1. family and parenting
2. children

Vol. 12 No. 2
June, 2013
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the minister of the Word” Acts 6:4
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Praise the Lord for the great things He has
done. We, the Little Zion Baptist Church, are so
grateful for the blessings of God. The Lord has
blessed us with so much. This spring, we have
been so blessed in our Spring Revival, Women’s
Conference and Youth Choir Anniversary
Celebration…and the Lord has spoken to us to
walk and minister to the various needs of all
people. My prayer for the body of Christ is
threefold.
First, I pray for the spiritual healing for the
church…the children of God. So many Saints
are wounded because of the devices and schemes of the accuser of the brethren, Satan. The body of
Christ has yet to recognize who or what they are fighting against. We are warring against one another,
flesh and blood…and the enemy is sitting back watching the festivities as we declare war on our
brothers and sisters in Christ. In the name of Jesus, I decree healing and mending of the many broken
hearted children of God that we may unite together and fulfill the mandate of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, I pray that God will continue to extend unlimited grace to the lost souls of our land.
There are so many hurting people that need the covenant love of Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Savior,
Jesus died on the cross, rose from the grave and now sits in Heavenly places so we can walk in
righteousness and be empowered over the power of sin. Holy Spirit, call and draw the children of God
back home. Lord, save them, wash them and cleanse them with your Holy Spirit.
Lastly, I want to pray for all authority…in government, in education, and in the church. Lord,
touch the hearts of those who rule over your people…humble their hearts, make them wise, and
strengthen them physically. I thank you in advance for everything you are going to do.
I know prayer changes the hearts of those that pray. I also pray that we will continue to pray…
believing that God will change us. We walk in faith knowing the Lord will transform those that will seek
Him and desire His will and ways for their lives. LZBC family and friends, I will be praying for you that
this season of your life will be your best season. God bless and have a great summer!!!!
For the Cause of Christ,
Dr. Gregory L. Beechaum, Sr.
Chief Servant of Little Zion Baptist Church
Dear Lord,
I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this
morning. I am blessed because You are a forgiving God and an
understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing
me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was
not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and
plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my
mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept
all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And it is the best response when I am pushed beyond my limits. I know that
when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your
will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the
weak...Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are
lost and can’t find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those
who don’t know You intimately. I pray for those that don’t believe. I thank You that I believe. I believe
that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers, and for each
and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are
out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem,
circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that
these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
You never know when God is going to bless you! Good things happen when you least expect them to!
A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but...A woman
of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.
A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything, but...A woman of strength shows
courage in the midst of fear.
A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her, but...A woman of strength
gives the best of her to everyone.
A strong woman walks surefootedly, but...A woman of strength knows God will
catch her when she falls.
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but...A woman of
strength wears grace.
A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but...A woman of strength has faith
that in the journey she will become strong.
November 3, 2006, was a day I will never forget. To me
personally, it’s similar in remembrance to September 11,
2001. This WAS the day my entire life went spiraling out of
control. This was the day in which I should have had minor
surgery. That minor surgery changed my life. I have been
struggling with one health issue or another ever since that
day. I could choose to focus on what I cannot do anymore,
which most times outweigh what I can do. But instead I
CHOOSE to focus on what I can do and what God has called
me to do. Like Paul, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for
I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound ;
everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need”. (Philippians 4:11-12)
During those times I want to feel sorry for myself, I honestly hear Him saying to me “There are so
many other people worse off than you, why are you feeling sorry for yourself”? I begin to thank
Him, praise Him, and worship Him; He is so worthy to be praised!
I have learned so many things during my down time, I have had so much time to talk with the Lord,
but mostly time to listen to Him. Listening is the key to becoming closer to the Lord.. As I see it
we all are decaying from the day we are born, we just decay at different rates; my body may be
breaking down, and this may be what was intended for me, therefore I have to make the best of it.
Do I believe God put this on me or He is punishing me for something? Absolutely not...I see this
as my trial and it depends on how I deal with the circumstances as to how I come out of it. I
indeed know that I am coming out...I am healed because He bore the stripes on His back for me. I
will come out because He said He would heal my sickness and diseases. “And Jesus went about
all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And His fame went throughout
all Syria: and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and
torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those
that had the palsy; and He healed them”. Matthew 4:23-24
So, now it has been six years, I still believe God has healed me. I take one day at a time, some
good, some bad, but I am thankful for each one and I pray I have been able to go through this,
showing a certain amount of grace that God has given me. I also thank God for the many prayers
I have received from my church family; I still receive calls and thinking of you cards. I truly thank
you all for thinking about me.
