Tuesday, August 28, 2012

PraisePower 1350 WLOU Wins Blue M.I.C. "Radio Station of the Year" Award


Congratulations to Bill Price and the WLOU Radio staff and management. On Friday, July 20th, PriasePower 1350 WLOU and the new Praize 104.7 FM won "Radio Station of the Year"at the 2nd Annual Blue M.I.C Achievement Awards presented by the Independent Gospel Artists Alliance at The Mount in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Radio Station of the Year WLOU- Louisville, KY
WECU 1570am - Greenville, NC
WMBM- Miami, Fl.
WNAP/AM-Norristown, PA
WXOK-AM-Baton Rouge, LA
 
The Gospel Blue M.I.C. Achievement Awards is based on merit and works, not popularity. Applicants completed nomination forms explaining their achievements and activities during the past year. The information was independently verified and nominees and winners were voted by the Blue Ribbon Panel. The Gospel Blue M.I.C. Achievement Awards is presented by Brothaonline.com/Nebo Publishing and the Independent Gospel Artists Alliance, and sponsored by Brothaonline.com and The Independent Showcase.

A legendary figure in the radio industry and a true media icon, Bill Price never met a microphone he didn’t like, and a fledging station he couldn’t turn around. Price is the General Manager of gospel stations WLOU and WLLV. WLOU made history in 2012 winning two “Station of the Year” awards, including a Stellar Award for medium-size markets in January. In 2011, it launched Praize 104.7, WLOU on FM.

Rising from an award-winning program director to general manager, Bill Price is as much a part of the Bluegrass as the Kentucky Derby and basketball. He has placed his stamp of approval on many announcers and stations. Price often credits his longevity to God, and his ability to work with diverse political factions and never to compromise his character and integrity.

His civic involvement spreads throughout Louisville where he lends support to numerous causes. Price has spearheaded The St. Jude Children’s Hospital Radio-Thon, Ring The Bell for the Salvation Army, and Christmas Wish with State Farm Insurance.

A Louisville native, Price graduated from Male High School and attended the University of Louisville. Some 40 years later Bill Price is still talking and people are still listening. He is married to Min. Angela Lee Price. Together they have two sons, Brandon and Jonathan.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Study says Megachurch Experience Triggers a 'High': Does this Explain Their Success? - BCNN1


by Chris Lisee | Religion News Service
Maybe religion really is the opiate of the masses - just not the way Karl Marx imagined.

University of Washington study posits that worship services at megachurches can trigger feelings of transcendence and changes in brain chemistry - a spiritual "high" that keeps congregants coming back for more.
 
"We see this experience of unalloyed joy over and over again in megachurches. That's why we say it's like a drug," said James Wellman, an associate professor of American religion who co-authored the study.
The study, "'God is like a drug': Explaining Interaction Ritual Chains in American Megachurches" was presented Sunday (Aug. 19) at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Denver.

"We see this experience of unalloyed joy over and over again in megachurches. That's why we say it's like a drug," said James Wellman, an associate professor of American religion who co-authored the study.

The study, "'God is like a drug': Explaining Interaction Ritual Chains in American Megachurches" was presented Sunday (Aug. 19) at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Denver.

Large gatherings of shared experience like concerts and sporting events also trigger feelings of euphoria, said Katie Corcoran, a Ph.D. candidate who co-authored the paper. But, she said, "churches seem to be somewhat unique in that these feelings are not just experienced as euphoria but as something transcendent or divine."

The authors theorize the spiritual high from megachurch services is experienced as an "oxytocin cocktail" of shared transcendent experience and the brain's release of oxytocin, a chemical that is thought to play a part in social interaction. Emotion and group experience have been shown to raise levels of oxytocin.

One congregant reported, "God's love becomes ... such a drug that you can't wait to come get your next hit. ... You can't wait to get involved to get the high from God."
 
Another said "you can look up to the balcony and see the Holy Spirit go over the crowd like a wave in a football game," Corcoran said.
 
