He's 'Long" On Gospel Music

The following is my modified response to Annie Brock's post on the This Old Black Church Blog entitled, Hip Hop and the Church. In the post is a video of an apparent hip hop service at New Birth Church. Annie said it was an example of why she doesn't like hip hop gospel and her belief that it is a tool of Satan (paraphrasing her sentiments)....

I am a former gospel radio announcer. From May 2008-March 2009, I was the morning drive radio personality on WLOU 1350 in Louisville. My husband is well known in this city as a radio program director. We have worked all genres of urban music including hip hop and R&B. We have been gatekeepers in terms of what music gets airplay and what doesn't.

I understand your concern. Satan is the prince of the power of the air, including and especially the air waves. I have been slow in playing a lot of hip hop gospel because a lot of it has no redeeming value- you can't hear the lyrics or the lyrics are shallow with no spiritual depth. Sometimes, it's because the young people behind the music are not skilled in rightly dividing the Word of God, or they are so arrogant that you can't tell them anything.

There are some hip hop gospel artists, Canton Jones, for example comes out of Eddie Long's church, who are getting national airplay. "Stay Saved" was one of his big songs. That song resonated with young, black men--strong, positive message, nice tempo. We need to do all we can to reach them, and many of them have lead hardcore lives.

Eddie Long has a new CD out that targets a young adult demo called, Bishop Eddie Long & Friends, The Kingdom Vol. 1 Featuring GW's. He's backed by the heavy hitters of contemporary gospel, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, and Dorinda Clarke Cole. Smokie Norful comes out of Long's church. Like it or not, Eddie Long is a force to be reckoned in gospel music. He's "long" on gospel music, I guess you can say.

Even though I don't care for Eddie Long's prosperity theology, the New Birth Total Praise Choir has put out some great music--"Suddenly" and another song on on the Spirit & Truth CD, "Thank You for Your Grace." I admit, I have wrestled with playing the choir because of their association with Long. I think this is the dilemma discerning radio stations and their gatekeepers are up against, not just concerning Edddie Long, but also T.D. Jakes, Noel Jones, and Creflo Dollar who are producing a lot of contemporary gospel. And it is no secret that I love the City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir CD because it's not about us. It's about Jesus, and that is exactly the point.

When I listen to gospel music, I am listening for sound biblical doctrine first and foremost, audible lyrics and strong rhythms. It's not just hip hop gospel that Satan is using. He uses all of it. That's why we must pray about this issue and for our gospel radio stations and church music ministries, the music directors, program directors, and even general managers, owners, ministers of music and worship leaders that "saved," biblically-educated people are in those positions who are watching out for the sheep, and who are doing the will of Almighty God.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Bishop Noel Jones: Prosperity Gospel Partially to Blame for Economic Crisis

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

In the May 19th article, Black Church Memberships Increase-Offerings Decrease by Hazel Edney, Bishop Noel Jones, pastor of the 17,000-member City of Refuge Church in Los Angeles makes profound statements concerning the prosperity gospel’s negative effect on the current economic crisis and the decline in church giving. I truly appreciate his comments. I have heard Noel Jones warn audiences on several occasions over the past six years about the negative effects of the prosperity gospel. It was his willingness to do that that helped change how I saw him, eventhough as he has said, he runs in those circles. I have been praying for his ministry. I have said for some time, that if only certain preachers would repent from prosperity preaching, they would make great expositors of sound biblical doctrine. I hope they are listening to their colleague now.

Below is an excerpt from the article:

In addition to scriptures, tangible know-how to correct and add balance to some of what has been taught in churches over the years will be key, says Bishop Noel Jones, pastor of the 17,000-member City of Refuge in Los Angeles, which he says is down only 6-10 percent on income.Jones says unbalanced teachings in the church are partially to blame for the crisis.

“We have endured 25 years of health, wealth and prosperity preaching and the prophet should have told us that we were going to be in this kind of situation and circumstance since they have such prophetic words,” Jones says. “What happens is the church has capitalized the gospel and we have preached Americanism for gospel and ultimately we ended up crashing because there is no credulity and authenticity in the whole presentation.”

