Torch Leader News

2010-01-08T17:14:10Z

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Three Observations from the Nativity Story Movie, by Daniel Whyte III

2009-12-25T17:21:22Z

Anyone who knows me knows that once I see a movie one time, I have no desire to see it again. However, earlier this week, I watched "The Nativity Story" movie with my family. I had seen this movie once before, but I decided to watch it again.

]]> In my opinion, this film is one of the best films ever made about the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It blessed my heart all over again in so many ways. As I was watching this film, God pointed out three important ways that He works in people's lives to bring about His will. Allow me to share those with you.

First, God showed me that when He tells someone to do something, it won't always be easy. In the laid-back atmosphere that many of us create for ourselves and our families during the Christmas season, we oftentimes forget that the journey that Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem was not an easy one. The Nativity Story depicted that Joseph walked while Mary rode a donkey; no doubt they faced harsh weather while traveling; and perhaps they had to defend themselves against robbers.

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, I am sure they were thinking that for the birth of the Son of God, a place would certainly have been prepared. But not so. There wasn't room in any of the inns for the Saviour to be born in comfort. Joseph and Mary had to spend the night in a stable.

Further, after Christ was delivered, Joseph and Mary could not even enjoy much needed rest. An angel came to Joseph to tell him that King Herod had dispatched his soldiers to seek the Child and kill Him. This angel commanded Joseph to get up and flee with Mary and the Baby to Egypt. Now, Joseph and Mary had to travel hundreds of miles across desert and wilderness terrain to escape Herod's army and keep the new born Christ safe.

When God commands us to do something, it won't always be the easiest and most comfortable thing to do. But God's will will always be done if we follow His instructions.

Second, God showed me in The Nativity Story that poor people hold a special place in His heart. There is no indication in the Bible that Joseph and Mary were rich. Jesus Christ was born into abject poverty, and when Christ began His ministry, He didn't go to the rich and religious, but to the poor and the sinners. (This tells me that there is something seriously wrong with the prosperity gospel.)

Scholars tell us that our rosy image of a wooden stable with a wooden manger filled with comfortable hay, and surrounded by farm animals is a misnomer. A "stable" for Joseph and Mary would have been nothing more than a cold, stone cave with a wooden gate built across the front to keep wild animals out. And the manger would have simply been a stone trough that the livestock would drink from.

We sometimes assume that God favors rich people because we mistakenly see having a lot of money as God's favor on a person's life. While this is sometimes true, we must remember that God showers His blessings upon His people in many different ways.

Third, I realized that when God sets His plans in motion, He is not in a hurry to bring them to pass. We must be reminded that it took Jesus Christ 4,000 years to come to earth. God promised salvation to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but Christ didn't fulfill that promise until 4,000 years later when He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and taken to be crucified on Calvary. Further, God has promised us in the Bible that Christ will come again. It has been 2,000 years since that promise, and it hasn't happened yet. But rest assured He's coming.

I am sure that the Jews of Christ's day were expecting the Messiah to come as a full-grown man Who would overthrow the Roman government, cleanse the temple, and restore Israel to her rightful place. Instead, God chose to send His Son as a baby to a lowly family. Christ would wait 30 years before He even began His public ministry. The Jews were not expecting that kind of Messiah.

As the old folks say, "God works in mysterious ways." Simply because we do not understand everything about the way God is working in our lives, does not mean that His will is not being done. Just remember that "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law..." (Galatians 4:4-5)

God bless you and your family as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas.

Newly Expanded Edition of the Amazon.com Bestseller, Ridiculous Situations, by Raina T. Shaw Presents New Challenges for Single Women

2009-12-16T17:02:14Z

Bestselling author, Raina T. Shaw, in her newly expanded edition of, Ridiculous Situations, presents new thought- provoking quotes on love, relationships and plain old common sense. In observing women and how they handle relationships, Shaw is amazed that, what should be governed by common sense in relationships isn't being done so at all.]]> Shaw's godly lifestyle qualifies her to boldly speak out to women encouraging them to find and fulfill their passion, purpose, and destiny in God. Make God your everything and you will have no need to look around with desperate eyes trying to find love or fulfillment. To add to her host of other topics, in this newly expanded edition, Shaw gives real revelation and advice on subjects like:

Don't Touch That 401K

The Return of the Old Flame: Deal or No Deal?

The Back Child Support Payment Trap

The "Stepping Stone" Relationship/Marriage

..and so much more.

Read Ridiculous Situations and be prepared to hold out for the best, for as Raina T. Shaw writes: "It's better to be single than sorry."

About Raina T. Shaw: Not only is Ms. Shaw a writer, but her prior experience in the entertainment industry reaches various mediums, radio, concert productions and conferences. She worked closely with music entrepreneur, Don Taylor, manager for such artists as Bob Marley, L.A. & Babyface, and Soul II Soul, Miki Howard and many other artists, songwriters and producers.

Her experiences have enabled her to amass a wealth of knowledge about publishing, organizing and monitoring projects for studio and concert productions. As Promotions Representative, Ms. Shaw's credits include: facilitating the contractual procurement of Kenny Smith to the Hendrix/MCA label which resulted in the Grammy nominated and Stellar Award winning CD "So Real." Ms. Shaw acted as Associate Producer of the Urban Focus Music conference/Urban Fest L.A. at the University of Southern California that featured artist performances by Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Sean Paul, Avant, Eric Benet, and others.

Her travels have enabled her to create professional relationships in the United Kingdom, France, and across the United States and has helped her to develop a sense of style, presentation, and attention to details that is essential for producing successful productions of any sort.

