B.J. Bernstein & Jay Sadd, Lawyers for Three of Bishop Eddie L. Long's Gay Sexual Coercion Accusers, Stepping Down, Citing Conflict of Interest

Lawyers for Bishop Eddie L. Long sexual coercion accusers, B.J. Bernstein & co-counsel Jay Sadd, stepping down from case after lawsuit filed to recoup $900,000 in settlement funds after Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Centino Kemp allegedly violated terms of settlement agreement.

The drama continues in the Bishop Eddie L. Long gay sexual coercion case and now settlement. Lawyers for three of the men who accused long of sexual coercion -- B.J. Bernstein and her co-counsel Jay Sadd -- are stepping down. They cite a potential conflict of interest since the Bishop's attorneys have now filed a demand to recover damages of $300,000 per defendant, in the case. The events that set this withdrawal in motion stem from interviews Jamal Parris, Spencer LeGrande and Centino Kemp gave, essentially violating "an injunction" in the settlement. According to MyFoxAtlanta, Long's attorneys have notified the American Arbitration Association that they were seeking to recover "not less than $900,000," and a finding of "contempt of court" against the three men for violating the terms of the settlement.

I-Team: Bishop Long Accusers' Lawyers Stepping Down: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Live Blogging: Bishop Long Says He's "Tired of Looking at the Problem, Just Wants to Be Healed"

Live Blogging New Birth Missionary Baptist Church:  Bishop Long says sometimes you have to go all the way back in the life of a person. He says he gets tired of looking at the problem, when he really wants to be healed. He said he's not just talking about marriage. He's talking about things in life. He is going to pronounce curse, to kill every demon in your history. He said God told him to pronounce some blessings over the congregation. He said he will stand as your daddy and Elder Cage will stand as your Mama. He said he will ask God for forgiveness over everything in your life from your childhood. He said the blood is on your life, every area and nothing can touch you. Communion Sunday.

Bishop Long (Ainsworth Communication)

Isaiah 54:17 -- No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises against you in judgment shall be shown to be wrong. This peace, righteousness, security and triumph over the opposition leads to victory over the enemy.   He chuckled and told the congregation to touch someone and say "it's my heritage." He said this is the righteousness and vindication I have received of the Lord. He said once you understand that, "can't nothing take you down." After doing all that you can do, just stand and behold the salvation of the Lord. He shall cover you, Long barked.

Table set on stage at New Birth (Ainsworth Communication)

He said we're not having church. What they are about to do so is so. He is hawking some sermons on CDs. He says they are the right thing to get for healing. He said some of you have been under a cloud for so long, that you need to hear these sermons. He said some things God doesn't change until you change. He said his trainer Kevin never lets him short-cut. He said the congregation has major kingdom assignment but they must be strong to get it. Could someone please tell me why Bishop Long likes to wear coats and shirts that can be considered tight around the chest and arms?

He said as Abraham and Isaac got older they would call their sons to their beds to speak blessings to them. He said it doesn't matter how they act, call those things into being for them. He said you always have to honor your parents, those wonderful and those not so wonderful. He said your storm is coming to an end. Are those prophetic words for him too? Since he is asking Jamal Parris, Spencer LeGrande and Centino Kemp to repay $900,000 of the settlement money they received as part of the settlement for the gay coercion lawsuit? He's speaking in tongues or some variation (like Juanita Bynum).

He's sealing blessings over the congregation: "For the events of childhood can shape our lives. If in your childhood you did not receive the blessings from your father, I as your father have now proclaimed these blessings. I council every negative word spoken over you. I am sorry for not accepting you just the way God made. I am sorry for not listening to you more attentively. I am sorry for not being as loving and caring for you and your mother as I should have been. Please know that I love you and always wanted to affirm you. I want you to remove the hurt and wounds my actions have caused you. I bless you with physical health for long life to serve your father. I bless you with self-confidence to counteract all negative in your life. I bless with you knowledge so that you may teach others....I bless you with the spirit of purity so you may walk clean and pure before others. I bless with you the sense of family so you will never be lonely. " He said your life has been switched and changed. He said you will not live as you used to live. You are more than a conqueror in Christ.

