Maintaining a spiritual focus has allowed my strength to endure and overcome trails and tribulations. I invite you to meditate on the thought of the month provided by:
Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell
The Word Made Truth Ministry
76 Livingston Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

(828) 279-8562

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell also have a prison ministry. Please feel free to ask questions pertaining to the thought of the month.



FEAR NOT AND BELIEVE ONLY!

Luke 8:49-56


While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50: But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51: And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52: And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53: And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54: And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55: And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56: And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Many times in life we do not make a difference because we are afraid and will not believe in God or ourselves. The enemy uses many tricks to augment our fear and immobilize our faith. These tricks (enhancers of fear) include: doubt, discouragement, diversion, defeat, and delay.

Doubt- It makes us question God’s word and His goodness.
Discouragement – It make us focus on our problem rather than the mighty God we serve.
Diversion – It makes wrong things seem right and right things seem wrong.
Defeat – It makes us feel like failure so we want even try.
Delay – It makes us put off doing something so that it never gets done.

In order to be blessed and to be a blessing, we must strive to replace the above tricks of the enemy with the tools (enhancers of belief and faith) of God.

Replace doubt with faith.
Replace discouragement with encouragement.
Replace diversion with attention to the word of God.
Replace defeat with victory through our Lord Christ Jesus.
Replace delay with promptness and urgency to the work of the Lord.

Go forth my brothers and sisters trusting in God’s word, Deuteronomy 31:8 “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

-Prayer-

Thank you Lord for opening up our eyes to see more clearly the tricks of the enemy. Help each day to “walk by faith and not by sight.” When we fall short allow the Holy Spirit to regenerate us and bring us back into remembrance of your word. For we know, “we can do all thing through Christ which strengthen us!” Amen

Did You Know?

Marijuana Is More Dangerous

According to the office of National Drug Control Policy, marijuana contains twice the amount of the psychoactive ingredient THC compared to marijuana in the 1980's. In another study, marijuana use among teens is linked to violent acts and even later gang involvement. Local experts say they hope parents involve their teens in structured activities so they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use.


For more information about drug, visit website http://www.theantidrug.com/

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling* together; and a little child will lead them...Isaiah 11:6

Caleb Maurice Robinson





BARNES & NOBLES BOOKSTORE
ASHEVILLE, NC
JUNE 9, 2007























Borders
Northlake Mall,
Charlotte, NC
June 23, 2007

IT'S TIME TO REFLECT
IT'S TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Greetings. I hope all is well in health and spirit. I wanted to share something with you.

Since the release of A Mother’s Cry-He’s Still My Child. I have received a very diversified group of reflections about the book and I invite your e-mails so that I may post them on my website. All have been very positive, except for one; and I can understand his feelings. The single parents, dual parents, grandparents, pastors, police officers, judges, males, females, whites, blacks, Puerto Ricans, and other ethnic groups, adults without children, inmates, and youth are reading this book and verbally giving me feedback about how empowering it is and how once they start reading it, they just couldn’t put the book down.

I’m so thankful for that because I originally had a focus on mothers and children, but it goes to show that God’s word is true, when it says that my thoughts are not His thoughts and His thoughts are not mine. God had a bigger plan for this book and I am so thankful that I accepted His spirit of boldness, but humbleness to write it.

Getting to the point of what I really wanted to share with you. Today, I received a call. I am always glad to hear feedback, but this feedback truly caught me off guard. It took me back “in that moment.” For a minute, I was so very angry. After the effect of the anger, it was as if I was stabbed in the heart. I was emotionally hijacked and experienced a piercing hurt that, actually, made be cry.

One of my readers received the book and after 3 days sent feedback. She sent word to me that she recognizes one of the incidents that I wrote about, very clearly, because she was a student at the school during that time. She knew all of the characters, who have no names in the book. She went as far as sending word to me that Shawntae’ did not hit the Assistant Principle with the snow ball. But get this - it was a lead football player whom actually did it-- and a number of people knew it. However, because of his position on the football team, school authorities didn’t want him suspended, so Shawntae was targeted, because he had the documented reputation that fit the action.

