vision

I’M

INSPIRATIONAL MOMENTS

MAGAZINE

January—March 2011

Habakkuk 2:2-3 ...Write the vision, and make it plain...

START YOUR

NEW YEAR W

ITH

A VISION! Molly’s House

A Bible Based Life Coaching Center

Stories That Inspire

(Read About The Vision )

To Order Call 404.667.6812

Dear Reader,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We have reached the

start of a new year. This is the time when so many

people throughout the United States decide to make

changes and/or start something new. Many others

are opposed to using the start of a new year to

make a change. I agree that change shouldn’t have

to wait until a new year starts; however, if the new

year is when you decide that now is the time for

change in your life, then NOW IS THE TIME!

Life has a way of passing by taking your

dreams and hopes along with it. Year after year

some of us say we won’t be or will be in a certain

place a year from now. The truth is that somehow

throughout the year things happen, and we find

ourselves back where we started, further behind

where we were, or only a little progress has been

made.

At some point, we each have to shut our

eyes to the things that are obstructing us from our

goals and start living our dreams. Why not let the

start of this year be your turning point?

Here at I’M Magazine we publish stories with

the purpose of inspiring you to achieve your inner

most divine desires. In this issue you will find sto-

ries written to do just that.

Read on and be inspired!

Jennifer M. Hudson

Publisher

Staff

Editor

Sabrina Smith

Publisher

Jennifer M. Hudson

Senior Writer

JT. Hud

Contributing Writers

Chelle Davis

Lauren Ellis

Dana Walton Cobb

Donnis Calhoun

Web Address: www.comegetinspired.com

P.O.Box 366092

Atlanta, Georgia 30336

I’M Magazine

On the Cover

Sketch Of Molly’s House

Tab

le o

f Con

tent

s

Molly’s House (cover story) Page 4

Time To Make My Move Page 7

Happy New Year Page 10

Be Strong and Courageous Page 11

The Endurance of Kenya Page 13

Editorial Page 17

Publisher’s Note Page 18

Who Has Been Inspired Page 19

Inspirational Moments Magazine


Molly’s House A Life Coaching Center for Christian Women

Featuring Debbie’s Den

Temporary Shelter for Women in Transition

This is a picture of the house that will one day be called “Molly’s House”. In the

following article, you will read about the vision behind Molly’s House. If you

would like more information about Molly’s House please contact I’M Magazine.

Now My Eyes Are Open...VISION By JT Hud

Habakkuk 2 ²And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run

that readeth it. ³For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry,

wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Vision causes you to see even when the thing you envision does not yet exist. A

blind Helen Keller once compared vision (an inner knowing) with sight (the ability to use your eyes to see images). She noted that you can have sight with no vision and vision with no sight.

Molly’s House is a vision of mine. As I went through life hearing about everyone else’s vision, I

often wondered what was I going to become. As a child, I never had a desire to be a doctor,

lawyer or a CEO of a company. All I thought of was being an adult until one day I became

one. It was at that point that I began to ask myself, “What am I supposed to do with my life?”

The answer to that question did not come right away. At the time I asked myself that ques-

tion I was about 28 years old. It wasn’t until I decided to dedicate my life to living for Christ

that I began to know the answer to the question. God sent an angel into my life who caused

me to dream.

The answer was “Molly’s House”. All my life I found myself helping others reach their

goals because I didn’t have any of my own . When I was in the second grade, many of my

peers in the third grade were retained. This bothered me. As a result, I had a private sum-

mer school in my backyard for some of my neighbors. Later, when a close friend was not suc-

cessful in junior high, I rushed to her rescue to help her avoid being retained. Without being

overbearing or causing her to feel embarrassed, once again, I snuck in some tutoring. Several

years later when visiting a teacher from that junior high school, the teacher reminded me of

my concern for that friend and others. Then there is the time when I gave money to a strug-

gling mother and had to be reminded by that mother years later that the act had even taken

place.

There are so many stories just like those in my life. I had not realized that I had a spe-

cial gift of compassion until I met Molly Stubbs; an angel. Molly was a drug and alcohol abuse

councelor who had been an assistant pastor for over 22

years with a heart of gold. A friend introduced us though

a Saturday bible study that Molly and her husband ran.

