Tag Archives: Nicole D. Hayes

05.22.15
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VATG in Photos

VATG devotional writer Herbert Bowen, Jr. (black shirt) and founder of B.T.E.P. (Bringing Together Extraordinary People), poses with his BTEP team and partners, Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo and 14-year-old Charlotte race car driver Matt Murphy IV (purple shirt) to host their first annual fundraiser on May 14, 2015 to purchase new equipment and uniforms for a disadvantaged high school baseball team.

VATG devotional writer Herbert Bowen, Jr. (black shirt) and founder of B.T.E.P. (Bringing Together Extraordinary People), poses with his BTEP team and partners, Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo and 14-year-old Charlotte race car driver Matt Murphy IV (purple shirt) to host their first annual fundraiser on May 14, 2015 to purchase new equipment and uniforms for a disadvantaged high school baseball team. (Photo courtesy Ken Bebe)

VATG devotional writer Herbert Bowen, Jr. (black shirt to right of sign), and founder of B.T.E.P., poses with his team, Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, coaches and players of the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology baseball team at B.T.E.P.'s kickoff event on May 14, 2015 to raise funds to purchase new equipment and uniforms for the baseball team in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo courtesy Ken Bebe)

VATG devotional writer Herbert Bowen, Jr. (black shirt to right of sign), and founder of B.T.E.P., poses with his team, Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo, coaches and players of the Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology baseball team at B.T.E.P.’s kickoff event on May 14, 2015 to raise funds to purchase new equipment and uniforms for the baseball team in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo courtesy Ken Bebe)

VATG founder Nicole D. Hayes and VATG digital media coordinator Destiney Bishop, enjoy a perfect weather day, brunch and fellowship in DC on May 22, 2015.

VATG founder Nicole D. Hayes and VATG digital media coordinator Destiney Bishop enjoy a perfect weather day, brunch and fellowship in DC on May 22, 2015.

05.18.15
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Serve Without Outrageous Nonsense

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

As Christians, shouldn’t our “God talk” be followed by “God acts”? Yes. We likely know people who talk the talk but their promises aren’t kept or followed up by actions. Unfortunately, we see this most often in public office. The candidate campaigns, promises to take certain actions to help the public once they’re in office and then…actions fall short. Is there anyone who will not only say God’s Word but carry it out to serve others?

This fall, I will pursue my Master of Public Administration (MPA) with Regent University’s Robertson School of Government. While I already consider myself a Christian public servant by virtue of being Christ’s hands and feet on this earth, I desire the additional knowledge and undergirding to lead effectively our Voices Against the Grain ministry and in other areas of public service to which God is calling me.

If you are a Christian, layperson, minister, business leader, etc., you are also a public servant wherever you are, wherever you go. Delighted to share the following devotional written by fellow Regent University Robertson School of Government student Matt Whitman. The Christian Public Servant is a Monday through Friday devotional service written by Regent University Robertson School of Government faculty and students, offered to anyone who wishes to subscribe. Following the devotional is information about the The Christian Public Servant and how you can receive their devotionals.

May 18, 2015 – Monday

Reading

James 2:14(b)-17 (The Message) do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

ReflectionJames 2-14 work your faith

When public servants campaign for office, they try to convince the voting public how they will govern. If elected through the faith of the public, the citizens will actually get the chance to see that faith in action…or not.

Too often, promises made are not promises kept. Talk of future action is never realized. After the election, too many forget to walk the walk. And that means not just knowing what’s right, not just saying what’s right, but doing what’s right.

As Christian public servants—elected, appointed, or employed—we have a daily obligation to practice our faith. To translate God-talk into God-acts. To keep promises for the good of those we serve. To proclaim what is right, and then to do what is right. To do as Jesus would do.

Today at work, put your faith into action. For His sake, serve without outrageous nonsense.

Prayer

Lord, in Your name, I step up and accept the responsibility of putting You into my action. Today I serve without outrageous nonsense. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

Matt Whitman

City Councillor

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Canada

What is The Christian Public Servant?

