ColeSlaw Talk Magazine

Wint

er Iss

ue 20

12

ColeslawT A L K

What’s in your coleslaw?

“You Have Something to Live For,” was in-spired by many struggles that I have gonethrough in my life. This book is a personaltestimony that will enable others to believe inthe manifestation of God’s power. It will en-courage those who have backslidden to be-lieve that there is nohope to repent and come back to God. Thisbook is designed to motivate everyone that

you can make and You Have Something to Live For.

Email: [email protected]

AUTHORSSpotlightThe Fruit of Your Lips is the sequel to Lips:Sacred or Scarred - Take Your Mouth OffThe Mess and Use It For A Miracle. Wespeak words into the atmosphere not realiz-ing the effects of what we are saying. Believ-ers fail to assess the power of their words.Contrary to popular belief, words are notcheap. Spoken with destructive and not cre-ative forces causes costly results in the realm

of the spirit, which manifest in the natural. As one measures theirwords and practices the presence of God,they will find that they will began to thinkcautiously before they speak. This book willassist the Believer to weigh the words thatare spoken daily.

Email: [email protected]/beckydewittwww.bdig-beckydewitt.com

My current book, Healing In The Vessel, is abook about personal testimonies that showshow God’s mighty hand is still upon us as wego through the fires, floods, and rivers. It is abook that empowers one to have a strongerrelationship with God and takes their faith toanother dimension in God. Healing In theVessel provides one with hope to raise above

the ashes that life burns them with. It elaborates on how the enemyleft me for dead and expected his attacks to expire my very existencebut out of a broken vessel God used the story of my life to perfectme for my destiny which is to bring healing and restoration to otherbroken vessels.


This is the lamentation of widowCANDACE JOHNSON when her bestfriend is brutally murdered. Ensnared by adeep-rooted bitterness, seeping her faith dayby day, Candace is determined to seek jus-tice. Detective Darnell Jackson is in need ofclues fast. The police captain is comingdown hard on him and his partner to find out

who murdered Pamela Coleman, the daughter of a high profilejudge. Darnell confers with Candace to get the inside track onevents leading up to the murder. As the investigation heats up, hisgrowing attraction for Candace plays havocon Darnell’s judgment. Little does she know,Candace’s quest to find the truth has led herstraight to the killer. She’s already lost lovedones. Now Candace must choose to com-pletely trust God with her own life.


Victory Gospel Series, Book 1

To advertise,email us at [email protected]

The sharing of musings of unheard voices can capture anymoment in time.

Have you ever thought about the impact you can have onsomeone else’s life, even when your life style is different?Better yet, how can your life be changed by the life ofsomeone else’s?

In the first issue the connections started a rippling affect ofwomen sharing challenges and solutions of life’s daily ad-ventures.

Be inspired by the morning dew, be encouraged to makesmall changes in your life and be empowered to purge thethings that are not working.

In anticipation of a strong successful second issue, I inviteall readers to become authors. Submit your story and enjoythe wealth of responses that will come back to you.

Tell it right, Tell it all, Tell it now!

Gilda “Moe” MoranaEditor In Chief

From the Editor in Chief…

is published online monthly and printed four times ayear. It is available in many locations throughout the midlands and othersurrounding areas. reserves the right to refuse to sellspace for any advertisement deemed inappropriate for the publication.Press releases must be received by the 1st of the month for the followingonline month’s issue. All content of this magazine, including withoutlimitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content,as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copy-right© 2011, Journee Multi Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No portionof this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express writtenpermission of the publisher. Coleslaw Talk!® is a registered trademarkof Journee Multi Media, LLC.

Winter Issue 2012

pg 4The Lost Ones

pg 11And So, I’m Watching God

pg 15Room In The Inn

It’s Never Too Late…continued pg 13

I Didn’t Know pg 6

Pink pg 2

coleslawtalk.com • 1

Kelly’simages

Printable ArtPet PortraitsLandscapesGraphic DesignOutdoor PortraitsCommercial Photography

[email protected]

Keeping what’s important to you in focus!

PINK

2 • coleslawtalk.com

By Collette D. Jones

We drove through an arbor of oak trees and firs.Colorful flowers lined the way. A soft oil paint-ing mimicked peace behind a desk marked re-ceiving. The scent of lilac filled the air.A fitting cloak to hide the clue beyond thedoors labeled push and pull inside the waitingroom.Nothing in the bleak stare of my mother-in-lawremotely resembles or gives way to the person Iknew once lived inside this great lady. The eyesthat once lit up a room and matched the smileshe always gave now are fixed on things no onesees but her. This woman, so full of conversa-tion, so full of love and compassion for every-body, is now whittled down to words that comeout mostly in mumbled hums. It has become sobad that just a smile of recognition is a majoraccomplishment. The nursing home where sheresides is, in reality, only serving to provide aspace for the elderly to weaken, dry up and die.Day by day they leave a little more, and a littlemore of themselves behind like a slow leak ofthe mind, fading in time, never to be recovered.My beautiful mother in law has become yet an-other resident of the waiting room.

