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!!

September Book Selection: Saved and Single by Shelia Copeland

Tiffany is used to planning Los Angeles' biggest, glitzies weddings, but her own love life is pretty nonexistent. A God-fearing thirty-two-year-old virgin, Tiffany is committed to finding just the right husband to share her life with. She's had her eye on Myles, her church's sexiest, most-sought-after bachelor. But Myles's obsession with the superficial proves problematic. (In his opinion, "you can learn to love the Lord, but you can't learn to be fine.")

When flyers for a new Christian singles website are handed out after a wedding, Shay, Tiffany's younger sister, secretly posts Tiffany's profile online. Before long, Shay is using the website to get dates for herself—even though she has a boyfriend and two small children at home. Deborah, Tiffany's best friend, also gets in on the online action. She is successful, beautiful, and prides herself on her high, "Bible-centered" standards. But when Deborah meets Mr. Saved-Rich-and-Perfect online, she's not ready for his whirlwind of passion, expensive gifts...and a diamond-cluster-worth of lies.

Now, as hopes rise and fall, illusions shatter, and their personal lives are forever changed, can these three dazzling women hold on to their bond, their values—and their dreams?

About the Author

Sheila Copeland's love for the arts began at a very early age, while attending Karamu House, a nationally acclaimed performing arts center in Cleveland, Ohio. As a youngster, Copeland was an avid reader and by the age of ten had read all of the books in her local branch library. One book in particular about girls in a boarding school piqued her curiosity, and when she was 14, she received a scholarship to a private school in upstate New York. The find out more about Shelia Copeland and her books go to http://sheilacopeland.com/.

Proverbs 31: Portrait of a Godly Woman by Shelia Graham

For thousands of years, God-fearing women have looked to the noble, or virtuous (KJV), woman of Proverbs 31 as their ideal. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, probably had this role model of the virtuous woman in the forefront of her mind from earliest childhood. Most Jewish women did, for this poem was traditionally recited in the Jewish home every week on the eve of the Sabbath.

But what about today’s woman? Of what value can this ancient poem be to the diverse, complex life-styles of women today? To the married, to the single, to the young, to the old, to those working outside the home or inside the home, to those women with children or without children? It is more relevant than you might at first expect — although it is also too good to be true.

When we examine this ancient biblical ideal of womanhood, we do not find the stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, her daily life dictated by the demands of her husband and her children. Nor do we find a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who leaves her family to fend for itself.

What we find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. This woman has money to invest, servants to look after and real estate to manage. She is her husband’s partner, and she is completely trusted with the responsibility for their lands, property and goods.

She has the business skills to buy and sell in the market, along with the heartfelt sensitivity and compassion to care for and fulfill the needs of people who are less fortunate. Cheerfully and energetically she tackles the challenges each day brings. Her husband and children love and respect her for her kind, generous and caring nature.

But with all her responsibilities, first and foremost, she looks to God. Her primary concern is God’s will in her life. She is a woman after God’s own heart. Let’s examine the characteristics of this remarkable woman — a role model for Christian women today.

To read more of this article go to http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/poet/prov31.htm

Review "Me, Myself, and HIM" by E.N. Joy

"Me, Myself and HIM" was an AMAZING tale of redemption and saving grace! E.N. Joy was superb in telling this gripping tale of a young lady, Locksie, caught in a love triangle between the seemingly “perfect” guy ,her live-in lover Dawson, and the ONLY perfect man, Jesus Christ.

Locksie was raised in the church,well, actually several churches, by her Bible bashing, oil toting “holy roller” mother Mary. In a sense of rebellion, she runs from church once she leaves for college! Since then, she has fallen in love with a fine, kind, established young man, Dawson, whom she absolutely adores. But lately, especially after her aunt Mary’s and her “coffee talks”, she has started to feel like there is something missing in her life, and even her relationship with Dawson is suffering because of it. Then one day she goes to church with her aunt, and falls in love with Jesus Christ Himself. Now the “love” that she and Dawson used to make is no match for the TRUE love that she now feels. But she is confused because she doesn’t know where that will leave them.

She is also “counseled” by her friend/client, Hannah, a mixed woman with extremely good looks, and a gorgeous husband to match. Hannah is no stranger to dilemma. Her husband, Elkan, had an affair with a client of his, (Peni), and a child was the result. Even though she has forgiven Elkan and they have “worked through” their issues,Hannah still is not convinced that her marriage is secur. Especially after she meets Drake.

Drake is a saved, righteous brother who has vowed to keep himself until he is married,and he is also Dawson’s brother. Because of his status and wealth, he has a lot of women planning to “bait” him, but he keeps sliding off the hook, until he has a fateful meeting with the extremely attractive Hannah. From the first moment he falls for her, and was heart-broken to discover that she was already married. Determined to live a Godly life, he fights his feelings for Hannah, but keeps making poor judgment calls that puts them into a few compromising situations.

I loved the book! My relationship with God increased tremendously through this book! Sometimes I would just put the book down and worship! I loved how the author interwove Biblical themes and principles into everyday situations! I would recommend this as a must read for anyone who is in an immoral relationship, or just getting out (and over) one. I give this book 10 stars…but since that would be way over our normal grading curve, 5 will have to do…lol…

Book Selection for August: "Me, Myself & Him" by E.N. Joy

“How was Locksie supposed to tell her boyfriend that she had gone off to church and fallen in love with another man…”

Locksie grew up in the church-against her will-thanks to her holier than thou mother. But now that she’s all grown-up, she’s her own woman and church is the last thing on her mind; her live-in boyfriend, Dawson, is the first. When Locksie finally decides to go back and visit church upon the invitation of her aunt, who hoped that by extending the invite, her niece would find God again, Locksie ends up finding more than she could have ever expected.


Hannah is Locksie’s friend who has issues of her own. She’s struggling to forgive her husband for the affair he had, while at the same time be a stepmother to the child who is a result of his affair. And all while the child’s mother taunts Hannah every chance she gets.

In Me, Myself & Him, the characters are torn between holding on to the person they believe is the love of their life, or having to let go for the one thing that’s missing from their life. E.N. Joy humbly enters the Christian fiction scene with a fresh, fast paced formula for those folks who ain’t been saved all their life and can relate to the struggle of walking in the word while holding onto the hand of someone in the world.


About the Author
E.N. Joy writes children's and young adult books as well as Christian fiction for adults. The executive editor for a Christian fiction imprint and a magazine columnist, she is currently working on a young adult series entitled The Soul Sisters. E.N. Joy lives in the midwest with her husband and three children. When she's not writing, she enjoys praise dancing and reading. To find out more about E. N. Joy and her books go to www.enjoywrites.com.

E.N. Joy will be joining Proverbs 31's book discussion of "Me, Myself & Him" via phone on August 26th! Check out our events calendar for the place and time!