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    jackieholness

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    Dr. King’s Church Ebenezer Baptist Church Hosts ‘Worship in Wakanda’ Today Ahead of Tonight’s Oscars!

    Hello World,

    Tonight is the Superbowl of the movie industry! In other words, the 91st Academy Awards aka The Oscars, as fraught with controversy as it may be and has been, is tonight at 8 pm! Of all of the nominees, I’m most interested in “Black Panther” as a nominee for Best Picture! “Black Panther” was the highest grossing film of 2018 and was the third highest grossing film in the United States EVER and should definitely win tonight!

    And if you did not know, “Black Panther” was filmed in Atlanta, which has been called the real Wakanda, the fictional destination in the movie where black excellence is fostered and celebrated every day of the year not only during Black History Month! I don’t know if this on purpose, but Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King and his father Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. served as pastors, is hosting “Worship in Wakanda” today at its church services.

    And here I am in my African garb to see the movie!

    According to the flyer, on this Black Emphasis Sunday, African heritage, highlighting black genius and creativity, will be honored. Also, members are being encouraged to wear Afr0-centric or Afro futuristic attire. And “Black Panther” costume designer Ruth E. Carter could be the first black person to win an Oscar for costume design if she wins tonight! Remember when erebody was posting pics of themselves in African garb to see the movie? #WakandaForever!

    Another Atlanta hero and civil rights giant Congressman John Lewis will be one of the best picture presenters tonight!

    And speaking of civil rights, today begins the last week that the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta is free to visit! Coca Cola paid the admission for all to visit for free during Black History Month! I’ve visited and what I loved the most is seeing the collage of mug shots of the young people of all races who were willing to be arrested for the cause of civil rights back in the ’60s. Some of them looked as young as my 17-year-old nephew…

    Anywho, I’m watching the Oscars tonight! What about you?

    Any thoughts?

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    Our Daily Bread’s Discovery House Releases ‘Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy’ (Including 45 African-American Authors)!

    BOOK GIVEAWAY!

    Hello World,

    While black history is relevant every day of every year, it is during Black History Month that black people can truly reflect on the fact that we’ve come a mighty long way! My favorite time to reflect on that fact is when I spend my time alone with the Lord each morning! It is during those times with the Lord that I journal about what is going on with me and others as it relates to my personal relationship with God, read Christian materials and ponder what message God is trying to communicate to me through them and pray and thank God for what is behind and what is ahead. There have been many, many books that I have read during my quiet time and I’m always looking for more! And it is especially helpful and meaningful when I can get my hands on materials that speak to my heritage.

    If that is true for you too, I’m sure you will be glad to know that Our Daily Bread Ministries, the bedrock company for devotional materials in the country if not the world, through its Discovery House has released Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy from Editors Joyce Dinkins and Diane Proctor-Reeder! 

    Below is a description of Our Help featuring a cover illustrated by Coretta Scott King Book Awards medalist Jan Spivey Gilchrist and including entries from  45 black authors:

    “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.” –Psalm 46:10 NLT

    God has given us an open invitation to spend time in His presence, reflecting on His power and majesty and our faith in Jesus Christ. And every time we accept this opportunity to go before His throne, we grow stronger in our relationship with the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

    Our Help presents a variety of short devotions and feature articles, sprinkled with creative poetry and inspiring thoughts that offer hope and encouragement as we endeavor to do God’s will.
    Speaking to the hearts of those in ministry, this engaging devotional includes:

    > A mosaic of stories from multiple generations
    > Reflection questions and suggested Bible readings
    > A Scripture index and resources for personal or small-group use

    Our Help invites us to reflect on God’s wisdom that’s available for every adversity; to remember the victories He has already provided; and to realize the hopeful future He gives to all generations that rely on Him.

    Click on THIS LINK to read a sample!

    Also, below is a video of a few of the authors speaking about their entries:

    AND if you are interested in receiving a FREE HARDCOVER copy of Our Help: Devotions on Struggle, Victory, Legacy, leave a comment including a little known black history fact. The person who has the most interesting black history fact (in my opinion) will receive a free book from me. That means that you have to come back to the blog after you’ve commented so that I can tell you to e-mail your mailing address to me 🙂 .