We’re all guilty of cramming her mind into thebox it’s now in; into that single room of picturesand objects that’s supposed to be familiar sur-roundings--anything to make her think thatshe’s home. But nothing will make me believeshe ever believed that or that she ever thoughtshe’d go home—not ever again. In her firstmonths there, before the dementia began toprogress so fast, she would ask “Am I goinghome? Can I go home now? Y’all gon’ take mehome?”

The answer was always, but mama, you’re al-ready home. This is your home. See your prettyroom. See your pictures. See, this is your chair.You’re already home. She would smile, but thelook was always there. The look that said, I’mnot home. Don’t even try it. I know I don’t havea home with you all anymore. So, I’ll just smileand accept what you say.

I saw that and I understood just what she under-stood too. It was clear to me that from the timewe left her the first day until the time God callsher home, she’ll never leave. She will be wait-ing like all of the other patients, excuse me, Imean, residents in the Waiting Room.

I believe she understands what’s being saidaround her and what’s being said about her... and to her, even we think she doesn’t. For

instance, she knows how and when to open hermouth when you say, “Ok mama, eat this, orhere’s a piece of candy. She accepts it, thencontinues looking off into space. I don’t think Iwant to know what she’s thinking; I think shedeserves whatever privacy she needs. What’simportant to me, is that she knows we love her.She once told me, “I love you like I brought youinto this world.” No one has ever said that tome, and never has a phrase meant so much tome. Well, I love her the same way even thoughI’m only her daughter-in-law.

It’s amazing to me that the one thing that hasremained solid is her love for God. Before thisdisease began to take her mind in heaps day byday, she remembered her prayers and the songsshe loved. She would always say. God is agood God. He’s a good Lord. Mama’s prayerswere so poignant that it was an honor to stand ather bed as she’d masterfully say the Lord’sPrayer and the 23rd Psalms, even sometimes oneafter the other. She would always put emphasison “and lead us not into temptation, but deliv-er us from ALL that’s evil." She would saythe ALL loudly and hold it out as he she ex-pressed to God the inclusiveness of the all shewanted for everyone in her prayers. I remembertoo, the good times she and I had when I’d gether ready for bed in those early days at thehome. I would always sing a song I knew sheliked, even if it was a song she didn’t knowshe’d catch on and sing along and rock as Iwashed her face, or her hands, or feet. She'dalways say, “Do what you got to do baby.”

She desperately held on to what she could of hermind before losing the battle to the disease. Inan attempt to help her hold on, we’d say, “Ma-ma spell your name.” Very proudly and with herhead held high, she would spell it out.

“R E B E C C A!” Then she’d spell her lastname out loud as well. We were very proud ofher strength.

Now, her mind is weak, she can’t walk anymore, she doesn’t smile like she used to, and herhonor has been reduced to adult pampers. OnNovember 1st God favored her with yet anotherbirthday. She is now 93. Through it all, she stillmanages a smile and on a good day she’ll say“I’ll see you later.” She’s a strong woman, herfaith solidly anchored in the Lord. And thoughwe don’t see the mama we used to see, she’sstill there, still waiting in the waiting room.

T H EWaiting RoomBy Jeri Noble



Silence is the companion thatAffords me the chance toSort through the collage of imagesRunning rampant through my head.They perpetually reveal theRemains of my childhood conceptionsOf what life in this world was supposed to be.

Through those young eyesMommies can save you,Daddies can protect you,Grandmothers don’t die,Brothers don’t abandon you… … Brothers don’t abandon you… …Brothers don’t abandon you.

“Victor, I don’t feel good”, I weakly cried to myolder brother while he sat by my bedside. Con-cern filled his eyes as he saw my 14-year-old bodyshiver uncontrollably despite the mounds of cov-ers he layered over me. “Don’t think about thepain, Michelle”, he said. “Mom and Dad are ontheir way with some flu medicine.” He could tellhis attempts to calm me weren’t working, so hepulled out his Bible and asked me what my favor-ite scripture was. “Psalm 121”, I whispered. Ashe read, the gentle cadence of his voice broughtpeace to my soul and chased my fears away.

For a brief moment, it was like we traveled backin time – before Life happened to us. Before ourfamily’s foundation was shattered by our grand-mother’s death. Before Victor’s addiction todrugs, sex, violence and lies ravaged our family.In that moment, we were just two innocent kids,still believing in God’s promise to protect us fromall danger and in our parent’s ability to heal usfrom every ailment.

