[Letter from the Editor] Welcome to Walk By Faith

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Those words recorded at 2 Corinthians 5:7 are an important reminder for all of us that are trying to do anything worthwhile in life, either personally or professionally.

When I was coming up with the name for this publication that you are reading, I thought about what had gotten me to where I am today, and what has kept me from giving up when things seemed difficult. It was my faith. Faith in God that He would give me the strength to carry out my assignment, as well as faith that there will be those who will appreciate the assignment and support it.

Walk By Faith Magazine is about encouraging you to remember that you have been given something special. You were created for a purpose. Your life has meaning. It’s just up to you to realize that and to embrace it.

Whether we are talking about relationships, dealing with our health or changing circumstances this premiere issue of Walk By Faith Magazine is all about empowering you to recognize the greatness given to you by God and walking in that greatness.

If you are able to keep the faith and not allow circumstances or others to stop you, there is nothing you can’t accomplish with God’s help.

Enjoy the issue. Until next time stay blessed and inspired.



Stanley Clark, Editor-In-Chief
Walk By Faith Magazine
sclarkpickens@gmail.com   www.walkbyfaithmag.com

Speaker/Author Van Moody discusses the Principles of The People Factor

I read a lot of books, and one of the books that I have come back to over the past few years is one that deals with relationships and the way people interact with one another. It's called The People Factor by author and speaker Van Moody. It's a book that looks at the relationships we find ourselves in and helps us to answer some powerful questions about the way that people affect us.

"Every relationship lifts us up or weighs us down," Van said to me during the conversation. This thought alone is enough for us to consider how those around us are affecting the decisions we make and how we live.

As you are thinking about the new year and what you want to do, Van's book reminds us that it's impossible to start fresh if we are holding on to things and people that are pulling us backwards. "This book is a labor of love," he says. "I have been working with people and businesses over the years, and one of the things that I learned became the driving factor for the book." What was that thing? It's this: "There is no such thing as a causal relationship or neutral relationship," he explained. "Every relationship has an affect on us."

VICKIE WINANS: Proof You CAN Get Over

by Cyrus Webb

No matter how hard you try in life there will always be situations that arise that are out of your control and that threaten your joy. For some the compounding of problems is enough to cause them to become disheartened and lose faith.

Others, though, are able to use the challenges they experience as lessons for themselves and others. Gospel music singing sensation Vickie Winans is that kind of individual.

I first interviewed her some six years ago, and I have to say that catching up with her again this year was like visiting an old friend. Not only has she enjoyed an amazing career in music but she has branded herself to include merchandise, a Gospel comedy store and selfless work to assist those less fortunate. You might know her for that beaming smile, but there is a testimony that goes with it that will not only inspire you in your own life but encourage you to uplift someone else as well.

Through her album HOW I GOT OVER, Ms. Winans has shared her own personal testimony and rallied people of all ages around the world through her upbeat message and music. "I like to give people what I get," she told me. "I believe in hope. I've been through a lot, but I have been able to be triumphant. I've been able to cry and then turn around and laugh. It's been tough. Life brings about a lot of down sides, but there is a greater upside that I am enjoying because of some things that I have released and let go."

Pastor Keith Boyd: Trusting God, Walking By Faith

Pastor Keith Boyd is not just leading a congregation in St. Louis, MO. He is living a life of service and sharing by example what it means to walk by faith.

"I started out in this ministry well over 17 years ago," he says. "I realized that everything was not going to be easy. It's not going to be handed to me. My faith journey has led me to put more of my trust and belief in God. No matter what storms might come, faith will get me through."

Though all of us go through problems, one thing that Pastor Boyd has understood is that he doesn't have to go through his alone. "There are a lot of things we go through in life," he explained. "I've been through a lot of things. For the average person it would have torn them down. For me, though, it really made me press on and trust in Him more. No matter how hard it might have gotten, all we have to do is go through the process and trust in God. It might not feel good, but it works out for our good."

What Pastor Boyd alludes to is that for people of faith we don't have to go through their trials alone. "We try to handle things ourselves," he says. "If we put it in God's hands more can be done. No matter what comes our way. Our problems we make them more of a burden because we don't give it to God in the first place. The blessings He has for us are right there."

Janice Groves Todd's Talent Shines Through In PRAISE, POETRY AND PROPAGANDA

From beginning to end the poetry and prose of Janice Groves Todd is not just enjoyable but showcases her ability to not only share her gift but hope as well.

The book takes you into all aspects of life, looking at things from her own history, praising individuals that she feels as though have made a difference but turning the attention by to her faith and her belief that no matter what we go through our Heavenly Father is able to help us through the situation.

