUSIC EDITOR
George Ward

FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR

Genean Cross

BOOKS EDITOR
Tameka Delaney Edwards

Graphics & Art

Candie A. Price

Jr. Photographers
Eboni Price
Amyna Price

Field Correspondent
Denna D’Mitri
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS AND WRITERS

Barbara Arnold Gil Michel

Kendra Norman Bellamy Sandi Morais
Mary Betner Bennett Stacey L. Owens
Genean Cross Patrice G. Parker
Tamara D. Davis Valerie Hicks Powe
Denna D’Mitri Dr. B. J. Relefourd
Kandie Delley Ginger Smith
Christina Dixon Nicole M. Stevenson
Aleathea Dupree Joanne Taylor
Temeka Delaney Edwards Sonya C. Triggs
Edwina Findley George Ward
Jo Ann Fore Michael Waters
Diane H. Gordon Tex West
Chiku’ Griffin Rhonda White
Vaness Davis Griggs Deaquelynn Williams
Denise R. Jacobs
Dolores Lee

WOW! Women of the Word Magazine,™

Inspire, Encourage, and Empower™
WOWderful Woman™ and FLRT™ are trademarks of Joy2bhizz Creative Services™
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited.
 W O W ’ d b y H I M ™

A MESSAGE FROM THE

CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CANDIE A. PRICE

WOWderful Moms!

H
appy Mother’s Day! What an amazing issue this is for moms! Moms, we’re celebrating YOU! From the heartfelt
salute to working moms, God’s Divine purpose for handpicked moms, to the faith of healthy moms, WOW!
Magazine is chock full with this special Mother’s Day issue! Share these articles with the moms in your life!
Our feature stories this month are simply WOWderful as well! Our cover story features The Incomparable
CeCe Winans, a mother in her own right, who loves the Lord and desires His glory to be fulfilled in her music and her life! Our
WOWderful Woman, Donna Dyson, shares her heartwrenching story of raising a
“High gas prices, lack of child with special needs, but her story doesn’t stop there! She has committed her
life to encouraging and empowering other families that have the responsibility of
finances, political drama, fallen caring for these special people!
If you were around in the 1980’s you may remember the R&B family group,
leaders, and so much more can DeBarge. We talked one on one with the oldest sibling, Bunny DeBarge, about
get you down - but remember, the release of her book detailing her life and the rise and fall of fame.- she gives
God all the glory!
God is able and He’s working This month we welcome to the WOW! Contributor roster, Deaquelynn Wil-
liams, a young lady from Birmingham, AL who is dedicated to reaching young
all things out for the good of people for Jesus Christ! Deaquelynn will reach our young teen women in our
WOWderful Teenz column. Please share these columns with your teen daugh-
them that love Him and are ters, grandchildren, neighbors, church members, etc. The more empowering, bibli-
cal information available to them, the better the young women they will become.
called according to His purpose!” I pray this month that you continue to pursue Christ regardless of the many
circumstances that plague our nation and our world. High gas prices, lack of fi-
nances, political drama, fallen leaders, and so much more can get you down - but
remember, God is able and He’s working all things out for the good of them that love Him and are called according to His
purpose!
Until next month, be blessed, my sisters (and my brothers!), and Enjoy,

-Candie

contributor
YVONNE BENNETT
Columnist/Fitness Coach
Yvonne Bennett is a life coach and per-
sonal trainer and owner of Coach Ben-
nett Life Coaching Services in Buffalo
Grove, IL.Yvonne has 20 years of personal
training and client service experience. She
is also the director for the Spirit Fit Min-
istry at Trinity Baptist Community Church
in Crystal Lake, IL, a ministry dedicated
to providing Bible based fitness education
and programs.
spotlight
 WOW! | MAY 2008
WOW!
WOMEN of the WORD
M A G A Z I N E
DEAQUELYNN WILLIAMS
Columnist/Life Coach
Deaquelynn Williams, humanitarian, life
coach, author, executive director, and
owner of Quelynn, Inc., is a champion
of life. Currently Deaquelynn serves as
founder and executive director of God’s
Star International Ministries which is
the parent ministry to mPOWERd 4
LIFE Youth Development. She is the
co-founder of Talitha Cumi Mentoring
Program for girls. She also serves as
the focus group facilitator for the Sickle
Cell Clinic Transition Group at Grady
Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
™
TEX WEST
Columnist
Tex West resides in Grand Prairie,Texas in
ministry with her husband, Minister Gerry
West of West2West Ministries. They have
3 sons Michael, Mitchell and Micah. She
is a member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
under the leadership of Pastor Tony Evans.
Tex is the training facilitator for OCBF’s
Children’s Ministry. She also has a special
place in her heart for Women’s Ministry.
By profession she is a Director of Nurses,
by passion she is an educator, equipper
and encourager.
 Available now!
Author, An Sean Fields brings you a piece of her testimony in
30 Days, 30 Ways to Surrender to God
It’s life changing!

30 Days, 30 Ways to
Surrender to God is a
30 day devotional that tells
the journey of a single
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would never turn her life
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It took praise, worship and

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A daily devotional that will

lead you into the presence
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Him your all.

Purchase your copy on Amazon.com

or at a Barnes and Nobles store near you.

ISBN-10: 0979197600

For more titles by this author or more information visit: www.anseanfields.com

 WOW!
WOMEN of the WORD
M A G A Z I N E
Rev. L. A. Artis is not
afraid to go into the
darkest of places to
show others the Light
of Jesus!
WOW!: We’re so grateful to honor you in
WOW! this month! Tell us about yourself.
Are you married or single? Name of hus-
band or fiancée?
Rev. L A. Artis: I am happily married.
My archangel’s name is Michael Bob Ar-
tis. We’ve got married June 27, 1998 at 10
o’clock in the morning!
WOW!: Do you have children? If so, what
are their names and ages?
LAA: Christian Michael Artis (5) Caitlin
Grace Artis (5) Avery Mathias Artis (3)
WOW!: Briefly describe how you came to
know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
and how long you’ve been saved.
LAA: I was eight years old and the mes-
sage pierced my very soul. I came to the al-
tar already broken with thick tears flowing
from my eyes. It was a Friday night. On
November 1, 2007 I will have been lovingly
serving the Lord for 31 years.
WOW!: WOW! is about inspiring, en-
couraging and empowering other Christian
women. Briefly tell us about any activities
that you are involved in or something that
you’ve done that lines up with the mission
to Inspire, Encourage and Empower oth-
ers.
LAA: I minister to children, teen girls,
young adults and women who have been
abused. I have helped remove young la-
dies from abusive environments and helped
shelter women who have been abused by
their husbands and boyfriends. I do a lot
of one on one ministry work with young
ladies who mutilate themselves by cutting.
They do this to numb and deaden the pain
of rape and abuse. The abuse for some of
 WOW! | MAY 2008
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
them has stopped but the nightmare con-
tinues. We have done several suicide inter-
ventions. In times of ministry we have been
able to rescue those who were planning to
commit suicide and those who have been
abusing themselves because of the horrific
suffering they have endured for years – we
have seen young ladies society would have
written off go on to lead powerful, produc-
tive and purposeful lives.
WOW!: What would you say is your great-
est challenge in your Christian walk?
LAA: I would have to say that I have ex-
perienced two great challenges: the first be-
ing the parent of very ill children. It often
amazed me the lack of compassion people
show to families with children who are sick,
infirmed, disabled or chronically ill. God
loves these children too. I believe that of-
ten we are looking for a mission field to go
to – why not volunteer in a cancer ward or
in a pediatric A.I.D.S. ward or in a hospital
where children suffer from various diseases.
These children need a lot of love – and so
do their caretakers. My second greatest
challenge? Sexism. It amazes me that in
this day and time that women often have
to deal with blatant sexism when it comes
to their mandates, their callings and their
ministries.
WOW!: How do you handle that chal-
lenge?
Rev. L. A. Artis
Residence:
Edison, NJ
Church:
Union Gospel
Tabernacle
LAA: I handle my first chal-
lenge by volunteering my time
to work with families like mine
who need someone who will
not patronize, further injure
or insult their predicament
– rather I listen and I share as
one who truly does understand. I handle
my second challenge with the love of God.
I don’t waste preaching time telling folks
off. I love them and I give them the Word
of God. Once I get a microphone in my
hand, the Lord validates who I am and
whose I am.
WOW!: Do you have a favorite scripture or
a life scripture that seems to pull you out of
anything? What is it and why?
LAA: Psalm 41:11 “By this I know that
thou favourest me, because mine enemy
doth not triumph over me.” This Word as-
sures me that no matter what or who I face
that God’s love and favor will never let me
be defeated!
WOW!: Out of all of the biblical charac-
ters in scripture, who would you say closely
mirrors your life and why?
LAA: Jael. She walked softly but she car-
ried a big stick.
WOW!: Feel free to leave with our read-
ers any contact information you’d like about
you, your ministry/business/church, etc.
LAA: Newly released book, Dark Blessing
visit http://DarkBlessingbyRevLAArtis.
com, L.A. Artis Ministries, Inc.
P. O. Box 25293 - Newark, NJ 07101
LAArtMin@aol.com,
www.LAArtisMinistries.org
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KQ Tidbits
God’s
Got You
“There is something God
has told you to do and
right now you feel as if you
want to give up and throw
in the towel.”
L
BY TAMARA D. DAVIS
ast year, I enjoyed my first real
vacation in Ocho Rios, Jamai-
ca. I visited Jamaica with four
other ladies from my church,
one of them being my sister.
While there, we took on the challenge of
climbing Dunn’s River Falls. This water-
fall is absolutely beautiful! The water cas-
cades down the rocks into the ocean. It
is an awesome sight to see. At the base of
the falls, our tour guide assembled our tour
group of about 20 people and gave us some
pointers on successfully climbing the rocks.
I don’t think any of us had any idea how
huge the falls were actually. We all linked
hands and began to ascend up the rocks. I
was filled with joy as I began to step on the
rocks and experience the water flushing my
skin. I was confident that I could do this.
After I completed the first five minutes of
the climb, my confidence was diminishing.
Fear took over! I was thinking to myself
“what have I gotten myself into? Have I
lost my ever loving mind!” I am the least
bit fit and the task quickly became over-
whelming.
As I continued to climb the rocks, I no-
ticed there were steps alongside the falls.
Each time I passed the steps, my mind
 WOW! | MAY 2008
kept telling me to get off the falls! I was
afraid of falling. I ignored my mind and
refocused on the task at hand. I concen-
trated on the rock in front of me and took
small steps. When I didn’t feel confident
enough to take the next step, there was al-
ways someone there to help me. Someone
was always in front of me to tell me just
where to step and how to step. They could
only do this because they had just walked
ahead of me. At certain times on my jour-
ney, I took my eyes off the small step im-
mediately in front of me and looked at the
huge set of rocks up ahead. Every time I did
that, I got scared and wanted to take the
steps to exit the falls. I’d give myself a pep
talk, recite some scripture and keep going.
I was determined to finish the climb. Just
when I thought I couldn’t go any further, I
took another step. Just when I thought I
didn’t have any more climb in me, I mus-
tered up enough courage to take another
step. Just when I was headed to take the
exit steps, somebody always cheered me on
and pulled me up. After about an hour, at
last, I was finally at the top of the falls! The
mission was complete! Praise God! I suc-
cessfully climbed Dunn’s River Falls!
In our lives, we each have our own
Dunn’s River Falls. There is something
God has told you to do and right now you
feel as if you want to give up and throw in
the towel. The exit steps are looking re-
ally good to your right now. Oh how easy
it would be for you to quit! There would
be no more pressure to finish, no more
agonizing pain to endure as you strive to
reach your goal. I am here to tell you not
to quit! God has placed people in your life
to direct you where to step because they’ve
already been where you are about to go!
Focus on completing one task at a time
with the clearly on your mind. Meditate
on His words of encouragement. Some
steps will be harder than others but each
step is important on your journey to com-
pletion! The hardest step will be the last
one because your energy will be just about
depleted and the greatest temptation to
quit will arise just before you cross the fi-
nal hurdle. Focus on the finish line, draw
your strength from God and those who’ve
already finished. When you finish, praise
God for the journey and for the people he
placed on your journey. Always remember
this: God’s got you! 
©2008 Tamara D. Davis is a single parent liv-
ing in Florida. tamaradavis@wowmagazine.org

A
BY SANDI MORAIS
ccording to Down to Earth
Natural Food and Lifestyle
fast-food restaurants have be-
come mainstream in the past
thirty years and practically all
of America takes advantage of the cheap prices,
quick service and tasty meals. Convenient as
they may be, these meals contain practically no
nutrients. They are comprised mostly of satu-
rated fats and highly refined carbohydrates and
are loaded with sodium and sugar. The Center
for Disease Control and Prevention states that
obesity in adults has increased by 60 % within
the past twenty years and obesity in children has
tripled in the past thirty years. Being overweight
can lead to major health problems such as dia-
betes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Dr. Ian Smith is a graduate from Harvard
College and he is the medical and diet expert
on Celebrity Fit Club and host of Meet the
Faith on BET. He is the author of five books,
the number one New York Times best seller
Extreme Fat Smash Diet, and the number one
New York Times best seller The Fat Smash
Diet. He has appeared on Larry King Live, The
Tyra Banks Show and Anderson Cooper 360.
Dr. Smith received many letters from African
Americans asking for help and advice on how to
lose weight. He is very concerned about the obe-
sity epidemic in America, especially with Afri-
can Americans. In 2007 he was inspired to cre-
ate The 50 Million Pound Challenge sponsored
by State Farm Insurance Company, a website to
help bring awareness to the crisis in America,
especially with African Americans. The statistics
MAY 2008 | WOW!
with
DR. IAN SMITH
on his website in regards to African Americans
states that almost 80% of adult women, 67% of
men and 20% of children are overweight. This
is a serious health crisis. However, Dr. Smith
is very optimistic about the future. He believes
that regular exercise and healthier eating habits
can help to reduce the risk of these life-threat-
ening diseases.
Its time to tune-up America. Take the chal-
lenge to improve your health. Dr. Smith has in-
cluded valuable information on The 50 Million
Pound Challenge website in regards to the risk
factors of diabetes, high blood pressure, choles-
terol, cancer and obesity along with tips on the
benefits of exercise to help you make a change
to a healthier lifestyle. The website has a chart to
help you calculate your BMI (Body Max Index),
to find out if you are within a healthy weight
range. On the website he includes numbers
that you need to know to help you determine
what your normal cholesterol and blood pres-
sure levels should be. Dr. Smith also stresses the
importance of reading the food label to check
the sodium, saturated fat and sugar content. He
suggests that you should eat fresh fruit and veg-
etables because they have more nutritional value.
He believes that the obesity epidemic can be re-
versed and he is challenging African Americans
to join The 50 Million Pound Challenge and
take back control of your health. To join The 50
million Pound Challenge is absolutely free. On
the website there are a number of incentives to
help you on your journey to a healthier way of
life. You can meet other people struggling to lose
weight. You can join a team in your community
and work together to lose weight collectively.
Sistah Health
You can also share your weight loss stories on
the website to help inspire and motivate others.
Dr. Smith is a regular guest on the Steve
Harvey Show and he lectures throughout the
United States encouraging people to join the
challenge and reclaim their health. I asked Dr.
Smith what was his prayer for America. He said,
“I would like for America to be healthy again,
and to get back to where we were - more physi-
cally active and moving around, and making our
life and how we live the number one priority
and not material goods.”
To join The 50 Million Pound Challenge
visit www.50millionpoundchallenge.com
It’s time for us to go back to Eden. Genesis
1:29. And look! “I have given you the seed-
bearing plants throughout the earth, and all the
fruit trees for your food.”
Jamaican born Sandi Morais has been a fitness
instructor for twenty five years. Sandi has been
featured in Ms. Fitness, Essence and Sister 2 Sister
magazines. smorais@bellsouth.net.
www.sandimorais.net

 God’s Chosen
Nikeisha Whittier, Sarah Stephens and Zebrina Anderson are
letting the world know that young women can be beautiful,
talented, and brainy and still give God the praise!