As time passed, Victor’s pattern of addictive be-haviors reached the point where my parents hadto ask him to leave our home. About a year laterwe received word that he was in a crack housedying from alcohol poisoning. By God’s grace, wewere able to rush him to the hospital in time forthe doctors to successfully flush the alcohol out ofhis system.

I wish I could say that Victor’s brush with deathopened his eyes to the dangers of running to theworld to find the very love and acceptance wehad for him at home. But it wasn’t. In May 2003,he walked out of our lives, leaving behind a gap-ing wound in the hearts of our parents, his daugh-ter, and myself. To this day, we don’t know ifVictor is alive or dead.

For years I walked around in silent anger. Not atVictor. At everyone who failed him. At my bio-logical father who treated him as though he wasless than me. At the elementary school teacherwho told him that he would never amount to any-thing. At the countless churches who thought histattoos and struggles were too ugly for God.

With each passing day, God weakens the anger inmy heart and molds it into a stronger passion tospread His love to the people the church hasdeemed unsaveable and the world has deemedunsalvageable – the Lost Ones. I will never stopbelieving that there is no one beyond God’s re-demption, including my brother. I’m slowly learn-ing to accept that I may never feel the warmth ofhis embrace, again. But I will always believe thatGod’s healing love is powerful enough to trans-form him and send him home, the place where hewill always belong.


Keith WilliamsFor all your real estate needs

[email protected]

803.603.1775

Fax: 803.699.9048

106 Columbia Northeast Ave. Columbia, SC 29223

Ph 803.788.9400 Fax 803.788.9452

www.beautifulhouseinteriors.com

CarpetTileLaminateVinylHardwoodLinoleumInnovative FloorsWindow Treatments

HOUSE

Karren Hill Gordon

Cell: 803.767.7172

Office: 803.699.2212

ExclusiveH A I R S T U D I O

10253-D Two Notch Rd.Columbia, SC [email protected]

ColorRelaxersUp Do’sAll Types of CutsEyebrow Arching & more!

An “Exclusive” experience you won’t forget

Patreece CunninghamOwner/Master Stylist

I Didn’t KnowBy Becky DeWitt



I am anadjunct instructor at the Art Institute ofCharleston, teaching Public relations. I startedher professional career as a maintenance offi-cer in the United States Army. I established theWalker Phenomenal Spirit Award through theCenter For Women that funds women’sdreams. My blog called We Can Fly Higherinspires people, especially women, to thinkbigger and aim higher. I am a frequent guestcolumnist for the Post & Courier, the localCharleston, SC newspaper. I am a marathonerand triathlete. I am an author of the ebookTraits that built African American WomenLeaders in the Area of Governance in SouthCarolina. I am in the dissertation stage of myPhD in Public Policy and Administration, spe-cializing in Public Management and Leader-ship.

Istarted running because I was trying to get intothe Army and in ROTC you had to run. Alsowhile in the Army running is paramount. I ranmy first marathon at age 45 because my run-ning partner decided that we should. We hadrun half marathons and since she is very goaldriven, she decided we should do a full mara-thon. My first marathon was the Marine Corpsmarathon. My next one was the Flying Pigmarathon in Cincinnati. This one was impor-tant to me because part of it ran along theunderground railroad.

Atriathlon is composed of three elements: swim-ming, biking, and running. I have competed inthree and am done with that sport. I do not likeopen water swimming. I had a swim coach, butthere is something about swimming in waterthat I cannot see the bottom that freaks me out.I was the last person out of my age group to getout of the water in my first triathlon. Thesecond triathlon was in a pool. My last triath-lon was open water again because I wanted toovercome my fear.

Take it one step at

a time. There are many free training programsonline. Set a goal (ex: 5k, 10K) and pick a planfor that distance. Make sure you have goodshoes. Find a running partner. the most impor-tant advice is to have fun.

I started with the Center as avolunteer. I conducted workshops on how tobuy a car and how to eliminate credit card debt.I also did whatever work they needed doneincluding painting the building. I was asked toserve on the board. I was the secretary for twoyears and then the president for two years.Now I am on the board as the Immediate PastPresident and will be the Vice President ofGovernance next year.

This idea came to me during a six mile run. Iwas contemplating going back to school. Iwondered where a woman like me could getmoney for school. What I mean by that iswhere can a woman who is successful, nothomeless, not abused, not a single parent, orany of the other labels that agencies give moneyto get money. So I decided that if I ever got alot of money I would establish a foundation togive money to women. The only requirementsare: you have to be a woman, at least 35 yearsold, and have a dream. One day I received asizable bonus at work and the foundation wasestablished.