Most recently, Ms. Shaw penned the Amazon.com bestseller, Ridiculous Situations. Ridiculous Situations is a comical look at women's relationships. During Ms. Shaw's brief stint as a hairstylist, she was dubbed "The Salon Chair Therapist," and she promised her friends and clients that she would one day write them a relationship handbook. Ridiculous Situations was the fulfillment of that promise. When asked what is her next move in the entertainment industry, Ms Shaw replies, "I'm open and flexible, and I'd love to get my reality T.V. groove on!"

For more information about Ridiculous Situations, visit: www.RidiculousSituations.com. Follow Raina Shaw on Twitter, Facebook, and BlackPlanet.

To book Raina Shaw for speaking engagements and/or book signings, please email: info@ridiculoussituations.com.

Ridiculous Situations is available wherever fine books are sold, including: www.Amazon.com and www.BlackCBC.com.

Anointed Authors on Tour

2009-12-10T20:16:32Z

"Spreading the Gospel. Promoting Literacy."

The Anointed Authors Include: Dr. Vivi Monroe Congress, Tia McCollors, Michelle Stimpson, Vanessa Miller, Shewanda Riley, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Norma Jarrett-York

]]>

Be a host to national best-selling and award-winning Christian authors for your next event.

Booking now for 2010!

Available for writing workshops, literary events, libraries, ministries, and other organizations.

Contact at: Contact@AnointedAuthorsOnTour.com

www.AnointedAuthorsOnTour.com

BeBe Winans Cleared of Assault Charges; Calls it a 'Wonderful Christmas Gift'

2009-12-08T08:58:47Z

From the AP:
A Nashville judge has dismissed a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against gospel singer BeBe Winans after determining he had seen a counselor as required by prosecutors.]]> The 47-year-old Winans, of Nashville, had been accused of pushing his ex-wife to the ground Feb. 13 during an argument about their children.

General Sessions Judge Gloria Dumas dismissed the charge Friday after the counselor reported Winans did not need treatment.

In a statement Monday, Winans said, "To be exonerated of all charges shows the power of trusting in God, and is a wonderful Christmas gift for me and my children."

Winans is a judge on BET's television show "Sunday Best." The four-time Grammy winner has recorded gospel albums with his sister CeCe.

From Christian Post:
A county judge exonerated gospel music star BeBe Winans from the accusation of domestic abuse Friday, dismissing all charges with prejudice.

"This has been a trying year, beginning with the death of my father," said Winans, a member of the noted Winans family.

"Even though this allegation has affected not just me, but also the entire Winans family, my children and certain aspects of my career, I chose to stay quiet because I knew the truth," he added in a statement. "To be exonerated of all charges shows the power of trusting in God, and is a wonderful Christmas gift for me and my children."

On March 11, Winans was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and was briefly held at the Davidson County jail after his ex-wife, Debra Winans, accused him of pushing her to the ground during a Feb. 13 "verbal altercation" over "custody issues dealing with their children."

The Winans were married for 16 years before divorcing in 2003 and have a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son.

Click Here to Read More...

Source: BCNN1.com

The Black Church Must Do More Than "Just Say No" to Homosexuality, By Gwen Richardson

2009-06-30T04:28:56Z

Over the past two months, I have waded into the national debate regarding gay marriage by writing two widely distributed editorials. These op-eds largely addressed the false comparison between African-American oppression and the push for gay rights. I am neither a member of a pro-family organization nor an official advocate for traditional marriage. I am a Christian, an Independent voter and private citizen who felt compelled to speak out in support of the African-American legacy and the traditional, nuclear family. But my experience over the past two months may be instructive for other Christians, the church in general and the Black church specifically as the fight to protect the next generation of children wages on.

]]> About 16 years ago, I was editor of a national public affairs magazine called "Headway," which was sold on newstands in major cities, including here in Houston. Our first edition focused on the issue of gays in the military, as President Clinton was poised to sign the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation. At that time, gays had started comparing themselves to Black people in terms of the discrimination faced by both groups and this angered me. Our first edition took issue with that comparison.

The magazine was published monthly and, a couple of weeks after it hit the newsstands, the distributor called us and said that one of the major supermarket chains in the affluent areas of Houston had pulled it from their shelves. Apparently, gays in the area complained to the management and our magazine was pulled, simply because we challenged the prevailing position advanced by homosexuals. So much for free speech and freedom of the press.

That incident taught me three things: 1) That gays tend to reside in high-income areas and have a lot of financial clout; 2) That they have political/economic influence and will not hesitate to exert it to silence anyone who opposes their point of view; and 3) That those in authority will often acquiesce to their demands.

I knew then that gay activists were a force to be reckoned with. The magazine ceased publication in 1999 and I have not written publicly on homosexuality since then. However, when Carrie Prejean, Miss California, was treated so shabbily and defrocked simply because she answered a direct question honestly, stating her belief that marriage is between a man and a woman, I could no longer sit on the sidelines. I realized that if gay activists would so viciously attack a Miss U.S.A. contestant -- a blonde-haired, beauty queen who is supposed to be a symbol of wholesomeness and American values -- and get away with it, then all of us who believe in traditional marriage are subject to the same treatment (or worse) if we don't start fighting back.

In the course of wading into this debate, I have reached the following conclusions regarding gay activists and the gay rights movement. One, it is nearly impossible to have a reasonable debate with gay rights activists. The usual rules for a reasoned debate are completely thrown out the window. Most resort to name-calling and personal attacks, an intimidation tactic that has been widely successful for them in the media and elsewhere.