-Sister Shelly Gray-
June of 2006, I was diagnosed
with kidney cancer. Prior to
the diagnosis, I had a hip
replacement and after six
weeks, I was complaining about
the pain. I went to the doctor
and he ordered an x-ray. The
Technician could not find
anything out of the ordinary but
when my doctor examined the
x-ray he saw a blurb in the far
corner of the x-ray. He
showed it to one of his colleagues,
who was a kidney specialist.
The specialist told him to send me
for an MRI and that’s when
they found that I had kidney
cancer in my left kidney and it
was removed. At the same time,
the MRI showed some of the
cancer had spilled over into the
right kidney. My doctor told
me he wouldn’t worry about it,
that it would be watched
carefully. My Nephrologist
suggested that I go to classes
to learn about dialysis just in case I needed it. In 2009, my kidney specialist informed me he
wanted to perform a biopsy on the cyst, he was a little concerned about it because it had grown
some. He scheduled me for the procedure a week later. That evening prior to my procedure, my
wife and I prayed and she laid hands on me. I felt so much at peace. “Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid”. John 14:27 When I arrived at the hospital, I was prepared to go to the
procedural room. When they did the sonogram to locate the cyst for biopsy they could NOT FIND
IT! The doctor said it must of shrunk, but I know what happened. My God was proving that He
was still in charge! Throughout my 72 years, I have had both hip replacements; lower lumbar
(back) fusion, neck surgery, kidney removed, and all the glory belongs to God. I know I would not
be here today if it wasn’t for the Lord showing the hip surgeon that tiny blurb in the corner of the xray where even the lab technician could not see it. “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for
thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” “Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
When high blood pressure or diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels which are like filters they
can’t do their job. Kidney damage can’t be replaced. You need to take extra steps to protect your
kidneys if you or someone in your family have high blood pressure or diabetes. Work with your
doctor to create a kidney health plan, take your medications as prescribed, cut out your salt intake
and eat healthy foods. Ask your doctor about your GFR (glomerular filtration rate) which
measures how well your kidneys are working. You may not have symptoms to detect the early
stages of kidney disease, I didn’t.
I am thankful to God for taking me through all of this. I know these were tests for me to be a
testimony to somebody, to let them know what a mighty and awesome God that we serve.
-Brother John Scott-
Little Zion Baptist Church Men’s Ministry is called “Men About Christ”
or MAC as the acronym. This ministry is for young men, older men,
single men, and married men; all men of this community, not just Little
Zion men are welcome but ALL men. God has ordained men to be the
head of their households. Although you may be single at this time, this
ministry can help you prepare to be the man God has called you to be,
no matter what your status is at this time, God has called you for right
now and for the future.
MAC is a ministry for men to come together to learn God’s Word,
fellowship, and to learn to be real men. The plans that God has
ordained for us as His leader, in our home, our workplace, community
and our churches, require us to study the bible, praise and worship Him.
When we do these things God is pleased with us; I believe He looks
down from Heaven with a smile. When we get together to pray for anything, any situation that is going
on in our lives, God hears us. He wants to bless us because we are made in his likeness. God left His
Holy Spirit to lead us and to guide us into truth, the only truth is in the Word of God; that’s why we need
to come together to study as men. We need to get knowledge and understanding so we can activate the
power of the Holy Spirit in us to God’s will, so we can be a strong covering over our families. Men...It’s
never too late, the past is the past, in God there is an abundant future. Come out with us to fellowship
with God and with each other. If you want to know more about this ministry, please see or call Brother
Toney Morris 824-338-9455 or Brother Carlton Gray 804-814-8870 for meeting dates and times.
“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. Joshua 24:15
-Brother Carlton GrayThe first time getting filled with the Holy Spirit, I was standing at
Bethesda—Gods house. A man walked up to me while I was changing my
shoes, not realizing he was a Pastor from North Carolina. As I was
switching over to my flip flops, I was standing bare footed. The man
approached me and I said, “Wow, I am standing on Holy Ground.” I felt
the Holy Spirit come up through my feet to the top of my head. I could not
stop telling people my experience, I just felt so happy! That same night, the
Pastor called whoever wished to speak in tongues while being filled with
the Holy Spirit, to come to the alter. I went up. The Pastor laid his hands on
me. He wanted everyone to repeat Hallelujah, I love Jesus. I did so while repeating it. The Holy Spirit
interceded and I began to speak in tongues.
