A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
Updates and Changes
I’m doing something new.
From now on, I’ll be posting all my articles to my personal blog (jssberry.wordpress.com.) This week’s article I’ll be talking about my struggle with trusting God and getting out of His way. You can read that here:
Savior, Not Personal Assistant
Also, I’ve decided to make The Art Gallery more inclusive. I have always had a fondness for art and the amazing ways people use their craft to express themselves, show creativity or showcase something from a different point of view. Therefore to limit the features to strictly poets, short story writers and traditional art (painting, drawing, etc.) is a failure on my part. Art cannot only be found in a pen and paintbrush, but also in dancing, singing/music and even in design. From now on I’ll be working to feature more non-traditional works as well as other forms of artistry that glorify Christ. I have a deep love for the arts and I feel it’s important to respect artists and the lovely insights they bring to the table through their craft.
For Breaking Bread, I will only post up the link to the Sunday sermon broadcasts. These will only be written up if there was some sort of technical issue while the broadcast was streaming or if it simply was not recorded. Bible study messages will still be written up because we longer record those at TOR. Should there come a time however when a message from Bible study is recorded, then I will post the link for it as well.
I’m making these changes because (as I believe I’ve mentioned once before) I do all the editing, writing and posting for the Safe Haven. As of right now it’s just me and I’ve come to see that I’ve added a lot of stress to myself by taking on too much. Sometimes it results in me becoming overwhelmed or anxious and after a few weeks it can be so tiring that it takes the joy and love out of what I do. I want to find simpler ways for me to get the information out to you all while also elevating this newsletter to a better standard. My desire is to make Safe Haven more efficient and enjoyable for all our readers.
Thank you all so much for your continued support and I hope that the Safe Haven will continue to grow and evolve as a newsletter and a ministry.
NEWS
Local news in the area
NOW OPEN: PVAMU Opens New Stadium, Wins LDC
by Jacqueline S. Sadberry
Editor in Chief
Prairie View A&M University opened the doors the the brand new Blackshear Stadium on Sept. 4 for the annual Labor Day Classic game against rivals Texas Southern University.
In Blackshear’s earlier years, you can find a picture of it in the 1920s yearbook as nothing more than a barren field and a shack. Some alumni can recall sitting on wooden bleachers and could remember how excited they were when Blackshear had metal bleacher seats. All in all, it has transformed into the 15,000 seat facility it is today. Many are coming out to see it with over 1900 freshmen have enrolled at PVAMU this year and the athletics department reported selling out of season tickets for the first time. There are currently inquiries about purchasing tickets for next football season.
Quite a number of alumni traveled a great distance to witness what is considered to be a historical moment for the university. One man stating that he drove close to 12 hours. Even with two temporary delays due to lightening, the house remained relatively full as spectators watched in the rain. There were also those who came from other HBCUs to see the improvements and to show support, such as: Xavier University, Alabama A&M University and Grambling State.
The Panthers football team topped off this joyous occasion by pulling off with the win against the TSU Tigers, 29-25, in a tightly contested bout. The next game will be in Bryan College Station against the Texas A&M University Aggies at 11 a.m.
We are still raising money to begin construction for our bathroom installation. The total cost of the project is $6000. So far we have risen close to $4000. If you can, please make a donation by going to KTORRadio.com and click on the donate button.
BREAKING BREAD
Sunday sermons, Wednesday messages
Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, “In Due Season (Proverbs 18:16)”
“A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great mean.” (Prov. 18:16 KJV)
Service is broadcasted live at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. To hear the current and previous Sunday sermon, go to Sunday Morning Live at ktorradio.com
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, “The Time Is Now (Mark 1:15)”
MEMORY VERSE: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mk. 1:15 KJV)
“There’s going to always be something pressing in your life.” As long as we’re living, we’re all going to have some sort of problem or issue pop up. Just because life gets chaotic from time to time doesn’t mean we use that as an excuse to not serve the Lord with our whole heart. Many of us choose to keep pushing God back, saying we’ll commit later, but don’t know if we’ll be gone today, “We can’t make the mistake of assuming we’re in good graces with God.” Don’t take this time for granted; are you preparing for judgement? “Regardless of where you are, repent.”
Hebrews 9:27 lets us know that we will all die, but there is a second death. Jesus doesn’t send anyone to hell because we have a choice. We can either live for Him and live on in paradise or we can choose to do as we please and die again, “You can’t sit around waiting for when you feel it’s time to move on the work God has for you…” He’s put everything into motion; all we have to do is go forth in faith. Regardless of whatever your situation is, it is not going to change by you sitting there looking at it. Things begin to change when you move forward. “Don’t let your situation affect your blessings.”
Faith is not faith if you are depending on self, “If you set everything up…lay out the foundation…what’s the purpose of God?” Where can your faith be seen in avenues God didn’t orchestrate for you? If you are the one making all the moves, all the decisions, what is the point of serving Him? Where is faith exercised in that, how does He get the glory from it?
At the end of the day, God does not want to hear our excuses for why we chose not to maintain our salvation. The devil run amuck in your home because you allow him to, and until you use the authority Jesus gave unto you, he will continue to do so, “You need to speak power, deliverance, healing…whatever you need over your home.” Stop wallowing around in the junk. If you have fallen, come to God and repent—allow the Lord to clean you up and get back up, “You don’t keep hovering over spilled milk…you have to keep things in motion.”
Hold your ground and stand strong in the Lord, “…God has you covered…” In order to make heaven, we must position ourselves to do so. That way, whenever the day comes when Christ decides to call us home we’ll get there. “We have to position ourselves for the win… Because our lives were given to us by God, He can take it back at any time.” Warning always comes before destruction, “…a wise servant takes heed to the warning.” You don’t know when you’re going to leave here; are you heeding the warning? Are you preparing for the departure?
THE ART GALLERY
Using artistry to empower the Kingdom
FEATURED ARTIST: TEREK HAGANS
by Jacqueline S. Sadberry
Editor in Chief
I’ve been looking to feature some digital art in the Safe Haven this week. Truthfully I had overlooked this type of art because I prefer the traditional style, but with a steady increase of non traditional artistry I felt compelled to spotlight artists in this area. There are some very talented men and women of faith doing incredible things with their gifts. Why not bring more attention and awareness to it? Initially I wasn’t sure how I’d even come across someone that does digital artwork but lo and behold, the Lord led me to this guy: Terek Hagans.
This young man can create some amazing things—and he doesn’t just do digital pieces either; Hagans also paints and draws as well. What drew me to him were his portraits of Christian Hip-Hop artists. Anybody who knows about any CHH rappers already knows what’s up and his work is stellar! If I had to describe his style, I would say it’s playful, out of the box and far from ordinary. There is a powerful, vivid display of passion that he has for his craft and it is felt throughout all his artwork.
To view more of Hagans work, you can check out his page on Instagram (@terekhagans) or you can go to his website to view his collection and learn more about him: www.terekhagans.com
**If you or someone you know is using their artistry for the Lord and you’d like to see your/their work featured in the Safe Haven, please email me with some contact info: tor_cogic@yahoo.com. I’m always looking for new people to spotlight!**
“ATTENTION, ATTENTION!”
Events, announcements for the month of September
Dates will occasionally be added to the calendar
- Sept. 4: 32 Annual Labor Day Classic, PVAMU, Prairie View, Texas
- Sept. 12: Sister Jasmine’s Birthday
- Sept. 25: 4th Sundays “The Remedy,” 5 p.m., Temple of Refuge
**This issue has been edited**
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