Tis the Season to be Strengthened
 
Tis the season to fill your atmosphere (home, work, school, etc.) with love and strength! During this time of the year, as you wrap gifts, decorate the home, and hang the stockings, we at Kingdom Women say give of yourself, your time, and your resources! Love is the guiding force that leads us into paths of strength and nourishment. As a Kingdom Woman in these times, we carry within us the real gifts and treasures that people of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, and social and economic statuses are searching for. People need strength and structure to think good thoughts, peace to make the hard decisions, and love to persevere through whatever the occasion demands. Never underestimate that you have treasures from within that are more valuable than any material gifts! Now is not the time to be filled with holiday frenzy or stress from pressure to give something that is of very little value...Give life, laughter, cheer, good eats, and warmth from the heart. All of these come through the guiding force of a strengthened woman. Let LOVE rule this Christmas season!
  
Merry Christmas,
Kingdom Women
  
Our Vision
Kingdom Wit

Testimonial #1

Pastor Portia

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this October newsletter. The article by Mrs. Benford was just awesome and refreshing ,as I can certainly relate. I have been with my husband for 46 years now . We have been married for 38 years but dated off and on until we finally realized ;it's you and me for life.( my soul mate).
  
No it has not been all honey and cream,but we are committed to each other. I certainly had to prioritize who I was and am as a woman. I have been taking back my identity for some time now and can truly say , " I'm loving it and feeling free as a soaring bird and a butterfly with new wings. We as women have not been taught how to stay true to who we are and who we are called to be in different seasons of our lives.
Thank God I didn't wait too late to find this out ; red hair,orange lipstick and everything else that I choose to do for me.
  
Whoopie to that Sisters !!!!!!
Be Blessed and keep writing. Somebody's listening.
  
By the way , I raised 4 Knuckled head boys and love them madly but they are grown and gone. Yes Lord Yes!
  
Pastor Portia 
Georgia 

Testimonial #2

Sheronda Williams

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Kingdom Women Newsletter has been a blessing in my life. It has shown me, that all women go through the same issues no matter what color, creed or position they hold. I've learned that it is okay for me to miss the mark, and many times I do. However, the key is not to stay down, but get back up and keep moving.
 
As women, we wear many hats and this sometimes causes us to live unbalanced lives. In Volume 2 Issue 3; the article featuring PleshetteBenford, she talked about having a balanced life. This profile really spoke to me and caused me to question if my life was in balance or not. In some areas I saw that I was, and in others I was not. I now have valuable information that I can refer to, and i am able to apply what I have received from other women to my own life situations, to ensure those areas are where they need to be.As a wife and mother, I need this.
 
What I love about this newsletter is that it's easy to understand, and can be applied to everyday life. I believe it was created to uplift and encourage women...and I believe it is serving its purpose. Through this newsletter, I have seen a number of women go through so many trials and overcome them. This shows me that I too, can and will have the victory in all areas.
 
I would like to acknowledge Tyra Eckwood and the Kingdom Women staff for their hard work and for creating this awesome newsletter. Each time I receive it, I feel like a proud sister. Keep up the great work and continue to allow God to use your awesome gift.

Sheronda Walker Williams
Arkansas
 
  

Releasing Independence and Accepting God

Pearl Dowe

  

I grew up in Savannah, Georgia with both parents and two siblings. I have a twin sister so I grew up understanding sharing and enjoyed being with people.  My mother preached to us that we should always be independent and take care of ourselves.  I was always a good student so I used education as my vehicle to take care of myself.  But the independent spirit I developed hid itself for years.

During my college years I realized I was resilient. I could multi-task at ease and maintain my emotional balance.  Because of this it was easy for me to categorize myself with the independent label "strong black woman".  This cultural mantle of praise is one that Black women often relish and so did I.  The idea that I could handle anything and many things at one time became my way of life. This mindset also allowed me to make decisions quickly often without deep thought or prayer. In some circumstances making quick decisions benefitted my career path but in most cases it sped my life up and gave me more issues that I had to manage with my super black woman powers. 

When I moved away to Washington, D.C. for graduate school my life faced not only academic challenges but financial and social challenges as well.  I now had to navigate school, work and new friends and associates.  Although I believed I could do everything on my own God still gave me the wisdom and desire to seek a church home.  After visiting several churches I was moved to join Greater Mt. Calvary.  During my membership I began to realize that my super black woman strength was not my own but it was God's hand in my life.  He had placed opportunity at my door, put people in my life who would help me and not harm me and gave me mercy so that mistakes I made did not hinder my progress or end my life.

