Escape to Sisterhood II

Ladies call, text, email or Tweet your mother, sister, auntie and your best girlfriend.  It’s time for some rest, relaxation and most importantly information.  Pack your bags and prepare yourself for an exciting weekend in, Wrightsville Beach, N.C, to uplift and empower women of all ages.  Join the fun from Friday October 9, 2009 through Sunday October 11, 2009 for  Escape to Sisterhood II with lovely accomodations provided by Shell Island Resort.

Escape to Sisterhood is geared towards renewing the mind, body, and spirit within women. Oftentimes, women devote so much time to family, work, and friends, that they often neglect themselves. The organizers are devoted to making this weekend change those mindsets, as they venture to renew the “strength within us” through workshops, networking, fitness, and relaxation.

This great gathering will feature keynote speaker Evangelist Ericka D. Jackson, vendors and entertainment.  For more information call 910-473-0239, visit Escape2Sisterhood.com or check out the links below:

Escape to Sisterhood II

2009 Escape to Sisterhood participant package

Remember My Name

It is estimated that every 9 seconds, a woman is battered.

-The Department of Justice, 1991

In the United States, a woman is more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped, or killed by a male partner than any other assailant.

- “Resource Availability for Women at Risk”
A. Browne and K.R. Williams

Four women each day and more than 1,000 women each year, are killed by their partners.

- Partner Abuse in Illinois: Knowing
the Facts and Breaking the Cycle
IDPH, Report to the General Assembly
1996

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On August 6^th, 2008, Detention Officer Tarica Pulliam of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department was murdered outside of her apartment.  Tarica was headed to work, when she was ambushed and shot to death by her ex-boyfriend of nearly seven years.  Tarica was a single mother with a now eight year old daughter. 

This week marks Tarica’s one year death anniversary and the family has decided to honor her by celebrating her life, rather than remembering the tragedy.  By doing so, they have organized along with the Domestic Violence Shelter and Services Office in Wilmington, NC, the “Remember My Name Celebration Book Drive”.  The book drive started on July 18^th and will end on August 18^th and will benefit women and children that either live in Domestic Violence Shelters or participate in programs provided by the Domestic Violence offices, and the women that are incarcerated in the New Hanover County Detention Facility, where Tarica was employed.  Books should contain content that is motivational, inspirational, or devotional to keep them encouraged after surviving domestic violence.  School supplies for the upcoming school year are also being accepted. 

For more information about the book drive, please contact The Open Gate at 910.343.0703.  Or, for more information about Tarica’s story, email taricalives@hotmail.com.

See story:http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news4522, http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8797379, http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/17179

Chris Brown asks for Forgiveness

Earlier today, triple threat entertainer, Chris Brown, spoke publicly apologizing to his fans for his “unacceptable behavior.”  In February of this year, the R&B sensation and his then girlfriend and fellow entertainer, Rihanna, were involved in a domestic dispute.  According to a search warrant in the case, Rihanna, 21, read a three-page text message from a woman on Brown’s phone, which led to an argument. Brown – who was charged with two felonies – allegedly tried to force his girlfriend out of the Lamborghini they were in, and hit her head against the passenger window.

Both parties remained silent about the incident and even reunited briefly.  Brown avoided doing time with a plea agreement.  Brown shared in the past that he had witnessed domestic violence first hand throughout his life.  He never expected to become “one of those people.” While Rihanna’s career has continued, Brown has kept a low profile. His music was yanked from many radio stations and records sales dropped tremendously.  Many people (including believers) have shared varying opinions on whether or not Brown should continue his career and questioned his responsibility as a role model.

Chris Brown, as well as other entertainers, are in a position to influence our culture in major ways.  Our culture and its idolatrous nature (like the children of Israel) likes to put people up only to be disappointed when they “fail” us.  Instead of looking to our Heavenly Father we exalt men and idealistic or utopian caste systems that give our flesh something to strive for.

Before we get the splinter out of Chris Brown’s eye we need to get the planks out of our eyes.  We may not be abusers but, we have some areas where we have allowed the enemy to get a foothold and we close our eyes to them.  This leads to stumbling blocks that we trip over and we cause others to trip over them as well.  Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. We all deserve God’s wrath, no matter what the sin but, 1 John 1:9 reads, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In life, we often seek the approval, validation and forgiveness of our peers and never want to be ostracized. No one wants to be remembered for the negative or unflatterering behaviors that we exhibit.  We must remember that we should not define ourselves by man’s standards, but by God’s.   Matthew 6:14-15  Let’s pray that Mr. Brown has sought God’s forgiveness and receives the new life that is available to us all through Christ Jesus.

Just imagine what would happen if some of the most influential entertainers came to Christ.  How many of their fans would follow them?  Remember, love the person, hate the sin.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matt 9:37-38 (KJV)

PRAY FOR MORE WORKERS…

Documentary: The Laying on of Hands

Due to the alarming accounts of domestic violent acts on women every 15 seconds, First Family Films is attempting to expose an ongoing epidemic. The Laying on of Hands once viewed will prayerfully awaken “the spirit of Deborah” and empower women across this country to unite during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence happens inside and outside of the body of Christ.  Many use religion to justify controlling and oppressive behaviors.  This documentary is said to be an analysis of those unspoken rules that have existed with regards to “submissive wives”and much more.