Barbara Bryant

Bryant Commits to Up-Building the Kingdom of God

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorOctober 27, 2021

Barbara Bryant truly relishes proclaiming the power of God and she’s been faithfully spreading that message for more than 25 years. In April 2021, Bryant was appointed jurisdictional supervisor/state mother for the Department of Women by Bishop Joe L. Ealy, presiding prelate of the SoCal First. One of her main duties is instructing women in the jurisdiction’s 200+ churches to grow ministries through prayer and evangelism.

Religion

Words of the Week – Don’t Let Crazy Drive You Crazy

Dr. Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterSeptember 22, 2021

Where there are crazy people, there is drama, they go hand in hand. Crazy people will tend to make rude comments, judge our decisions, lie on us, talk at length about what we’re doing wrong and rarely have anything nice to say. They create unnecessary complexity, strife and, worst of all, stress. Nevertheless, handling a drama maker is quite easy, you can remove their energy from around you by removing yourself from the situation. Period! Let’s talk about how this relates to Job. Job had three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He called them “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2) and “undependable brothers” (Job 6:15). What

Religion

Words of the Week – Slow Down and Enjoy Life

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterJuly 7, 2021

Every time I feel too busy to take a walk, enjoy reading a good book, crochet a new blanket, or watch an old episode of “I Love Lucy”, I remind myself that I need to slow down. If you’re moving too fast to enjoy the simple things in life, then so do you. I’ve often wondered why we’re in such a hurry to get somewhere other than where we are. In the grocery store aisle, in traffic, at church, or waiting for our morning tea at Starbucks, we always seem to be tapping our feet and checking the time. Could

Religion

Words of the Week – Put the Blame Where It Belongs

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterOctober 30, 2019

You have an enemy. Although unseen by the natural eye, this adversary is not imaginary nor a mythological character. Satan, the devil, is a real person… a spirit being, with intelligence and tangible characteristics. He is the personification of all that is evil and is the author of every wicked work. His nonstop goal is to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Around-the-clock, the enemy is on the prowl, seeking to cause disorder and destruction to your life. With military-like strategy and ruthless hostility, the devil aggressively searches for weakness in your faith, hoping to devour you with deception, temptation,

Religion

Words of the Week – It’s a Big Deal to God

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterApril 3, 2019

You took the high road, made a sacrificial choice, and seemed to lose while the other person played dirty – was unfair, dishonest, and deceitful, and consequently benefitted from it. I’m talking about evil behavior that drained your pocketbook; the kind of mischief that made you weep – lies, plots and fabrications that caused you repeated sleepless nights on your therapeutic mattress. This is such a big deal to God that He wrote about it in the Bible. Have you ever wondered why God instructs us to not be envious of the prosperity or the advancement of the wicked (Psalms 37:9)?

Religion

Words of the Week – Get It Together Because He’s Holding It Together!

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterMarch 6, 2019

Dear Friend in Christ, Not only is Jesus responsible for creating all things, He is the reason all things continue to exist. He is the constant sustaining power in our lives. He’s not only holding the universe together, but He’s also holding you. Scripture takes it to another level. God is the gravitational center of purpose that pulls all the fragments of life into a cohesive whole. He is the ongoing sustainer and center of all that is. The last phrase of Colossians 1:17 says, “In Him all things hold together.” When Paul uses the phrase, “All things by Him hold together,” he

Religion

Santa Isn’t Real, But You Still Get Presents

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterDecember 19, 2018

Before you call me Santa’s grumpy elf, I am writing to adults who no longer believe in Santa. Or at least, they shouldn’t. As adults, we know that Santa isn’t real, but for our small children and grandchildren, we keep Santa as part of the family tradition because it’s fun playing along with the game. Thanks to the magic of TV Christmas specials, and holiday advertising–children all around the world believe in the man who knows if they’ve been naughty or nice. Whether the child has been naughty or nice, we, as parents, still deliver that special present they requested from Santa on their long Christmas lists. On

Religion

Words of the Week – Quiet Strength: The Power of Silence

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterSeptember 19, 2018

Silence is powerful. Silence is spiritual strength. Silence is great confidence. Being quiet is a choice, but not a permanent status. Recently, my dear mom passed away and it was urgent that we quickly plan her funeral. Usually, I’m quite capable and confident in my decision-making and administrative skills. I’m a serious researcher, a lover of analysis and a gifted organizer. I am the type of person who reads every review, investigates, becomes knowledgeable about the issues and ultimately makes an informed decision. I can even do this very quickly when the situation calls for it. But this time–this time I

