WSSN Stories

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

It’s time for you to wholeheartedly give yourself to the will of the Lord. I tell you time is running out! Paul said that it is closer than when we first believed. The night is just about to be over and it is day time. Wake up! You can’t continue to live like you have been living. Wake up! It is time to do what God has called you to do. Yeah, the world’s philosophy says, “Live for self”… but God’s Word says, “Die to self!”   Don’t you know that being in God’s will is far better than being outside His will? The problem is that most of us as believers today is committed to this world and not the things of God – everything is about “what we want” and not about “what God wants.” The flesh is running rampant in the Christian world today and I tell you that ought not to be. My purpose is to challenge you to understand that Jesus came to give us something new in our spiritual life. According to Christ, it is absolutely imperative and important for us to be transformed if we desire to enter into God’s Kingdom. Remember what God told His people Israel, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron 7:14). Scripture is very clear on our need to direct our hearts toward God –Remember, “Dying to self” isn’t the goal – “Life” is the goal!

This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart…” [Ephesians 4:17-19]. I want you to know that Paul gets very specific, describing those things which we as Christian must put off and those which we must put on [Ephesians 4:25]. We got to lay aside the old self he says, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and we must be renewed in the spirit of our mind…”[Ephesians 4:22-24]. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! For sin shall not be master over us, for we are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6: 1-14). As you therefore have received Christ, so walk in Him, (Colossians 2:6).

Decide today to give yourself over to the will of God, letting each day count for eternity. Allow God to have His way with you. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away. [James 4:14].  Paul realized he had to fulfill the call of God upon his life. He said, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel…” [I Corinthians 9:16-17]. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [Romans 12:1-2].  Understand that God has called you to live a separated life, to be a peculiar people unto Him.  “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” [ 2 Corinthians 6:17-18].

I want you to know that there are two consequences in life. You can either attend the feast were wisdom spreads her table for those who enter her house. She strengthens them, she satisfies them, and she sustains them. She gives them all they need for now and for the future. [1 Cor. 2:9] [John 14:1-3].  Or you can attend the funeral – The context and the contrast. While the wise man goes off to enjoy the feast, the fool goes off to endure his funeral [Proverbs 7:5-27]. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live [Deuteronomy 30:19]. The alarm has been sounded. What will you do?

“Medical cannabis advocates need tools and training to talk with their local lawmakers about medical marijuana,” said ASA California Director Don Duncan. “This project is all about supporting and empowering those local advocates to make a difference in their hometown.” ASA’s new Local Access Project (LAP) is a web portal with links to documents and online training that medical marijuana supporters can use to talk with their representatives on the City Council or County Board of Supervisors.

Credit: EarthMed.com

While California voters led the nation in legalizing medical marijuana in 1996, the state has lagged behind other medical marijuana states in adopting a statewide regulatory scheme. Cities and counties have adopted a patchwork of regulations and bans in the nineteen years since voters approved Proposition 215.  Governor Brown signed a historic trio of bills known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) to license and regulate commercial medical marijuana at the state level on October 9.

“The deadline for local licensing of commercial medical cannabis in March has caused some cities to overreact,” said Duncan. “In some cases, local governments are even banning marijuana cultivation by individual patients. That was never the intent of the law.” ASA hopes the LAP will give patients and other advocates tools to talk to lawmakers about alternative to banning medical marijuana cultivation. “I believe that, given the choice, some cities and counties will opt to protect legal patient and the community at large by adopting a local licensing ordinance instead of a ban.”

Annyett Royale

SOULFUL SOUNDS is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE! What happen to that feel good music that bump and grind music, that make you wanna go half on a baby music. I can tell ya’ what happened, it disappeared. R&B has changed! So when I come across a singer that puts me in that mind set I get all warm and fuzzy inside. LOL! So now I need for you to check out Miss Royale. Singer, Songwriter, and Soulful Sensual, a musical tour-de-force, ladies and gents please allow me to introduce Annyett Royale.

As a child at the age of 4, parents Melba Warren and Keyle Glinsey Sr., knew their daughter was a star and out of six of her father’s children she was the only one that inherited the ability to move people vocally with the same powerful, yet sultry voice that her father had. She would wow her grandmother at the young age of 7, singing Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” as if she knew what love was and if she had written it, hitting notes that blew her grandma away. In school she became part of the school choir and at the age of 15 she entered her first talent show winning first place singing Mary J. Blige’s “Real love”. She again, sung with the conviction and emotion of someone way beyond her tender age.

