But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; I

Peter 2:9

EXCLUSIVE

ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1

A L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R

For as longs as I can remember my preferred form of communication

has been to write it! Many times over the years I sat down to plan out,

sketch and brainstorm and then life began to happen!

In 1996 my husband and I packed up our wedding gifts in the back off a

Chevy S-10 pick-up, left Ohio and headed south to Charlotte, NC. No

jobs, no friends, not even an apartment…Shortly after making Charlotte

our home, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. In 1997 I gave birth to

my first child, in 1999 my second child and in 2000 my third child.

After giving birth to my third child, Lupus began to rear its ugly head.

My husband and I decided that it would be in the best interest of our children if we moved back to Ohio

and family so that we could have the assistance and support that we now desperately needed. Our move

to Ohio proved to be a life changing experience. After receiving treatments for Lupus and beginning to

feel like myself again, tragedy struck! On December 2, 2002 I was in a car accident that claimed the life of

my son, and critically injured my daughter. In 2003, my kidney’s failed requiring weekly dialysis treatments.

I wish I could say that I wasn’t angry and that I understood then or even now, but I can say that in the

midst of what seemed to be an unbearable lot, I never lost faith in who God was and who I was in Him! I

knew that as a believer there were promises that were mine!

What I didn’t know was that everything that I had experienced was all a part of the process! I had no idea

that not having the white-picket fence fairytale life was a part of the process, I didn’t know that months

on end in and out of hospitals and intensive care units was a part of the process, I didn’t know that the

patients and nurses that became my family were a part of the process, I didn’t know that the death of my

son was a part of the process, I didn’t even realize that receiving a kidney transplant was a part of the

process.

What I did know is that He promised to never leave me, and to grant me the desires of my heart, to allow

me to operate in my passion, to share who God is and what He can do and is doing in the lives of us that

live according to the STANDARD that He has set for us! I had no idea that the process would ultimately

lead to my promise and the birth of Standard Magazine!

I hope that you will feel free to share and allow STANDARD MAGAZINE to be a part of your life.

Carmalita Longino-Sims

Creator/Editor-in-Chief

PULPIT PERSPECTIVE Overseer Terry M. Clark

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD Erica and Angelia Smith share ….

WHO IS ISAAC CARREE? Standard Magazine sits down with Isaac Carree

IS BOAZ LOST? April Mason

WHAT I LEARNED FROM WHITNEY HOUSTON Bishop Brain Anderson

CHURCH HURT Clarressa Mackey-Phillips !

MUSIC MINUTE What’s new in Gospel Music

Story ideas? Comments? Questions? STANDARD MAGAZINE wants to hear from you…..

Check us out on Facebook or write us at www.standardmagonline@gmail.com

THE CARREE FAMILY

When asked to write

an article in the first

issue of Standard

Magazine, I was

honored to accept,

but carefully consid-

ered the appropriate

subject matter for the inaugural issue. With so many con-

troversial issues plaguing today’s society, not to mention

the Christian community, what could be considered the

most pressing or relevant? Just then I thought

“STANDARD” what an intriguing name for a Christian

magazine. While its name implies some obvious expecta-

tions the word itself in today’s society can be considered

very subjective to say the least. Many people have their

own idea of what standard means, but this magazine has

inherent in its moniker the cross of Christ, which suggest

a higher standard than that of the world or conventional

wisdom. For the believer the standard for living is not

based on popular opinion, acceptable practice or personal

comfort. The standard for the believer is the Word of

God. With so many interpretations and commentaries

available to us it’s not unreasonable to ask, if we have

forsaken the standards intended by God through His

Word? While I seek to initiate conversation and provoke

thinking I do not suspect that we can completely answer

this question in one article. Perhaps we should try to stick

to the agreeable universal truths that should govern the

life of every believer.

Let us begin by discussing the standard for salva-

tion and life in Christ. In a day when apparently everyone

is saved! Is there a measurable standard for salvation?

What about Christian leadership? I’m sure someone has

just quoted Matthew 7:1 in their head “Judge Not, that ye

be not judged” Is that what Christ meant when He said

judge not? Was he speaking of establishing a standard (a

system of measurement) and determining whether or not

we and others meet a specific criteria? For example; as a

parent, whether intentional or not I both set a standard

and pass judgment in my home. Am I in violation of the

scripture? Would Jesus condemn me? Call me self right-

eous, say ye without sin cast the first stone every time I

chastised my children? Of course not! No rationally

thinking person would say that Matthew 7:1 applies in

this situation. Likewise when a convicted murderer is

brought before the judge to be sentenced, he can quote all

the scriptures he knows, but that will not commute his

sentence. So what is Christ saying? I’m glad you asked!

