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E D I F I C AT I O N • I N S P I R AT I O N • B O O K S • C O M M U N I T Y & O U T R E A C H • H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S • M I N I S T R Y • YO U T H
A
P U B L I C A T I O N
O F
T H E
A P O S T O L I C
C H U R C H
O F
G O D
A P R I L 2014
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Good Friday service | Joy of Easter concert | Annual Bible Conference
8
9
aroundACOG
The Brotherhood on Black History
W
VON’s Cliff Kelly joined the men of ACOG Sunday, February 23, for a special Black History
month program. The program was held during the Brotherhood’s 4th @ Four service.
Kelly delivered a Black History address that highlighted the many contributions of African
American men, including the late Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, to our community and our
nation. The Youth Drama Guild performed a skit, and Leslie Lee and the Brotherhood Chorale ministered in
song. Photos: Leonard McGee
Pastor
Dr. Byron T. Brazier
Founding Editor
Therese McGee
Managing Editor
Jennifer LuVert
Editors
Darlene Dennard, Reginald Griffin
Samira Robinson, Sharon Prince
Church Office Assistant
Doris Williams
Photography
Donnie Hampton
Leonard E. McGee
Editorial Assistant
Sharon Prince
Distribution
Eric Owens
Mary Robinson
April Contributors
Jacquelin McCord-Harris
Sharon Prince
Samira Robinson
Design/Layout
LaShaunn Tappler
LT ComDesign, LLC
The Cross & Crown is published
monthly by the Apostolic Church of
God, 6320 South Dorchester Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois 60637 ©2013.
All submissions are welcome and
will be reviewed for publication.
The deadline for advertisements is
the first Sunday of each month prior
to the month in which the ad will
appear. Submissions should be left
in the newsletter folder in the
administrative office.
comingUP
Mother’s Day Luncheon. Bishop William Hudson
III will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Mother’s
Day Luncheon. Hosted by the Mother’s Day Luncheon
committee, which is led by assistant pastor Rev. Ivory
Nuckolls, this year’s family affair takes place Saturday
May 10, at the Hyatt Regency at 151 E. Wacker Dr.,
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, vendors will be
available to accommodate Mother’s Day gift shopping,
as well as a photographer to take family portraits.
Tickets are $30 per person; bus transportation is available for an additional $5 per person. Purchase your
2 | The Cross&Crown
ISSN: 1543-9712 Volume 11 Issue 12
tickets after first service Sundays in Fellowship Hall,
online at acog-chicago.org, or in the bookstore during
the week.
Women of Faith. Join Women of Faith of the Sisterhood Connection for its monthly session Monday,
April 7, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This month’s
topic is “Carnality, What Is It?” The speaker for the
evening will be Evangelist Zaletta Westbrook.
aroundACOG
ministryNEWS
No Reason to Compromise
by Dr. Byron T. Brazier
For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was
not loyal to the LORD his God… 1 Kings 11:4
K
ing Solomon had a special
relationship with God. When he first
became king, he was dependent on
God and His promises, seeking God
for nothing more than wisdom to oversee His
people:
Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your
servant king instead of my father David, but
I am a little child; I do not know how to go
out or come in. And Your servant is in the
midst of Your people whom You have chosen,
a great people, too numerous to be numbered
or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an
understanding heart to judge Your people,
that I may discern between good and evil.
For who is able to judge this great people of
Yours? 1 Kings 3: 7–9, NKJV
Photo by Fred Brown
Solomon’s prayer so pleased God that this is
how God responded:
Because you have asked this thing, and
have not asked long life for yourself, nor
have asked riches for yourself, nor have
asked the life of your enemies, but have
asked for yourself understanding to discern
justice, behold, I have done according to
your words; see, I have given you a wise and
understanding heart, so
that there has not
been anyone like
you before you,
nor shall any
like you arise
after you. And I
have also given
you what you
have not asked:
both riches
and honor,
so that
there
shall not be anyone like you among the kings
all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to
keep My statutes and My commandments,
as your father David walked, then I will
lengthen your days. 1 Kings 3:11–14, NKJV
Not only did God grant Solomon’s request, but
He also gave him more than he asked for. Sadly,
however, there was a hint early in Solomon’s reign
that he was headed for trouble: “and Solomon
loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his
father David, except that he sacrificed and burned
incense at the high places” (1 King 3:3, NKJV).
Solomon’s choice of 700 wives and 300
concubines, which included many foreign women
who worshiped idol gods, would be his undoing.
It ultimately turned his heart away from God.
How could that happen, especially after God had
entrusted him and blessed him with so much?
One word: compromise. If we’re not constantly
examining our lives and rooting out what’s not
like Christ, the smallest hint of compromise
in our lives can snowball into major spiritual
erosion.
Compromise is not all bad. On one hand, it
is to take a middle ground between two courses
of action, or as Merriam-Webster defines it,
it is a settlement of differences by arbitration
or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
So compromise from a positive standpoint is
something that should happen in our politics or
in our relationships—particularly in a marriage
or in the workplace—where two or more people
are at odds about how to resolve an issue or carry
out a task. However, on the other hand, there
are times when we are challenged or pressured
to compromise our convictions, or concede to
something “derogatory or prejudicial.” We saw
this recently when a major Christian organization
said it would hire people in same-sex marriages
only to reverse its decision two days later. Why
Annual Bible Conference
A
re you ready for this year’s Bible
Conference? If you’re expecting
God to do a new thing, you’re
definitely ready. Prepare to experience God in
a fresh way the week of April 21. This year’s
conference—“Empowered by a New Reality:
Living in the Reality of God’s Word”—will
open Monday night with a concert but not just
any concert. It will be a worship experience
with Israel & New Breed beginning at 7:30 p.m.
in the Dorchester Sanctuary. Each day will
begin with a prayer service from 6:15 to 7 a.m.
in Kenwood Sanctuary. Bible class will be held
at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., afternoon prayer at 2:30
p.m., and dinner at 4 p.m. Special conference
activities will be held for children and teens
(see page 10 for details).