Once I started attending the Bible study, I structured my

life around it. I wouldn’t even travel on the weekend until

after 1:00 pm when our one hour meetings were over.

After one year, Molly and her husband became

pastors by starting a church, and I was one of the first

members. Pastor Molly and I had a special bond. Pastor

Molly taught me how to live a selfless life full of faith and Pastor Molly Stubbs



a confidant. So when Pastor Molly died after a tenacious battle with cancer, I was devastated.

To avoid the disappointment of Pastor Molly’s death or blaming God, I threw myself into min-

istry, but I still lacked a vision. In the mist of my avoidance, I was given a vision by God to

start Molly’s House, a Bible Based Life Coaching Center in Pastor Molly’s honor. This did not

happen right away.

It was over ten years ago when I left Florida to escape the pain of Pastor Molly’s death.

When I left Florida, I had no vision. All I knew was that something in my life had to change! I

knew that I should be apart of a support group for women. As I reflect on my journey, I re-

member that I struck out from Florida with my heart and mind set to instantly achieve a

dream that I had no vision for. Soon, I discovered that it’s a

process to reach your dream. Along the way, some things

happened and there were some bumps in the road. Immedi-

ately upon arriving in Atlanta, I united myself with a support

group for women. I tried to make the group into the percep-

tion that was inside of me of what a support group should be, but I learned that you can’t ob-tain a dream without first writing out the vision. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 29:18 that

where there is no vision the people parish (cast off restrains). So, I left the group and

searched my heart to define my vision. That is when Habakkuk 2 : 2-3 came alive for me. I

made the search for “Why am I here” a matter of prayer, fasting and consecration. After

looking within and examining my life, it was revealed to me that my relationship with Pastor

Molly and my compassion to see others reach their goals combined together outlines my pur-

pose. I then wrote out the vision for a bible-based life coaching group for women. It was a

few years ago that I found a picture to accompany the vision. Now, I have a picture and a

written detailed vision for what was once a distorted dream of my heart.

So what am I doing about the vision? Currently, I am coaching a group of women, and

I speak to groups about never letting go of their vision. Day by day, I am living my vision. The

life coaching center has become my drive. The center will have meeting rooms for small

groups to meet. It will be fully staffed with life coaches, therapists, and operational staff. Be-

sides life coaching, the center will provide referrals and limited resources to the group partici-

pants as well as temporary affordable housing for working women in transition who would not

qualify for traditional transitional housing due to their income. The center will host frequent

social events to raise money for operating , social services and scholarships.

If you would like to become a supporter of Molly’s House contact:

Molly’s House P.O. Box 366092

Atlanta, Georgia 30336

404.667.6812

“Something in my life had to change!”

Time to Make My Move! By Dana Walton Cobb

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in situations that we may

not understand. Knowing that everything is a part of God’s divine

plan, we should already know that He has a reason for placing us in

these situations. Even in the midst of a storm, God is still God. It is in

the midst of these storms where we hold onto our faith and become

stronger individuals. The important thing to remember is that God is

with us through it all- regardless of whether the seas are rocky or

calm. Many praise him when they are “blessed” with a new car, home,

or job. They praise God when they realize there will be enough

money this month to pay the bills. Well, what about the times when

there isn’t enough money or food? It is during those times that we

must also praise him. Those are the times where we learn to hold

onto our faith and weather the storm.

In marriage, the same is true. When the marriage is going

well, the bills are being paid, and there is harmony in the household,

everyone is happy. However, there are times during that marriage

where the situation is dim, and there is friction. What happens during

those times? Does a couple decide not to continue fighting and just

give up, or do they hunker down, face the devil head on and prepare

for a fight? Unfortunately, too many times, couples simply give in to

the devil and allow their marriages to be destroyed. The couple re-

fuses to look past the current situation and find a solution that will

bring peace, harmony, and longevity.

I truly believe that “all is fair in love and war.” I have tried to

live my life so that there will be no regrets. When things go wrong, I

try not to dwell on whether or not I could have done something dif-

ferently. When a relationship comes to an end, in my eyes, it is truly

over, because I have done all that I can do, and there are no regrets.