He is saying do not judge on a standard that you are not

willing to be judged on, for the same standard of judg-

ment that you use for others will be used for you. If you

say to others that stealing has a particular consequence,

and you steal, expect to suffer the same consequence. He

is not suggesting that we should say and do nothing when

we see others doing wrong, (operating beneath the stan-

dard set by law, society or in this case, His word) He is

simply making us aware of our responsibility to bare a

standard and to be held accountable to the same standard

that we have set for others. Both the old and new testa-

ments are clear and agree on qualifications for spiritual

leadership and every attempt to use scripture to justify

moral failure, undisciplined flesh or any of the pride-

ful attitudes that we often see today must be completely

taken out of context to apply to the sins and many times

character flaws that tarnish the reputations of Christian

leaders. I am not suggesting that to be a Christian leader

you must be perfect as in flawless but I am suggesting

that you must be perfected as in matured, having over-

come and crucified the lust of your flesh even if we do so

daily. The scriptures that are so often referred to in these

instances, when put in proper context actually apply to

weakness in faith and never wickedness in flesh!

That being said, it is in no way high minded, self

righteous or arrogant to adhere to a standard and hold

those of like faith and belief to the same standard, it only

becomes judgmental when we set and preach a stan-

dard to others that we ourselves are not willing to ad-

here to or be judged by. It is equally hypocritical when

we lower the standard of judgment because we ourselves

are either unwilling or unable to live up to it. Categorical

wrong remains so no matter who the offender is! Adul-

tery and murder was just as wrong for David as King as

it would have been for an ordinary citizen. The Church of

Jesus Christ can no longer afford to have different stan-

dards for its leaders than it does its laymen. The world

has no reason to respect Christian leaders because they

hold their leaders to a higher standard. The police officer

accused of misconduct will be investigated by internal

affairs and if found guilty of an offence will be repri-

manded accordingly. The lawyer can be disbarred for

breaking the law, the doctor can lose his license to prac-

tice and if accused of malpractice be subject to pay penal-

ties and damages to those he injures. The corporate man-

ager or executive the professional athlete or coach and

countless other professionals must give account for their

leadership and performance often times while adhering

to morality clauses that if violated could cancel their con-

tracts. In the church however it appears that leaders at

times operate with complete impunity, primarily because

of misinterpreted scripture and extremely misplaced loy-

alty. As believers we are responsible to forgive and to

restore the fallen, but we must do so while holding God's

standards in the highest degree, not compromising them

regardless of gifting or personality. Corinthians; 11 tell us

that if we would judge ourselves we should not be

judged! That means that if we plead guilty there is no

need for an inquiry, investigation or trial! It does not

mean nor suggest that there are no consequences for our

misdeeds, "but when we are judged, we are chastened of

the Lord" 2nd Samuel 12 tell us that as David is con-

fronted with his sin his response was "I have sinned

against the Lord" Nathan assures David that his sins had

been forgiven and proceeded to tell him the punishment

or consequences for his actions. Whom the Father loves

He chastens or corrects, He cannot do so without an es-

tablished, understood standard.

Congratulations to the creators and editors of

Standard Magazine, I applaud your effort to educate, in-

form and even entertain the body of Christ. This article is

not intended to uncover, embarrass or expose anyone,

except the devil and this device that he has used to

weaken and discredit the Christian community. I love my

fellow servants of the Body of Christ and want nothing

more than for the great David's to be restored, I am sim-

ply calling on the Nathans to step forward and be re-

ceived. This year should be a great year for the Body of

Christ, but we must confront and condemn the obvious

sin that has so easily beset us in the past. May God's

goodness and grace overtake you in this season of your

life.

Humbly submitted,

Overseer Terry M. Clark

Pastor, Christ Harvest Church, Charlotte, NC

Overseer Terry M. Clark is the Senior Pastor of Christ Harvest Church in Charlotte, NC, where he lives with his wife, First

Lady Meshelle Clark. He is a much sought after speaker, and has traveled the world preaching a relevant, life applicable

word to the body of Christ at large.

Many people today wonder if miracles are real. I would often ask myself

these common questions: Can God really hear my prayers? Has God forgot-

ten me? Does He know that I love Him? And if He loves me, then why is He

allowing me to walk with an infirmity in my body? How can hope and faith

help me stay encouraged during rough times?

These are questions and answers that I am going to share with you to en-

courage you that your infirmity whether it be a physical infirmity and or a

emotional infirmity God said “be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor

be afraid of them: for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake

you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)” Many individuals believe once you give your life to Christ all of your problems will

go away and you never have to deal with adversity. I realized at the age of twenty five that this miscon-

ception was simply not true. During that year, I married a wonderful man with the desire to be the perfect

wife. Seven months after our marriage began we lost our first child to a miscarriage. Instead of receiving

support from the people around us, their words and actions served as a curse. We were told that we didn’t

need to have children and that I was not prepared to be a mother. I was angry at the world and unforgive-

ness set in. In the midst of my anger, I was stricken with a bleeding disorder that the doctors could not

stop. I bleed for four years and the illness progressed into a brain tumor and a thyroid disorder. My hurt

was deepened and I felt betrayed and forgotten by God. Many nights I cried to the Lord asking Him why

wouldn’t He heal me, I am someone who trusted Him. I felt embarrassed and lonely during that time and I

shunned the people around me. My hopes of being a mother and a great wife ended up in a gray area – I

couldn’t even imagine that those dreams would come to be. One day I was cleaning my home and God

spoke to me saying “daughter where is your faith, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” After this, I

found myself learning how to love and forgive on another level in my walk in Christianity. God truly became

my strength during that time of suffering. I became steadfast and unmovable with my faith and hope in