He continues, “The only people who were making any real money were those who were expostulating the theology that left the psychology that debilitated the minds of those who were involved. The debilitation is that everybody expected to bring an offering in church and just get rich though nobody participated and partnered with God. Because at the end of the day nobody receives a check in an envelope postmarked from heaven.

It’s your participation that makes it happen…The ministry and the preachers have taken so much money from the church and lived lavish lifestyles. We need to put something back. We need to equip our people. As James puts it, very explicitly, ‘Faith without works is dead’. We co-create, we perpetuate God’s creation by functioning responsibly.”

Jones said many Christians have basically lived on credit and owned nothing.

“So, what everybody was talking about as God’s blessing was people living on credit. And the Bible says that the borrower is subject to the lender. So, Christian America simply joined the capitalistic bandwagon - and in the name of God - articulated a theology that has no credulity.”

Read two of several related posts on this blog:

I Fold At A Hundredfold!
Bishop Noel Jones: Word of Faith Theology Crippling the Black Church

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Jesus Saves Newsletter Historical Journal

Rev. Angela Lee Price

Jesus Saves Ministries is blessed to present The Jesus Saves Newsletter Historical Journal, a compilation of 28 Jesus Saves Newsletters. The journal contains articles, sermon excerpts, devotions, prayers, and testimonies by Min. Angela Lee Price and contributing writers, from September 2005-October 2008, covering the period of Min. Angela's matriculation at Simmons College of Kentucky.

Join me for the first book signing at Better Days Records, Lyles Mall, 2600 West Broadway, Friday, June 5th from 2:00-4:00 PM. Purchase a journal today and help fund a scholarship program for our next generation of preachers.

Feature stories and One-On-One Interviews include:

• Rev. Dr. Charles Adams
• Julian Bond
• Pastor Syvoskia Bray
• Rev. Dr. H.D. Cockerham
• Rev. Louis Coleman
• Dr. James Cone
• Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook
• Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby
• Raoul Cunningham
• Archie Dale
• Cane Hope Felder
• Pastor Kathy Goodwin
• Dr. Julia Hare
• Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes
• Rev. Dr. J. Deotis Roberts
• Bill Price
• Tavis Smiley

And many others.

Sponsored by:


Log onto the Jesus Saves Ministries Social Network for more information. Jesus Saves Ministries is a non-profit ministry.

It is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Seize the Moment

By: Rev. Michael Lee

(Heb 4:6 GNB) Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, because they did not believe.
(Heb 4:7 GNB) This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called "Today." Many years later he spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted: "If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn."
(Heb 4:8 GNB) If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, God would not have spoken later about another day.
(Heb 4:9 GNB) As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day.
(Heb 4:10 GNB) For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his.
(Heb 4:11 GNB) Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.

There are moments that can change your life if you seize them and don’t let them slip away. The moment that you see the one who is to become your lifelong companion. The moment of decision for Bill Gates led to the formation of a billion dollar corporation. The moment of decision for blind BarTimeaus, to yell out ended in him receiving his sight. The moment of an anonymous women with an issue, to take matters into her own hands ended with her being cured of an incurable decease.

These are all great moments in peoples lives but there is a moment that is more important than any other moment. It is a moment like no other moment. It is the most important moment that will ever be presented to you in your life. It is a moment that can change your very destiny if you do not let it slip.

That moment that can change your destiny is the moment that you make the choice of entering into the promised Rest of God.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews argues about the Superiority of Jesus Christ. In chapter one, he speaks of the Superiority of Christ over the prophets saying that in these last days that God spoke to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things and through also he made the world.

And he speaks of Christ superiority to the angels saying to which of the angels did God ever say You are my Son, today I have begotten you?

In Chapter two, he argues that Christ is superior in his saving proclamation. For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard from Christ so that we don’t drift away from it.