10 WOW! | MAY 2008

 Music with George Ward

God’s Chosen is an anointed female trio gospel music ministry out of St.
Louis, Missouri. GC3 comprises Nikeisha Whittier who sings soprano, Sarah Stephens is the
alto, and Zebrina Anderson is holding down the tenor. These talented young ladies are
leaving behind a trail of audiences both young and old who have been encouraged by
their unique style to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

George Ward: So how long has GC3 been
together as a ministry?
Nikeisha: We formed in the Concert Choir
at our high school. We all were singing in a
special group formed by our music teacher.
We later competed at the “Gospel Day”
talent show at Six Flags in St. Louis, MO.
We came in 1st place and were selected to
open for Yolanda Adams that evening in
concert.
GW: Has anyone in the group studied mu-
sic?
Sarah: Yes, I have a degree in Vocal Perfor-
mance from Spellman College in Atlanta,
GA.
Zebrina: I recently graduated from Fisk
University with a degree in psychology and
Spanish.
Nikeisha: In May of this year I will receive
my degree in Fashion Merchandising from
Lindenwood University in St. Charles,
MO.
ing about. It is important for us not to be
a female “gospel” group who has all the
funky beats and catch phrases, but no sub-
stance. Tye Tribbett is an example of what
we are striving to achieve in ministry. Tye is
anointed and has a Word from the Lord to
share with the lost and the saved.
GW: What would you say to other youth
gospel groups who aspire to go into the
music ministry?
Nikeisha: Seek God first in all you do, and
everything else will come after that.
Sarah: I would like to add that it is impor-
tant to maintain a relationship with God
while you prepare to minister so that you
are sensitive to the Spirit at all times. Along
with the spiritual side there is the business
side as well, so you will need to have some-
one you trust to handle those affairs for
you.
GW: What’s the name of your CD?
GC3: “Love Ever After”
GW: Where does that title come from?
GC3: Winnetta Wittier is our manager
and she named our CD “Love Ever After”
to depict our reoccurring theme about love.
God’s love remains the same despite the
constant changes around us.
GW: What do you all as a group consider
your most favorite song on the CD?
GC3: The group’s favorite song is “Didn’t
Let Me Fall”. This song speaks about situa-
tions you may encounter in life such as a car
accidents when God stepped in and saved
you. We are fortunate to be able to thank
God for his deliverance.
GW: This CD is full of high-energy songs
such as “Clap My Hands” that will make
you move, as you are inspired to praise the

GW: I know you all are talented vocalists,

but who is the last one to learn their vocal
part when you are learning new material?
GC3: We pretty much do a good job lis-
tening to our part and singing it. That is
not an issue in our group, praise the Lord!

GW: Not only are you young, talented, and

beautiful, but you all are educated as well.
What are some of your goals as a minis-
try?
Sarah: We want to be a witness to how
young people can be saved and cool with
it at the same time. We also want to show
that being saved has benefits, and is not a
difficult lifestyle. It is a lifestyle of liberty in
the spirit! We are witnesses that following
God’s commandments and principles are
full of joy as He directs our path.

GW: I know that you are often compared

to The Clark Sisters as well as others. How-
ever, who can you point to who has come
before you as a source of encouragement?
GC3: We are encouraged by anybody who
is anointed and lives what he or she is sing-

MAY 2008 | WOW! 11

Lord no matter where you are. “Love Med-
ley” is the track receiving airplay. This med-
ley directs you to how powerful the love of
God is to us as it displays the individual
talents of SC3. Do you all ever get on each
other’s nerves while on the road?
GC: NEVER! We are best friends and play
fight all the time. We are sisters and have so
much fun all the time. If we are a little up-
set with one another we just say, “I’m sorry
girl” and keep going.
Zebrina: I’d like to also say that ministering
under the anointing is made easy because
of our close friendship.
GW: Are there any silly stories to tell such
as someone falling?
Nikeisha: Actually just last Friday I was
walking around the musicians to get my
purse on my way out. I missed a step on the
way offstage and I fell down the steps and
the keyboard and other instruments fol-
lowed me. They offered to pick me up, but
in my embarrassment I straightened myself
up and kindly said no then proceeded on
my way.
GW: A few weeks ago was the anniversary
of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. How do you feel about the progress
we have made in the last 40 years?
12
GC3: The fact that we have a woman and
a black man running for the Democratic
Nomination shows how far we’ve come.
We have not arrived but I believe Dr. Mar-
tin Luther King would be proud to see the
achievements we have made so far.
GW: It has been my pleasure to share your
ministry with WOW! I pray your success
in reaching your goals in ministry, and that
God elevates your ministry to great heights.
Tell us where we can purchase your awe-
some CD?
GC3: Fortunately you can get our CD in
a variety of places. Wal-Mart, Best Buy,
Circuit City, and Fye. However, if you go
to our myspace and website you can buy
directly online. Thank you for the oppor-
tunity to share our ministry with WOW!
Magazine and God bless!
www.myspace.com/sg3music
www.godschosensingingministry.com
GC3 Management
Manager Winnetta Wittier
Booking Mgr Andrea Turner
314.995.2677
Label: Destin2B1
GEORGE’S WOW! LIST
Here are 5 songs to minister and
encourage you this month!
1. Right Now Praise
New Life Comm.Choir feat John
P.Kee
2. Overflow
William Murphy
3. How Great is Our God
Jonathan Nelson feat. Purpose
4. High Praise
Mt. Zion Bapt Ch feat Judy McAllister
5. Even Me
Yolanda Adams
©2008 George Ward - George Ward has 25
years of experience in the Music Ministry,
and has served as a worship leader, teach-
ing private voice lessons, conducting gospel
workshops, and directing various choral and
musical groups. George resides in Philadel-
phia with his wife and daughter. georgeward@
wowmagazine.org
WOW! | MAY 2008
MAY 2008 | WOW! 13
Open Heart

Handpicked
Mom

“So many of us go around wounded

as adults because of how we were
mishandled as children, and we
continue to carry our baggage of
hurt and unforgiveness.”

14 WOW! | MAY 2008

“
BY TEX WEST
Shhhh, listen! Quiet now. God’s
coming through.” As a child, I never
understood why my mother would
hold us hostage, prisoners in our
own home during thunderstorms
because, ‘God’s hand was at work.’ She
would whisper with reverence about God’s
handiwork and respecting His presence.
My siblings and I were paralyzed with
fear as we waited on God’s hands to fin-
ish with the flashes of lightening and the
deafening thunder. As a child, I didn’t know
much about God’s hand, only how my par-
ents handled me. Like most children, they
were my primary reference to God. Their
hands were His hands to me. Their love
was His love to me. But their failures were
God’s failures also, or so it seemed to me
as a child.
My mom went home to be with the
Lord a little over a year ago. One thing
that amazes me is how my perception of
her continues to grow over time. Growing
up, there was a long laundry list of things
that I swore to myself that I would never do
like my mother. It’s funny, now I catch my-
self saying things and displaying manner-
isms that are so intrinsic to her that I sound
and act like her at times. Had you asked
me years ago, before her death to describe
my mother—in general the bad would have
outweighed the good. That was me judging
her by my standards.
So many of us go around wounded as
adults because of how we were mishandled
as children, and we continue to carry our
baggage of hurt and unforgiveness. As
Christians we are commanded to “Honour
our father and thy mother: that our days
may be long upon the land which The Lord
God has given us.” (Exodus 20:12). See, we
were not even given a choice in the matter.
Even the most neglectful and abusive par-
ent can still be honored for the simple act
of giving life. God never makes a mistake.
He chose our parents before the founda-
tion of the world. They were handpicked.
Some of us had wonderful, supportive and
loving parents, for others that may not have
been the case. I use to resent the Lord for
not placing my siblings and I in a more
spirit filled environment; after all, He loved
me and had a wonderful plan for my life,
right?
The years of unspoken bitterness and un-
forgiveness toward my mother ate away at
me. How was growing up in her household
ever included in God’s wonderful plan for
my life? I judged her for her shortcomings.
MAY 2008 | WOW!
It was about what she could have done bet-
ter for me. But the Lord’s hand did inter-
vene in my life. While I was preparing a
message to speak at a women’s retreat He
refused to give me a word from Him until
I gave Him what He wanted. He wanted
me to speak out honestly to Him about
how I felt toward my mother and Him. I
labored before the Lord most of the night
and laid it out to Him. Things came out of
my mouth that surprised me when I heard
them with my own ears. Years of unfor-
giveness and bitterness were slowly being
lanced out of my heart and the cries from
my wounded heart were not pretty. God
told me to stop looking at my mother
through my eyes and look at her through
His eyes. In other words, take my hands off
of her. Yes, I am my mother’s child but we
are both children of the most high king. I
guess that makes her a princess. So how do
you pray for a princess? I began to see her
as He saw her. I met her where she was –
just like He does with me daily. The cloudy
glass that I use to see my mother through
had become so clear. She was so critical
because she had been criticized as a child;
it was hard for her to be affectionate be-
cause she herself had not felt loved or val-
ued. My mother was a hard-worker, who at
times held down two, sometimes three, jobs
to help my father care for my siblings and
me. We didn’t have much growing up but
my parents made sure that we had our basic
needs met. In retrospect, I can clearly see
that God had handpicked me for my par-
ents. Once I was able to see the bigger pic-
ture, it freed me up to love and honor my
mother through the eyes of Jesus. It wasn’t
always easy and my mom did not imme-
diately receive my actions with open arms
because she was used to being treated as she
had treated others. God melted my mom’s
heart over the years. What was once stone
hard ground became soft fertile soil. She
was a great lady, she was strong and feisty,
quick with wit and festive, she loved to cel-
ebrate and cook. It’s interesting to me that
today I remember fewer and fewer of her
shortcomings. It’s as if God has magnified
the image of himself in my memories of
her. When my mother was on her deathbed
in the hospital, I was humbled by all of the
family and friends who where vigilant by
her bedside. We took up the entire floor of
the hospital and this went on for a couple
of weeks. In my absence my oldest sister,
Jean, an evangelist, was able to share The
Lord Jesus Christ with our mother. I had
attempted this many times with her but it
usually ended with cleansing tears and sob-
bing but she never would pray the prayer of
salvation with me. I first felt rejected, as if
she was turning me away again. The Lord
had to deal with me on that and reassured
me that my mom did not yet feel worthy of
His love or that she could truly be forgiven.
I caught a flight back to N.C. in what I
knew would be my last encounter with my
mom, I’d had prayed that before she was
put on life support that she had believed
that she was worthy; that she knew that she
was loved with an everlasting love; that she
mattered to The King of Kings.
God, who is faithful to finish what He
had started, used my sister, Jean, to share
the gospel with our mother who gave her
heart to the Lord! I hung on every word
that my sister told me about her last con-
versation with Mama the night before she
went to surgery and then was put on life
support. She told me how she and Mama
were praying, crying and singing old hymns
and how she had read to her from the book
of Psalms. We serve a Mighty God!
My mom never regained consciousness
once I arrived. The Lord gave us two pre-
cious days with our mother after life sup-
port was pulled. We loved on her the entire
time and reminisced about ‘the good ol
days’. Those days are golden nuggets that
we will forever cherish. ‘God’s hand was
at work’. As mom lay in the hospital, we
read to her, sung songs, read her scriptures.
I couldn’t touch her enough. I was caress-
ing her hand and holding it in my hand.
That’s when I noticed that I had my moth-
er’s hands—same size, same short fingers,
same conflicted little finger that sticks out
when you stretch out her hand. I smiled, as
I cried, glad that I was like my mother. I
was a part of her and she was a part of me.
God in his sovereignty had handpicked us
for each other. He reminded us that he had
all of us, in his hands. 
©2008 Tex West resides in Grand Prairie, Texas
in ministry with her husband, Minister Gerry West
of West2West Ministries. They have 3 sons Mi-
chael, Mitchell and Micah. She is a member of Oak
Cliff Bible Fellowship under the leadership of Pas-
tor Tony Evans. Tex is the training facilitator for
OCBF’s Children’s Ministry. She also has a special
place in her heart for Women’s Ministry. By profes-
sion she is a Director of Nurses, by passion she is an
educator, equipper and encourager.
15
Fashion & Beauty with Genean Cross

DRESS
to make a
Beautiful
Impression

WOW, get ready for an overwhelming

splash of neon hues this season. The key
to pulling off citrus yellow, kelly
green, tangerine orange, hot pink,
or turquoise is keeping your ensemble simple.
Wear one color head to toe and then make your look
pop with a contrasting colored accessory; or choose
two tones to wear, one on top and the other on the
bottom. To finish your look invest in the clutch
bag, this is the most fashionable ‘new’ bag trend for
Spring and Summer ’08. Although an oft revived
style, its now showing many innovative quirks that make
it look like a fresh trend as shown on the next page.
You will see loads of larger tote like bags in the
store, but I feel that although we all need a big
bag in many situations, a smaller bag is a
16 must have. WOW! | MAY 2008
This season’s newest Jersey-Knits are
styled to fit and flatter, it’s ultra soft
and easy wearing.Check out these
Bright flirty dresses from Newport
News.

The
Season of
the Clutch

Last Month’s Question: Does it matter what one wears?

Donna Tolbert’s Response:

It doesn’t matter what one wears as long as you have on the garment of
praise!