God. I found myself knowing greater is He (God) which is in me than those that don’t believe. I had no other

choice but to believe in the Word of the Lord. I knew that if he could cover all of my sins and if He could

love those that hurt me, I could do the same. I began to see doctors to treat my bleeding disorder and was

specifically told “your uterus is hectic and you need to prepare to adopt”. I ended up having nine different

procedures and six failing infertility treatments. But, GOD!!! God told me to continue to trust and believe in

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

Him. I developed a truly “crazy faith” – everyone

around me thought that I was crazy. My husband

and I began praying together and confessing what

the Lord had said. We constantly sowed seeds of

encouragement into other individuals’ lives, focus-

ing on their time and financial management. We

believed God would see our mustard seed faith

(Matthew 17:20).

After four and a half years I was still visiting

the doctors to solve a prob-

lem they didn’t know how to

stop. At one particular time,

God spoke and said to try

one more treatment in spite

of all the negatives of preg-

nancy tests I had received. I

prayed and said, God if it’s

negative I’m ok with it, if its

positive I will tell the whole

world about the miracle you have blessed me with.

I completed one more infertility treatment

in the midst of a major transition in my life and

two weeks later I found out I was pregnant! Ini-

tially, I could not believe the positive test. I asked

the test, “test, are you serious, are you really posi-

tive?” I ran to the store and bought another test.

When the second test came back positive, I fell to

my knees crying to the Lord for the glory of the

miracle He had given me. I promised to give the

child back to Him for His glory. I immediately called

my husband, who was out of town at the time, and

he began to weep, and weep! As of today, I am

eight months pregnant expecting a little girl

named Elianna. Her name means “God has an-

swered” in Hebrew. I am a truly blessed woman who

knows that as you walk in faith as an example of

Jesus Christ, nothing is impossible to those that

believe (Matthew 17:20). When you have faith, you

cannot pray one prayer and walk with your head

down in unbelief. With faith and hope you have to

be completely convinced that a miracle

can take place at any given time and

with God all things are possible. For all

the women who have lost in hope and

have no answers for their pain, God is

your answer. Cry out to Him. Tell God,

the only true and living God, that you

put all your faith and trust in Him. Allow

Him to speak to you and strengthen

you in the midst of your pain. God is

your source, and he will truly never leave you nor

forsake you. Life isn’t easy and often does not fol-

low your expectations, yet it continues! Pain and

disappointment are a challenge but they become

easier to handle with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

and know God has a plan for you whether you can

see the miracle or not. He knows exactly what your

testimony is supposed to be and who it is for. In

my situation, my testimony of healing and a mira-

cle of a child, serves as an example for other

women. Know God can heal your body, by simply

maintaining your faith in Him He can do just that!

To minister the word of God through song, and to encour-

age people with words that also encourage is no small ac-

complishment, and the responsibility is something that Isaac

Carree takes very seriously.

We remember him as a member of the New Life

Community Choir with Pastor John P. Kee, then as 1/3 of

the chart topping trio Men of Standard, as a background vo-

calist for the incomparable Kirk Franklin, and now as a solo

artist with one of the #1 songs in the country!

Isaac Carree was kind enough to sit down with Standard

Magazine to allow us to get to know him just a little

better….

Q. Who is Isaac Carree?

I’m just a fun loving guy that loves God, family, and enjoys

life!

Q. You seem really relevant and approachable…How do

you manage to stay grounded and not consumed by “celebrity” with everything that gospel music has

become….

I just try to stay humble. I don’t consider myself a celebrity at all! I feel like with the style of music that I

sing and who I sing about and who I serve, He’s the only celebrity. When you keep things in perspective

and recognize who you are, whose you are, and who you’re doing this for, you begin to realize that it’s

really not about you. I’m excited and I’m grateful for the accolades and the recognition that I’m getting but

I know it’s not about me, so it’s easy for me to stay humble.

Q. From singing with John P. Kee and New Life, to Men of Standard and now as a solo artist…What

has your journey taught you?

Consistency! It’s taught me how to be relevant. I’ve worked with so many great artists; some of the great-

est in the industry!

the greatest in the industry! Pastor Kee, Men of Standard, and now Kirk Franklin. I’ve learned to stay

humble and professional. I build relationships and never burn bridges. It’s those lessons in life that keep

me grounded. Sometime we get off track and start a thing and don’t finish it, or we’re so anxious to be

“on” that we miss all of the blessings that God has in store for us. I’d fall and I wouldn’t quit! I did back-

ground singing diligently and faithfully, as a result I was prepared for this season.

