Vanessa Richardson's Blog, page 5

Straight Dope: A 360 Degree Look Into American Drug Culture. Author, LeRon L. Barton

Straight Dope is a book that asks the simple question–why are drugs so entrenched in America’s society. Instead of doing the same ol’ rigamarole song and dance and interviewing talking heads and experts, Straight Dope gets to the heart of the matter and talks to the people at ground zero–the drug addicts whose lives revolve around getting high; the criminals who profit off the misery of the addicts; the teachers who deal with the children in drug abused homes; the drug counselors who try to balance breaking the addicts cycle of addiction while dealing with the bureaucracy of government politics; the legal marijuana growers’ battle against tobacco companies and how to thrive in the growing industry; and the parents’ issue of how they will prepare their children to just say no.
Inspired by the late great Studs Terkel’s many works, Straight Dope is comprised of raw and uncut hard hitting interviews about the participants experiences, thoughts, opinions, and outlook on drug abuse, why or why not drugs should be legal, and how the government is handling the war on drugs.Removing nearly all of the questions, the interviews are more like monologues, allowing the reader to feel as if the subject is just, “talking,” instead of your standard interview.
In addition to the real life accounts, Straight Dope also includes spoken word pieces compiled of biting social commentary, as well as my own personal reflections comprised of my experiences with drugs.


  Book SYNOPSIS:

Straight Dope is a book that asks the simple question–why are drugs so entrenched in America’s society. Instead of doing the same ol’ rigamarole song and dance and interviewing talking heads and experts, Straight Dope gets to the heart of the matter and talks to the people at ground zero–the drug addicts whose lives revolve around getting high; the criminals who profit off the misery of the addicts; the teachers who deal with the children in drug abused homes; the drug counselors who try to balance breaking the addicts cycle of addiction while dealing with the bureaucracy of government politics; the legal marijuana growers’ battle against tobacco companies and how to thrive in the growing industry; and the parents’ issue of how they will prepare their children to just say no.Inspired by the late great Studs Terkel’s many works, Straight Dope is comprised of raw and uncut hard hitting interviews about the participants experiences, thoughts, opinions, and outlook on drug abuse, why or why not drugs should be legal, and how the government is handling the war on drugs.Removing nearly all of the questions, the interviews are more like monologues, allowing the reader to feel as if the subject is just, “talking,” instead of your standard interview. In addition to the real life accounts, Straight Dope also includes spoken word pieces compiled of biting social commentary, as well as my own personal reflections comprised of my experiences with drugs.  About the Author:

My name is LeRon L. Barton and I was born in Kansas City, MO in 1978 (totally dating myself – LOL). Like any Midwestern person, I wanted to come to California. Why? Because of the weather and the beaches, duh! After going to school for IT and moving from San Diego to The Bay Area, which I absolutely love, there was a void in my life. I broke down and admitted to myself, I am an artist! All my life I knew that I wanted to be a writer, well a stuntman, then a race car driver (I still want to!), but finally settled on using the power of the written word. I have written poetry, short stories, essays, and two screen plays, but I have always wanted to write a book. The idea for Straight Dope came because I wanted to create something real and impact–something about which I had knowledge. Where I come from, in my neighborhood, circle of friends, and way of life, drugs have always been around. Instead of taking a judgmental view of the topic, I wanted to have people tell their own story as I listened. I just didn’t want to talk to law enforcement and get this uniform answer on drugs in America, I wanted a well rounded look into drug culture, hence the title, Straight Dope: A 360 degree look into American drug culture. This is my first book, but definitely not the last. I hope to continue to release projects that will make people take a step back and listen, learn, and as they say around my way – “Recognize, realize, and analyze.”

Book Content:The reader advisory rating for this book is 18+. We deem it important to provide a reader advisory and an excerpt for those interested in reviewing books. If at any time you are unsure about the content of a title or feel that you would not be able to give an honest review, or just don’t have the time to read and review–we recommend selecting another way to promote the author. Author interview, book introduction, excerpt or guest post are always available and they are all required to be PG.
Purchase the Book Online at:Amazon.com: Kindle / Paperback
 For More InformationVisit the author online at:
Email: info@mainlinepub.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/leron-barton/1/b/2b7
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ninjagaiden78/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MainlineLeRon
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/channels/mainline
Website: www.mainlinepub.com
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MainlinePub

