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Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”—Mark 8:29
We all have to answer crucial questions in life. When we’re young, our grandmother asks, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and we can say “A fireman” or “A princess” without following through. But, in time, the “What will you do with your life?” question requires a mature, thoughtful answer.
Then there’s the question that changes our lives forever. In my case it was, “Mark, do you take Linda to be your wife?” Now that’s a big question!
But there may be no more significant question in all of life than the one Jesus asked his first disciples in Mark 8:29: “But who do you say I am?” This question came in the context of a conversation between Jesus and his disciples near the northern city of Caesarea Philippi.
Meet Our Columnists
Reflections On Faith
"When God Says Go"
One of the most important parts of our walk with God is the moment he gives us a mission. There is nothing like knowing that we’ve heard the voice of God. And yet, it can be frightening. What if God gives us a difficult purpose?
This time of year we celebrate that most important of purposes – the birth of Jesus Christ. It was essential that everyone in Jesus’ life follow their purpose so that we might be saved.
Angela Morris is a graphics editor and a graduate of New York University. She has her MBA from Baruch College and is a lifelong member of Christian Unity Baptist Church in Springfield Gardens, NY.
Rev. Raymond Williams
is the interim Pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, NY since September 2013. He preaches the Gospel with passion and clarity. He is a Board Certified Chaplin and is the host of A Christian Perspective on Blog Talk Radio. He is an advocate for prison reform and has feed the homeless for 13 years. Rev. Williams lives in Freeport, NY with his wife Connie.
A Christian Perspective
"The Wheat Or the Tare?"
Beloved, you may not know it, but our Nation is at the forefront of a Spiritual Awakening—So many wonderful things have happened recently, yet many in authority and the media have tried to take away whatever JOY that Christians have enjoyed, and turn such wonderful Spiritual Events into a type of godless secularism. However, even with the dastardly deeds of the enemy, we find that God’s Grace and Mercy is still keeping the faithful afloat.
Dr. Love's Rx For
Loving Relationships
"God Had a Plan for Our
Old Dog Snowball"
Do you believe that God selects our pets for us?
My wife and I have always welcomed loving pets into our home. We feel that God matches the pets with their owners based on the needs of both the owner and the pet. During our twenty-six years of marriage, we have had a variety of pets show up at just the right time. Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and more would grace our doorstep with matted fur, longing eyes, and some surprises. We had a pregnant cat scratch our door late one night and the following day our grateful Miss Kitty gave birth to a litter of cute kittens.
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Speak Life With
Minister Shanick
"This JOY I Have"
If you were to take a look at the world, or even more recently this country, you may say it doesn’t look all that good for Christians right now. Look at this country’s attempt to change the sanctity and meaning of marriage, homosexual preachers leading congregations, manmade humanity when you can change your sex depending on your feelings, and Christians being executed in what was once considered safe places like church bible study in South Carolina or a college class room in Oregon. You can’t help but be emotionally connected and disheartened by the recent events.
Dr. Love is an international speaker and author on the topic of love and relationships and he is the inventor of the award winning relationship game called Syncrohearts. He is the author of "Dr Love's Prescription for a Romantic Loving Man" (It’s not the little blue pill). He lives with his wife Mrs. Love in Mission, British Columbia, Canada.Their love mission supports a very worthwhile charity called the Zajac Ranch for kids with special needs.
Shanick Moore Bartell is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and President/CEO of Speak Life Initiatives. She is also the National Program Director of Project Single Moms Worldwide, an advocacy and empowerment non-profit organization and a Mary Kay Beauty Specialist. She is the mother of one daughter and one son. Minister Moore Bartell lives in Detroit, MI with her husband.
Lifestyled By Taylor
"#BeautyConNYC2015"
This past Saturday my friends and I had the pleasure of attending one of the most sought after events in the beauty content industry—none other than BeautyConNYC! BeautyCon is a community of creators redefining beauty. Topics discussed include culture, trending news, fashion+beauty, content creators and important issues. The purpose of this convention is to unite fans, brands and creators.