Megachurches create this high through their unique style of worship, Corcoran said. Megachurches use technology and appeals to emotion to create a shared experience in congregations that number in the thousands. 
 

Friday, August 24, 2012

WATCH: Is Jay-Z More Powerful than T. D. Jakes When It Comes to Reaching Young People with a Spiritual Message? - BCNN1

Young people leaving institutionalized religion may not be turning towards nihlism as some fear. Instead they are seeking and finding spirituality and meaning in the music and message of hip-hop and rap.

Monica Miller's recent piece on The Huffington Post highlights the power of hip-hop in the spiritual lives of young people. She calls special attention to Kanye West and Jay-Z's recent single 'No Church in the Wild' that some people are calling an 'existential rejection of organized religion.' Miller agrees: "That it most certainly is... Like many young people today, West is critiquing organized religion. That doesn't mean however that neither he nor they have given up on hope and meaning."

Hip-hop gives voice to the trials of life that young people are experiencing, and through lyrics and beats, offers validation of their struggles and a vehicle for communal solidarity and spiritual redememption. While the message and music of hip-hop transcends any one religion, it might, as one panelist suggests, be a vehicle for the Spirit to still be at work in the world.

HuffPost Live host/producers Alicia Menendez and Marc Lamont Hill are joined by a panel that includes writer Agyei Tyehimba, HuffPost Live producer Catherine Day, journalist Jeffrey Johnson, author Monica Miller and seminary professor Rev. Ralph Watkins.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Black Church and the Role It Plays in the Treatment of Mental Health in African-Americans - BCNN1

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder has shed a spotlight on a very serious problem among African Americans.  I wrote a 15-page research paper a couple of months ago for my Pastoral Counseling class entitled, The Black Church and Mental Health.  In it I state if the church is going to adequately minister to the emotional needs of her congregants in the 21st century, she is going to have to establish stronger partnerships with mental health providers, and develop new and different approaches for involving the mentally ill and their families in the life of the church.  
The following is an excerpt from NPR interview on Talk of the Nation on mental health in the African American community.  The guest is Dr. William Lawson. He is a professor and chairman of psychiatry at Howard University College of Medicine.                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
(Excerpt from NPR show, Talk of the Nation)  Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder has focused attention on the shame that sometimes accompanies mental health diagnoses in the African-American community. Psychiatrist William Lawson joins NPR's John Donvan to discuss why such a stigma exists.

JOHN DONVAN, HOST:
 
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm John Donvan in Washington. Neal Conan is away. Time was a politician admitting to needing treatment for mental illness was taking a very big chance. Time was, how about time still is? We've just had the case of congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., the Mayo Clinic now confirming that he has been there being treated for a form of bipolar disorder.

But that was only after Jackson, who had disappeared from public view, kept quiet about the reason for two months. We don't know why he chose silence for so long, though we do all understand the need for privacy. But at least Jackson, who is of course African-American, is now getting help.

Put aside the fact that he's a politician. It turns out that black men in general do not get treatment for mental illness at the same rate as other sufferers, though their rates of mental illness are just as high. What is in play there? Whose attitudes count in that equation, the patients' or the system's - or possibly both?...
Welcome, Dr. Lawson, to TALK OF THE NATION.

WILLIAM LAWSON: Thank you.
 
DONVAN: So what are some of the factors that lead African-American men to be less likely to be getting treatment? Is it that they're less likely to seek it, or is it less available to them?
 
LAWSON: Unfortunately, it's all of the above. Dr. Satcher in his surgeon general's report noted that there was less accessibility of mental health services for people of color for a variety of reasons. Part of it is that many of the systems simply aren't located proximity to where people of color are. Part of it is that many professionals simply don't know how to diagnose properly African-Americans.

Many African-Americans have a lot of negative feelings about, or not even aware of mental health services. They may not be aware of the symptoms of many mental disorders, or they may believe that to be mentally ill is a sign of weakness or a sign of a character fault.

DONVAN: So there's both practicality, and there's a whole issue of stigma. There's a psychology to the psychiatry.
 
LAWSON: Exactly, exactly.