Teachers & Speakers At-a-Glance
Monday: Dr. Jeanne Porter King,
Elder David Hollis
Tuesday: Pastor Philip France, Pastor James
Meeks, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer
Wednesday: Pastor Yolanda Hunt,
Dr. W. James Campbell, Dr. Ricky Allmon
Thursday: Pastor Smokie Norful,
Dr. Sandra Riley, Bishop J.W. Walker
Friday: Pastor DeAndre Patterson,
Dr. Noah Nicholson, Bishop J.W. Walker
Teen Speaker: Pastor Jermone Glenn
Daily Themes At-a-Glance
Monday, April 21:
“Embraced by God”
Tuesday, April 22:
“Endowed by God”
Wednesday, April 23:
“Enlightened by His Spirit”
Thursday, April 24:
“Enriched with Spiritual Blessings”
Friday, April 25:
“Empowered for a New Reality”
#Empowered2014
continued on page 15
pastor’sCOLUMN
April 2014 | 3
aroundACOG
April at ACOG: Spring into a new level in God by Jennifer LuVert
A
pril is often one of the most exciting—
and fullest—months at the Apostolic
Church of God. This year it’s no
different.
If you want to experience life-changing
ministry that can move you to another level in
God, make sure you’re in the house this month.
The excitement begins with Good Friday
service, April 18. That’s when we partake, as
a church family, in Holy Communion. What
makes the evening particularly special is the
opportunity for members to participate in foot
washing, a solemn practice that allows us to
serve each other in love and humility.
Then Sunday, April 20, we commemorate the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
with the annual “Joy of Easter” concert. Part of
the Sunday morning worship service, this special
musical celebration will feature Opal Staples
and saxophonist Merlon Devine, as well as the
Sanctuary Choir. The musical celebration of
Jesus will continue the next evening. That’s when
Israel & New Breed open the evening worship
services for the 82nd Annual Bible Conference:
“Empowered for a New Reality.”
From April 21 to April 25, a powerful lineup of teachers and preachers will encourage
the congregation to “live in the reality of God’s
Word,” to understand that we are called to live
for Him. The conference will begin each day at
6:15 a.m. with a prayer service. Bible classes will
be held each day at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the
earlier class directed primarily toward seasoned
saints who are advanced in years and/or spiritual
maturity and the later class geared toward a
broader audience of believers at various levels
in their walk with the Lord. The evening service
begins at 7:30 p.m.
There will be special services for children
and teens beginning Tuesday, April 22, in the
Family Center and Kenwood Sanctuary (for a
complete schedule for both children and teens,
see page 10). An afternoon prayer service will
be held each day at 2:30 p.m., and a free dinner
(first come, first serve) will be provided from 4
to 6 p.m. For a complete list of speakers, see the
Ministry News column on page 3.
Mark Your Calendar:
April at ACOG
Palm Sunday, April 13
Good Friday, April 18
Foot Washing, 6 p.m.
Holy Communion, 7:30 p.m.
Joy of Easter, April 20
Israel & New Breed in Concert, April 21
Annual Bible Conference, April 21–25
Youth Bible Conference, April 22–25
Opal Staples
Merlon Devine
Israel & New Breed
newMEMBERS
New Member Classes
The following people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or transferred their church
membership in February:
Barbara Almond
James Avery
Thedius Bean
Brandon Bivens
Marcell Brown
Bertha Cameron
Fillmore Cameron
Jose Centeno
Omari Clark
Jaylen Conner
Ahmya Copes
Elijah Copes
KeShawnna Cruz
RaShanna Cruz
Ebony Davenport
Patricia Foster
Kyla Grant
4 | The Cross&Crown
De’Angela Hale
Maurice Hargrow
Latoya Harrell
Melvin Hayes
Kadarro Hendrix
Beverly Hodges
Regina Holland
Bernard Holloway
Anexia Holmes
Darryl Hopkins
Dante Howard
Nasya Ingram
Terrance Irving
Victoria Lee
Cortney Lewis
Nicole London
Joeine Marshall
Lowell Mason
Terri McBride
Beverly Miles
Jerrick Moore
Ashley Morgan
Munoz, Kayla D.
Parks, Seth
Patrick Perkins
Carleton Purnell
Charletha Purnell
Judy Randall
Sabrina Roberts
Beverly Ruffin
Eric Ruffin
Marshawn Shelby
Tatrianna Shelby
Dedrick Smith
Isaiah Smith
Naeemah Smith
Sharkira Sneed
Cameron Stokes
Afrikana Tarpeh
Archie Tarpeh
Arie Taylor
Dionce Taylor
Shelley Terrell
Gloria Washington
Morris Wilson Jr.
Correction: Venesa Baily
became a member of the
ACOG family in December.
Her name was misspelled in
the February/March issue.
Spring is here, and so are the first New
Member classes of the season. If you’re
a new member who has yet to complete
your new member classes, plan now to
attend the four-week session, which begins
Wednesday, April 16 and will be held every
Wednesday prior to Bible class through
May 14. Each session begins promptly
at 6:15 p.m. in room 202. If Wednesdays
don’t work for you, consider the Saturday
session. It covers all four sessions in one.
The next Saturday session is April 19
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class will be
held in the second floor classrooms and
includes sessions for children, teens, and
adults. If you have questions, please call
773.256.4204.
lifeAPPLICATION
lifeAPPLICATION
aSEASONfor...