Elder Gage:  "First as your mother, I cancel every negative word spoken over you. I am sorry from pushing you away whenever you wanted a kiss or hug. I am sorry for not listening, not helping you with your homework and for not taking you shopping with me. I am sorry for not telling you how good a job you did. I am glad that you are my beloved child. You are loved, wanted and affirmed. Bless all your days with righteousness with peace and joy. I bless you with the heart of a good son or daughter. I bless you with great prosperity. I bless you with integrity and a heart of honor. I bless you with an obedient, humble and merciful heart. I bless you with wisdom, discernment... May you be quick to forgive and slow to anger. May your life be a delight to others as they are drawn to God within you."

He told the congregation to mark on their calendars when something starts happening in their lives because change will start coming since he blessed them today. The blessing of your mother and father is so important and so of God, that they 9the congregation) lack nothing now. He said they are going to start discerning things now. He said God told him the people are now going to catch up what He has been holding. Open up the heavens! He said tell somebody "I'm free." He said the congregation shouldn't leave until they benediction is proclaimed because that's when God seals them.

I find it very, very interesting that Bishop Long is proclaiming a blessing on the congregation as their father, since he's about to start squabbling with his "spiritual sons" over money. We will be watching how what he has preached today will manifest itself during the course of the week with Jamal Parris, Spencer LeGrande and Centino Kemp.

Listen to the audio:

Bishop Eddie Long Asks DA to Drop Charges Against Former Security Guard, Anthony Boyd, Implicated in 2010 Theft at Church with Anthony Flagg & Maurice Robinson

Bishop Eddie Long is in the news again. This time, he wrote a letter to the DeKalb County district attorney seeking to drop charges against former New Birth security officer Anthony Boyd, who was implicated in a 2010 theft at the church.

According to the police report, Boyd was accused of facilitating the burglary of about $100,000 in jewelry and electronics from Long's office at the church. His attorney had made it perfectly clear that Long would be called to testify. Well, I guess he doesn't want to do that, does he?

Boyd was implicated with Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson, two of the four men who sued Long for sexual coercion. Robinson was charged with burglary, while Flagg was not charged due to a lack of evidence. It seems to me that Bishop Long is running away from answering any questions about these men.

No evidence has been presented that Boyd participated in the actual theft of the missing items, which included a $35,000 Jorg Hysek diamond watch. "Basically [Robinson and his accomplice] were just trying to get evidence to further the investigation because [attorney B.J.] Bernstein said she couldn't take on the case unless they get more evidence," Boyd said. Source

I don't know why Bishop Long has opted to engage in a cat-and-mouse game where these five men -- Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris, Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson and Centino Kemp -- are concerned. Just talk to your congregation and the supporters of your ministry, as well as to the five young men, and move on.

Bishop Eddie L. Long Says God Will Fix Things for You, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Bishop Long tells congregation that God will fix things for you, could that be a subtle message that God will fix the mess with Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Centino Kemp?

Live blogging New Birth Missionary Baptist Church 09/04/11: It's Communion Sunday at New Birth today. Bishop Eddie L. Long says God will fix things at the table. He will ffix your marriage, He'll give you your kids back, etc. It's going to be one of those services, I can tell you that. In other words, God will fix the mess with Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Centino Kemp. He said if you learn more about God than the Devil, you will never be afraid. He said to tell people, "this is the day, the Manufacturer is working and fixing things."