Rev. Dwight Tolbert’s Response (Donna’s husband):

Read 1 Peter 3:3,4&5 ,I Timothy 2:9-10

Question or comments? Contact geneancross@wowmagazine.org

MAY 2008 | WOW! 17
Stacey L. Owens
Spirit Fit with Yvonne Bennett
“ While it’s not
easy for me,
the blessings
are numerous
when I stop
fighting God’s
intervention and
interruptions in
my life.”
I
BY STACEY L. OWENS
’m one of those people who likes
a schedule. Not a loose schedule
of things that would be nice to do
but a fixed and firm schedule that
shouldn’t be revised unless some-
one becomes critically ill or is dying. Some
would describe me as rigid; I prefer “order-
ly.” Change really bothers me and makes
me uncomfortable. Spontaneity is one thing
that I’m not big on or good at. And when
I try to be spontaneous and more flexible,
all I think about is what I’m not accom-
plishing that I had planned to do. There’s
something about change that renders me
anxious and feeling helpless at times. Don’t
get me wrong, I love to have fun…but it
better be planned!
I’m sure I am not alone in this. We are
a society of people on the go; people who
live by Blackberries and Palms. In short,
we plan and schedule. Changes to those
schedules, deadlines, meetings, and events
cause us stress. When other people change
our plans we see it as inconvenient and,
sometimes, inconsiderate. But how do we
respond when the change comes from the
Lord? In my case, there’s usually initially
some pouting and discontentment followed
by frustration and, occasionally, fear.
So you can see my dilemma when God
intervenes with His own plan and stops my
show midway. There’s a reason my life verse
is Proverbs 19:21. I will spend my life un-
derstanding how to let the Lord’s purpose
prevail despite the many plans in my own
heart. It’s not that I don’t trust the Lord’s
18
plans, but because He doesn’t always let me
in on them, I’m not always sure of where
I’m going. And a person like me (can you
say “control freak”?) doesn’t like surprises.
But I am learning to yield when God is try-
ing to change the direction of my life. After
meeting with the Father and hearing His
voice, I am better able to give up my right
to run my life and I trust His judgment.
While it’s not easy for me, the blessings are
numerous when I stop fighting God’s in-
tervention and interruptions in my life.
I often think of Jesus’ mother Mary. Can
you imagine
Swirl beingHat
Sensation a virgin
$104 and being told
you are pregnant?!
Ashro.com I mean here she was, a
young girl at the most exciting time of her
life, planning to marry the one she was en-
gaged to. And God intervenes to give her
another plan. I must admit that “behold
the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word” (Lk.1:37) would not
have been the first thing from my mouth.
Even more so, I would not have followed it
up with a song of praise. What about you?
Yet she realized the God of the Universe
was trying to do something great through
her. She would carry, deliver, and nurture
the Messiah…how humbling. She recog-
nized and accepted that she had found fa-
vor with the Most High God.
I don’t know about you, but I want to
have such a perspective when God changes
my life from what I expect or plan it to be.
I want to be the vessel that lives for Him
and learns the lesson to be learned. I, too,
want to be humbled by the move of God
in my life, knowing that the fruit of His
The Blessing
of Change
hand will be greater than anything I could
ever imagine or schedule. I’d love to relish
in His favor no matter how uncomfortable
the change may be at first. Just think, if
God wasn’t involved in our lives to actively
change our plans, we should be worried.
That would be a sign that He didn’t love
us and, like a negligent parent, was will-
ing to let us hurt ourselves. As a parent,
I have learned that it is my responsibility
to set schedules for my young children and
change them as needed so they get proper
rest to function day to day. If I didn’t do it,
I would be setting them up for meltdowns
and disaster. That’s not unlike our Heavenly
Father, who knows when we need change
in order to function as one of His children
should. Otherwise we too would meet di-
sastrous ends, melting down in the process.
I am grateful that He teaches me con-
tinuously to submit to His changes and that
with the changes comes peace. I know that
He really loves me and that I am favored
by Him. What He’s trying to do in my
life will have ramifications for people other
than me. Like with Mary, the changes He
makes will impact all of those around me
if I am willing to say as she did in verse 49,
“for the Mighty One has done great things
for me-holy is his name.” 
©2008 Stacey L. Owens Stacey L. Owens
lives with her husband and daughters in the
Raleigh, NC area. To contact her, email
stacey_owens@bellsouth.net
WOW! | MAY 2008

Fit Mom
of Faith
M
ay is the month that
we give honor to our
mothers for all that
they do and have done
for us. From repair-
ing a scraped knee, making your favorite
meal and for some of us being a workout
partner or workout cheerleader. Whether
you’re a workout partner or cheerleader,
there is something special about a faithful,
fit Mom. Their workout begins inside and
exudes outward, meeting the world with
Godly confidence, exemplified in spiritual,
mental and physical strength.
Being a fit Mom, myself, I wanted to
take this time to celebrate my Mom, Ellen
Taylor, who is not only my Mom, but my
mentor, motivator, teacher, friend and in-
cidentally a fit Mom herself. I was blessed
to have some time with my Mom, just last
weekend at the Heartland Spa Resort in
Gilman, Illinois, where we worked out, en-
joyed delicious healthy spa cuisine, rested,
relaxed and conversed. Here are some of the
gems of spirit filled wisdom that my Mom
shared with me during our time together.
Yvonne Bennett: What is your favorite
scripture in reference to fitness and why?
Ellen Taylor: My favorite scripture in ref-
erence to fitness is I Corinthians 3: 16-17. I
MAY 2008 | WOW!
Spirit Fit with Yvonne Bennett
A Conversation with My Mother
like this scripture because it focuses on the
importance and seriousness of taking care
of yourself. Self care is not about glamour
and vanity, but about loving and honoring
God, by loving and honoring everything
that He has given you. The most precious
gift that we have received is life followed by
good health, honoring and nurturing these
gifts is how we honor and praise our Lord.
Yvonne Bennett: How does God motivate
you to lead a fit life?
Ellen Taylor: By blessing me with the ability
and the strength to wake up each morning
with a sound mind, a strong body and the
strength to get started and work through-
out my day. With these components I am
able to pray (with a sound mind) and work
out and perform necessary daily tasks (with
a strong body).
Yvonne Bennett: What does your workout
routine consist of?
Ellen Taylor: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
I do resistance training with free weights
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday I participate in
Yoga, Pilates & Aerobics. Sunday I do a
combination of any of the above routines. at all but honoring God and His temple.
I’d like to add that I like to workout early in
the morning because I can use my treadmill
time to communicate with God and thank
Him for giving me the strength I need to
workout.
Yvonne Bennett: How do you find time for
fitness?
Ellen Taylor: Easy, I schedule it just like I
schedule everything else. This type of disci-
pline comes only from God.
Yvonne Bennett: In your opinion, how does
fitness affect your faith?
Ellen Taylor: When I am physically active
and spend time with the Lord, I find that
my mind is clearer; I can receive more from
God’s Word and apply it to my life in prac-
tical ways.
Yvonne Bennett: What advice would you
give to others regarding fitness and faith?
Ellen Taylor: I would advise anyone to
pray first and foremost for God’s guidance
in reference to the type of workout they
should follow, then get up and get moving.
Remember we have to be fit and ready to
move and work for God when He calls.
Pearls of wisdom from a Fit Mom of
Faith which we can all benefit from. Let’s
honor God in all that we do remembering
that taking care of ourselves is not about us
©2008 Yvonne Bennett yvonne@coachbennett.com
19

Surrender
M
y husband shifted his
weight to the back
of his feet. His arm
brushed against my leg
and startled me.
I’d forgotten he was there. Actually, I’d
forgotten where I was.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. Rhythmic
voices and lifted hands reunited me with
the ongoing worship service.
I retraced my absence. When praise and
worship initially began, I lifted my voice in
thanks with the rest. Yet, somewhere along
the way I discovered myself, eyes closed,
seeking God’s face. An overwhelming long-
ing for His presence led me away.
Satan taunted me. “Who do you think
20
ASK A LIFE
PURPOSE COACH®
you are--Moses? You can’t see
God’s face!”
I pressed in.
Lord, I need to see you in my life.
What do You desire for me? What
are your plans, your details and your
future for me?
Remorse gently tugged at my
heart. Each person or plan that I
had placed above my desire to see
God methodically came to mind.
My daughter. My husband. My
health. My ministry. My career.
God wanted me to surrender the
need to control each of these situa-
tions to Him. And, I don’t mean lip
service; I mean a total surrender.
I’d been at this crossroads before.
But, I’d tried to get by with minimal
compliance. This time I understood
God required complete surrender.
I recounted each person and
each situation by name. I camped
out in God’s presence until I could
truly say to Him that I wanted to
see His face more than I wanted
to control what happened with
my health, my daughter, or my
husband.
A sweet warmth engulfed
me like an unexpected, much-
needed spring rain.
I see you now, Lord.
I see the times I’ve fought to change
circumstances against your will. I see the
situations where I’ve tried to share in your
glory. I see the life experiences that were
meant for your good.
I see, Lord, that you do have a plan for
my life.
And, I see that my hope in you secures
that plan.
Normally less demonstrative in my wor-
ship, I joyfully lifted my hands heavenward
and rejoined the praise service to a sover-
eign God who delights in revealing Him-
self to me. All He asked was that I surren-
der myself to Him first.
Surrender: It isn’t easy. And, it is an on-
going process.
Katie Brazelton, founder of Life Pur-
pose Coaching Centers, International, is
familiar with the struggle.
“Some women balk at the idea of surren-
der. They want to do something meaningful
for God, but they want to control what it
is, when they do it, and how it will be done.
Surrender has no place in their plans.
“Other women simply can’t believe that
God actually expects them to completely
surrender every aspect of their lives to Him.
And, because the Holy Spirit never coerces
anyone to surrender, these women stand
frozen in place. Years fly by as they contin-
ue to pass up the steps of opportunity that
God has placed before them.”
We simply cannot fulfill God’s purposes
without first surrendering our life to Him.
Reflection: What about you? Are you ready
to take a crucial step in knowing God and
His purposes for your life? Are you ready to
surrender?
Jo Ann Fore is a Certified Life Purpose Coach®
and freelance writer.Visit Jo Ann at
www.JoAnnFore.com or
www.shoutlife.com/joannfore
Do you have questions on how to find
your unique purpose and how to walk a
passionate, purposeful life? Submit your
questions t oAskALifePurposeCoach@
msn.com. Please note that questions
may be edited for clarity and privacy and
become the property of Jo Ann Fore.
WOW! | MAY 2008
 r f u l l y
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MAY 2008 | WOW! 21

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22 WOW! | MAY 2008

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ince the release of her first solo project in 1995 entitled “Alone In His Presence”, the names
CeCe Winans has become synonymous with are words like excellence, humility and grace .
As the eldest sister of The Winans Family, or what has become known as the First Family of
Gospel, she has become a modern day example of that Proverbs 31 woman. Over the years her
gifts have made room for her, the proof is in the many, many awards that she’s received. From
her countless numbers of Grammy, Stellar and Dove awards, countless television appearances,
and performing at the White House, CeCe has proven herself to be a ridiculously talented
woman who just happens to love God with all her might! She is also the author of 3 books,
has appeared in va-rious tv commercials and her incomparable beauty has landed her face on
the cover of several magazines. There appears to be no end to her entrepreneurial endeavors
because now she has launched a very successful record label (PureSprings Gospel) as well as
the Always Sisters Conference which is geared towards building self-esteem in our young
girls. All of this while maintaining her role as wife and mother of two. Now with the release
of her 8th solo project entitled “Waging War”, CeCe clearly has a lot worth fighting for!

Denna D’Mitri:How do you feel you’ve
grown since the release of your first solo
project?
CeCe Winans: Ahhh well, I’ve gotten older
(she laughs and continues), and I pray that
with the years of getting older that I’ve
also gotten wiser. I was very afraid with
my first solo project. I mean even though
I had sang by myself through the years, the
public had never heard me sing by myself.
So that kind of hit me in the studio when I
was doing “Alone In His Presence”. I said
Jesus, BeBe ain’t no where on this! Then
going out by myself and getting on stage by
myself it took me a minute but God proved
to be faithful. I just wanted His perfect will
in my life and when you want His perfect
will then He’s on your side. So I’ve grown
a lot as a solo artist and I’ve grown up a
lot as an artist. My favorite place to sing is
still next to BeBe but I think I have more
confidence in who I am. I know who I am
and what God has put in me, I know my
assignment.
DD: I loved your first book “On A Posi-
tive Note”. In it you stated that you always
pray right before you pick up the mic to
sing. After all these years do you still feel
it’s necessary?
CCW: Yeah I have to do it! I don’t ever want
it to just be me, you know? I need God. I
mean you have some people who maybe
it’s more of a temptation for them because
they have so much voice and they’re just so
perfect in everything. That is not my testi-
mony! I need God to show up every time,
so maybe that makes it even easier for me
to remember to pray. You know? Because
I need His anointing and I never want it to
just be a song but to be something that is
uplifting. Whenever you are before an au-

MAY 2008 | WOW! 23

 “ ..I need His anointing and I never
want it to just be a song but to be
something that is uplifting.
dience it’s an awesome responsibility when
God gives you that platform to speak life or
death into them. With every audience you
never know what they’re going through.
Someone may be contemplating suicide,
so will your song help them to choose life
or will they still be depressed when you‘re
finished? And we all know that your tal-
ent is not enough to change lives or do de-
monic warfare, you have to be anointed to
do that.
DD: Since the release of that book you’ve
written two more. Tell us more about your
latest book.
CCW: My latest book which is out right
now is called “Always Sisters…Becoming
The Princess You Were Meant To Be.” I
put it out for my girl’s conference. It’s a
book geared towards young ladies and it’s
just teaching them simple basic principles.
One of the chapters in the book is called
“Don’t Date The Devil No matter How
Fine He Is.” There’s a devotional that will
encourage them to read their Word and to
study and to know who they are. I find that
a lot of us get in trouble because we don’t
know who we are or whose we are. And if
you know that you are a part of the Royal
Priest Hood and that you are a Princess,
then you will have higher standards for
24
”
yourself.
DD: I’m glad you mentioned your girl’s
conference. You are such an awesome role
model from your many accomplishments
to your elegant wardrobe. What do you
feel is your responsibility to young ladies
and women alike?
CCW: Well, the Bible says that the older
women are to teach the young women. It
feels funny to say that, but I guess I am part
of the older generation now. So it’s my re-
sponsibility to first live a life that they can
look at and that people can model. And
that sounds very scary ‘cause really when
you start singing you don’t sign up for all of
that, it sort of comes along with the terri-
tory. To pour into them as the older people
poured into me. To share with the young-
er generation my relationship with God.
Why I love Him so much and how He’s
proven to be trustworthy all these years.
Why living for the Lord is the best life
you can ever live and why you should allow
God to be the God of every area of your
life. So many times they go to church and
just leave Him at church, but if you allow
God to be the God of your relationships, of
your career and of your family, He will bless
every area of your life. That’s really what the
conference is all about.
DD:Given everything that you’ve gone
through and being the woman of God that
you are today, what advice would you give
to yourself as a teenager?
CCW: Oh Jesus! That’s a good question I
don’t think anybody has ever asked me that
question and I’ve been interviewing for
quite some time! (She laughs out loud with
amusement not expecting this question).
What advice would I give a young CeCe?
Whoo uhm, I would tell her to trust God
more now, but you know it would be hard
to tell her that. Because a lot of times you
just have to go through things in order to
know God in a better way.
DD: Your fan base is extremely large and so
diverse. How do you choose the songs that
you sing for your conferences and awards
shows and such that will be most effective?
CCW: You mean songs for performances?
Hmmm another good question. It varies.
Sometimes I’ll go in and have what I want
to do and nothing changes, but sometimes
I’ll have a plan, so many times I’ll have a
plan and get to where I’m going and I’ll
sense something different. Whether the
Lord is saying they need to hear this or
they’ll be more open to that. Again we
pray before we go out and with a live band
they know that things could change in the
WOW! | MAY 2008
midst of the plan. When I do tracks with
my singers they know that I can go and
reach and get something from way back
or I could write something right there. I
just try to flow with the spirit. I really don’t
worry about the diversity of my audience. I
have a diverse audience because they’ve fol-
lowed my music down through the years.
So I don’t really think in terms of this a
caucasian audience today or this is a partic-
ular group cause a lot of times we’re they’re
just because they love what we do. When
you look over the course of my career I’ve
done it all as far as the different genres of
music. So I don’t let that dictate where I’m
going, it’s just the spirit and what I feel is
the right way to go.
DD: You’re label recently released
the first solo project for Pastor Mar-
vin L. Winans. How does it feel to
have your big brother on your label?
Do you get to boss him around?
CCW: You know, I can’t boss my
big brother around. Anybody that
knows him knows that he is just
bossy. He is the boss all the time.
At least he thinks so and you know
I’ve known him long enough now
to allow him to think so at all times!
But to have him on my label is an
honor. I mean he is who he is and
God has blessed him tremendously
in so many ways and I love him so
much and I want the best for him. I
think even though he’s done a whole
lot I feel like he’s just getting started
in some ways where God wants to
take him. So to be a part of that in any type
of way as far as showing the world more of
who he is it’s an honor for me because I
know he’s a man who believes in what he
preaches. Not perfect, but he’s striving to
be perfect. And as brothers and sisters we
know each other real good and even in the
bad times he loves God and he wants what
God wants. So I’m excited to be a part of
his team. I told him he had always been my
favorite preacher until I heard Jackie Mc-
Cullough so now he might be a close sec-
ond! I think he has an awesome anointing
on his life and I pray that God would con-
tinue to lead and guide him and that he will
continue to listen every step of the way.
DD: I heard that you have a clothing and
jewelry line coming out.
CCW: Well it’s a clothing and jewelry line
in the making. I’ve been working on it for a
while and I kind of put it on hold for a min-
MAY 2008 | WOW!
ute. But hopefully by next year we’ll have
something out. It’s something that I’ve
wanted to do for a long time and I think
it’s something that’s needed. With all of
the styles changing you know, one minute
the neck line is down to your navel and the
skirt is all the way up your thigh. There’s a
way a holy woman should dress. We wanna
be stylish and we wanna look good but we
ought to be covered up as well. So I think
we need more safe clothing lines out there.
DD: Is there a specific age group that your
targeting?
CCW: Uhm, I think it will be all age groups
but definitely the older women. Anywhere
from 25 and up. But, I love suits and pant
suits and dresses. I love it all! But it will
definitely be geared to ladies probably a lit-
tle younger than my age group and a little
older than my age group.
DD: I know you have a very busy schedule
with singing engagements and conferences,
how do you take care of your vocal instru-
ment?
CCW: Well, very important instrument.
I go to the vocal doctor quite a bit and I
started taking vocal lessons, which I need
to probably take up again. Even though we
have a the gift of singing, learning how to
sing is real important in maintaining your
gift and your tool. So I plan on getting
back in it and not just getting back in for
a minute but I think it’s something that I
need to do for the rest of my life. It teaches
you how to breathe and how to take care of
your vocal chords. If I’m on a tour schedule
where I have to sing all the time then I
drink nothing but water. Rest is real im-
portant, you have to get sleep. If I go with-
out sleep the first thing that will go is my
voice cause I use it so much. Not talking a
lot. When I’m on tour I’m on voice rest and
it does wonders. You have to write down
everything and it’s a headache sometimes
because I love to laugh and talk whether it’s
with my singers or the people I’m hanging
out with. But, I can’t or else I’ll get behind
the microphone and won’t have a voice at
all. I’ve been there before and it’s the worse
feeling in the world. So it’s real important
that you take care of your voice and know
when enough is enough. When I started
going to the vocal doctor and go-
ing to vocal coaches they began to
teach me things. Like even when
you shake people’s hands, and it’s
all about loving God’s people you
know you shake their hands, but
I had to learn to wash my hands
when I’m done before I touch my
face cause I was giving myself
colds. So little things like that you
learn if you’re gonna stay in good
health with your voice. Certain
things are not good to eat. Eat-
ing late at night is not good it can
cause acid reflux. That’s something
that we’re so used to doing in the
church. So if I eat late I gotta stay
up a couple of hours.
DD: Okay, last question. If you
were a Super Hero what would
your name and special power be?
CCW: If I was a Super Hero? Oh God!
Now that’s a creative question. Ahhh, well
I guess it might not be really exciting but
I would be Super Love. Cause love is the
greatest gift and the greatest power in the
world. One thing that hurts me the most is
to see people without. So my power would
be to make sure no one would go without.
When I see children starving and yet so
much food is being thrown away everyday.
To me it just makes no sense why anybody
has to be poor or has to go without. So my
power would be to make sure all people had
an abundance of what they need. 
THY KINGDOM COME!
In Stores Now!!!For Booking or CeCe’s
Product Info:www.cecewinans.com
©2008 Denna D’Mitri,
dennadmitri@wowmagazine.org
25
Just for His Glory

