GOOD NEWS YOU CAN USE...

A Literary Arts Ministry Newsletter - Issue 9

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The excitement of receiving a gift from an expression of kindness through love is priceless. However, the most precious gifts we receive are yet temporary. A sparkling diamond ring will lose its shine, long-stemmed roses will shortly wither away, a new vehicle’s fresh smell of newness will fade, a pair of high-quality leather shoes will become worn, and yes, the precious gift of life on this earth will end. But there is one gift given to humanity that will never tarnish, lose its worth, or cease to exist. This gift keeps on giving.

To receive a gift is to accept it, and to accept it is to obtain its authentic worth. With this gift, unlike a diamond, you can continue to shine through the trials, continue to blossom, unlike the rose, withstand the wear and tear the world brings, and live forever. This gift brings wholeness, deliverance, hope, peace, and salvation. This GIFT is Jesus.

John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

Are you joyfully willing to accept the GIFT that keeps on giving as Lord of your Life? Jesus is available to all; all that is required is to receive Him.

SPOTLIGHT!!!

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SHARE YOUR GIFTS & TALENTS... (James 1:17)

LaWanda D. Plowden is a native of Nashville, TN, the daughter of Elver Stevens and Willie Lett. She has five sisters between her mother and father and is the eldest. She is a 1985 Pearl High School/ Pearl-Cohn Comprehensive High School graduate and received a bachelor's degree in political science from Fisk University in 1989. She intended to become a lawyer but later decided law school was not the desired path and chose to pursue work in various fields.

In 1992, she married Jasper Plowden, Jr, and a beautiful daughter, Courtnie, was born into their union. She is the proud grandmother of two, Zamir and Rheji Jr. In 2000, she began her career with Alley-Cassetty Companies as a receptionist at the Brickyard and now serves as the Accounts Payable Clerk for the Truck Center. She has dedicated her services to this company for over 23 years. Since 2012, she has worked a part-time job with Contemporary Service Corporation.

LaWanda is a member of the Order of the Eastern Stars who prides themselves on giving back to the community. Some specific community services include feeding the homeless, reading to children at local schools, backpack giveaways, and more provided at least once a month. Recently, she was elected to serve as her chapter's Worthy Matron (leader). Her prayer is to fulfill the requirements of the position to the fullest.

She enjoys reading, traveling, exercising, and spending time with family and plans to travel more in the coming year. She has two favorite scriptures she holds dear to her heart; "Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and "Whatever you do work at it with all our heart, as working for the Lord, not for man" (Colossians 3:23).

LaWanda is a faithful Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church member. She serves as the Ushers Board President and adult Sunday School teacher. She intermittently teaches Vacation Bible School. We are blessed to crown her our quarterly spotlight!

Displayed below are some highlights of our spotlight champion.

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THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT! KEEP PUSHING FOWARD!

by Kenise Sterling

Often, we find ourselves lost and confused. We worry, stress, get anxious, and sometimes even feel overwhelmed. However, in these moments, specifically, God is waiting for our call to Him. When we pray unto our Father, He hears and answers, and then we receive. This is why it is important to pray over anything! Mark 11:24 reads, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Our future is always bright. We must keep pushing forward through our challenges and lean on God! Then, we will be blessed with His grace.

by Jacob Dean

As a young person, I find life in today's times very unclear. Many young people, including myself, are unmotivated to pursue anything prominent. We find ourselves unfocused and unable to reach goals, whether caused by distraction, sadness, or personal struggles.

In years past, I found myself lost in life and didn't know how I wanted to move forward. I had unclear goals in school, music, etc. So, I decided to pray and ask God to help guide my life, remove all distractions, and clearly set my goals.

Although it wasn't instantaneous, in due time, I began to see changes in my life and cleared up my understanding. Of course, I also had to block out distractions, but with God, large obstacles didn't seem so grand. I encourage you as young people not to move forward and struggle by yourself but to move forward with God and build a better future.

INSPIRATIONS FOR THE SOUL

A free verse Poem by Davina Dean

It’s Good to Know

My inner being cries out in the void.

My soul searches for an answer.

What is my purpose?

Why am I here?

Is this life worth living?

I hear a voice say, "I knew you from the beginning of time."

"I created you for My glory and purpose."

"I will do great things through you."

"You are made in my image, I even died for you,

you are mine."

"I AM your God, and you are my child."

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TESTIMONIALS FROM THE SOUL

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by Anonymous Testimonial

The Voice or the Voices

My former co-worker, a.k.a. Big Homie to me, unexpectedly had his dog Max, a German Shepherd, dropped off to him at work before the end of the workday. Max was quite the friendly and playful companion; however, he was not one for tricks; he was committed to listening and obeying the voice of his Master, Big Homie, every command given at once.

We, as co-workers, were astonished at how disciplined Max was, and some set out to test his steadfast loyalty to see if he would dishonor his Master’s commands. Big Homie obliged the group, commanded Max to sit and stay, and permitted this group of his co-workers to challenge Max with their best deceptive temptations.