Q. Why go solo now?

It was God’s call! I was very comfortable singing with Men of Standard, very comfortable singing with

Kirk…traveling, making good money. I was able to take care of my family, so I was happy with what I

was doing. God kind of forced my hand, and I kind of fought with him about it, because I really didn’t see

the relevance of doing a solo project in an industry that’s already congested with so many solo artists. You

have so many other great artists, I didn’t really see why I needed to do a solo project and fall in the same

vain that everyone else was already in. God explained to me that there are things that I place in people that

equip only them to get that message out, and I’ve placed some

things in you that are special and unique, and different. I want you

to share it with people. Once I really accepted it, and took on the

task it proved to be one of the greatest things I’ve done in my

career.

Q. Your single “In the Middle of It” speaks to the hearts of so

many. What is your message?

Well, I realize in life that everybody is in the middle of some-

thing….dealing with the economic crisis, a marriage that went

wrong, a child lost to the streets, your own insecurities, how you

were raised, a broken relationship, molestation….No matter what your situation is, we all have been, are in,

or will go through the middle of something, and I just wanted to encourage people. I was in the middle of so

many things in my life that I knew that this song spoke to every religion, every race, every age bracket, be-

cause it’s a simple message…no matter what you’re going thru, praise God in the middle of your situation,

because it’s in the middle of it that he really watches and sees your demeanor, attitude, and disposition, and

based on the way that you respond determines how soon he’ll bring you out. I think when people got that

message and that concept it really became an anthem, because everybody said, instead of complaining

instead of griping and questioning God, I’m just going to live up my hands and say, “God I’m going to

praise you right here in the middle of it! People have been blessed, delivered and set free just off of that

fact! I’m just grateful that God used me to get that message out!

Q.I love the title of your project “Uncommon Me”

Why did you choose that as your title?

Well I believe we’ve become very comfortable be-

ing common. A common person is just regular,

nothing really special about them…nothing causes

them to stand out, they settle for being mediocre,

they just want to skate thru life, they don’t want to

stretch themselves, don’t want to challenge them-

selves, versus an uncommon person…they’re ex-

traordinary, rare, dare to be different. I believe that

when God created us, he created all of us in His

image and His likeness, and there is nothing com-

mon about God! His ways are not our ways and

His thoughts are not our thoughts, and when He

created us in His image, it made us uncommon,

rare, extraordinary, and different. When you serve

a God like we serve you realize that you can’t be

like the common man, you can’t settle for being

less. I just wanted to challenge people to get back

to who God made them …an original, special, dif-

ferent! In this walk you have to be separated. The

bible says “Come out from among them and be ye

separate” You have to separate yourself from

what’s common. I believe that all of us in our own

way, and in our own situations in life are uncom-

mon if we embrace who God made us. So I think

that Uncommon Me is a positive message that eve-

rybody can relate to.

Q. You sang with Pastor John P. Kee, you sing

with Kirk Franklin, there is a bit of a difference in

those styles of music , and at this point some would

say that there is a fine line between gospel, R&B

and Hip-hop. What are your feelings about where

Gospel Music is going right now?

Well, I don’t think that there is a fine line. I still think

that there is a complete difference. The beats may be

similar, but there is no religion or boundaries on what

your beats, or drums should sound like. I think what

separates what we do in Gospel music from what

everybody else in the world does are the lyrics, and

that can’t be compared. We sing about Jesus, we sing

about someone who can take your life at its lowest

point and turn it around and deliver you and set you

free. So, there is a complete difference in what I do

and what Usher might do in terms of lyrical content.. I

do believe we have to stretch ourselves, and we have

to be more creative to reach people that may not

otherwise come to church. . . One thing I wanted to

do on this album is not be a gospel artist that recycled

their message. In other words I didn’t want to do an

album just to go to all the churches and the concerts

or sing the word of God to people that hear it day in

and day out and just refuse to live it. I wanted to

reach people that say, “I’m sick of church” I want to

go out and sing to people that say, “I’ll never come

back to this church, the Pastor did me wrong” or

“When I walked in, the people looked at me like I was

crazy... I really wanted to sing, but they wouldn’t let

me sing, so I left” Those are the people that I want to

reach! The bible says “Go out and bring people in…

you’ve got to compel people to come. I wanted to do

music that blessed God, but that also grabbed people

that left God or people that don’t know God. So I

think that if you have to be well rounded in your lyri-

cal content, without compromising your message or

what you believe.. I think I tried to do that…I know

I tried to do that!

Q. Who haven’t you worked with that you’d like to?

The church might not like this, but my all time

dream is to work with R. Kelly! I believe that

he has an element in him that is untapped. I

believe that he does what he does because he

knows that if comes over here, God’s going to

hem him up! I think he’s running! He carries a

God given gift that’s unparalleled to anything

I’ve heard in my life. That song that he wrote

for Whitney Houston, “I look To You” and

even “I Believe I Can Fly” are just amazing!

