Hey, DJ! Bring That Back! - Stony the Road We Trod Review

By: Angela Lee Price

On the Jesus Saves Ministries Blog, I have posted a list of suggested books by Black authors. Stony The Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation, edited by Cain Hope Felder is one of them. I read Stony from cover to cover and was amazed. Dr. Renita Weems, who is coming to Louisville January 13th, and other Black Ph.D. scholars present this book in a way that challenges the intellectual and captivates the average Christian.

Stony The Road We Trod not only reflects fabulous critics on New Testament interpretation, but also contains brilliant Old Testament critics, including Charles B. Copher’s “The Black Presence in the Old Testament,” and Randall C. Bailey’s “Beyond Identification: The Use of Africans in Old Testament Poetry and Narratives.”

African American women will appreciate Stony’s presentation of women in the Bible and womanist perspectives in essays by John W. Waters, Renita Weems, and Clarice Martin.

Support our Black scholars. Check out my January 3, 2005 book review of Stony The Road We Trod, and consider adding this textbook to your library today! It is a must-read for the serious-minded student of the Word of God.

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

Sermon Excerpt: Take It By FORCE

By: Rev. Michael Lee

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 (KJVA)

Recently, I was listening to some gospel music over the internet, and I heard one singer quote this verse and it sounded funny to me. I said that didn’t sound right! Over the next few days I heard that same passage come up several more times and each time I said to myself that doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t seem like it makes sense in the way that it is being said. The violent take it by force. The Kingdom of heaven? What?

Finally, I looked up the verse and compared different translations and interpretations trying to get an understanding of what exactly was meant by this saying, “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” I’ve got to tell you I got the “deer in the headlights” look after I read some of the interpretations. I wondered how on God’s green earth did they get that from this. You’ve got to be careful where you get your information. Don’t just settle on the first thing you read. Try to get multiple sources saying the same thing if possible and pray about everything.

The interpretation that was presented most often, and the one I believe makes the most sense in light of the context of this chapter, goes something like this:

From the days that John started his ministry of preaching repentance in expectation of the coming king even until this present moment there was fierce opposition to the word; however, men, thirsty for this Word of God rushed into the kingdom with a violence like that of those who are taking a city by storm. It’s like the scene of a great multitude or mob of people who trample over one another trying to press themselves through a narrow doorway, all of them hungry for the Word of God and would stop at nothing to get the best seat or a good position to hear it, or just get in the door before the doors were locked and they were shut out.

In light of this interpretation, I asked myself what is it that characterizes a person who would “take it by FORCE”? What are the people like today who fit this description? If you want to lay hold to the kingdom before it’s too late you need to “take it by F.O.R.C.E.”

Faith in God—Not the faith of the prosperity teachers and preachers. They teach a “God kind of faith” where you can call things into existence if you have enough of it. No, it’s not that. I’m talking about a radical, uncompromising faith IN God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It is a radical EVEN IF kind of faith that says even if he does not raise me up off of my sick bed again, and he has raised you up off your sick bed before, but even if he doesn’t, and even if he doesn’t give me one more financial blessing, (And He has given you financial blessings, and you didn’t have to sew a seed to get it. In fact you didn’t have a seed to sew. You didn’t have a pot nor a window, but some how God blessed you anyhow.) but even if he doesn’t do it ever again, even if he stops blessing you right now today and never again, it’s the kind of faith that says I’m gonna serve Him anyhow. It’s that Job kind of faith that says, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”

Obedience to His Word—Take it by FORCE people understand that obedience is better than sacrifice. Consequently, they understand that the Word of God needs to be memorized and imbedded into their innermost being so that they can walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Psa 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Resist Obstacles—The Bible says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. As I travel on this road that leads to Glory I can light up the path with the light of God’s word so I can see clearly the obstacles in my way so I won’t be turned back. Phi 3:14 says, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” I Press on! Yes, I press on in a state of...

Continual Prayer—Jesus says in Mat 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you….” Prayer helps to focus our attention on the one from which we get our hope. “Take it by FORCE” people...pray for their friends, foes, all in authority, all elected leaders...for their eternal salvation cause it won’t be too long! It won’t be too long because we’ve got...