Religion

Words of the Week – Treasure Your Uniqueness

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterJune 20, 2018

Are you too critical of the child that God made? Do you think God could have created you better or improved a few things better like your nose, butt, breast or lips? The answer is no. You are wonderfully complex. God never used a cookie cutter to create people. He made you from scratch. I really want you to get this – You are God’s original work. He made you once. One of you was enough for God. When you were born you came hot off the press. Like a trademark, you have been patented by God. He has exclusive

Religion

New Mt. Calvary Plans Anniversary, Resurrection Observances

Sentinel News ServiceMarch 21, 2018

The excitement is building as the New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church congregation prepares to mark their 55th anniversary. The observance will be held on Sunday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., and recognition of new members at 10:45 a.m. At 3:30 p.m., the grand celebration features preaching by Pastor Larry Weaver of Atherton Baptist Church. Also, Pastor J. Benjamin Hardwick of Praises of Zion Baptist Church, Pastor Marcus Murchinson of Tree of Life Baptist Church, and Pastor David E. Cross of Greater Page Temple Church of God in Christ will participate. “We invite greater Los Angeles to celebrate with us

Religion

Words of the Week – You Matter

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterMarch 14, 2018

When was the last time you acknowledged and appreciated yourself? That’s right: YOU. Not your spouse, not your children, not your boss, co-workers or friends. Just YOU! Seriously, think about it. And if it’s been a long time since you last gave yourself a pat on the back, then I want you to spend the 90 days in 2018 acknowledging and appreciating yourself for everything you’ve accomplished. Ask yourself this question: How many times have I enjoyed success in the past months? The past year? The past five years? Am I able to recall my successes as easily as I do

Religion

Agape-L.A. Presents ‘Well Experience Women’s Symposium’

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorOctober 11, 2017

Agape Church of Los Angeles offers a weekend focused on uplifting women starting Friday, October 13, at 7 p.m., and continuing on Saturday, October 14, at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday, October 15, at 11 a.m. “The Well Experience Women’s Symposium” will be held at the Consolidated Plaza, 3725 Don Felipe Drive in Los Angeles. The theme is “Women Made Whole Through Love and Liberation” based on John 4, said Bishop Craig A. Worsham, founder and pastor. “Women throughout the L.A. community will benefit from this event. Supervisor Barbara Bryant of the Church of God in Christ Southern California First Jurisdiction will

Religion

Words of the Week – Is Your Belief-System Working?

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterAugust 30, 2017

I have no problem saying, “I don’t know some things about God.” But just because I don’t know some things about God, it does not mean, I don’t believe in God. John 14:1 says, “…Believe in God.” What Jesus meant by believing in God, means believing everything that God has said about Himself. “Believe in God” means trusting that God deals with us not according to who we are, but according to who He is. “Believe in God” means to account God trustworthy, that God is faithful to God’s promises. Is your belief-system working? Most people don’t realize how their beliefs shape them and their life. What

Religion

When Jesus Prays That Your Faith Fails Not, It Won’t!

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterApril 5, 2017

God has warned us about Satan in the Bible. Satan is a master destroyer of the souls of men. He has been a murderer and a liar from the beginning, so God commanded us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. Satan’s greatest desire is to have you, that he may sift you as wheat (Luke 22:31). Don’t think of the sifting of flour when reading this scripture. When God talks about sifting wheat, He is referring to a very violent action used to separate the grain from

Religion

Words of the Week – Sorry, I Have No Fuel for Your Fire!

Barbara Bryant, Contributing WriterFebruary 15, 2017

Gossip is wicked and sinful – a seething and destructive evil. Gossip, in its original form, is a violation of the fifth commandment. Exodus 20:16 tells us: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Gossip is a form of betrayal that involves listening to and/or passing on something uncomplimentary about another with the wrong intent or purpose. It perpetuates lies that ought to have died or never been spoken. It assassinates character, and the reason it’s so dangerous is because it’s so subtle and ambiguous that many are unable to recognize it for what it is. Gossip is quite