In chapter three, the writer of Hebrews speaks of the superiority of Christ to Moses whom the Hebrews held in the highest of esteem. He shows that Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house but Christ Jesus is a faithful son over God’s house, whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and boast of our hope firm until the end.

Hebrews chapter 4 tells us that Heaven and Earth has conspired together with time to bring you a moment that is called Today! I have been wearing a yellow band around my wrist for the last three months. When I first got the band you could read it clearly. It said, "Seize the Moment." But now, if you look at the band you will have to look real hard to see it because most of it has faded away.

This reminds me that our moments on this earth are fleeting. We have to seize those things which are of ultimate importance to us. There is nothing more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me. The thing that is the most precious, the thing that is of the value and importance to all of us is that we enter the Rest that is offered in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that he came to finish the work that God gave him to do. On the Cross he said it is finished. The work of the redemption of man by his sacrifice. Hebrews 4:10 says we receive rest from our work if we trust in His work.

If the Lord has done a work in your heart today, if you heard him call you to repentance and to a new life in Christ Jesus, I invite you to come. Seize the moment!

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Rev. Michael Lee is an associate minister, Joshua Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky

To All the Mothers in My Life

This penning was inspired by my two sisters from another mother whose mother recently went home and who have chilrun who are away...

To all the mothers in my life, both needed and true!

To all the mothers in my life, this salute is for you.

You were there when you really didn’t always have the desire,

Many times to damper or put out our real or perceived fires.

You were there to correct, protect or project special things within our minds.

Things sometimes thought not relative for the times.

Though all have not birthed me, I value each one of you.

On this special day, you deserve things reserved especially for you.

Some of you may be sisters, cousins, related or not;

This day I ask God to give His best like it or not you’re the crème of the crop.

Some of you are hurting, missing those not so near;

With thoughts of them lingering ever so dear

Just know you’ll see them some sweet day be it here or on the other side;

Until then keep pleasant thoughts of those you love planted deeply in your mind.

To all the mothers in my life, all needed and true!

Today I salute you for you are a gift from God, ever so true!

Lovingly penned by DJ Birch

May, 2009

Reflections of A Simmons Graduate

By: Patricia Miles

To the 2009 graduating class of Simmons College of Kentucky I would like to offer my congratulations for this momentous achievement. We all have traveled different roads to arrive at this moment today. Many among us thought that this day would never come, and there are still some of us wondering how we got here. I will not begin to believe that I know all of your struggles to get to this point today, but I firmly believe there is one thing we all share, perseverance. Psalms 37:7 describes perseverance as to rest in the Lord and wait patiently in Him; and to do this when the answer you are asking for does not come at once.

What does it really mean to persevere? We see how Psalms describes it, but this word has a different meaning to each of us. When you are struggling for that "C" in the most important class of the term; that class you did not think you would pass, that was perseverance.

When you continue on to class even when you had no idea where the tuition payment was coming from, that was perseverance.

When others did not believe you would make this far, when you wanted to give up because it was too hard and you kept on going, that was perseverance.

When we are seeking answers to those trying situations, we must do as it says in James 1:6, "ask in faith, nothing wavering." Whether you realize it or not, it was your faith that got you here today. The Lord, recognizing your faith, allowed you to persevere through your struggles.

I know this day exemplifies a great accomplishment for all of us, but do not be tricked into believing that this is an ending. We must take our lessons of perseverance and apply them to the challenges we face tomorrow. That challenge may be the next degree or that all important project for your community. We must do it as it says in Mark 11:24, "When we pray, believe that we receive them, and we shall have them." As our experience here has shown us, all prayers sent up today are not always answered tomorrow, so we must persevere.

In closing, I would like to charge each and every one of you to do as Solomon did, rather than pray for riches and long life; pray for wisdom and realize that wisdom is not attained after a season but over a lifetime.

Thank you and congratulations.