Eager Expectation and Anticipation of the coming King in great power and in glory and in judgment. Those who would take the Kingdom by FORCE have an eager, enthusiastic expectation of the soon coming of the King of kings, the Lord of Lords. Jesus said He’s coming back again to get his people, 1Th 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1Th 4:17 goes on, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

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

Dr. Renita Weems is Coming to Louisville

By: Paula McCraney

President, NCNW - Louisville Section

The National Council of Negro Women, Inc./Louisville Section will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Saturday, January 13, 2007. The event will take place at the Galt House in the Archibald Room, from 9 AM - 11 AM. The keynote speaker for the celebration is the Rev. Dr. Renita Weems

Dr. Renita J. Weems is the author of several widely-acclaimed books on women's spirituality and wholeness, Just A Sister Away (1987/1st Edition), I Asked for Intimacy (1995), and Showing Mary: How Women Can Share Prayers, Wisdom, and the Blessings of God (2003), What Matters Most (Ten Passionate Lessons from the Song of Solomon (2004). Her latest book, Just A Sister Away (2nd Edition) was released in November, 2005.

Dr. Weems has spoken at national and international religious, civic and sorority gatherings, local churches, community-wide events, and on radio and television programs. Her work as a scholar and a religious thinker has led to invitations to serve as a panelist for Bill Moyer’s 1995 PBS award-winning “Genesis Project,” for various A&E, BBC, and Hallmark cable programs on topics as wide ranging as miracles in the Bible, women in the Bible, and religion and politics. Her latest appearance was on “FlashPoints USA” with Bryan Gumbel and Gwen Ifill on the role of religion in politics, government, and public life.


Ordained an elder in the Methodist tradition, Dr. Weems has written about the waxing and waning of faith all believers endure on the spiritual journey. Her 1999 book, Listening for God: A Minister’s Journey through Silence and Doubt (Simon & Schuster), won the Religious Communicators’ Council’s prestigious 1999 Wilbur Award for “excellence in communicating spiritual values to the secular media”.

She earned her undergraduate degree (BA) from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA, and her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Weems taught from 1987-04 on the divinity faculty at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN as a professor of Hebrew Bible. She served as the William and Camille Cosby Visiting Professor of Humanities at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA (2003-05).

Tickets are $30 each/$240 per table. Tickets can be obtained by calling 295-9188, or by e-mailing request to me at paula_mc@bellsouth.net. Deadline for ticket purchases is Monday, January 8. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.

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Jesus Saves Ministries Blog Related Post:

On this Blog I have posted a list of suggested books by Black authors. Stony The Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation, edited by Cain Hope Felder is one of them. I read Stony from cover to cover and was amazed. Dr. Renita Reems, and other black Ph.D. scholars present this book in a way that challenges the intellectual and captivates the average Christian. Check out my January 3rd review of Stony The Road We Trod, and consider adding this textbook to your library today! It is a must-read for the serious-minded student of the Word of God.

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

What A Worship Experience, Too!

By: Angela Lee Price

Can the church say "Amen" for Worship Experience 2? Amen! Last Sunday night, every negro but Nicodemus was in the house at St. Stephen Church for the Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas musical, Worship Experience 2 featuring national gospel recording artists Rodney Posey and Richard Smallwood. And what a worship experience, too! Tabernacle Choir director Dr. Kevin James and the Tabs led the congregation in dynamic, spirit-filled praise and worship, presenting a diverse range of gospel songs, from traditional to contemporary, and gifted vocalists and musicians. The congregation gave thanks to the Lord for his grace, mercy, and blessings, stood, sang, shouted, and lifted holy hands.

In case you missed it, songs of praise in Part 1 included "Holy Spirit," "Oh, How I Love Jesus," "I Really Love You," "El Shaddai" by Pastor Rodney Posey, "I Will Give You Praise" by Pastor Rodney Posey, "The Lord Is My Light" with Joe Logan on organ and Kenny Allen and New Revelation on lead vocals, "It Is Well With My Soul,"with Rev. Yolanda Green on organ. St. Stephen Church Senior Pastor and Worship Experience 2 Presenter Dr. Kevin Cosby delivered a sermonette. The first half climaxed with everyone clapping and standing to "Let Go," and "Never Shall Forget."