DONVAN: To put it that way. I've read in some places that actually the black church plays a role in African-Americans being - not going into the mainstream route to treatment?

LAWSON: I'd put it another way, that African-Americans tend to like to seek treatment or help from those institutions that they're familiar with and trust. Unfortunately, in the past, the church, while it has been very helpful in terms of general medical conditions and putting on health fairs and other support organizations, many times some of the members simply aren't aware that mental disorders of some types are in fact medical problems and need the kind of support and help that can come.

Not to say that spirituality isn't a help. It is a great help. It's not to say that you cannot get support from the church itself, but to say that it's entirely a spiritual weakness, or it's entirely a problem that has to do with your relationship with God is - misses the point. It can be treated just like diabetes, hypertension or anything else in terms of the role of spirituality and support in addressing these issues.

DONVAN: Is there a way to put - to quantify the difference between the amount of treatment that black men are getting and everybody else?

LAWSON: Yes, about - it's about half as likely, right, that they'll not get the appropriate services. We actually did a survey and found that half of the time, the disorder is underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and of those people who are underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed, only about half of them are adequately treated.
And of those that get treatment, and of those people who get treatment, only half of them are adequately treated. So the actual numbers that are appropriately and adequately treated are maybe much smaller, maybe as small as an eighth....


The Black Church and the Role It Plays in the Treatment of Mental Health in African-Americans - BCNN1


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Byron Cage New Minister of Music at Dr. Lance Watson's Church


(From BlackChristianNews.com) The Saint Paul's Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia announced that Byron Cage will join the organization as the new Minister of Music. Mr. Cage will oversee and lead the implementation of a dynamic, multigenerational worship ministry as well as provide high achievement leadership at all three campuses.

We are excited to welcome such an anointed leader and worshipper to our team" said Dr. Lance D. Watson, Senior Pastor of the Saint Paul's Baptist Church. "Byron is an artist, musician, producer, and composer and for years has provided outstanding leadership to the music and fine arts ministry of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Saint Paul's is a progressive, forward thinking multi-site congregation of more than 12,000 "people on the grow." We are certain that he's going to be a tremendous asset to our Fine Arts team as we position ourselves to go to the next level musically and spiritually. We consider ourselves truly blessed and fortunate to have such tremendous talent, join our team!" says Dr. Watson. (More)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gehQ0o__KE&feature=youtube_gdata

Monday, August 20, 2012

Back to School: Mother to Son

  (V7) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(V8) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
(V9) For they shall an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy
neck.”  Proverbs 1: 7-9 (KJV)

The poem, Mother to Son by Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes is a classic and popular poem of counsel and encouragement. In it, a mother passionately admonishes her son to stay life’s challenging course as life for her “ain’t been no crystal stair.” Today, life still is no “crystal stair.” How we wisely handle life’s tacks, splinters, bare places - “places with no carpet on the floor,” is what the book of Proverbs is all about.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The Original African Heritage Study Bible explains this passage stating, “To the African/Edenic Hebrew the fear (respect) of God is the first step in worshiping the God of Israel,” and “When African people consider God to be omniscient, they are at the same time conferring upon Him the highest possible position of honor and respect, for wisdom commands great respect in African societies.”

In Hughes’ poem, the mother tells her son, “Don’t you set down on the steps ‘cause you finds it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now - for I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin’, and life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” Does the son respect the Lord and welcome his mother’s wisdom, or does he disrespect the Lord and reject her counsel? We have no way of knowing, for the poet does not provide answers to those questions. The Lord does, however, provide answers in the Bible to all questions. He makes it clear through Solomon in Proverbs Chapter 1 that following the godly instruction and teaching of father and mother will yield positive results, “an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck. (v9)”
Mother To Son, by Langston Hughes
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor – bare.
But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on,
and reachin’ landin’s, and turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you sit down on the steps ‘cause you find it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now –
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me
ain’t been no crystal stair.