S ecret
of
Contentment
26 WOW! | MAY 2008
H
BY DIANE H. GORDON
ave you learned what
seems to be the best kept
secret of the saved life?
Well, if it is not a secret, it
has to be one of the most
difficult lessons for a believer to learn. Ever
wonder what in the world would cause Paul
to, no matter what state he found himself
in, be content (Phil 4:11)?
Contentment seems to elude most of us,
yet Paul had mastered the lessons learned in
both trial and prosperity. Whether abasing
or abounding, full or empty, prosperity or
poverty, Paul learned the secret formula for
handling every circumstance with perspec-
tive and peace. Wow, now that’s content-
ment. In seasons of abundance he exercised
temperance and expressed gratitude. When
seasons changed to lack, he remained calm
and content.
The Book of Philippians is filled with af-
firmations like:
Being confident of this very thing, he
who hath begun a good work in me shall
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
(Phil 1:6)
For it is God working in me both to will
and do of his good pleasure (Phil 2:13)
I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me (Phil 4:14)
Obviously, Paul’s life lessons had taught
him that strength, sufficiency, and suste-
nance comes solely from Christ. He con-
cluded that only Jesus could satisfy. Are
we there yet? Often called the joy letter,
Paul wrote the Book of Philippians to this
church of which he was extremely fond.
He expresses his affection and apprecia-
tion for their support and testimony, and
appeals to them to center their thoughts
and actions on pursuing the person, power
and principles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 2 is an appeal for them to have the
mind of Christ. Chapter 3 is an appeal for
them to have intimate knowledge of Christ.
Chapter 4 is an appeal to have the peace of
Christ.
Contentment is the attitude that ex-
presses gratitude and appreciates God’s
provisions. Discontentment expresses itself
with ingratitude and dissatisfaction be-
cause of what one feels God has failed to
provide.
Paul discovered that contentment lies
in having a proper mindset and practicing
certain methods. What is the mindset that
leads to contentment? Paul had a single
mind: For me to live is Christ to die is gain
(Phil 1:21). He understood his purpose in
MAY 2008 | WOW!
life was to live for the glory of Christ. If
we ever expect to be content in spite of our
circumstances we must cultivate a single
mind. Too often our minds are divided. We
want it all, the spiritual and the material.
No man can serve two masters. Our per-
sonal pursuits compete for our attention
and energy with the pursuits of Christ. We
must examine what things are occupying
our minds. So what’s on yours?
The secret of contentment lies not only
in the single mind, but also in possessing
a submissive mind. Let nothing be done
through strife or vain glory but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves (2:3). Let this mind be in you
which was also in Christ Jesus: Who be-
ing the form of God thought it not robbery
to be equal with God: But made himself
of no reputation… (2:5-7A). Paul had a
submissive mind, so he understood his po-
sition-take low. Humility and submission
precedes contentment. Are you willing to
humble yourself?
The single and submissive mind are not
enough to be content in whatever state
you find yourself, a spiritual mind is also
required. Paul’s single mind is expressed
Chapter 3. He understood his priorities
were heavenly spiritual pursuit. But what
things were gain to me I counted loss for
Christ (3:5). I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus
(3:14). Understanding that our real home
is in heaven (3:20), Paul turned his atten-
tion, affection, and aspirations on heavenly
things (Col 3:2). Are you willing to turn
your attention, affection and aspirations on
things above and off of mundane earthly
things?
Finally, if we are going to discover the
secret to contentment we must develop a
secure mind. Paul security rested in the
fact that Christ, not himself, was his power
source. I can do all things through Christ
which strengthened me (Phil 4:13). In
whom is your confidence?
Paul’s perspective (his mindset) led him
to practice methods (disciplines) necessary
to develop contentment. First Paul prac-
ticed his praise. Rejoice in the Lord always,
and again I say rejoice (4:4). Daily we must
practice delighting ourselves in the Lord.
We must celebrate His goodness. Content-
ment begins with practicing your praise, be
determined to bless (speak good of Him)
the Lord at all times.
Second, practice promoting gentleness:
Let your moderation be known unto all
men. The Lord is at hand (4:5). Daily we
should practice being gentle, patient and
considerate.
Third practice your prayer: Be careful
for nothing but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your re-
quests be made known unto to God (4:6).
Our prayer life must be consistent (Col
4:2), constant (I Thes 5:17) and confident
(Heb 4:1) if we ever expect to be content.
When we practice prayer with thanksgiv-
ing peace is dispatched to guard our hearts
and minds from despair, discouragement,
doubt and yes discontentment.
Fourth, practice pondering pure
thoughts: Finally brethren whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things hon-
est, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever lovely, whatso-
ever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue and if there be any praise, think
on these things(4:8).
Fifth, practice putting His principles
to work: Those things which ye have both
learned and received and heard and seen
in me do: and the God of peace shall be
with you (4:9). Keep putting the principles
of God to practice in your life and you are
promised to have the God of peace as your
guide.
Want to be content? We must have a
proper mindset: a single mind - understand
our purpose; a submissive mind- under-
stand our position; a spiritual mind – un-
derstand our priority; and a secure mind
– understand our power source. Then we
must practice our praise, practice promot-
ing gentleness, practice our prayer, prac-
tice pondering pure thoughts and practice
putting His principles to work in our lives.
And we all know practice makes perfect
(maturity and content). 
©2008 Diane Gordon. Diane Gordon is the
wife of Dr. Raymond M. Gordon, Sr., pastor of
St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, Williamstown,
NJ. Diane is involved in full-time ministry and
is the mother of three children, Raymond, Jr.,
Diamond and Rachel. Her desire is to live out
the purpose of her life for His glory!
27
 Dolores Lee
Y
our words will find you out!
There was a couple who had re-
cently been given the news that
the husband had a grave disease.
This disease caused him to retire from his
job sooner than planned. I remember tell-
ing them that all they had to do was to
“consider the lilies of the field – how they
toil not”, and yet our Father in heaven takes
good care of them.
It is so easy to sit back and spiritualize
circumstances, in the time of somebody
else’s trouble! We are quick to shout out,
and even sing a verse or two of “His Eye
is on the Sparrow”, quote scripture, and do
a quick prayer. Then we say, “I did what
I could do, Lord. It’s up to them to ex-
ercise their own faith. It’s a testimony of
their faith level.” Let me tell you, not only
will the Lord take care of them, but He
will show you just where your faith level is.
He’ll have you wishing you were a sparrow
in your time of trouble!
I re-located to the Georgia area in July
of 2007. My plan was to re-unite my family,
bond with my grandchildren, do the work
of ministry, and assist my sister in her own
little sparrow watch. I left with purpose,
pats on the back, and a legacy of being the
bomb! I just knew the Lord was going to
put me to work immediately and mightily!
I’m a huge football fan! One of the
phrases radio commentators used to de-
scribe a “star” player who had recently fallen
in their performance was, “Oh, he started
believing his own press!” You don’t have to
say you have arrived. As a matter of fact,
you keep telling everybody that you have
not arrived. But when people continuously
exalt you, and talk about how wonderful
28
Sparrow
Watching
you are, you don’t say it, but you start be-
lieving your own press!
We rolled into Atlanta on one wheel,
and everything that could go wrong – went!
After the money ran out and a split between
two households occurred, I wondered if I
had heard the right voice telling me to “Go,
I will meet you there.” “Go, I will meet you
there” seemed right since Jehovah-Jireh
means “God sees your needs and goes be-
fore you to prepare the way”. But whatever
He was saying in New Jersey, “mum” was the
word in Georgia! If He got there before I
did, He definitely was incognito! I was dis-
couraged, beat down, and transitioned out!
And let me tell you, driving up and down
the death trap roads of Georgia highways
did not help! I couldn’t remember the lilies
of the field, and if I saw a sparrow, I would
have shot it!
I remembered an excerpt from a book
I read…In the time of trouble, the Lord
doesn’t test us so that He can see how we
will handle the circumstances. He tests us
so that we can see our own faith level. The
devil was doing his job – I just wasn’t doing
mine. When I took a moment to remem-
ber who and whose I was, I could hear His
voice letting me know that He was there all
the time. His eye was on me making sure
the devil didn’t steal all of my joy! I had
enough so you could see my hand coming
up out of the water! I found more humility
(I thought I learned that last year)
I got back to the fundamental teach-
ing of His Word, and things started mov-
ing into their proper places. I remembered
Joshua 1:8…”This book of the law shall not
depart from your mouth, and in it you shall
meditate day and night-then you will be
careful do all that it commands-then you
will make your way prosperous and then
you will have success.” I started speak-
ing His Word back to Him! We found a
church, I found a good job, my daughter
found a job and got a car, and I partnered
with an employee on my new job to start
a Women’s Mentoring Ministry. Bottom
line - I started focusing on Jesus, His Word,
and His personal promises to me and not
my circumstances. I found direction to
take the next step.
I also found out that I still have a lot to
learn about Him and me. What I learned
about me was when it comes to humility, I
have not arrived. God wants to know “how
low can you go”. What I learned about
Him is that bird watching is His business
and His faithfulness is not contingent on
ours. I may not have arrived, but I left! He
is still in the sparrow watching business and
I’m so glad He’s watching me! 
© 2008 Dolores Lee, a former student of Philadel-
phia Biblical University in Langhorne, Pa., gradu-
ated after completing their Certificate Program in
Biblical Theology. She is the Assistant to the Direc-
tor of Research & Development for ICx Technolo-
gies, Inc. in Forest Park, Georgia and Founder &
President of Manasseh Ministries Inc, a 501 c (3)
corporation partnering with Wholesome Minis-
tries, Inc. to mentor young women through support
groups, seminars and retreats. She is the author of
her first book, “The 12th Day”.
WOW! | MAY 2008

H
ave you ever felt like
all hope was gone, like
throwing in the towel and
just plain giving up? Well,
if you haven’t, I’ll tell you
as my mom (the late Ionie Grace White)
would say to me, “Honey, just keep on
Living!”
I have discovered that in this life, you
will feel like you’re on a huge roller coaster
and that good and bad comes along as
unpredictable as the wind. Sometimes you
don’t know if you’re going or coming, up or
down, in or out. But let me encourage you
today – JESUS WILL NOT LET YOU
GO UNDER! No matter what you’re
going through, He will bring you out on
the other side of through. Jesus told the
MAY 2008 | WOW!
How to
STAND
when you don’t quite
UnderSTAND!
disciples, “Let US cross over to the other
side!” No, He didn’t tell them what they
would experience on their way to the other
side, but He did say he would cross with
them and they WOULD get to the other
side - yes Lord!
In spite of the Word of God telling
us, “...but in all thy getting, get an
UnderSTANDing...,” sometimes we may
not quite UnderSTAND as I like to say
“What the Heaven is going on!” (smile)
This is when we must fall prostrate
on our face as Jesus did in the Garden
of Gethsemane, and completely turn
everything over to God’s Will - not ours!
He created everything and everyone, so He
knows what we are going “THROUGH”
and going “TO”! Just focus on your “TO”
Rhonda White
and not your “THROUGH.” Go to
Jesus, the Rock of Ages, and He will be
your Foundation under you to help you
STAND!
Remember, we were created for His
Glory, so what we go through is ALL for
His Glory. Eagles remember the words
to one of my Eagle Plaques - “Be still and
know your life has been pre-recorded so
chill out. Know that you are victorious
and can never lose, no matter what is
happening all around you. Keep your
eyes on the Light and know You’re in a
Fixed Fight.” We can’t lose if we tried,
for we are on the Winning Side - Thank
God, so rejoice in this truth. Again, I say
REJOICE and STAND.
Pray daily, read your Word, read
books on business and wisdom to help
you go from pouting to productivity,
from crying to flying, from complaining
to aiming, and from just motivation to
activation. Join positive network groups,
witness to and help others as much as
you can and this will take your mind off
of what has not happened for you yet!
Increase your Expectation and watch
God bring forth your bountiful Harvest
if you faint not!
During these “character building”
experiences, never lose sight of Who you
are and Whose you are. Today, with tears
in your eyes and disappointment in your
heart, I dare you to PRESS through the
PRESSure and Praise through the Pain.
God will live and inhabit your Praises and
not your pouting. Raise your Praise and He
will give you a Raise (smile). Keep smiling,
soaring and shining Eagles because the
world is looking for your Lighthouse.
Wipe your tears, change your broken light
bulb and clean off your glass for you have
a work to do - So Arise and Shine for your
Light has come - STAND! I love you. 
©2008 Rhonda White www.rhondawhite.com.
29
 TM

Shameika
Williams Want to be featured in the First
Lady/Minister’s wives profile?
Email us at
info@wowmagazine.org.