Receiving God’s Everlasting Love by Jacquelin M. Harris
justAthought
In the Word: Romans 8:31–39
Live in Love
I
heard a story on Moody Radio about a man who lived in the 12th century. The story epitomizes the
words of the song “I Now Live,”
…Many people in the world walk around with a hole in the heart,
Many people in the world will never truly be set free…
The man beat his wife when she converted to Christianity. He forbade her from going to church or
participating in Christian activities. One day he came home and found her on her knees praying. He
beat her so ferociously she almost died. Passersby heard her screams and rescued her, and the man was
sentenced to die. On the day of the execution, the executioner asked, “Is there someone here willing to
take this man’s place?”
A small figure with a covered head stepped forward to the amazement of the crowd. As the severed
head rolled forward, it revealed the face of the man’s wife. The husband was so astounded, he fell to his
knees before the crowd and declared Jesus as his Lord and Savior. As a result of his wife’s willingness to
die that he might live, the man became a witness for Christ across his country.
As sinners, we were like the man in that story, marching toward an eternal death. Instead, we have
been given the gift of eternal life.
The only reason that we live is Christ came down
And died for you and me
I now live because Christ died,
And though he had suffered
He suffered it all for me …
I now live because Christ died
Source:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-now-live-lyrics-crystal-lewis.html
7 Ways to Protect Your
Relationship with God
by Jennifer LuVert
Ac•count•abil•i•ty: the obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept
responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner (BusinessDiction.com)
M
any grown-ups (Christians included) believe what they do with their lives is nobody’s
business but theirs … and maybe God’s. A close look at Scripture, and Mark Laaser’s
The Seven Principles of Highly Accountable Men, indicates otherwise.
First thing first: we don’t own anything, really, including ourselves. “You are not
your own.… For you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19b–20a, NKJV). The apostle Paul
was specifically writing about one’s body being God’s temple. Second, we are called to be transparent
with our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16a, ESV). God owns our lives, which means He wants us
to order our steps according to the Word; and He places other believers in our lives to help us remain
accountable to walking out His Word.
Now God does not require that we tell everybody everything about our lives. However, developing
relationships of accountability with a few other believers helps us feel safe about sharing our struggles
with the purpose of finding strength and encouragement to grow and overcome. It’s critical to our
walk with the Lord.
In his book, Laaser outlines seven principles that men can adapt to live closer to Jesus. They are
principles that anyone—men or women—can live by. Here’s an overview of the seven principles:
by Reginald Griffin
And we have known and believed the love
that God hath to us. God is love; and he
that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and
God in him. 1 John 4:16
W
e are loved by God, our
families (the families
we were raised in and
our church family), our
friends, and all whom God has placed
before us in a position to love us! And we
are to love all, for Jesus told us to even love
our enemies, hard as it is to do! For God
is love.
Jesus came to give us life and life more
abundantly. Jesus is God and God is love;
therefore, Jesus is love! To all who are born
again of the Spirit of God, for God placed
the Spirit of His Son in our hearts crying,
Abba Father, are born in and of love.
Therefore, with the Spirit of God living in
our hearts, our bodies are the temple of
God! (1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians
6:160). Being engraved in the palms of
God’s hands (Isaiah 49:16) we are in God
(love) and God is in us!
So, as difficult as it is at times, live in
love and experience life more abundantly
(John 10:10) in God’s expected end for you
(Jeremiah 29:11). And in that love, living a
godly life, be a blessing to others, sharing
your faith with all whom God has placed
before you, living in an Eternal God, in an
eternal love!
continued on page 15
April 2014 | 5
by Samira E. Robinson
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
S
ometimes when I am praying, sitting in meditation, reading the
Scripture, or just thinking about God, I see a light. It is a bright
light that seems to shine down upon me and all around me. If
I’m praying, I open my eyes to see if I can get a better look at it. It
startled me at first, and I sought out an external source from which it might
be coming. I’ve yet to find one.
Like many of you, we’ve come across others who tell us, “I see the light
of Christ shining on you” or “I see God in you.” Or however they phrase
it. And we’ve seen that “glow” on others as well. But it is not something
you really think about seeing on or for yourself. So it is a blessing to see
the glory and grace of God at work in your own life. We usually see it in
very practical ways—God working out a problem that we couldn’t solve,
giving us a blessing that the devil tried to block; or God bringing forth a
transformation in us. Then there is the encounter of the mystical, that is
spiritual or supernatural. But isn’t it all spiritual and supernatural? For
what is God?
6 | The Cross&Crown
As I read Genesis, I see that God calls light forth in the midst of
darkness, and that days are counted from the eve to the morning, which
completes the cycle and makes it a full day.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth
was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the
deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And
God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light,
that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God
called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening
and the morning were the first day.... And Adam called his wife’s name
Eve; because she was the mother of all living. (Genesis 1:1–5; 3:20)
This past year or so has been a doozy! There was the sudden illness and
death of several loved ones (family and friends), in particular my beloved
mother; along with that, job changes and loss, and changes in where and
how I lived. There were also changes in relationships of people that I loved
that I would no longer be connected to.
featureSTORY
I knew that I couldn’t allow my spirit to go the way of the circumstances.
I had to be in tune with my true life in God. So I remembered the
outcomes and benefits of intentionality and that lie within the power of
“now.” I was intent on allowing myself to heal, to feel joy, to experience
love, to make new friends and love the family that remained, and to live
again! I vowed to keep on expressing as God would have me to.
We can always experience the goodness of God when we keep our
hearts open to God. We’ve seen it happen again and again—our recovery
and restoration from life’s ups and downs and its inevitable ebb and flow.