Since my op-eds were published, I have been called everything but a child of God by gay activists, including an anti-gay bigot, a right-wing nut, a cow, a sow, a liar, a supremacist, an opportunist, ignorant, uneducated, filled with hate, backwards, and, of course, the "b" word. One gay Web site added me to its "enemies list" and encouraged its cohorts to bombard me with negative e-mails and harassing phone calls, all for merely exercising my right to free speech.

The few gay activists who attempt to provide some semblance of rationality operate under the assumption that whatever information they present is valid and whatever information the opposition presents is invalid. If one argues anything from the Biblical perspective, the response is that the Bible is a book that is thousands of years old and has no relevance to modern times. Gay activists also claim that the Bible supports slavery, which means they must not have read the book of Exodus where God brought several plagues upon the Egyptians for holding Hebrew slaves until they were freed, and then drowned Pharaoh's army in the Red Sea after the slaves were pursued.

If one argues that there is no scientific evidence of a gay gene or a biological basis for homosexuality, those scientific claims are deemed bogus. Yet, the pseudoscience gay activists bring forth, which is too new to be reliable and is biased because the researchers are largely pro-gay, has complete validity in their eyes. Gay activists will say that every gay person they know was born that way and is homosexual for life. But if one presents an opposing view, that there are homosexuals who were molested as children or experimented with homosexuality as adolescents and have subsequently been delivered by the power of Jesus Christ, the experience of these ex-homosexuals is merely anecdotal. After a certain point, I had to conclude that, as a Christian, I was throwing "pearls before swine" and these conversations were counterproductive.

The second, and most important, thing I learned is that the dramatic increase in the amount of homosexuality in our society is really a symptom of a larger problem: Because of the dissolution of the family, the absence of a positive male role model, and the self-centered approach many parents have toward child-rearing, too many of our children are left to their own devices, unsupervised and unmonitored by adults, and have become vulnerable to sexual predators and perversions. A series of online interviews with a group of young people called the Passion For Christ Movement (www.p4cm.com) is very enlightening.

Members of this youth group were previously involved in homosexuality or bisexuality and have been delivered through the power of Jesus Christ. During the interviews, they are very open about what led them down this road, without being graphic. Some of them were raised in homes where church attendance was expected, but most were not. Many of them say they were molested as children, some as early as 5 years old. The molestation opened the door to sexuality at a time when children should have all of their innocence intact.

Many of these young people then moved on to watching pornography, either on the Internet or with friends, while in middle school. As teenagers, some went online to chat rooms and dating sites and engaged in one-time sexual encounters, threesomes and orgies. Several said that they had to consume drugs or alcohol to relax their level of resistance. The media, with its 24/7 promotion of homosexuality, bisexuality and an "anything goes" attitude toward sex, fed their idea that what they were doing was the latest thing, even though many said their conscience told them otherwise. The MTV network was singled out as a channel which aggressively promotes both homosexuality and bisexuality. By the time they were in their early 20s, most of these young people felt as though they were in bondage and unable to break free. The entire time I was watching the interviews, my thought was: Where were the parents when all of this activity occurred?

The members of P4CM say they each, individually, cried out to God to save them and give them a heart that sought God's will for their lives. They were able to get support from the P4CM organization and have been able to stay free from homosexuality for several years. The young people also provided another insight regarding the quest to get free from the lifestyle: For the most part, the church offered nothing but condemnation and there was no support other than to say that homosexuality is an abomination.

I believe there are three things the church in general, and the Black church specifically, should do to address the issue of homosexuality:

? Be informed. Because there are many aspects of this issue that believers may find distasteful, some may shy away from an awareness of the current culture that is pervasive throughout our society. In my opinion, this is a mistake, particularly for leaders of youth groups within the church. We, as believers, cannot put our heads in the sand and act as though these things are not happening. Our children and youth are confronting a powerful lure in terms of sexual perversion of all types and, because of the electronic age we live in, the opportunities to get involved in this are growing exponentially. Perhaps teens can partner with each other to form pacts to stay celibate. This was something that was tried successfully in the 1990s, and needs to be rekindled. We must have some knowledge about the cultural challenges our children are facing. To paraphrase the Bible: We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices.

? Be supportive. As believers, we must offer homosexuals more than simply condemnation. Young people who are looking for a way out of the homosexual and bisexual lifestyles should be able to seek refuge and support at a Christian church. Just as many churches have programs for those who are seeking deliverance from alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking and other human frailties, a program for those who no longer wish to be bound by sexual sins should be considered. Those who have been delivered from sexual sins are going to be the best spokespeople to help others because they have the life experience to relate to those seeking help.

However, be prepared to be attacked by gay groups, who seem to be adamant about their stance that every homosexual was born gay. It is certainly true that some homosexuals have a predisposition toward this behavior, for whatever reason, but it is obvious that a substantial number of practicing homosexuals were either molested as children or started experimenting and simply got "caught up." Why should victims of molestation and people who simply made a mistake by experimenting be forced to continue to do something they no longer want to do? Indeed, it is our duty as Christians to offer a way of escape for those bound by this lifestyle.

? Be vigilant. Despite the statements made by most gay activists to the contrary, they are indeed targeting churches for legal challenges to gay marriage and gay partnerships. Here are a few examples: In New York, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, an orthodox Jewish institution, refused to allow same-sex couples to live in married student housing. In 2001, the New York State Supreme Court forced them to do so.

In Massachusetts, Catholic Charities were ordered to accept homosexual couples in their adoption service or close down. They chose to shut down this service.

To the north of us in Canada, once gay marriage was legalized, it became illegal for religious leaders to say that homosexuality is a sin. If they do so, they are fined thousands of dollars by the government. If gay marriage is legalized in America, the same thing could happen here.