What a blow, except the snowball hit my heart. Now, I understand how she could be so cold that day when she expelled him from school – even when I asked her what was I going to do with a 14 or 15 year old who would have all day to be alone. Her reply, “That’s not our problem, that’s yours.” And he was a special education student. This goes to show that one who deceives does not have a conscious or a warm heart at the time of the deception. That’s why I subtitled my book, “journey of balancing a challenging child in a deceitful world.”

You know, knowing this honestly took me back to that “in the moment time.” I can see it, hear it, and feel it as plain as day. Except it’s a deeper hurt. Why? To realize that an authoritative figure, one that is paid partially by tax payer’s money, actually sacrificed another human life, my child’s, based on her perception of his life’s value or his value to the school. In turn, she contributed to the compound issues with which he was already wrestling. In my perception, she is one whom contributed in a youth being part of the high school drop out and criminal justice statistics we see today. The Assistant Principle is only one individual and this is only one way that children are still being abused, exploited, misused, and mistreated, but it is my justification and hypothesis of why you can not blame the parents, solely, for an out-of-controlled youth and you can't blame the youth, solely. Society, individually, and as a whole plays a part!

Having written all of this, which is part of my therapy, through it all, this Mother’s Cry has quickly reminded me– that the feedback received today is ONLY another confirmation from God of “Well done, my good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over what I led you through and what I led you to. The book, A Mother’s Cry-He’s Still My Child is doing exactly what it was intended to do… encourage, empower, educate, and expose! Now keep a spiritual focus and let me handle the rest.”

I am so thankful that I know what the word of God says. Vengeance is not mine, it’s the Lord’s and we must pray for people who spitefully use, mistreat, reject, and abuse. God uncovers the hidden sins of man and woman for what you do in the dark comes to the light...and woe to those who offend the children.

FACT: Statistic shows that it takes a minimum of eight years for a youth to start recouping from the effect of abuse, whether it is emotional, physical, or sexual. Some never reach a balancing point; are often emotionally hijacked with low self-esteem, resentment, anger, bitterness, and hatred; and eventually turn to alcohol, drugs, prostitution, and other criminal activities.

“We cannot and we will not tolerate those who seek to abuse or exploit our children.” Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, April 20, 2006

It’s time to start holding those adults accountable who exploit our children.

Let’s continue to be in prayer for one another, but most important, let’s be in prayer for our youth.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rev. Anthony McMinn, Pastor of H.B. Ferguson Missionary Baptist Church sermon, today, evolved around fathers. Rev. McMinn, my Pastor, issued a call to action for the fathers to stand up and be fathers.

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he grow old, he will not depart.
Proverbs 22:6


"Children are a blessing," he said. Rev. McMinn encouraged the fathers, if the were not already, to start going to the PTA meetings and be involved with their children's life. "Leave a legacy-something behind when you are gone that is good and according to the word of God."

Rev. McMinn also gave some of the characteristics of a father:

(1) Fathers instruct their children to gain wisdom and are in the position to lead.
(2) A father loves his children. Love covers a multitude of sins.
(3) Fathers provide for their children.
(4) A father protects his children. The best way to protect them is through the word of God.

Rev. McMinn ended his sermon in saying, "If a father is out of order, then the mother is out of order, and the child is out of order.

___________________________________________________
Additional Information


Single parent and need help with child support?

Did you know that state child support programs locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity, establish and enforce support orders, modify orders when appropriate, and collect and distribute child support payments. While programs vary from state to state, their services are available to all parents who need them. More information may be found in the handbook of child support enforcement, located at the link below.

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/family/childenf/index.htm

Feedback from Parents and Youth


Greetings and happy fathers day to all of the fathers!



I hope you are in the best of health and spirit. As some of you know, since the birth of a Mother’s Cry-He’s Still My Child, I have been on a journey that encompasses speaking engagements. I asked the youth and the parents, at two of the events, what can the community and authoritative figures do to help them make better choices or become better parents. I am obligated to spread the words stated to me from some of the youth and some of the parents at these events.

Although, time allowed only a few to speak out when the questions were asked, it brings joy to my heart to know that there are some who do want help and are not afraid or shame to voice it (when allowed to input), despite of what some may think. I have chosen to share those comments for two reasons: (1) I made a commit to do so and (2) I hope and pray that anyone in authoritative positions will take action:

Swannanoa Development Youth Center, Black Mountain

Youth:

(1) We need more activities, we are bored.