Worship Experience 2 Part 2 featured songs "It Pays to Serve Jesus," I'll Get Home Someday," "Oh, Bright Glory" with Angela Williams on lead vocals, and "All In His Hands." Richard Smallwood, a man of many musicals gifts performed favorites "Anthem of Praise," "I'll Trust You," "Come Over Here," "At the Table," and "Total Praise." He rendered a beautiful piano solo of his mother's favorite song, "It Is Well" in her memory.

Worship Experience 2 was well with a lot of folk Sunday night. The $7.00 ticket price - alright, and the video of Minister Kevin James with hair - out of sight!

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

Remembering Carter G. Woodson

By: Angela Lee Price

Carter Godwin Woodson Life Chronology

Yesterday in history, December 19, 1875, Carter G. Woodson, known to many as The Father of Black History, was born in New Canton, Virginia. Had he not been sent to us, would we be recognizing the contributions of African Americans to this country and the world today? We will never know. However, as insufficient as one month is, February, in celebrating the totality of Black contributions to society, we owe this formal time of reflection to God and Carter G. Woodson. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us not forget our strong and noble heritage and all that God has done through people of color like Carter G. Woodson.

In 2005, I was a recipient of the Simmons College of Kentucky Future African American Leaders Scholarship. The essay, The Courage of Our Past Gives Us Hope for the Future which recognized the accomplishments of black intellectuals Frederick Douglass, Carter G. Woodson, and Langston Hughes was written initially to fulfill scholarship requirements. It was later published in the Spring 2006 edition of African American Journal.

Essay Excerpt:

Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Week, which later became Black History Month, often called a man ahead of his time, is another African American intellectual who, through his classic literary works, courageously offered hope for the future.

In his works, The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861 published in 1915, and The Mis-Education of the Negro, published in 1933, Woodson gave diagnosis and prescription for that hope. Carter’s critique of white American institutions of higher learning as instruments of mis-education with regard to heritage and culture is powerful, and his 1933 remedies for correcting said educational injustices are relevant and worthy of 21st century consideration.

Throughout the book, The Mis-Education of the Negro, Woodson warned that African American attempts to imitate white American culture would harm them. Moreover, he emphasized that imitation would not only do harm, but ultimately lead to death.

Carter died in 1950, but left hope to present-day African Americans by encouraging them to learn their history, educate themselves through African American institutions of higher learning, own businesses, and give back to their communities.

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"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

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

Sermon Excerpt: The Challenge of Change

By: Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright

...Here in Joshua 1, the people of Promise are not only facing a monumental change in terms of leadership, they are facing a monumental change when it comes to location. That also puts them in a state of crisis, say “crisis.” And on top of that, as Moses warned them back in Deuteronomy 6, a change in location will also bring about a change in lifestyle. Throughout the wilderness years, they were one closely knit community. They had other ethnic groups as a part of their community, yes, but they worked together, they traveled together, they moved together, and they worshipped together. Plus, in the wilderness, the enemy was clearly defined.

But over in Canaan, there was going to be a change in lifestyle. In Canaan, you were no longer a closely knit community where everybody worships the Lord on the Lord’s day. In Canaan, you find yourself living next door to folk who don’t believe like you believe, folk who don’t worship like you worship, folk who don’t love the Lord like you love the Lord, folk who don’t even go to church, folk who worship wealth, and who will try to get you to worship what they worship.

In Canaan, the enemy is not so easily discerned or defined anymore. In Canaan, there is a change in lifestyle. Some folk look like you, and think like the enemy. It is called assimilation. It is called acculturation. In Canaan, your children will want to do everything they see the Canaanite kids do. In Canaan, there’s a change in lifestyle. In Canaan, everybody ain’t on the same page anymore.

In Canaan, there are some folk who see nothing wrong with killing. They will kill you with drugs, or they will kill you with war. They don’t even need a justification for the war. They can make one up, and get a majority of the folk to believe the made-up lies in spite of what truth is staring them right in the face.