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Happy 7th Anniversary, Jesus Saves Ministries

Jesus Saves Ministries is celebrating seven years of lifting up Jesus Christ!  We thank God for His sustaining power on this ministry.  Jesus Saves Ministries was founded August 12, 2005 by Min. Angela Lee Price. This ministry shares the saving grace of Jesus Christ from an African American perspective by helping to demonstrate the power and relevancy of the Cross in the 21st century. We addresses topics of concern to the Black Church and African American communities through a world-wide internet ministry, and by presenting workshops, seminars, conferences, and special events.  Between 2005 and 2012, Jesus Saves Ministries partnered with a number of churches, ministries, businesses and organizations in  Kentucky and Southern Indiana to present a variety of events, special worship services, galas, conferences, workshops, gospel events, gospel stage plays, and radio interviews. Click About Jesus Saves to view a list of our most recent initiatives.  To schedule Min. Angela Lee Price to speak or to partner with Jesus Saves Ministries, email jesussaves1@insightbb.com or call 502-415-1001.

Secondly, the ministry raises public awareness of aberrant and heretical teachings adversely affecting Christians and non-believers alike, false teachings, cults, and the occult for Acts 4:12 states, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  It is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

Welcome to this, one of our online components,  the Jesus Saves Ministries Blog. While you are here, be sure to check out the Jesus Saves Newsletters below. These newsletters feature Jesus Saves Social Network members, contributing writers, pastors and preachers, addressing topics of concern to the black church, African Americans, and the poor and disenfranchised like the presidential election, voting rights, health and wellness, education, health, wealth, and prospersity, cults and the occult, economic empowerment. Feel free to download these newsletters and share them with your distributions, family, friends, church members, and co-workers.

Min. Angela Price's devotionals, The Blessings of the Resurrection, Volumes 1 and 2 are available for a nominal donation of $5.00 each, including postage and shipping. For a complete list of journals available for purchase click About Jesus Saves.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Back to School: Is Prayer of Jabez Selfish Or Selfless?

(v9) "Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.' (v10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!' So God granted him what he requested."
The Prayer of Jabez at first glance appears to be a selfish prayer. Jabez, whose name means "Son of Sorrow," is mentioned only once in the Bible among a long list of names. Jabez asks God in 1 Chronicles 4:10 to enlarge his territory and bless him indeed. Despite using the words, "me," "my," and "I," a total of five times (NKJV) in one paragraph, God answers his prayer.

Why did God answer the prayer of Jabez? I believe God answered his prayer not because Jabez was selfish but because he was selfless. Jabez didn't want to live up to the expectation of his label. He didn't want to live according to the label of his name. That intrigued me because so many African American children are mislabeled, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. They don't achieve because no one expects them to achieve. When we read the label on a bottle of Aleve, it says "pain reliever." Aleve is one of the most popular pain relievers on the market today. That's because what's on the outside matches its contents. Aleve works. Aleve alleviates pain.

However, no one wants to have anything to do with the contents of a package whose label reads "pain causer." We see a man walking down the street in a "wife beater" undershirt, and invariably he is labeled not by what's on the inside of him but by what's on the outside. Someone will lock their door or move to the other side of the street because it is assumed that he causes pain. Although Jabez caused his mother pain coming into the world, the label of his name was contrary to the content of his character. We know this to be true because at the outset the text states "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers" (v9). Though he was more honorable than his brothers, it was Jabez, and not his brothers, who carried the stigma, the negative name "Son of Sorrow." Jabez prayed to God that he may not cause sorrow, "that he may not cause pain." So, what looks like a selfish prayer really isn't selfish at all. Jabez prays for other people that he would not cause them pain. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we would pray this kind of prayer everyday?

Oh, Lord, we pray right now in the name of Jesus for the mislabeled, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. Oh, Lord, don't let society's, and our own families' negative labeling cause pain! Let the "slow learner" graduate from Harvard, and "athlete" win the Nobel Peace Prize. Oh, Lord, let the "ADHD" skip a grade, and the "physically challenged" win the Olympics. Oh, Lord, let the "angry black woman" become university president and even president of the United States. Oh, Lord, enlarge the territories of their honor and bless them indeed! Help us all live by the precepts in Your Word. Help us to be judged not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. In Jesus Name, Amen.

