The Truth Without Photoshop

Poetry by Janette...ikz

Another writer posted a question "who was my favorite poet?" Maya Angelou was the first to come to mind, but as I thought about it more another name popped up: Janette...ikz. I saw a powerful video by her on YouTube  some years back. 

I checked out the video again just to reminisce. I  wasn't intending on listening to the whole thing , but it was so attention grabbing it's kind of impossible not to.



The truth without Photoshop is much more than a poem, it's a ministry. A girl tells her story, and its power  packed with action! From sadness to salvation. In your face rhetoric that's undeniable.

Hope to see a lot more from this poet!! by the end of the video I was screaming with delight and at points I was in tears. Awesome Content! Very Inspirational! Way to Go Janette...Ikz!! continue to be an uplifting Witness!!



-April D. Byrd

Mississippi Put Prayer Back In School

"MISSISSIPPI NOW HAS PRAYER BACK IN IT'S SCHOOLS!!!" the post going viral across Facebook, however, the thing about this news is, IT'S A MAJOR VICTORY!! (smile) America in it's current state of affairs could definitely use a lot more divine guidance. Pledging allegiance to a flag representing states united under God is a definite plus!!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Pray without Ceasing.

Mississippi lawmakers have passed legislation that would legalize student-led prayer in the state's public schools. Senate Bill 2633, which went to Gov. Phil Bryant March 6 for his signature, would also allow students to talk about their faith in the classroom and organize school Bible clubs, as well as pray at football games, graduation ceremonies, and during morning announcements.

Sponsors of the bill said that secular groups have intimidated and confused school administrators about the legality of religious expression in schools, and the law is meant to bring clarity. According to those on both sides of the issue, “Organized school prayer remains widespread in Mississippi, despite opponents’ efforts to curtail it,” reported the Associated Press. “In October, for example, the ACLU sent a letter to the Lincoln County school system demanding a halt to routine prayer at West Lincoln High School.”

The bill's proponents insist it will not force students to pray, but will enable them to do so voluntarily. But Bear Atwood, director of Mississippi's ACLU chapter, argued that students who do not wish to pray would still be a captive audience. Christianity Today quoted Atwood as saying that the new law could also lead to procedural issues and unwanted favoritism, such as with “school administrators selecting which students lead prayer in announcements or before a basketball game.”

One of the leaders in the campaign for school prayer over the past several years has been Republican State Rep. Mark Formby, who has introduced a school prayer bill every year since 2009. He said the measure is meant to dispel all confusion about what students can and cannot do in school relative to religious expression, including wearing religious-themed clothing, discussing their faith in the classroom, and voluntarily praying at school-sponsored events. “I'm not so much worried about what's allowed as what's disallowed,” Formby told Fox News. He added that he has had many conversations with parents concerned about the issue, and the bill is meant to clear the air. Formby explained that the measure “doesn't have to restore school prayer,” but it “will allow children, on a voluntary basis, to pray or not to pray.”

read more at: The New American
photo credits: the new american, the word network

The Grace Behind The Victory

I just couldn't see America with Someone else as President, just couldn't see it. God is wise. Though Obama supports some policies that Christians don't support, the great thing is America knows that God is in control. Barack Speaks hope,vision,and wisdom and without such we know that people perish. This re-election is one of Grace, and I hear the voice of God saying: My grace is sufficient and it has been extended to you once again. So Many are logged on tonite and filled with enthusiasm, and If we have done this...made it our mission to make sure that we VOTED. We can make it our mission to honor God with all that we are. With this victory grace has been extended to this nation and each individual in it! Utilize this moment in history, don't take it for granted. Let's truly honor the intention to Go forward! Today is a New Day! God Bless!

Love Lessons

Love is everything! There are several commandments and standards  we as individuals live by everyday that pertain to the specific values we hold. There are ten main commandments of the Bible, but all of them are basically fulfilled in one law: "“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love always shines in Glory.

All crime could possibly be avoided if people knew the value of their own worth and all the potential they have inside. Their is no need to deceive, get fast money, or envy if you really know who you are and what you're capable of.

Love doesn't make comparisons, Love brings no harm to it's neighbor. It's imperative to know that we are all apart of each other. Iyanla Vanzant has a saying: "I am not my sister's keeper, I am my sister" the same applies for brotherhood and humankind in general.

There is less negative gossip and more powerful gospel with the practice of love in the world. All the help and love in the world is at our advantage we just have to make ourselves available to it and begin to exemplify it.

 

 

 

           Wake up World, Love Is Waiting!