In Canaan, you will find folk who say this, “My mind is made up. Don’t confuse me with the facts.” You missed that. The fact is, they didn’t like this in Indiana, so I am going to say this a little slower in Louisville, the fact is there were not weapons of mass destruction, and as a result 2,800 American soldiers are dead and 100,000 Iraqi civilians are dead. "Yeah, but we stopped that gay marriage talk."

The fact is there was no connection between 9-11 and Iraq. There was no connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden….We lied to you to take you to war. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, but we stopped all them folk who believe in abortion." You done killed 150,000 civilians who were alive, and you talk about stopping abortion, duh!...

The fact is black folk are still dying in Sudan, in Dafur, and in Haiti, and ain’t nobody doing a damn thing about it! That’s the fact. The fact is the United States caused the trouble in Haiti. "Yeah, yeah, Reverend, that may be so, but the Dow Jones is on the way up. America is safer today because of the cowardly cowboy." In Canaan, you’ll find an ideology that says, "My mind is made up. Don’t confuse me with the facts."

The fact is Michael Moore was right. Kanye West was right. We’ve got an administration that cannot get help. They can get help for the tsunami victims way over in Thailand in a matter of hours, victims vacationing in plush resorts….but the same administration cannot get help for the hurricane victims in New Orleans, Gulf Port, Biloxi, right here in America for four days, victims who were poor and black and drowning as the levees broke….

The fact is the media could get there, but the military couldn’t. The fact is television cameras could get there, but FEMA couldn’t. For four days, National Guards couldn’t get there! For four days, food couldn’t get there! For four days, bottled water couldn’t get there! "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Reverend, but did you see them looters?" What about the lost and the suffocating? What about those drowning? "Well, they were black and poor and it really didn’t matter…."

Even “Condamneisa” said that race wasn’t involved. And T.D. Jakes, y’all love him, sold his people out for a presidential approval. In Canaan, you’ll find people who say, "My mind is made up. Don’t try to confuse me with the facts. "

Considered a preacher par excellence, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright is Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois. He was guest speaker for the 27th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, Sr. Pastor, St. Stephen Church, Louisville, Kentucky, October 29, 2006. This sermon excerpt taken from Dr. Wright’s 11:30 a.m. message. Purchase this sermon and his 8:00, 9:40, and 10:45 sermons at the St. Stephen Church.

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

Republicans Between Iraq And A Hard Place This Midterm

Republicans were between Iraq and a hard place, Hurricane Katrina this Midterm Election. Democrats turned out in large numbers at the polls and sent a strong message to President Bush regarding Iraq and Hurricane Katrina — We don’t approve.

Usher LaMont Anthony, Sr. voted this in Midterm Election after regaining his right to vote in 2005 through the St. Stephen Church Voter Empowerment Campaign spearheaded by Dr. Kevin Cosby and Voter Empowerment Minister Angela Lee Price. Five former felons in all regain their rights to vote and hold public office through this iniatiative. Regrettably, Kentucky does not restore the right to serve on a jury to former felons.


Statistics projected voter turnout in Kentucky, specifically Jefferson County at 55 percent, higher than the national average of 40 percent. Overall, turnout this election was about the same as previous midterms nationally, but there were pockets of places were it was higher. It appeared that Democrats showed up and Republicans either stayed home or voted Democrat. As many as one-third of Republican voters voted for Democratic candidates nationally overall.


Midterm Election highlights include Democrats regaining both the House and Senate seats majorities; Nancy Pelosi becoming the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives; Donald Rumsfeld resigning as Secretary of Defense; Duval Patrick becoming the second African American governor of the United States. Democrat John Yarmuth defeating incumbent Congresswoman Ann Northup in Kentucky’s 3rd District congressional race; and St. Stephen Church’s Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby preaching the best sermon of the year, What Party Is God In?


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

The Reason Why I Preach

By: Angela Lee Price

The lyrics of this beautiful song written and performed by Rev. Vincent Bland (photo left) resonated with pastors, preachers, theologians, seminary students, laypersons, and all in attendance at the Simmons College of Kentucky's Founder's Day Observance on November 13th. To commemorate the school's Founder's Day, Dr. Charles Adams, Senior Pastor, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan delivered powerful messages at two midday Chapel Services at Simmons College of Kentucky on November 13th & 14th, and at nightly worship services at Zion Baptist Church.