In 1998, she caught the attention of Snoop Dogg’s father Papa Snoop, who then introduced her to Master P, CEO of No Limit Records, on the set of his movie, “I Got the Hook Up.” She sang on set and wowed him. He signed her to his label two weeks later. After taking a leave of absence from the entertainment business to go into management for banking and real estate, she soon realized what her heart truly yearned for and decided to make a big return to music.

She’s back, bigger than ever and taking the music industry by storm, singing her way into the hearts and souls of all who hear her! Heavily influenced by R&B, Gospel, Reggae, Hip Hop, Alternative music and vocal power houses such as: Patti La belle, Aretha Franklin, Tina Marie, Anita Baker, Lauryn Hill, Marsha Ambrosias, Keke Wyatt, Faith Evans, Adele, Fantasia, and Jazmine Sullivan. Annyett wants to bring back what she feels went missing in the industry and should have never left. That REAL heartfelt music that her children and grandchildren could appreciate now and for years to come, that real music, always relevant and never out dated.

With a powerful voice reminiscent of R&B greats Aretha Franklin and Tina Marie and a songwriting style that’s all her own, she has never shied away from a challenge and her powerhouse voice shows it!

Until next week my peeps and remember SAN BERNARDINO STRONG. L’z!

Loved ones and community members came out to support the family and legacy of William Henry Jacocks, also known as Ratibu, on Thursday, December 17 at New Hope Baptist Church in San Bernardino. (Photos by John Coleman).

By John Coleman

 SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Hundreds came out to pay tribute to the legacy and life lived of William Henry Jacocks, also known to some as Bill or Ratibu. Those that were present at the memorial included members and officials of the State, County, Regional, and Local offices. There were leaders of every walk of life from family to friends of Ratibu. The memorial service was held on Thursday, December 17 at New Hope Baptist Church in San Bernardino.

The memorial service reflected and paid tribute to prominent moments of Ratibu’s life and influence. He was a US Army infantryman, operator of a local ‘small business’, missionary promoting entrepreneurship among the community, and leader of the Inland Area Kwanza Group. He was a strong supporter and advocate of Kwanzaa Consciousness, civic engagement, including a leadership role in the Westside Action Group, and evidenced by the dozens of officials who stood to acknowledge his role in their success and of course his love for his family.

Rest in Peace, Ratibu.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Paul said: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” (1 Timothy 6:12). I don’t know what kind of fight you’ve been putting up in the past year, but the Spirit says you have been so overwhelmed at times that you’ve lost your fight. You’ve become a weak, passive soldier of the Cross – discouraged, wounded, and perplexed; but now it’s high time for you to get back up and fight the good fight of faith. I pray that this message from the Holy Spirit will put the fight back in you – that once more you’ll be fearless against the devil’s weapons.

You know when the prophet Hosea wanted to warn Israel about their cowardly spiritual condition, he reminded them of their father Jacob. The crux of his message was, “You’ve become weak, passive. And now the enemy is over-whelming you! You claim to be Jacob’s seed – but I want to show you how far you’ve strayed from his example. I want to show you how Jacob prevailed – how he had power with God!” He told the Israelites this about Jacob: “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;” (Hosea 12:3-4). Hosea’s message to them was very simple: “Here was a man greedy for God, hungry for everything God had for him!” Jacob came out of the womb in a fighting mood, greedy for the blessings of God! Yet it wasn’t the double portion of his father’s wealth that Jacob was after; it wasn’t the promise of the land. No, Jacob wanted something more. He wanted the blessings of God so he could be in the lineage of the Messiah! And he wanted the priestly blessing. This meant not only being priest of the clan – it also meant being able to bless others! [Genesis 27]

I want you to know that Jacob’s hand on Esau’s heel was a powerful statement! It said: “I will not be held by sin’s grip – I am more than a conqueror! I will lay hold of all that is of Satan and resist, fight, and be victorious! I want God’s hand on me!  I want His blessing at any cost.” I tell you Jacob had a made-up mind. He had determined that no one was going to stop him from receiving God’s blessings not even his own brother. I also want you to know that Satan has a plan of destruction for your life and he is not just going to lie down, roll over and let you be what God wants you to be. He is working over-time to distract you and to delay the fulfillment of your promises. He is working over-time to side-line you, to kill, steal and destroy your life [John 10:10]. You need to realize that there are Princes of Persia in the spiritual realm working to prevent you coming into the revelation and reality of your destiny. Therefore, you need to release spiritual warfare and pray. Scripture tells us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but demonic powers and principalities. Know your authority and be vigilant about it.