 

 

 

 

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." -Romans 13: 8-14

#TeamJesus2012

Jesus said "When I am lifted up from earth, I will draw all men unto me...."  -John 12:32. If we wanna see a better America it needs to be filled with people who understand their divine purpose and value in the world. It's not about  Obama or Romney it's about God ultimately  and our voting should reflect which candidate most closely values and honors the standards of God. This should be the only sense of bias influencing our vote.

As much as I  love Obama's eloquent speech, there is no way he should automatically get the Black American vote just because he identifies with the culture, the same goes for Romney. Because politics is not a black and white thing, it's all about Red. The blood of Jesus that was shed so that each individual could have purpose and freedom.

America won't get better until there arises a candidate who truly supports this agenda. Jesus died so that we may have life more abundantly, I'm sure liberty and the pursuit of happiness is in that abundance.  The words engraved on the liberty bell are "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof": -Leviticus 25:10, but true liberty will never come if we don't acknowledge the creator with everything we are as individuals first, and united citizens apart God's nation. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

The structure of America has changed with technology, growth, & industry, and that's appropriate, but the values of Holy scripture remain the same,  they should should still be honored, certainly by the country whose birth was strongly influenced by them. It seems as though America has squandered away her freedom rights, especially financially, but her strength was never based on money, it was always liberty. If America was born to be a refuge, it was initiated with a people who knew : There is no fear in love... -1 John 4:18

Perfect love drives out fear, and perfect love is in divine purpose. So, what truly matters is the Individuals who adhere to divine purpose. Scripture says 'If "my" people who are called by my name... True freedom is in the hearts of those individuals who understand that their liberty is in the purpose of God for their lives.

Can you hear the voice and feel the sensation of God, Is His Character and essence reflected in you so much that it's clear and undeniable you are His kid. These are good indicators that you might be apart of the people who are called by His name.

So what party will you REALLY be affiliated with this coming election year? If you're down with G. O .D let all the polls be raised in favor of TEAM JESUS!



#TeamJesus2012  Let's Go!! Show your Support and Agreement by joining the Movement on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/208182012646538/

Tragedy and Reality: When The American Dream Becomes A Nightmare

Even though we want to be living the dream, sometimes it takes a nightmare to wake us up. I literally just woke  up from a nightmare but it wasnt really a nightmare it played out like a movie. It was actually based on a movie I had actually seen before I guess in my head it was an extended updated version. I say it wasnt really a nightmare because it was suttle, but the underlying concept was one thing I fear the most: Ignorance.

Societal ignorance was in this film I dreamt. It wasn't blatant or apparant. In the film I thought I was actually being entertained. It was grittier than boyz in the hood, Way grittier. It was real. Some of the scenes we're actually from a movie I've seen before but I can't remember the name of it, because I was  just about seven years  old when I was watching it.

There was gangbanging, hate, malicious killing.  It was so real and I was there paying witness to it, apart of the live action the whole time, but I was the unnoticed witness. It was their world I just happened to be in it. In the opening scene the main character was upset. He held the majority of his opposing gang members hostage, in what looked like a garage. In transition to the next scene the setting went from a south central atmosphere to a neighborhood I know very well.

In the following scenes, A man pleading for his life was shot and there was robbery. The old rich  couple next door that did'nt care about the situation and mocked the ignorance of the young men are the people whose house was robbed. In the middle of the robbery when one of the thugs opened the couples closet the young black boy who had been in their hiding arose, stating he was ready to join. The thug said fine, gave the boy a machine gun almost the size of Him and in that moment the boy's heart hardened, his eyes grew dim, and he lost all his innocence.

At this point I woke up with a saddened heart and assessed that the movie I had just watched was in fact a nightmare. What happens when people, especially the youth of our country are overtaken by ignorance? How sad it is to see unused potential, and a self-derived ignorance that affects the whole country.

This dream was one of the most unique ones I've ever had, but the movies we watch everyday reflect the same image of violence and killing. The thought that I was being entertained watching this made me think of the recent tragedy in Colorado. In that movie theatre didn't the audience think that the violence was actually apart of the movie. It's no coincidence that the line between fiction and the reality was so easily blurred. We see images like this all the time where violence and killing is part of the entertainment.

Even at a young age kids are exposed to this, kids as young as infants. With the rise of the Super-hero, comic book turned movie age we are seeing even more action packed violence. The things we watch affect our perception as adults how much more as a child? As kids feign a virtual life with Video games like Red Dead redemtion, Grand Theft Auto and a host of others how can we not expect the Crime rates in real life to increase. If violence is used for entertainment, it's easy to get lost in the balance.