Keeping an open heart to God and a steadfast trust in God, our good, will
carry us through. It carried me through the pain to a place of power as my
fragile heart found fortitude in my spirituality in new ways. So I realize
that life is in Christ, and that its this Life that is my light—that is, the
guiding principle, awareness, peace, way out, and wisdom that makes my
path clearer. Through the deaths, loss, learning to release, and letting go, I
know better that I have (new) life; something powerful and enduring that
helps get me through every situation, good, bad or indifferent. It will also
be that which remains and carries me into my new life with God when this
physical life is over.
our issues create a filter for it, and so it doesn’t shine so bright in us. We
miss the mark sometimes. That’s okay. We still have the light. We still have
the life of God.
Sometimes we have to come back to life … to really living again. After
challenging life events suck life out of us, and the pain numbs the life that
once pulsated through our bodies, we have to rise again. We rise with the
mindset that nobody who has risen from the dead is the same person they
were before they died. We have to be willing to be new.
If we are not careful, experiences can dim our light. But careful how?
Careful to surrender our whole life to God. Careful to trust in Him when
things aren’t going the way we want. Careful to allow His healing to take
place in our hearts. Careful to know that all that is wrong, He will handle
it, them, and us (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Careful to face this life with
courage and faith in God! We must be careful to breathe in the reality of
the Lord, and not suffocate under the pretentions of life. God has a plan of
salvation and redemption for us all, through every circumstance.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the
THROUGH THE DEATHS, LOSS, LEARNING TO RELEASE, AND LETTING
GO, I KNOW BETTER THAT I HAVE (NEW) LIFE; SOMETHING POWERFUL
AND ENDURING THAT HELPS GET ME THROUGH EVERY SITUATION,
GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life.” John 8:12
I can identify with the life of Jesus Christ because I also identify with
His death. As a Christian, I don’t live just for myself. I don’t seek just my
own good, or way, or desires. I don’t put myself before others ... for that is
not the way of love. God is love. I love God with all my heart, soul, strength
and mind, and I love others as I love myself (Luke 10:27). This is the light
that you and I see. Oh, even as we live this way, we fully grasp that we are
yet imperfect in our ways. That we are being perfected, and that God is
perfecting all that concerns us (Psalm 138:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians
4:12; Colossians 3:14). But that’s good news! Let us be sure, the Light of
Christ is always bright. But as spiritual beings in this human experience,
cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence
of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Unto Adam also and
to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Genesis 3:7–8, 21
To live and live again, we have to be willing to be naked before God.
We’ve got to be okay with being without form and void, and with darkness.
For the Spirit of God will move upon us! Go ahead, breathe again, and
keep smiling, laughing, and taking on new adventures. The light of day
awaits its chance to shine upon you even brighter!
The Writer: Samira E. Robinson is an ordained minister with the Apostolic Church
of God, specializing in youth, family and community-outreach ministry. She is
a marketing communications consultant, college professor, and author of the
inspiring poetry-centered book, This Side of Heaven. For more information, visit
SamiraRobinson.com.
Instant Message
Living for Christ by Sharon Prince
Y
ears before we are baptized, there are times when we become disillusioned with our lives. We wonder why
the things we used to enjoy no longer seem important. We wonder why we are not happy, what happened
to the joy in our lives. Yet, as we ask ourselves these questions, we still find ourselves doing the same things
we no longer enjoy. With our repentance and baptism, however, everything changes. With repentance we not only
confess our sins, we also feel the love of God breathe life within our souls; and with baptism we proclaim to the
world that we are born again—and for Christ we live.
April 2014 | 7
photoGALLERY
Soul-Stirring Love: Marriage Weekend 2014
Love and soul were in the air at this year’s Covenant Partners Marriage Weekend. Held every Valentine’s Day weekend, and typically at the Oakbrook Marriot, the
marriage ministry’s mini-getaway always guarantees a great time that reminds couples what made them fall in love—and this year’s Weekend, with its 70s theme,
was no different. Several couples bravely donned their best “Soul Train” get-ups—afro wigs, gold chains, and bell bottoms—and put their friendship and love on
display. The well-balanced weekend also featured opportunities for couples to worship the Lord together. Photos: Leonard McGee
8 | The Cross&Crown
photoGALLERY
April 2014 | 9
youthPAGE
Don't Miss It!
solution on page 11
Following are some of the regular programs run
by the Destiny1212 Youth Ministry. Check the
Sunday bulletin for days and times.
Resources for Children
One Year Devos for Teens by Susie Shellenberger. It’s human
nature to care about what others think to take their advice on the
choices we should make. But whose opinion matters more than
God’s? This one-year devotional shows teens how to spend time
with God in a way that truly impacts their lives. They will learn
that God cares about the things they deal with on a daily basis and
learn how to apply God’s Word to real-life situations. $13.99
Resurrection Eggs. Resurrection Eggs have been around for a
while. Get the 2014 edition for your kids and watch them crack
open the glorious story of Jesus’ resurrection! Stored in a plastic
carton, a dozen rainbow-hued eggs are filled with surprises.
Pop them open and find miniature symbols of Easter inside! An
updated companion booklet in English and Spanish features
illustrated Bible stories explaining the significance of each object.
Ages 5 and up. $14.99 (Christianbook.com product description)
Easter Activity Book. This Easter activity book for ages 8-12
offers crossword puzzles, word searches, code-breakers and mazes,
along with Scriptures to help kids learn about the love God has for
them and the great sacrifice Jesus made for them and for all of us.
$1.99 (Christianbook.com product description)
10 | The Cross&Crown
lifeAPPLICATION
TECHNOLOGYandYOU
H
earing about someone you know who has colon cancer makes you wonder how you can
avoid it.
There are two common ways to protect yourself.