You Are Not Alone

 
 What is Endometriosis?  Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women and girls in the U.S., 1 million in Canada, and millions more worldwide.
I was never the type of girl who was eager to grow up.  I wasn’t anxiously awaiting the boob fairy (which is good since she never did stop for too long!) and I certainly didn’t want to get my period.  When it arrived, I felt resigned to the hassle. 
My mother warned me that heavy periods ran in the family.  She told me that we were still lucky because “we” didn’t suffer from painful periods.  Heavy?  Yes.  Painful?   No.  Normally, I relished contradicting her.  So it was out-of-character for me to stay quiet when I did have pain.  In the early years of womanhood, the pain was there, yet it was bearable.  The heavy flow was a much bigger battle in high school, forcing me to try to get to a girls’ bathroom hourly and, for the first few days, even get up from sleep every two hours to change.  Over time, my pain grew worse.  In college, I occasionally needed to lie down to escape it.  In graduate school, I’d curl up and cry monthly and I lost a large chunk of studying time every month.  Over the counter (OTC) remedies stopped helping me; I finally stopped bothering with the cost.  Within a year of finishing school (age 24), it would hit the “just let me die” level.  
And yet, I still didn’t speak up.  I can’t cite a single reason.  I had other medical issues and was fine talking to doctors about health matters.  In college, I helped run workshops for teens on safe sex so I could talk about sensitive issues.  I eventually told a GYN about the heavy flow and asked for the Pill (the birth control side was a plus).  Yet, I still didn’t mention my severe pain.  To date, I don’t recall ever being asked.  The Pill proved a great help with the flow issues, but not the pain.  My pain began starting sooner, and lasting longer, it eventually became a month-long source of agony; rather than just tied to my period (which had lasted 6-7 days, the Pill cut that to 5).  I knew then, that I had to speak up.  But I didn’t.  Then one day I passed out at work.  It wasn’t the first time I’d passed out, I’d often welcomed hitting that point since it let me escape, but it was the first time it happened away from my bed.  I don’t recall if my secretary actually heard me hit the ground, the desk chair sliding out from under me, or if she just saw me stumbling a bit afterward when my normally olive-tan skin went ghost pale.  I called the doc, they fit me in, and (after I rejected her offer to drive) my secretary put me in a cab.
 

As soon as I spoke up, talked to the doc, and did a bit of research, I knew endometriosis was the culprit.  The doc suspected it too, but did a bunch of other tests first since endometriosis diagnosis requires surgery.  There were a few bumps, tears, and fears on the way to the formal diagnosis, but I know that process was much worse for many others.  I felt fear when the diagnosis came, but also felt relief.  I finally had a name to my ailment and proof that I wasn’t just a wimp.
There is no cure for endometriosis.  I’ve had three surgeries to remove tissue (it grows back, many women have repeat surgeries).  I take continuous birth control pills (i.e. no placebo week, no period) and they do help a lot.  But if I miss even one or two, I’m back in the fetal position.  The most honest of docs admitted “It is likely we will never get you pain-free” and my reality is that the potential for severe pain is always lurking.  One of the hardest parts is that the pain, which pops up even with the hormone stabilization, is completely invisible.  I’ve faked phone calls where I let people “overhear” me saying the pain was intense so that someone would offer me a seat on the train since they couldn’t tell anything was wrong from looking.  People doubt pain they can’t see, even more so when it is in the realm of “women’s issues.”  
Endometriosis can be a very lonely disease.  My number one piece of advice to women facing endometriosis is to reach out.  There is an amazing community of women who support each other and who DO understand.  They are willing to talk about it all -- pain, heavy bleeding, treatments that work, treatments that don’t, and the impact it all has on sex.  You can find blogs and support groups online (even on Facebook).  This demon is REAL and you are NOT alone.  Speak up. 

 
Story by Cheryl Edwards
Endometriosis Resources www.medicinenet.com/endometriosishttp...