This is true of my marriage. I believe that God showed me warning

signs along the way, and I chose to ignore them. I went above and be-

yond the call of duty as a wife many times just to make sure that my

family was taken care of. When my husband felt the need to hang out

all night with his friends, and come home when the sun was coming up,

I hung in there. When my husband had dreams of going back to

school, I supported him: not only emotionally, but also financially-

both times. I never once complained because I knew that this was for

the advancement of our family. Now, when it came to him belittling

his own son, I knew it was time to let go. How can a person treat his

own flesh and blood as if he is nothing, and act as if it’s the child’s fault?

For the sake of my son, I knew it was time to leave that situation

alone. I could not allow my child to be treated as if he was not the

wonderful gift that I had been blessed with.



As if this was not enough, there were the disagreements and the back and forth “I love you, I love you

not” episodes. When he needed something, he was so loving. Most times, he was just plain miserable,

and being around him made everyone else in the house miserable- even the dog. It is amazing how a

person needs you so much when they are down, but as soon as their situation begins to look better,

they find themselves with a different perspective of the relationship, and can make so many excuses

about why they are not happy.

Had I been a person who actually dwelt on the possible pain that might accompany an ending

marriage and looming divorce, I might become a bitter person. Had I not been the educated, inde-

pendent woman that I am, I might cry when questions arise in my mind as to why it just didn’t work

out. Had my parents not raised me to be a strong black woman, I might actually be sad and devastated

that my marriage is ending. I am neither. Thank God that I am the type of woman who believes that

things happen because they are supposed to, and that everything happens according to God’s divine

plan. Because of this, when I think about the fact that my marriage is over, I kind of smile a bit. I smile

because I am excited about the possibility of living my life the way it is meant to be lived- in a state of

happiness. God does not mean for his children to be unhappy or in a situation that is not good for

them. God has given me the ability to be a provider as well as a nurturer. Making the transition from

wife to head of household will not be a difficult one because that is the role that I played throughout

my entire marriage.

Recently in church, the minister spoke about how God sometimes takes things or people from

our lives in order for us to make our move. The minister compared our lives to a game of chess and

spoke about the strategy that goes into playing a successful game of chess. One player makes a move,

and then he has to sit back, watch the board, and wait on the other player to make his move. Life is

the same way. It takes a lot of skill to make wise decisions that we can be proud of. I don’t look at my

marriage as a failure at all. I take it as another life experience that I learned from. I have a testimony

that I can share with others who may find themselves in a similar situation. I refuse to live my life being

unhappy, and I have truly been unhappy the majority of the time I have been married. My focus now is

on my son and myself. I am enjoying every day of my newfound-freedom, and I am making my move!

Who Knows Where Your New Journey Will Lead You


Broward County Florida’s 2010 Principal and Assistant Principal

Vicki Brown Flournoy

2010 Broward County Schools

Assistant Principal of the Year

Vicki Brown Flournoy is one of the most

loving and caring people in education. Vickie is mild

mannered, yet direct and accretive at the same time.

She is very articulate and well-grounded in her faith.

Besides being a full-time employee of the Broward

School System, a wife, and a mother of two, she is

also a minister at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Fort

Lauderdale, Florida. Regardless of her tight schedule,

she balances her responsibilities and spends quality

time on each of them.

Broward Schools says, “Vicki is a remarkable

Assistant Principal who inspires students and staff on a

daily basis with her dedication, positive attitude and

untouchable work ethic. Her sensitivity to the needs

of staff, students and parents is always apparent. She

works closely with the community and has a great

relationship with the parents at Lauderdale Manors

Elementary School (her former school).”

Also a graduate of Bethune-Cookman Uni-

versity and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Incorporated, she is currently the principal of Rock

Island Elementary. She credits her success to her care

and concern for the children and her desire to make a

difference in their lives. She is truly an inspiration.

James Griffin

2010 Broward County Schools

Principal of the Year

James Griffin has always been innovative and

adventurous. When James started his career in edu-

cation, he was often misunderstood by his co-workers

when he would come up with witty ideas like his tuto-

rial business that he ran out of his van called “Bou-

Bou and Boukie”. Ironically, it was that same cutting

edge philosophy that landed him the title of Principal

of the Year for Broward County Schools in Florida., as

well as one of the three finalists for the state of Flor-

ida’s Top Principal Achievement Award.