Once I began to release the super black woman mindset and accept God's plan for my life to be successful and have good things I thought everything was well.  As I moved closer to graduation I focused on my personal life.  I began thinking about the possibility of marriage and family.  I dated while I lived in D.C. but my goal was graduation.  A month after graduation I met my husband.   Shortly after we met I knew he would be more than a guy I just dated.  During our courtship we had our ups and downs but there was always something missing on my end.  The closer we got I had difficulty being vulnerable. This mostly led to communication issues in our relationship.  Over a period a time I made a strong effort to share and expose my weaknesses. For a while I got the hang of it.  Our relationship grew and we married.  We recently celebrated our second wedding anniversary.  During the first two years I again found myself struggling with vulnerability.  I knew how to manage a household and respect my husband but I had difficulty giving him all of me and sharing the depths of my heart.  One day while we were joking around he called me super woman.  At that moment the light bulb went off.  I had not completely released my super black woman persona.  Yes, I understood that God was in control and how to run a home but I had not accepted that God had given me a husband who could take care of me emotionally if I allowed him.

I am blessed that God revealed this to me early in my marriage.  Since that revelation my day to day relationship with my husband is more loving and freeing.  The revelation also renewed my faith that God takes care of me and all things and everyone connected to me.  Life is so much grander and blessed. 

Biography

Dr. Pearl K. Dowe is the wife of Alfred Dowe, Jr.  She is a member of Restoration Church and is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas.  She enjoys spending her time with her husband, watching sports, and reading.

  

That Which Sustains

Beverly A. McDaniel

  

Over the last several months, I have experienced some heavy opposition in every area of my life. The attacks were not only against me, but those that I love. Either I could allow those oppositions to "take me out" or I could fight for my life. I chose LIFE. In choosing life, I had to participate in my own healing and deliverance, intercede for my family, not give up on God, not look to the left/right and not abort the promise. I had to realize that God has not forgotten us, and remember that He is faithful to His Word. The opposition wasn't really trying to destroy us, but the promises of God that are in us. It wants to make us immobile- too afraid to move forward and too afraid to go backwards.

It was during those months that I began to realize what truly sustains me. The key things that sustain me are:

  1. Prioritizing and Boundaries: I am learning to not sacrifice the people and things that are important to me; to not take them or it for granted; and to spend quality time with them.
     
  2. Prayer: I am now saying what God is saying about me and the situations. I had to break the silence. The situation was speaking to me, and I had to speak to the situation. I cannot focus on the statistics but TRUTH.
     
  3. Faith: I cannot allow what I see to hinder what I believe. I read the Word of God and apply it to my life.
     
  4. Trusting God: I believe what God says; take Him at His Word.
     
  5. Building Relationships: It is important for me to have a good support system. Therefore, I honor them and treat them with respect. My success is tied to them.
     
  6. Decluttering My Life: I can no longer live a mediocre life. I am called to excellence in every area of my life; value must be added to all of us.
     
  7. Preparation: I must study and sharpen my skills so that I can seize opportunities.
     
  8. Not Carrying Unnecessary Weight: I am equipped for what God has called me to do. I cannot do my own thing.
     
  9. Living a Balanced Life: The fruit of the spirit balances my life. I am learning to give love freely not only to others, but to myself.

Even though my family and I are still facing opposition, we can face today with joy, strength and peace. We realize that God is truly our source.

Biography 

Beverly A. McDaniel is an educator by trade. One of her greatest passion is to inspire, motive and encourage people to step outside their comfort zone and broaden their horizon. She believes that regardless of our experiences, we are all significant and have purpose.

She also enjoys writing Inspiration Readings and designing jewelry. Her motto is "Divine Inspiration is Our Standard".

  
Precious Rubies
 
"The most powerful life we live is one that is lived from within. Deep within the heart of every woman are profound, life-giving treasures and answers."
  
Precious Rubies was birth from a heart that understands that, as Kingdom Women, life must be lived from the inside out. Positive internal communication is a precious ruby that directs the heart and advances the soul into new dimensions of possibilities to break you out of darkness and thrust you into the light. That inner conversation speaks volumes beyond what is happening outwardly, good or bad. This conversation must be one that speaks truth, forgiveness, love, and peace. The bible tells us that David encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:4). David allowed enriching and effective communication to flow within that brought strength and peace to him in a distressing and uncertain time. Inspiring inner communication is a Precious Ruby to shine for this next phase of your life. The year 2013 is already upon us. Move out, confident woman, and declare, with a knowing deep in your inner being, that the year ahead is already conquered ground. Precious Rubies will return in 2013 with a resilient tenacity to assist you in your inner life.
  