There are so many songs that God has given

him that we’ve overlooked. I believe that with

my gift and my talent and with his gift and his

talent , if we ever got together we could write

a masterpiece together…or he could write it

and I could sing it. I really think he has some-

thing to say, but I think that he suppresses the

call that is on his life!

Q. What’s playing on your IPod?

I’m still playing the latest Kirk Franklin

album (Hello Fear), not just because I sing

on it but because it’s a great album. James

Fortune, (Identity), I’m playing Kim Burrell,

some Jazz, Brian Courtney Wilson, and I’ve

also been playing a lot of Whitney Houston!

I’m just a fan and music and I try to support

everybody and encourage others to do the

same. There are just so many songs that move

and touch me!

Q. What song can you say would be the

soundtrack to your life….

There is a song on Kirk Franklin’s latest

album called I am! The song basically

says,... I am so far from perfect, I thought

life was worthless until you showed me who

I am, not here by mistake, no luck only grace,

I’m on my way to who I am... It just really

identifies who you are in God. I’ve really been

listening to this Whitney Houston, I look to

you! It’s absolutely phenomenal! When peo

ple let you down, you have no other person to

look to but God.

What is the Ministry of Isaac Carree…

what are you called to do?

I’m called to bless people thru music, songs,

words, but more importantly thru my lifestyle,

the way I carry myself. I know that my gift

and my calling is to sing, and that’s what I

walk in, but I think the message that people

can get from a person is they way that they

walk out their life. Its one thing to sing it, but

it’s another thing to live it. I try to do right by

my family, my friends, my wife, take care of

my kids, be an example in my community, be

faithful over a few things and that God can

make me rule over many, I’m faithful to my

church so my lifestyle and my testimony is

the biggest testimony that people can ever

get because it’s one thing to hear a song but

if your life doesn’t line up with the song then

you’re discouraged, but if that life lines up

then people will love and respect you.

What advice would you give to someone that

knows that they are called into the music

ministry but struggle with balance and

responsibility ?

When you are called and ordained to do

something, He doesn’t make any mistakes.

He aligns things they way that they should

be. I understand my priorities! My first minis-

try is HOME! If I fail at home, I fail at every-

thing! What good are my concerts and music,

if my life is broken at home, I’m treating my

wife wrong, and not taking care of my kids?

I go to basketball games, ballerina classes…

take my wife out to movies, after that I com-

mit myself to my music and ministry. I prac-

tice and prepare! I give God my best, not left-

overs. When people see me I

want them to see excellence.

I’m also faithful. I still serve

at my church and I still serve

with Kirk. When you put

your priorities in order you

understand that you can’t put

the cart before the horse, you

have to do things in decency

and in order, and God honors

and blesses that. That’s what works for me!

Being a servant…I had the number 1 album in

the country, and I was till singing background

for Kirk Franklin, and it didn’t bother me be

cause I realized that serving is what got me

here and serving is what’s going to keep me. I

just want people to know that no matter how

high God takes me, and no matter where he

takes me, I’m rooted and grounded in Him and

I realize that if He decides to take me over

there, my job is not to go over there and get

comfortable, but my job is to go, do my job,

minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and come

back. I think what happens is that we get an opportu-

nity to cross over and mingle with mainstream people.

God allows us to see the other side of things and our

flesh begins to crave the things of the world…I realize

that that is where we get caught up and messed up.

Whatever God decides to do in my life and in my

ministry, I am rooted and grounded where I am, but I

know that if he opens doors and opportunities, I’m

going to go, minister the gospel of Jesus Christ and

come back, because we are not meant to stay there. I

really want to encourage people to start looking at

what we do differently…it’s not just a

song, it’s not just an album….it’s not

just a person trying to be a celebrity

but there are those of us that really

take this to heart, and we really want

to bless the people of God. I really

want to add people to the body of

Christ, and the way we add is to go to

all 4 corners of the earth and spread

the love of Jesus Christ and compel

them to come. Not judge them, not talk about them

not pass judgment on them but show them that this

God that I’m singing about and living for, is a cool

dude, and if you get to know Him and give Him a

change He will change your life!

†

Check out the Official Video for “In the Middle” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHEQRkG972o

Follow Isaac Carree on TWITTER @IsaacCaree

And check for upcoming events at www.IsaacCarree.com

Ladies does it seem like

Boaz is lost? I know that

there are many single

women in the body of

Christ that are patiently

waiting on Mr. Right. We

are striving to be all that

we can be and be happy

in our “Singleness”.

There is nothing wrong with being happy and single how-

ever if you ask most single women they don't want to be

single. We hear at the many singles conferences to just be

happy and wait on the Lord, get yourself together, get

your money right and pretty much do you. What happens

when you have worked on you, you have your finances in

order, you own your own home etc... What do you do

now? Well, if you haven’t already I suggest that you get a

journal and write down what you desire in a husband.

Many women know that they want a husband, but they

don't really know what they want in a husband. Don't have

the mind-set of "I just want a man" be specific on what you

want and DON'T SETTLE.

My philosophy is get 100% of what you

want. Meaning everyone has flaws, but everyone can't

deal with every flaw in everybody. Compatibility is key.