A Methodist church in New Jersey was sued by a gay couple who wanted to use one of the church's facilities for a wedding ceremony. The church declined the building's use, but the couple filed a discrimination complaint with the state's civil rights division and the church lost its tax exempt status.

The challenge to the Methodist church's tax exempt status was done on the grounds that the building used was open to the public. It appears that gay organizations have found the Achilles heel of the Christian church: Since a major tenet of the Christian faith is that the church's doors are open to the public to bring people to Christ, virtually any church building or property can be deemed a "public facility."

Churches regularly have youth rallies, barbecues, picnics, carnivals, concerts, etc., on their grounds to attract non-members and non-believers. This means that all churches are vulnerable to legal challenges from gay organizations. Churches may need to go on the offensive and counter-sue when these legal challenges are brought, arguing on the basis of the separation of church and state. The state should not force religious institutions to implement practices that are against their faith's principles - period.

Christian believers, and those of other faiths, must know that this is not going to be an easy fight, but it is a necessary one. Being attacked and called names simply for standing up for one's beliefs is never pleasant. But the early Christians had a much tougher fight than we have. We are blessed in that we do have the constitutional right to free speech without fear of government persecution. The persecution directed towards us by gay activists will be worth it, once we see that millions of young people have been saved from making potentially life-altering mistakes.

Gwen Richardson is an author and entrepreneur who resides in Houston, Texas.

Contact Info:

Gwen Richardson

grichardson@cushcity.com

Inside the Magnificent Bowels of the Earth; Scientists Find World's Largest Cave Entrance in Vietnam

2009-05-06T11:10:04Z

A BRITISH caving team believe they've discovered the world's largest cave passage in the heart of the Vietnamese jungle.

]]> Measuring 200m high and 150m wide the new cave, called Hang Son Doong -- or Mountain River Cave -- is believed to be almost twice the size of the current record holder.

Previously unexplored, the team believe Hang Son Doong is larger than the Deer Cave in Sarwark, Malaysia, which is 100m high and 90m wide.

Click here to see more stunning pics of the cave

Assisted by representatives from the Hanoi University of Science, the Joint British-Vietnamese Caving Expedition 2009, spent five days exploring the cave in Vietnam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Adam Spillane, a member of the 13-man expedition team, said: "It is a truly amazing sized cave and one of the most significant discoveries by a British caving team.

"The complete survey is at present being drawn up but initial estimates show the main passage to be 200m (656 feet) high in places and possibly greater in some sections.

"Much of the passage width is over 100m but certain sections are over 150m wide."

Adam, whose team are now back in the UK analysing their readings, added: "The cave was originally discovered in 1991 by a Vietnamese Jungle man called Ho Khanh from Phong Nha village.

"Khanh has been a guide for the team in many expeditions to the jungle to explore caves and this year he took a team to the cave which had never been entered before by anyone including local jungle men.

"This was because the entrance which is small by Vietnamese cave standards (10m high and 30m wide) emitted a frightful wind and noise which was due to a large underground river."

The team spent six hours trekking through the jungle to reached the cave. Climbing down into a large chamber, they had to negotiate two underground rivers before reaching the main passage of the Hang Son Doong.

They will return to Vietnam later in the year to complete the expedition of the cave and conduct a full survey.

SOURCE: The Sun UK

Mandisa Releases New Album "Freedom"; Loses 75 Pounds

2009-03-29T08:27:59Z

Gospel performer Mandisa defines herself not by the world's standards, but God's, and said she has finally discovered what freedom means. Her sophomore album "Freedom", available on March 24, is a testimony to her struggles with food and deliverance from her addiction. ]]> After five weeks, the first single, "My Deliverer" is number 16 on Billboard's Christian Adult Contemporary chart. "Lose my Soul", her collaboration with Toby Mac and Kirk Franklin is at number eight.

"I used to think freedom was the fact that I'm free to do anything I want to do," she said via telephone from her home in Tenn. "True freedom is doing what I want to do within the boundaries of God."
The Grammy and Dove Award nominee had a goal to lose 100 pounds before the March release of "Freedom". "I've lost 80 pounds," she proudly admits.

In order to lose the weight, she had to change not only the way she eats, but she had to dig deeper into the word of God. "The more time we spend with God the more we are chiseled into the image of His son," she said. "We need to reflect the glory of God."

Mandisa hit the national scene as a contestant in the fifth season of American Idol in 2006. Her powerhouse voice garnered her loyal fans, but judge Simon Cowell brought up her weight with such comments as needing a bigger stage. Mandisa said his comments hurt, but she credits Simon with helping her learn how to forgive.

"I've just learned based on the word of God, that we should forgive because all that God has forgiven us for." This is exactly what she told Cowell during the show and he apologized for his comments. She said she forgave for herself though. "I've learned that forgiveness is as much for the person. Simon would have gone the rest of his life not thinking about anything he said. I would have gone on and let a bitter root set in me," she said. "I forgave him for me. As soon as you realize that you are holding on to anger, then forgive."

Although she finished ninth on American Idol, she has found success as a solo performer in Contemporary Christian music. In 2007 she debuted "True Beauty", the highest chart entry for a debut artist in Sparrow Records history and the only female soloist to hit number one in the 27-year history of Billboard Christian Retail charts. In 2008, "True Beauty" was nominated for Grammy's "Best pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" and she was nominated for the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "New Artist of the Year".

She said last year's nominations were a total surprise but she really didn't expect her Dove Award nomination this year for "Female Vocalist of the Year", which will air April 23 on the Gospel Music Channel at 8 p.m. EST. Among the nominees are Francesca Battistelli, Brooke Fraser, Karen Peck Gooch, Natalie Grant, Sandi Patty and Laura Story. "I don't allow awards to define my success because I really want to let the fruit and the message speak," she said. "But, these are saying you are on the right track."

