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A Literary Arts Ministry Newsletter - Issue 10

45 Years of Dedicated Service

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, we joyfully celebrated the remarkable 45th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor and First Lady Armstrong, a testament to their enduring commitment and numerous Achievements.

By the grace of God, they have served as pastoral leaders overseeing one assembly, committing their lives to guide and help others.

They are the pentacle of DEDICATED Service:

Determined to withstand adversities.
Eager to allow seasoned years to reflect growth from past years.
Devoted to the walk of holiness.
Inspired to raise the awareness of a committed life in Christ.
Committed to service of the poor and vulnerable.
Adorned with the favor of God to continue the journey in strength.
Trusted with the wisdom and knowledge to guide the people of God.
Empowered to enlighten the hearts of all who cross their path.
Devout in the study of the Word of God

Pastor and First Lady Armstrong's wisdom, guidance, and unwavering faith have blessed our congregation and left an indelible mark on our spiritual journey. Their service has fostered a profound sense of unity and love within our assembly, inspiring us all to walk in their footsteps.

We fervently pray that God will continue to bless and guide our honorees, keeping them in perfect peace and harmony as they lead the sheep of His pasture. We eagerly anticipate many more years of service, confident in their ability to lead and inspire us.

With deep gratitude and admiration, we wish Pastor and First Lady Armstrong a heartfelt HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. Your service has been a beacon of light, touching many lives.

SPOTLIGHT!!!

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

Fred Walker is a native of Nashville, TN, and a graduate of Hillwood High School. He is the son of Shirley and James Lewis. He has two sisters, Sheryl and Phynetta, and is an uncle to three nieces.

In 2013, Fred was a faithful Tyson Foods Inc. employee, receiving various service awards and bonuses. In 2021, he joined TA Corporation Ltd., where he works as a machine operator.

One of his early morning routines is to pray for guidance and strength and often meditates on Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

One of the highlights of Fred's day is spending time with his mother. His dedication to her and his willingness to help whenever needed are testaments to their strong bond. His commitment to his co-workers, family, and friends is refreshing, and his active involvement in our church family is appreciated.

In his leisure time, he enjoys immersing himself in the world of movies, engaging in friendly competition through video games, and sightseeing. Some of the adventurous things on his bucket list include traveling the world, relaxing in the sun on a beach, embarking on a cruise vacation, and fulfilling his dream of owning a yacht.

Fred is a member of the Saint Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, where he attends Sunday School, and is a member of the Brotherhood Chorus and Adult Choir. We are pleased to recognize him as a member of our church family.

Displayed below are some highlights of our spotlight champion.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING FOCUSED

Staying Focused

By Johnella Cherry

Have you ever thought to yourself? I didn't do any of my work today. I had a better day yesterday. I'm ready to go home. If you have, which we all have…sometimes it's hard to stay focused at school, at home while doing homework, or by doing our chores. So many things distract us or take our minds off what we are supposed to be doing. Why is this important?

Staying focused is crucial because it helps you solve problems correctly, learn and understand clearly, and finish tasks. Let's say you decide to play video games a bit longer, stay watching TV with your siblings, or scroll social media longer on a school night. The next day, you're rushing to get ready for school, falling asleep in class, and not paying attention to anything your teachers teach. Are you focused on the day? I think not…Well, how can we help ourselves stay focused?

Here are some practical tips that you can start using to improve your focus...

Create a checklist and a routine (Write down everything you are supposed to do when you get home to prepare you for the next day. Have a parent or caregiver help you; every time you get home, check each one off as you complete it).
Try a mindfulness activity where you find a quiet area and set a timer for 10 minutes, close your eyes, take your time breathing in and out, and relax.
Plenty of exercise and water (Lay off the Takis and Hot Chips so much)
Do assignments or tasks one at a time and take your time.
Plan out homework and study time.
Take 5-minute breaks.
Go to bed early.
Pray when you wake up in the morning and before sleep at night. Philippians 4:13: "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

God has a plan for all of us, and though many of us want to do great things for Him, it's essential that we not forget what's most important. We should never do some things; those things will always distract us from what's important.

Some things aren't necessarily bad, but they can quickly come between us and God if we let them (Yeah, I'm looking at you, video games!). Even good things (like sports, hard work, and friendships, to name a few) can come between us and God if we focus too much on them and not enough on Jesus Christ and His will for our lives.

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Focused and Laziness

By Mishael Armstrong

As a 23-year-old, I've realized that maintaining focus has become a crucial aspect of my life as I've matured. Distractions come in many forms: friends, acquaintances, video games, dating, and even yourself. These distractions can be overwhelming, making it difficult to focus. In this article, I'll share one distraction that can lead to losing focus, the importance of maintaining focus, and the benefits it can bring.

As stated above, there are a lot of distractions, but the most realistic one is laziness! The definition of laziness is the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy. Some examples of laziness are lying in bed, being idle, doing nothing, having no job, or engaging in any form of physical activity. Doing nothing is not only hurting yourself but others around you. You hurt yourself by not taking care of your body and working to give yourself a better life. You hurt others because you could be taking care of your family but choosing not to. Laziness will put you in a destructive mindset, but remember, it's never too late to get out of that hole of laziness!

Being a focused individual is a testament to your mental and physical strength, showing your ability to conquer any goal. It's about directing your attention and energy toward a single objective, strengthening your decision-making, problem-solving, reasoning, learning, memory, and perception skills. Whether in sports, music, conversations, or life, a focused mindset opens the doors to excellence. Remember, with unwavering faith, laser-like focus, and a determined mind, you can turn your dreams into reality!

INSPIRATIONS FOR THE SOUL

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

WHO AM I?

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half of the things you do you might as well turn over to me and I will do them - quickly and correctly. I am easily managed - you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. I am the servant of great people, and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine though I work with the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a person. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin - it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. I AM HABIT

- unknown author

A CALL TO SALVATION

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6 NIV

There are many GOOD people in the world, but being good does not grant you the gift of SALVATION. Jesus explains in the scripture above that He is the only way to the Father.

Because of Adam and Eve's sin, all humankind is considered guilty, separated

from God, and needs to be made right with Him. Jesus paid the debt, giving Himself a

sacrificial offering by shedding His blood to atone for our sins.

Our response is to ADMIT we are a sinner (Romans 3:23),

BELIEVE that Jesus died on the cross for our sins (John 1:12), and

CONFESS Him as Lord of our life (Romans 10:9).

Each awakening day provides one willing to accept Jesus as LORD AND SAVIOR.

Do it today, for the night cometh.