Many people in church make the mistake of thinking just

because a person is saved and loves the Lord that it is a

match. NOT! Please don't get caught in that trap. Make a

list of what you truly desire in a man and take it to the Fa-

ther in prayer. You can get a man from anywhere, but you

want a Boaz that is divinely designed for you. You are

the daughter of a king and deserve the best. No

more settling just because you don't want to be alone, no

more being treated any kind of way just because you want

companionship, no more staying with someone because

they take care of you financially. The Father is your

source! Girl you are a precious gem to the Father.

Now the scripture says "he who findeth a wife findeth a

good thing and obtains favor from the Lord" Proverbs

18:22. Now that doesn't mean that you stay in the house

and wait on Boaz to knock on the door, but get out and

enjoy life. Have fun, try new things, explore the country,

do things you have never done, be adventurous! Remem-

ber Ruth strategically placed herself in the way of Boaz.

Don't get depressed at holidays because you don't have

anyone to share them with. Count it all joy and think

about how much you will cherish the man God

brings you. Think about how much you will appreci-

ate your gift from God.

In the mean time the Father is your husband according to

Isaiah 54:5 so treat such. He is your provider, covering

your source, your friend, your confidant, a listener, protec-

tor and adviser. So here is a good assignment as you walk

by faith today. This one will require you gathering a journal

and write down what you want in a husband and don't

skimp. Get what you want girl!

Love ya,

April Mason

Founder of Single No More

www.matchmewithachristian.com

JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise celebrate over 10 years of re-

cording together with the release of their latest project, After This. Their growth and maturity is evident; the confidence in their sound comes from a deeper place. As you listen to the project, you hear the group being in one accord and the vision of their ministry being alive in each voice that participates. The 12-tracker presents music that will be sung in churches across the globe with Hairston, Eric Davis, and John Smith providing the lyrics and musical production. A truly gifted songwriter, Hairston continues to deliver songs that quickly become church standards. It's a role that he confesses is near to his heart. Hairston teamed up with some of Gospel music's brightest stars on a several tracks. The title cut is an up-tempo number featuring Bishop Eric McDaniels with a wonderful declaration that the best is yet to come. The lyrics are inspiring and full of hope. Bishop Hezekiah Walker keeps the party going with "Lord Of All"

and upbeat praise and worship song with that East coast choir flavor written by Hairston along with Eric Davis. It transi-tions into what has the potential to be a fan favorite — "My King" a hyper number with its heavy baseline, power packed vocals, and a catchy melodic drive. Lead vocalist Tiffany Andrews-Woodside, is the perfect vocal choice to compliment the power of the song other songs that feature the well known vocalist include: "Now" featuring James Fortune, the CCM inspired "Loved Lifted Me" featuring Tye Tribbett (written by Ashmont Hill's Phillip N. Thompson), and the traditional Gos-pel sound inspired "The Blood" featuring Lashun Pace. A stand out track on the project is "Grateful", featuring noted rising vocalist in the Gospel world, Minon Bolton. It's a beau-tiful mid-tempo song where all of the musical elements, vocal arrangements, and the lead vocals come together to present a soul stirring and powerful per-formance. Check out the digital audio postcard for JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise's CD, After This…. http://www.gospelflava.com/musicdownload/dap/youthfulpraise/jjhairston.html Then there's "Working It Out For Me", featuring the legendary Pastor John P. Kee and the dynamic vocals of Lisa Knowles. Another special song on the project is a cover of Eddie James' popular "I Am" which features four of the tenor vocalists of Youthful Praise on lead vocals (Sam Walker, Woodrow Vereen Jr., Stephon Hawkins, Marc Britt). Their vocal inter-play works well. Where we may usually see four female vocalists, it was nice to hear males with different tonal qualities and styles on one song. Melissa Bell delivers her signature vocals on "The Victor". Last, but certainly not least is the hand clapping, foot stomping "Reap", a good praise break with Jennifer Johnson out front. The horn instrumentation truly catches the ear on this album. Band arrange-ments are strong with Big Mike Clemmons on drums, Chris Russo and Vindell Smith on lead guitar, Javier Solis and Rodney Kennedy on percussion, and Eric Days and David Brown Jr. on keyboards, just to name a few. After This, while primarily a praise and worship focused set, and choir-driven in terms of the arrangements, encom-passes a myriad of styles. It's a great set of material and reflects the writing prowess of Hairston (he writes 10 of the 12 songs). Definitely worth the purchase and true to the sound of JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, it's a great addition to your collection. Review by Nakiyah Hayling and Martin Williams, www.GOSPELflava.com

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so

unlike your Christ.” These words were spoken by Indian nationalist and

five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Mahatma Gandhi. The more com-

mon phrase we’ve heard uttered is likely, “I don’t go to church because it’s

full of hypocrites.” Statements like these observations by non-Christians

are alarming to those who strive to show the light of Christ in a dark world, but perhaps even more so when they come from

wounded, abused, and cast away former church members.

