No good parent looks for reasons to punish a child.  Now that I am a parent I understand that punishment isn’t simply for the sake of punishing a child but it is done because of your love for your children and a desire to see them do well in life.

Now, have you ever sinned? Of course you have! Scripture lets us know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” But have you ever done something you thought was so bad that God just didn’t want to talk to you? Most of us have been there. I am reminded of the words of David, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me (Psalm 51:3).” Like David, there are times that in the aftermath of a fall seems to haunt us. For as gratifying as the act seemed to be before sin ran its course, the truth soon revealed that it just wasn’t worth it! We are left ashamed and feeling isolated from the Father.

Have you ever wanted to fall to your knees and pray but thought, God doesn’t want to talk to me. It’s funny how we can end up in a state of self condemnation when we do not understand the true character of God.  Yes, he is God, Righteous Judge and Creator but he has so graciously extended Himself as Father to those who are in Jesus.  This means He not only wants to hear from his children but He is eager to help us when we fall.

Hebrews 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Guess what? God wants to hear your voice! Like the lesson I learned as a child, a good parent is there when you need them most. They not only celebrate your successes but lovingly correct you when you need it. They teach and guide you when you are lost. They comfort you when you are hurting and love you when no one else will. Everything God does is motivated by love.

So you have messed up. What better way to start again than to talk to the only one who can help you out of trouble and give you wisdom and understanding needed to stay out! God wants to hear from you!

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In a beautifully room filled with teal covered tables and dramatic black ostrich feather and crystal centerpieces (CFDfloral.com), concerned citizens and leaders gathered at the National Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, April 18th, to recognize the life altering act of sexual assault and those who have been touched by it.

High Calling for Women, Inc. hosts the Teal Gala fundraiser each year in conjunction with National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event included dinner courtesy of L’Ecole Culinaire,  live music, a clip of a documentary by the organization, and a live auction that included items from Mednikow, Disney, Kroger, Oak Hall, Natural Body Spa and many more.

“Hearing  founder, Christy Poindexter , speak about her own experience as a survivor of sexual molestation was inspiring. It gave me the courage to face my own past with hope of a brighter tomorrow. She literally give me chills but in a good way. That’s a powerful speaker.”

Other community leaders were on hand to lend their voice to the cause. Shelby County Sheriff candidate, Reginald French, shared his support as well as the office of Mayor Joe Ford, and Congressman Stephen Cohen who provided a proclamation recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Tennessee.

High Calling for Women, Inc is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sexual assault. The organization hosts community forums and events around the city to provide the community opportunities to learn the facts and ways to help prevent sexual abuse.

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TRI-STATE DEFENDER HONORS THIRD CLASS OF

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE ON APRIL 30

Community Leaders, Corporate Executives, Educators, Entrepreneurs, Physicians among Honorees

The Tri-State Defender will host its Third Annual Women of Excellence High Tea on Friday, April 30, 2010, 2:30 p.m. at The Peabody in the Skyway Room, 149 Union Avenue.  Mearl Purvis of FOX13 News will serve as hostess for the third consecutive.

Sponsored by the Tri-State Defender, AT&T, Comcast, FedEx, Real Times Media, St. Francis Hospital and University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), the awards reception will honor 50 outstanding African American women for their civic contributions and career achievements.  Event tickets are available for purchase by calling 901.523.1818 or email pfickling@tri-statedefender.com.