This is our 6th year. We have helpedwomen become glass artists, internationaldragon boat competitor, go to school to learnhow to build a greenhouse to grow herbs to sellto restaurants, get national certification to as-sist with the blind, buy a camera to pursue anew career, and I am reviewing the applicantsfor this year.

I want tofinish my PhD, expand my teaching, find morewriting opportunities, run at least two halfmarathons next year, work on a pilot for atelevision show and work on a book based onmy blog. The best way to contact me is at:[email protected].

By Becky Dewitt

meet: Doretha Walkercolumnist • runner • educator • blogger

The sights and sounds of Philadelphia willforever be engraved in my soul. The sweettaste of cherry ices and the aroma of freshlymade cheese steak with peppers and onionsstill causes my taste buds to stir. I still hearthe chimes of Mr. Softee and the ringing ofthe Septa transit making its rounds throughthe block. Those memories are symbolic ofthe summers that I spent with my grand-mother in North Philly; they were times ofmaturity and growth. Philly was a classroomof learning for me. The harsh reality of drugsand violence was buffered by my grandmoth-er, who sheltered me and her children with along arm and a forceful tongue. Her lectureswere stern but her love insurmountable.During those times, I experienced manybumps and bruises, tears of laughter andpain, but my journey was always made easyby a family who loved me. Along with lessonslearned, I gained many friends in the sum-mers that I visited Philly. All were cherished,but none had quite an impact on my life asStevie. I didn’t realize how much he hadbeen a part of my life until I was grown withchildren of my own. You see Stevie was noordinary person, in fact he was just the oppo-site and for the longest time I thought he hadit out for me. Stevie was a young man whospent the majority of his day at the parkacross the street from my grandmother’shome. Daily, I would see him sitting on therails surrounding the park swaying back andforth. He never talked to anyone in particu-lar, he just stared straight ahead. Occasion-ally, he would yell out attempting to talk topassing cars or pedestrians, only to be ig-nored and stared at with confusion. Peoplein the neighborhood sometimes gave him ahard time by taunting him, laughing andmimicking his behavior. Small children onlywatched in amazement, clutching to theirparents in fear. My grandmother explainedStevie’s behavior and antics as different andoften referred to him as “special” and mebeing unconcerned, never asked anythingmore. I never felt the need or urge to laughor taunt him, because my grandmother’s

lessons about treating others as we wouldlike to be treated, were engraved in my spirit.I tried to ignore Stevie, although as a younggirl his behavior scared me, often to the pointwhere I avoided walking the sidewalk in frontof him. He seemed to enjoy picking at me. Iwould take the long way from school, walk-ing extra blocks to get to my grandmother’shome without being noticed. On the days Iwas just too tired to walk the extra miles, Iwould hesitantly get off the bus, lookingaround to see if he was there. I walkedquickly, trying to make it to the house beforehe noticed me, but Stevie would always seeme and acknowledge my presence with aloud “Hey gurl! What you doin?” I smiledback timidly, trying not to make eye contact.Stevie continued to harass me throughoutthe summers, pushing me from the swingswhen he saw me or grabbing my hair andhands when I climbed the ladder on the slide.My protests of his unruly behavior were metwith a stern “No!” Then there were days thatmy adventures in the park would end withhim chasing me home. I screamed loudly,running through the park and across thestreet at top speed as he jogged after me halfhazardly. Stevie had a bad leg and walkedwith a limp. He didn’t move very fast so aftergrowing weary with the chase, he would justplummet me with rocks. My tears were metby my grandmother and aunts who wouldcomfort me, assuring me that Stevie woulddo me no harm. My uncles only laughed atmy trauma. Full of fear, his deep burly voicetaunted me in my dreams and throughoutthe day I dreaded trips to the corner store orbeing sent to my aunt’s home around thecorner. But even then, my curiosity got thebest of me. I often wondered about Stevie.Where did he live and where did he go atnight? I never knew Stevie’s age, but Iassumed he was only a couple of years olderthan me. Always clean and neatly dressed, Iknew someone was taking care of him. Wasit his mother or father? Did he have a grand-mother? Did he go to school? These ques-tions were never answered.