(2) When you organize the activities, please don’t overprice them so that we can’t participate or attend them.

(3) Please don’t judge the book by the cover. Talk to us and get to know us, who we are, what is on our minds, and what we are dealing with.


ARP Phoenix/Sisters of Mercy Nurturing Parents – Pisgah View Community Day, organized by Robert Simmons and Glenda McDowell, parents support group facilitators.

Parents:


(1) We need more parenting classes.

(2) The parents and children need to be taken to church more.

(3) Fathers need to be involved in the children’s lives more.

(4) We need more training on how to effectively discipline our children since we can’t spank them.

(5) We need more training to develop communication skills.


My Thoughts & Suggestion:


There is a communication break down, a disconnect. Some of our young parents and youth are crying out for us! Some of us have taken the time to attend and participate in the discussion of The State of Black Asheville and were pumped up after the first two weeks, but fizzled down afterwards. Some of us have taken the time to come together and participate in other community events and activities such as (Raise the Roof at W.C. Reid Center, Asheville City Housing Authority Community events, Community Conversation on 21st Education, Asheville City Council Meetings, Elections of two new city school board members, Mountain Housing Opportunities for a photographic and historical exhibit of Urban Renewal in the Southside area during the 1960s and 1970s, Evangelistic Worship Celebration, and etc. just to name a few.

Hopefully, we even more will come together and participate in the upcoming events (Mt. Zion Public Meeting, Career Day/Fair, Women Empowerment at Hill Street, Tried Stone meetings with David “Butch” Robinson and Roxanne, Building Bridges, and etc.

As we continue forward with other new ventures, may I suggest?
(1) That we reach out and invite a parent or a youth (who normally wouldn’t go because of lack of interest or lack of transportation) to go with us to some of these activities. Let’s connect those that are disconnected from the community events in hope of educating, encouraging, exposing and empowering them. Then, the next time we come together our meeting’s name will be A CHANGE in the State of Black Asheville and even A CHANGE in other communites and eventually in the State of Our Country.

(2)That we have a centralized calendar of events listing, within our community, that is published and posted on thedrum, Urban News, WRES-FM website, surrounding housing communities, community centers, and anywhere else that is accessible to all who may be interested.

(3) That we take the time, whenever we can, (volunteer to speak at some of the surrounding community centers, volunteer to become a Big Brother or Sister, become a foster parent, become a mentor for a parent or youth, adopt a family from the local housing authority, and etc.) to give tools, share and teach life on life’s terms skills and words of wisdom to all that allow us and don’t forget to allow the parents and youth to share. Listening will let one know what is on that parent or youth mind and heart.

However, topics such as anger management, self-control, effective communication, what it truly means to be a parent, loving oneself, respect, and etc., are all empowerment tools. Let’s go back to the old school and do more talking to our young parents and youth! Spread some love – that comes in a form of your time and attention. In all honesty, we can't talk about what some one else is not doing or how they are doing it if we ourselves, are not doing anything to help change a situation, especially if one is asking for help.

My grandfather, whom I loved dearly, is the one who instilled in me how a man supposes to treat a lady. I called him “Daddy.” Daddy said “a man does not suppose to beat on a woman. A woman was not made to be hit upon. He is to work and take care of her and the home.” So, guess what, to be honest, starting out, I had one man that did, but I quickly broke that cycle. I will not mention the red devil lye I boiled to throw on him. Thank God for intervening!

I said all of this to make a point. Sometimes a person don’t have an individual in his or life to teach them so he or she just doesn’t know because they have never been taught or have been beat down by life’s adversities. But, when they hear certain words of wisdom, teachings, or encouragement, it can be the very words that stick in their mind through life, and those very words just may break a cycle...even a generational cycle. Those very words can be the thing that places him or her on a path of being a productive and contributing member of society. I KNOW because I have been there and done it!

Of course, as usual, I didn’t mean to write all of this, but it was a burden on my heart. Now, I’m free from that burden and am at peace. Thank you for your interest and your time!


