SISTERS OF THE FAITH ™

Testimony of Otis Clark, Oldest Traveling Evangelist

2012-02-09T06:03:55Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oENFiETCi_E

I Am a Christian

2012-02-07T18:53:43Z

I am a church member.

I will seek to be a source of unity in the church. I know there are no perfect pastors, staff, or other church members. But neither am I. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.

I am a church member.

I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires. That is self-serving. I am in this church to serve others and to serve Christ. My Savior went to a cross for me. I can deal with any inconveniences and matters that are just not my preference or style.

I am a church member.

I will pray for my pastor every day. His work is never-ending. His days are filled with constant demands for his time; with the need to prepare sermons; with those who are rejoicing in births; with those who are traveling through the valley of the shadow of death; with critics; with the hurts and hopes of others; and with the need to be a husband and a father. My pastor cannot serve our church in his own power. I will pray for God’s strength for him and his family every day.

National Atheist Group’s Ad Campaign Target African Americans

2012-02-04T04:42:59Z

Atheist organizations from around the country have taken to billboard advertising to promote their views and their organizations over the last few months, but a new campaign by one atheist organization is focusing on reaching one group of people in particular: African-Americans.

“A lot of people think there’s one black experience. A lot of people think that if someone’s black it means that they’re religious. So we want to be able to show people that that’s not true, that there are non-religious people out there,” Debbie Goddard, director of African Americans for Humanism (AAH), told The Christian Post on Wednesday.

The AAH launched an advertising campaign in late January in six major U.S. cities – New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Durham, North Carolina – with a seventh city, Dallas, being added on Feb. 6. The campaign was designed to coincide with February’s Black History Month.

Each billboard, poster or banner that goes up says “Doubts about religion? You’re one of many” and has AAH’s website printed on it. Each sign will also feature the image of a famous historic black freethinker – like poet Langston Hughes, social reformer Frederick Douglass or writer Zora Neale Hurston – across from the photo of a contemporary black atheist leader.

Goddard said the organization’s primary goal in the campaign is to encourage black people who already have doubts about religion or who are already atheist but haven’t told anyone to make themselves known.

But that can be a difficult decision for an African-American, she said, because many people feel that the black identity is inextricably tied to religion. Black communities look to churches, pastors and holy books to help them make decisions, she noted, including decisions on who and what to vote for during elections.

Click here to read more

Source: Christian Post –Jaff Shapiro

Sister Approved: The Science of Black Hair Review and Sweepstakes

2012-02-01T19:35:17Z

While perusing YouTube last year, I saw a couple of vloggers reviewing The Science of Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy. They immediately grabbed my attention. I thought, “Finally something dedicated to our hair!” After listening to the wonderful reviews, I decided to purchase the book. Let me tell you, it was money well spent!

Like so many women with highly textured hair, I always thought that my hair was so much more manageable if I wore it straight or with a relaxer. With much convincing from my younger sister I took a big leap and decided to wear my hair natural, with no chemicals. This was the first time that I decided to really learn about my hair and what it took to maintain it. I researched and researched. With so much out there it was enough to make your head spin! The Science of Black Hair condenses so much of the information and puts in one place. For those of us who like concrete information, the fact that it approached hair care from a scientific view was so appealing.

From Amazon:

The Science of Black Hair is the ultimate consumer textbook on black hair care. Technically oriented and detailed throughout, this book was written with the serious hair care consumer in mind. Hair science, research and testimony combine in this carefully written text designed to examine black hair on a deeper level. With its light academic style it is truly the last hair book you ll ever need. The special, salon professional edition of The Science of Black Hair features full-color photographs and color-tab organization to enhance the reading experience. All versions of the book feature special multimedia capabilities that bring the book to life including additional live tips and updated voice messages from the author for the life of the book!

Readers will learn how to:
* Maintain chemically-treated or natural hair in optimal health.
* Stop hair breakage with a novel, protein/moisture balancing method.
* Regulate product pH balance for shinier, more manageable hair.
* Grow their hair longer, stronger and healthier for life!

Additional Features
* Regimen Builder with extensive product listings
* Ingredients glossary
* Interviews
* Real photos of hair at the microscopic level

This book is great if you are just starting your hair care journey if you have been on the road a long time. Ms. Davis-Sivasothy has done a WONDERFUL job! The book starts off with this. Gotta love it!

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)

Read it, and Run!

We are so excited to announce that Sisters of the Faith is doing The Science of Black Hair sweepstakes! Two lucky winners will receive an autographed, standard edition book ($24.95 value). All you have to do is enter here! The sweepstakes will run from Feb.1st-Feb.12th.

For more information:

http://scienceofblackhair.com/index.html

To purchase:

http://scienceofblackhair.com/buy_book.html

Spoken Word: Sexual Healing

2012-01-28T12:42:05Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlJFvxad1_A

Sister Approved: Why Do We Call It Christmas?

2011-12-10T17:09:28Z

Good day! My kids and I had the pleasure of watching “Why Do We Call It Christmas?’ It is a part of the series, “What’s in the Bible”, developed by VeggieTales® creator, Phil Vischer. It is the perfect gift for those of us who want a fun way to explain Christmas. It definitely addresses the confusion that can come when your children hear the story of baby Jesus and see Santa Claus in the mall, lol. Check out this 30 min trailer to see for yourself!

