How ya Living?

Dear Friend,

When I first gave my life to the Lord I felt inadequate because I wasn't raised in the church. It wasn't a priority growing up. I didn't know many scriptures, like some people did. I would be amazed at the number of scriptures people in church could just quote.

Because my husband was raised in church, graduated from a Christian school and came from a family of Bishops, Evangelists & Preachers, he knew the word and the location of every book in the bible. It would take me 10 minutes to find Micah, and I would pray the preacher wouldn't want to preach out of Obadiah because I didn't even know Obadiah was a book in the bible. (smile) Can I be real? I quickly learned it's not the number of scriptures one knew by heart but what was in their heart.

Pastor Lillard of New Bethel COGIC in Norfolk, VA would always say, "It don't matter what folks say about you and the lies they tell. Your job is to make sure what they say are actually lies."

How ya living?

Do you know where every book in the bible is but still cussing folks out? Are you in church every time the door opens but are the main one causing friction in the house of God? If it is you, it's ok. The first step in change is admitting you need to change. And we all fall short, so don't beat yourself up.

We sometimes must step back and ask, "Is it me Lord?"

And allow Him to answer.

Blessings,

Nicole



News You Can Use

One in 4 Teen Girls Has a Sexually Transmitted Disease

"What we found is alarming," Dr. Sara Forhan, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a teleconference Tuesday. "One in four female adolescents in the U.S. has at least one of the four most common STDs that affects women."

Learn more here.



Network News

The D.I.V.A Conference

WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2008
TIME: 9 am - 1 pm
WHERE: Holiday Inn Select Hotel
N Military Highway
Norfolk VA
COST: $25 per person

Register today by calling 757-576-2279 or sending an e-mail to blezzed2006@juno.com.

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Homebuyers Workshop
WHEN: April 5, 2008
TIME: 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Topics inlcude First-Time Home buyers programs, Closing Cost Assistance, and more.

To register contact, Deborah at 757-536-6555, Robin at 757-287-3915, or Darlene at 757-892-9551.

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Issues Concerning Women, Inc

"Angels of Hope" Prayer Breakfast

WHEN: April 5, 2008
TIME: 9 am - 12 pm
WHERE: The Murray Center
455 E Brambleton Ave
Norfolk, VA
COST: Donation of $20 add $1 for Paypal

For more information, visit www.comeanddoit.com.



The Pros & Cons of Social Networks

My Space, Facebook,Shoutlife and Linked In are just a few online social networks society has grown to embrace. Is it a benefit or just a waste of valuable time? Listen to interview with network industry expert Pam Perry as she shares how she has embraced these networks in a Godly way.

Breathe Again Magazine interviews Pam Perry of Ministry Marketing Solutions

Listen to our show here.



Nicole's Pick of the Week

Each week I will share something I have come across via email or via the web.

This week I am featuring Nathan Richardson's poetic version of "The Age Every Girl Wants to Be" I pray you enjoy it as much as I did.

Click here to watch the video.

Nicole's Pick of the Week

Each week I will share something I have come across via email or via the web. This week I am featuring Nathan Richardson's poetic version of "The Age Every Girl Wants to Be" I pray you enjoy it as much as I did.

Be Prepared

Dear Friend,

Be Prepared

The Lord woke me up early this morning (3:30am) and had me in John 10:1-42

I love the fact that when Jesus was teaching and his students didn't understand he went back and broke it down for them. He didn't try to get real deep with big words and be all educated. He talked to them in parables - stories that they would understand.

He warns us in vs 10 that

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The enemy's main objective is to KILL, STEAL & DESTROY. There's no need to sugarcoat it. He is after your seed, your dream and your purpose. Don't play with it. It is what it is. The only true weapon you have is your word. It is your only chance of survival. You must have it in you ahead of time. Since you know his assignment, be ready. You don't know when he will attack, but rest assured he will. Be on guard.

Only a fool would try to go on a road trip with just $5 worth of gas. You won't get very far. And without the word in you, the enemy will destroy you. You won't get very far.

Be prepared.

Stay Blessed,

Nicole



The Wise Woman in Me


Are you the wise woman who is building her home with the knowledge and information gathered throughout 2007? Or are you the foolish woman who has ignored sound advice and shut out the Network because you feel that God has not answered any of your prayers so why bother?

Finish this great article here.



Friendz Network News


Friendz Network Member Lisa Bynum would like to take this time to invite you to this life changing conference. Invite your sisters, mothers, cousins, aunts, and friends.

The D.I.V.A Conference

WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2008
TIME: 9 am - 1 pm
WHERE: Holiday Inn Select Hotel
N Military Highway
Norfolk VA
COST: $25 per person

Register today by calling 757-576-2279 or sending an e-mail to blezzed2006@juno.com.



Dorinda Clark-Cole Releases Third Solo CD


"TAKE IT BACK" IN STORES APRIL 15, 2008

TAKE IT BACK was co-written by Dorinda Clark- Cole with production by Asaph Ward and PAJAM. The disc features powerful songs of triumph, hope and encouragement with musical styles that run the gamut from neo-soul and jazz to the foot-stomping, make- you-want-to-get-up-and-dance traditional gospel for which Dorinda Clark-Cole is known. - Courtesy of Zomba Records



Gospel Songs Requested for Compilation CD



email: info@breatheagain.org
web: www.breatheagainmagazine.com

Frustration was an understatement!