They rubbed him, petted him, called his name, tugged at his leash, barked like dogs, offered him treats, and pretended to be his friend, but Max, while the temptations were enticing, would only yield to his Master’s voice.

As Big Homie watched, he saw doubt in the challenge. So, to further prove the power in his voice, he hopped in his truck while Max was watching, drove around the parking lot, down the street, and returned minutes later to find Max still seated. Big Homie stopped and opened the passenger’s door, pausing and, without looking, gave the command with his voice, “Max, Come!” Max excitedly leaped from his commanded position and joined Big Homie in the truck.

So, what about you? To listen and obey is to hear God’s voice, His Holy Divine Word. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commands” (John 14:15). So, when you are hearing God’s voice, but voices of temptation entice your desires, it seems as if God has walked away for a time, will you continue to wait and hear the Master’s voice, or will you listen and obey other voices?

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by Reverend James Dean III

I was at a customer’s office, and a young lady offered to show me where I was supposed to go. When she did, I told her thank you, and in response, she said, “My pleasure.” And I said, “Oh, I feel like I’m at Chik Fil-a.” As many of you know, at Chik Fil-a, the employees are directed to say ‘my pleasure’ when someone says thank you.

Coincidentally, she told me she had worked there for six years.

And I thought, wow. Although she no longer worked there, that response was still ingrained in her. That idea of it being a privilege to serve was still a part of her even though she was no longer an employee.

And that’s unique because the idea of serving others has become an antiquated notion; nobody celebrates being a servant. Many want to be served, but nobody celebrates being a servant. Sadly, the same is often true in church. We talk more about what we want God to do for us than what we will do for God. We talk more about how we want God to bless us than how we will bless God.

We don’t sing about being a soldier on the battlefield anymore. We sing about being blessed and highly favored.

But if we would remember and recall what God has already done for us, then we would be reminded that it’s a pleasure to serve Him.

Sister, He’s already been blessing you.

Brother, He’s already been taking good care of you and me.

It’s my pleasure to serve.

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour" (John 12:26 KJV).

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by Anonymous Testimonial

God has a plan that no man can see. At the beginning of 2023, I had just lost my grandfather and accumulated so much debt from plane tickets and traveling to visit my grandfather on his last days. On top of that, I had just quit my job because of the stress and tension in my work environment. In all honesty, I felt as if everything had fallen apart. About a week and 20 job applications later, I received a call from a tech firm asking if I could come in for an interview. I went to the interview, and everything was going great, and it sounded like a perfect job. Toward the end of the interview, the interviewer asked if I had the COVID-19 vaccine because it was a requirement. Unfortunately, I did not have the vaccine and could not get the job. So now I am back at stage one: Looking for a job.

After the interview, I went to my car and prayed to God, “Lord, I need you; I cannot do this without you. Allow me to follow your guidance. You have never let me down, and I know you never will.” The next day approaches, and I am still job searching. Then suddenly, I receive a phone call offering a job interview. With low spirits and doubts, I went to the job interview. It was not the dream job that I wanted, but I could not continue to go without a job, so I accepted the job offer and started the following week. A month passed, and I felt like this job was a horror show. Long hours, hard work, and downhearted still from my grandfather's passing. I almost gave up and quit the job. I prayed to God again, asking, “Lord, I need you, and I can’t do this without you.”

Month 2 started to come around, and I started getting better at my job and making new associates and friendships. Everything began to go in place and started looking bright again. Months 6-7 eventually approached, and I won Employee of the Month, moving up in my position and significantly impacting the team. My depression started to go away from the new friends I had made at work. Additionally, with the overtime and promotion, I could travel to several states and continue paying my debts.

Coming up on a year, the company announced that there will be a schedule change, which means instead of a 1st schedule, we will now switch to a 2nd shift schedule permanently. In that case, we are losing most of the staff due to the inconvenience of the schedule. I did not want to do the 2nd shift and did not intend to stay with the schedule change. But God was not finished with me yet; my manager had told me that I was a great worker and that he would love to see me stay with the company. I told him that the shift change would not accommodate my schedule, and he told me that a new job opening was available as a truck driver and that the company would pay for my CDL and still pay me for taking the class. I decided to have the interview. With the grace of God, I will get it.

In conclusion, no one knows God’s plans; no matter your situation, God can and will pull you out right on time. I ended up paying off all my debt and still traveled graciously. Now, I try to have a positive mindset everywhere I go because you never know what God has in store for you. God will never let us down. Thank you for reading my story, and I hope that I was able to inspire you to keep pushing forward because your future is Bright!

ABC’s Of SALVATION

A – Admit you are a Sinner

Romans 3:10, As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23, For everyone, has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

B – Believe Jesus is Lord

Romans 10:9:10, If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

C – Call upon His Name

Romans 14:11, For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 10:13, For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”