Patricia Miles, Class Salutatorian,
Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
Simmons College of Kentucky
Commencement Exercises, May 18, 2009
West Chestnut Street Baptist Church

Simmons College of Kentucky Holds Baccalaureate Service

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Baccalaureate Service for Simmons College of Kentucky, Kentucky's oldest historically black college, was held Sunday, May 17th at First Virginia Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The service opened with Simmons College President Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby leading the processional of faulty, staff, graduates, and invited guests.

Rev. Dr. Charles Duncans, Sr., host pastor, welcomed all in attendance, and the First Virginia Avenue Church choir rendered musical selections. Rev. Dr. C.B. Akins, Chairman of Turstees, Simmons College of Kentucky and Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church-Bracktown, Lexingto, Kentucky gave the invocation. Dr. L.A. Newby, Senior Pastor, First Corinthian Baptist Church and Simmons trustee represented the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky.

Rev. Rusty Ellison, Senior Pastor, Walnut Street Baptist Church was Baccalaureate speaker. He spoke from Hebrews 11:8 and his message was entitled "Not Knowingness".

After the service, family and friends greeted the graduates and took pictures. Below eight of the 11 graduates are pictured with the Student Government President, Titus Lee Kennedy (far left). Commencement Excercises where held the Monday, May 18th at West Chestnut Street Baptist Church were graduates received degrees in Theology and degrees and certificates in Religious Studies. Rev. Anthony Middleton and Sarach Newby (both not pictured) recieved honorary doctorates in divinity and humanities respectively.

Civil Rights Restored to Sandra Bartell

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

We bless God for his grace and favor upon St. Stephen Church Environmental Services supervisor Sandra Bartell. Sandra is the latest applicant to have civil rights restored through the Jesus Saves Ministries former felons' advocacy program.

Sandra received her certificate in the mail from Governor Steven Bashear office on Friday, May 15th. She spoke with me yesterday in the following video about what it means to once again be able to vote and hold public office.

Jesus Saves Ministries is helping to restore voting rights to former felons through an advocacy program that enabled 11 former felons to vote in the historic 2008 presidential election, many of whom casts votes for the first time in their lives through this initiative. By the power of Jesus Christ, more past offenders are turning their lives around and serving faithfully in their churches, and contributing more fully to their communities.

In 2004-2005, our restoration of civil rights initiative, in association with St. Stephen Church was the first faith-based advocacy program of its kind that communicated directly with the governor's office, and local and state Departments of Correction in Louisville and Frankfort in tracking applicants through the entire restoration process. In 2005, all five applicants submitted received their certificates within two months of filing.

In all 18 former felons have had rights restored through this initiative. Kentucky is one of two remaining states where former felons must petition the governor's office to have civil rights restored.

If you or someone you know is interested in having the rights to vote and hold public office restored, contact me at 502-415-1001, or e-mail me at jesussaves1@insightbb.com or jesussaves838@yahoo.com.

Using the Unused

By: Rev. Geoffrey Ellis

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant....There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of workings, but the same God working all of them in all men. Now to each one of the manisfestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthian 12:1-7 NIV).

A friend of mine told me about his wife who visited a physiotherapist to seek relief for her neck and shoulder pain. When the problem didn’t go away after several visits, she asked why. She was told that her pain was because of some “lazy neck muscles.” Apparently, the neck muscles that were supposed to hold her head upright were not doing their job. As a result, her shoulders muscles had to take over the function of holding up her head. This caused unnaturally stiffened shoulder muscles, the solution? Exercises were prescribed to train her neck muscles to do what they were designed to do.

In a way, the woman’s problem depicts what happens in the body of Christ…the church. God has given each believer spiritual gifts that are to be used for the common good of the church (our focus verse 12:7). But when some of the possessors of those spiritual gifts don’t pull their weight, and use those spiritual gifts others far less gifted in those areas have to pitch in and do the work. This can cause undue stress on them and the result is a less effective body of Christ…the church.

So then the question becomes: “How do you get the possessors of Spiritual Gifts that are not using their gifts to use their gifts to strengthen the church…like the therapist was trying to help the woman do with her neck problem?