PROFILE: understand when I say that. I sing, so I should be in the choir,

right? I made a choice to obey Gods voice and sometimes that
Age: 33 means doing something that I might not want to do, but I Trust
Spouse: MINISTER DAVID WILLIAMS God. When God tells me not right now and gives me a direct
Residence: Cincinatti, ohio order, I follow it, until further notice.
Children:David 8, Taylor 6, Justine 4.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten:
Occupation: home schooling Never compromise who you are for nobody! -Grandma (R.I.P)
Church Affiliation: Mt. Moriah m.b. Ch.
Years in christian ministry: My husband has been in the teaching The best advice you can give to other pastor’s/minister’s wives:
ministry for 3 years; he received his BA in Biblical Studies 3 yrs 3 things- If you have made the decision to listen & obey Gods
ago and will be pursuing his Masters of Divinity this fall. voice. Don’t worry about what everybody else thinks. 2) Keep
your husband in prayer, many times God shows us things about
Favorite Scripture: our husband’s path that he may not be ready to receive yet. That
I don’t have a favorite, I stand on the scripture that I am lead to can be very frustrating, because we are going thru it with them
that comforts me in my time of need and worship. so ask God to guide your words when you pray. 3) Stay away
from Minister Wives Clicks! (That irritates me) Be yourself &
Favorite Biblical character: choose some power praying sisters, whose love for God shows in
The woman with the 12 years issue of blood. I always thought their daily walk not in whose wife they are.
that if she could find the strength & stamina to reach her goal to
touch the Hem of Jesus’ garment & keep her Faith thru all the What you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime:
pain that she endured, I can too! In my lifetime? (LOL) I don’t know, still working on right now.
I am planning to go back to school and get my BA in Education
Hobbies: next year. I would also love to get back in the studio and continue
I am a singer/songwriter; I started a company called Gods Favor working on my cd. So, right now I’m taking it one moment at a
Inc. to help promote Independent Christian Artists in genres of time with God leading every step.
Holy Hip Hop, Christian Rock, Urban Gospel and Jazz. Gods
Favor Inc. also holds events that are dear to my heart. I have been
Finally, tell us about any projects, books, cd’s, websites, ministries,
blessed to team up with Cleveland/ Cinti. Lupus Foundation etc. you have available and where to purchase/find them:
headquarters, Uzuri Image and(PR) Ashley Harris to host our You can find Gods Favor Inc. Online Newsletter at www.
1st Fashion Show next May for Lupus Awareness. godsfavornews.blogspot.com You can hear my song “Changes”
at www.myspace.com/shamsmuziq. If interested in receiving a
Ministry Passions (in what capacity do you serve in your church) Potential Sponsor Package for the Lupus Awareness Fashion
At the moment, I do not serve on any group at my church. My Showcase or info about Gods Favor Inc, contact me at godfavr@
assignment right now is our 3 children. Many people do not To be featured in WOW! FLRT profile of the month, contact
gmail.com.
info@wowmagazine.org.

30 WOW! | MAY 2008


OVERCOMING
Low Self-esteem &
Low Self-worth
BY DEAQUELYNN WILLIAMS
Overcome: to be victorious over; to
master; to get the better of; to gain
superiority.
Self-esteem: the esteem or good
opinion of oneself.
Esteem: to set a value on; to guard
with respect; to prize
Self-worth: to value oneself
Worth: equal in value or price to;
deserving of; possessing – value;
price; merit; excellence
T
here are men, woman, boys &
girls who suffer from low self-
esteem and low self-worth even
today. They are dealing with is-
sues that often seem to haunt them and
they can’t seem to let go.
Results of having low self-esteem and low
self-worth (what it leads to):
1. Pre-marital sex – If you don’t feel good
about yourself and never hear/speak posi-
tive words over your life, you will feel ugly
and perhaps useless. Then you will settle for
the first person that tells you that you are
pretty, cute, beautiful, fine, etc.
2. Join gangs – Most people join gangs
to make them feel accepted and a part of a
family.
3. Enter into abusive relationships
– Most abusers (and attackers) prey on
helpless, hopeless women/girls so they can
dominate then and hit or verbally abuse
MAY 2008 | WOW!
them.
4. Develop eating disorders – When
a girl/woman thinks she is too fat or too
skinny she may develop eating disorders to
make herself smaller or bigger.
5. Become self-abusive – when suffering
from low self-esteem and low self-worth
about themselves, some people abuse them-
selves via cutting, etc.
6. Lack of leadership – If you don’t feel
good or confident in yourself you will be-
come a follower and not a leader (it is not
fair to the people you may potentially lead
if you become a follower).
7. Lower standards – You will settle for
anything just to be/feel accepted.
8. Alcoholism and drug abuse – Some
people resort to drinking and drugs to
make themselves feel good about their lives
or various situation (yet when the drinking
and drugs wear off, they are left feeling bad
if not worse).
9. Eventually suicide – There are vari-
ous types of suicide a person can commit
if they suffer with low self-worth and low
self-esteem.
•Emotional suicide where you become
numb and cold to people and the things of
this life.
• Spiritual suicide where you reject God
and His Word and you stop growing spiri-
tually.
• Social suicide where you reject all
friends, family and associated and you be-
come a loner.
•Financial suicide where you become
WOW! Teenz
careless and hopeless about
money and spending hab-
its.
•Physical suicide where
you are so hopeless that
you take your own life and
die. 
OVERCOME!
1. Develop a relationship with God.
God loves you so much that He sent Je-
sus to the earth to die just for you ( John
3:16). If you were the only person in
this entire world, Jesus would have still
sacrificed His life just for you. He wants
to be your best friend. We want to talk
to you and help you through life.
2. Read and believe what God says
about you – read your Bible. God says
some wonderful things about you (“you
are fearfully and wonderfully made” Ps.
139:17). You need to start reading your
Bible to know what He says and then
you need to believe what He says.
3. Say what God says about you
– affirm yourself with and through the
Word of God. Daily speak what God
says about you and reject negative words
from others.
4. Surround yourself with positive
people. It is a proven fact that you be-
come like those around you (look at the
disciples – they became like Jesus and
operated in the same power and anoint-
ing that He operated in the earth).
5. Do not compare yourself with
others. Remember, you are fearfully and
wonderfully made. You are a unique,
one of a kind vessel. God did not make
anyone else like you – so be yourself!
6. Ger involved in church and church
related activities.
7. Worship God. Spend time telling
God how much He means to you and
how much you love Him. Then listen to
His still small voice on the inside of you
while He tells you how much you mean
to Him and express His love for you.
8. Discover your gifts and talents
and use them for God’s glory.
31
 Bunny Debarge is the eldest of
the talented siblings known as
DeBarge, who rose to the top of
the R&B and Pop charts in the
early 80’s. Bunny is releasing the
painful memoirs of the rise and
fall of the famous family. The
book discusses the problems that
the family needed to deal with far
before becoming famous: abuse
- physical, sexual, racial and emo-
tional. Having found Christ has
definitely helped her deal with
such issues in her life. Bunny
shares one on one with Editor-
in-Chief Candie A. Price about
the upcoming book release and
why she chose to go public with
this very intimate story.

Bunny DeBarge
32 WOW! | MAY 2008
BY CANDIE A. PRICE
Candie A. Price: Where did you grow up
and how many (siblings,parents) were in
your household?
Bunny DeBarge: I was born in Detroit,
Michigan where I lived with both my par-
ents. We lived in Detroit until I was 12
years old then my mother made her final
move to get away from my father to Grand
Rapids, Michigan. A couple of years later
the twins Darrell and Carole were born. I
am the oldest of 10 children. My siblings
were 8 brothers and one sister. My father
was in and out of our lives.
CAP: How would you describe your up-
bringing?
BD: My upbringing was hard! Being a
child from and interracial marriage in that
day and time was hard on us children. I
had a very abusive childhood. I would say
we, the children, were very much afraid of
everyone. Mostly we were afraid of our fa-
ther. However, our mother brought us up
in the church. We were also a singing fam-
ily. My mother loved to sing and it was her
dream to be famous. She taught us to sing
at an early age and we were a group that
sang in the church. I found it to be very
much of and outlet for me from all that I
was going through in my home.
CAP: Let’s go back to the early 80’s when
DeBarge was a household name. Tell us
how your family, DeBarge, got its big break
into the music industry and what that
meant to your family.
BD: My brothers Bobby and Tommy had
already been to Ca. and had managed to
get a contract with Motown Records. They
were in a group called Switch. This allowed
Motown to look at DeBarge to see what we
had to offer. It was a way for my family to
take the name that we were once ashame
of from the pain and suffering we went
through as children and become the stars
we always felt we could be.
CAP: As minorities in the business how
did you deal with racial discrimination?
BD: Being with a company such as Mo-
town most of the artists were minority. I
can’t say that we felt any racial discrimi-
nation. However, I must say that it was
when I did recognize that there was a black
chart/R&B and a white chart/ Pop charts.
I saw that we had to go on the R&B charts
first before we could cross over to the Pop
Charts. I saw that when you made it to the
Pop Charts that was when you really made
it big.
CAP: Tell us about your new book and
pending movie venture. What inspired you
MAY 2008 | WOW!
to share your story and what do you hope
will come out of it all.
BD: My Book talks about my life as a child.
The abuse that my mother and we kids en-
dured from the hands of my father. It talks
about us living as mixed children trying to
fit into the black race -feeling that we were
not accepted anywhere for who we were.
I can say it was very much of an embar-
rassment for us having a white father and
a black mother. It talks about how we got
through all of the stares and the giggles.
How much we wanted to be loved by our
peers and our people. It talks about our life
in church and the beginning of our sing-
ing career. It also talks about how it was in
that day and time to do drugs and how we
so indulged in it. I was inspired to write
the story at first just so that I could go back
and uncover all the things that I had hid-
den and covered and just walked away from
as if they did not matter to me in my life. I
had to go back and seek healing. I asked
God to go with me. I needed to view the
things that I had to forgive and let go of. I
had to find out why I was where I was in
life. I had to look at all the things that I
thought were right and let God show me
that I had it all wrong. I had to see all my
dysfunctional ways. I had to see the gen-
erational curses and choose to break them
so that my children could be free as well. I
was tired of living a lie and hiding secrets.
I wrote the book most of all for my fam-
ily. I am the oldest and the one to tell it
from the beginning. I hope that the fam-
ily, as well as my parents, will find healing
and forgiveness and will also be able to cry
their last cries and move on. I feel that
DeBarge has gone where life has destined
them to be, however, it is not our destiny.
I believe dearly that God has kept us for
this day where our mess will become our
message. I also believe that the book “The
Kept Ones” will be a healing to many other
families that are or have been through some
of the same things. Secrets keep you sick. I
have lived this and I was tired of being sick.
It’s alright to be wrong if we can come full
circle and admit our wrongs and go on in
life. Often we continue to repeat the pages.
This book is the end of all the pain and the
future of where The Lord plans for me to
be in life. I can walk into my destiny. I can
be all that God wants me to be. Hopefully,
and I must say there is talks of the books
becoming a movie and I would love for Ali-
cia Keyes to play me. I really do believe
that she can relate. What I want to come
out of this is for my family to come back
to be the loving family we once were and
come back to where we first believe. I see
us all on stage singing to the glory of God.
God will get the glory out of our lives.
CAP: Tell us how you became a Christian
and how has being a believer helped you
get through your experience?
BD: I became a Child Of God at an early
age. However, I only knew Him as my
Savior! Always asking Him to save me
from this and that. I knew the Word as
scripture but I did not make it real in my
life. I knew nothing about making Him my
Lord. He was there to serve me. I knew
nothing about serving Him. I guess you
can say I was religious when I needed to
be. However, I believe that He was my
savior and He saved me early in my life and
because He promised never to leave me or
forsake me, He covered me until I knew
just what it meant to give Him my all.
CAP: what is your favorite scripture and
why?
BD: That would be Proverbs 3:5. It is just
such a great loving promise to those who
do just what it says. Who better than the
Lord to make our way straight, to direct
our every path? I love this scripture! I
have learned in life that He is the only one
that I can trust with All my Heart!
CAP: What final words of encouragement
can you leave with our readers?
BD: The Beautiful Story of Jesus. That He
is truly the way, the truth, and the Light.
His truth will set you free. Let Him teach
you just what you need to know. Keep your
relationship with Him no matter what
you are going through. He is the Promise
Keeper and He has never failed me yet and
I must say He is the only one that hasn’t.
CAP: When and where can your book be
purchased and when should we expect to
hear more about a possible movie?
BD:Hopefully we’ll know more about the
movie possibility in the upcoming months.
The Book will be released June 16 th and
it will be in all stores and bookstores. You
can also preorder it on deborahsmithpub-
lications.com, thekeptones.com or you can
go to myspace.com/bunnyDeBarge. I will
also be available for motivational speaking
and available by contacting the following:
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES/BOOKING:
Sable Soul Entertainment, LLC
Wendy Collins Squirewell
Wendy@sablesoul.com
(615) 258-1990
33
In the Kitchen with WOW!

Baked Shrimp
and Feta Serving Suggestion

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup dry vermouth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 ounces crumbled feta

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Put the butter and garlic into a large skillet, and place over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted
and the garlic begins to sizzle, stir in the shrimp, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cook until the shrimp are
firm and opaque, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, then stir in the chopped parsley, and pour into a casserole
dish.
Pour vermouth into the skillet, and simmer until reduced by half. Add chopped tomatoes and continue cook-
ing until heated through. Spoon tomato mixture on top of the shrimp and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
Bake in preheated oven until the cheese softens and turns golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

34 WOW! | MAY 2008

 Everybody’s
Doing It.