MY STORY - An Endo Awarness Challenge

by Michelle N. Johnson


So, today is the last day of Endometrosis Awareness Month. I hope you guys have have been educated enlightened and empowered by all the posts, info, and dialogue I've been sharing with you all month. Hugs and Thank Yous to EVERYBODY who pitched in and helped me to make this happen!  When I started this, I was asked to complete a challenge by answering a series of questions about my personal experience to help others learn more about what it is actually like to live w/ this disease. I decided to share my challenge with you as my last 'official' post for awareness month. I hope you'll take a few moments to read this and continue to help me Fight Fiercely, not just this day but EVERY DAY until we finally put an END to Endo!! Peace & Love Y'all!!!
~MNJ
Endometriosis Awareness - 31 Day Challenge

 Day 1. For me, living with Endometriosis is: EXTREMELY UNPREDICTABLE

Day 2. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis in the year: 2008

Day 3. But I had symptoms since: Looking back, probably around 2000

Day 4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: sacrificing a certain quality of life and learning how to function optimally while being in some sort of semi - medicated state a great majority of the time.
Day 5. Most people assume: #1 It must not be ‘that bad’ because I don’t ‘look sick’ and #2 that because I had surgery, ‘everything is okay now…right?’

  Day 6. These are the treatments I have tried so far: surgery, continuous birth control pills (multiple/various types), Hormone/’Pain Management’ Therapies (Lupron, Danazol, Neurontin, Elavil, Norco, Vocodin, Ibuporphen 800 up to 4x’s a day)

Day 7. The hardest part about mornings are: getting out of bed, getting out of bed on time, getting out of bed with a clear focused mind and train of thought.

[image error] Day 8. My Favorite medical TV show is: House  


Day 9. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my mp3 player

Day 10. The hardest part about nights is: GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP/REST, Getting a truly restful, peaceful, undisturbed sleep, Insomnia, Being able to get sleep and stay asleep when the pain is bad, Having the meds disrupt your sleep natural cycle, having only a short period of time to be functional and/or get things done before your pain meds kick in and zombie you out!!!{usus60-90 mins}

Day 11. Each day I take 4-7 pills & vitamins: I take one bc pill, 2 Elavil, up to 4 IB 800s and up to 3 Norco/Vicodin depending on the pain/symptoms, and 1 multivitamin or Prenatal ( how ‘bout THAT for irony – Endo is on of the top three causes of infertility and yet Pre-Natal vitamins are often given to help give needed vitamins/minerals to the reproductive system)

Day 12. Regarding alternative treatments I use: massage therapy self are techniques (obviously, sine I’m a Massage Therapist), Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, and aromatherapy w/ my hot packs/compresses/baths/showers and massage PRAYER

Day 13. If I had to choose between invisible illness or visible I would choose: NOT TO BE SICK at all! W/an invisible illness you often get ridiculed b/c you don’t ‘look sick’, so its hard for people to understand and /or empathize. With a visible illness, you may get more understanding, but still get ridiculed and/or shunned b/c people CAN see your symptoms. It’s a lose-lose

Day 14. Regarding working and career: It has been SEVERELY affected by having Endo. As a business
owner, I not only am the lead therapist, but I’m the president, administrator, the HR person, the bookkeeper, etc. There are days when I can’t meet deadlines or meetings or when I have to postpone projects, or simply can’t go to work. That bothers me b/c I tend to be a perfectionist and I pride myself on giving my clients and business partners the ultimate in excellence of service. I hate it when I can’t give 100% of myself to my clients, my circle, or myself. When I’m in crisis mode, I often struggle w/ guilt of being ‘idle’ or ‘lazy’ b/c even when I’m lying there doubled over in pain crying my eyes out,  or so doped up I literally can’t see straight – all I can think about is ‘what needs to be done’, ‘what I need to be doing’, all the projects/meetings/networking oops that are falling by the wayside. When I’m able to I push through, I do, and when I can’t I feel absolutely wretched about it!!!!

Day 15. People would be surprised to know: The seriousness of the degree and the severity of my condition. Because it can’t be seen outwardly, and b/c (until now), I haven’t been vocal about it, the few people that (did) now assume that because I’ve had surgery for it – that everything is ‘ok now’.  I often don’t let it show on the outside all that’s going on inside, I’ve become the MASTER of the ‘smile and nod.’

Day 16. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: My new reality! Having to RE-adjust nearly EVERYTHING about the way I live.

 Day 17. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: ‘Come out’ publicly and allow myself to be a spokes-person AND a FACE for this disease so that hopefully my trials with this can lead to someone else’s triumph

Day 18. I feel that Endometriosis Awareness is: EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Before being diagnosed I had never even heard of this disease. After living with it for four years and STILL learning new things about it, I became really pressed, and inspired to educate enlighten and empower other women, and their families and loved ones to truly learn how to be survivors and not just sufferers of this disease
Day 19. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: TMI Alert: sleeping with no panties on!!!