Even though the DVD is geared to children, I learned sooo much! Why do we cut down trees? Where did the name ‘Christmas’ actually come from? What about Santa? Those are some of the questions it addresses. The best part about it is that it leads children back to salvation-the reason Jesus came. How wonderful is that!

For those of you who want to teach this as a unit in homeschool and/or in a small group format, they offer great resources! Take a look!

Sisters of the Faith is so excited to sponsor a “Why Do We Call it Christmas” sweepstakes! One person will receive one free copy ($12.95 value) of “Why Do We Call it Christmas.” The sweepstakes will run from December 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011. All you have to do is enter here! (Please see sweepstakes official rules).

Want to get more information about the whole series? Visit:

http://www.buckdenver.com/

http://www.facebook.com/WhatsintheBible?sk=wall

Sister Approved: Bear Fruit Hair

2011-12-08T03:08:52Z

Bear Fruit Hair was introduced to us all earlier this year and they definitely deserve a Sister Approved stamp! Since then, the website has been redesigned and more products added to the mix-including products for the man in your life. Take a look and see what they are all about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IVGssK8QD8

While shopping this Christmas season, be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer. Some of our favorites are :

Cotton (Marshmallow) Cream Cleansing Conditioner

Pistachio Dream Cream Conditioner

To make it even more appealing to you, Bear Fruit Hair is generously giving Sisters of the Faith readers a 25% discount until December 31, 2011! Promo code: SOTFXMAS

The Season of Giving

2011-12-07T16:12:30Z

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:35-40

As many of us are knee deep in shopping for Christmas, let us not forget those who are in need. Oh, think of how much it would please the Lord to give to someone or family who lacks what they need to survive. As we see in the passage above, Jesus not only identifies with those in need, but He has a heart for them.

This year our family is excited about supporting World Vision. World Vision is a:

…Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

There are many ways to give to this wonderful organization. We will be shopping through our World Vision Gift Catalog:

Next, my home church has participated in Operation Christmas Child for years. Samaritan’s Purse is:

… a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Samaritan’s Purse offers multiple ways of being a blessing to those in need. It’s not to late to build a box online or order from their gift catalog. My 4-year-old son had a ball selecting items to put in our box!

If you can’t choose or there is a particular cause close to your heart, try Global Giving. You can choose the country, the cause, and the type of aid you want to give. Gift cards are also available.

Don’t forget the opportunity to give locally. Whether it be through an organization, your church, or if you know a family in need, there are plenty of ways to show your love.

Here are some more great charities:

http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

http://www.oneverse.org/

Sister Approved

2011-12-07T15:59:35Z

Who doesn’t get excited about new products, tried and true products and beauty finds? No one! In fact, we have decided to share ours with you! These products have been Sister Approved. You don’t have to take our word for it. Try them for yourself. Just look for this badge.

Off the Shelf: The Missional Mom

2011-12-04T03:31:55Z

Almost six years ago I was on the fast track. Then, I left the workforce for maternity leave. Before I knew it I had transitioned into the stay-at-home mom role. It wasn’t really planned, it just happened. Sure, I have missed the luxuries that a second income often offers, but the time I have with my daughters in invaluable. Our culture gives little to no value to women’s work at home. We pursue careers to neglect so many of the other things that really matter in our lives. Like many mothers I have faced days when I imagined what it would be like to still have a career. I’ve found myself living vicariously through stories my friends and family tell about their careers. Yet, each time, somehow I come to myself and I remember that there is great purpose for this season in my life and much can be realized if I am sensitive to the will of God rather than my own.

I knew that someone out there had to have some insight on these feelings I was dealing with. That someone, was Helen Lee. In her book, The Missional Mom, she addresses so much of what I was feeling. Her writing style is very conversational, as she skillfully invites the reader in by sharing some of her personal thoughts. She begins by highlighting the idea that all Christians have a mission(s) and that as our relationship with Christ grows we should have an ever increasing sense of the “mission(s)” to which God has called us. Throughout the pages the reader is encouraged to pay attention to the opportunities for missions while expecting God to unfold them before us. The job of the believer is to be a willing vessel.

Each chapter shares personal vignettes and stories of mothers that found their mission(s) and offer encouragement, self-assessment, and exhortation. Resisting cultural pressures, becoming a disciple and being both empathetic and sympathetic to those around us are also addressed. Each story shares the need for a single-minded focus to carry out our mission regardless of the reservations, fears or worries that one may have. The focus should be taken off of us on placed onto the souls that we have been preordained to minister to. The reader is encouraged to have a greater personal discipline and a clear eye concerning where to focus our time and energy. Our goal is to draw men and women to Christ and make disciples of them.

I especially connected with Chapter 11. Lee shares one of her personal experiences with living “missionally.” She shares how the Lord led her to homeschool her children. Her experience was very similar to my own. I felt the Lord nudging me in that direction, but I had never considered it as a viable option for our family. Whether the nudge you feel is toward homeschooling, missions, or developing a gift or talent to be used for the up-building of the kingdom, this is the type of read that should provoke you to move in a new direction In fact it’s a call to action as well as a thrust in the right direction.

Free resources, including journal pages, discussion guide and a free chapter from the book are available here.