Broward Schools credits James with, “setting

a standard of high expectations to create positive

change in the teaching and learning culture of Rock

Island Elementary (his former school). They go on to

say, “He uses educational equipment and ground-

breaking methodologies to provide students the best

learning experience possible.”

A graduate of Bethune-Cookman University

and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity Incor-

porated, he is currently the principal of Lauderlakes

Middle School in Broward County. He credits his

success to staying focused on meeting the needs of

those who don’t fall within the norm.

James entered the field of education with a

determination to succeed. He is truly an inspiration.


Happy New Year! Just to make it

to another year is a blessing! With a new

year comes new hope, new dreams, new

relationships, and new opportunities.

While we are on new opportunities, let

me tell you about one I

received unexpectedly. I

have been praying for

GOD to give me some di-

rection because I am in the

“process of reinvention.” I

have worn many hats in

the past, but none of those

hats match my new ward-

robe. So, I am in need of a new hat. I love to write. As

long as it is creative, I love

it. I’ve been writing songs,

poetry, and short stories

as long as I can remember.

I had a parent-

teacher conference one

afternoon, and I had no

idea that who I was going

to see, would drop an op-

portunity in my lap that

would give me my first

new hat. I walked into my daughter’s third-

grade classroom to discuss how she was

doing in the class. After the discussion was

just about over, the teacher explained that

she had just started a new inspirational

magazine. She wanted to interview me for

the magazine. The teacher said that though

she’s my daughter’s math teacher, she had

always felt “drawn” to the literary world. I

told her that I had that very same

“attraction” to the literary world as well.

Then, the teacher said rather than inter-

view me, why don’t I write the story? She

was looking for writers for her “fledgling”

magazine and “challenged”

me with the opportunity.

I just sat

there…..stunned. GOD

makes moves JUST LIKE

THAT!!!! Now, all of a

sudden, I’m a writer.

Again, I am amazed by

GOD. I am grateful and

thankful to HIM and to the woman who allowed her-

self to be used by GOD at

that time to change my

life. I am challenged to be

better and give more with

each word. This opportu-

nity took me into the new

year. It gives me hope and

the confidence to keep

dreaming BIGGER dreams

for myself. Only GOD

knows all that I am and all

that HE will bless me to become.

Oprah Winfrey said, “GOD

dreams bigger dreams for us than we can

dream for ourselves.” It’s a new year!

Keep dreaming, keep hoping, and keep

blessing. Thank you, Jennifer M. Hudson,

for blessing me with an awesome opportu-

nity. May GOD bless you the way you

bless others.

Happy New Year! By Chelle Davis


BE STRONG AND OF

GOOD COURAGE By Donnis Calhoun

www.donniscalhounministries.org.

These three words have been ringing in my spirit for some-

time. Struggle, Transition and Momentum. In the first chap-

ter of Joshua, we find that Moses is dead and God is looking

to Joshua to lead. The first instruction Joshua receives is

“arise, go over” the NIV version says “get ready to cross”.

Have you been feeling a stirring in your spirit to advance, to

move forward with your assignment(s)? No matter how

hard the struggle, God has not and will not allow you to

abort your purpose; others are tied to your obedience.

A season of new authority is upon us. Moses was a good

leader; God trusted him with the people and with revela-

tion of who He was. Moses was privileged to enter a glory

realm that others wasn’t. When he came out, he was able

to pen the creation accounts and much more. I’m sure all

that Moses was, was weighing on Joshua. It was time for

Joshua to walk in another phase of his faith. Joshua’s strug-

gle wasn’t that he didn’t know what to do; his struggle was-

n’t how to do it. He served Moses, he followed Moses and

he learned from Moses. I have found that the weight of the

responsibility sometimes is over whelming, but I know for

sure that it is God’s enabling power I must depend on. I

have also said and heard others say I really don’t want to step out and shame God like other leaders have. The

bottom line is this, God knows the path each one of us will take, and just because others made a wrong turn

doesn’t mean that we will. And if we do totally mess up, get up, repent and surrender your gift and purpose to

God, I had to do it; it produced maturity and growth within me that I can not regret.