Day 20. It was really hard to have to give up: #1 My left ovary and fallopian tube in order to preserve the rest of me so that I can still be able to have children if/when I’m ready, #2 that super sexy size 14 that I used to be and lost b/c of all the drugs and hormones and their side effects wreaking having on my body! #3 sexy/cute/'girlie' underwear, matching bra and panty sets!

 Day 21. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: researching reading and learning as much as I can and educating as many people as I can that will let me talk their ears off about it.

 Day 22. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: start kickboxing again, go out w/ my girls and juke my lil heart away until I sweat my perm out!!! Go panty-less whenever I felt like it!!!

Day 23. Endometriosis has taught me: that although it came close, that what didn't kill me will DEF made me stronger; it taught me that real life is what HAPPENS to you while you’re making PLANS for it;  it has taught me that the ONLY thing constant in life is CHANGE; It taught me that I can face some of the darkest nights that life can throw at me, but the Diamond in me we will SOMEHOW find a way to shine through, it taught me that you can still be in the midst of YOUR wilderness and STILL help someone else find a way out of theirs.

 Day 24. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: #1 You need to hurry up and get pregnant – you KNOW you ain’t got that much time left {THIS coming from DOCTORS!!! IKR!!!!} #2 'oooh girl, you go through all that - I would just get they hysterectomy and be done with it!! {THIS coming from chicks w/ a litter of kids runnin' around}

 Day 25. But I love it when people: Are genuinely concerned about me. Not feeling 'sorry for me', but sincerely being compassionate and trying to understand. Gimme hugs when I need them, let me vent when I need too w/o judgement

Day 26. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:  #1 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm yo
u, plans to give you hope and a future."
~Jeremiah 29:11#2 - I need you, you meed me, we all need each other - ~Pastor Danjuma Gibson
Day 27. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: If you need me, I am here. Few people can say this and mean it, but I KNOW what you are going through.

Day 28. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: That I (unknowingly) went so long and lived so many years with this w/o ever being diagnosed

Day 29. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:{different people at different times} Bring me food when I wasn’t able to stand/walk/cook for myself; took me to the doctor and stayed with me; Ask me if I was okay and if they could do anything to help; Held me and rubbed my tummy and my lower back when it was killing me; Helped me throw up so I could rid of that nauseated ‘blah’ feeling!

Day 30. I’m involved with Endometriosis awareness month because: OVER 176 MILLION WOMEN, TEENS, AND GIRLS suffer from this disease and only a fraction of people have ever even heard the word!

Day 31. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: like you cared enough about me, that I meant enough to you, that you would take the time to see through my eyes, what it's like to live with endometriosis.
BE EDUCATED. BE ENLIGHTENED. BE EMPOWERED.


 copyright March 31, 2012

Contact Michelle N. Johnson
 www.essentialetherapeutic.com
info@essentialetherapeutic.com

I've become much stronger and very thankful for what I have

March is ENDometriosis awareness Month. So for the month of March I shall be sharing some inspiring stories or testimonies rather from several of courageous women.  Women hailing from all over the world from all walks of life; all has linked together; in the unity of Sisterhood. They have come together with one cause -and that is to help bring awareness to Endometriosis, with the faith that a cure will be found. To date there is no cure, only subjective treatments. Approximately 176 million women and girls worldwide suffer from endometriosis; 8.5 million in North America.


Symptoms include: pelvic pain apart from mensessevere menstrual crampsbackachepainful intercourse or pain associated with sexual activitypainful bowel movementsfatiguebloatingconstipationmenstrual diarrheapain with exercisepainful pelvic examspainful and frequent urination
Allow me to introduce you to a beautiful young woman, who's willing to share her Endometriosis Testimony. Sara Gregory. 




