The Top 10 Christian Clichés to Congratulate Christian Couple Russell Wilson & Ciara on Getting Engaged!!!

ciara russell engaged

Hello World,

Everyone loves a good comeback story! I think that’s part of the reason the Innanet went crazy on Friday when Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson announced that he and singer Ciara are finally engaged!!! They’ve been on everyone’s radar since they showed up at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner last April together. From the beginning, they seemed to be a couple that makes sense. According to the ABC News article “Inside Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and Ciara’s Relationship,” Russell said, “She’s been through some heartaches, I’ve been through some heartaches. I was married before. I married the person I was with in high school.”

And they truly have been through some heartaches for all of the public to see unfortunately. Ciara and her former fiancé rapper Future got engaged in October 2013 (She even appeared on the cover of Brides magazine in August 2014), she announced she was pregnant with their baby on The View in January 2014 and by June 2014, the couple broke up allegedly because Future cheated on her. Meanwhile, although Russell Wilson and his ex-wife Ashton Meem were high school sweethearts and had been together four years when he proposed in August 2010, they divorced after two years of marriage in April 2014. There have been rumors that his ex-wife had an affair with one of his former Seahawks’ teammates.

Last July everyone marveled when Russell revealed in an interview with Pastor Miles McPherson from The Rock Church in San Diego, California that he and Ciara had opted to be celibate in their then dating relationship of five to six months. He explained his reason for wanting to be celibate. “For me, I knew that God had brought me into her life to bless her and for her to bless me and to bless so many people with the impact that she has, that I have. We’re not gonna be perfect, by any means. Life’s not perfect. Nobody’s perfect, but he’s anointed both of us, and I know that He’s calling for us to do something miraculous, something special. I said to her, and she completely agreed: ‘Could we love each other without that?’ If you can really love somebody without that, then you can really love somebody.”

Everyone including Ciara’s ex had something to say about it. In a Huffington Post interview with Marcus Lamont Hill, Future said that while God never told him to wait for sex, Ciara did say she wanted to pray when the deed was done. “God told me something else. He ain’t tell me to wait. I guarantee you that,” Future said. “We prayed afterwards though. After we did it, we prayed. That’s a true story.” And Future kept talking too after that interview, criticizing Ciara for having their son Future Jr. around Russell and her parenting skills. Basically, he proved the lyrics of her song “I Bet” to be true. And Ciara is not having it!. It was announced last month at Ciara is taking Future to court, suing him in a $15 million lawsuit for libel and slander.

Whew…that made me tired from just typing all of that…

But despite the relationship drama that both Russell & Ciara have been through in their past, it looks like better days are ahead since they are engaged. And since Christians come up with the best clichés or slogans to explain away rough times, I thought I would list the most popular ones to congratulate the cute couple!

  1. comeback
  2. but God
  3. latter
  4. testimony5.what God has6.man's rejection7.if God8. window9.meant for good10.wont He do it

Below is the Instagram Russell posted on Friday of their engagement…so sweet…

She said Yes!!! Since Day 1 I knew you were the one. No Greater feeling… #TrueLove @Ciara

A video posted by Russell Wilson (@dangerusswilson) on

Won’t He Do It For Real?!

Any thoughts?

 

Win Free Tickets to the Movie ‘Easter Mysteries,’ a Musical Theater Depiction of the Easter Story!!!

EM_300x600_R2Hello World,

As a Christian, the most significant day of the year is Easter, the day that Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! And I’m always excited about new ways to celebrate Easter. That’s why I’m pleased to offer free tickets to the musical feature film EASTER MYSTERIES, which comes to select cinemas nationwide for a special one-night event on Tuesday, March 22!

Presented by Fathom Events and SimonSays Entertainment, EASTER MYSTERIES, the first Passion Play ever told from Peter’s perspective, is making history with its brand new portrayal of the touchstone story, and offers a fresh perspective of iconic biblical characters that will inspire and enlighten. Using the universal themes of death and Resurrection and love vs. betrayal, the passion play moves through Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his arrest, Peter’s struggle with faith, and Jesus’ death, followed by the sightings of Jesus after his burial, Peter’s reconciliation of faith, and Jesus’ reappearance and Ascension.

Directed by Daniel Goldstein (2011 Broadway revival of Godspell), this unique portrayal of iconic biblical characters by an interracial cast offers an innovative and effective reimagining of the Easter story for modern audiences. The cast includes Wallace Smith (Les Miserables, Rocky, Godspell) as Jesus, Tony Award nominee Phillip Boykin (Porgy and Bess, On the Town) as Caiaphas, Erin Davie (Side Show, Grey Gardens, Drood) as Mary, Kevin Early (A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Peter, and Stephen Lee Anderson (Spiderman, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof) as Herod. Aside from the classic biblical story, the show emphasizes faith in one’s own abilities and the power to overcome personal struggles.

The music, libretto and lyrics are by John O’Boyle, a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, and the motion picture is directed by Danny Goldstein (Godspell, Tamar of The River) with musical arrangements and music direction by Milton Granger (Mary Poppins).

“Entering into the mystery of the Passion is something millions of people try to do every Easter season,” explains O’Boyle. “Participating in that mystery with a fresh and compelling angle of vision—and in a cinematic setting—seems a worthy goal.”

Below is the trailer –

Audiences will also be treated to an exclusive interfaith panel with prominent Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders, as they lead a discussion about the current state of interfaith relations and topics evoked by this profound production.

Panelists include:

·         Sister Sanaa Nadim, Muslim Student Association Chaplain, State University of New York at Stonybrook

·         Evangelist Joyce L. Rodgers, Founder and CEO of Primary Purpose Ministries, Inc.