READ: Article posted today in The Root, Black Reading Skills: Reports Miss The Mark Show Me the Numbers: Here's why standardized tests don't tell the whole story.
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back to School: Meet Your Opponent, The Devil

As you or your kids return back to school, know that Satan has declared war on them, you, and your family. He wants to short-circuit your dream and destiny. He wants to cause you heartache and disappointment. He doesn't want you to do just enough to get by. He wants you to fail in your assignments. The Bible says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober and vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5: 6-8. Don't expect him to come at you with a tail and pitchfork. Don't expect him to look like those so-called "friendly" vampires or wolves on the Twilight and True Blood series. The Bible says, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" 11 Corinthians 11:14. In other words, he may come looking like one of the good guys. He will do whatever it takes to deceive you. Do not be afraid. Satan has power, but he does not have all power: The Bible says in James 4:7, "Submit unto God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Satan's (Lucifer's) Original Position:
Lucifer had unparalleled position in the universe. He was highly previledged, the epitome of God's creation (Ezek28:12-17).
  1. He had unparalleled wisdom and beauty (v.12).
  2. He had unparalleled habitation (vs. 13-14). He was on the holy mountain of God and walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
  3. He had unparalleled function (v. 14) He was an anointed cherubim. Anointed cherubims were associated with guarding the holiness of God (Gen. 3:24), with the throne of God (Ezek. 1:15), and with the actual presence of God. Lucifer was the chief guardian of God's holiness and majesty. He was also referred to as God's worship leader.
  4. He had unparalleled perfection (Ezek 28:15). He was perfect in the sense of being completedly sound and having total moral integrity.
The Five "I Wills" of Rebellion:
Isaiah points to the five "I Wills" coming from the proud and boastful heart of Satan that describe the nature of his aspiration (Isaiah 14:12-15). He pitted his will against God's will. These five statements reveal not only his intentions, but Satan's program as long as he is free to walk the universe.
  1. I will ascend to heaven (v13). There are three different spheres of heaven. The atmospheric heaven around the earth. The stellar heavens, the stars and galaxies. The heaven of heavens, or the Third Heaven which represents God's abode, God's throne or the seat of God's sovereign authority, the place of God's rule. The creature wanted to expell the Creator; the servant wanted to become the served.
  2. I will raise my throne above the stars of God (v13). Job 38:7 gives us a clue to the meaning of the phrase "stars of God," "When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." While this could refer to the heavenly bodies that illuminate the night, this mostly likely refers to Satan's desire to exalt himself over the angelic kingdom as God.
  3. I will sit on the mount of the assembly of the recesses of the north (v13). Often in Scripture, mountains and hills refer to authority or right to rule. This describes Satan's desire to rule over the affairs of the entire created universe.
  4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (v14). Clouds are often associated with God's glory and presence, "And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud" (Ex. 16:10). Satan express the desire to to usurp the glory that belonged to God.
  5. I will make myself like the Most High (v14). Satan wanted to be responsible to no one but himself. He wanted to take the very place of God.
Hip hop artist Lil Wayne has a song called "She Will" featuring Drake. In it he says, “I’m all about “I.” Give the rest of the vowels back!” When I first heard "She Will," and that line in the song, I immediately thought about the five "I Wills" of Satan. Satan is tricking our young people, and many of us into believing we can ascend to the top, we can be like God and we can do it all by ourselves. Young people don't want to listen to advice and wise counsel. They don't want to listen to instruction. Why? It's all about the "I". They think just because they have "I," their iphone, and ipad and the latest igadget, they don't need anyone or anybody else because they've got knowledge and knowledge is power.
Compare and contrast "The Five I Wills of Rebellion" in Isaiah 14 with "The Five I Wills of Obedience" in Psalm 9:
  1. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; (v1a)
  2. I will show forth all thy marvelous works (v1b)
  3. I will be glad and rejoice in thee; (v2a)
  4. I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High. (v2b)
  5. I will rejoice in thy salvation. (v14b)
Now, this sounds like a person singing with all of his vowels.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Back to School: God Corrects His Children

