VIA: www.newsone.com

This week marks the 35^th commemoration of International Women’s Day (Monday), celebrated by the United Nations. This year’s theme is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for all.” As a woman, I am grateful that for one day out of 365, women are recognized for our achievements. But outside of this special day and month – March is also Women’s History Month – I find myself humming Sojourner Truth’s tune, asking Ain’t I A Woman and questioning where I fit in popular culture, and even in my own community.

It is no secret that women are the backbone of the African-American community. Our women know this; our children know this; and our men know this. Our history is bursting with examples of women such as Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, Myrlie Evers and Michelle Obama who literally knit the fabric of a family, community or country together with their strength, courage, love and hope, and who could have easily stood in their husband’s shoes if they hadn’t spelled their name w-o-m-a-n.

Sure, some women have used their names to spell unparalleled success as well, like Oprah and Cathy Hughes. But where are the women who look like me in the U.S. Senate, at the upper echelon of government and corporate America, in the Black media and on major Black blogs and as the so-called leaders of our community? Forget about justice and fairness. If the United States does not take full economic advantage of all of its citizens equally – men and women – black, brown and white – then our changing demographics will ensure that we lose our status as the last remaining superpower in the world.

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It’s easy to think of these 4 bold and bodacious warriors of the Word as modern-day disciples, even as a chapter of the church looks at their radical ministry with a degree of suspicion.

Lisa McClendon, Izzy, Mali Music and Knagui have all eaten from the bread of life and drank from the well that never runs dry, from their childhood to adulthood. All have served or now currently serve as ministers in their respective houses of worship and are in no ways ashamed of the Gospel. And all have presented a brand of ministry that’s so left of center most saints don’t know whether to call their signature sound sacred or sinful.

But perhaps what solidifies their status as 21^st century apostles is their uncanny ability to communicate to a new generation of both saints and sinners in a way that is unquestionably clear in message, surprisingly soulful in tone and deeply drenched with the Spirit of God. Their respective gifts to deliver the ‘Good News’ in poetic prose and stylish soul with a measure of the Holy Spirit is further evidence of their respective divine callings to minister to a broader audience that has sadly tuned out Christianity and Christ.

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When Mo’Nique’s name was called for best supporting actress at the Academy Awards I literally got chills and felt the hairs on my arms stand up.

Mo’Nique has paid her dues in the entertainment industry.  She has seen some ups and I’m sure she’s seen some downs.  I’m sure along the road someone has told her she’s too fat.  Too black.  Too loud.  But what I appreciate about people like Mo’Nique and others who attain a high level of success is their resilience and unwavering determination to see their dreams through to fruition.  Someone I respect once told me to make my haters my motivators.

via: www.nowpublic.com

Over the years I have had many women take me into their confidence regarding their marital woes. Before that, as a child, who spent a great deal of time with her mother and consequently her mother’s friends, I have heard an earful about the multiplicity of male shortcomings, particularly the failures of husbands.

Proverbs 14:1 (New International Version)

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Years ago, after studying a book by Shaunti Feldhan called, “For Women Only: What You Need To Know About The Inner Lives Of Men,” I had cause to reevaluate the manner in which I not only speak about my husband publicly, but also how I talk about him in my head. The author did an excellent job of explaining that even seemingly “harmless complaints” (if such an animal exists) can find their mark in a husband’s heart if delivered poorly. The end result is that a woman tears down with her words, the very human being she has pledged to love and honor.

VIA: Rocspace News

Understanding the Glory of God is an essential part to the growth and maturity in the life of a believer.

In Pursuing the Glory, Bishop Neil C. Ellis profoundly reveals the various dimensions of the Glory of God, and how you can prepare, receive and maintain both the power and presence of God in your life.  He specifically discusses the revelation of glory that came to him, after vocal cord surgery in 2007 where he was literally in a place of silence for over 16 weeks.