In our text Paul gives several points to clarify this problem in the body of Christ…the church. First, He points out that the origin of these gifts is the Holy Spirit…you can’t buy these gifts…you can’t learn these gifts…you can’t get these gifts by just attending church. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit as He and God desires… at conversion not as we desire.

Secondly, Paul states that the gifts are given for the common good. When a person uses their gift to edify their self that’s not the work of the Holy Spirit…that’s the work of the Deceiver…the one who would divide rather than unite the church. When one uses their gift to edify the body of Christ…the church…God gets the glory…not the person with the gift. And the gift is used for the common good.

Paul’s third point is that although there are different gifts…different services…different workings…the same God works all of them in all men and women…Not some men, not some women…but all men, all women. Some men and women think they are gifted to the exclusion of other men and other women…wrong… God has given Spiritual Gifts to all men and to all women at conversion.

We have to learn to begin using the unused. So let me leave you with some definitions of spiritual gifts and spiritual responsibilities so you won’t get caught not using the unused.

I need you to know that spiritual gifts-(or grace gifts) are extraordinary abilities that the spirit gives to believers to build up the church…and here are the comparisons…

All believers are called to serve one another, exhort one another, give cheerfully, and be merciful. However, some Christians are given the supernatural ability to do those things.

All believers are called to live wisely, walk by faith, and teach the truth to others. However, some Christians are given the supernatural ability to do those things.

Spiritual gifts, strengthen the body of Christ, support the body of Christ, and supply the Body of Christ. Use the unused.

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Rev. Geoffrey Ellis is Senior Pastor, Greater St. James A.M.E. Church, Louisville, Kentucky.

Pastors, Are Tongues for Today?

By: Rev. Dr. Brian Wells

The New Testament record and the witness of the earliest Christians who were the immediate generations that flowed the Apostolic Era are unanimous in asserting that tongues and the other sign gifts would and did cease. So since the biblical gift of tongues ceased somewhere in the first century, what is this that is going on in so many churches?

What is the source of this phenomenon that is created such a fuss? Let us say that our critique is not as harsh as those who arrive at the conclusion that it is satanic or demonic.

Can Satan counterfeit that which comes truly comes from God? I think you have to say yes in light of passages like 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.” The evil one certainly has counterfeiting power, and divisive things can surely serve his purpose, but it is our understanding that we are dealing with a different source.

There is a psychological phenomenon known as glossalalia. In moments of intense emotional environments and situations, people can experience speaking in an ecstatic speech which makes no logical or linguistic sense. The experience is well documented in all, but not limited to, religious traditions. Certainly religious worship can generate the full spectrum of emotional intensities. In such situations people can experience the common human psychological phenomena known as glossalalia.

Like dreaming, glossalalia comes from a very human source. It’s not the Holy Spirit, it’s the human mind or spirit in its non-rational expression. Those who have this experience all affirm how good it felt and how their stress was greatly relieved. Psychologists have done much study on the experience and they find it be another way in which the human body works to maintain its own emotional well being. So then, modern glossalalia is natural, not supernatural much like the natural human phenomenon of dreaming. No one is denying that tongue-speakers are having a real experience. What we deny is the significance that they grant to this experience. When someone has this experience, do they feel good? Yes! When someone has this experience, is their stress lessened? Yes! When someone has this experience, is God speaking through them? No! When someone has this experience, are they speaking to God is type of divine or angel language? No!

It’s important to understand why people feel so motivated to have an experience like this. It’s a reminder to us about the stresses we live under from day-to-day; those we take upon ourselves; and those that are put on us by others. In this case, we’re talking about the pressure to have a religious experience identical to someone else’s. People have a need to be accepted and validated by God and the community that claims to believe in God. But beyond validation is the selfish desire to have something that some people to have; a type of one-upmanship. We have seen an arrogance in these circles that reflects this rather unwholesome attitude. This is not to say that you cannot find sincere Christians in the same circle doing the best they can to do God’s will. And, neither is it to say that everyone in our Baptist circles is exemplary in their Christianity.