OPULENCE
M A G A Z I
Affluent Christian Living...Mind, Body, and Soul
N E

You Should Too!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
P. O. Box 361391
Birmingham, AL 35236
205.356.6143
www.opulencemagonline.com
Do Your Do with Chiku’
Naturally you for a healthier
you with Tiffany Green
W
hen you think of the health
of your hair, you must think
of the natural health of your
body. The key to healthy hair
and skin is a good balanced diet. Everything
you put inside your body and on your skin
goes into your blood stream. I had the plea-
sure to talk with Recording Gospel Artist
Tiffany Green about how she keeps her hair
and skin at their best; they both glow radi-
antly.
Chiku’: It is an honor to interview you
today Tiffany. Can you tell us a little about
yourself?
Tiffany: Well, I am a child of God, a
church girl. I grew up in the church because
my parents are Pastors. I am a writer of music
and most of all a worshiper; I love to worship
and be in the presence of the Lord. I wear
many hats, like most all of us do: I’m a loving
wife, proud mother of six children, a daughter
and a friend.
Chiku: WOW, Tiffany, you look great to
have six children. How do you keep your hair
and skin glowing and youthful?
Tiffany: I have a very good diet I follow
based on organic and natural food products. I
started eating this way four years ago and in-
troduced it to my family two years ago. I be-
lieve that a good diet and plenty of rest helps
with the overall health of my hair, nails, skin
and with maintaining my weight; it has also
been a great way to detoxify my body.
Chiku’: What made you change your diet
to organic and natural products?
Tiffany: I was working as a personal as-
sistant to Neo-Soul Artist Lisa McClendon
and she was the one that introduced me to
this way of eating. At that time, I was expe-
riencing sore throats and headaches but once
I starting eating organic products I began to
36
notice a positive difference in my condition.
I then began to really enjoy and love eat-
ing this way and I would encourage others
to incorporate, maybe the basics like daily
produce in their diet for a healthy lifestyle.
Tips for hair and skin:
•Plenty of water keeps the skin on your body
Chiku: Ok, let us talk about your hair.
and scalp hydrated. During the course of ev-
Who is your stylist and what products do
eryday, we lose a percentage of the water our
you use?
bodies hold, so it is important that we replen-
Tiffany: Oh, that’s the jazzy part. I may
ish it. Drinking water will prevent dry, flaky
visit my stylist, Tonya, at Expressions Un-
skin, and chapped lips as well as brittle and
limited Salon in Nashville once a month. I
fragile hair.
maintain my hair by regularly shampoo and
•Products to try: Kera Care product line is
conditioning it. I have naturally long and
a good daily maintenance line to use for all
curly hair, so I let my hair air dry like you
types of hair texture.
see on my picture. The products my stylist
•How to create the style: If you have natu-
use at my visits are from the Mizani prod-
rally long, straight hair, you can shampoo and
uct line and protein treatments.
condition your tresses. Braid in medium sec-
Tiffany is taking her Ministry to the
tions and wet- set ends with rod rollers, then
streets with her hit song, Can’t Wait” the
sit under hooded dryer. Once the hair is fully
street release is June 8, 2008. She is located
dried, take rods and braidings down to create
in Nashville, Tennessee under the guidance
a wave pattern to long tresses. Spray with oil
of Exclusive Entertainment Enterprises
sheen for the finishing touch.
www.e-threeonline.com
©2008 Chiku’ Griffin, expostyle@yahoo.com
www.expostyles.com
WOW! | MAY 2008
 Family Values

THE

WOW!
MOM
BY TAMARA D. DAVIS
It’s never too late to follow your dreams. This Month’s WOW!
Mom has set her sights on completing her degree after be-
ing out of school for quite some time. With a young toddler
at home, ShaLonda strives daily to balance her family while
exemplifying Christ in all that she does. Take a look at this
month’s WOW! Mom!
WOW!: What is your greatest parental reward? Your greatest
parenting challenge?
ShaLonda Ray: Seeing my children grow as each day passes.
PROFILE:
Each day is a new adventure. My greatest challenge is dying to
Name:
self and not allowing my fatigue or personal issues to affect my SHALONDA RAY
reaction to my children. Marital Status:
MARRIED TO JOSEPH FOR 4 YEARS
WOW!: How do you balance church, family, school and Residence:
home?
SR: Only by Gods’ grace. I do what I can and simply move on
BALTIMORE, MD
without beating myself up when I can’t complete something. Age:
39
WOW!: How often do you take “me” time? Children:
SR: Not often enough. But I recently returned to college to Payton, 12, Perry, 10, Eliasia, 2.5
complete my degree, so me time is more prevalent these days.
Occupation:
WOW!: How does having Christ in your life change the way human resources assistant
you parent? Heroes:
SR: Having Christ makes all the difference. As I strive to die Jesus
to self my constant goal is to have Christ reflected in my words Hobbies:
and actions so that my children see Him and His love in their
upbringing.
cooking, gardening
Goals:
WOW!: What was the best advice given to you as a mom, and To be all that god will have me
what is the best advice you’d pass on to other mothers? to be
SR: The best advice given to me as a mom was to trust in the
Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own under-
standing. I would encourage the same advice to all mothers. I
would also encourage mothers to be consistent. That is so very
important. Many of the problems that we face with our chil-
To be featured in WOW! Mom, contact Tamara D. Davis at
dren are a result of us not being consistent in our teaching.
tamaradavis@wowmagazine.org

MAY 2008 | WOW! 37

 Q/A
A Word at the Well

“Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well,

but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

Dear Mary, Proverbs 20:5

My teenage daughter (15) has just told my husband and me that she is pregnant.
I, of course, am devastated and my husband can’t even look at her. I know that this type of thing can happen to the
best of families. We try to raise our children with Christian values and up until now, I thought we were successful.
How do we get through this? She is still a straight A student and she has so much promise. The situation is
beginning to cause tension not just between her and us, but also between my husband and me as well. I feel like
I’m stuck in the middle of both of them trying to keep the peace.
Signed,

Grandma To Be

Dear Grandma to Be,
Thank you for sharing the concerns that
you and your family are going through
right now. I appreciate your candor and
transparency.
As believers, we know that God causes
“...all things to work together for the good
for them that love God and are the called
according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28.)
So we can start by knowing that your un-
born grandchild will be a blessing to your
family. But now you have to deal with the
present and the fact that your 15 year old
daughter is pregnant. And yes, this hap-
pens even in the “best of families”.
I will not try to downplay the anguish
that your family is now facing with your
young daughter seemingly jeopardizing a
promising future. I understand the disap-
pointment and even embarrassment that
this can bring to you and your husband.
But this is a situation that will not go away,
so the question becomes what would the
Lord have you do to help your daughter
and your husband during this time.
As I read through your letter I noticed
some key phrases that give a glimpse of
what’s going on in your heart. You mention
that you and your husband try to raise your
children with Christian values and up until
now you thought you were successful. Does
this mean that you feel responsible for your
daughter’s situation? It’s not unusual for us
as parents to feel that way. But the reality
is that we are not responsible. The Bible
teaches that we should “raise up a child in
the way he should go and when he is old, he
will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
You say you feel like you’re stuck in the
middle trying to keep the peace between
your husband and your daughter. I think
sometimes when we’re in the thick of
things we don’t always remember our pow-
er source and our inability to change the
way people relate to one another. Realize
that only God can change hearts, and that
you have a unique opportunity to bless your
family in this situation.
I’m not sure what the conflict looks like
in your home between your husband and
your daughter and between your husband
and yourself, but I can only imagine how
difficult it must be. Knowing a little about
conflict resolution and what is going on
within the parties concerned may be helpful
to you. Conflict is a disagreement through
which the parties involved perceive a threat
to their needs, interests, or concerns. Let’s
start with the conflict between you and
your husband, which I believe is the most
important area to be dealt with.
Which needs, interests, or concerns of
his are threatened? You and your husband
need to talk about what’s going on inside
of him, and I hope you can do that. Pro-
viding him the opportunity to express his
disappointment or disillusionment without
interrupting him or defending your daugh-
ter may be a good place to start. He needs
to know that you understand how he’s feel-
ing. He needs your support. Your husband
may not want to talk about the situation.
Everybody processes conflict differently. I
believe you can help by being aware of your

38 WOW! | MAY 2008

 husband’s relating style, and approaching
him based on that knowledge. For example,
you may encourage him to share his heart
by using “I” statements, such as, “I want
to understand what you’re going through
right now.” “Can you say more about the
disappointment you’re feeling?” “How can
I help you with that?”
Of course you have to be genuinely in-
terested in hearing your husband and being
there for him. This is a time that you should
also share your heart with your husband.
It’s alright to admit that you’re disappoint-
ed with the situation as well. Sometimes
we assume that our spouse knows how we
feel. Most times that is not the case. So
communicate openly with your husband,
and then move forward in a united front.
Your children need to know that you’re
together through thick and thin. If you’re
like me, you are probably being very sup-
portive and protective of your daughter. I
think that’s good, but it should not look
like you’re siding with her over her father.
Your daughter knows full well the impact
of her decisions. Through your example of
love and acceptance, she will have an op-
portunity to reflect on her life and draw
closer to God.
I know this is not what you expected to
happen in your family. But remember that
“ALL things are working together for the
good …” Your daughter is still a straight
“A” student with promise. Her road will
be a little tougher as a teenage mother, but
with the Lord’s strength and you and your
husband’s love and support, she will accom-
plish all that’s already preordained for her
to do.
I encourage you to seek the Lord for
wisdom as you minister to your family. “Be
careful for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your heart and
mind through Christ Jesus” (Philippians
4:6, 7).
Be blessed,
Mary
Mary Betner Bennett holds a M.A. in Education
and a MS in Christian Counseling. Mary is a
member of St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Wil-
liamstown, NJ, where she is a Deaconess and a
leader in the Counseling Ministry and the Women’s
Ministry. Mary is the proud mother of an adult
daughter.DISCLAIMER: Both WOW! and Mary
Betner Bennett do not make any claims or guaran-
tees that the advice given will in fact deliver, re-
lieve, or heal the afflictions or problems of readers
or participants as a result of the spiritual advice
given through this column; responses should not be
viewed as counseling advice. Accordingly, WOW!
and Mary Betner Bennett disclaim any liabil-
ity resulting from advice that does not in fact, or
in the participant’s opinion, have a positive effect,
healing, or resolution of the participant’s afflictions,
concerns, or problems. Participants are encouraged
to seek applicable professional help when deemed
appropriate.

Here’s your opportunity to share your gifts and voice with the world.

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in not a traditional publisher assuming full control of your work of art, we walk with you through the process to bring your vision
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If you are a new or unknown writer and you are especially interested in finding a publisher who is sympathetic to the problems of
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Please review our website and submission guidelines at:

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*Please note: This is neither a commitment nor agreement between any parties. This is for advertisement only.
BFP reserves the right to be selective.

MAY 2008 | WOW! 39

 WOWderful
Woman

Donna Dyson
A Crusader for
Special People
40 WOW! | MAY 2008
BY CANDIE A. PRICE
Candie A. Price: Tell us a little about your-
self, marital status, children (and ages), city,
state you reside, etc.
Donna Dyson:I am a Minister ,the mother
of Jamal (15), Joshua (5), an independent
publisher and an author. and I live in Bal-
timore, MD.
CP: Your son, Joshua, has special needs. Tell
us when you found out about his condition
and explain to us the challenges Joshua fac-
es and how that has impacted your family.
DD: On August 13, 2002, an hour after
Joshua’s birth he was diagnosed with Down
syndrome. The doctors said at that mo-
ment, that they were almost 100% sure that
he had Down syndrome. Down syndrome
is a genetic disorder which could impact in-
dividuals developmentally and cognitively.
Individuals who are diagnosed with Down
syndrome sometimes have serious medical
illnesses, sometimes including major heart
diseases. Though Joshua does not have many
medical illnesses, with the exception of
Asthma, he does have some developmental
and cognitive delays. There are several areas
in which Joshua falls behind in comparison
to his peers, according to his IEP’s and as-
sessments. My entire family is great with
Joshua and very patient; however, there are
some challenges which can be impacting.
The uncertainty of Joshua’s overall develop-
ment cognitively, raises concerns. Though
everyone loves Joshua, and he is extremely
bright; there is a level of unspoken fear of
Joshua requiring life time assistance from
others and him not being able live life in-
dependently.
CP: As a result of Joshua’s challenges, you
felt the need to spread a message to oth-
ers experiencing similar situations. What
prompted your reaction and what exactly
are you involved in that encourages other
parents with special needs children?
DD:After having Joshua, initially I was not
a drum major for him, nor had the desire to
help others. When I had Joshua, I needed
encouragement, hope and support and did
not feel I received what I needed. At first
I became angry at people that I shared in
ministry with, including my husband at
that time, family and friends because I felt
no one said what I needed to hear. After
accepting what God had allowed, I realized
that perhaps they didn’t know what to say.
Perhaps there was an unfair expectation I
had which no one was aware of.
I begin to look around and realized
there were not many people, particularly
in the African American community, who
MAY 2008 | WOW!
were willing to encourage, equip, and em-
power parents who have children with
special needs. I signed up with an on-line
support group, which is more informational
but does not minister nor provide the lev-
el of encouragement I need. The message
I received is a simple one: based out of a
biblical scripture found in John 9 verses 1-
4. In summary, there was a man who was
born blind at birth, and those who followed
Jesus assumed that the man or his parents
must have done something wrong to cause
his situation. The revelation I received was,
God will create situations and design indi-
viduals to display His work. In other words,
having Joshua, and for parents who have
children with special needs; God decided
our children would grace our lives to be
conduits of His Glory and that their pres-
ence is purposeful. I am an advocate in my
community for individuals who have spe-
cial needs; I have helped my church and am
posturing myself to help other faith based
communities to begin ministries/programs
for families of children with special needs. I
started a ministry at my church called PEP
(Parents empowering Parents) and teach a
summer school class at church entitled No
Limits. I am a parent liaison for special
education in Baltimore County, basically
supporting parents of children at my son’s
elementary school. I am also an adjunct
professor for a community college, teach-
ing adults with disabilities and adults with
mental illnesses.
CP: Was there ever a time that you blamed
God or yourself for what you have experi-
enced?
DD: Oh God Yes---absolutely. I went the
first three months of Joshua’s life appropri-
ately giving answers of faith when people
would call me or come around to visit. I
would appear to be this woman of strength
and faith and simply act as if I had it all
together. The moment I was alone with my
beautiful son, I would break down and cry,
and express to God how I didn’t understand
why He did this to me. I remember think-
ing God didn’t love me, and that perhaps
all of the sins I committed in my past were
never forgiven. I remember going through
moments of self-hatred and even blamed
Joshua’s condition on the problems I was
having in my marriage. It wasn’t until that
moment when I broke down and pounded
my fist on my sofa asking God why. After
I reminded God how faithful I was, how
I love Him, preach for Him, live for Him
and questioned why was He punishing me,
God’s response was, “I am not punishing
you. You have Joshua because I trust you.
It’s so that my Glory will be revealed in and
through His life.”
CP: What would you like to see happen as
a result of the work you do on behalf of the
persons with special needs in our society?
DD: I am hopeful and prayerful, that people
in our society will become more sensitive
to the needs of families who have persons
with disabilities. In addition, I would like
to see individuals, school systems, employ-
ers, and society at large openly welcome,
embrace, learn from and assist individuals
with special needs.
CP: What would you say is the biggest
misconception about persons with special
needs?
DD: The biggest misconception about per-
sons with special needs is that they are un-
intelligent. I love working with Joshua, and
adults with special needs because I learn so
much from them. First of all they are ex-
tremely compassionate, and love to learn
and explore. More importantly, individuals
with special needs are capable of so much,
when they have people supporting them
and believing in them.
CP: How can other people become in-
volved in this very important issue?
DD: First, I would say spend some time
with families who have children or indi-
viduals with special needs, and see if there
is anything that is needed. Often, just an
opportunity to have an hour of free time is
well appreciated. In addition, become edu-
cated about this matter.
CP: I always like to ask this question of
those I get a chance to interview, How
would you like to be remembered?
DD: I would like to be remembered as a
beacon of light. Someone who has a proven
track record of helping people transform
their lives.
CP: What is the best advice you can give
to anyone dealing with individuals with
special needs in their families and/or com-
munities?
DD: Love them unconditionally, place no
limits on them, and believe in their suc-
cess.
CP: You may leave any contact information,
projects, books, materials, websites, etc. for
our reading audience:
DD:minista2u@aol.com;
www.readywriters.homestead.com;
www.a-servantsheart.org. A Drink from
the Well: Refreshment for the Soul (a
devotional for women). I will be releasing
an inspirational late fall for individuals who
care of persons with disabilities. 
41
Pebbles from Pastor B.J.