Issued Monday through Friday since 5 November 2012, The Christian Public Servant is sponsored by the Robertson School of Government at Regent University (Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA). It is dedicated to public servants world-wide in all areas of government, non-profit management, health care, social work, faith-based service organizations, public safety and defense, k-12-college education, and church management. For the glory of God, it affirms the public servant on six continents by offering morning devotionals and by receiving prayer-requests. Regardless of faith-path, all are welcome to join us!

If you are blessed by this devotional, forward it to others so they may also be blessed. Encourage them to subscribe!! No cost to subscribe. The sending and receiving of this devotional does not constitute SPAM, based on U.S. federal law. It is in compliance with the 2003 Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act. To subscribe, either (1) send request to jslack@regent.edu or (2) click here to subscribe. Link will open to a message “quiet subscribe”. Press send. To unsubscribe click here or send request to jslack@regent.edu.

05.10.15
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Are You a Compelling Witness?

2 Corinthians 4 8-9In these 11th-hour times, are you sounding the clarion call for people to take courage and hope in Christ Jesus? Or are you staying silent? In the face of persecution and trials, will YOU be a compelling, convincing and irrefutable witness for Christ? “Too many Christians have become passive bystanders in this spiritual warfare when they’ve had a sword in their hand the entire time. The hour is at hand for complacency to end.”-Hakim Hazim, co-founder of Christian think tank, FreedomSquared.org .

Read our ministry founder’s Gospel Today article “Are You a Compelling Witness?” 

05.04.15
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Baltimore: What Our Words Really Mean

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

“Cultural competency training.”‎ “Treat people like you want to be treated. ” “Civility.” “#BlackLivesMatter.” “Inequality.” “Injustice.” “Bad apples.” “Accountability.” “Added protections.” “Depraved-heart murder.”

These are some of the words and phrases that emerged from last week’s conversations surrounding the volatile and tragic Baltimore riots. The unjustified death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray while in Baltimore police custody surfaced familiar feelings of anger among Blacks and others. Another Black man was dead at the hands of police and it was uncertain if anyone would be held accountable, as seen in other cases across the country.

 

To the aforementioned familiar terms introduced in this piece…here’s what those words really mean— and their potential to drive the desired community, national and global outcomes we seek:

God’s love. Man and woman He created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), God fashioned each of us. Create in me a clean, pure heart and renew a right spirit within me  (Psalm 51:10). Help me to extend to others faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, joy, kindness, love, patience, peace and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Let me seek another’s highest good. To love one another as Christ loves us. (John 13:34). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), and more…

 

Are we naive to believe that society’s morality will progress if not for a heart transformed by Christ Jesus? If this transformation doesn’t occur within each person, then we will continue to battle injustices as there will have been no transformation of the heart. Those unchanged will audaciously and ignorantly operate in their own version of “truth” thinking their version is superior to The Truth, God’s Truth.

Baltimore riots April 2015 woman faces police

Baltimore riots April 2015 raise the race conversationLofty hopes of new laws, programs and trainings will fail as some people hold onto their self-interests rather than invite Christ to be the Captain of their lives; their Lord and Savior, the resident and president of their lives. So long as humans subscribe to their wills and not the will of God, injustices (whether or not intentional, driven by self-interests and self-centeredness) will persist.

 

As someone who hopes for the hearts of mankind to change, it is not my desire to be a “Debbie downer.” I am simply sober about the realities many fear to acknowledge, even though the patterns repeat and intensify with every generation. Rather than push for another program to be created, pray for hearts to be transformed by Christ Jesus.

-Nicole

Nicole D. Hayes is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold teaching ministry launched in May 2013. Nicole’s purpose in creating Voices Against the Grain is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amid confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

Learn more about Nicole D. Hayes here. 

04.28.15
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No, I’m Not Dating and I’m Doing Great!

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

I hesitate to give this topic any more oxygen than it requires. I write in hopes to squash fears and encourage the hopeless. I’m an attractive, intelligent, single godly woman, successful, free to do as I please. I live in a city brewing with activity any day of the week with myriad opportunities to engage with highly cultured, educated and successful people. The aforementioned ingredients seem a prime cure to the perceived problem: my singleness. Several people have asked me the dreaded question: “Who are you dating?” My reply: “No one.” Their next question in rapid response, “WHY AREN’T YOU DATING??!”