Lyric Arrangement by Vincent Bland © 2006, Babydear Music Company; Music by Kirk Franklin. Vincent Bland is Artist-N-Residency, St. Stephen Church & Prayer Retreat Center, Jeffersonville, Indiana.

THE REASON WHY I PREACH

VERSE 1:
SOMEONE ASKED THE QUESTION: “WHY DO WE PREACH
TO A WORLD SO TOSSED AND DRIVEN, LIKE THE WAVES UPON THE SEA?”
SOMEONE MAY BE WONDERING WHEN WE SPEAK OUT STRONG,
THO’ TRUTH BE ON THE SCAFFOLD AND WRONG UPON A THRONE,

CHORUS A:
I PREACH BECAUSE HE CALLED ME,
HIS ANNOINTING (IS) IN MY BONES,
GEORGE BUSH MAY BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE,
BUT OUR GOD IS ON THE THRONE!
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH,
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH.

VERSE 2:
A CHARGE TO ME IS GIVEN,
A GOD TO GLORIFY,
AN EVER DYING SOUL TO SAVE AND FIT IT FOR THE SKY.

TO SERVE THIS PRESENT AGE,
MY CALLING TO FULFILL,
OH MAY IT ALL MY POWER ENGAGE TO DO MY MASTER’S WILL.

CHORUS B:
I PREACH BECAUSE I’M HAPPY,
I PREACH BECAUSE I’M FREE,
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW,
AND I KNOW HE’S WATCHING ME.
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH (2X)

GLORY HALLELUJAH!
I GIVE ALL PRAISES TO YA!
GLORY HALLELUJAH!

SPECIAL:
YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH -
THE WORLD FOR YOU TO REACH;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I SING –
LIFT MY VOICE AND LET IT RING;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PRAY –
YOU’RE MY STRENGTH FROM DAY TO DAY;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I SERVE –
YOUR POWER GIVES ME NERVE;

ENDING: YOU’RE THE REASON WHY---------- I PREACH!!! vb

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

The Word of Faith Movement

By: Angela Lee Price

It is not the poisonous snake "way other there somewhere" that will hurt you, but the one crawling next to you undetected. The Word of Faith Movement is one of the fastest growing aberrant, at best, movements within Christianity. Many of the America's mega-church television preachers are proponents of Word of Faith theology, often called the Prosperity Gospel. Well-known names include Bishop T. D. Jakes (photo left), Creflo and Taffy Dollar, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Fred Price, Bill Winston, Bishop Charles Blake, Kirbyjohn Caldwell, Bennie Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Juanita Bynum, Paula White, Joel Osteen, Myles Munroe, Leroy Thompson, Paul Crouch, and others.

Many people are aware that Word-Faith preachers like Bishop Eddie Long (photo left) preach prosperity, and they see nothing wrong with that. They are not aware, however, that in preaching prosperity, Word of Faith preachers have re-created Jesus Christ and the gospel message. In re-inventing Jesus as a Rose Royce-driving Messiah with mansions, private planes, rings, and bling, twisting and distorting the gospel--teaching that you are a god, for example, as Bishop Long and others do, Word of Faith proponents have become "the poisonous snake crawling at our feet undetected." Hear the hiss? Watch out. Don't get bit!

This Word of Faith Movement link provides great information on the movement. I encourage you to download the 38-page PDF file, study it, and share it with your church family.

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

The picture of T.D. Jakes can be found in The Crisis Magazine, July/August 2006, in the article, Where Do We Go From Here? The popularity of mega-churches, many preaching a prosperity gospel, has created a schism among religious leaders over the direction of the Black church, by Vern. E. Smith.

The Business of Faith

Just how big are the biggest mega churches, their congregation sizes, seating capacities? How much did their sanctuaries cost? Where is all that money going? How diversified are they? What does the IRS have to say? Check out this in-depth article on T.D. Jakes', Eddie Long's, and Kirbyjohn Caldwell's mega-ministries and get the details. Everything you wanted to know about The Business of Faith, but were afraid to ask is answered here.

I apologize for being so slow on this one. The article was not available on Black Enterprise's website until now.