Stevie By Stephanie Suell


As I grew older, I realized that Stevie washarmless. I had even become defiant againstStevie. Determined to be bullied no more, Istood up to him on several occasions whenhe chased me. I refused to be scared, return-ing his rocks back at him in full force. Iscreamed at his reluctance to leave me aloneuntil he obliged my requests. Once I maturedinto a young lady, my trips to the park be-came less and less. My spare time was filledwith movies, boys and dancing. Stevie con-tinued to sit on the rail and sway throughwinter, spring, summer and fall. Soon,Stevie became just a fixture, ignored by ev-eryone, including me. One day in particular,my boyfriend of several months was walkingme home from the subway, we were arguing.I was tired of his conceited, arrogant behav-ior, but too scared to break up with him. Iput up with his ways because he was popularand well liked at school, especially with thein-crowd. We spoke loudly as we ap-proached the block and in a fit of anger, hegrabbed my arm and clutched it tightly, yell-ing down at me. My squirms only met withmore resistance as I yelled for him to let mego. He towered over me and I sulked in fear,tears forming in my eyes.A loud burly voice sounded out, “Stop it, leblone!”Startled, my boyfriend loosened his grip andI snatched away, backing away from him. Ilooked around confused. My boyfriend gaveme an evil stare and muttered an obscenitybefore he turned and walked away. Embar-rassed, I turned to look at Stevie. You see, Iwas sure that it was he who had yelled out,but he didn’t acknowledge me. He lookedstraight ahead and swayed back and forth.Ashamed, I ran to the house.After joining the military I continued to visitmy grandmother on holidays, and wheneverI found the time. Her health was fading andI took my family to see her as often as Icould. My children found Philadelphia excit-ing, just as I did as a young girl. The toursof the city and its prominent features heldmany stories for me to share and in between

those times, they noticed Stevie and eyedhim curiously. He was still in the same spot.Although his features had matured, he wasthe same. His hair slightly gray and his limpworsened. I was now confronted with ex-plaining his behavior to my kids. I repeatedwhat was told to me.“Stevie is special,” I said and watched theirreactions as Stevie swayed back and forthand erratically yelled out at passing cars.My son and daughter laughed at his behaviorand walked away. On the day that my grandmother passed, Ifound myself standing on the corner of theblock, reminiscing about my childhood. Theneighborhood had definitely changed. It wasno longer blossoming with the laughter ofchildren or the chatter of teenagers. Peoplehad come and gone and I was all grown up.I cherish the lessons that I learned onSmedley Street and the friendships that Imade, especially one in particular. Althoughwe never had a conversation about life, ourlikes and dislikes or what we wanted to bewhen we grew up; we were connected insome way. We noticed each other and theworld around us. Stevie had been a vital partof my life. I believe he knew me well, proba-bly better than others and he will always beremembered. He taught me to treat peoplewith respect and to stand up to my fears. Icall him my friend because I know in myheart that he cares about me and I alsobelieve that he looked out for me on manyoccasions. I realize now that I care abouthim too.That day, a burly voice resounded out fromthe distance, “Hey Gurl! What you doin?”I looked over at Stevie as he swayed back andforth on the rail.“Hey Stevie,” I replied with a smile.Stevie waved back and smiled.I realize now that Stevie was truly “special”as my grandmother told me. I am gratefulthat he was a part of my life.



WHY Does Hurt so much?LoveFace grayEyes wornSoul scarred

Dress torn…Knees bloodyHair scatteredClothing muddled As if that mattered;For she had been draggedthrough the mud for far toolong to give a damn about ap-pearances. She simply wantedto get away and I’ll never un-derstand why love has to hurtso much. Why does it feel aneed to self-destruct? As ifdealing with spiritual demonsweren’t enough. Now she hadto contend with human ones.I sat there watching with sadeyes from the darkened cornerof the hallway closet -The door not quite closedenough to block out the imagesof my father’sangry face and powerful handsand even at 6 years old I knewhe wasn’t a real man…My Aunty Pocket told me so!

I wish he were dead!! He wasalways making my Mommacry-And as I climbed up ontoher lap, she sighed…

But it’s been 25 years, 6months and a day And I canhonestly say, I still don’t have aclue! Why do some women al-low their men to treat them likethey do?Like chattel,

;Like whores!What makes a woman forgetthat she deserves more…That she is royalty and de-serves to be treated as such?Perhaps the burden of havingme was too much for her tohandle, who’s to say? NotMomma…He killed her nine months fromthat day! Her and the babybrother I never knew. Leavingme to write her story for you.So listen closely…Face grayEyes wornSoul scarredDress torn…and now she’s gone! Leavingme to wonder why sometimeslove has to hurt so much.