Honorees for 2010 include:   Yvonne B. Acey, Associate Director of Africa In April Cultural Awareness Festival, Inc.;  Victoria Artis, Director of Customer Financial Services for Pfizer, Inc.;  Sharon Barnett-Myers, Global Health Advisor for the Spine and Biologics Division of Medtronic Sofamor Danek;  Judith Williams Black, Director of Public Relations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital;  Ruth Woodard Burkes, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.;  Linda F. Carter, Managing Director of Human Resource Services & Diversity for FedEx Express;  entrepreneur Orangella Coger-Harris of New Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church;  Sharon Coleman, CEO of Ritzee’s Florist; The Honorable Lois DeBerry, State Representative District 92 in the Tennessee General Assembly;  Carmalita C. Drayton, Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Memphis;  Hughetta Dudley, CEO/President for Stragistics Technology, Inc.; Dr. Barbara Duncan-Cody, MD, of OBGYN Specialties;  Naomi Dyson, Owner for Mustard Seed & Company; Dr. Sheila Flemming-Hunter, Academic Dean for Rust College;  Suzanne Roberts Foster, President for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Memphis Alumnae Chapter; Dr. Andrea Henry, Dentist and CEO for Healthy Smiles Dental Spa;  attorney Gina Higgins of Higgins & Johnson Law Office;  

Laurita Jackson, President of Memphis Chemicals & Janitorial Company;  Melonie Johnson, Vice President of Finance at Harrah’s Casino;  Sally Johnson, President & Owner of Sally’s Hair Gallery;  Ursula Jones, attorney for Preferred Title & Escrow LLC; Dr. Yvonne Robinson Jones, professor of International Education for Southwest Tennessee Community College;  Carol Jones, Assistant Deputy for Project Management for US Army Corps of Engineering;  Denise Keys-Johnson, Principal for Memphis City Schools;  attorney Vanecia Kimbrow, President of Community Equity & Title PLLC; Karen Malone, Vice President of Retail Learning and Performance (Corporate Training) for First Tennessee Bank;  Pamela Marshall, Chief of Staff for the Shelby County Mayor’s Office;  Audra Melvin, Director of Patient Financial Services for Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED); Dr. Vivian Morris, Assistant Dean for University of Memphis College of Education;  Charlie Nelson, Director of Fundraising and Volunteers for MIFA;  Mary Palmer, Director for Child Care Centers at Southwest Tennessee Community College; Dr. Nieika Parks, Director, Coordinated School Health for Memphis City Schools;  Christy Poindexter, President and Founder of High Calling for Women, Inc.;  Nisha Powers, Owner/Principal for Power Hill Design LLC;  

Brenda Reddick, Customer Service Manager for Memphis Light Gas & Water;  Linda Reid, Director of Administration & Business Development for Memphis Depot Business Park;  Beverly Robertson, Executive Director of the National Civil Rights Museum;  Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Senior Vice President at St. Francis Hospital;  Lucy Yates Shaw, Board Member of Tri-State Bank of Memphis;  Rhonda Spencer, First Lady for New Direction Christian Church; First Lady Beverly Stephens, an Elder at Golden Gate Cathedral;  Elaine Lee Turner, Owner for Heritage Tours; Dr. Dellwyn Turnipseed, DMD, Dentist and Owner of Dental Connections; Dr. Sandra Chambers Vaughn, Professor of Political Science at Rust College;  Johnnie Walker, Executive Director of  the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission; Dr. Waletha Wasson, Doctor of Dentistry for University of Tennessee Health Sciences;  Camille S. Wheeler, RN, BSN, CPN, a registered nurse at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center; Dr. Sharon Wheeler, Director of Advancement Services for Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation;  Willie Mae Willett, retired principal and educational consultant for Memphis City Schools;  Delories Williams, Director of Economic Development for the Greater Memphis Chamber; and Dr. Robin Womeodu, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Methodist University Hospital.

            These honorees will be profiled in a commemorative section in the April 29^th edition of the Tri-State Defender.   Sponsorships, congratulatory ads and messages as well as event tickets are available.  Ads must be received by April 23, 2010.   Event tickets are $60 per person.  For more information, call the Tri-State Defender office at 901-523-1818 or email pfickling@tri-statedefender.com.

Owned by Real Times Media, The Tri-State Defender newspaper  has been in operation for 58 years in Memphis.  The office is currently located at 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103.  The website is located at www.tri-statedefenderonline.com. Bernal Smith II is president and publisher.  Phyllis Fickling is general manager.