The
Responsibility of
Respect

BY DR. B.J. RELEFOURD

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;

T
and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband. Ephesians 5:33
he art of marriage is one of the most complex forms of relation-
ships given to mankind. It is the act of loving oneself, while
denying yourself. It is a form of devotion as well as a structured
operation of feelings.
Marriage is a responsibility of respect one for another, a covenant which
includes liberty. On many occasions, it is the non-allowance of liberty
which causes a mate not to exercise their God given liberty.
When the Apostle Paul discusses love between spouses, he describes
love in such a manner that gsive us an intimate view of relationships. Paul
admonishes the husband to love his wife, his companion, his confidante
as he loves himself. It is the responsibility of the husband to demonstrate
love for his wife in the same manner in which he loves himself. Therefore,
his responsibility to himself is to maintain a level of Godly care for himself
so that he may faithfully transmit pure care to his queen.
Paul also speaks to the wife as he reminds her to reverence her husband.
It is the responsibility of the wife to respect and honor her husband. Her
heart should yearn to seek the Lord for the manner in which she may
demonstrate and display honor for her mate.
One must understand that in order to love and respect another indi-
vidual, one must love and respect themselves. Hence, the responsibility of
learning who you are and whose you are.
Enjoy your journey, honor your relationship, and accept the responsibil-
ity to not only respect your mate, but to respect yourself. 

42 WOW! | MAY 2008


Tax Rebates,
Economic Stimulus and YOU!
T
he current buzz about the upcoming stimulus
plan and the state of the US economy has a lot of
people talking. When the Bush administration
and Congress alerted the public that families and
individuals would be getting checks ranging from $600 to
$1,800, people were excited. And, I have to admit, I was even
starting to consider what I was going to do with my piece of
the pie. So, apart from all the independently wealthy folks
out there who aren’t thinking twice about this check, let me
give you a couple of things to consider.
The Goal Is Spending?
The government is actually sending these checks out with
the hopes that you, the normal consumer, will go out and
spend this money- on a flat screen TV, on a new pair of tires
you’ve needed or any other shiny, glittery, thing that catches
your eye. Now, that’s all fine and dandy, but if you’re going
to spend the money, you might as well get the best bang for
your buck (pun intended). If you are currently in the market
to purchase a big-ticket item, then wait for the season when
checks will be disbursed. Many stores understand that a lot
of cash will suddenly be infused into the economy and they
will be competing to get your dollars. So let them fight over
you and use this time to negotiate on price.
Knock Out Some Debt
This could be as good a time as any to use these funds to pay
off some credit card debt as well- especially the ones with
high interest rates. For example, if you are making minimum
payments on a credit card debt that has a 20-24% rate, paying
it off will allow you to put that money into a savings account
or an investment account where it can now grow in your
favor, rather than grow into a larger burden.
MAY 2008 | WOW!
Money Matters with Gil Michel
The Emotional Side
Whatever you decide to do with your newfound wealth, make
sure you wait at least 7 days before you make any decisions.
Most of the financial messes we’ve made were done on a
whim and were emotional, impulse decisions. Some may ar-
gue that the weeks leading up to the check being received are
an adequate amount of time to think about your decision, but
I believe that the dynamic changes greatly when you actually
have the cash in your hands (Try holding $20,000 cash in
your hands and see what happens to your heart rate). So pray,
or budget, or project, or simply slow down and think about
the ramifications and results of what your financial decision
will make.
Ultimately, this check will be gone from most of our hands
within weeks of receiving it, but if you can approach these
concepts with this one check AND to what you earn regu-
larly, you will have put some legs to a plan to start changing
the landscape of your financial future.
________________________________________
©2008 Gil Michel is the president of BlackMoneyMat-
ters.com, a financial website that is geared towards helping
educate and motivate the Black community in the area of
financial stewardship.
43
Thought for Today
M
BY PATRICE G. PARKER
y son was born on
January 20, 1988. He
weighed six pounds and
eleven ounces, and he
was twenty-two inch-
es long. He had a small round face and a
head full of dark curly hair, in fact he was
hairy all over. His complexion was light ex-
cept around his ears. They were dark with
a shadow of fine hair outlining the lobes.
They sort of reminded me of my grandfa-
ther who has hair growing out of his ears.
My grandfather once told us that his hairy
ears were a part of his heritage, a trait given
to him by his ancestors from the Blackfoot
Indian tribe. Looking down at such a sweet
serene innocent little face helped calm some
of my most disturbing fears of being a new
mother. I had never been a mother before,
sure I helped my mom with my siblings,
but it was not the same for anxiety, panic
and fear rose up from my belly grasping my
throat. But this innocent baby, even in his
peaceful sleep, demanded my full attention
even when I allowed my most debilitating
postpartum depression moments to take
control causing me to think and say irratio-
nal things about not wanting to be a moth-
er with responsibilities. His spirit danced
on the wings of his gently perched smile
begging and longing for me to warm up to
44
An Unconditional Love
him, embrace him, hold and kiss him, and
reassure him that the hands now holding
him would not let him down ever again.
I bore my son out of wedlock and be-
came another teenage statistic. However,
looking down at him in that moment, in
that instance with tears ready to burst
through the invisible dam holding the
flood at bay, I vowed within myself that
my son and I would not continue to be a
statistic. We would not end up on another
list. So as I caressed his sleeping cheek and
gently stroked his face, I rebuked the evil
thoughts and sincerely prayed asking God
to please help me to unconditionally love
and provide for my son’s basic needs, and
never let him want for anything. That’s
when the love of innocence removed the
claws clutching my throat, and love then
proceeded to lock onto the chambers of my
heart, and the selfish ‘limited conditional’
love I was feeling melted into an ‘uncon-
ditional’ love for my son. Regardless of the
circumstances surrounding his birth (I’ll
save that story for another day) that were
paired with the rumors and whispers float-
ing around about me, I suddenly realized
that the life that I brought into the world
didn’t ask to be here; but because of God’s
amazing forethought, divine purpose and
plan, he arrived on time wrapped with in-
tent and purpose to his assigned caregiver:
the one God knew would care, protect and
provide for him, as she would give this child
the unconditional love just like He did for
all of us. I can only imagine how Mary the
mother of Jesus felt when she looked down
at her new little baby boy on that day in
the manger. Better still, this indescribable
feeling had to be similar to what God felt
when he created us for His express purpose
and in His own image. Angie and Deb-
bie Winans said it this way on their Bold
album “It is true, God is love and love is
God. And oh oh, love won’t ever hurt you, I
know he won’t ever leave you, for that’s not
love…” (Bold by Angie & Debbie Winans)
“Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be
called the sons of God:…” (I John 3:1a).
God knew how he felt about his children
so I am of the school of thought that tends
to think that God fashioned woman to be
the seat of his heart, the cache of his emo-
tions (for she was fashioned from man’s rib
– the protector of the heart) to show forth
his abundant love, patience, temperance,
mercy, kindness, goodness, patience – did I
say that already; trust me it bears repeating.
In our society, a father’s love is often equat-
ed as the ‘tough love’, you often would hear
mom say, “don’t let me have to tell your fa-
ther about you when he comes home from
work”. Now don’t get me wrong, each par-
WOW! | MAY 2008
ent is equally important in the upbringing name. What a love! ing love from others. For Jesus Himself
of a child, and a father’s love has as much The rest of this passage continues to commanded that he who loves God is to
value as the mother’s, but there was some- lend itself to the aspects of the caring na- demonstrate this through loving others.”
thing about a mother’s love that would be ture of a loving parent (i.e. discipline, com- (Author Unknown; Ref. I John 4:19) We
just as firm yet gentle, nurturing and kind, fort, guidance, building an inheritance etc.) are to be the ‘living example’ of how God
that often gave you seventy chances (Ref. and as loving parents it is hoped that our first loved us with an unconditional love for
Matt. 18:21-23) to get it right before she children learn and appreciate all that we do He is faithful and just and will reward us on
actually told daddy. One of the mother’s for them; but even if they don’t appreciate our own merit in the end. Stay blessed!
responsibility is to teach her children what us or show us a reciprocal love, it is up to
it means to love, feel and accept pain, and the parent to love them regardless of how ©Patrice G. Parker is a native of Detroit, Michi-
how to communicate and express emo- one is treated. Yes feelings may be hurt, but gan and a member of Perfecting Church, Pastor
tions. Learn how to give not expecting to as one writer stated “Our love, if it exists Marvin L. Winans, Pastor. She is the director of the
always receive. What it means to let go, and mirrors God’s love at all, is not our own Dorcas/Pastor’s Aide Society and oversees the script
while learning to appreciate the simplicity but God’s doing. The epitome of hypocrisy writing committee for the Drama Ministry. She
currently resides in Southfield, Michigan with
life has to offer. A mother’s love is meant is the claim to love God while withhold-
her son, Michael.
to be gentle and prodding; telling you that
you can make it if you try. Her teaching
is meant to lend wisdom and prudence as
instruments for guidance, her nurturing to
express God’s deepest love for all mankind
shown through her agility, perseverance,
tenacity, faithfulness and gentleness. (Ref.
Prov. 31) A mother’s love could always be
found when everything and everyone else
had left.
That’s when I was reminded of a very
familiar passage in scripture, Psalms 23 and
looked at it from a parent’s perspective. “The
Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. He re-
storeth my soul: he leadeth me in the path
of righteousness for his name’s sake.” First
we see daddy at work as the leader and pro-
vider of his home. Then we see where what
I call the softer side of the Lord step in.
Looking again from the natural or carnal
perspective, we’ve all heard the saying “dad-
dy brings home the bacon and momma fries
it up in a pan”. Here the Lord as the Father
and protector of the home makes provision
for his family but then with the attributes
of a mother, he makes sure that those pro-
visions are shared with all family members.
We are fed from the best sumptuous lush
pastures where we can be refreshed and in-
vigorated. (Now a word from our sponsor),
you and I both know that cooked bacon
with scrambled eggs, warm homemade but-
tery biscuits, savory hash browns and grits
taste mighty fine when you’re hungry, and
usually it was momma who made the meal
delicious from what daddy provided. Not
only are we fed and rested but, we are led to
a peaceful area where we can drink safely,
rest and be replenished; get the proper nur-
turing and development for our mind, body
and soul, and then we are ‘trained up in the
way we should go’ (Ref. Prov. 22:6) so as
not to forget or bring shame to our family’s

MAY 2008 | WOW! 45

Vanessa Davis Griggs
W
hen I arose, I was thinking I
would write about forgiving,
however, God steered me in a
different direction. I was led to the book
of Job and reminded of the moments
he experienced. Many of us may have
experienced a “Job moment” in our own
lives. A “Job moment” is when one thing
after another seems to happen and you’re
left trying to figure out what’s happening
and why. Perhaps you didn’t start out as a
righteous man as Job was called. Maybe
there are things in your past that you know
was (and is) flat-out wrong, and you can’t
see how even God could be so loving that
He forgave you for it, but that’s how God is.
Maybe you grew up in church and you don’t
consider yourself a “bad” person, but you
recognize you were a sinner who came to
accept Jesus and you’re now saved by grace.
You may really be trying to live right, but
somehow those Job moments have found a
way into your life. Job moments.
That’s when you find that you’re blessed,
but before someone can tell you one bad
news, here’s someone else bringing some
more bad news. It’s having material things
and finding something coming along that
takes it away from you through no fault
of your own. It’s friends talking about you
and concluding there has to be some sin
(secret or otherwise) in your life causing
all these bad things to happen to you. A
Job moment is when your physical body is
being attacked and things don’t seem to be
getting any better. It’s when you lose the
people you love the most, when the person
you have vowed to become one with gets so
frustrated with your life that they tell you
to just curse God and die. A Job moment
is when you find yourself crying out to
God for help, love, and mercy expecting
46
Job Moments
any minute for things to turn around, only
to find yourself questioning God on some
level even though you know you shouldn’t
be questioning God on any level.
If I can bring this home to your doorstep,
it’s when you find that there is too often
more month left than money. It’s when
your children have turned away from the
upbringing and teachings you’ve worked
so hard to instill in them about God and
responsibility and you can’t seem to get
them back. It’s when you watch your
children being hurt by the decisions they
make, the people they choose to have in
their lives, or those who are trying to live
right getting knocked down, and you find
there’s nothing you can do to help them. It’s
when you pray that the few gallons of gas
you put in the car will last like the oil in the
lamps lasted for those who now celebrate it
as Hanukkah. It’s when you pray that your
credit card won’t say “declined.” It’s when
the people you have befriended and given
so much of yourself to won’t answer the
phone when you call and refuse to return
your call after you leave a message. It’s
when that spouse you’ve sacrificed for and
loved unconditionally leaves you because
“something”or “someone”better came along.
It’s when you pray, confess and believe, and
you know you’re walking in faith, but in the
end, things still just didn’t come out the
way you desired. A Job moment is, when all
is said and done, there’s no one left but you
and God and the dialogue is only between
the two of you.
After Job’s own “moments,” he challenged
God and, in essence, found that his arms
were indeed not long enough to even
attempt to box with God. From Job,
chapters 38-41, God does what I often call
“read Job.” You know what it is to read a
person? That’s when you throw the book at
them and let them have it in terms they can
understand. In Job chapter 42, verses 1-6,
Job fully submits to God. Verses 5-6, Job
states, “I have heard of thee by the hearing
of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee:
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in
dust and ashes.” Job submitted to God and
after that you see, in Job 42:12, where God
blesses him. “So the Lord blessed the latter
end of Job more than his beginning.” You
see, in the end, his latter was greater than
his beginning. Praises to the Most High
God!
May I have a “Word” with you? I know
you’re smart. You may think you’re a good
person. But we must learn to fully submit
to God. When you submit, you’ll find you
don’t get as upset about the bad things
that happen in your life. You can smile and
endure because you know that God is still
in control. You know that when you fully
submit to God whatever Satan may mean
for your bad, God is going to use it for your
good. This is God’s business. When you fully
submit, you can go through whatever life
brings with joy not because you’re enjoying
what’s happening to you, but because you
know that God sees and knows all. You
know that in the joy of the Lord, there’s
strength. This one thing I know: God is the
same yesterday, today, and forevermore. The
same God who blessed Job after all he had
endured is the same God who will bless you
after your Job moments. Submit to God
and watch Him do great things in, for, and
through your life. The good, the bad, and
the ugly, God will still get the glory when
you learn to fully submit to Him.
© 2008 Vanessa Davis Griggs All rights reserved
www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com
WOW! | MAY 2008

“
Well, we don’t get manuals on par-
enting…,” I overheard someone tell
a mother of a pre-teen. I caught the
tail-end of the conversation; however,
I imagine this person was trying to help the
worrisome mother. They insinuated that
there are no written guidelines to parent-
ing, and consequently, there is no right or
wrong way of doing it. This explanation
often comforts us when we know we’ve
messed up somehow in rearing our chil-
dren. Although we do not receive a Mother
Training Manual after delivery, we know
there is a right and wrong way to parenting.
Jane Evans—pastor, speaker, author, wife,
and mother of three boys—shows us the
right way according to the Word of God, in
her book, Raising Children Without Go-
ing Insane.
Jane Evans was forty years old with two
teenage boys when she found out she was
pregnant with her third child. Initially, she
struggled with her “unplanned” pregnancy,
but soon felt the peace of God and His
grace to undertake this extraordinary task.
In her humorous tone, Jane talks about her
MAY 2008 | WOW!
Tameka Delaney Edwards
Raising Children
WOW! Books
Without Going
Insane
Author: Jane Evans
• Publisher: Whitaker House
(2005)
ISBN-13: 978-0-88368-724-6
ISBN-10: 0-88368-724-0
Price: $12.99 Paperback
experience raising children while working Evans, visit
in full-time ministry with her husband. She www.janeevans.org
reminds us, “God has placed a blueprint for
greatness within each and every child… Copyright © 2008 Tameka Delaney Edwards
[and] as parents, it is our responsibility and TamekaDEdwards@wowmagazine.org
mandate to train them in such a way that
steers them in the direction of that blue-
print.
Motherhood is one of the most reward-
ing and challenging jobs. We cannot forget •Raise the strong-willed
that God’s Word is our ultimate guide to
raising the next generation. It equips
and the worrywart
us for the challenge. God has also •Treat your children equally but
given us insightful and compassion- separately
ate leaders, like Jane Evans, to help •Properly discipline
us along the way. Her book will en- •Remain confident in your God-given
courage, inspire, and empower you
to be the best parent with God’s
role as a parent
guidance. •Trust God with your children
Jane Evans and her husband, •Encourage your children with positive
Ashley, are senior pastors of Para- speaking
dise Community Church in Adelaide, •Teach your children how
South Australia. Jane, with a background
in counseling women, is the South Aus-
to believe in God for
tralian Director of Australian Christian themselves
Women. For more information about Jane
47
Women’s Workplace Wisdom