God told Joshua in verse 3, everywhere your foot treads. He was assuring Joshua it is you that must walk out

your own purpose. Yes, some may struggle with sin and that keeps them bound, but there are others whose

struggle is different; your cry is God can I really do this, God what will the people say, God I know what to do,

but how am I going to do it. God told Joshua to arise, go over Jordan. Get up, cross over. Are you up? I see

some of you have your stuff together, the vision is already laid out; the play is written, the book is written, you

already have envisioned your own office with employees, your blue print is already drawn up. Some one keeps

driving by the building where your school will be. What is your Jordan? Really take time to search your heart,

what is your Jordan? Jordan is that obstacle that is between your promise and you. Some people are afraid of

failure. God told Joshua I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

Faith Activation: Right now declare, today the struggle is over; I am crossing over. I’m crossing over the bar-

rier of fear, I’m crossing over the barrier of people bondage, I’m crossing over the barrier people owe me some-

thing. You know your Jordan; declare I’m crossing over it!

Donnis Calhoun


Let me add this, Joshua was passionate about the promises of God for him and the people of God. It was Caleb

and he who stood alone and said “we are well able”. Now, here it is the others of that generation of people who

weren’t passionate, who didn’t trust God are gone, and a new generation of people have been birthed, ready to

walk in the fullness of God. Some people struggle because of a lack of passion, because they don't know their

true purpose, and they are trying to move in something they are not passionate about, because they trusted the

voice of man and not the voice God.

Transition can be a struggle. People can die in transition if they don’t trust God. Two times God told Joshua be

strong and of good courage, one time he said be strong and very courageous. Joshua needed to be strong and

maintain his foundation. When things get tight, we cant’ come up with what we think is a better way. We must

stay in the word and obey the word at all cost. Others may prosper seemingly by doing whatever, but the chosen

can’t and will not get by, living and moving without God. Asaph wrote in Psalms 73 (read entire chapter), my feet

came close to stumbling when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. It may appear easy for the wicked, but their

end will not be a pleasant one.

It is in the process of transition that we find out what we are really made of. We can’t faint in transition. Every-

body may not agree with your message, but you can’t keep preaching “God knows…” just because somebody

doesn’t like it when you preach Divine Order; and without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Dare to follow

the word of God at all cost. In Genesis 19, God purposed to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and the people

within the city. Abraham interceded, and God listened and the angels went to spare Lot and his family. The plan

was to get them safely out of the city before destruction hit. In the midst of the transition, Lot’s wife looked

back. She died in transition, she didn’t get a chance to go back, nor did she get a chance to get it together and

move forward. This can not be our story. We have already declared the struggle is over; I’m crossing over.

Faith Activation: Let’s declare now, I will not die in transit to my next place in God; I will be strong, I will be

confident, I will be courageous, and I will be vigorous in my pursuit of God’s divine will for my life. Amen, Amen!

We should not crossover into 2011 without allowing God to bring our lives into order. Whatever needs to go,

let it go. You may have an Achan in your camp; that spirit of disobedience, covetousness and mischief must die,

for it will kill your momentum. There are people that believe in you; once Joshua decided to advance, the people

encouraged him and told him as God had, to be strong and of good courage. Start moving; this year is not over

and with every step, you are gaining momentum. Your Jordan will part only after your foot is on it. Advance, and

again, I say, Advance.

Be strong and of good courage my brother and my sister!


The Endurance of Kenya by Lauren Ellis

Many are aware of the prowess of the Kenyan endurance runners on the inter-national track and field scene. These athletes have dominated long-distance running in recent years. In an April, 2006 article entitled, “Demographic Characteristics of Elite Kenyan Endurance Runners,” in the Journal of Sports Sciences, the authors offer sev-eral explanations for the Kenyans’ success. First, a vast majority of these international athletes (81% of those studied) came from the Rift Valley province in Kenya. Second, most of them belonged to the Kalenjin ethnic group, and the Nandi sub-tribe, and spoke languages of Nilotic origin. Finally, most of these world-class athletes (again 81%) ran to school each day and covered greater distances while doing so. Thus, loca-tion, social relationships, and willingness to work hard for a goal contributed to the outstanding accomplishments of the Kenyan endurance runners.

