The woman formerly known as "Vanity,"  has taken back her original name, and become not only a born again Christian, but also an evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This photo session was done before she was given the name Vanity, by the artist formerly known as Prince.   Go to Denise Matthews evangelist web site.

This image was scanned from a Polaroid snapshot of Denise Matthews taken during a shoot with her wearing fashions by New York designer, Jonathan.  Akira of the Suga salon did Denise's hair and make-up.

Denise Matthews was an amazingly beautiful girl, and was very excited to photograph her.  I remember her relating to me just a little bit of how difficult her family life had been growing up.  I felt great empathy for her, as I sensed she had probably not ever experienced much unconditional love in her life.  I don't know if I was able to give her any encouragement or not.  When I heard several news report a few years ago, that she had become a strong Christian, and become involved in ministry work, I was very happy. 

There is no substitute for experiencing God's love in our lives.  Once one has experienced his presence through his Holy Spirit it is difficult to go back to the way one lived before.  Sin is what separates us from God.   He still wants a relationship with each us, just as he always intended since he first created us.   In Genesis 3:8 just after Eve had eaten and given to Adam, and he had eaten also of the forbidden fruit, the Word says  "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden."   In order to have relationship with God, the Bible teaches us that we must first receive atonement from sin, which separates us from God. 

Fortunately God is loving and merciful and has given us one way to come to him.  The Word (the Bible), says, that there is only one way to the Father and that is through His Son, Messiah (Christ), Yeshua (Jesus), who died for us, that we might have life.  "For the wages of sin is death."  God sent his first born Son, Yeshua (Jesus), who was subjected to every temptation known to man, but yet He was without sin.  Never the less, it was God's plan for his Son to die in order to be our atonement.   Yeshua (Jesus) took on the sins of the world, so that we might have life eternal, through Him.   It is only through His shed blood, death and resurrection which blots out our sins, that we are able to come to the Father and have relationship with him.  The Bible says this is the only atonement for sins, through the shed blood of Yeshua (Jesus), our Messiah.  This forgiveness of our wrong doing is not something one can earn.  It is a gift of grace from God. This atonement is a gift available to every person on earth, no matter what his circumstance or past history.   God loves us all, but hates sin.  If a person sincerely repents of his sins and has a desire to lead a new life, once he asks for forgiveness of his sins, through Messiah, God forgives him and no longer remembers his past sin.  It is forgotten forever.  God wants to bless every one of us, and if we have never accepted this gift before, this is the first step necessary to begin a new life.  Faith in Messiah, Jesus, who is our advocate before Father God, is our hope and encouragement no matter how difficult life becomes.

John 5:22-24 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

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