By Love's Hand

Fierce  Female Network And The We’73 Project

Vol 13 December 2024

BLH Jim Mahoney Article

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0mmFGXQiQFB1bwxOOpY7Wf?si=w8SRc2n4SNaUw5vsN2mVOw

Jim is a Navy Veteran who has been playing guitar for 50 years.

Jim is an ensemble member of the collaborative band “Old Soul’s of The Cross”. Jim plays Rhythm Guitar and does double duty as both a lead and back up singer.

Jim has 3 singles out “Give Me a Reason”,  “Another Better US”, and a cover single of “The Luckiest Man Alive”.

Jim’s songs have streamed well over a million times on all of the Major Music Platforms.

“Give Me a Reason” has become a cult classic with his fans. It’s mix of Christian Lyrics and and a soulful sounding Grunge Crushing Lead Guitar mixed into a ’70 style Garage Band Sound is a Classic for the Ages!

September Homily by Deacon Rick Bencovic

You would expect that the followers of Jesus would have a more positive attitude, but that is not the attitude we hear in the beginning of today’s Gospel. I found this prayer by an unknown author that I would like to share with you:

“Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes, we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry, we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds. They were so warm and so comfortable at night. I know that many have no bed. My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy towels, and dirty lavatory. They are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly, it has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of enough leftovers for a few meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned, it has baked so many things over the years. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall do them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.”

What a beautiful, positive attitude we hear in that prayer. This is not the attitude we hear from those who were complaining about Jesus in today’s Gospel. Jesus says to them “Stop complaining to each other.” Why were they complaining? They did not really know Jesus. If they had known Jesus properly, they would not have complained. We would all do well to pay heed to these words of Jesus when he says, “Stop complaining to each other,” because sometimes we, too, complain like the people of Jesus’ time.

You have the power to be happy, it is a question of attitude. See the presence of God within you, and count your blessings. We hear this in our Psalm today, “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise is always on my lips.” What a beautiful attitude to have, compared to grumbling and complaining. When we have problems to overcome, and we all do from time to time, let us ask the Lord for his help. Jesus is the bread of life to strengthen us to overcome all our problems.

At the beginning, I shared with you a woman’s positive attitude. I would like to end with another person’s positive attitude:

“Today I can choose what kind of day I am going to have. I can complain if the weather is rainy, or I can be thankful because I don’t have to water the grass.

I can whine that I have to go to work, or I can be glad I have a job. I can feel sad that I don’t have more money, or I can be happy that I can balance my budget. I can cry for lack of friends, or I can be excited about starting a new relationship. Today and every day I have many things waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me, with the help of Jesus.”

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out
fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so
one who fears is not yet perfect in love.
~ 1 John 4:18

We all have felt fear at one time or another in varying degrees. It could be fear of the past, present, or future. Whatever it may be, never permit it to permeate your mind, because it is torment. In his book , Christian Counseling, Ron Smith said, “There are several fear instigators–a sense of inadequacy, inferiority, or guilt, personal health, daily work or home relationships.”

King Saul and the whole army of Israel felt inadequate before Goliath and were paralyzed by fear for forty days. Why do you fear? Is it issues relating to , school admission or examinations, finances, temptations, a difficult teacher or boss posing like a Goliath? We can overcome all our fears if we, like David, know and have a relationship with Jehovah El shaddai , the God almighty. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and God will give you victory over your fears.

PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. ~ 2 Timothy 4:2

Our text reveals to us an indisputable command to tell others about the love of Jesus at all times. As a songwriter puts it: “We must arise…there is no time to waste. preach the word while you may, tell them that Jesus loves them.” This is our God-given, crucial responsibility and purpose for which Christ was wounded and crucified. Sadly, however, youths today often find it easier to discuss the latest trends in sports, music, fashion, and other social events than telling a lost soul that Jesus saves. We must sound the alarm. Statistics by the world death clock states that per minute 106 people die. Every hour 6,392 people die and every day the number is 153,424. How many of these are youths, who have never heard the salvation message from those who were waiting for a more convenient time to share it?

I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, a lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

~ John 11:25-27

Many years ago my pastor assigned various Bible passages to his parishioners and asked them to write a meditation. My assignment was to read only John 11:1-27, which stops short of the dramatic conclusion.

At first I was disappointed that I couldn’t focus on the miraculous event. But then I realized that the words of Jesus prior to his prayer to God for the power to raise Lazarus from the dead held the essence of the Christian faith.

If we can answer from the depths of our hearts, as Martha did, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the son of God…,” we, too, can live in peace and joy every day.

It is not the outcome of our struggles in daily life, but rather our trust and faith that the one true God is with us every step of the way.

Musician & Artists Paul King

Paul is a Retired Navy Veteran and One Half of the Sanders & King Team.