How can a place declared to be a house of prayer, the bride of Christ, the salt of the earth, etc. also be a place where love is

overshadowed by ego, forgiveness by favoritism, and restoration by renunciation? These are the questions Kate* and Cynthia*,

both of Cleveland Ohio, found themselves asking when they were faced with the jilting heartbreak of the loss of fellowship in

their local assemblies.

Kate’s story:

Eight-year members of a local well-known assembly, Kate and her husband served as adjutants to the senior pastor and his wife

and were both held paid domestic positions at the pastoral residence. With a servant’s heart and faithfulness, Kate served with

diligence. But when a new head adjutant was appointed, Kate says that she began to be purposely alienated by the new head

adjutant and the first lady. “After about two months I was no longer invited to attend meetings, and outings that all of the new

adjutants attended.” At the perceived hand of the first lady, Kate was reassigned from the adjutancy to aide to the mothers’

board.

Feeling rejected, ostracized, and confused, Kate continued to serve quietly, fulfilling her duties in the pastor’s home and to the

mothers of the church. But, one night, when Kate says that she went to talk to some older boys who were picking on her son in

the church’s basement, she was verbally and even physically reprimanded by women with whom she served regularly. “I was

stopped by the secretary [to the first lady], who told me to not say anything and to leave. I went into the sanctuary to get my

daughter so that I could leave, and when I got outside on the stairs they [the pastor’s and first lady’s secretaries] approached

me, and I stated to them that I was tired of how I was being treated by the people of the church, and that I had not done any-

thing to be treated this way, the pastor’s secretary grabbed me by the arm, and I pulled away and said that I was leaving to go

home. The next day, Kate says, she and her husband reported to work at the pastor’s home and were informed that her position

had been terminated. To add insult to injury, during that week’s bible study, the pastor stood in the pulpit and publically

announced Kate’s termination and her official excommunication from the church.

BY CLARRESSA MACKEY-PHILIPS

While Kate was unemployed and without a church home or a pastor, her

husband remained in the employ of the same pastor who had banished Kate

from the assembly. “My marriage started to fall apart because of this, and

eventually we got divorced.”

In the wake of these events, her relationship with God suffered. She ceased

praying, completely lost faith in church leaders, and vowed to never join

another church. It was a full two years later when Kate says she began to

heal as she submitted her hurt to God. “I have recovered in some ways. I

believe that I do carry scars, because when I get to close to leaders I back

up,” she says. Kate still loves God and His church, but remains apprehen-

sive about drawing close to church leadership.

Kate maintains that she had no responsibility in the cruel treatment that she

received. But, even if she had, at what point is enough ? The alienation from

the adjutants? The abrupt dismissal from her source of income? The public

humiliation of excommunication? Or the message of willful division by the

wedge driven between husband and wife, one retained and respected, the

other rejected and discarded?

Kate’s life was turned upside down and forever changed (and not in a good

way) at the hands of those to whom she had entrusted the care of her soul.

But, now a member of a different ministry, she says, “I will always keep in

mind that they are human beings, and that we all make mistakes.” Kate says

that in a subsequent meeting at the pastor’s home, she told them that things

had changed and that they should have spoken to her she if she had done

something wrong. (Approximately six months later, Kate says, she learned

through an unnamed source that the first lady had been “trying to get me to

quit the adjutants and to eventually quit working for them”.)

While Kate was unemployed and without a church home or a pastor, her

husband remained in the employ of the same pastor who had banished Kate

from the assembly. “My marriage started to fall apart because of this, and

eventually we got divorced.”

PASTORS RESPOND Q: If a situation arose at your church in which your actions and/or words caused a member to be emotionally and spiritu-ally hurt, what would you do? Could you see your wrongdoing, or would you be blinded by your position? Would you ever be humble enough to apologize and ask for forgiveness? Even if the member did something wrong, would you own your actions if you responded inappro-priately? I would apologize because if my reaction caused hurt because of their action then I'm wrong too. The scripture a soft an-swer turns away wrath comes to mind. We have to be mindful of our reaction towards others when their actions to-wards us are not good. We cannot return evil for evil but return evil with good. – Pastor Scott McCrary, The Faith Church, Lilburn, GA Even though we're pastors, we're human and can and will make mistakes. We are also to be like Christ and forgive and ask for forgiveness. Showing love and lead-ing not by words but by deed. Our churches are failing because the pres-ence of GOD isn't there. If there is no love, compassion or forgiveness CHRIST doesn't dwell there. – Pastor Jobie Wil-liams, All For His Glory Ministries, Colum-bus, OH As a pastor I would hope that if I ever hurt anyone in or outside our church that first I would be made aware of it by the one I hurt. I really believe many times people are in so many emotionally fragile places that folks can be set off by any-thing. I do believe and know however that if I hurt anyone I would want them to know I was truly sorry and would also hope that at the moment I committed the offense that they would speak up so I can be aware and apologize. I want to treat people not how I want to be treated but how God wants to be treated. [I carry a title] but the title alone is a description of my assignment or job. Unfortunately many in ministry don’t understand that and allow that mess to go to their heads and use [it] to justify corrupt, un-godly behavior. – Bishop Tyear Wilson-McCrary, The Faith Church, Lilburn, GA