What is really inspiring for me and I think will be for others as well is how the author is using this literary platform for good. Though she is addressing issues such as HIV, illiteracy and the poisonous environment around us, she is all about finding solutions and trying to make a difference. That is what I think really makes this book stand out. So many times you see people who have the light shining on them use it as an opportunity to just mention problems. Through this book Todd gives solutions that can begin today with us just making a decision to not settle for what we see.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that PRAISE, POETRY AND PROPAGANDA is written and presented in love, and that is what the reader will definitely be able to see as they read it. If you are looking for an enjoyable read that is sure to inspire you as well, then this is definitely one you want to add to your reading list.

In TAKE THE LID OFF Smokie Norful uses his gift w/words to inspire us to unleash our full potential

Known as someone who has inspired people around the world through music, in TAKE THE LID OFF SMokie Norful shows that he is able to use words in written form to share with us all the importance of unleashing our God-given abilities.

Using his experiences in the kitchen as well as some powerful Biblical examples Norful reminds the reader that we all have something that God can use. It's up to us to identify it and do our part, realizing that in His time it will reach its desired result and audience. We are also reminded of the importance of staying in our place, not trying to rush something that takes time and not bringing too much "sage", realizing that this can be disastrous to the work we are doing.

Full of humor and life lessons that will benefit anyone looking to fully walk in their calling and purpose, TAKE THE LID OFF encourages you to do your part, realizing that your efforts will be blessed and accomplish whatever is meant for you.

Sherwin Gardner: Reminding Us That 'Greater' Is Coming

2017 was a challenging year for so many. Sickness, financial difficulties, death were a part of life in every corner of the world. For people of faith, though we are not immune to what is occurring, we know that we are not alone.

 In Jeremiah 29:11 God reminds us of this: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

One individual that relies on this promise and uses it in his daily life is Sherwin Gardner. During our conversation together he shared with me the message behind his project called GREATER and what we can be sure that in spite of where we are today that greater things are coming our way if we don't give up.

When I asked Sherwin about what he thinks has been the driving force behind the music he told me this: "What really captivated people was the message. It's an album of motivation. I'm speaking in faith that whatever your situation might be now it will not last. Once you have faith and trust in God greater will come."

This is something that Sherwin has known all of his life, and the lessons began before he was even born with his mother. She was very sick and because of what she was going through to discover what was wrong when it was learned she was pregnant it was advised that she terminate the pregnancy. She refused, and that child was Sherwin.

Growing in up in a big family he discovered early in life (around the age of 10) that he had been given a gift. The way people responded to his singing was something that was bigger than him. "I knew it had nothing to do with my voice," he said. "There had to be something greater inside of me." Because of that he committed his life to ministry and singing.
The music he has produced in the project Greater reminds people of the importance of understanding who you are. It connects with people in a way that assures them that victory can be theirs if they keep expecting greater in their lives.

[Relationships] The Clark’s Recipe for a Healthy Marriage

When it comes to marriage there are so many things that can come in and damage what your spouse and you are trying to accomplish together. Individuals of faith know that the Enemy will always try to throw something in the mix that can threaten your happiness and well-being. Thankfully we don’t have to try to figure out the recipe to a successful marriage out ourselves.

Though there is so much negativity out there when it comes to the marriage, there are many “ingredients” that can help make a marriage great. We, ourselves, have been married a year. Is our marriage perfect? Absolutely not. But if you ask is it great, the answer is definitely YES. (1 Cor 16:14)
There are several ingredients that go into making a marriage work for the couple and the Creator of marriage. Here are some of the ones we have vowed to mix in daily to help us in our relationship:

Faith in God
Love
Respect
Prayer
Joy
Peace
Happiness
Patience
Trust
Truth
Hope
Protection
Team Work
Forgiveness
Humility

We know that God is love, so love is a much-needed ingredient for a marriage to be success. This can be added in what we say as well as what we do. This is one of those ingredients you can’t add enough. In our opinion a marriage without love is like a car with a battery. It just won’t crank. (1 Cor 13:4-8 NIV)

Faith is another essential ingredient. It tells us that no matter what lays ahead of us God is already there.  In the toughest times if we lean on Him and not ourselves God will lead you in the right direction.

Bestselling Author William Sirls: Sharing THE REASON for Hope

by Cyrus Webb

It was 4 years ago that I first was introduced to author William Sirls and his book THE REASON. I had a chance to interview him that year on Conversations LIVE the radio show, and though I interview hundreds of people a year, his conversation stood out.

We stayed connected and the following year (2014) he returned to the airwaves with me to discuss his book THE SINNERS' GARDEN. Each of his books shows that there is not only a road that can lead to redemption, but that our Heavenly Father wants us to join him on that road so that we can have hope for the future.

Fast forward to 2018 and the message of THE REASON will be brought to life in a major motion picture. Why is this book still having a life years after its release? The key is in the message.

We've all been there: feeling lost, not understanding where we are or how we got here. At times we might even wonder is going on is even worthwhile. It is at that time that the reminders from our Heavenly Father mean the most. Knowing that regardless what we are facing he wants the best for us and can provide the way out, if only we would...believe.