Now anyone who knows me knows that I hardly ever show up on time and this was no exception.
Taylor Jeffers is a former collegiate athlete and MBA student in her last semester at Montclair State University. She works as a graduate assistant in the Office of Student Financial Aid at her school while working part time for the NBA.
Experiencing GOD Through Sports
"Is Your Tongue Out of Control?"
“Come on Ref, open your eyes!”
“Hey Ref, you might want to check your voice mail YOU’VE MISSED A FEW CALLS!”
“Hey Ref, Foot Locker called--they want their uniform back!”
From youth to high school to college to pro sports, all around the world you will hear players, parents, fans and coaches yell out these statements at referees during games of competition. As a coach of 30 years, I have disagreed with many calls that took place in games my teams were involved in. Whether my team was leading or behind on the scoreboard, I would take exception to a call I did not agree with that went against my team. One time during a game an official made a call that I disagreed with and he was tired of hearing my comments after his calls, so he told me if I say one more word I would be given a technical. So what did I do? I said “Have a nice day!” and he gave me a technical.
Anthony Williams in Austin, Texas and accepted Jesus Christ into his life in 1987. He is currently the VP of Business Development for a new startup company named levelLAUNCH and is also the Director of Player Development & Scouting for All American Games, a sports marketing company based out of New Jersey. Mr. Williams has been married to Valynne Williams for 27 years and they are the blessed parents of four wonderful children: Aaron, Joshua, Daniel and Ayanna.
Fella Soul delivers a fresh brand of honesty not heard in music in quite a few years. He has a perfect blend of R&B, Soul, Hip Hop and Gospel. By our creator’s design he has been blessed with such raw magnetic talent it effects everyone around him.
Our VERVE Music Editor:
Michelle “Chella” Magee is Founder/Chairman & Senior Publicist of BULLZEYE ENTERTAINMENT, based in Tampa, Fla. With 18 years of experience in the entertainment business, Michelle has worked with Brandy, Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Yolanda Adams, Silk and many more. In addition, she has worked alongside industry greats, Sylvia Rhone, Ron Spaulding and others.
www.bullzeyeent.com
ANEW's Profile of His Plan...
Who Do You Say I Am?
Cover Story
THE VISIONARY'S VIEWPOINT
In Luke 6:35 it states, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend hoping for nothing again.”
One of my professions is real estate investing/mortgage consultant. I recently referred a gentleman who wanted to refinance his house to one of my mortgage brokers. The mortgage broker and I, struck a deal stating he will compensate me a certain percentage. When the deal was closed, the mortgage broker forgot everything that was previously discussed. The bottom line is, I was cheated out of my referral commission. I became so angry and wanted revenge, but then I remembered Luke 6:35.
As Christians, we must love our enemies and do good by doing this. This will show our divine character. The mark of a true genuine Christian is sacrificial love for one another no matter what that person has done to you. By not doing so, we will lose our witness to others. It is hard to love someone who has done you wrong, because when that happens, the old man or old woman in you returns. You start to have thoughts on how to retaliate but that is not of God. In situations like that you must ask God for His grace and mercy to refrain from doing harm to one’s enemies. You must take on the divine characteristic of showing goodness to others who’ve done you wrong. Also, we are not to expect anything in return for our good deeds. Things that were lend out, don’t expect to be repaid because even sinners do this in society, They expect to be repaid but as Christian we are on a higher plain then them.
Creation and the environment in which we live show the signs of God’s universal care. For example, God sends rain both to those who deserve it and to those who don’t (Matt. 5:45). God’s enemies can also enjoy God’s creation, good health and physical sustenance. On a spiritual level, God extends His grace for salvation to all humankind, none of whom are righteous or free from sin. Amen!
Yours in Christ,
Ronald B. Wiggins
Founder & President
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