It is to say that this article will not change what goes on in churches that believe the speaking in tongues is for today. Neither is it offered to suggest that such churches are not Christian because they are! We can and should build partnerships with other churches to make in difference within our respective communities on issues of common value. We all reserve the right to disagree agreeably about matters of faith and practice on which we differ. Our motivation is found in presenting what we as Baptists believe historically on this issue and to declare what the Bible teaches on this subject. We have great respect for the heritage of Pentecostalism, Full-Gospel Churches, Holiness Churches, and recently Non-denominational Churches. Our goal is basically to speak the truth about a subject that is generating many questions in Christian existence, and to answer such questions.

As we seek to both know and do the truth by way of summary let’s affirm several things: First, the gift of tongues was an authenticating sign that verified the authority and message of the Christ’s 12 apostles; Second, in the Early Church tongues continued as such a sign and seems to have had both revelatory and devotional qualities; Third, the biblical gift of tongues ceased after the God gave his complete Word in the Holy Scriptures; Fourth, the cessation of tongues is verified by the generation of Church leaders that immediately followed the apostles in the first-century; Fifth, modern glossalalia is a psychological phenomena that has no greater significance than dreaming; Sixth, modern Christians should not seek the experience because it is not the biblical gift; Seventh, modern Christians should strive to pray in understandable language and to use their giftedness to build other Christians up.

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Rev. Dr. Brian Wells is Senior Pastor, Westwood Presybeterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Dean of Academic Affairs, Simmons College of Kentucky; Former Dean of the Mark Brashers School of Advanced Theological Studies, St. Stephen Church, Louisville.

Worship: An Encounter with Almighty God

By: Pastor Tim Findley Jr.

People tend to get caught up in where they should worship, what music they should sing in worship, and how the worship looks to other people. Focusing on these things completely misses the point. Worship is a heartfelt encounter of men and angels with the true God. This means we worship from the heart and the way God calls us to. It is an act of attention to the living God who rules, speaks and reveals, creates and redeems, orders and blesses. “The essence of worship is genuineness.” Worship may find expression in thought, in prayer, in praise, in song, in body position, and in activity such as dancing or uplifting of arms- but without genuineness all becomes false worship. Jesus instructed the woman at the well in this matter, saying: ‘But the hour cometh, and now is, when true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23).

A. Worship itself does not invoke the presence of God---rather, worship is a response to the presence of God.
B. People who do not have a worshipping lifestyle are swept into a vast restlessness, epidemic in the world, with no steady direction and no sustaining purpose.
C. Being in church every Sunday doesn’t make you a worshiper any more than attending the opera makes you an opera singer. Worship takes time, discipline, and sacrifice.
D. God is not a denominational God! He is not Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, or Methodist. Worship points directly to the heart of God. John 4:24 makes no distinction as to denomination, nationality, ethnicity, or culture. It merely states that “God is a Spirit; and they that worship him in spirit and in truth.”
E. True Worship cannot happen without the horizontal relationships with our brothers and sisters being cleared up. (Matthew 5:23-24) (Matthew 6:14) We are to forgive others because we ourselves were forgiven. God requires that we genuinely forgive those who have offended us before we can worship him with a clear conscience and a true spirit of praise.


Worship No Matter What the Situation Says

The Bible is full of unquenchable worshippers- people who refused to be dampened, discouraged or distracted in their quest to glorify God. I love the heart attitude of the prophet Habakkuk, who decided he would chose to respond to God’s worth, no matter how bleak a season he found himself in:

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17,19)

Even at our lowest points, there should be an underlying trust and, therefore, worship. It is worship that can overcome any obstacle and rise from the heart of the troubled believer to the very heart of God. You must have the ability to press into the very presence of God even in the midst of adversity. Honestly when your level of worship begins to rise, the more resistance you will experience.

The closer you draw to God in your worship, the more you will see and discern the attack from the enemy. You will start to see a new resistance in areas that you didn’t see before. The more you increase your worship, the closer you get to God, the more you will see that some people you thought were friends and had your best interest at heart were working against you. The more you worship the more your spiritual eyes will be opened, and you will begin to see things you never saw before.