Bishop Eddie Long surrounded at the altar as people give offering
(Ainsworth Communication)

Offerings & tithes: Long said God told him if he wanted something out of my hand, then you have to give me something out of yours. Luke 6:38 -- give and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together and running together is how it will be given back to you, said Long. In other words, give, give, give to New Birth, no matter what. He said God didn't say hold in the recession. He's now quoting from Malachi, saying God says to prove me. He said God will create the environment and favor for you to be prosperous. There's no use to have a fertile field with no seeds planted in it, he said. Seed brings seed. He said someone said I don't have but $1 left, that's probably worth a $1,000 worth of seeds. All money has an assignment. When you understand your assignment, God will enrich you with the provision for your assignment. He told the congregation when they want to see their promise come to fruition by the time they leave the church property, to "slap the money on the altar." It's all about the money.

He told the people to say they are expecting signs and miracles and obedience is greater than sacrifice. He prays that people are joining in the 21 days of fasting and consecration. He wants 5,000 people to call in on the prayer line at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. He said he's intensifying his move with God to put everyone in the right place in power with God. Apostle Raul will be back preaching next Sunday, September 11, 2011. He said if you "want power, it costs you pressure. More power, more pressure." With the pressure, we are losing our ability to communicate with one another to bring the kind of satisfaction that God wants us to have, he said. He said the Bible talks about a relationship between a father and son. As they walk together, they were naked and not ashamed. They were covered in glory. He said there was a time when he was half-saved, he used to go to the club and he didn't know if the people he met really gave him the right numbers. He said he got tired of the "fake-scene." He said he doesn't know how many people are really experiencing true love and true relationships. How ironic. He says he walks with people he doesn't know. He said some people don't even know who their friends are, as he has been going to the experience he has. He thanked the people on behalf of his wife, Vanessa, for the friendship of the members of the church.

Relationship Sermon at New Birth (Ainsworth Communication)

Text for sermon taken from James 4:1: What is causing the quarrels and fights among you. Do they not come from evil desires that are at war within you? He spoke about 21 points of staying in love and staying in relationships. Um, did he read this for the five young men whose lives he allegedly ruined? Make total commitment, communicate openly & honestly, ask for what you want, accept the differences, expect the best, encourage the other person continually and be a good listener. Seek first to understand, set reasonable standards, build self esteem, never go to bed angry, visualize the other person as ideal, treat the other person like a client, remember when you were dating or whether it's a friendship, remember when you met.. He said Jesus chose 12 disciples and out of them, he chose three to be close to. You want people to be in relationship with you. He said the first six months of a friendship or relationship is the honeymoon and you shouldn't make commitments at that stage. He said some people get in relationships because they feel good.

Bishop Long talking about relationships (Ainsworth Communication)

Most folks in the church have been killed by "friendly fire of the saints." He focused on relationships and how to make them work. He said it's important to listen. He said he thought giving his wife expensive things were important to her, but she just wanted his undivided attention. He said the reason we got in trouble in Eden was because Eve had a need for conversation. She constantly eavesdropped on Adam's conversation with God. He said his wife listens to everything. Um, really? Stop expecting folks to be perfect. "You ain't perfect, most of us have more weaknesses than we have strengths." He said most of us fall in love with the positive parts of this person. Centino Kemp? Operate in acceptance, be agreeable, don't look to point out what's wrong. Try to refuse to argue and just say thank you. Praise the other person for every success large or small. He said God turns his nose up to us sometimes because we praise him in church but not the people in our homes. Some people don''t even praise their children when they do something right.

He said when you meet someone it's exciting. It's fresh and it's wonderful. Then reality sets in. It's not necessarily "Nightmare on Elm Street." God also allows the conflict of relationships to grow. He said there are growing pains. You must go back and focus on what was it about you that made me love you or become attracted to you. He said a relationship is like fine wine that gets better with age. He said there is nothing like walking with two or three people who really know you.

Bishop Long spent the final moments of the sermon talking about being loved and when he gets in the fire they don't run, but people jump in the furnace with him. He says he's tired about folks who aren't really his friends. He wants to be approved, embraced, walked with, etc. He said you don't need to go home to be torn down. He said your house should be your sanctuary. He said if you don't teach people love, most people call love manipulation. Um, Centino Kemp, Jamal Parris, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg and Spencer LeGrande! He's walking through sanctuary and touching members of the congregation.