As a Singer / Songwriter Paul was the catalyst for the We ’73 movement writing about his experience as a young man moving to Delaware Township NJ and attending the local elementary school until 1973.

His poem We ’73 discussed the small town and how he and his classmates lived during those turbulent time.

Will Sanders later added a musical score to the poem and from that point Sanders & King have been cranking out Hit after Hit on all of the major music platforms.

Paul (known to his musician friends as “Mr Blue’s”) blends his Blues Style Vocal with a ’70 Style Garage Band Attitude Mixed with some Sanders Bluegrass Rock producing what has been called “The Best Damn Music to Jump off a Score Sheet in 50 Years”.

For fun you Can find Paul touring around Florida on his Harley Blasting S&K

Veteran of the Month( LTC Frank D. Nacci )

LTC (Ret.) Frank D. Nacci began his military career with Headquarters Battery, 213th Artillery Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1966 as a Private. He went on active duty and completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell Kentucky and Fort McPherson, Georgia. Upon returning from active duty Private First Class Nacci, completed Officer Candidate School at the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Academy and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1968. After commissioning, he served as a platoon leader and training officer with the 688th Military Police Company and 723rd Military Police Company.

In 1970 he was transferred to Florida with his civilian employer and served in the Army Reserve with the 400th Military Police Prisoner of War Camp as an enclosure commander. Returning to Pennsylvania in 1973, he joined the 165th Military Police Battalion, Lehighton PA where he served as platoon leader, detachment commander, company commander, assistant S-3 and S-4. He was promoted to Major, and assumed the duties of rear battle officer, additional assignments as public affairs officer and intelligence officer prepared Major Nacci for his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and Director of Materiel. He served in five REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) deployments. After twenty-six years and four months of military service, LTC Nacci retired in August 1994.

LTC Nacci is a graduate of a host of service schools, including the US Army Military Police basic and advanced courses, Ft. Gordon, GA, and the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

LTC Nacci’s awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon with Five Device.

LTC Nacci is a past Commander of the Allentown Chapter of the Honorary First Defenders and past Honorary Colonel of the 213th Regiment. He is affiliated with the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Retired Officers Association, National Guard Association of the United States (Retired Life Member), The American Legion Post 314, Lehighton.

Some of his civilian interests include, Board Member of St. Luke’s Hospital Allentown Campus, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Charities and Parkettes National Gymnastic Training Center.

LTC Nacci is a native of Allentown. He attended Penn State University. He and his wife Carole have three daughters, Robin, Penny, and Wendi, and six grandchildren. The couple resides in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. He is President/CEO of Nacci Printing, Inc. and has been operating his business for the past fifty years.

Musician & Artists Madeline “Maddie” Rivera

Madeline (or Maddie as she is know to her fans) is a Christian Singer/Songwriter who has many published works of Poetry as well.

Maddie is also the lead female vocalists for the Group – Sanders & King’s We ’73 Band.

Her first published song “Strength & Protection” was a major hit for her band and has over half a million streams on all of the Major Music Platforms.

She has also done Two Duets with Will Sanders – “I Am Not Alone” and “By Love’s Hand”.

The pair have collaborated on many other songs as well. Maddie is a Fan Favorite on her Label We ’73 Records.

She is an avid user of Social Media and does love to hear from her Fans!

Musician & Artist Juda Lion

Juda Lion (Known online as Judalion777) is an emerging rap artist whose powerful lyrics and captivating storytelling reflect his remarkable journey from the streets of Washington, D.C., and Maryland to a life of prosperity, community building, love, and family.

Born and raised amidst the harsh realities of the inner city, Judalion777 name is derived from on high – From the spiritual realm of Godliness.

He used music as a means to transcend his challenging circumstances and find solace in his art.

Growing up, Judalion777 experienced the harsh realities of street life, navigating the treacherous paths of drugs and adversity.

Through sheer determination and an unwavering passion for music, he managed to channel his experiences into his rhymes, transforming his pain into raw, authentic storytelling.

Judalion777’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of his rags to riches story, offering glimpses into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs he faced along the way.

His storytelling prowess allows listeners to connect deeply with his struggles, aspirations, and ultimate redemption.

Musician & Artists Frank R. Bellucci

While in Austin, Texas, Frank Bellucci created his heartfelt country music style that combines contemporary country with pop music.

The effort eventually led to his first commercial album, “Life in the County”, released in early 2022.

Three follow-on albums have also been released through March 2023. “The Old Days”, “Come Home”, and “Let it Be”.

Frank’s commercial success has brought him together with Will Sanders and Jim Mahoney for five wonderful collaboration under the name “Old Soul’s of the Cross”.

Four originals songs and two covers later their collaboration has found a new audience that has embraced the melding of Country/Christian/Outlaw/Rock/American into a unique sound not heard on music platforms until now.