These same factors may help in becoming an accomplished person of faith. In-deed, location can serve us well. In the Hebrew Bible, certain places held special sig-nificance in the Israelites’ connection with Yahweh, their God. Places like Mount Sinai, Shechem, Bethel, and the Jerusalem Temple come to mind. In the New Testament special, faith-promoting places included the Sea of Galilee, the olive grove called Geth-semane, and Golgotha or Calvary, and the upper room in Jerusalem where the remain-ing 120 followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit. Places can matter when it comes to


developing faith – around the dinner table, where prayer is said; at a lake, river or pond, where serious contemplation occurs; and, of course, in the church building, where the songs of faith are sung, the prayers of the righteous go forth, and the word of God is proclaimed. In keeping with this claim, Psalm 84:10 says, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to live in the tents of wickedness.” Location can help us succeed in our faith.

This fact is also true of our relationships and interpersonal connections. It is so important that people of faith interact with one another. And the character of this in-teraction is love. This, John records Jesus as saying to his closest followers: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” In the same spirit, the author of Hebrews 10 says to a group of believers, “…let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…” Believers strengthen one another as they interact with one another in ac-cordance with the will of God.

Lastly, a willingness to work hard for a goal helps in the formation of strong faith. Jesus’ call to any who would become his disciple includes denying self, taking up a cross, and following him – this is hard work. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Gala-tians saying, “Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.” The author of the Letter of James opened his correspondence with this admonishment: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, con-sider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces en-durance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and com-plete, lacking in nothing.” And employing a long-distance runner’s metaphor, the au-thor of Hebrews urges, “…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

We gain strength in our faith by staying in the right place, associating with the right people, and working hard toward the right goal.

Thank you, Kenyan endurance runners.


METRO ATLANTA CHRISTIANS:

The World Has Theirs... Now We Have Ours!

The purpose of Sinless In The City is to provide Christians with a social event for busi-

ness networking, fellowshipping and a place to meet other Christians outside of your

church. We will be providing you the Best in Live Performances, Clean Comedy, Inspi-

rational and Gospel Music.

Please support this event and encourage others to fellowship with us by sharing our

website with your family and friends. www.sinlessinthecity.com

January 7, 2011 @ The Daily Bread Cafe/Room 842 840 Marietta Street

Atlanta GA 30318

Din- ner

Party Be-

gins -

8PM

Per-

Sinless in the City is a party destination for Christians Every 1st Fri-

day featuring:

Live performances by Award-Winning Gospel Recording Artists

Sinless In The City 1st Fridays is about to forever change the Atlanta

Christian Entertainment Scene. Forget what you thought you knew, Sinless In

The City is set to dispel the myths, perceptions and attitudes about how Chris-

tians celebrate.

DJ Mr. Watkins (Deitrick Haddon's Award Winning Tour DJ) Spinning

Old School & Hip-Hop Beats infused with Gospel Lyrics!

Happy Power Hour: 8pm featuring Professional Networking, Full

Dinner Menu and Live Jazz Entertainment.

To Celebrate Your Birthday or be a Vendor, inquire at sinlessinthe-

[email protected]!

C Chandon Carter, Founder

Go to www.sinlessinthecity.com for each month’s venue

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Hoste

d b

y

“CO”

Co-Pastor Debbie Armstrong

Located at

3375 Roosevelt Hwy

Red Oak (Atlanta), GA 30349

404-763-0898

FEATURING: Ant’ s Corner Xbox Competition • Deb’ s Place Lounge

Area • Taste of the Ville Bar (Virgin Mixed Drinks)• Chi’ Town’ s Grill


2011: Active or Passive, That is the Question This is the day that the Lord has made; no matter what, I shall lift my voice and rejoice! Sometimes, eas-

ier said than done, right? Each year, I get more confirmations that God has given me the ability to be in control of

my destiny. Like many, at the onset of the New Year, I set long and short-term improvement goals relative to fi-

nances, health, spirituality, relationships and leisure. In like manner, I ‗talk‘ about making ―it‖ happen…, but find

myself passively sitting waiting on God to do his thing, ignoring the fact that God, the good patient Father, many

times is waiting on me – to act. See, He intervenes supernaturally to do what I cannot do in the natural, so in 2011,

when people of the world are casting their worries on the uncertainties of the stock market, employment, health-

care, Hollywood, or just gossip around the water cooler, WE the believers, shall cast our cares upon the Lord (1

Peter 5:7 and Matthew 6: 34), and make it happen! Why, because as children of the Almighty, we can!