The summer before my freshman year in high school, I woke up in tremendous pain. I was hurting from my upper back to the tips of my toes. It was the worst pain I had ever been in. We called the doctor, but he thought it was just hemroids caused by the medicine of a knee surgery I had a few weeks before. I took pain pills that made me sick and would get in a hot bath at 3 am. I couldn't get any relief no matter what I did. Finally, the doctor said I needed a CT scan. Daddy almost had to drag me to get me to the car. Between the pain and the drugs I couldn't walk or even think straight. I had to drink disgusting banana flavored Barium on an empty stomach and have an IV poked in my arm. They found out that I had a blind pouch in my belly. I was sent to the only OB/GYN that would see me at such a young age. 
He is AMAZING. I had emergency surgery that night and another the next day. We found out that I have only one kidney, two uterus, and about 600cc of blood built up in a blind pouch from one uterus not having an opening. The blood was drained, and he did some reconstructing. I had immediate relief when I woke up from surgery, but that didn't last long. A different pain eased its way into my belly, and I had a laparoscopic surgery a few months later. I was diagnosed with stage three endometriosis when I was 13. I was sent to Atlanta, Georgia for more surgery, and they said the endo shouldn't come back. It did. Since then, I have created my own website for endometriosis awareness and support. I've become much stronger and very thankful for what I have. 


Contact Sara at:http://flag4endo.wix.com/flag4endo#



 

Endomertriosis Resourceswww.centerforendo.comwww.endo-resolved.comwww.endofound.org

The Certain Ones Building Bridges

The Certain Ones Magazine is an inspirational online magazine highlighting authors, health, entrepreneurs, and ministries. Its central theme is to inspire the aspiring ones into their destiny!
The Certain Ones Online Magazine founder, Vanessa Richardson, is an author, minister, and playwright. She utilizes “The Certain Ones Magazine” and “The Certain Ones Talk Show” to connect with like-minded people to build bridges that leads to business, spiritual, and physical success.

 Would you like to advertise your book, community event, product in our The Certain Ones Online Magazine? Would you like to promote your MP3 commercial (s) on The Certain Ones Talk Show? Allow us to help you promote and inspire! visit us today at www.TheCertainOnesMagazine.com.




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Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges: I found my identity through Christ

The Certain Ones Magazine:  Prophetess share with us information on your upcoming Women’s Jamaican retreat.

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges:  June 13th-15th 2013, we are going to be in Jamaica to worship and praise God.  I call it worship on the water. We get to worship God in tropical place.  We so often think we can only worship the Lord in a traditional manner, in the four walls of our local church. That’s not true; you can worship and praise God anywhere. I preach in my singles ministry, whether you are married or not I tell them, “Girl you better get a life!” A part of getting a life is getting on a plane, going somewhere you have never been, going somewhere fun and relaxing and enjoying God while you are there.

The Certain Ones Magazine: What advice would you offer young women who desire to one day to get married?

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges: There is nothing wrong with desiring to be married. That is something that singles in the Lord will have, is that desire. I tell people that if they don’t desire marriage, what are they supposed to desire? I minister this a lot; and I would invite you to visit my YouTube page at Youtube.com/TeraCarissaHodges. I have a snippet where I minister the sermon “Come out the cave.” For so many women their life is just work, home, and the grocery store; and they are wondering why they are not being found.Now God can do anything, He can send your husband to your front door, there is also a huge chance that He is not. Everyone talks a lot about Ruth and Boaz, understand that Ruth left her home Moab and went to a different country called Judah. We are not saying move to Russia or Kenya, He is saying add more to your life to increase your chance to be discovered.

The Certain Ones Magazine: Salvation should not be boring, it should be fun!  Some folks are just too wrapped up in church alone.

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges: Absolutely! I say this a lot as I minister,  that some women just don’t live life. Go to the movies, to the spa, go bowling, and go to 5 stars Restaurant. There is no sin in living; we think if our life is not church then everything else is a sin. That’s not true. I implore people to understand, there is so much more  to you than what you’ve done. There is a big world out there.  Take some cooking classes, go the museum, and art gallery. It is a whole life out there that awaits you.

The Certain Ones Magazine: How do you differentiate the woman and the prophetess and your ministry?

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges: I found my identity through Christ. Through personal prayer, worship, Bible study, and conversation with the Lord.  I implore people all the time to build your relationship with God because that is how you going to find out who you are and why He designed you the way you are, when I say that, I mean that it’s not by happenstance you have the parents you have and that you had the  life experience that you had.

I know it might feel like someone else is in control of your life but you have to understand that God is all knowing and there are something’s that He allowed because it was tied to your spiritual DNA, who He was fashioning you to be because it was linked to your ultimate purpose and destiny.
When I started out in ministry I confessed to God, that I am human.  One thing that God told me was “Do not allow the people to make you an idol.”  So for those who follow me on twitter understand that I just don’t teach scriptures only. I tweet I am getting my hair done or I am at the Atlanta Hawks Game.  I am not going to allow people to let me be human.