Mandisa is humble about all of her success and credits her relationship with Jesus Christ first and foremost. The Calif. native said one of the songs on the "Freedom" album, "Not Guilty" speaks to the message of grace from Christ. "We are given the verdict of not guilty. It is not by our works but it is the grace of Jesus Christ."

For now, the 32-year-old said she is trying to stay focused on singing about this message of grace and freedom found in a relationship with Christ. "God has given us freedom over anything that will hold us captive."

MANDISA - "Freedom" Stories behind the songs, Courtesy Sparrow Records

1.My Deliverer "My Deliverer" is one of my favorite songs on the album and it is because it's my testimony. When I first heard it I felt so drawn to it because of what God had been doing in my life with setting me free from food. And to be able to say that more than diet and more than exercise, that the reason I can sit before you sixty pounds lighter is because my Deliverer has set me free from all that held me captive.

2. How Much How Much" is a song that is just an encouraging, it's encouraging to people. It lets them know, do you understand how much God loves you? Do you understand the heights and the depths and the breadth of his love for you and I just don't think that people really grasp the love that He has for each of us as His child. And so that song is just a song letting people know how much you are loved by the father.

3. He is With You
"He is With You" is one of my favorite songs on the album because I think it hits every single situation you could imagine. No matter if you are a man or a woman or black or white or young or old, God is with you and God loves you and God will never leave you and He will never forsake you.

4. Definition of Me
"Definition of Me" is one of those songs that when I get on my treadmill, I have to blast it and it gets me working like no other. It' a song, sort of my message from "True Beauty", the fact that its not how I look, it's not what people think of me, it's no even my voice that defines who I am. The definition of me is my father and His love for me and it features Blanca Reyes who's my hero. She's from the amazing group, it's called Group 1 Crew and I absolutely love her and I love what she added to this song as well.

5. Not Guilty
"Not Guilty" is a song that I co-wrote with a guy named Sam Izell and Matthew West and it is a song, I read an e-mail several years ago and I've seen it several times that's all about what it world be like when we die and when we got to sort of that courtroom in Heaven where we are all gonna be held accountable for how we lived here on earth but the fact that I have a relationship with Jesus and the fact that His blood covers me I know and I am guaranteed that I will hear the words not guilty from my Father because Jesus' blood covers me.

6. Leave It In the Valley
"Leave It In the Valley" is, it's an encouraging song for people to let them know no matter what you're going through that Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil and so I think people need to recognize that in these times where things can be very difficult, that we serve a God who promises that if we would yoke ourselves with Him that He would make our burdens easy and light and so it's just a song encouraging people that no matter what you're going through just leave it in the valley.

7. Victorious
I love the word of God and I believe that everything that has been written, has been written for us as believers to give us encouragement and hope and when I look at the scripture and when I see the stories of God's faithfulness and the story of how He helped people to overcome it just gives me hope to know that He too will help me overcome. The song is chocked full of scriptures about how God has done miraculous things in the past and how that same God will do miraculous things in our lives as believers.

8. Broken Hallelujah
"Broken Hallelujah" is one of the most moving songs I have ever heard. I believe that there is a presence of the Lord that comes when we as believers offer up a sacrifice of praise and I think that when things are not going the best, when our circumstances could not look worse, I think that when we offer up a Hallelujah to the Lord that that honors him more than any other thing. And so "Broken Hallelujah" is a song that mirrors the power that can happen when we as believers lift up that sacrifice of worship to His name.

9. Freedom Song
"Freedom Song" is another song that I wrote with Sam Izell and Matthew West that is basically what it says, it is all about shouting Hallelujah to our great God who has set us free.

10. Dance, Dance, Dance
"Dance, Dance, Dance", you know if anybody has ever seen me in show they know that this is something I like to do and I can't help it. I mean when I think about how God has set me free and when I think about how good He has been to me, when I think about where he has brought me from there's just something that happens to me and I just want to jump up and down and dance all around and that's what this song helps me to do.

11. You Wouldn't Cry
"You Wouldn't Cry" is probably my favorite song on this album and it is a tribute to a little boy named Andrew who was stillborn in his mother's womb, Rebecca. It's a fan that I met and to be able to honor her and to be able to honor Andrew's memory with this song means the world to me and I also believe it will encourage people who have lost loved ones recently to let them know that your loved one, if they have a relationship with Jesus Christ, is in a far better place than we could ever imagine.

Source: Christian Post

Huckabee to Address Economic Challenges Facing Churches, Ministries

2009-03-29T08:27:12Z

Political commentator and former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will discuss the impact of the turbulent economy on faith-based organizations and introduce a service to financially help churches and ministries this weekend at several events in Virginia.]]> A combined total of 20,000 people are expected to hear Huckabee speak during the four Lynchburg-area events on March 29 and 30. The speaking venues include Thomas Terrace Baptist Church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, and Liberty University.

"During these down times, the demands and needs are great for families and ministries alike," Huckabee said. "In many cases, families are turning to churches for assistance with food, clothing and other basics. Yet churches have to deal with less resources to meet those needs."

The former Southern Baptist preacher and denominational leader warned that the troubled economy might have a detrimental effect on the work of churches and ministries if funds cannot be generated in new and creative ways.

Huckabee, an official spokesperson for Christian Values Network, will introduce the organization as a new way to help generate funds for churches and faith-based charities worldwide.