While Kate’s journey of forgiveness continues, and she has been able to reestablish a fulfilling rela-

tionship with God and joyful fellowship with another assembly, what about the pastors, the under-

shepherds in Kate’s story and others like them? Yes, they are human, but as appointed (and some-

times anointed) vessels of God, they have a responsibility to protect the sheep of the good shep-

herd. And when in their flawed humanity they find that they have wounded a member of the flock,

repentance is in order. But, policing the spiritual discipline of others is not for us to do. Kate may

never know whether her former employers experienced any semblance of remorse. But she learned

the sad and valuable lesson that was observed and voiced by Mahatma Gandhi decades ago –

many “Christians”, even those in leadership, still have a long way to go before we resemble the

Christ that we serve. God’s plan for His church is for it to be a fellowship of believers, a refuge for

the broken, a light in a dark world. The church, as God designed it, doesn’t hurt people. Flawed hu-

mans who lose sight of their call to be Christ-like hurt people. But, God, in His infinite love and wis-

dom, avails himself to mend the broken hearted and is indeed the lifter of our heads. When asked

what advice she would give her younger self, Kate says, “The advice I would give after this is to re-

member that all leaders are not the same, and to never get knocked down so hard that you cannot

pray.” †

Clarressa (Reese) Phillips is a native of Columbus, Ohio. A graduate of the Columbus Public School District, Reese earned associate

and bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business administration from Columbus State Community College and Franklin University,

respectively. She has spent most of her career in banking and administrative management

and has written for local publications. Ms. Phillips is an active member of her church and

community and regularly participates in mentoring programs for young girls. She lived in

Cleveland, Ohio for several years and currently resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia

with her husband and two children. Clarressa (Reese) Phillips is a native of Columbus,

Ohio. A graduate of the Columbus Public School District, Reese earned associate and bache-

lor’s degrees in accounting and business administration from Columbus State Community

College and Franklin University, respectively. She has spent most of her career in banking

and administrative management and has written for local publications. Ms. Phillips is an ac-

tive member of her church and community and regularly participates in mentoring programs

for young girls. She lived in Cleveland, Ohio for several years and currently resides in the

suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two children.

http://reesephillipsonline.com/default.aspx

On the hills of the untimely passing of Whitney Houston, I believe a lot of introspective

reflection has taken place around the world. While I am

perhaps one of the biggest Michael Jackson fans to ever live, I have to admit that some-

thing very interesting happened following Whitney’s

passing. I’m very aware of her superstar status. Yet, I don’t recall seeing the kind of re-

action that followed her death. Presidents have died and not received the same coverage. It seems that people from all

walks of life have been affected. I think I now understand why. You see, concerning the funeral, the Christian community

seemed quite excited because “Jesus was preached on CNN”. I believe the significance was much more than that. After

all, Jesus has been preached since He walked the earth, for heaven sakes. No, it was more than that. In all honesty, I

don’t think Jesus needed the CNN coverage anyway. I think He’s pretty popular these days! However, I believe the reason

this situation was so different wasn’t the ‘preaching’ of Jesus, but the ‘demonstration’ of Jesus.

The entire world was aware of Whitney’s personal drug struggles. Before her death, it was like she was often a punch line

to the jokes of many. However, after she passed, there seemed to be an enormous compassion that filled the earth. The

world was made very aware that it’s possible to love God deeply, yet still face the ordinary struggles of everyday life. We

were all touched and saddened by her death. We were forced to admit that loving God doesn’t stop life from being life.

While we all knew that, we’ve seldom seen it displayed on such a global scale.

There has since been some sense of the renewal of faith in the spiritual community. For a moment, many put their judg-

mental perspectives on hold. There were (and still are) worldwide discussions of the need of compassion and uncondi-

tional love for those around us. This seems to be a moment where we are all considering (or reconsidering) the need for

unconditional love & compassion for our loved ones.

R. Kelly, Bishop Eddie Long and many others are individuals who are or have faced situations that many of us may not

agree with. However, they are people just like we are and still deserve our love. That doesn’t suggest that we always sup-

port their decisions. I’m pretty confident that others don’t always support our decisions but that doesn’t negate our right to

love and support.

We’re all God’s children trying to do the best we can with navigating our way through this thing called ‘life’.

For putting certain situations on Front Street, I say “thank you, Ms. Houston”. To you I say, find someone who

needs your love and let them know they have it! Oh, and by the way, know that God loves YOU… and so do I!

Brian Anderson-Payne is a published author and has written several articles for the Worshipping Warriors magazine. In 2008, he completed his first book, The

Music of the Message”. He 2011 he released his second book, “Failure Ain’t Final”. He is the CEO of TBAPP Publishing, which was established in 2011

Brain Anderson-Payne