People fall because they act so different from others, we all have a call, and my call may be different. God doesn’t just expect holiness from the leaders but from the saints as well.  I surround myself with people who don’t pull on my gifts. I have some pretty strict perimeters that I don’t allow people to cross.

The Certain Ones Magazine: Congratulation on your article in Essence Magazine!

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges:  Thank you very much! Sophia Nelson, the author of that piece reached out to me because of this phenomenon taking place in the body of Christ right now, which so many single women are wanting to marry Pastors.  They are wanting to marry Pastors because they are seeing the glitz and the glamor of “being the first lady”, but don’t understand that what it takes to walk in that position. I tell women, you don’t want a man with a title, you want a peaceful marriage. Just because a man has a title, that doesn’t mean that is who he is, when he is not functioning in that title or office on Sunday.

I tell women to build their own life, so you are not looking for a man to give you a life. When you can take your own self on a shopping spree, and driving a nice car because God has blessed the fruits of your hands, when you can take yourself out to a 5 star restaurant. When a man comes along who can or cannot do that, you are not easily moved by that, you are not checking for what he is driving but what is driving him and that is his character, which is the most important. Everyone can have a great life if they put
their trust in the Lord, and not running behind a man.

The Certain Ones Magazine:  One of the most key issues that women has a problem with is time tables. The waiting process can play havoc on the emotions on many of women. They are advancing in age; their biological clocks become overwhelmingly loud.  So, now their want has become greater than their need. In the middle of this all is the lack of identity. They don’t know who they are and often times seek validation in
the arms of a man.

Prophetess Tera Carissa Hodges:  I would reminder women that your husband is designed mate is design to be that your mate and not you’re God. You should have an identity before you get married. Your purpose and life should be figured out. A marriage is not a rescue. Too many people are looking for a rescue not a relationship. You have the power to work on your own life. How can a woman know if he is the one?  Well number one is he pursuing you?  In the Bible (Genesis 2:23) it was Adam who made the declaration “”This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” What kind of declaration is he making over you?

Because a man who is in love, who is ready for you, and is ready to be your husband, he will make a declaration over you without you having to prompt him to do so. Boaz was the one who inquired after Ruth immediately “Who is she? Who does she come from?” He began to make provisions for her, leaving extra for her in the field as she was gleaning.

When a man loves a woman, he protects her and number two what provisions has he set up for you? What safety net has he put over you?   So often women get caught up in the fantasy and illusions they’ve created in their own minds.  The Bible says to cast down all imaginations that exalt itself against the knowledge of God.  Part of the knowledge of God has it relates to marriage is that you don’t get all these spiritual confirmation without some natural affirmation. Because marriage although it is heavenly designed is an earthly institution that has to walked out in the earth realm.


                            

Marcus D. Wiley “aka” Bishop Secular is a G For Jesus

 

The Certain Ones Magazine: How did your connection with the phenomenal Yolanda Adams come about?

Marcus D. Wiley: Well um, she owed me some money. Just kidding.  I got hooked up with Yolanda actually, as she was being honored at show here in Houston in which I was hosting. I had no idea at the time the morning show was looking for a comedian for her radio show. They had one, but something happened. So, they were searching, she remembered me. I at the time had no idea she had a show.  I auditioned for three straight days and I eventually got the job.

The Certain Ones Magazine: How did your alter-ego “Bishop Secular” come to life?




Bishop Secular “He’s a G for Jesus”
Marcus D. Wiley: Growing up a preacher’s kid, I never aspired to be a preacher.  My dad, grandfather, and great grandfather. Traditional preachers didn’t look happy. They didn’t have the perks that they have today. Looking back then they never looked happy.  These new Pastors today, — they’ve got it going on! Things have changed, there’s no knock on it.

Bishop Secular came from that, it’s the new look in the church. Secular is not a bad word, it means not sacred. There are sacred people who do a lot of  non-sacred things. Pastors are good looking, are looking good,and they are looking like entertainers.

The Certain Ones Magazine: Standup comedy you are good at that and we definitely appreciate your clean dialogue.

Marcus D. Wiley: I do stand up at a church or club, sometimes, it’s better when I do it at a club. When I come up behind someone who has been cussing, with a clean presentation, I get a response “Man, you don’t cuss?” It has a stronger effect. Some people just grow up in a cussing household; I grew up n one too. I was just blessed to be able to change.