Christian Values Network is a free service that allows members to shop online at nearly 900 popular internet retailers who in turn pay a referral fee for every purchase made by a CVN member. A portion of the referral fee is given to the ministry of choice indicated by the CVN member.

"I believe God has established Christian Values Network for this unique time and place to help ministries in lean times," said Huckabee, who serves as an advisor to Christian Values Network. "They are providing a very simple and practical solution: using people's everyday Internet purchases to support their chosen organization."

He added, "I understand these are tough times. Christian Values Network is a special opportunity for people to continue giving without affecting their capability to tithe or provide for their family."

On the Web: www.cvn.org

Source: Christian Post

BibleTech 2009 Conference Draws Digital Disciples

2009-03-29T08:26:20Z

Over the next two days, a conference that merges Bible study and technology will draw from around the nation Christian publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study. BibleTech:2009, sponsored and hosted by Logos Bible Software, aims to "inspire and inform" by offering attendees of the Mar. 27-28 gathering new ideas, opportunities to forge new relationships, and the chance to be exposed to the work others are engaged in at the crossing point of Bible study and technology.

The conference comes as Web 2.0 and Internet-connected mobile devices are offering new ways to interact with Scripture and open source projects and APIs (application programming interfaces) are sparking creativity and getting more people involved in developing technology for Bible study.

"BibleTech:2009 is shaping up to be an incredible event for anyone passionate about the latest developments in Bible and technology," exclaims J.D. Elgin, the coordinator for this year's BibleTech conference.

"Last year's was one of the best, most fun conferences I've ever been to," adds Rick Brannan, an "information architect" at Logos Bible Software, the largest developer of Bible software and a worldwide leader in multilingual electronic publishing.

Held this year in Seattle, BibleTech will feature speakers including, among others, Jim Albright, XML specialist at Wycliffe Bible Translators; Mike Anderson, director of theResurgence.com at Mars Hill Church; John Dyer, director of Web Development at Dallas Theological Seminary; and Aaron Linne, digital media producer at LifeWay Christian Resources.

Topics include SMS Texting for Churches, Web-Empowering Your Church, and Becoming a Digital Disciple.

Though the conference will not be streamed live on the internet, as web savvy Christians might expect, conference organizers plan to make audio available after the conference. For those unable to attend BibleTech:2009, organizers are also putting together a list of speakers who will be blogging during the event.

"I am excited for BibleTech09," wrote Stephen Johnson, a software engingeer at Olive Tree Bible Software, on the mini-blogging site Twitter.com on Thursday. "It was an amazing conference last year, and I expect this year will be even better."

Kicking off this year's conference will be a general session at 9 a.m. PT followed by the first session at 10 a.m. The two-day conference concludes Saturday evening.

Source: Christian Post

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In Light of the Juanita Bynum/ Thomas Weeks, Chris/Rihanna, and BeBe/Debra Winans Situations, What Should the Church Do About Domestic Violence, by Dr. Lavencia DeBerry

2009-03-29T08:25:22Z

Because of the publicity that domestic abuse crimes are getting from the media in our nation, the church must began to inform, educate, and create a safe haven for victims to be real and transparent without fear and shame.]]> I believe that when Chris Brown and Rihanna's relationship was revealed as abusive the secular world took note. What about the church? We have had incidents in our own back yard that should speak to us loud and clear that God wants us to deal with this issue and minister to the spirit, soul, and body of abuse victims that are sitting in our pews each Sunday. They are hiding because of fear and shame. We have not addressed the many boys and girls that have been molested and physically abused. We have got to stop ignoring the ugly things and act on the faith we jump and shout about each Sunday. God wants to heal us everywhere we hurt. If you are one of those individuals that is hurting from physical and emotional abuse know that God is a healer and a deliverer.

Read my book of my own testimony. SHATTERED BUT NOT BROKEN. www.propheticwingsministries.com

Source: Gospel Today Magazine

James Dobson's "Rebel" Son Gets on Board

2009-03-29T08:24:27Z

Except for the skateboard, surfboard, shaved head and, until recently, the goatee and giant cylindrical earrings implanted in his lobes, Ryan Dobson sees himself as a chip off the old evangelical block. ]]> His famous dad, James Dobson, founded Focus on the Family media ministry in Colorado Springs three decades ago and cultivated a U.S. radio audience of 1.5 million daily listeners.

James Dobson is a family therapist who became an evangelical icon by grounding parenting advice in Christian values.

Ryan, 38, now emerging as a next-generation media minister, served as inspiration for his father's books on parenting, such as "The Strong-Willed Child" and "Parenting Isn't for Cowards."

"I was rebellious sometimes," Ryan said. "I always knew the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes I chose wrong.

"I never dreamed I'd go into the ministry."

But he did.

As wife Laura looks on, Ryan Dobson helps their son, Lincoln Cash, learn to skateboard in front of their house in Colorado Springs. Dobson, who skateboards and surfs, says he is, like his father, James, conservative politically, socially, morally and theologically. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post )

Now he and his wife, Laura, evangelize to young people through KOR Ministries, using live Internet radio broadcasts and podcasts -- and listeners can immediately talk back using six kinds of digital technologies.

This is not his father's media ministry. And Ryan Dobson has never been part of Focus on the Family.

"My dad's the best. We do a lot of projects together, but we're so similar we could never work together full time," he said.

Despite frequent experimentation with his hair and dabbling in other pop trends, Ryan said he, like his father, is conservative politically, socially, morally and theologically.

"Really, the only difference between my dad and myself is style," he said.

In late February, when James Dobson stepped down as chairman of the Focus on the Family board, he finished handing over the reins to his handpicked heir, Jim Daly.

