She Died by Kim Brooks

That ole' two faced, back-bitin' fake chick who would
smile in your face and talk about you behind your back
in a heartbeat.

She hated Mondays and looked forward to
Fridays as gettin' ready for the weekend
to get her club and her drink on.

That girl had no problem screwin' every Tom, Dick
and Scary, as long as he was bringin' it - most times
in the form of next month's rent or car payment.

This chick had no problem smokin' and sexin' on
Saturday night, then going to church, lifting up
sin-smeared hands then praising the Lord
on Sunday morning.

She often would lie to make herself look good
in front of others, to further her own agenda, or
simply because she could and get away
with it.

She'd drop a dollar in the offering
bucket every time it came around, while saying
to herself, "God know my heart. He know I ain't
got no money!"

You see, I had to take care of that chick.

Right around the corner in the alley of Detroit.

I had to set her down; she lifted up her hands
alright, right in front of me, then cried out with
a loud voice as passersby heard and looked
on.

They all witnessed the day that she died.

You see, I didn't kill her. I didn't have to.

She killed herself.

The old man.

Or shall I say the old woman.

She had to go.

Besides, after the long heartfelt talk we had
in the alley, I discovered she was sick of being fake,
and she had it up to here with lying to herself
and to her God.

So she took herself out of her own misery, and
put herself in the grave. But you know what, she's
still here.

Resurrected.

She looks the same, she even sounds
the same, but on the inside, she's changed.

She doesn't lie anymore, she doesn't cheat
anymore, and she's abstinent now 'til marriage.

She loves God with all her heart, mind, body, soul
and strength. Like the song says, she's 'surrendered
all' - everything, she's given it all to God and told
Him to take control.

So now everytime I see her, she has this big smile on
her face.

With renewed hope and joy in her heart,
she now often shares a kind word, a prayer, or
even a few extra dollars in my hand.

I like this new chick, or shall I see this beautiful
woman of God, my renewed sister in Christ
who has blossomed and is becoming all God
predestined her to be in the first place... even before
the foundation of the world.


Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Kim Brooks is the Black Expressions Bestselling author of several books including her newest advice book for singles, How To Date and Stay Saved, The Little Black Survival Book for Single Saints, and Christian Fiction novels, He's Fine...But is He Saved? and its sequel, He's Saved...But is He For Real? To read more about her books and ministry, visit www.Kimontheweb.com and to read free excerpts from her newest book, visit www.DateAndStaySaved.com

Raising Awareness: The Little Red Mini-A Conversation on Dating Violence

Our very own Nicole Duff performed in a mini-play hosted by the Delta Theta Sorority Omicron Mu Chapter at Auburn University Montgomery on October 5th. Nicole portrayed a confident and stylist college student who was head over hills for a popular guy on campus and was determined to him make "her man". After accomplishing her mission of being his new girlfriend, she discovers that he's more than she bargained for. During the course of they're relationship he begins to physically, mentally, and emotionally abuse her. Although hearing about his violent behavior in previous relationships, she ignores them. She becomes withdrawn from family and friends and even her physical appearance changes. Her boyfriend becomes so controlling that he tells her if he can't have her no one will and she comes to her death due this unhealthy relationships. The play ends with the Grim Reaper taking her away. Nicole's performance, although at times had some satire, untimately hit its mark and that was to raise awareness about domestic violence. Representatives from the Family Sunshine Center were in attendance and spoke about the warning signs of dating violence and ways to get out of these situations. Brochures, pamphlets and posters where also available to those in attendance to help spread awareness on dating violence. The mini-play is set to be performed at other venues in the near future.

Nicole we can't express how proud we are you for helping to spread awareness on domestic violence in such a creative way that will and has helped many people and we look forward to many more performances from you!

If you are or someone you know is being abused and you're in the Montgomery Tri-County Area contact The Family Sunshine Center at http://www.familysunshine.org/or 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-650-6522 (AL) or 334-263-0218 (collect calls accepted)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. And one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. These are two social issues that women are faced with everyday. To make sure that women stay health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, here are some tips on ways to attack these issues that are taking us out.



*Limit alcohol. A link exists between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
*Maintain a healthy weight.
*Stay physically active.
*Consider limiting fat in your diet
*Self Breast Exams

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
*New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
*Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
*Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
*Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
*Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
*Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
*Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
*Pain in any area of the breast.

To help women who don't have health insurance or can't affod to pay for mammograms go to www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive. Every time you CLICK, sponsors pay for mammograms.



There is no way to tell for sure if someone is experiencing domestic violence. Those who are battered, and those who abuse, come in all personality types. Battered women are not always passive with low self-esteem, and batterers are not always violent or hateful to their partner in front of others. Most people experiencing relationship violence do not tell others what goes on at home.

Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
*Injuries and Excuses
*Absences from Work or School
*Low Self-Esteem
*Accusations of Having Affairs
*Personality Changes
*Fear of Conflict
*Not Knowing What One Wants or How One Feels
*Blaming Others for Everything
*Self-blame
*Aggressive or Care-taking Behavior in Children

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestice violence go to The National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Please spread the word about awareness on these issues and help save lives!!