The Certain Ones Magazine: What’s on the horizon for you?

Marcus D. Wiley:  We are looking over television scripts; we think we are ready now.  There is a book hopefully coming soon titled, “Haven’t had a bad day yet.” It is basically writing itself.  Is what we are working on. We just want to be successful, whatever that is.


                                      

Gospel Recording Artist Pastor Beverly Crawford

Gospel singer, Beverly Crawford is co-Pastor with her Husband, Todd Crawford of Gainesville Family Worship Center in Gainesville, Florida.The Certain Ones Magazine: Your women’s conference is five year strong, congratulations! How did Calling All Women 911 come to fruition?

Pastor Beverly Crawford: Right now the Lord has blessed us with five years. In January we started our church seven years ago. And the Lord told me to start a Women’s conference. I was like ‘Lord wait a minute you want me to start an annual women’s conference and we are starting a church?  God said “yes, because women all over the country will have an opportunity for this call of fellowship time.”The Lord told me to name the conference Calling All Women 911,  to come together no matter what color you are, where you live, or what car you drive in.  It’s about healing. God wanted me to be the first speaker to open up the conference, He had given me a sermon titled “In the waiting room”.

Here is an analogy. While waiting to be seen at the hospital, it seems like everyone name is being called except your name, you forget there are other people in the waiting room who are hurting also. The question is: what do you do while you are waiting? Stop complaining and start praying. I am excited about what God is doing; in this conference, we have it every year in the month of September.

The Certain Ones Magazine: How did you morph from singing on The Bobby Jones Gospel Show to where you are today?

Pastor Beverly Crawford: My husband Todd Crawford, I was in a group with my sisters, we would perform in surrounding areas.  One day we performed at a small church and someone had filmed it. They gave a copy of the VHS tape to my husband, who then made several copies of it, after sending it out to several radio shows, it was a year later Dr. Bobby Jones (who was the only one)  responded back to us.  He requested that I  along with my sisters and brothers come to Nashville.  We did the Gospel explosion showcase, Dr. Bobby Jone at the time, was looking for a singer for New Life; I went that year and ended up staying for six years. Through that the doors were opened up at Warner Brothers Records.

I then moved to Nashville for almost eight years, when that door closed, the Lord told me to move to Dallas. Once their I connected with Bishop T.D  Jakes, and signed under his Dexterity Record Company, I did two albums with him, — then I signed with JDI Record Company out of California. I then moved from Dallas to Florida to help my father out with the ministry.  I thought my career was over! It was so hard, that was a hard period of transitioning for us. But God provided. And this is where we are today.

The Certain Ones Magazine:  You’ve mentioned earlier about waiting  for the appointed time to be seen. What would you say to someone who is, as you stated “In the waiting room.”

Pastor Beverly Crawford: Don’t give up, while you are in the waiting room, make sure you are in the right place; so when your opportunity comes, you will bloom.  Sometimes, it doesn’t feel like you are in the right place. Your blessings are in the right location, you just got to get there to get it. Keep praying and believing. What I went through, I now have a peace.  The baby is coming, because your water has broken!



                                      

J Moss talks IMMA Do It!

 
The Certain Ones: J. Moss, please tell us about your album V4…The Other Side. Imma Do It! Is my favorite track, tell us about how that song come to fruition.

J Moss: PJAM always trying to do things!  It’s just us. We like to bang. Keep it street.  There are a lot of albums people put out in my genre and it sounds the same, and PJAM doesn’t like to do that. I think there needs to be more versatility on the radio and in live concerts. We want to give our young people alternatives, so they won’t allow other stuff into their spirit. We give them that rumble or beat that they need and at the same time, giving them a pure message.

The Certain Ones:  Did you do all the vocals on your album?

J. Moss: PJAM and I produce them together… me and Paul Allen. We produce ideas and concepts
together, and “Imma Do It!”,  Is a product of our coming together. We have been doing it together for over twenty years. We wanted to bring one out for the streets.

The Certain Ones: You certainly did put the fire to this album. It is motivational and galvanizing. It also good to listen to when participating in Zumba classes!  Where can we purchase our very own copies?