By Tribal Raine

The problem arises because of what is being used to fill theemptiness. Another device is scars on the soul. These scars comefrom many areas of mental and physical abuse, neglect, and evenwords. If these experiences occur during our childhood years,these scars can be for a lifetime if not dealt with through theunderstanding of God’s love. It is the love of God and therealization of how much He loves that will deliver one fromaddiction. Knowing that He took time to fearfully and wonderful-ly make you by knitting together every aspect of His grand designis an important key. You are His individual masterpieces formedfor great purpose and destiny. There is no one that can take yourplace because He has never duplicated anyone to be like you. Thehole in your heart, the scar upon the soul, the void and emptiness,can only be filled and healing comes by knowing and understand-ing the power of the love of God. The love that He wants you somuch, that He sent His Son, Jesus to be sacrificed so that you canbe reconciled to Him. The day that I realized the love of God andthe power of that love was the beginning of a new and adventur-ous life. I did not enter into rehab or any type of step counselingprogram. I took one step and was to Jesus. He cleaned me up andtook the taste and desire away. This year is my 20th anniversaryof being free from bondage. I realize now that He was there allthe time, watching, waiting, and protecting me. His eyes werealways upon me. Even though I was broken in bondage andscarred, His grace and mercy covered me while He repaired thedamage the enemy inflicted upon me. As He made me over andcontinues to even today, it is easy to see that God + me=unlimited possibilities!

803.237.2916

“And So,I’m Watching God ”

On the dawn of a brand new daynever lived and only destined by themost high, it is only appropriate to sim-ply---GIVE THANKS. Life within itselfand the intangible gifts that we havebeen equipped with is a blessing withinitself. Acceptance of things as they areand knowledge and wisdom to knowthat only with the gifts of humility andpeace, one can only be one with self andmost of all –GOD. I got to thinking ofblessings and overcoming obstacles inlife. We as beings so often loathe andfraternize over the valleys and blocksthat are in our paths that create turmoil,troubles and doubts. But I have learnedthat is during the time in that valley andwell of depression, that you are struc-tured to be that strong character thatGod truly wants us to see. Of course youcan feel on top of the world and power-filled when things are grand, but it is inyour lowest times that you should givethanks even more, for what the mosthigh is preparing you for. See I neverthought I would be at a place in my lifethat I was thankful for the bad times,but see; you can’t rejoice in being happyand experience JOY unless you haveexperienced bad times. The journey ofstrength is something SO amazing. Theawakening and acknowledgment of theexperience is packaged in a cool retreatand vacation. However, once you real-ize you must retreat yourself and lookfrom deep down within, and spendmore time with “you” and more timewith “you and GOD”, you will be aston-ished at your growth. Maturity not onlyas an individual, but as a spiritualknowledge of yourself and your verypurpose of existing.

Brand new days architecturenew structures of opportunity and thenever-ending expedition and relation-ship you must continue to constructwith yourself. Have dates with yourselfand enjoy your “own” company. Fall inlove with you and love that person yousee in the mirror every day. Smile atyourself and recite phrases or affirma-tions like“I AM AWESOME”.“I AM BEAUTIFUL”;“I AM A SURVIVOR”. Smiling is free and laughing is free also,utilizing these tools and you will feelhappy and want to share your joy withothers. Encourage yourself and othersas well. I have found out that when yougive of yourself, this forces you produc-tively and willingly to bless others.Blessings others pleases God and satu-rates your soul with an abundance of“sweet” joy honey. Be thankful for whatyou have overcome and for the strengthyou inhabit and for the strength thatstructures your core. In all things, givethanks, and at the welcoming sounds ofa brand new day or the dusk of anotherday’s ending, take a moment to breathein and breathe out and smell the sweet-ness of LIFE and watch “GOD”. Listento the natural soundtrack he orches-trates for us with the choir of birds andthe breeze that brushes your shoulderswith cools winds and sunshine thatwarms your cheeks.


In the midst of transition andinfinite meditations of peace and clari-ty and with prayer of understanding, Ifind my territory being enlarged rightbefore my eyes. Not enlargement as intangible things, but having the abilityto see what is in store. Rejoicing inwhat is to come…… and inhabitingsincere joy for what the most high isdoing for me in the days to come.True, we spend endless moments un-knowingly desiring what “we” want,but it is important to arrive at a pointin your life and within your spiritualinner self, knowing that you mustmore importantly accept what themost high “wants” in you and fromyou as well.

Praying humbly that yourpurpose be fulfilled and that you stepsbe guided in the paths of our righteousFather and Creator. We cannot createthe footstep in the sand and map ourown way. We must humble ourselvesand simply—SUBMIT totally and allowHIS will to be done. I find myselfpraying in a more structured mannerof sincerity and humility. I find myselftotally in awe yet in such a peace thatsurpasses the things I cannot under-stand at times. However, the faith andtrust that I now inhabit is

, and onlycomes with wisdom and life’s experi-ences. The eager spirit to grow and benurtured with the spiritual awareness,instinct and knowledge along with theinhabitant spirit of continuously work-ing on self is infinite. The growth ofyour inward spirit and relationshipand communing time with God,strengthens the inner structure to fuelthe outer mobility to function. Spend-

ing time with just you and the mosthigh is the best date… and the beautyof it all is is always available andwill never cancel. Now honey that’senough to make you pen him in onyour schedule daily, because he is justthat awesome!