First, watch your diet. Just as eating a lot of high-fat foods increases your risk of heart disease,
it’s a habit that will increase your risk of colon cancer. The second thing you can do is to get
screened, especially in middle age and beyond. In its early stages colon cancer is highly treatable.
A colonoscopy will show whether you have polyps in your colon. Not all polyps are cancerous, but
over time, they can get that way. Removing them during the colonoscopy is pain free. You won’t
even know it happened. Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon and/or rectum. The rectum is the last few inches
of the colon, and is a possible site for polyps. Of all cancers that affect both men and women,
colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with
27,073 deaths in men and 24,971 in women during 2008. In 2010, 131,607 people were diagnosed
and many were cured.
While screening rates continue to rise in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention say 22 million people age 50 and older are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer
screening. Screening in the 40s is a good idea as well, especially if you have risk factors.
Trim your budget without much sacrifice
B
rian O’Connor, author of The $1,000 Challenge,
says you can find significant savings on expenses by
eliminating some spending or finding cheaper alternatives.
A matter of percentages. Go through your credit card
and bank statements to add up your monthly costs for
must-haves. Determine what percentages of income go
toward necessities and what percentage to wants. Ideally,
you’d allocate at least 20 percent to savings, 50 percent for
must-haves, and 30 percent for discretionary costs. Don’t
try to get every penny accounted for. Just go for the big
picture. Analyze the must-have column. Look at your home, car, insurance, and food. Search for
bargains here. For example, carpooling could reduce travel costs by half if you drive 25 or 30 miles
to work and back every day. Trim automatic deductions from your checking account. If the cable bill is $100 a month, you
could switch to Hulu for $7.99. Decide if you really want to spend $75 a month on a storage unit
for stuff you might never use again. According to CNNMoney, decreasing discretionary spending could make you feel deprived.
So maintain luxuries you really value, like that movie channel. Focus on items you don’t care a
lot about. If you’re paying more for famous name merchandise, like toiletries, try less-expensive
brands. Avoid impulse buying. How many bargain-priced garments are in your closet that you’ve worn
just once or never worn at all?
W
ith its curved 6-inch screen LG’s
new G Flex smartphone is easy to
hold, aesthetically pleasing, and has
interesting design features.
After extensive consumer research on various
curves, LG settled on a curvature of 700mm. In
one study LG showed consumers a movie clip
for 15 seconds on the curved display and then
on a flat LCD. Eighty-five percent of the viewers
preferred curved to flat. The testers saw even
more smiles from people watching the test.
The high-definition display resolution on the
G Flex is 720p rather than the 1080p that’s state
of the art on most premium phones. Still, videos
and photos on the G Flex looked great.
In spite of its size, analyst Ed Baig says the
phone weighs just 6.2 ounces. It’s thin and felt
comfortable held up to the reviewer’s ear during
calls. G Flex has one other interesting benefit. It
has a coated “self healing” back that’s designed
to repair the nicks and scratches a phone can get
with daily use. Similar technology has been used
on furniture and cars.
Inside, it has a powerful quad-core Qualcom
Snapdragon processor, 32 gigabytes of RAM
and the Jelly Bean version of Google’s Android
software. The cost of the unit is $300 with a
two-year contract, either from Sprint, T-Mobile
or AT&T.
The phone also has a 13-megapixel camera
plus a 2.1 megapixel front camera. To put it to
sleep or wake it up, knock twice on the screen.
According to USA Today, their South Korean
rival, Samsung, has a curved phone called the
Galaxy Round.
Puzzle Solution
Decrease your risk of colorectal cancer
LG Electronics’ new phone
has a large curved screen
that hugs your face
April 2014 | 11
Books & Music
mediaMATTERS
The Storm Inside: Trade the Chaos of How You Feel for the Truth of Who
Are by Sheila Walsh. Are you a woman who too often feels beat up by
life? If so, embrace the restorative message of the latest book by author
Sheila Walsh. In it, she shows how tragedies are an opportunity to begin a
new journey with Christ, how to replace words like “always” and “never”
with words of hope, and how to help others find hope in the midst of
their trials. No matter how you feel, you can (and will) grow in the midst
of your storms when you trust God with the details. $21.99
The 7 Principles of Highly Accountable Men by Mark R. Laaser. Are you
a man content living your life on the outskirts of Christianity, satisfied
with attending church regularly, serving in ministry, while continuing to
live a worldly life outside your church commitments? In this small book,
Mark Laaser challenges men to make their confession (who they say they
are) their conversation (who they are in their everyday lives). It begins
with brokenness, confession, and repentance, the first of the seven
principles. $11.99
What Are You Afraid Of? by David Jeremiah. How do we overcome fear?
We exercise our faith. “I believe that fear describes a great deal of what’s
going on in our culture today,” says Dr. David Jeremiah. He has written
this book to help readers understand and know what the Bible has to say
about fear; and it has a lot to say about fear. Dr. Jeremiah’s book addresses
all kinds of fears, including the fear of disaster, the fear of illness, the fear
of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of dying, the fear of mental
breakdown, the fear of being alone, and more. $24.99
Don’t Settle for Less Than the Best by Joyce Meyer (CD). If you think
this lesson is about things, think again. It’s about living our best lives for
Christ and not settling for mediocre. In this four-part series, Bible teacher
and best-selling author Joyce Meyer teaches from the parable of the sower.
She explains why some believers “reach God’s best while others don’t.”
From this teaching, you will learn how the parable of the sower applies to
your life today, how your commitment level to Christ affects God’s best
for you, how to overcome the enemy’s tricks that cause you to settle for
less, and how to identify and prevent common distractions that keep
God’s best out of reach. $26
The Five Languages of Apology: How to Experience Healing in Your
Relationships by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas. Just as there are
different ways we express love, there are different ways we express
apology. In his latest book, with Jennifer Thomas, Chapman outlines the
five languages of apology as expressing regret, accepting responsibility,
making restitution, genuinely repenting, and requesting forgiveness. An
apology is an important part of forgiving and being forgiven, and like
love, it is a choice. Find out what your primary apology language is.