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Rev. Tim Findley, Jr. is the Pastor of

Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center, Louisville, KY

A Prayer for Mothers

Rev. Angela Lee Price

Heavenly Father,

Lord, we love You and adore You. Forgive our sins and those of our children. I come to you on behalf of mamas, and grandmamas, everywhere, women of God submitted to Your way, Your will, and Your Word.

Father, give them knowledge, wisdom and understanding to face life’s parenting challenges with dignity and discernment. Lord, when the load seems too heavy, help them remember that You are the burden bearer, that with You all things are possible.

Abba, when mamas, grandmamas, and great grandmamas cry out to You in the midnight hour on behalf of their children, help them recall the work of our ancestors, the strength of womanhood from previous generations, and the godly women You've given as examples in Your Word.

Help them remember, Lord that African American women endured unjust and inhumane treatment and extreme hardships in this nation's history to protect and rear their children. Help them remember, Lord the unfeigned faith of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, women who instilled a steadfast faith in the young preacher Timothy. It was a faith that caused Paul to declare to in 2 Timothy 1:5,"I am persuaded that it is in thee also.”

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus Saves!

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog Accomplishments

Min. Angela Lee Price

I received the Noblesse Oblige Award on April 27th from Ann Brock at This Old Black Church Blog. This is the first time I have received a blogger's award, so I am deeply humbled that someone as gifted as Ann has considered this blog worthy of recognition. I have logged some serious "woman-hours" at my computer. I started blogging three years ago, and at that time, many African Americans, particularly in the black church were not "into it" as we say. Now, however, there are some black folks doing some serious blogging, and I must admit I have had a difficult time keeping up on the latest developments, widgets, gadgets, tools, and social networks while maintaining a career, ministry, and family.

Here are a few accomplishments of this blog in accordance with the Noblesse Oblige Award rules:

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog has promoted biblical preaching.
Wow! Women's Weekend Winner At St. Stephen Church
Those Preachin'Women Can Preach
See Yourself As God Sees You

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog has promoted outstanding gospel music and national/local gospel artists.
Pastor Timothy Wright, Maurette Brown Clark, Rance Allen, John P. Kee, James Fortune, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, Joe Leavell & St. Stephen Temple Choir, CJ Akins & From The Heart, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin Feranda Nero-Roberts, St. Stephen Women's Day Choir, Kevin James & St. Stephen Tabernacle Choir, Barbara Ice Trammell, Chad Higgins and In Spirit & In Truth. (Check out interviews on sidebar and labels section under "gospel music".)

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog contributed in the distribution of at least 500 ESV New Testament Bibles and devotional books, plus gospel music, t-shirts, and various gifts from 2007-2008 through the Walking With Jesus initiative.
Walking With Jesus Continues A Second Summer

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog helped empower 559 people with the vote in Kentucky and Indiana in the 2008 primaries and general election, and 527 people with the vote in the 2004 general election.
Jesus Saves Gangsters, Too!

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog helped raise awareness of the plight of former felons in the state of Kentucky with regard to restoration of civil rights. In all, this ministry has assisted 18 former felons in regaining their civil rights since 2005, and assisted two organizations in modeling our process.
Jesus Saves Gangsters, Too!
Miracle On the Ohio
Civil Rights Restored to 11 Former Felons
Min. Angela Lee Price will be guest on Simmons Saturday Morning Solutions Tomorrow

Jesus Saves Ministries Blog has helped raise awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke, the third leading cause of death among African Americans.
We're Singing Our SWANS Song
Louisville Hosts First Annual Power to End Stroke Awards
American Stroke Association Hosts Power Awards Luncheon
Power to End Stroke

All praises be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His sustaining power upon this blog and Jesus Saves Ministries.

THE NOBLESSE OBLIGE AWARD Criteria for receiving this award:

1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2. The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

THE RULES:The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older post to support.The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.