From family, to colleagues and some friends who haven’t yet caught on, I realize they ask the question in love, and not to criticize me. They desire to see me fulfilled, perceiving that this area of my life is dead, denied or failed. Society has us under the gun to fill that slot with nearly anyone if we’re still single after 30. But rest assured: my singleness is a GIFT and I am doing great! I am living my singleness to the max; operating to the “nth” degree in service to the Lord and His Kingdom! My mind is straight focused on doing His will daily, hourly! It’s an absolute joy! Desires I have asked for in serving Him and His People, He is bringing to pass. There are married people who would happily trade places with me, realizing the freedom in which I live.

Yes, we all desire love and companionship. I have fallen in love with Jesus Christ, the lover of my soul. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake. Yes, I desire and sometimes yearn for the helpmate, husband and partner that God has for me. But I am worth the wait and so is he. In my wait and being prepared, the Lord has done a great work in me and I am encouraged by what He has shown me. Areas where I wasn’t previously patient, God has developed my patience. Areas where I offered less understanding or compassion, God has enabled me to extend greater levels of understanding and compassion toward others.

Another encouragement rests in a dream the Lord gave me a year ago conveying some of the character and physical traits this person will embody. Having advance knowledge of these particular traits enables me to pursue God’s work without the distractions of dating aimlessly and the potential drama that invites. I won’t be dating just any man as I know the particular traits to expect. I also won’t feel the need to “fix” my situation to where I may be operating precariously outside of God’s timing and will.

Ecclesiastes 3-11 he has made everything beautiful in its timeThose who are waiting on marriage or other desires placed before the Lord, Ecclesiastes 3:11 encourages us that “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Additionally, Habakkuk 2:3 assures us of the Lord’s faithfulness: “Though it lingers, wait for it: it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Read encouraging “Single and Content” themed articles from Whole Magazine.

-Nicole

Nicole D. Hayes is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold teaching ministry launched in May 2013. Nicole’s purpose in creating Voices Against the Grain is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amid confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

Learn more about Nicole D. Hayes here. 

04.20.15
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Hear in 3 Minutes What Satan is Up To

counterfeitSatan has done well to deceive the world. Unfortunately many have played into his hands. They thought they were pursuing paths of happiness, greater freedoms, quicker paths to prosperity and love, only to find themselves broken, empty and enslaved. What counterfeit schemes is Satan unleashing next? How do we stop this?

Listen to our 3-minute message on how you can successfully navigate around Satan’s counterfeit schemes and walk confidently in God’s Truth.

04.12.15
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Holding the Keys, But Still Shackled

shackled-feetAm I saved? Am I free? Despite Jesus’s victory obtained for us on the cross, some Christians have forgotten their right-standing in Christ Jesus, their God-given authority and that Christ has defeated Satan. They are still shackled by the enemy’s lies. Nicole D. Hayes, our ministry founder, provides four tips in this Gospel Today article on how you can encourage others to walk in their God-given authority against the enemy! Read “Holding the Keys, But Still Shackled.”

03.19.15
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Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag!

Nicole D. Hayes, Creator of Voices Against the Grain

Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Copycats…right down to the jeans you wear, to how you style your hair, to the same schools you attended, degrees you earned to the professional titles you hold…and now to the SAME RED bag (purse) you carry. Where does it end??

The good news: I keep it real. The bad news: I keep it real. 

This topic is inspired by a powerful phone conversation I enjoyed with a dear friend a couple weeks ago. We’re alike in many ways, understanding very well each other’s line of thought, moral base, systems for operating, etc. The crescendo of our conversation entered the two-hour mark and by that time I responded to her, “Preach, woman!”