Revival was at Little Zion on Wednesday the twenty second of May. I felt the Holy Spirit while giving my
tithes. Then it was revealed to me to step out and go to the alter. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and
started speaking in tongues before the Pastor even got to me. I could only describe it as if I was being
cleansed. He came up to me and had me say, “Save me, save me”. I repeated save me, and I stood there
once more speaking in tongues. Before going into Gods house, I prayed to God to just be filled by the
Lord, and He answered my prayer
-Brother Randy Colyer-
Andrae Crouch, one of the
most renowned and widely respected
pioneers of contemporary
gospel music remains by combining
such classic gospel music
elements as call-and-response and
choir, along with pop
songwriting techniques and production.
His style has influenced
countless of other artists. Born July 1,
1942, in Pacoima, CA he got
his musical start at his father's church,
singing, playing piano, and
before ten years of age, writing his own
songs (despite being entirely
self-taught). He formed his first serious
gospel group during the early
'60s, Andrae Crouch and the Disciples,
although it wouldn't be until 1977 that the group issued their first release, This is another Day
(eventually, the " Disciples” name would be dropped, as the albums were credited solely to Crouch).
Crouch’s career quickly began to soar, as he kept steadily issuing albums (including such standout
releases as 1978's self-titled release, 1981's Don’t’ Give Up, 1982's Live At Carnegie Hall, 1997's
pray, and 1998's Gift of Christmas), as well as penning such renowned gospel tunes as “My
Tribute“ (To God Be the Glory)" and " Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." He received a total of nine
Grammy Awards and an Academy Award nomination; and provided film scores to such movies as
The Lion King and Free Willy. He was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 1998.
Between 1993 and 1994 his father, mother, and older brother died in short order. Following the
death of his father, Crouch took over as Senior Pastor at Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ
in Pacoima, California, the church founded by his parents. He serves alongside his twin sister,
Sandra.
Tamela J. Mann was born Tamela Jean Johnson in Fort Worth, Texas, June 9, 1966, and is the
youngest of 14 children. Mann
and her siblings grew up in a very
spiritual home which was
grounded in the Church of God in
Christ (COGIC). They were
properly reared by their mother
whom they called “Mother
Eppe.” Mother Eppe believed in and
exercised solid bible principles.
By the age of 12, Mann was singing
in the church’s adult choir and
often selected to sing solos.
On July 19, 2005, Tamela
released her debut album entitled "
“Gotta Keep On Moving".
Tamela sung the female lead on
'Now Behold the Lamb' by Kirk
Franklin and The Family. Tamela
and her husband David were
both a part of Kirk Franklin and the
Family. Her latest album came out August 14, 2012, Best Days, featuring the hit single, Take Me To
The King. She is an American actress and gospel singer, known for her role as Cora in Tyler
Perry’s plays, including, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s
Family Reunion, Meet the Browns, and What’s Done in the Dark. Mann began her career as a
singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She is the wife of actor David Mann,
who is known for his role as “Deacon Leroy Brown in some of Perry’s plays, and plays as Mr.
Brown’s daughter. They have been married for 24 years and have 3 daughters and one son.
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap. Judge each day by the seeds
you sow. If your focus is on sowing, not just talking about sowing money,
sowing love, sowing peace, sowing health, and all of that. Your harvest is
going to overwhelm you, but if you wake up everyday looking for stuff and
wondering why you don’t have it, I’m really going to guarantee you the
reason you don't’ have it is because you spend more time trying to get than
trying to sow.
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he
that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Above all, you should want to prosper and be in good health as your soul
prospers. There’s a truth that is in you. God wants you beyond the bonds
you have been living in. There’s a man Peter, a fisherman on the water. All of his life on a boat and
thought he was doing it and it never occurred to him that he could walk the water until he was exposed
to somebody walking the water. He’s been traveling in a boat and never even though that it could be a
possibility that he could actually get out of his boat, even in a storm and walk the water, because he saw
somebody doing it. He said, “Jesus, if that’s you, bid me to come,” and Jesus said “come,” and that day
changed his life because he saw somebody doing something that he never thought of. It never entered
his mind. That I have not seen nor heard that entered into the hearts of man the things that God has
prepared. So all you need is the faith of a mustard seed and believe, anything and everything is possible
with God.
As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk
to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking
me for something good that happened in your life yesterday-but I
noticed you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and
wear to work. I waited again because I knew there would be a few
minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one
point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in
a chair. Then you sprang to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk
to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip. I waited patiently all day
long, I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around,
maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head.. You glanced over and
you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay.