As I speak with friends and relatives, better finances is a common thread weaving through most people‘s

needs. With unemployment being at an all-time high since the Great Depression and furloughs and foreclosures on

the rise, I must hold on to my faith in the Word, for in many cases, it is all that I have. Ironically true, many believ-

ers are spiritually healthy until a trial surfaces in their lives and without thinking, they speak the negative about

their situation opposed to confessing the Word that has been imbedded in them—in preparation for financial situa-

tions like the ones YOU are experiencing right now. Yes, there are believers who are weathering money storms,

today! But I have found in my time of need, when I held on to my faith in the Word and actively pressed forward,

joy really did come in the morning; I bear witness that this is not just cliché‘, for my ―God shall supply all of my

needs according to His riches and Glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). What will you do differently to im-

prove your finances in 2011?

Another priority for this new season is our healthy lifestyle. How many times have we invested in a gym

membership but rarely used it? Guilty! I admit it has been two months and counting since I have been to the gym;

and even worse, I have P90X exercise DVDs that are accumulating dust. For an African-American woman over

40 who has a family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, I must consistently re-

spond to the writing on the wall to reverse this downward spiral of ill-health, for ―my body is the temple and I

shall not defile it‖ (1Corinthians 3: 16-17). With Thanksgiving and Christmas breakfasts, brunches, lunches, din-

ners, snacks, parties and next-day carryovers having just past, I won‘t inflict a guilty conscience about allllll of

those yummy calories; instead, in 2011, we must not waver in exercising 30-40 minutes at least three times a week

as we transition to a eating five to six balanced mini-meals by 7:30 P.M.; we must try something different. With

the majority of diseases drastically affecting people of color, we must also get annual check-ups, especially our

men. After having lost four aunts to some form of cancer and two aunts to kidney failure, I have rededicated se-

curing my body against any diseases. Equally important, I would be remiss in addressing good health as if it only

encompasses the physical; with the depressants of everyday society, there is an emergent need for emotional bal-

ance as well. One in every four people deals with some form of mental/emotional challenge, so we must actively

choose not to worry (again, easier said than done), especially about situations that are beyond our control, keeping

in mind that ―the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but God came so that we may have life and have it more

abundantly (John 10:10). When we allow satan to make the mind a battlefield, we must speak out against negative

thoughts; praise God, pray, read our Word, get counseling, and surround ourselves with people whom we can

really ‗touch and agree with‘ so that demon flees. The scriptures tell us to meet together as one and encourage each

other (Hebrew 10:25), thus, building our faith, ―for Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of

God‖ (Roman10:7). We must go to church!

If I want to get to heaven, I am going to actively build my relationship with Jesus in 2011.

Then, there are other relationships, we can‘t live with them, can‘t live without them. Whether it be with friends,

Continued on page 19


IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU...Let me tell you the story behind I’M

Magazine. This magazine started as a result of divine inspiration. Several years ago, I started

a vision book. The vision book is a collection of goals and desires of my heart. Included in

the vision book are pictures and statements about the pictures to help me keep a visual pic-

ture of what I am desiring.

When I began the book, there were some things that were very clear to me like the

type of family I desired, the type of income that would meet my needs and the type of car I

wanted to drive. All of those things are temporal and were based on my current situation at

that time. However, there were some things that I included in the vision book that were not

as clear to me. I wrote them down, but they seemed so unattainable at the time. One of

those desires was to publish a magazine.

The instructions that I received for making my vision book was to find a picture of

someone doing what I want to do and replace that person’s picture with my own picture.

The goal was not to become that person, but to use that person as a living example that it

could be done. Also, I was to make other changes to the picture to personalize it to my

specified dream or vision. So I chose “O Magazine”. I replaced Oprah’s face with my face

and the “O” with a “J”. It wasn’t until years later that I changed that “J” to “I’M”.