In short, she shared how a former college classmate and work colleague has copied her path. It’s questionable if the particular profession she’s patterned after my friend’s is even her true heart’s desire. The copycat simply fixed her eyes on the heights my friend’s path has taken her to and she wanted to acquire that same territory. My friend’s unique path has become the copycat’s idol. So much so, that she purchased the SAME red bag that my friend carries. Lord help!   lrg-red-bag

In my keeping it real with you, understand these three truths:

TRUTH 1: Everybody wants your formula for obtaining YOUR success. But they could hardly know all the sweat, tears, frustrations, lessons learned, starts and fits, doubts, pep talks, prayers, worries, second and third winds that are intricately blended into your “secret sauce.” They simply want the cookie-cutter pattern, the 11 secret herbs and spices without going through the laborious efforts, the hills and valleys or the necessary stretching to reach the next level.

TRUTH 2: It’s a privilege to mentor someone to aid them in successfully walking out their own unique path. It’s also a blessing that perhaps you’ve lived your life in such a way that people desire to pattern their lives after you. But taken too far, it becomes idolatry. The only One we should seek, pursue and pattern our very lives after is Jesus Christ.

TRUTH 3: You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). No carbon copies. God says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (New International Version). You’ve been set apart—for His purposes—for paths and purposes unique to you, not to be compared to others. You’ve been equipped with unique gifts to reach a specific population of people. As told in Proverbs 18:16, A person’s gift opens doors for him/her, bringing him/her access before important people. (International Standard Version)

Our God is Awesome! God is always doing new things (Isaiah 43:19)! We should always be growing, doing new things because this is what He desires for us! Frankly, what God did for you in 2013, won’t be the same thing He does for you in 2015! So those who seek to copy you and get your “secret sauce” will be working from old material! God is already directing you somewhere new!

There’s no secret formula, only to walk the path you are called to.

Get your own color bag because we’re already onto the ‘new.’ Mama’s got a brand new bag!

-Nicole

Nicole D. Hayes is the founder of Voices Against the Grain, a bold teaching ministry launched in May 2013. Nicole’s purpose in creating Voices Against the Grain is to be light in darkness, to boldly instruct truth amid confusion so as to bring clarity and restoration.

03.12.15
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ICYMI: Freedom from Addiction, and Sexual Justice

Never too lost to be savedAre you still believing the lies? The truth will indeed set you free. This truth reverberated in conversations held with this week’s radio show guests. On Monday, guest Chris McArdle, founder of Absolutely No Condemnation Ministries, shared his candidly transparent and powerful testimony of how Jesus Christ rescued and restored him from alcoholism’s deadly grip. Chris’s consumption of alcohol progressed from casual drinking after work to becoming necessary for daily function. One evening during a semi-conscious trip to the ER and 30 minutes from death, Chris challenged God to prove that He was real and indeed, God showed up in Chris’s life.

From there, Chris read the bible from cover to cover, tucking scriptures in his heart, believing in God’s promises. He trusted in Jeremiah 29:11, “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.” Today, Chris shares God’s truth, love and hope to help others struggling with substance abuse. His message is “no matter how bad your path, when you come to Christ, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). Listen to “Freedom from Addiction and No Condemnation: Chris McArdle.”  

Human_Trafficking“Are You Producing Sexual Justice or Fueling Sexual Injustice?” This was Wednesday’s conversation with guest Aszia Walker, Discipleship and Outreach Director for pureHOPE. Founded in 1983, and a Voices Against the Grain ministry partner, pureHOPE provides Christian solutions in a sexualized culture and envisions a world free from exploitation and brokenness. To counterfeit God’s beautiful and compelling story of sex, Satan continues to assail, counterfeit, disparage and distort God’s character and the things of God in hopes to deceive and destroy many. He’ll even use unwitting Christians to do it.

This conversation will equip the Body of Christ, parents, youth, mentors, faith leaders and others to live a life in Christ Jesus that advances justice and purity rather than one that contributes to injustice and impurity. On-point in her messages, Aszia said, “Sometimes the enemy can twist and pervert the image-bearing story that we are built to tell.” Listen to our important and informative conversation.

Twitter_bird_logo_2012.svgWant great nuggets from both conversations? View our Twitter feed.