James Dobson said he would keep his radio-host duties but otherwise focus with his wife, Shirley, on grandparenting Ryan's 2 1/2-year-old son, Lincoln Cash.

Laura said the grandfather who spent decades dispensing parenting advice to millions doesn't interfere with the grandson, unless asked for his advice.

Gary Schneeberger, head of Focus on the Family media relations, knows father and son well.

"They both call it like they see it," he said. "They are remarkably similar in the things they believe in and the passion with which they serve them."

Ryan, who is co-author of several Christian books, wrote "Be Intolerant," a tome disdaining moral relativism. Other titles include "2 Die For" and "2 Live 4."

His father and mother raised him and his older sister, Danae, with a firm hand, Ryan said.

When he failed to study adequately while away at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois, his father pulled him out of school. He came home to Colorado Springs, where he worked a 5:30 a.m. busboy shift.

When his father, at the urging of a family friend, gave him a second chance to attend college, Ryan didn't repeat his mistake.

He earned a degree in communications from Biola University in Southern California and went on to become a public speaker, author and, in 2007, an ordained minister.

Recently clean-shaven -- head and face -- Ryan said he has removed his piercings because he couldn't quite see himself as a 50-year-old with giant holes in his ears.

Ryan said he isn't sure he's growing wiser, just more certain.

"The older I get, the few things I do know have become more important to me," Ryan said. "I actually do believe all this (Christian) stuff."

Last week Ryan took on one of the biggest challenges of his life by taking over three Focus on the Family youth-oriented magazines with combined circulation of more than 200,000.

Focus on the Family shed the publications in February as part of operational streamlining begun in November.

Focus on the Family said then it would cease publication of four of its magazines and "gift" three youth titles to a willing publisher.

Several organizations submitted proposals, including well-established youth ministries and publishers, such as Teen-Mania and Core Media Group.

Ryan's winning proposal was short and simple: Offer the three magazines -- Brio, Brio & Beyond, and Breakaway -- online only.

Unlike other suitors, Ryan didn't ask for the roughly $300,000 raised by Focus on the Family during a late-summer subscription drive for the print magazines.

The Internet-only titles were launched last week, with limited content, but Ryan thinks they're off to a good start.

An online magazine is now the best way to reach a young audience, Focus on the Family corporate spokeswoman Lisa Anderson said.

As for the subscribers who forked out cash for print magazines, Anderson said "these folks will be contacted and asked if they would prefer to have the money back or to donate it to another part of the ministry."

Ryan said he has no budget for the magazines and only a small volunteer staff.

"I know it will work out," he said, "or God wouldn't have handed it to me."

Source: Denver Post

Preachers, Philosopher Square Off in Satan Debate

2009-03-29T08:23:35Z

When Annie Lobert was being abused, raped and constantly facing death during her years as a Las Vegas escort, she knew the devil was real. And he almost got her life. ]]> Only then when she realized Satan and his legion of demons existed, she was able to cry out to God and be saved.

"[God] exists and the devil exists. I know that God's in my heart and the only way I could see God was to know that the devil was real," Lobert, who founded Hookers for Jesus, said in an ABC Nightline debate, which aired Thursday.

The anticipated debate was around the existence of Satan and was the third installment of Nightline's "Face-Off" series. Moderated by Dan Harris, the Face-Off was hosted at Mars Hill Church in Seattle where hundreds from both sides of the debate came out to watch and participate.

While some Christians were disappointed that no apologists were on stage to argue that Satan does exist, Lobert and Mars Hill preaching pastor Mark Driscoll provided heart-felt testimonies and rebuttals that garnered much applause.

So "why would a loving God create Satan?" Harris posed.

"I think He created angels and people and He gave us the capacity to have free will," Driscoll responded. "For there to be virtue, there must be the possibility of vice and that's (having free will) what distinguishes those of us - people and angels - from other forms of creation (trees, animals)."

"God didn't create evil ... He created free will. And Satan and the demons and human beings have chosen to disobey, to rebel and that's the source of the trouble, according to the teaching of the Bible," said Driscoll who argued that Satan was an angel but walked away from God's intention for him.

Then why did God create choice? Harris followed up.

"If you don't allow choice, the theologians will say you don't have love," Driscoll stated. "Love requires volition and that God does not want automatons; He wants persons. The argument is made that if God were not allowing choice, you wouldn't have evil but you also would not have love."

Driscoll's argument opened debate to other widely contentious issues. Arguing against the existence of Satan, philosopher Deepak Chopra, author of Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, said he found it difficult to respond to Driscoll because "everything he says is in contradiction to what we know about the physical universe that began about 13.8 billion years ago in something called the Big Bang."

"The Bible that he quotes as authority is totally in contradiction with everything that we know about cosmology, about evolution, about biology, mathematics, physics and about everything that allows us to understand who we are," Chopra said, adding that he doesn't deny that there may be a "divine intelligence."

Back on the main topic, Chopra said he doesn't believe there is an external Satan figure, or what he described as the "boogie man." He argued that people unnecessarily project their shame and guilt onto a mythical figure they call Satan when they should be confronting their own "shadows" (fear, shame, guilt, sin) and moving toward enlightenment (understanding, revelation, insight).

"Healthy people do not have any need for Satan," Chopra argued. "I don't need the devil because I don't have the guilt and shame that you people have."

"We are part of an ineffable mystery that the moment we label that mystery as 'good and evil,' 'right and wrong' then we create conflict in the world and ... all the trouble in the world today is between religious ideologies," he added.

"So I'd say be done with Satan and confront your own issues."