$14.99
Hallmark Entertainment 4 Films Collector’s Set (DVD). The entire
family will be blessed by these four heartwarming stories! In Thicker Than
Water, attorney Natalie Jones discovers her father’s secret past. In Angel in
the Family, estranged sisters reunite. In Ordinary Miracles, a troubled teen
goes to live with an emotionally wounded judge. And in Fielder’s Choice, a
promising ad executive takes custody of his autistic nephew. $14.68
(Christianbook.com product description).
All titles are available in Saving Grace Book Center, 773.256.4113. Prices are subject to change.
LISTENtoTHIS
Music by Israel Houghton & New Breed
E
xcitement is brewing because one of the most gifted and
anointed musicians is coming to ACOG this month. That
musician and songwriter is Israel Houghton. Israel and New
Breed will open this year’s Bible Conference, Monday, April 21,
at 7:30 p.m. The free concert will feature the very best of his music, from
albums like Jesus at the Center; The Power of One; Love God, Love People;
and others. Get ready for an awesome evening of worship by listening
to your favorite Israel songs now. You can find his music in the Saving
Grace bookstore—and get 20% off anything by Israel & New Breed this
month.
12 | The Cross&Crown
aroundACOG
Alternatives (CommunityCALENDAR)
CALENDAR
Every day from April 5–12, you can participate in a workshop that teaches
you how to make smart money choices. Check out these two sessions:
“Money Smart: Basic Financial Education,” Wednesday, April 9, from 9
to 11 a.m. at the Greater Southwest Development Corporation, 6155 S.
Pulaski Rd, 2nd floor of Marquette Bank, Chicago; and “Money Homebuyer
Education Training Workshop,” Saturday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., at Savory Square, 4448 S. State St., Chicago. Both sessions are free.
THURSDAY
April 10
SATURDAY
April 12
FRIDAY
April 18
The Academy for
Good Friday Service,
Young Adults, 7 p.m. Feeding the Homeless 6 p.m.
for Christ, 1:30 p.m.
morecomingUP
Upcoming Feeding the Homeless Events. The next monthly meeting of
Feeding the Homeless for Christ is Sunday April 13, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in volunteering for the ministry,
you are welcome to attend the meeting. The next outing for Feeding the
Homeless is Saturday, April 26, in Altgeld Park, located at 515 S. Washtenaw, in Chicago. The ministry will be spreading the gospel from 9 a.m. to
1:30 p.m.
April 11–12
Chicago International Art, Antique & Jewelry Show • Navy
Pier Festival Hall • 600 E. Grand Ave. • Chicago
If you love art, antique, and jewelry, you’ll love this show. And you’ll also have
an opportunity to take home some of your favorite pieces. Browse and shop
from a variety of gems from more than 100 exhibitors from around the world.
Show features: fine art, antique and estate jewelry, Asian antiquities, sculpture,
textiles, American and European silver, furniture, contemporary art, and
more. Tickets are $20. Visit www.goldstar.com for a discount rate.
SUNDAY
April 20
Joy of Easter, 9 a.m.
MONDAY
April 21
Israel & New Breed,
7:30 p.m.
MON – FRI
April 21–25
82nd Annual Bible
Conference
APRIL ‘14
April 5–12
Smart Money Week Workshops
Various Locations
Daytimers Trip. Join Daytimers for an excursion to Eureka Springs,
Arkansas, June 10-14. The cost is $373 per person. This all-inclusive trip
includes accommodations for three nights, dinner and breakfast, a play,
and a “Holy Land” tour. We will depart from ACOG Tuesday, June 10 at
9 p.m. and return Saturday, June 14, around 10 p.m. Pay during Tuesday’s
Daytimers. Final payment is due May 27. Orientation is Tuesday, June 3,
at 9 a.m.
New Members Right Hand of Fellowship. The next New Members Right
Hand of Fellowship (RHOF) is April 13, during both the 9:10 a.m. and
11:40 a.m. services. If you are a new member scheduled to receive the
RHOF, please arrive early and register at the kiosk before service begins. If
you have questions, call 773.256.4204.
Bible Conference 2014. “Empowered by a New Reality: Living in the
Reality of God’s Word” is the theme of the 82nd Annual Bible Conference. It’s coming April 21-25. This year’s conference will open with what’s
sure to be a life-changing music ministry experience with Israel & New
Breed. They will be in concert Monday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the
Dorchester Sanctuary. Each day will begin with a prayer service from 6:15
to 7 a.m. in Kenwood Sanctuary. Bible class will be held at 11 a.m. and 6
p.m., afternoon prayer at 2:30 p.m., and dinner at 4 p.m. Special conference activities will be held for children and teens. We will be joined by a
dynamic lineup of teachers and preachers, including Dr. Jeanne Porter
King, Elder Philip France, Pastor Yolanda Hunt, Pastor Smokie Norful,
Pastor DeAndre Patterson, Elder David Hollis, Pastor James Meeks, Dr. W.
James Campbell, Dr. Sandra Riley, Dr. Noah Nicholson, Bishop Kenneth
Ulmer, Dr. Ricky Allmon, and Bishop J.W. Walker. Jermone Glenn will be
the speaker for our teen conference, which will be held Tuesday – Friday
of Conference week.