In closing I want you to know that Jacob spent years fighting to get and keep the blessings of God; and that same desire ought to put the fight back in you. Throw off your passive, defeated countenance. Cast aside all feelings of defeat – and stand up and fight! Right now God is saying, “Come on, and fight!” – Because He loves you! He wants you to claim all His blessings. Rise up in faith and lay hold of His promises. Stand up and fight! You have His strength – use it! It is time that you tell the devil to Hell with you and take back what is your. Proclaim the victory that Jesus has already won for you on the cross. I tell you for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Those are the words of the preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. This is a time for new beginnings, a time to say goodbye to the past year and welcome the new. Don’t you go into another year bruised and battered!

By Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, Founder and President of Be Someone, Inc.

Several years ago I found myself at a crossroads in my life.  If not for a helping hand at just the right time, I might not be here to offer these words of advice and encouragement.  I definitely fit the description of an “at risk” youngster.

I was an inner-city tough guy.  That was my life, my culture.  It defined me.  I wasn’t worried about my future.  Future? Ha!  My future was today, tonight.  Tomorrow was never a sure thing.

So what happened?  How did I escape?  Why am I now preaching against the life that once looked so “cool”?  For this column, let’s just say a very special teacher saw something in me that I didn’t even see.  He taught me the game of chess and with that simple act, he saved my life.  I owe him so much and one way I’m paying him back is by living every day to save other young people who are in trouble or potentially stand to make poor decisions.

We are surrounded by so much pain and heartache.  You can’t turn on the news without being faced with a litany of domestic violence, carjacking, robberies, and kidnappings.  Violence is something that has always plagued this world. It is so important to learn that hostility gains you nothing in life. Peaceful compromises are the way to solve your dilemmas. Why is the world so angry? Perhaps we will never know the answer to that.

Using the game of chess, I founded an organization several years ago based upon a simple premise:  Be someone, not something. Your actions speak louder than your words, and that is often forgotten. There is no reason in this world why two people cannot sit down with a game of chess or something similar and use their mind power to put hostility and sore feelings behind them. Use creativity and your mind in a unique way to solve your differences. Violence gets you nowhere but behind bars.

Taking someone else’s life is one of the most unholy sins a person can commit. Consider what that family has to go through and what yours will go through knowing that you did this. Did you see the recent story in Chicago?  A beautiful young lady who had recently performed at President Obama’s inauguration in Washington was shot and killed by gang members firing weapons indiscriminately.  Think of the pain and heartbreak.

Remember this simple statement, “Brains before bullets, think it out, don’t shoot it out!”  I teach this and my students are hearing me but I need to reach more young people than those I’m able to meet in my classes.

Everyday lives are taken for no reason at all or for something menial. No matter what it is, a gun is never the answer to solving your problems.

I have dedicated my life to teaching young people that they can succeed.  They can make the right choices that will lead them places they have only dreamed of going if someone can reach them.  I believe God gave me that ability and capability.

This is my message to young people:  Learn how to take charge of your life.  I want to help you do that. I have guided and mentored many young people who others have given up on.  I offer a calm voice and a steady hand that has weathered numerous tests.

I believe every child has the potential to succeed.  That’s what guides my presentations and my classes.  Take my instruction and use it constructively in your everyday life to become that upstanding citizen that you desire to be. Be a success, not a casualty. You can be productive in life, you can go places, and you do have support to help you get there.

So many young people forget that life is beautiful and if your chance to take advantage of all it has to offer is taken away either by your own hand or another’s; you will live with many regrets. Let’s have more successes and challenge your mind, put the guns away!

Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson was an at-risk young person growing up in Birmingham, AL, when a teacher taught him the game of chess demonstrating to him that for every move – either on the game board or in the game of life – there are consequences.  It changed his life.  He went on to become an Alabama State Trooper and later founded Be Someone, Inc., an organization devoted to teaching young people there are consequences for their actions and that they can choose to succeed in life.  He not only teaches classes but delivers motivational speeches around the country. Please invite international speaker Orrin Checkmate Hudson to energize your next event by visiting www.besomeone.org.