Everyone is aware of the violence in movies and video games, but "hey it's reality" and "It's been around for centuries" "what can you do about it", these are the sentiments that cause us to become unnoticed witnesses, to watch and not speak up and to thik simulated violence is ok. It's often we who havent engaged who are the problem. The ones who havent spoken up because of fear, The ones who are afraid to engage life are apart of the bigger problem. We must understand that the world is ours and we're not just apart of it. We have the power to make a significant difference, we have the ability to live and fight for the environment of excellence we aim for.

When we do "make it big" it's easy to look down or look away from the ignorance that's happening around us. We are empowered to care not look away from what we can help. The rich  citizens next door who turn there noses up at the disparity in the poorer neighborhoods are also contributors to the problem. If you can do something to help and you don't then you are gonna be robbed anyway and you're robbing yourself most of all.

Violence for entertainment does make it easier for young men and women to choose violence as a life choice over authentic success. I'm not fully exclaming the loss of a generation, but definitely the faulty transformation of  a nation. The original dream of America was freedom, freedom for life without condemnation. Now the goal has been maligned and abused. There are too many alternative lifestyles. In the confusion of morals and righteousness with judgment and condemnation there are too many newly widened roads that dispel what's right.

I guess even though we want to be living the dream, sometimes it takes a nighmare to wake us up.

R.I.P: Rejoice In Purpose

Aurora, Colorado. shooting

It's just too sad.... tears were shed, but I just couldn't take the time to feel them or properly lament without reflecting that this is what happens when people don't find their person in God's purpose.




The shocking part is that this news comes on the eve of my own cousin's funeral, a young man who suffered a heart attack just sitting on a porch. The very night the shooting happened I felt so compelled to just be thankful for continued life, that I took the praise to twitter. This tweet was around 11pm to 12 am that night:

With all the crazy stuff that's been going on in the world, seemingly more so with this generation, It seems like it's becoming more imperative than ever to be grateful. We should be useful as well. The Aurora, Colorado shooting is one of the most horrible tragedies to happen in a long time. As this happened on the eve of my cousin's funeral, I'm almost tired of hearing and saying R.I.P in light of death. What about life? If we never live life fully what's the point of it all. Not walking in purpose is to be walking dead. If we live life being moved and pushed by every wind that comes our way what are we really good for? Nothing. A fulfilled life is in no other thing, but the very purpose of our creation.

I feel so sad all those people in Colorado died in that theatre. It's just so sad.  Death serves as a wake-up call sometimes for compassion and deliverance. Spiritual deliverance enlivens divine purpose. An idle mind is the devil's playground...we saw what happened. We should seek to please God, the father, the one who gave his only begotten son that we may have EVERLASTING life*, everyday. Purpose is in love and in the very essence of life, all things work together on purpose, being outside of it is only a set up for a life not lived. Life is not a question it's a declaration. We are here. Don't ask questions just be on the right team. Evil consumes, but life is all about production and abundance.

The news coverage from the aftermath of the event is informative, but quite devastating. Instead I chose to share President Obama's address of the event, which provides hope, but also wisdom. I reemphasized my favorite part of the speech below because it's very powerful and it's what Breath Of Life Daily is all about. Check it out:




"...we do know what makes life worth living. Life is very fragile, our time here is limited and it is precious. What matters at the end of the day is not the small things, its not the trivial things which so often consume us in our daily lives. Ultimately its how we choose to treat one another and how we love one another."


I loved this so much because I felt on a deeper level exactly what he was saying. " How we love one another" Love is in care and care (good management) is in purpose. Everything really does "ultimately" boil down to how we love each other, how we help ourselves and the world in our individual purpose. So while it's appropriate to wish a rest in peace. We should wish ourselves a new R.I.P everyday to live a valuable life. Rejoice. In. Purpose.  Life goes where it will but in the midst of it purpose not only stands strong, it works. We were born to work life, not let it work us.


May God bless all the families of those whose lives we're taken. We should see everyday how we are blessed. Living a meaningful life while we have it makes sense. If we want to rest or rejoice in anything it should definitely be purpose. In purpose peace is inevitable.




*Scripture (John 3:16)

National Day of Prayer 2012

It's May 3, 2012 and this year's National Day of Prayer Scripture is from Psalms 33:12. It's more than a coincidence, it's the power of God! Three being a number of resurrection, and Twelve the number of Government.

Despite that article in Ebony Magazine that everybody seems to be buzzing about,the officiality of this event show's Christians moving in the right direction. Praise God!

This year is the year of Government and with the nation being in the almost political dissarray which it is, it's time to get even more serious in prayer, focus, and communication with God.  Let's Pray!!!!