·         The Most Reverend John J. O’Hara, Auxiliary Bishop of New York; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President, New York Board of Rabbis and co-host of   “Religion on the Line” on WABC radio in NY

·         Tony Suarez, Executive Vice President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

·         Fr. Brian McWeeney, Director of Interreligious and Ecumenical Affairs, Archdiocese of New York.

EASTER MYSTERIES will be screened in select cities across the U.S., and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices.

I’m giving away THREE free tickets to EASTER MYSTERIES!!! To win a free ticket, subscribe to this blog by clicking HERE! The contest ends on Tuesday, March 15!

Any thoughts?

The Top 10 Blog Posts and or Articles for Black Christian Women in February 2016

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Hello World,

Well, Black History Month 2016 is a wrap, but I’m still doing my monthly post in which I list interesting blog posts and or articles for black Christian women from last month that intrigued me as a black Christian woman ( but you don’t have be a black Christian woman to to check them out:) ! ) As usual, let me know if you like my list! Enjoy and share!

1. “Dancing 106-year-old Describes the Day She Charmed the Obamas: ‘I Can Die Smiling Now’” by

Excerpt: Deeply faithful, McLaurin attends a weekly Bible study, and she said it’s helped her stay upbeat and healthy. That, she said, and a diet of fried beans and peas. Other than a back surgery about 50 years ago, she hasn’t had any major health issues. See more at: washingtonpost.com.

2. “DeVon Franklin to Suggestion in Church That Wife Meagan Good Should Cover Up: ‘She’s Going to Wear What She Wants to Wear in the Name of Jesus’” by Yesha Callahan

Excerpt: “This is not offensive, but I was at the grocery store and I looked at a newsstand and I saw you, and you had your breast showing,” one woman in the audience said. “So, so, I wasn’t gonna come here, I wasn’t, but the Lord brought me here to see you. You’re beautiful. You are a beautiful young woman, and your testimony is awesome. It’s awesome. Amen. Amen! And the Lord let me come and push past the judgment … because you have to make sure what you say and what you do match up, you understand? So we gonna cover up, right?” See more at: theroot.com.

3. “Too Sexy for Church Appeal: When Does Cleavage Become Sinful?” by Charlene Aaron

Excerpt:  Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA player Stephen Curry, received a ton of backlash from people who said she was shaming women who dress less modestly. Actress Meagan Good, who is also a Christian, has often been criticized for wearing clothing viewed as too sexy. See more at: cbn.com.

4. “They Lost Trayvon, Eric, Sandra, Jordan, Dontre. Now These Mothers are With Hillary” by Juana Summers

Excerpt: As rain pelted the rooftop of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist church on Monday afternoon, five mothers — united both in their grief and their purpose — came to share their stories. The women, from five different cities, had each lost a child to a high-profile case of violence. And each had thrown her support behind Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. See more at: mashable.com.

5. “The Legacy of Women in the Black Church” by Pastor Tiffany Thomas

Excerpt: Black women have a long and intricate history with the church. Women, making up 70 to 90 percent of black congregations, have always found the institution of the church a place of refuge, of solace and hope. As far back as African American history begins, during a time when their bodies were bound by the violence of slavery, black women gathered to worship communally a God who gave freedom and liberation in the salvific power of Christ. See more  at: christianitytoday.com.

6. “Black Women and the Imago Dei” by Austin Channing Brown

Excerpt: In the late ’80s and early ’90s when I grew up attending a predominantly white private school, words like diversity and multiculturalism had not yet been popularized. So schools were still developing curriculum and experiences largely devoid of cultural depth. In my experience, all of my teachers were white, as were the principal, librarian, and other staff members. We regularly used illustrated Bibles, storybooks, and movies in which all the characters were also white. When teachers posted pictures of Jesus in the room, Jesus was always depicted as white. See more at: todayschristianwoman.com.

7. “Meet the Incredible Woman Chosen to Lead Mother Emanuel Church After Last Year’s Shooting” by

Excerpt: Clark is unabashed about being a woman at the pulpit. During a part of service where visitors to the church introduce themselves, one particular gentleman calls out, “I’m going to ask, like I do every year.” She begins to fan herself. “Will you be my valentine?” The church erupts into laughter and cheers. “The answer is yes,” she says to her husband. More laughter and clapping. See more at: fusion.net.

8. “Charleston Shooting Survivor Jennifer Pinckney: ‘I Want to Carry on (Clementa’s) Work’” by Jesse James DeConto

Excerpt: The first lady of Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church offered two enduring images: her late husband’s smiling face lying in a casket, and the bullet holes that riddled the church walls when she went to clean out his office a week later. See more at: religionnews.com.

9. “Professor Who Donned Hijab in Solidarity Announces Exit from Christian College” by Women in the World Staff

Excerpt: A college professor at a Christian college in Illinois has agreed to leave her position at the university after she posted a photo of herself wearing a hijab in solidarity with Muslims on social media. Larycia Hawkins drew ire from the administration at Wheaton College over the photo and her remarks on Facebook, where she wrote that Christians and Muslims “worship the same God.” See more at: nytlive.nytimes.com.

10. “First Female African-American General in the Army National Guard Visits Windsor Church” by Jenna DeAngelis

Excerpt: “I’ve had many people, both black and white, tell me that, ‘C’mon you can’t do that.  You’re never going any further than this.’ and to me that was always a challenge,” Cleckley said. Every challenge became an opportunity and every opportunity became another page in her book, A Promise Fulfilled. See more at: fox61.com.

Any thoughts?