One of my friends from college, Mechelle Spencer Davis, passed away as a result of

cancer. After I returned from her homegoing service, I felt that I had to start living my

dreams. I started taking action and doing what I could to make sure I was changing the fac-

tors in my life that I could change. I woke up early one Saturday morning and right after

praying went straight to my computer. I googled information on how to start a magazine. In

my search I ran across MagCloud, an online resource for publishing your own magazine. The

steps were simple, and it was all free! My first story was about Mechelle and her fight with

cancer. Friends, co-workers and family were solicited to write, contribute stories and edit.

Now three issues later, “I’M” Magazine is in circulation. Many people find encourage-

ment and inspiration from the stories that are written in the magazine, including myself.

Once you are inspired, it is up to you to keep moving forward. Every road leads somewhere.

You will never know unless you try. And if at first you do not succeed, TRY, TRY AND TRY

AGAIN! That thing that you admire in someone else could happen to and for you! It is all

about believing and having faith. If Christ lives in you, nothing for the good of the Kingdom

shall be impossible!

PUBLISHER’S NOTE


Inspirational Moments

Dr. Donna Austin of Jonesboro,

Georgia was inspired by the story

“Saving Money Just Makes Cents” in

our last issue. Donna used to avoid

clipping coupons until she read the

article. After reading the article, she

committed to using coupons. She

was also inspired by the presentation

of the ads. Look for an ad from

Donna in I’M Magazine in the near

future.

Orlon Hall has been inspired by I’M

Magazine to start his own magazine.

He plans to spotlight some of the

unique models from the Atlanta area

in his new magazine. He will present

a very tasteful photographic magazine

that will expose the world to some

under exposed models. Be on the

look out for his new magazine.

Lauren Ellis, one of our writers,

caught the inspiration bug from I’M

Magazine and had her Talented and

Gifted students publish their own

magazine. Her students are very

excited about this opportunity. So

not only was Lauren inspired, but she

spread her inspiration to others.

Who knows, maybe one of her stu-

dents will go on to become a pub-

lisher one day!

A reader of I’M Magazine, found

inspiration through her relationship

with the magazine. She will be one of

the members of a life coaching sup-

port group that is a part of Inspira-

tional Moments. If you’d like more

information log on to

www.comegetinspired.com.

New Beginnings Life Coaching

(Women’s Bible based support group)

Who Has Been Inspired?

www.comegetinspired.com

(continued from page 17)

co-workers, family, spouses or mates, when ‗self‘ is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually whole, we

can now recognize and end toxic bonds, which allow us to usher in new healthy acquaintances that foster effec-

tive communication, consideration, consistency, chemistry, compromise, and celebration. Yes, you deserve to be

celebrated with love! Sometimes, I wonder if people even know what love is. Do you know what love is? Well let

me tell you: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not

self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with

the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails (1Corinthians

13:4-8) As we build relationships with others in 2011, we must no only keep God‘s definition of love in mind, but

do it. Be patient when you feel like giving up, do kind acts for someone who is not our favorite person, compliment

others instead of boasting about yourself. Remember, actions, not talk, speak louder than words.

Whether it is your finances, health, spirituality, relationships or leisurely enjoyment, do not continue to just

passively sit and talk about what you want and need in life. Do something positive, new and improved, to not only

get something better and different, but to get what you deserve. Keep in mind that ―where there is no vision, the

people perish (Proverbs 29:18). After you have sought God‘s guidance, write your vision out and take the neces-

sary steps to actively ―make it happen!‖ Why, because you can in 2011! HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

We would like to hear from you! Tell your story about your vi-

sion. If you have a vision write to us and tell us. We want to share your story with others. If

you have a story to tell that will inspire others, we want to hear from you too. Also, if you

have been inspired by a story that you have read in our magazine, then let us know.

I’M Magazine

P.O. Box 366092

Atlanta, GA 30336

www.comegetinspired.com

Prepared by MagCloud for Jennifer M. Hudson. Get more at inspirationalmoments.magcloud.com.

vision

Documents

happy new year page

elses vision

year things

courageous page

editorial page

endurance of kenya page

im magazine

life hearing