There is still more time left, and I have hoped that you will talk to me yet you went home and it seems as
if you had lots of things to do. I waited patiently again as you watched tv and ate your meal but again
you didn’t talk to me. Bedtime, I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you
plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay because you may not realize that I am always
there for you. I’ve got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be
patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a
thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up again,
I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a blessed
day! Your Friend, God.
-Submitted by Anna Mack-
Children need confirmation that their ideas, opinions and dreams are significant, acceptable
and respected usually from some form of authority in their lives. My daughter, Ebony, first
received permission and encouragement from her father and me, but we also instructed her to
make sure her dream follows the path of God. When she went away to college, we encouraged
her that wherever she went, to always remember to take God with her. So you see, graduates,
everything we are—we am, and everything we have, started out with a dream. And that’s why
we say...go ahead and dream...just make sure you let the Lord direct the path your dreaming
should follow. May God bless each and everyone of you in all of your endeavors.
MAY
Lisa Boatwright*Logan Bradley*Dante’ Brown*Rashandra Cheatham*Gail Ferguson*Robert Ford, Jr.
Dorine Gillis*Norman Harper, Jr.*Shama’ Miles*Alyssa Palmore*James Royall*Roland Wilkerson, Jr.
JUNE
Jayla Beechaum*Kayla Bradley*Randall Brown, III*Keyana Cousins*Sylvia Ford
Raymond L. Goins, Jr.*Cristal Grubbs *Imani Hardy*Lona Harper*Marilyn Harper
Marendia Harris*Pearl Hopewell*Disheka Miller*Latrea Miller*Helen Mitchum-Brown
Patricia Alvin*Earl Morris, Sr.*Patricia Morris*Alisha Owens Tameiko Owens*Polly Ann Palmore
Crystal Pollard*Cornelius Ross*Courtney & Kaitlan Shepard
JULY
Dr. Gregory Beechaum, Sr.*Adrienne Berry*Ande Boatwright*Angela Ford*Micah Ford
Linwood Gillis*Ferlando Gillis*Shanell Gray*Stephen Hill*Toscha Jackson*Kemeka James
Tabitha James*Vincent James*Andre Nious*Aleeyan Owens*Ava Palmore*Mark Patrick*Frank Payne
Teresa Scott Robert Taliaferro*Christy Taylor
AUGUST
Christina Booker*Zekia Brown*Rayven Brown*Maya Burwell*Talisha Gillis*William Gillis
Jasmine Jackson*Shimeka Jackson*Carl James*Latesha McFarley*Joseph Miller*Lucille Morris
Dylan Newman*Amina Palmore*Lisa Payne*Andrea Ross*Ervin Royal*Sallie Sanderson
David Simmons*Elaine Smothers*Ruby Taliaferro*Tony Taliaferro
MAY
Randall & Helen-Mitchum Brown * Terry & Toscha Jackson * Kenneth & Crystal Palmore
JUNE
Pastor & First Lady Gregory L. Beechaum * Edward & Geraldine Brown
Lawrence & Ruth Jefferson * Bernard & Barbara Mayo* Maurice & Pauline Smothers
Charlie & Sharlene Tucker
JULY
Keith & Gail Ferguson * Earnest & Shirley Goins * Leroy & Marendia Harris
Ronald & Anna Mack * Ricco & Jamie Palmore * Freddie & Paulette Taylor
AUGUST Antonio & Torri Morris
Brother Ernest Boatwright
Sister Estelle Liggin Jones
Brother John Brown
Brother Michael Brown
Sister Linda Ellington
Sister Earlene Jones
Brother Kenneth Palmore
Sister Lisa Payne
Brother Bob Scott
Mother Rosetta Smothers
Please pray for those who
are sick and for God’s
Healing and Recovery.
Prayers and blessings to
those who are homebound.
5680 Cartersville Road, Powhatan, VA 23139
Pastor’s Study: (803) 375-3300
Church: (804) 375-9404
Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship: 10:45 a.m.
Bible Study: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Intercessory Prayer: Saturday, 7:00 a.m.
Published by Little Zion Baptist Church
Dr. Gregory L. Beechaum, Sr., Senior Pastor
Mamie Scott, Editor
Staff:
Edward Brown
Paulette Taylor
Youth:
Megan Berry
Keyana Cousins
Samantha Mitchell
ATTN. READERS: Tell us what do you think of your newsletter? If you have an idea for a
story, to share your life’s inspirations, motivations, and celebrations, what do you feel life
has taught you—share your wisdom with us, or just a spiritual joke.
E-mail: [email protected]. We need your support and participation to keep your newsletter
active. Thanks for your help. -Editor-