The 61st annual National Day of Prayer saw participants focus on emphasizing their belief that the United States of America is a nation founded under God, and pray that President Barack Obama and other political leaders would use wisdom in their roles.

Shirley Dobson, chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, led the celebrations in Washington, D.C. Her husband, James Dobson, an evangelical Christian author and founder of Focus on the Family (FOTF), was absent from celebrations for the first time in over 20 years due to illness.

Dobson said during her remarks that the tradition of prayer is a "legacy handed down from our founding fathers." The United States is a faithful, praying nation, she added, pointing to results of a recent Pew study that said 96 percent of Americans believe in God, and that over 60 percent pray.

Over a dozen speakers, mostly evangelical Christians, religious leaders, as well as members of the judiciary, service members and diplomats, prayed for the unity of the nation in light of its economic challanges and for the government -- with special emphasis given to the office of the president -- to be able to make wise decisions.

No representative of the White House was present to pray for President Obama, as it was pointed out, but several church leaders filled in, notably Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md., who emphasized that one should pray for the executive branch "without wrath and doubting."

Read more @: Christian Post

Wake Up!

I just watched a video on the web about one conspiracy of Whitney Houston's Death that of it being a planned murder by a satanic cult. When I watched it, it didn't surprise me so much of the existence of such a cult but the fact that a story like this could make it's way to a widely known media outlet. . The video completely freaked me out. After being on edge I realized that this is the stuff that we take for granted everyday. There are spiritual forces of wickedness and foolishness in existence and sometimes we just let them roam over our lives freely without thought, without question.

It's time for all God's children to WAKE UP! get out of the media's dream and into our own destiny in God.  I was a little scared and my mind started thinking about how all the old folks use to talk about "the last days", the craziness that is: the book of Revelations, and if a story about a satanic cult can now make mainstream media where is the world really going... into a war? and into evil days for sure? The truth is it's not that we are going into evil days...We are already here. There is so much darkness that takes place everyday, but we are children of God because we adhere to the light.

It's time to really stand up and fight for our lives, time to become who we authentically are and be a voice for the living God because the world is becoming more desperate. When you begin to hear all this news of darkness and evil cults don't rule them out just take your position. Know whose you are and what you where called to do and let nothing stand in the way of your destiny to become a great soul.

When I saw that video, my soul needed to hear the Gospel and this video came at the exact right moment in divine order even the subject matter as you will see is exactly in the terms of what I was thinking; regarding evil spirits, the last days and the angst of bold Christians:

Put God first his spirit is greater than all others.

Raging about Roland

It doesn’t pay to talk too much! I’m sure Roland Martin is feeling that now. Sure I can’t even followhim on twitter because he talks….well tweets too much. But I’m still outraged at the nature of the suspension. As I hear Roland Martin was suspended from CNN for making some stupid comment on twitter. If I might add: He always does. What outrages me is that some group chose to target “this tweet” and fight against it.

We all know Roland talks too much and we know that twitter is one of the most popular…..well it’s the hottest thing since sliced bread! That’s If you have a lot to say. The fact that Roland, very widely known for being an opinionated journalist can be reprimanded over some twitter ish, that’s ridiculous to me. but the outrage goes further, not only does it seem to be a violation of free speech, but this very event, the fact that “this issue” is rising to be a national conflict is a sign of a nation divided.
It’s not a matter of me ABSOLUTELY NOT believing that you could be “born this way”. It’s the fact that someone’s livelihood can be threatened by a group choosing to target such menial words (on a social network).

If something like this can happen it just signifies the beginning of a nation even more divided. Homosexuality should not be promoted. Do not tell your kid’s it’s ok. If they grow up to be a skilled professional in whatever industry and become offended by a remark about their sexuality it affects their psyche and their service. Kid’s need sound knowledge and less confusion that is already available.
GAY is not right and it’s definitely not right when it begin’s to effect the communication of a nation. If this is continually promoted, America will become even more divided into different sects and a house divided cannot stand. In the good fashion of Roland Martin; Speak your own mind regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. He is a commentator for GOD sake!!

I’m not saying we should personally attack or disrespect anyone, but we all have a right to free speech. CNN is a Major news network and if one group can tear it apart for what they say, what else can they take down? CNN was wrong for suspending Roland Martin. By doing that they gave that one group way too much power. If this group (GLAD) strongly taking their rights means infringing on those of others then they should not have any at all, and it’s time for the just to speak up!

