LaJoyce Brookshire - Faith Under Fire: Betrayed by a Thing Called Love

I praise you, God, from whom all blessings flow, and I thank you for each and every one. I thank you, Lord, for giving me strength when I was weak and peace during the storm. You kept me safe and out of harms way in order to complete the assignment that you have ordained, as this body of work has been orchestrated solely by you.

My dearest husband, Gus, and Bishop of the Brookshire householdI thank you for allowing me the room to share this story so that others may be set free. From the ages of twelve to seventeen you were a genius in gifting me with a diary annually. You could have bought me anything else with your Christmas money, but you chose a diary, and that was divine. It is ironic that the art of journalizing, inspired by you, would become a favorite pastime of mine and be utilized to share these accounts of my life with others. The conversations and turns of events that transpired during this time were accurately documented in my journals. Thank you for following your heart so that I may be able to share a piece of mine with the worldand I do mean a piece, because you have the rest! Who loves you, bay-bay?!

My sweet baby girl, Brooke Angelthank you for not typing over Mommies pages. Your very own computer is on the way.

My parents, Joana and Randy Bakera.k.a. Jo & Bothank you for taking a break from all of that globetrotting to come see about your baby girl. I am eternally thankful that you had the means, the compassion, and the time to extend the love of Jesus in your hearts even when it was painful.

My dear brothersthank you for not executing the threats, but thank you even more for your prayers. Stevie, your being here helped to remind me who we are, and whose we are.

Karen Hunterfrom your days at the New York Daily News and my days at Arista Records, weve declared our sisterhood. You were among the first to believe in this story when no one else did, and you proved it with a feature on me in your column. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to be a scribe with your publishing company. I count it an honor and a privilege to have access to your vast intellectual capacity, which will undoubtedly inspire nations to read what you have deemed viable literature. Lets roll

Many thank-yous are due to the valiant women and men of God through whose ministries my growth in the Lord has increased:

• My pastor, Rev. William Earl Lee, and his bride, Evangelist Verna Lee, for keeping the Word before the body of Jesus the Christ Church. And for walking in the Lord in all His ways, proving there will be no moreabsolutely no morebad days. Hallelujah!
• Bishop Sam Williams and family, for constantly keeping me lifted in prayer. As an adopted daughter, I hope Ive made you proud.
• Rev. Henzy Green, Jr., for being a shining example of how to walk with Jesus right here on Earth.
• Apostle Clifford and Elect Lady Darlyn Turner, for depositing critical nuggets in my spirit that have elevated my walk with the Lord.

Thanks to the following ministries, which have come into my home via television and into my car via tapes, providing me with comfort and enlightenment during very dark times when I couldnt get to my own house of worship:

• Trinity Broadcasting Network, for being on twenty-four hours a day!
• Bishop Noel Jones, for awakening my intellection in Jesus.
• Bishop T. D. Jakes, I know Im a woman loose.
• Pastor Rod Parsley, for teaching me how to give up my this, for that!
• Bishop Eddie Long, for teaching me how to stand during the in-between.
• Bishop Ulmer, I can now say, Forward march!
• Pastor Creflo Dollar, Ive learned the importance of tithing.
• Prophetess Juanita Bynum, I now live Rapture Ready!
• Bishop Clarence McClendon, I know now that the field is the world and not just arrangements, decorations, and props.

To my team of caregiversI need another book to write about how much I appreciate you: Stacey and Claudette Dyches, Mayla Billips, Theresa Gibbs, Rev. Kenneth Pearman, Skip and Diane Anderson, Larry and Patsy Parkins and family, Uncle Charles and Aunt Peggy and family, Ruth Matthews, and Nurse Tracey Sheptuk. A special thanks to Zee Dees and the Webster family, who specifically cared for me.

To my Morning Commanders on the Fourth Watch Prayer Linethe world can reap the benefit of what God has done in us and through us, and manifested, because of our faithfulness at 5 A.M. every day. We indeed are fitly joined together. You have all been a blessing in my life. Though most of us have never met and probably never will, we know one another in the Spirit. I look forward to our continued reports of praise and our growth as we stay on the Wall. Apostles Kim and Ardell Daniels, thank you for your obedience in coordinating such a mighty network of Commanders to capture each morning.