Bernice Celeste

What up my I.E. peeps and everybody! Singing Sensation Bernice Celeste is What It Do with the LUE this week. When it comes to raw talent, this young lady has it hands down. I was mesmerized the first time I heard Bernice sing and play. You can’t help but to fall in love with her angelic voice. So here’s more on my girl. Enjoy!

Bernice Celeste is a 21 year old singer/songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. At the age of 10 her family relocated to the States where they lived in New Mexico, Texas, and South Carolina. Along the way her passion for singing grew immensely that the time came when she asked her parents to relocate back to Los Angeles in order to pursue her dream. As an independent artist, Bernice is progressing to be the next big solo artist in the industry. The songs she writes about are either life experiences or events witnessed throughout her life. Bernice first started singing at age 7; throughout her school years she was involved in choir. She began playing the guitar at age 14 which she self-taught and at a later time she took guitar lessons. By taking lessons, it helped her to write her own lyrics.

Her unique sound is that of a mixture of Pop/Acoustic. Growing up her music influences were given by her parents and grandparents who listen to music like R&B, Oldies, Motown, Beatles, Classic Rock and 80’s Pop. During her middle and high school years she was influenced by Alternative Rock, Folk and what was popular on the top 40’s. For the last 6 years she has been performing throughout the Los Angeles, Orange and Inland Empire counties. She has also performed in venues like The Cinespace, The Roxy, The House of Blues, Aqua Lounge and The Pomona Fox Theater Lounge. She had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem for the Inland Empire 66ers Minor League baseball that is in her hometown.

Bernice has performed at community events and foundations from The Britticares for the CHLA foundation, to one’s that deal with cancer awareness, battered woman, and underprivileged young girls, to feeding the homeless in her own community. Bernice has featured as a special guest on several internet radio stations including, The 3 Guys Rant, David Alcarez Talent show, CGD Live Radio, The Heart Of, and Monivision Live. She recently was contacted and is having her new single, “Falling Fast” in rotation at the Coyote Radio which is one of the biggest internet radios in Southern California and country!

You can catch her performing live for the kids Tuesday, December 22 at Ribs located at 2360 Sterling Avenue in San Bernardino at 2 p.m. for LUE Productions and Drac Entertainments special event, “THE GIFT of GIVING”. Keep an eye out for this up and coming artist you won’t regret it!! Until next week – SAN BERNARDINO STRONG & L’z!

Penny Li

By Penny Li, ??

My condolences go out to the victims’ family of the December 2, 2015 horrific incident.  I am from China and I have come to San Bernardino for two weeks for the purposes of requesting for the City of San Bernardino to Re-instate the Sister City program for China.  This trip was planned much before the horrific incident.

The December 2 act of cowardice could not deter our motivation to build a bridge between our two cultures.  We propose for the city to reinstate the Sister City Program for China, allow international exchange participants to volunteer for the city of San Bernardino to help share the language and culture, and for San Bernardino to support the newly created International Business Expo, which has been initiated by Keith McCarter of McCarter University for the purposes of encouraging cooperation between our Chinese company participants and your local businesses.

I and a few of my colleagues will be speaking at the December 21 city council meeting to request for the city to place these items on the agenda.  These plans were submitted to the city far before December 2 and we believe that now, more than ever, is a good time for the city to consider making positive international connections to create positive international programs to enhance the future prospect of success for the companies and citizenry here within.

We wish to invite all members of the public to come listen to our short presentation and feel free to offer your support of our plans and project.  Lastly, unlike many other proposed programs, this program will not cost the city one red cent, but it has the potential of bringing elevated profits to the city directly, indirectly and to its businesses.  We will appreciate your support and again, we wish to offer our condolences to the victims of December 2.

Ratibu

Obituary Written By Carl Dameron

Ratibu Shadidi (William Henry Jacocks) joined his ancestors on Thursday evening, December 10 at Kaiser Hospital in Fontana.  Ratibu is survived by his wife, Wilmer Amina Carter of nearly 35 years.  They were joined as one in 1984 and reaffirmed their marriage in 1994.