Deliver Me From ...Peace

Just caught the documentary "Prohibition" on PBS. It was very interesting, I definitely couldn't take my attention off of it, because to think that once upon a time America actually fought stringently over a law that had a lot to do with moral code and ethics is fascinating. I'm sure a lot of that still goes on nowadays, but this issue in particular is a very strong one, so much so that It  nearly had  the whole country divided. And I'm sure its no coincidence that PBS chose to air this at a time when the question of morality is back in the news, thanks to entertainer Tyrese Gibson and His much talked about "Delaware Disruption". As lovely and seemingly one-sided as the show was, It was the ending that struck me the most. Basically the show goes over how great of a struggle prohibition was and the impact it had on the country and several individuals, but it ends in commentary discussing that you should not restrict everyone when alcoholism in certain individuals is really the problem, true enough.

The final word mentioning the story of the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous struck me as very funny though. Isn't alcoholics anonymous just another form of church? Honestly with the strong basis on a communal environment and  The 12 step program that might as well be commandments there's slight difference that can stop it from being labeled CHURCH. What the the "pioneers" former alcoholics really discovered in their routine that they infamously established as the AA is really church. It strikes me as odd that people want to use so many spiritual names nowadays to explain the miraculous and the divine phenomenon that occurs in our everyday lives, but rarely want to call it what it is: God. It's just funny to me in this situation that as far as we go out of our way not to acknowledge God, Humanity always ends right back at the same place, and just gives it a different name.

Anyway, with that being said I'm very grateful that this is a such a country, full of liberation and free will, because I have the most powerful irresistible urge to share who God is and how much His word has helped my life. If that gets me kicked out of a radio station, so be it. I applaud Tyrese for standing up for what He felt was right, and I agree with Him wholeheartedly. Maybe was He wrong for speaking out as vehemently as He did... I don't know who can seriously and passionately take a stand in a soothing demeanor, but hats off to them. Even If they could it should not be congratulated. I believe that's why Christianity Is almost looked down upon today, just because we have failed to take a stand as vehemently. The Issues are here today in this time. God is not just going to come and change things. He has placed the power in us to do so.

I say we as Christians take action and take a stand, because isn't that what faith is all about. If Others are lead by the spirit of alcohol and we are lead by the spirit of life and truth, then its time we wake up an act like it. Yes. Prohibition was long ago, but there are things in this nation today that prevail when they should be strictly prohibited. If Not Us, Who Will stand up for the Right! Its Time To Get In Gear With The Lifestyle Of Faith and Be B.O.L.D! "Down With The Speakeasies"

How The Cookie Crumbles...

Sometime ago I came across these keebler cookies at the grocery store . When I first saw them I was shocked because I thought maybe there was a law or it was illegal or something to remanufacture girl scout cookies which they really are. but there still in the store and probably a top seller. these have always been my favorite cookie. but Its something so wrong about keebler selling these I refuse to by them... we'll anymore. Whaat ?! (I had to try them to be a good critic)!! :( In essence I really don't think that its right what do you think? Do you support this kind of corporate behavior or not?

The Forgiving Position

There are many things that require one to take a certain position for proper execution, like the batter in a baseball game, a woman giving birth, sitting to type at a desktop and the ever famous fetal position, just to name a few. Theres is a position for just about everything, so indeed there is a certain position that we need to be in order not only truly, but knowingly forgive.


 However, most of the time when someone offends us it catches us completely off guard. No ones ever ready and waiting for a personal attack, disregard, or blatant disrespect. If anything it hurts our feelings and makes us much rather be in a fighting position. Its amazing though that in fighting thats were the most strength is lost, you find yourself going around and 'round in circles and in the end nothing ever gets accomplished, It just makes things worse because in the end you still have an open grudge with another person, creating division in your life, in a world where unity works best. The problem is its already given that there will always be someone in the world that offends us. Why? because all are not in the same position.


In the depth of the manner that someone offends you shows how low they are, and the length that you take that offense shows how close you are to the same level. Forgiveness is more powerful than fighting, because forgiveness is not for wimps! In it one absolutely has to take a definite position, because forgiveness requires great understanding. Most of the time an unnatural one, because the realm of true wholeness is more in a spiritual nature. That's why Christians are preempt to forgive. There must be a higher intellect on the part of the offended, than the offender. It is why Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."* When we understand that any person who purposely offends us is at an intellectually and spiritually lower level than us, thats when we can most easily forgive.

Not only that, It also comes from having the wholeness and  fullness that is in the love of Christ, not to take things personally. Its easy to be smarter than somebody, but if you dont have love you will still be in the same position. In everything, we definitely have to be on a higher level to forgive. Rightly saying its God who is predominantly at the highest level and position, for it was Him who "Fore Gave us One"* before time!!!

*References Luke 23:34, John 3:16