Do It Girl

 

A Sustainable You

By Stephanie Spivey

 

Sustainability is not a new concept.  However, it is primarily used to talk about environmental issues.  Websters defines sustainability as "the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld or confirmed." From an environmental perspective, it means "the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance."  There are studies discussing how the environment is negatively affected by the actions and behavior of people.  We've heard of programs aimed at recycling everything from plastic to paper and everything in between.   We are constantly reminded that it's our responsibility and obligation to pass on a healthy earth to future generations.  Pollution, landfills, ozone depletion, carbon footprints, toxic sludge - these are all bad things that we have caused or created that are harmful to Mother Earth. 

           

But as women, are there any parallels to what is happening to Mother Earth?  Do you think about your own personal sustainability? What can we do to keep pollution and toxic mess out of our environment?  What can be done to generate our own personal "clean and renewable energy" to keep us going as mothers, lovers, sisters, daughters and friends?  How can we be a sustainable resource for future generations to come?  There are 3 things that can assist you in your quest to become sustainable:

  1. Bible Study: The Word is the ultimate in helping to renew your mind and your spirit.  If you spend a little time with the Lord, He will show you how to renew your mind in Him and to live a more abundant life.  As the single most important resource that can help get you revitalized, the Bible will encourage you and set you on the right path.
     
  2.  Exercise and Eat Right : As a working professional by day and a business owner by night, I understand how difficult this can be.  If you're a mom, it may seem nearly impossible to fit anything more into your schedule.  If starting an exercise regime is a bit overwhelming, do little things.  When you go shopping at your local Walmart, don't try to park in the closest parking spot.  Take the stairs.  Drink more water.  Eat a little more greenery than you normally do.  Get a good night's sleep.  Do what you can do.
     
  3. Positive Surroundings: Be aware of what you allow in your environment.  Pollution in your life can be just as detrimental as it is to our natural environment.  The wrong thought life, toxic people, and self-destructive behavior can pollute you and thwart your goal to thrive as God's wonderful creation.  One way to develop a positive environment is to begin surrounding yourself with positive people who can speak of life and progress.  Stop the negative thinking.  Remember, whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right on both accounts.  One caveat: don't just hang out with people who tell you what you want to hear.  We all deserve to get checked every now and again, so be sure you have folks in your corner who can provide honest criticism but who can also lift you up when you need it.

At the end of the day, you have only one You.  If you don't take care of your mind, body and soul you can open yourself up to illnesses, diseases and a whole host of other harmful things.  So the next time you think of recycling a water bottle because it will help Mother Earth, take time to invest in your own personal sustainability so you can be a natural resource to be enjoyed by future generations. 

Biography

Stephanie Spivey is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. An attorney by trade, she is currently a Regional Director for Walmart and has lived in the area since 1997. Stephanie and her husband Eric are the owners of the Rogers martial arts school, Kuk Sool WonTM of Rogers, which has been open since 2006. She was recently promoted to 3rd degree black belt, and her husband is a 4th degree black belt. When Stephanie is not working for Walmart, you can find her and her husband hard at work teaching their students and training in the martial arts.

  
 
  
  
Staff Information
 
  
    
     Tyra Eckwood            Dionna Moses            Kathy Johnson         Beverly A. McDaniel

        CEO/Editor            Executive Editor            Senior Editor       Graphic Designs Director

 

      
    Mattie Williams          Tareshia Jacobs          Kaleah Thomas           Taylon Breeden 
  Marketing/Admin        Research Director      Senior Researcher            Social Media
      Executive
  
About Us
 
Kingdom Women, Inc. will assure the women we are fortunate to minister to that the time has come for us to Stand Up, Stand Tall and Be Counted! We will empower them with information, services, and programs that will enhance their lives and the lives of those they touch. We want to teach them the importance of Spirituality and the role that it plays in a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle. We will focus on building the inner structure of the mind, heart and the focus of women. We want to educate women in the areas of business and personal finance, as well as empower them with the necessary tools that will allow them to reach their full potential. Our mission is to assist them in leading more productive and fulfilled lives. We realize that our success will only be measured by the lives of the women we not only touch, but by those lives that were enhanced as a result of our combined efforts. 
  
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