Scars are Beautiful

Scars are Beautiful
by Sharon Ewell Foster

In many cultures scars are beautiful—they denote honor and standing. Through intricate patterns, man-made scars share the story, the timeline, and history of the one who bears them.

But I didn’t grow up in one of those places. I was born in Texas and grew up in Illinois . And though some people may consider Texas wild and the Midwest no man’s land, in both those places scars are not considered a good thing. Growing up with four brothers, I always seemed to be falling down—on my knees, my elbows, my chin, and I even gashed my ankle up pretty good. My mother invested in a lot of cocoa butter, rubbing that chocolate-smelling hard fat on my wounds, hoping that her only daughter wouldn’t be a scarred up mess that would bring shame on the family. “Be careful now.” Pain and worry made her frown. “You don’t want to wear stockings and have scars showing through.”

When I Accepted Me By Sonja Samuel

Why self-esteem and what is it exactly?

Self esteem is the extent to which we like, respect and accept ourselves. It reflects our overall evaluation or appraisal of our self worth. It encompasses our beliefs, emotions and behavior. However, many people operate from the perspective of what others think of them and it fuels a cycle of dissatisfaction and discontentment. Instead of finding peace within themselves and being the unique and distinct person God created them to be, they live a life based on who they think others want them to be. As a result then of achieving high self esteem they find their self esteem constantly under attack.

You Are Something Strange!

You Are Something Strange!
by Vanessa Richardson

I am saved, single, and not having sex. I dedicated myself life and body to Christ at an early age. God didn’t come into my life in a storm. It was in calm; that I answered the call to become a follower of Christ. It was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done! I am not perfect by any means. I have fallen short of the mark on several occasions. I just don’t love God but I am in love with Him. There is not a day that goes by that I am not mindful of Him.

Grant Funding For Women in 2009; Still Time To Apply

Columbus, OH – Despite a bad economy, grant-making organizations have continued to allocate more funding to women this year and for 2010. Grants are often used by women to start or expand a business, attend college, pay off loans, and/or launch a non-profit organization to help other women.

Big organizations, such as the American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org), are already making their 2010 applications available for interested ones to apply for fellowships, career development grants, and community action grants.

One Lady Pastor’s Perspective

One Lady Pastor’s Perspective
by Pastor Natalie A. Francisco, Ed. D.

What are the implications of being a female pastor in the 21^st century? To be quite honest, both the best and the worst prevail at the same time. Incredible joys juxtaposed by the incredulous jeers of others who even in this day and time assert that women are to be silent in the church and prohibit them from preaching or teaching behind the sacred desk. This causes both delight and despair in the minds and hearts of women who only desire to heed and obey God’s call upon their lives. Such is my dilemma as a co-pastor who happens to be female.

Former Teen Mom Speaks Out

My success as a mother depended on the sermon my life would preach. ~ Cheryl Lacey Donovan

United States – January, 2009 - "Our children are crying out for our love, our attention, and our help. There’s a war going on between us and the world. The spoils of war are our children’s hearts, minds, and souls. We no longer have the luxury of leaving our parenting responsibilities to others. As mothers we must become accountable to ourselves, our children, and our God for the blessing He has placed on our lives by giving us these blessings from heaven. If not, we will continue to lose generations of children.