DON’T LOOK DOWN ON ANOTHER UNLESS YOU ARE EXTENDING A HAND TO HELP THEM UP. REACH OUT, TOUCH A HAND AND A HEART. MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE YOU CAN!

As requested by some of my readers, I have posted my journey since the birth of my book, A Mother’s Cry-He’s Still My Child:











February 2007
WRES-FM Radio
The Doctor Is In
Host, Diversity Manager, Randall Richardson

Official announcement of book
Interview of son and self

March 2007
Urban News
First Anniversary Edition, Volume 2, Issue 1
Johnnie N. Grant, Publisher

Article featuring A Mother’s Cry…

March 11, 2007
Historical YMI Culture Center
Asheville, NC

Book dedication and signing

April 24, 2007
Tate Publishing Company

Official book release

Book available at Barnes & Noble and Borders book stores

Book available online at:
tatepublishing.com
bn.com
amazon.com
cushcity.com/books/1598865048.htm

April 2007
Faith can break the grip
Hair Magazine , Published by Angela Fisher

Sponsor

May 13, 2007
New Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church
Asheville, NC
Mother’s Day Program

Keynote Speaker


May 17, 2007
North Carolina / Buncombe County Court System
The Family Treatment Court
Success Overcoming Addiction thru Recovery (S.O.A.R.) Graduation Ceremony

Keynote Speaker

May 18, 2007
WRES-FM Radio
Women Empowerment Program
Host, Asheville City Mayor- Terry Bellamy

Guest panel member

May 22, 2007
Swannanoa Valley Youth Development Center
Graduation/Recognition Ceremony

Keynote Speaker

June 9, 2007
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
North Carolina Authors Extravaganza
Tunnel Road, Asheville, North Carolina

Book signing (1-3 p.m.)


June 16, 2007
ARP Pheonix Nurturing Parents
Pisgah View Community Event
Asheville, NC

Keynote Speaker

June 23, 2007
Borders, North Lake
Charlotte, North Carolina

Book signing (1-3 p.m.)


June 30, 2007
ARP/Phoenix & Hillcrest Apartments
Positive Action Parenting Cookout
Asheville, North Carolina

Speaker


July 11, 2007 (tentatively)
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
Youth Group
Asheville, North Carolina

Speaker



August 18, 2007
Owens' Family Reunion
Anderson, South Carolina

Speaker


August 25, 2007
Minding Our Business Radio Show With Devin Robinson
Atlanta, Georgia

Interview


September 1, 2007
Borders Express
Grenville, South Carolina

Book signing (1-3 p.m.)


September, 2007
Started Graduate School @ Montreat
Working toward Master in Management and Leadership Degree

Anticipated graduation date May 2009

October 21, 2007
Borders Express (Inside Mall)
Black Authors Expo
Greenville, South Carolina


November 8, 2007

ARP Phoenix/ Sisters of Mercy
Nurturing Parents Graduation
W. C. Reid Center for Creative Arts
Asheville, North Carolina

Speaker


November 18, 2007

ARP/Phoenix
Nurturing Parents Graduation
Bilmore Avenue
Asheville, North Carolina

Speaker


February 21, 2008

North Carolina / Buncombe County Court System
The Family Treatment Court
Success Overcoming Addiction thru Recovery (S.O.A.R.) Graduation Ceremony

Speaker


May 11, 2008

Pre-Mother's Day Program
Historical YMI Cultural Center

Over 150 mothers; four families of three-generations

Organizer


Graduation
Montreat College

Masters of Science in Management and Leadership
Student until May 23, 2009


Presenter
Special Presentation - Remove the Masks
Getting Back to the Basics Family Empowerment Group
gbttb.com

December 29, 2009 (6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.)


Keynote Speaker
Just 10 Fundraiser Campaign
Joseph House
Greensboro, North Carolina

June 19, 2010


Presenter
Five Week Sessions
Getting Back to the Basics Family Empowerment Group

June 20, 2010 through July 20, 2010 (6:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.)


Book Discussion/Reading
A Mother's Cry: He's Still My Child
MalaProp Bookstore
Haywood Street
Asheville, NC

August 30, 2010 (7 p.m. - 8 p.m.)