Bishop Carlton Pearson, who is often labeled as a heretic for his Gospel of Inclusion preaching, once believed in the devil and even cast out demons, he said. But now, after "reassessing" himself, he believes that the devil and demons are merely manifestations of what people believe.

"You become what you think about. If you're thinking about devil you'll have him," said Pearson, who chooses to focus more on a loving God than a judgmental one.

He further argued, "Scripture says that God created everything and everything God created is good ... so if everything that is created, God created ... and it is good ... then what is evil but some aspect of good, possibly perverted or contorted or inaccurate or misunderstood."

"So it's confusing to see God with two faces. One, He's loving and then he has this customized torture chamber where he's going to send all your relatives who aren't saved and you if you smoke," Pearson said to some laughter from the audience.

Pearson admitted that his beliefs are still evolving and that he's going through a "spiritual renaissance."

"I'm just trying to re-present the Christ consciousness, culture that's not so violent," he highlighted. "I dismiss this monster that we call the devil that has so pervaded the thinking of people."

While Pearson believes the demons he cast out of people in the past were demons that he and other believers invented, to Lobert of Hookers for Jesus, demons are very real.

"I saw demons," she said in the debate. Like many other girls in the industry, she said she was held down by demons and raped. There wasn't anyone there physically but she said she could not move.

"They're spirits," she explained.

Pearson and Chopra could not deny Lobert her experience especially since it led her to a better place, but they did not accept it.

Driscoll later clarified that people cannot blame the devil for everything. While Satan may tempt or influence, it is the people who ultimately make the decision and thus "we're morally responsible for that action."

But the good news is, "God sends Jesus to die for our sins, sends God the holy spirit to tell us the truth so we don't believe in his (Satan's) lies, to give us the strength to say no to his temptations and He allows and enables us to win in the battle that we are in spiritually," he said.

Why doesn't God just stop Satan? Harris posed.

Driscoll replied, saying history is still being made.

"The point of Jesus on the cross in dying for our sins, Jesus canceled the right that Satan had to rule over us, influence our thoughts to have an effect on our eternity and that ultimately Jesus is coming back to put a final end to Satan and his works," the Mars Hill pastor stated.

"We're in the middle of history and ...ultimately Satan we be ultimately, finally defeated. Sin and all of its effects will be lifted and the earth and humanity will return back to the state that God intended - which was very good."

Following the taping last Friday, Mars Hill lead pastor Jamie Munson wrote in the church blog that many in the audience - Christians and non-Christians - were engaging in conversations about Jesus.

Originally, self-proclaimed former Christian Bart Ehrman was scheduled to debate on the side of Satan does not exist, according to Driscoll, but backed out.

Only segments of the nearly two-hour long debate aired on TV Thursday. The more complete debate can be found on ABC's website.

Source: Christian Post

Pastor Timothy Wright Family Update

2009-03-29T08:22:29Z

Amidst a flurry of rumors and erroneous stories, the family of Pastor Timothy Wright released a statement, exclusively to Gospel Today, about his condition earlier today to bring clarity and accuracy to what is currently going on with Pastor Wright.]]>

"Rev. Wright did not have a heart attack. But on January 21st his heart stopped suddenly. He was on life support for 2 to 3 weeks. But as of right now he's off life support. He is breathing on his own. He's not 100 percent responsive but he does open his eyes when we talk to him. He's not brain dead but the lack of oxygen to his brain while his heart was stopped has caused his response to be very slow. So we're praying that his response picks up and he returns back to normal. The doctors didn't give us a time table but God will do it on his own time. Keep Rev in your prayers. God bless"

The family continues to thank all of those persons who have been holding Pastor Wright up in prayer and ask that they would continue to do so.

Source: Gospel Today Magazine

T.D. Jakes' Son, Jermaine Jakes, Arrested for and Charged with Indecent Exposure

2009-02-13T11:45:42Z

FIRST REPORT

According to Dallas police, Jermaine Jakes, 29, the son of the pastor of the Potter's House, was accused of exposing himself in front of an undercover vice detective at a city park in Oak Cliff.

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Here's the story. It includes a link to the police report, which includes some pretty straightforward language.

It's not clear why this encounter, which took place on the night of Jan. 3, is only coming to light now.

No statement yet, at least not that I'm aware of, from Bishop Jakes.

Jermaine Jakes' lawyer essentially had no comment.

"We are aware of potential allegations involving Jermaine Jakes and are undertaking our own investigation of these allegations at this time," she said. "Given an apparent government investigation, we have no further comment at this time."

SECOND REPORT

The son of Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the Potter's House, faces a charge of indecent exposure related to an incident in a southern Dallas park last month, Dallas police said.

Jermaine Jakes, 29, is accused of exposing himself in front of an undercover Dallas police vice detective at Kiest Park, near West Kiest Boulevard and South Hampton Road, on the night of Jan. 3, police said.

He was detained at the scene and released.

T.D. Jakes is the founder of the Potter's House, a 30,000-member congregation in the Mountain Creek area.

Faith Johnson, Jermaine Jakes' attorney, said in a written statement Wednesday evening: "We are aware of potential allegations involving Jermaine Jakes and are undertaking our own investigation of these allegations at this time. Given an apparent government investigation, we have no further comment at this time."

Ruben Limón, park coordinator, said today the park closes at 10 p.m. each night and is usually monitored overnight by Dallas police officers.

He said he was surprised to hear that a son of T.D. Jakes was involved in the incident.

"I wonder how that's going to affect the church," he said. "I doubt it'll affect us because the park isn't known for that sort of thing."

DOWNLOAD: Read arrest warrant for Jermaine Jakes. (Please note file contains graphic material.)

Source: Dallas Morning News