.

Ë

Ë

Ë

Ë

Ë

HONEY, oveYO’self

LENLARGEMY TERRITORY



It’s Never Too Late…With Dignity Arm & Arm We Go

By Limi


The storms of life in this world have reachedbeyond the crisis mode. In every situationfrom sickness, disease and financial stress,there is an increase in the intensity of theattack of the enemy. The focus and pressurewould crush the strength that we think wesee, but there is a secret hidden element thathas not been revealed.The strength of a Believer that is seen is notfrom that which does appear. It is an insidejob. The very second that an unbeliever ac-cepts Jesus as Lord and Savior; there is achange in the spiritual DNA. “Indeed, I havebeen crucified with Christ. Christ lives inme. The life you see me living is not"mine," but it is lived by faith in the Sonof God, who loved me and gave himselffor me. “ (Galatians 2:20 MSG). Eventhough we were born into sin, the born againexperience not only reconciles us to theFather, but also activates secret hiddenthings that are yet to be revealed and under-stood. t is not your strength that causes you tostand and press forward despite the satanicactivity. The strength that you think that youhave comes from the Spirit of the Living Godwho is on the inside of you. It His strength willcause you to move beyond your limits orexpectations and even the temporary out-come. The Lord’s strength will not only causeyou to outwit the enemy, but also outlast theattack. Instead of the enemy wearing youout, you wear him out so that he has to fleeand regroup.Recently I had to research the word“strength” as a promise of God for a programat my church. I found that God wraps you instrength. “For who is God except theLord? Or who is the Rock save our God,The God who girds me with strength andmakes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:31-32).

When He girds me, He surrounds, provides,equips and He even invests strength in me.Have you ever thought that because youaccepted Jesus and the price that was paid,that God invested much in you that you don’teven know about?Searching the scriptures can lead you to aword that is new and fresh but also gives afortified perspective. I found that God givesstrength that the enemy cannotpenetrate. “The Lord will give unyieldingand impenetrable strength to His people;the Lord will bless His people withpeace”. (Psalm 29:11 AMP) Now this reallyblessed me! “The Lord is my Strength andmy impenetrable Shield; my heart trustsin, relies on, and confidently leans onHim, and I am helped;” (Psalm 28:7 aAMP). This means when I have His strengthI will not give way under pressure and theenemy cannot break through. God is myshield and the enemy cannot pierce or passthrough Him. In addition to being a shield, Helifts your head high above the raging circum-stances. “But You, O Lord, are a shield forme, my glory, and the lifter of myhead.” Palm 3:3 AMP). As your head islifted to see above the natural and into thespirit to discern the truth of what is happen-ing, you will also see that your help is comingand is very much present. “I will lift up mineeyes unto the hills, from whence comethmy help.” (Psalm 121:1 KJV). “God is ourrefuge andstrength, a very present helpin trouble.”(Psalm 46:1 KJV). His strengthteaches you strategic movement to outwitthe enemy.“Blessed Be the Lord, my Rock and mykeen and firm Strength, Who teaches myhands to war and my fingers to fight”(Psalm 144:1 AMP). Many people talk withtheir hands using them to communicate ex-

pressions. Imagine what your hands are do-ing in the realm of the spirit.Trust in Him and in His name forstrength. “Trust ye in the LORD for ever:for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlastingstrength.”(Isaiah 26:4 KJV). We know thatthere are many names that God has that Hewants us to know because of His attributesassociated with His names. His names arefrom Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts,(James 5:4), to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord willprovide, (Genesis 22:14). One name that wesometimes forget is El Roi, the God whosees (Genesis 16:13). He sees your situa-tion, the attack of the enemy, and He seesthe level of your strength as well as theoutcome that He has ordained, VICTORY!Rest in Him and in His strength. “With God

rests my salvation and my glory; He is myRock of unyielding strength and impene-trable hardness, and my refuge is inGod!” (Psalm 62:7 AMP). Entering into Hisrest and strength so that your faith will profit,meaning that there will be an increase. Eventhough the enemy comes to test yourstrength, lean and rest in your Father so thatwhich is in you that you are not aware of willmanifest.“He gives power to the faint and weary,and to him who has no might He increas-es strength [causing it to multiply andmaking it to abound]. But those who waitfor the Lord [who expect, look for, andhope in Him] shall change and renew theirstrength and power; they shall lift theirwings and mount up [close to God] aseagles [mount up to the sun]; they shallrun and not be weary, they shall walk andnot faint or become tired.”