Old School, New School. Assistant Pastor Dr. Nicholas Pearce and his wife, Tammy visit
with Sister Isabelle Brazier. Photo: Leonard McGee
April 2014 | 13
funPAGE
ACROSS
1. The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, ___, Hezron (Gen 46:9)
6. the crown of glory that will never ___ away (1 Peter 5:4)
10. those that were lame, blind, ____, maimed (Matt 15:30)
14. But he had no ___ with her until she gave birth (Matt.1:25)
15. unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been ___ with (Jer 3:2) KJV
16. Isaac loved ____, because he did eat of his venison (Gen 25:28)
17. Like a gold ring in a pig’s ___ (Prov 11:22)
18. As ___ ___ man who casteth firebrands (1,3) (Prov 26:18) KJV
19. The Lord needs it and will ___ it back here shortly (Mark 11:3)
20. will be responsible for ___ him over to the king (1 Sam 23:20)
22. for anger ___ in the lap of fools (Eccl 7:9)
24. saying, ___, Eli, lama sabachthani? (Matt 27:46)
25. It was said unto her, The ____ shall serve the younger (Romans 9:12)
26. neither shall they ____ a rough garment to deceive (Zech 13:4)
29. King Solomon made a ____ of ships in Eziongeber (1King 9:26)
31. harps, and golden ___ full of odours (Rev 5:8) KJV
35. appearing of the great God ___ our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)
36. Now therefore are we all ____ present before God (Acts 10:33)
37. Jacob gave Esau some bread and some ___ stew (Gen 25:34)
38. examine the mildew and ___ the affected article (Lev 13:50)
40. He ___ us all our sins (Col 2:13)
41. Take his garment that is ___ for a stranger (Prov 20:16) KJV
42. fish, and all manner of ___, and sold on the sabbath (Neh 13:16) KJV
43. we sailed to the ___ of Crete, opposite Salmone (Acts 27:7)
44. two days, or five, ___ ___ twenty days (3,2) (Num 11:19)
45. a ___ of evil men has encircled me (Ps 22:16)
46. Do your ___ to present yourself to God as one approved (2 Tim 2:15)
47. Two sons were born to Eber: One was named ___ (Gen 10:25)
49. I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ___ (Jer 6:27)
51. The law is only ___ ___ of the good things that are coming (1,6) (Heb 10:1)
54. on his legs he wore bronze ___ (1 Sam 17:6)
58. The ____ out of the wood doth waste it (Ps 80:13) KJV
59. and brought him to an inn, and took ____ of him (Luke 10:34)
61. take thee ___ ___, and lay it before thee (1,4) (Ezek 4:1) (KJV)
62. The ___ is my rock, my fortress (Ps 18:2)
63. Bring me a heifer, a goat and ___ ___ (1,3) (Gen 15:9)
64. the ___ forest has been cut down (Zech 11:2)
65. From the ___ of the earth I call to you (Ps 61:2)
66. if he ___ them loose, they devastate the land (Job 12:15)
67. look of contempt or scorn (Isa.57:4)
DOWN
30. Love not the world, neither the things that ____ in the world (1 John 2:15)
32. we spend our years as ___ ___ that is told (1,4) (Ps 90:9) KJV
33. Flee for your ___ Don’t look back (Gen 19:17)
34. vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with ___ (Ps 78:47)
36. ____ stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Prov 10:12) KJV
37. saying Ah ___ ___ , Ah his glory! (4,2) (Jer 22:18)KJV
39. Their horses are swifter than ___ (Hab 1:8)
40. send unto Babylon fanners, that shall ____ her (Jer 51:2)
42. every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and ____ his hand (Zeph 2:15)
45. ___ of the teachers of the law (Luke 20:46)
46. Three times I was ___ with rods (2 Cor 11:25)
48. hand you over to the ___ councils and flog you (Matt 10:17)
50. Blessed is the one who ___ the words of this prophecy (Rev 1:3)
51. God is ___ to make all grace abound to you (2 Cor 9:8)
52. as ___ as it was sprung up, it withered away (Luke 8:6) KJV
53. Master, we’ve worked ___ all night (Luke 5:5)
54. and onyx stones and other ___ to be mounted (Ex 25:7)
55. I am the ___; you are the branches (John 15:5)
56. Above all ___ , guard your heart (Prov 4:23)
57. “I am the ___ ,” Samuel replied (1 Sam 9:19)
60. a large nasty rodent (Lev.11:29)
Puzzle Solution
1. then take an awl and ___ it through his ear lobe (Deut 15:17)
2. There was also a prophetess, ____, the daughter of Phanuel (Luke 2:36)
3. Thy servant slew both the ____ and the bear (1 Sam 17:36)
4. and the sound of the trumpet grew ___ (Ex 19:19)
5. and continued his speech ____ midnight (Acts 20:7)
6. can the ___ grow without water? (Job 8:11) KJV
7. tongues like swords and ____ their words like deadly arrows (Ps 64:3)
8. God’s chosen people, holy and ___ loved (Col 3:12)
9. So he ___ their days in futility (Ps 78:33)
10. Greatly ___ to see thee (2 Tim 1:4) KJV
11. with their tongues they have ____ deceit (Romans 3:13)
12. clothe his neck with a flowing ___ (Job 39:19)
13. was budded, and brought forth ____, and bloomed blossoms (Num 17:8)
21. Sarah bear a child at the age of ___ (Gen 17:17)
23. for the famine was ___ throughout Egypt (Gen 41:56)
25. the serpent beguiled ____ through his subtilty (2 Cor 11:3)
26. with a belt of the finest gold around his ___ (Dan 10:5)
27. do good; let him seek peace, and ___ it (1 Pet 3:11) (KJV)
28. also, that women ____ themselves in modest apparel (1 Tim 2:9)
14 | The Cross&Crown
Ads
inTHEknow
The classified advertising in The Cross & Crown is a free service. The deadline for ads is the first Sunday of each month. All ads will be placed in
the first available issue (typically the month following the Sunday you submit your ad). At the church’s discretion, The Cross & Crown reserves the
right to not print any ad for any reason. Classified advertising in The Cross & Crown does not necessarily imply the endorsement of the church.