(V11) “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: (V12) For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he deligheth.”  Proverbs 3: 11-12 (KJV)

Pastor, gospel singer, and Black Entertainment Television Sunday Best show judge Donnie McClurkin sang a very popular contemporary gospel song a few years ago entitled We Fall Down. In it, he encouraged all who fell down to “get back up again” with the lyrics, “for a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up.” People fall all the time. Roller skaters fall, but because they love to skate, they “get back up again.” Gymnasts fall, from their balancing beams and parallel bars, but because they love gymnastics, they “get back up again.” In fact, the act of “getting back up again” makes skaters and gymnasts better athletes by virtue of the lessons they learn in falling. Nevertheless, because of the nature of their sports, skaters and gymnasts, basketball and tennis players, too, all anticipate that no matter how good they become, they will still, on occasion, “fall down.”
At the London Summer Olympics 16-year-old Gabby Douglass became the first African American woman to win a gold medal in the women's gymnastic all-around competition, and only the fourth American women to win a gold medal in the individual all-around competition. She couldn't have done it without falling down. Gabby stated, "It means so much, all the hard work and dedication and effort put in the gym and hard days," Douglas explained. "And hard days are the best because that's where champions are made, so if you push through the hard days you can get through anything."
Some people believe Christians have limitless favor with God. This is simply not the case. Saints “fall down,” by falling into sin, but because they love the Lord, they “get back up again.” Solomon remind us in Proverbs 3 to welcome the Lord’s chastisements, and not grow tired of them, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: (V11)” Sometimes the Lord’s chastisements can be painful, and it may seem as though He does not love us, but the Bible says, “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (V 12)”
Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

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Monday, August 06, 2012

Before Going to the Show Find Out Whose Directing the Movie

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:24-25
Many of us are very forgetful these days. We forget where we put our eyeglasses when their on the top of our head. We forget where we put our car keys and cellphone when their in our hand. We forget the milk at the store, the main thing we went to get. Sometimes, we even forget what day it is. I personally believe we're on sensory overload. Our minds are over stimulated. We are grieving the Holy Spirit by short-circuiting our creative genius with too much television, too many movies, too many computers, too much texting, and the wrong types of programming.
Moreover, we're caught up in the sensational, and the next "breaking news" event. We're caught up in the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous, and in the "he said-she said" of reality tv and entertainment television. We go to church on Sunday and by Monday we can't remember what the preacher preached about. All we know is the choir sure did sing, and the preacher sure did preach. And yet, everybody wants to be prosperous and everybody wants to know their purpose, but nobody want to obey God's word, or so it seems.
The Bible says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:1) and "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"(Philippians 4:8).
I agree with President Obama's unscripted "Real Housewives" comment at the National Urban League Convention on July 25th. He stated, "You're competing against young people in Beijing and Bangalore. They're not hanging out. (Laughter.) They're not getting over. They're not playing video games. They're not watching "Real Housewives." (Laughter.) I'm just saying. It's a two-way street. You've got to earn success. (Applause.) That wasn't in my prepared remarks. (Laughter.) But I'm just saying. (Applause.)"
How are our young people going to get a quality education, succeed in life, and become the next Gabby Douglass, or president of the United States on this kind of diet? How are they going to grow in Christ, for that matter? I'm sorry, but a mind that is constantly feasting on denegrating garbage can't possibly master the balance beam and stick the landing, let alone stick an exceptional ACT score. It's a mind unstable in all its ways. Can God direct it? I just saying.

Friday, August 03, 2012

Life is Golden for Gabby Douglass! Gives Glory to God


She's living life like it's golden because it is.  Gabby Douglass won the women's gymnastic all-around competition at the London Olympics making her the first African American woman to win the coveted title, and giving the United States a third consecutive gold medal in the All-Around. 
"It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling.
And I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me."
She tweeted: "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me."

Douglas also tweeted that she loves "my family, dogs &; most importantly God :)"








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