J Moss:  Thank you very much!  The ringtone to the song “Good Day” is on ITunes and Ringtones. These are good witnessing tunes. It is a perfect opportunity to witness to somebody.  It is about spreading the word, getting people to heaven.



                                               

Pastor Bridget Hilliard shares Women Who Win!

Pastor Bridget Hilliard is the on-site Pastor of New Light Christian Center Church Beaumont; co-founder and wife of Bishop I.V. Hilliard. Bishop I.V. and Pastor Bridget Hilliard are the co-founders of the dynamic New Light Christian Center Church (“One Church, Multiple locations”) in North, East, West and South Houston; Beaumont and Austin, Texas.

Their passion to take God’s Word to a hurting and lost generation has resulted in a current church membership of over 20,000 and counting. New Light Christian Center Church is not only recognized around the country as a Mega-Church, but in September 2007 it was honored as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Churches in America. This Mega-Church has a nationwide television ministry, a satellite network, an Aviation Division, Light Commerce Credit Union, and an early childhood development center known as Light Christian Academy.


The Certain Ones: Women Who Win is your conference that you host annually.  Why did you feel there was a ‘need’ to form such a conference as this? I had the pleasure to attend your Women Who Win, conference. Not in person but, via Streaming Live. This was a wonderful idea for those who wanted to attend but could not. Will there be a 2012 Women Who Win, conference and will it be Streaming Live again?  And what can attendee’s expect when they attend?

Pastor Bridget:  Well um, years ago, when I first started learning the word of faith, which now it has been almost thirty years. I would go to conferences and women meetings. People would always give you the problem; nut never gave you the solution on how to get the answer.  About four years ago, the spirit of God dropped in my spirit; that I should do something to be a blessing to women and how to live by faith. That don’t just talk about the problem, but how to get the answer to their situations, and so that was the inspiration from the spirit of God to start Women who Win, in 2008. It has been quite successful and my whole goal in life is to see people win, by faith we can overcome any situation in life and by faith we can always win!

The Certain Ones: You streamed Women who Win conference this year. The spirit of God was extremely prevalent, that it transcended through Televisions and computers, as these strong women of God, shared their testimonies. Bishop Rosie O’Neal, Dr. Irishea Hilliard, – whom of which is your daughter, preached about “Mercy”, Dr. Charisse Gibert, and of course closing it out was you. The Bible states that “we over come through our testimonies.” These ladies, yourself included, where not afraid to get raw before the masses. What was the feeling actually like for you, to actually be there live?

Pastor Bridget: It was just as powerful being there of course. We made the decision to go live and streaming which we never done before, we had upward of 16,000 to 20, 000 people viewing it, every session, so it was powerful, it was absolutely incredible and looking forward to 2013, we already have theme and we are excited.

The Certain Ones: Pastor Bridget what do the body of Christ has to look forward to in the year of 2013?

Pastor Bridget: 2012, has been a lot of challenging year for those who are in the body of Christ. The theme for 2013 is connecting for restoration. Restoring and revival.  It’s going to be a time of refreshing and restoring so many people has lost a lot of things in 2012. We believe for the restoration, and the reviving in 2013!

The Certain Ones: New Light Christian Center is one church in several locations, in September 2007 was honored as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Churches in America. You and Bishop I.V. Hilliard do great work for the community. What makes your ministry so unique, that it continues to compel people, — not just a certain group, but people from all walks of life, ages, and gender? Your youth membership is impressive!

Pastor Bridget: Well I think it is because my husband (Bishop I.V. Hilliard) has made a commitment to teach the word of faith, when we started off twenty- eight years ago, God gave us specific instructions that we were to build people purpose, power, and praise. When they understood this they would praise God for the victory in their lives. We have been consistently dong that for twenty-eight years. A lot of people say my husband’s style of teaching, (and I believe he is one of the greatest teachers today)   I think his simplicity for everybody to get the understanding of how to get the word of God to work in their situation is the catalyst in our church. All our extension churches teach the same thing that Bishop as taught at every location.
The Certain Ones: Thank you for joining us today, Pastor Bridget.

Pastor Hilliard: I thank God for people like you and your commitment to getting the word of God out for and to the body of Christ. We are looking forward to a new year. My husband has declared by the spirit of God, that 2013 is the time for accelerated favor. For anybody not just the body of Christ that has ears to hear. The favor of God will show up mightily in a speedy way.  It is the year for the body of Christ to shine!

http://www.thewomenwhowin.net