General
For Rent
■ Total Gym with exercise and nutrition guide manual, leg pulley accessory kit,
wing attachments, and ab-crunch board, $150. Call Gwen, 773.816.9680.
■ 1st & Francisco Ave.—lrg 2-bdrm/1-bath apt in clean, quiet two flat brick
building w/living room, eat-in kitchen w/dining area, hrdwd flrs, C/A, laundry
room, patio in backyard, garage available upon request, $875/mo., utilities not
included. View by appointment only. Call Mrs. Veal, 312.912.3059.
■ All Occasion Gift Baskets—custom-made dolls, angels, wedding ornamentation,
blessing wells, call Irene Jasper, 773.469.9471.
■ For Sale—2 six-foot cherrywood bookcases with matching desk, 1 antique
round dining table. Call Irene Jasper, 773.469.9471.
■ Improve your posture or just become a healthier you in a holistic manner.
Specializing in a wide range of aliments we can help with Chiropractic Care. Call
773.324.4325 for a free class with our personal trainer.
■ Taylor Made in the USA Demolition—Cleanouts: attics, basements, garages and
backyards, no job to small or large, special rates for senior citizens. Call
847.331.1542 or 773.606.2656.
■ The Insurance Professionals—competitive prices and innovative coverage in
auto, homeowners, renters, life, professional liability, business, and health
insurance. For a free quote, call Michael at 312.278.0099 ext. 101, or e-mail
mnunn@tipllc.net.
■ Dora La Couture—Specializing in providing custom-made bridal gowns,
bridesmaid gowns, mother of bride/groom and flower girl, special occasion
dresses and prom and business attire. Place your order today for prom or wedding.
and get a special price, 8246 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago, 773.374.8863
■ 70th & Artesian—2-bdrm/1-bath garden apt. w/living room, C/A, security
system, laundry room, $650/mo., utilities not included. Call Mr. Hamilton,
630.267.2969.
■ 6552 S. University—2-bdrm rehabbed apt. in quiet/well-maintained building,
hrdwd flrs, dining room and/or den, C/A, laundry in bldg., appliances, 1 parking
space, back porch, $1100/mo., Call or text Karen DeGrasse, Jameson Sotheby’s
International Realty, 312.925.5462.
■ 3-bdrm, 1.5-bath townhouse with appliances, washer/dryer, rear parking space,
semi-finished basement with laundry room. Tenant pays utilities. 1 month security
deposit $750/mo. Call Ms. Sampson, 773.450.9535.
■ 6611–13 S. Marquette Rd—rehabbed six flat, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, sunroom,
living room, dining room, kitchen, hardwood floors. Heat and water included
$895/mo., credit check, no security, no pets. Available now. Call Libra Realty
Management, 773.860.7565.
■ Kississmee, Fla.—2-bdrom, 5-star condo (sleeps 8, all amenities included), just
minutes from Disney World & all major theme parks. Seven days, excellent price.
Call Toni Blackmon, 773.301.4988.
Compromise, continued from page 3
Relationship with God, continued from page 5
would a Christian community seemingly embrace a practice that is
clearly defined as sin by the Word of God? The same reasons Solomon
began to worship idol gods: pressure to accept something that is
acceptable by many others, even if it is sin in God’s eyes; or the numbing
over time to sin because of the “bit-by-bit” nature of compromise in our
lives—a snowball effect.
So when comes to situations like a married couple meeting halfway
on the kind of house they’re going to purchase, a group of coworkers
completing a project, or legislators agreeing on the the details of a bill to
be passed into law, compromise is necessary; it’s necessary to insure that
the needs of various people are met. However, we cannot compromise
when it comes to our faith. We can’t compromise our relationship with
God.
Jesus called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He came to
set us free—to open our eyes to truth, to mend our broken hearts, to
give us beauty for our ashes, to replace our mourning with joy and our
sadness with gladness (Isaiah 61:1–3). Jesus saved us from the penalty
of sin so that we might have a right to the Tree of Life. He destroyed our
ultimate enemy, which is death. In Christ, we have everything we need;
therefore, we have no reason to compromise. Besides, what this world
offers only leads to death and cannot compare what we will inherit in
Christ.
Principle One: Accountability begins with brokenness, confession, and
repentance.
Principle Two: Accountability requires your being able to talk about
your feelings and needs.
Principle Three: Accountability always requires a group of men or
women, not just one person.
Principle Four: Accountability means you must get rid of the garbage in
your life.
Principle Five: Prepare when you are strong for a time you will be weak.
Principle Six: Accountability means building and defending in equal
measures.
Principle Seven: To change a negative behavior, you must do whatever it
takes for as long as it takes.
For details on how to implement these principles in your life, get a copy of
The Seven Principles of Highly Accountable Men, available in the Saving
Grace bookstore or at Christianbook.com.
This month’s column is based on the sermon “No Reason to Compromise,”
preached January 5, 2014.
April 2014 | 15
Apostolic Church of God
6320 South Dorchester Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60637
www.acog-chicago.org
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Next Issue’s Theme: He’s Been So Good
ACOG SERVICE TIMES
Sundays
9:10 a.m., First Service
11:40 a.m., Second Service
4 p.m., Afternoon Service
Tuesdays
10 a.m., Daytimers Bible Class
Wednesdays
1 p.m., Prayer
7:30 p.m., Bible Class
Fridays
7:30 p.m., Intercessory Prayer
Television Broadcasts
Sundays, 8 a.m.
WCIU/TV, Channel 26
■ Cable stations may vary