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Florence M. Howard
SSCOMM, Inc.
Event Planning, Public Relations, Marketing and Training
P.O. Box 753897
Memphis, TN 38175-3897
www.sscommpr.com
901.827.0836 (mobile)
fhsecretshop@prodigy.net

With the end of summer drawing near, many bright-eyed and bushy tailed freshmen are headed off to college. Whether a student travels to a school miles away of the one located right across town, all should be mindful of the dangers that may be awaiting them.

Most students should be concerned about making the grade, getting their hands on some much needed extra cash, or perhaps which parties to attend. But in many cases students are oblivious to the hazards that are found on college campuses.

According to a national survey on sexual violence on college campuses, 1 in 4 college students is a victim of rape or attempted rape. A whopping 85% of campus rapes are committed by acquaintances. Yet, on about 5% of college women who were raped report the incident to authorities or seek counseling. The same study revealed that in the case of gang rapes, alcohol was a factor 100% of the time.

College should be a great experience filled with memories that make us smile years later. As you enter into the next chapter of life be sure to practice campus safety. Developing a covenant with trusted friends who will pull you out of harmful situations, avoiding alcohol, and stay in groups or pairs are just a few of the things that can help you stay safe.

 Do Well!

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 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ⁰but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15:25-32, NASB)

Most of us are familiar with the parable of the lost son. We know of his request to receive his portion of the inheritance he would have later received from his father. We have heard of the riotous living that resulted in his destitution and are familiar with his restoration. But I want to focus on the older son that continued to work in his father’s house; the one who never left his father’s side.

As believers in Christ we are a family that is identified by the love that we show one to another. In fact, the foundation for Christianity is the love that the Father had for us while we were yet sinners. To the point where He was willing to sacrifice one for the sake of those who were of themselves incapable of loving Jesus let alone others with an agape love. We were separated, dirty, destitute, dead, and destined to spend eternity in hell. But love found us and received us in our most unworthy state.

In the above passage we see the actions of a son; the eldest in the house. He would be the son who stood to gain the most when it came to his father’s wealth. According to the traditions in that day and culture, the oldest son would receive a double portion of his father’s substance. He would be the next in line to be the head of the family should his father pass. He was the one who had some degree of responsibility to the younger siblings as well.  To sum it up in a word, he had favor.

When the younger son foolishly demanded his portion and wasted it while living in a strange land this meant that he was dead to his father.  As requested the son had received his portion and soon move away thus severing his relationship with the family. He was own his on.

Imagine if your son or brother that you love dearly were to demand money and then move away abruptly. Not only does he leave, but you have no idea where he is or how he is doing.  For all you know, he is dead.  Consider the countless families who deal with the pain of wondering where a runaway child may be or what danger this loved one may face. Can you imagine the emptiness in a father’s heart whose son has left him?  Naturally when this man’s son returned home the father was understandably rejoicing. This was cause for celebration. However, all were not rejoicing. The older son was indignant, jealous and unwilling to join in with the celebration in honor of his brother’s return. Instead of welcoming his brother and being grateful that he is alive, the eldest son voices his dislike that the father has thrown a feast and restored his brother.

How often are we as believers unwilling to rejoice when one of the Lord’s children comes back home? In many ways we can be just like indignant children. When it comes to self, we bask in the Lord’s mercy but when it pertains to others we drag up the law. We, like the oldest son, don’t welcome the prodigal saint with love. But rather focus on self and attempt to bring to light how hard we’ve been working in the church or how faithful we have been. We gripe when the Lord restores the person and blesses them. We approach them with folded arms and hardened hearts.

We neglect to love and receive them as the family member they are. We focus on their sin, throwing their past up in their faces rather than rejoicing that they had the courage to come back home. We don’t consider the hard decision the person had to make to return. We don’t think about the state of brokenness the person may be in and the need to be accepted and love back into the fold. Most of all we forget about our own experiences and how the Father received us time after time when we had fallen.