Working Moms: RELAX! -

There IS A Ram In The Bush
48 WOW! | MAY 2008
I
BY VALERIE HICKS POWE
cannot fathom that Madelyn Mur-
ray, the atheist who worked so dili-
gently to end school prayer could
have been a working mother. I am
convinced that raising two kids
while holding down the demands of a job is
enough to compel the strongest of women
to confess Jesus. For mothers who work
outside of the home, the days often seem
unending.
It is easy to become overwhelmed and
frustrated with the voluminous ever grow-
ing tasks working mothers face daily. I
remember the days of getting the kids to
school, managing to work in appointments
with their doctors and dentists and dealing
with the occasional emergency call from
the school. Only a working mother can re-
late to the trepidation associated with the
call from the school informing you that one
of your little ones has fallen off the slide
and possibly broken their nose, or is simply
running an low grade temperature which
“
requires that you drop ev-
erything and pick them up.
Had we known all that God does not expect us to have
was required before we be-
gan producing our little dar-
all of the answers. Mothers, and
lings, I submit that many of especially working mothers, will
us would have declined the
job. Nonetheless, we are face daily challenges as they work,
here now and those moth-
erly instincts have kicked raise and care for their families.”
in. We are now on a mis-
sion: to raise God fearing,
productive citizens for society and not lose
ourselves or more importantly our minds in
the process.
The process is intense; before most peo-
ple awaken working mothers have already
put in their first shift. That usually starts
with getting the crew prepared to leave the
house. It’s amazing how something that
sounds so benign can be so intense and
nerve wrecking. As I reflect on the years
of trying to get two children dressed, fed
and out the door, while at the same time
managing not to be late for work myself, it
looks like a daily play of the old game show
“beat the clock”. The clock won more often
than I care to admit.
As a mother of a high school junior and
a graduating college senior, my reminisce of
those hectic mornings are bitter sweet. I
can now chuckle at how intense I was; spit-
ting out orders and commands with all the
furor of a four star general whose ship was
under attack. At the same time, I am som-
berly moved by the realization that I didn’t
MAY 2008 | WOW!
relax more so that I could have savored and
enjoyed those precious days that are now a
distant memory. I wish that I had learned
early on, to not become so consumed in the
logistics of every day life that I failed to en-
joy the experience of life. I learned this les-
son several years into the process when one
hectic morning God used a little boy and
a pile of laundry to show me that I could
relax because He always has a ram in the
bush.
On that particular morning my ritual
was not unlike other mornings, I started
the French toast, my son’s favorite breakfast
and then began checking on him to ensure
he had completed all of the necessary req-
uisites for getting off to school. I rattled off
my usual questions. “Did you brush your
teeth? Did you wash your face? Did you
pack your book bag? Comb your hair? And
why aren’t you dressed?” To that last inqui-
ry I received the dreaded response that no
working mother wants to hear, “because I
don’t have any underwear”. My heart sank
and then quickly went into panic mode for
two reasons. First, I thought if he doesn’t
have underwear he can’t get dressed. And
even if he could, I was sure there was some
biblical commandment or at least a statute
derived from common law that prevented
children from going to school with out
underwear. Second, and foremost I didn’t
have anyone to fuss at. This was a major
problem and I didn’t have anyone to blame
but myself. My little munchkin was re-
sponsible for brushing his teeth, combing
his hair, packing his book bag and even get-
ting dressed, but ensuring that he had un-
derwear—that was my responsibility. Such
a simple responsibility, yet I had failed. I
managed to scramble the eggs and flip the
French toast while struggling to get over
the initial shock. After placing his favorite
breakfast in front of my bathrobe clad baby
boy, I headed for his room. I was convinced
that his dreadful announcement was a re-
sult of a condition that had been passed on
to him from his father, “Over-look-itis”.
That is a condition known to invade all
children under 12 and most males over the
age of 13. Certainly, there had to be at least
one pair of underwear in his drawer, after
all I kept up with that sort of thing. He had
just overlooked them. After ten minuets
of searching feverishly, I had to capitulate,
there was no underwear. Desperate, I col-
lected all of the dirty underwear from his
room to start a load of laundry. This took
another five to ten minuets as I had to lo-
cate briefs and boxers from under the bed,
behind doors, from the closet floor and
even from the middle of the floor. Oddly,
his hamper was empty.
I realized that doing a load of laundry at
that hour wasn’t the greatest of options, as
it would take no less than forty-five minu-
ets to wash and completely dry the items.
I even had a fleeting thought of having him
wear a pair of mine, but I quickly dismissed
it—how would he ever explain it to his gym
teacher. As I cleared my cluttered laundry
room to make my way to the washer, I no-
ticed several clean items of
clothing piled on top of the
dryer. Could it be? Per-
haps just may be?... It was!
There under the pile of clean
clothes was a clean pair of
my son’s underwear. My
shouts of praise God and
Halleluiahs brought both
my children running to find
the source of the commo-
tion. Although it was just
a pair of clean underwear, for this stressed
out, overwhelmed mother of two who was
wound much too tight, the manifestation
was almost as joyous as Abraham finding
the ram in the bush. In fact, that is precise-
ly what it was to me—a ram in the bush.
God does not expect us to have all of the
answers. Mothers, and especially working
mothers, will face daily challenges as they
work, raise and care for their families. God
expects us to do what we can and trust that
when things start to close in, He has a ram
in the bush, even if that ram takes the form
of a pair of clean underwear.
© 2008 Valerie Hicks Powe All Rights Reserved.
Valerie Hicks-Powe is an author and a former
senior trial attorney with the federal government.
Her book www.Proverbs: Women’s Workplace Issues
from Proverbs© offers practical advice, inspired by
the Proverbs, to real workplace problems faced by
women today.
49
K e y s t o D y n a m i c
On the Way to Servanthood
P
BY BARBARA ARNOLD
eter’s grimy feet were aching in
their sandals. You would think
that Jesus would know we’re
tired…time to settle down
for the night…in a shelter
or somebody’s cozy home…and get our
stinkin’ feet washed. But Jesus seemed to
have a predetermined destination—“on the
way to someplace,” Peter had earlier said
to Andrew, “just don’t know where.” As
a result of the pace, when Jesus did stop,
Peter missed a step. Jesus had a question
for him.
“Who do you think I am, Peter?” said
Jesus. Peter’s reply reflected three years of
contemplation. Jesus had called Peter and
told him to get behind him and follow him.
Peter had hoped—“yes, please, Blessed
One”—that Jesus was the one they awaited.
Because he had seen the miracles that only
the one longed-for could accomplish, he
answered Jesus: “You’re the Messiah.”
Peter saw that Jesus was pleased with his
response. He was disconcerted, therefore,
when Jesus went on with a most bizarre
declaration: “The Son of Man must suffer
many things and be rejected by the elders
and the chief priests and the scribes, and
be killed, and after three days rise again.”
Though the matter was plainly stated, “It
was just too absurd,” Peter said later to his
friends, “too contrary to the image of the
Messiah we’d been brought up with. So I
rebuked him.”
Jesus’ reaction dumbfounded Peter.
He severely chided Peter before the other
disciples, calling him by the name of the
Tempter, and reminded Peter to “get
behind” him (where he was told to be when
he became a disciple). Jesus, softening, --
50
B i b l e S t u d y
“Thank you, O Blessed One”--summoned
a crowd along with Peter and the disciples.
Instruction was needed.
But Peter’s eyes became unfocussed.
Heard this before…anyway, don’t need this
stuff on servanthood. I’ll be alongside him
in the Kingdom…and I’m still tired. As a
result, Peter missed “He must deny himself,
and take up his cross and follow me.”
Several days later, Peter and the
others listened, without comment or
understanding, as Jesus reiterated his
peculiar prediction: “The Son of Man is
to be delivered into the hands of men, and
they will kill Him; and when He has been
killed, He will rise three days later.” The
uncomfortable silence was soon interrupted
by an under-toned squabble between the
disciples—each wanted to be the greatest.
When Jesus later said, “What were you
discussing on the way?” there was no reply.
Then Jesus sat down and called the twelve
over.
“If anyone wants to be first,” Jesus said,
“he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
In spite of treading zigzag from town
to town, Peter began to realize their
destination.
“Look, guys, we’re on the way to
Jerusalem.”
“Is there any way to change his mind?”
James said.
“I don’t think so.” Peter moved the men
further from Jesus’ earshot. “Haven’t you
noticed his quick, sure steps lately?”
“But the religious leaders…”
“I know, I know,” Peter said.
On the way, Jesus, for the third time,
predicted events he would not avoid. And
then he added, “The Son of Man will be
delivered to the chief priests and the scribes;
and they will condemn Him to death and
will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They
will mock Him and spit on Him, and
scourge Him ….”
Unaffected by Jesus’ description, James
and John jostled their way forward to Jesus.
“Can we sit on your right hand and left in
your glory?” Jesus had instructed them on
servanthood twice before. Nevertheless,
he said: “whoever wishes to become
great among you will be your servant; and
whoever wishes to be first among you will
be slave of all.”
Jesus went ahead of his disciples to
emulate his own teaching. His path was to
the cross; his destination was predetermined.
Jesus had said, “Even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give His life a ransom for many.” He lived
his entire life “on the way” to servanthood.
And His disciples, through numberless
generations, would follow.
(Author’s note: The article is adapted from Mark
8:27-34; 9:30-35 and 10:32-45. Notice that each
of the three texts has three things in common: Jesus
is “on the way,” He gives a prediction of His death,
and He explains servant-hood. Mark links the
three stories through repetition and, thereby, gives
a triple application: We who are called followers of
Christ must follow Christ into servanthood.) 
©2008 Barbara Arnold is a wife and a mother
of four grown children. Barbara received her
Bachelor of Science degree from Philadelphia
Biblical University and her Master’s degree in Old
Testament from Biblical Theological Seminary in
Hatfield, Pa.
WOW! | MAY 2008
 i r l b l u e s
pretty g
Imagine growing up
with cancer...
a brave woman shares
her triumphant story!
P
BY JEARLEAN TAYLOR
retty girl blues. Was this a label
she put on herself or allowed
others to give her? Why did she
allow herself to hide deep in
her pain? She hides behind her
pretty looks, clothes, and the truth within.
She has outer beauty, but was suffering on
the inside with low self-esteem, pity, and
unhappiness. Could her beauty cover up
her hurt? She desperately wanted to be ac-
cepted. Yes, she has a darling personality
and nobody could take that away, but was
it enough to mend the hurt and internal
pain? Her parent’s had sacrificed and cared
for all her brothers and sisters, but would
they anticipate one of their children devel-
oping cancer at the age of two.
We are familiar with several types of
cancer, but a baby developing this type
(Rhabdomyosarcoma) was unheard of. This
was such a rare form of cancer the doctors’
thought she would not live to celebrate her
3rd birthday. How could this be and why?
Most importantly how would doctor’s care
for this child? Her care began at the Uni-
versity of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore,
but the family was later advised to seek a
second opinion at Sloan Kettering Cancer
Hospital in New York City. The majority
of her childhood and adolescent years are
spent in New York City. At Sloan Ketter-
ing she would have many surgeries, chemo-
therapy, and radiation treatments. Because
of the cancer, reconstructive surgery was
not optional. This procedure would cause
her to have a colostomy and ileostomy bag
to aid her bladder and bowel function for
the rest of her life. Even after that surger-
ies seem to never stop. Imagine growing
up wearing two bags, being teased and set
aside because you can not tell if it is time
to change your bags. “Hey what is that
MAY 2008 | WOW!
smell”, they would say. She had incidents in
school and when she did not know how to
handle these situations it really caused her
low self-esteem. She had it bad. Her hearts
desire was to be like other children. To be
teased by her peers was heart breaking.
Becoming a teenager and maturing into
a young adult were difficult years. She later
involved herself in boyfriends, but when
they got close she would break it off, fear-
ing they would not understand. She had
a method of trying to hide “the secret”.
Someone will understand, she thought. It
seem like no one did, what a fool she felt
like. Continuing to hide behind her family,
friends, and pretty looks, she developed the
craft of covering and dressing up the out-
side. This disease causes her to hide deep in
her pain. Questions would arise. How would
she cope? How would she handle what life
have dealt her? Can she continue to hide
“the secret”? So I asked myself, “Why do I
feel so blue, and how can I change the way
I am feeling”
Surely, there was an answer. I could
not imagine, but God would change my
life. He healed me from cancer. I am His
miracle child. He protected and assured me
everything was going to be all right. God
not only healed my physical body, but my
spirit and mind. That is what needed to be
healed desperately. I am thankful for that
spiritual process which took place within
me. My insecurities did not change over-
night, but I learned how to be a survivor.
The question was not “why me”, but “Why
Not Me”. This “secret” would no longer be
a secret, but a triumphant story. My tri-
als and tribulations tested my faith, but it
made me stronger. God instilled in me an
inner strength I thought I did not have.
This journey has taught me so much and I
will use this experience for my aspirations
in life. My situation is unusual in this mod-
eling industry, but I thank God for open-
ing doors that other wise would be shut in
my face. To see the outer beauty you could
never tell I live with these adversities. After
all I have gone through, who would have
thought becoming a fashion model, inspi-
rational writer, motivational speaker, and
owner of my own modeling company was
in the plans for me. But it does not stop,
there is so much more to come. This story
may seem personal, but because of my ad-
versities in life I will continue to reach out,
encourage, uplift, listen, understand, and
help those in need. My faith and trust in
God makes all the difference. I am thank-
ful for my family, friends, and most of all
angels that watches over me.
Today, at 40 years old I am blessed with a
wonderful husband of 11 years that appre-
ciates, understands, and accepts me for me.
I will continue to have one-colostomy bag
and the use of a self-catheter for the rest of
my life. I am very thankful for this journey.
I am a Fashion Model, WOW; sometimes
I can not believe it. As I look back over my
life I would not change anything. My light
will continue to shine so others can witness
and know they can overcome obstacles. Do
not be ashamed or afraid to tell your story
because you never know how “blue” some-
one may feel. I can and will live a full and
vibrant life.
Today I am owner and CEO of
Thoughtsofinspiration.com & J &
Company Christian Modeling InChrist
www.thoughtsofinspiration.com
www.jaccmodelinginc.com
jaccmodelinginc@aol.com
(443) 756-0774
51
52 WOW! | MAY 2008
 Who: Cruisin’ For Christ II
What: Celebrating Artistries that Glorify God
When: August 2-9, 2008
Where: In Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica
How: By the Grace of God
Gospel Artists, Christian Comedians,
Actors, Authors, Poets, Speakers
Vanessa Bell Armstrong Melvin Williams
Joe Recca Willie Brown & Woody
Brian Hurst Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Myron Butler & Levi Marcus Cole
Everyday Process Mel Holder

CRUISIN’ FOR CHRIST II

AUGUST 2-9, 2008

www.CruisinforChrist.org

Help us save
our children!
Millions of children
vanish each year!
Find out how you can
get involved!
www.savingourchildren.bravehost.com
MAY 2008 | WOW! 53
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54 WOW! | MAY 2008