“The first two weeks were the most difficult and frustrating; I almost placed God on the witness stand.  By the third and fourth week, my spirit had settled and I was able to manage my time and rest in the peace of God.  There was no pain whatsoever, just silence.  Did you get that?  No pain, just silence. During that time the Lord started speaking so powerfully that I was able to prepare 42 sermons and complete my tenth book, The Power of Pain.  Around the end of the third week, the Lord spoke very clearly to my spirit and said, “When I raise you up and release you to return to the pulpit, I want you to lead the way in getting my glory back into the church.  Out of those 42 sermons that I alluded to earlier, nine of those were messages on The Glory.”

You will never be the same when you pursue the glory!

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Ever wondered why your cellphone screen lit up for no reason?Have you noticed ambient noise in the background when you are on a call? What about getting text messages from an unknown origin? These could all be signs that you have spyware on your cellphone.

Learn more about cellphone spyware and how to keep from becoming a victim.

VIA: Join Red Blog

Today is International Women’s Day and The Global Fund, the organization used to put (RED) money on the ground in Africa, released a report stating that the virtual elimination of mother to child HIV transmission by 2015 is now within reach if current rates of progress by Global Fund-supported programs and other efforts are maintained.

“A world where no children are born with HIV is truly possible by 2015,” says Professor Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund.

This report shows remarkable promise and hope for HIV positive women all over the world who are at risk of passing on the virus to their newborns. And money from your (RED) purchases has helped play a part in this – thank you. (RED) and the Global Fund have already helped to provide more than 84,000 HIV positive pregnant women with preventative antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission – helping to ensure their babies can be born healthy and HIV free.

“This report clearly shows the world’s investments are making a difference,” said Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “However AIDS is not over in any part of the world and without a fully funded Global Fund, our shared dream of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment care and support could become our worst nightmare—putting the lives of millions of people currently on treatment in jeopardy and millions of pregnant women in a position not able to protect their babies from becoming infected.”

Read the full article.

In the fall of 2002, I was blessed with the unique opportunity to serve as the college ministry director for one of the largest and most influential churches in the country. For nearly four years, I had the opportunity to serve, counsel, lead, and learn from hundreds of college students who attended various schools within the city of Atlanta, Georgia.

During that span of time, I witnessed first hand what many ministry leaders throughout this country are experiencing today – a growing discontentment and apathy regarding the relevance of the local church in the eyes of today’s generation of young people.

Despite all of the programs, events, concerts, scholarships, pizza nights, and other heart felt approaches our churches have tried to offer in order to reach this generation, what was once considered necessary, has now become optional.

And worse, what was once attractive…now repels.

Read more.

via Salon.com

Bigelow vs. Cameron? Streep vs. Bullock? Forget it. The most riveting face-off during Sunday’s Oscar ceremony came early: When producer Elinor Burkett wrestled the microphone away from director-producer Roger Ross Williams after their film, “Music by Prudence,” won for best documentary short.

What really happened? We reached both shortly after by cell phone, and got both sides of the story. We first reached Burkett – a onetime Salon contributor who spends much of her time in Zimbabwe – as she took a smoking break as the proceedings continued inside:

People are already saying you “pulled a Kanye.” What happened?

BURKETT: What happened was the director and I had a bad difference over the direction of the film that resulted in a lawsuit that has settled amicably out of court. But there have been all these events around the Oscars, and I wasn’t invited to any of them. And he’s not speaking to me. So we weren’t even able to discuss ahead of the time who would be the one person allowed to speak if we won. And then, as I’m sure you saw, when we won, he raced up there to accept the award. And his mother took her cane and blocked me. So I couldn’t get up there very fast.

Can you explain the reason behind the conflict?

BURKETT: The movie was supposed to be about the entire band, Liyana. And the [band members] were very clear they did not want to participate if it ended up being just about one person. The director and HBO decided to focus solely on Prudence . . .

And that led to the rift. But didn’t you see him at other events to discuss what would happen if you won?