It is no accident that Jesus places more emphasis on the love of the father than the sin of the younger son. Neither is it any coincidence that the Lord takes the time to show the actions of the oldest son. It is a needful reminder that God delights in the return of all who have fallen by the way. Regardless of the sin, the love of God can restore those who repent.  The problem isn’t so much with the one who sinned and left the father’s side as it is with the son who continued to work in his father’s house. His works were not because of love but out of duty. His love was not for his family but he was concerned with self.  

How often do we treat those who have been out of fellowship as second class Christians?  If we are truly the Father’s children we should rejoice with heaven whenever a son returns to the Father’s house.

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

We should follow suit and rejoice as well.

index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=60124092

We are excited to announce the new High Calling with Christy Poindexter show.  If you are in the Memphis and Mid-South area we invite you to tune in to GoodNews23-Cable/Satellite Channel 14 for High Calling with Christy. 

Join Christy as she discusses some of the challenges of life and teaches biblical principles. It’s open, honest, relevant and fun. Enjoy a fresh look at the Word. Christy inspires and challenges viewers with practical teaching.

Be sure to watch High Calling, Thursdays @ 3:30pm CST on GoodNews 23 (Channel 14-Memphis).

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“Our goal is to raise the banner for those who have survived sexual abuse and offer programs that assist women in the healing process. One of our goals is to reach into the Black Community as women who have been molested or abuse within this ethnic group are less likely to seek the much needed support and care required for healing. I believe we are a nation of wounded people says, Christy Poindexter, founder of the organization. All too often I hear stories of those who endured the pain of child molestation, date rape, and other sex crimes but yet remained silent. This simply cannot continue if we as women; as a people hope to maintain healthy families and communities.”

February 20, 2010

Real Talk Fellowship

4:00

February 27, 2010

Community Forum on Sexual Abuse

“Speak Out”

Cordova Community Center

1:00-2:30pm

 March 27. 2010

Real Talk Fellowship

April 02, 2010

Anointed Temple of Praise

Last Seven Words of Christ

12:00 noon

April 17, 2010

Annual High Calling for Women

Teal Gala

National Civil Rights Museum

May 21, 2010

Woman 2 Woman Conference

Hyatt Place Hotel

9161 Winchester road

Germantown, TN

 7:00 pm

May 30. 2010

Chief Corner Stone Church

4255 Overton Crossing

Memphis, TN 38217

11:00 am

June 6, 2010

Mt. Esteem

11:30 Am

2818 Coleman

Memphis, TN

June 11-13, 2010

NAWIM Retrear

Hot Springs, AR

 June 18-21, 2010

Tabernacle M.B. Church

Osceola, AR

August 1-4, 2010

Chief Corner Stone Church Revival

3255 Overton Crossing

Memphis, TN 38127

August 23-31, 2010

Mission Trip to Kenya

Missing and Abandoned Children
Saving Our Children
www.savingourchildren.bravehost.com
Missing Children
www.Missingkids.com
Project Safe Children
http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/
Polly Klaas Foundation
http://www.pollyklaas.org/yourchild/
Amber Alert
http://www.amberalert.gov/ 

Women’s Health
Women Heart.org
http://www.womenheart.org/
Women’s Heart Foundation
http://www.womensheartfoundation.org/
Heart Healthy Women
http://www.hearthealthywomen.org/ 

Breast Cancer
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
http://www.bcrfcure.org/
National Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
National Race for the Cure
http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/

Mental and Emotional Health
Post Partum  Depression
http://www.postpartum.net
Women’s Health.gov
http://4women.gov/mh/

Family
Christian Mom
http://www.christianmom.com/
Christian Mommies
http://www.christian-mommies.com/
Momscape
http://www.momscape.com/
Family Life
http://www.familylife.com/
Focus on the Family
http://www.family.org/

Substance Abuse
Grace House of Memphis
http://www.gracehousememphis.org/