Dear Friend,

My day was planned. It was a nice, mild temperature day in February. The sun was shining and I was armed with my Saturday "to do" list. My 9 yr old had an early basketball game (so that was a blessing). The nail shop, bank, post office and a few other tasks should be completed by 5pm (at the latest) and I could be relaxing and maybe even taking a nap by 6pm .

So why is it 8:30pm and I'm standing in the checkout line at Walmart?

Frustration was an understatement !

My pastor teaches - if you pray for patience, expect to be tried. I am in full agreement with him but that is not my prayer. SO WHY WAS I BEING TESTED IN WALMART?

Duh! It was the 1st week of the month. (I made a vow to never go to Walmart around the 1st of the month.) There is never any bread, ramen noodles and my sea shell pasta is always out of stock. There were shoppers with two and three carts. Shrimp, steak and many items that are never on my list overflowed their shopping carts. Each time I go grocery shopping, my calculator must be in hand.

Something was wrong. My day was not supposed to go like this.

Isn't that just like God. What we want and what God has planned is very different.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

We knew who we would marry, how many kids we would have, where we would reside and work. But God will step in and say NOT! That's how it works.

Just know that whatever you think should happen - may not be how it will happen.

Be Encouraged and don't give up. If life is not going as planned-- keep living. It's just a detour.

Stay Blessed

Nicole



Book Review: Girl, Get Your Credit Straight!


Do you need to fix your credit?

Girl, Get Your Credit Straight!: A Sister's Guide to Ditching Your Debt, Mending Your Credit, and Building a Strong Financial Future by Glinda Bridgforth.

Not only does this book cause one to see the truth about their current financial situation, it offers surgery for the pocketbook, credit score, and finances.

Finish the book review here.



The Truth About Abdominal Fat


Millions of people may in fact be satisfied with their over-all body shape but when it comes to getting a flat mid-section, they are completely at a lost as to how they can effectively target that problematic area. Here is the "flat out" truth about getting flatter abs.

Finish the story here.



Gone Too Soon: Mother Is Gone Too Soon


That title seems a bit misleading. It's always too soon to lose your mother, whether you have her 20, 40 or even 60 years. Some say losing a child is the hardest thing a woman can endure. Others say it's losing her mother. I've been through both - and doubt I'll ever be able to say any more than that it's life changing to lose the link in either direction.

Finish the story here.



News You Can Use


Do you enjoy a wedge of lemon with your water or iced tea when you eat at a restaurant? Well, you'll be shocked by what this video shows. Two out of every three restaurant lemon wedges tested in a study were covered in disease-causing bacteria -- including fecal bacteria. A total of 25 different, and potentially dangerous, microorganisms were discovered on the wedges.

Watch the tell all video here.


email: info@breatheagain.org
web: www.breatheagainmagazine.com

The Wise Woman in Me

Proverbs 14:1 says, "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."

Are you the wise woman who is building her home with the knowledge and information gathered throughout 2007? Have you built your Crying Angel Network and used it to help you move through the valley? Or are you the foolish woman who has ignored sound advice and shut out the Network because you feel that God has not answered any of your prayers so why bother?

I learned in 2007 that the "Superwoman" attitude nearly destroyed not only my joy, but my home. I cannot do everything and be everything to all people. This was to be my year of completion and it was. I learned that I am a complete fool to try to do it all. I learned that giving it all completely to the Lord is a much wiser and safer thing to do because when I try to take over God's purpose for me, I completely mess it all up.

How many times have you sat in your car crying because you feel so stupid or alone? How many times have you said to yourself that you wish you could just disappear into the night? Well, you are not alone if you said yes to any of these questions. The fact of the matter is that we feel this way when we've tried and failed to take care of everything. Or, when we've tried to pursue a career or job that we only wanted because it paid well or offered benefits for our children, but it was not what we REALLY wanted to do. Stop settling! That's what you've had to learn the hard way this year, wasn't it?

I am saying to you that life is not easy; it’s not supposed to be. The wise woman accepts that and has mastered creating opportunities in the obstacles. That’s why when you see her walking down the street with her head held high and laughing at what appears to be nothing at all, you either want to be her or despise her because she has built her home; she has built her Network and she is working that network. She refuses to settle because wisdom has taught her well.

So, ladies, for 2008, take all that you have learned about yourself and life in 2007 and be the wise woman who builds her home. The devil is after us because if the woman is broken, then the home and all in it is destroyed. Don't let it happen! Don't pull down your home in 2008.

2008 is the year of WISDOM!

~Copyright © 2007 Rebekah L. Pierce. Mrs. Pierce is the Editor in Chief of Average Girl Magazine, a motivational and inspirational magazine for women in search of change, purpose and prosperity. She is also a playwright, former radio talk show host, motivational speaker, teacher, wife and mother. Visit www.averagegirlmagazine.com for more information.