Jacocks is remembered for his vision and passion, which will continue through his wife Amina, his children, Anye Imani; Malaika Jacocks Dameron (Kamau); Jamala Shaw (Rubani) and eight grandchildren:  Tariki (Shani), Daima (Shiane), Amina 2 (Darian), Shaila, Akiba (Tayah), Halisi (Darius) Nia, and Miadi (Braelynn).  His brother, James; sisters: Jean, Catherine, Odessa and many other loving relatives.

Ratibu was the co-owner of Elegant Floors and Creative Businesses Services with Amina. Ratibu was also an entrepreneur, author, lobbyist and political consultant. He is a published author of “Incidents, Struggles, and Devine Intervention: Memoirs of Ratibu Jacocks.”

Ratibu was also a community activist, Sunday School Teacher for more than 30 years; Chair, Inland Area Kwanzaa Group; Treasurer, Westside Action Group; Distinguished Toastmaster; Life Member – National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Longtime Travelers Aid Volunteer, Ontario Airport; Member – Black History Parade Committee; Member – Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee; Black Student Union Advisor  at Bloomington High School; attended the 1995 Million Man March; Tumanini Teacher at San Bernardino Valley College and coordinated Saturday Morning Speakers – a youth speaking club.

Ratibu is predeceased by his Parents, James Alfred and Annie Mae Jacocks. The services are at new Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday December 17.  New Hope is located at 1575 west 17th Street in San Bernardino.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wilmer Amina Carter Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 332, Rialto CA 92377.

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Don’t get it twisted!  Don’t fool yourself and don’t be fooled. Unless your house is built by wisdom and established by understanding, your house is not a home. [Proverbs 24:3] And just so that we are on the same page, I want you to know that I’m not talking about your physical house, I’m talking about your spiritual house. You see in [Matthew 7:24–27] Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. One man built his house on the sand while the other built his house on the Rock. In this context, building on the sand speaks of people who hear the Gospel, but instead of believing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement. They are driven by outward, religious appearances and faith in themselves, rather than faith in Jesus. People who build their house on the sand hear the Gospel and believe its general message, but they choose to follow God on their own terms. To them, His Word is open to interpretation. If He commands them to do something they will obey if they choose to. If they don’t like it they won’t do it. People who build their house on the sand they build the house of their lives on self-will, self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness. Theirs is a works based religion that has the appearance of being right but that lacks the power to save the soul. As [2 Timothy 3:5] says, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof…” People who build their house on the sand believe they can pray a prayer, sign a card, join a church, and all will be well. People who build their house on the sand can turn it on and off like flipping a switch. They can be in today and out tomorrow.

But then while one man built his house on the sand, the other dug deep. He dug until he reached the bedrock and built his house on the Rock. The Rock does not move. It is unchanging and stable. Building on the Rock speaks of people who hear the Gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it. People who build their house on the Rock understand that Jesus alone has the power to save their souls. People who build their house on the Rock hear God’s Word and they conforms their lives to it. People who build their house on the Rock, they hear the truth about Jesus and they believe it. They embrace it. They yield to it. The message changes their lives. What God tells them to do in His Word, they do. What God warns them not to do, they avoid. They pay any price, walk any path, and do anything the Lord tells them to do. They love Him, honor Him, and obey Him. I’m talking about people who build their house on the Rock.

I want you to know that the parable tells us that the rain came, the flood followed, and the wind of destruction blew. This image is not just about some storm in life. This is the image of judgment. In the end both houses were subjected to a terrible storm of judgment. One house stood, the other was totally destroyed. The house that was built on the sand could not face the withering judgment of God, and it collapsed. Jesus said, “And great was the fall of it.” This means that the house was utterly destroyed. There was nothing left to show for the life lived within it. Everything was destroyed and swept away as if it had never existed. But as far as the house that was built on the Rock. It experienced the same storm. The rain, the flood and the wind “beat upon” the house. This house was battered, but it stood against the storm that was thrown against it. This house was shaken, but it did not fall. It stood on a firm foundation, and it weathered the storm. I want you to know that there is a storm coming; a day of judgment; a day when every person will face God.  I ask you, how is your foundation? If you haven’t built your house on the Rock, today is today. What is your life; but a vapor that appears for a while, and then disappear. Establish your firm foundation today!