    Any thoughts?

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    Viral Older Couple Murphy & Lucinda Wilson Appear on ‘STEVE’ & More Valentine’s Day News…

    Hello World,

    Happy Valentine’s Day Y’all! As has been said, “You Can’t Hurry Love, No You’ll Just Have to Wait.” After deciding that I most definitely wanted to get married in 2003 (and telling God to show up right then), I had to wait until Valentine’s Day weekend 2010 to go out on a first date with the man who would become my husband in 2013! (Happy First Date Anniversary to US) That’s seven years of waiting if you’re paying attention!

    And some have to wait even longer than that…Two years ago, the joyful engagement photos of an older Alabama couple Murphy Wilson and Lucinda Wilson, who are both in their 70s, went viral likely because their story proves that love can happen at any age! Lucinda, who had been divorced for 30 years, was able to find love again when she met Murphy, whose wife had died in 2013, at their church…

    Below is an excerpt of their story from their engagement photographer Gianna Snell’s website…

    Lucinda Myers, a florist and baker, moved to Huntsville, AL in July 2013, the same month that Murphy returned to church. Myers is originally from Boston, which coincidentally is also Murphy’s hometown. Having been divorced and single for 30 years, she had been praying and waiting for God to send her a husband. And although the wait was difficult, and she had moments of saying out loud, “God, where is he?”…she kept on praying and doing the things that made her happy, such as cake decorating, babysitting and helping others. She moved to Huntsville for a fresh start.

    Each Saturday, Lucinda sat in the balcony on the front row at church while Murphy was one row behind. For over 3 years, they both occupied the same space in church but didn’t have any interaction with each other. Murphy had made it up in his mind that he was not going to talk to anyone because he really wanted God to do the choosing.

    But one day, something caught his eye… “It was her hair,” he said. “And then she turned around, and Man…she’s got this smile. She was very attractive…I just couldn’t stop looking at her.”

    Still not saying a word to her from week to week, Murphy became more and more intrigued by this woman… so much so that a nearby church member caught Murphy staring at Lucinda one day. After church, the woman approached Lucinda and told her that she had a secret admirer in the balcony. Lucinda was shocked because she’d had no interaction with him, so she emphatically said, “Well if he is admiring me, he has to come to me. I’m certainly not chasing any man.”

    To read the whole story, go to giannasnellphotography.com.

    The couple told their love story to Steve Harvey on his show STEVE earlier this month. Check out the video below!

    And if you find yourself engaged today and live in the metro Atlanta area, but don’t have the money to get married or other circumstances have prevented you and your love from tying the knot, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is FREE City Wide Wedding during their 9:30 AM Worship Service on Sunday, Feb. 24!  Now, pre-marital counseling is required for 2 sessions in their Multi-Purpose Room in order to obtain a Marriage Certificate from New Birth. And two sessions will be held THIS Saturday February 16 from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM and THIS Sunday, February 17 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM! For more information, go to newbirth.org.

    Also, if you are single today, you can get free wings at Hooters! From Thrillist: It’s true. Head to the famously skimpy restaurant on February 14, and you can partake in its annual “Shred Your Ex” event. Buy 10 wings, rip up a photo of your ex, and you’re going to land 10 boneless wings for free. As Jimmy Durante would say, “Hot cha cha.” If having to step over the waggling tongues of drooling pubescent teens isn’t your idea of a good time on a lonely Valentine’s Day, you can shred exes online. After you tear your former partner to pieces, you’ll get a digital coupon and can order some wings to take back to your empty apartment. Though if you do it at a restaurant, the pictures go into a shredder, which will truly impress the teens at the table next to yours. Teens love shredders!

    Finally, whether you’re hitched or single and just love a good love story any time of the year, one of my favorite authors Kim Cash Tate is a launching a new web series “CLING” on You Tube. Premiering March 9, A New Love Story. It’s time to cling to your First Love. Shiloh ‘Rikki’ Stevens has a thriving ministry inspiring countless women to cling to God. But as her personal life crumbles, she finds herself holding on to God for dear life . . . and sometimes losing a grip. Created and written by Kim Cash Tate. Directed by Will Thomas. See the trailer above!

    Any thoughts?