(Isaiah 40: 29, 21 AMP)

By Becky Dewitt


Inspired by how the gathering of the unknown can unite alife long journey, we realized that communities aremaking a difference in the lives of others. As God

transforms your life and relationships, you can’t help butlive life to the fullest and then impact the lives of other people.

This is what’s Room In The Inn is doing in Asheville, NC.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church partners with Congregation Beth HaTe-phila (reform Jewish congregation) and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church inhosting Room in the Inn.Room in the Inn is Homeward Bound’s most community-drivenprogram, with more than 2,000 volunteers from over 40 faithcongregations mobilized each year!Room in the Inn partners with local faith communities to provideshelter for up to 12 women each night. Each week, faith communitiesopen their facilities to welcome these women as guests,offering a warm safe place for homeless women who are working hardto move forward to permanent housing. The simple goal is to keepwomen without homes from sleeping on the street and risking theirsafety. The greater goal is to build loving relationships with them, oneweek at a time.Room in the Inn is a national model, and in our community, it gotstarted in 2001 by a few women with a vision. For years it wasvolunteer run with an active steering committee, but in 2010, thecommittee decided to take it to the next level, asking Homeward Boundto manage the program.Their goal was to move Room in the Inn away from being simplyshelter, and transition it instead to a program that provided solutions forthe women it served, by focusing on case management & working withthem to move into permanent housing.Providing shelter for homeless women is often their first step towardbecoming part of Homeward Bound’s successful supportive housingprogram, Pathways to Permanent Housing, where they can receivemonetary resources to move from shelter into housing, with intentionalcontinued relational support to help them maintain that housinglong-term.Room in the Inn works with homeless women who are emotionallystable, not currently affected by drugs or alcohol, and willing to abide

by the rules of the program, which prohibit drinking, smoking in thebuilding, weapons, drugs, fighting and foul language or abuse,ensuring a safe environment for the women and the faith communityvolunteers.At 6 p.m. each evening, faith community volunteers pick up the womenat Homeward Bound & transport them to their host congregation forthe week. The host congregation provides dinner & sometimes anactivity, and the women sleep in the congregation’s building on mat-tresses owned by Homeward Bound. Two volunteers stay with thewomen overnight, and in the morning, the host congregation providesa simple breakfast & a sack lunch for the women to take with them. At7 a.m., the host congregation brings them women back to HomewardBound, where they spend the day going to appointments, connectingwith other community agencies, seeking employment, and receivingcase management services from the Room in the Inn director. Eachfaith community makes a commitment of at least one week to serve.This could mean that your community is hosting, providing meals,driving, or staying overnight with the guests. We’ll also have at leastone quarterly coordinators’ meeting & a training session the weekbefore your congregation is hosting. If your faith community can’tfully commit to a week, we’ll partner you with another community sothat you can work together!Each Room in the Inn congregation provides an annual stipend of$1,200, which is key to providing a full-time director who can casemanage the women with a 12 to 1 ratio. Having a dedicated casemanager is a huge advantage; remember that lack of support is whatkeeps people in the homeless world! The Room in the Inn director seesthe guests approximately 5 days per week & meets with them individ-ually at least 3 times each month. In addition, the stipend assists withother program needs, like showers, laundry, and storage for belongingswhich are all accessed at the A HOPE Day Center. Most importantlythese funds can be used to help someone move into permanent housing.

Have you impacted the life of someone else, when your lifestyleis so different or did your life change because of someone else!

Coleslaw Talk


ColeslawT A L K

Can you seeYOUR AD HERE?

If you need your ad designed,we do that too!

For more information, email us [email protected]

or go online to www.coleslawtalk.com

Nicholas Charles WISHBONE GALLERY [email protected]

www.wishbonegallery.comcell: 310.903.7435 803.542.7510

Providing services forfamilies in Richland, Lexington,Fairfield and Newberry Centers.

Our Services Include:

General PediatricsInternal MedicineFamily Practice

OBG/YNPodiatry

PharmacyDental

Counseling & Behavioral Medicine

1228 Harden Street Columbia, SC 29204803.733.5969 www.ecchc.org

Editor in ChiefGilda Morana

Doug CharbonneauMarketing & Advertising

Christina MoranaSenior Editor

Graphic DesignKelly’s Images

Contributing WritersStephanie SuellMonique DavisBecky DeWittTribal RaineKarren Hill-GordonNicole RiveraJeri Noble

100-3 Forum Drive Suite 117 Columbia, SC 29229 803.728.1598

What’s in your coleslaw?

ColeslawT A L K

ColeSlaw Talk Magazine

Documents

Transcript of ColeSlaw Talk Magazine