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

Happy Thanksgiving from Jesus Saves Ministries

By: Angela Lee Price

The psalmist asked, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? (Psalms 137:4). The people of Israel were exiled in a strange land, Babylon. The Babylonians "clowned" them and used them for entertainment saying, "sing us one of the songs of Zion. (v3)".

Despite their circumstance, the Israelites turned their strange situation, their strange land into a sanctuary of praise and worship, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (vs 5-7)". They remembered their rich past and the goodness of the Lord, "O, daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.... (v8)."

No matter what you are going through. No matter how strange your land, circumstance, or situation this holiday season, don't forget Jesus Christ. Don't forget where you came from. Don't forget the goodness of the Lord. He brought our ancestors through slavery. He protected them from dangers seen and unseen. He brought you a mighty long way.

When you think, you will thank. Think on His bountiful blessings. Count them one by one. Then, lift up your voice and give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and his mercies endure forever!

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

The Rap On Color of the Cross

By: Angela Lee Price

I had a wonderful interview last Saturday on WLOU with Jean Claude LaMarre, director and star of Color of the Cross, the first American movie to depict Jesus as a black Messiah. I plan to make a portion of the transcript available to you soon. Continue to contact theatres and ask that Color be shown. Jean Claude explained how the 30 markets currently showing 'Color' were selected, however, showings in additional markets depend on public response.

These brief points from the interview:

1. If your church is interested in getting on the list to screen Color of the Cross, go to www.colorofthecross.com and submit your name and contact information, church, church size, and date you would like your congregation to see it. Jean Claude is talking with many churches across the nation, particularly in areas where the movie is not showing, to arrange in-church screenings prior to the DVD distribution date in January.
2. Jean Claude explained he did not want to let black or white people "off the hook" concerning the twist in the movie that Jesus' death was racially motivated. He said the movie is not about a black man doing a traditionally white role as it with Santa Claus. His assertion is that Jesus was black. If he was black, then there would have been reference to his skin color in the first century.
3. Jean Claude has two additional movies with Black Jesuses in the works. One is about the resurrection.
4. Finally, Jean Claude attends West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Jean Claude said that although his pastor, Bishop Charles Blake liked the movie personally, he didn't feel it was the direction in which he wanted to take the church.

After listening back to the interview, I realized there were other questions I could have asked regarding national mega church support overall, both from social justice preachers and prosperity preachers. Interestingly, Bishop Charles Blake is mentioned on page 32 (below) of the July/August edition of The Crisis, the NAACP's national publication, as a prosperity preacher influenced by Kenneth Hagin's Word of Faith Movement,

"Long, along with Bishop T.D. Jakes of Dallas; Rev. Creflo Dollar of College Park, Ga.; Rev. Fred Price of Los Angeles; the Rev. Leroy Thompson of Darrow, La.; and, to some degree, Bishop Charles Blake of Los Angeles, are among the best known Black mega-church pastors influenced by the Hagins, either through their Bible Institute or television ministry, according to Mamiya."

Lawrence Mamiya is a professor of religion and Africana studies at Vassar. I will have more on the excellent article in The Crisis entitled, Where Do We Go From Here? The sub-caption reads, "The popularity of mega-churches, many preaching a prosperity gospel, has created a schism among religious leaders over the direction of the Black church."
Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

'Color' Commentary Part 2: Is there a 'Color' Complex in Louisville?

By: Angela Lee Price

By God's grace November 10th has arrived. This is the national opening day for the first American epic movie to depict Jesus as a black Messiah, Color of the Cross. And yet, still there is no 'Color' showing in the theatre complexes of this and many American cities. So, the question begs to be asked, "Is there a 'Color' complex in Louisville?" Is there one?

What good is it to have a platform if you never say anything of significance to help your people? Malcolm X once said, "You've got to stand for something, or you will fall for anything." Martin Luther King, Jr. and the apostles gave their lives for Christ sake. Stand with me on this issue. Please continue to spread the word to pastors, ministry leaders, and Christians of all complexions about Color of the Cross. Below is additional information that may help you as you prepare to educate Louisville and surrounding cities on the significance of this historic film.

Thank you, Manuel McMillan, Asst. Director, Financial Aid Administration, University of Louisville for sending me the www.colorofthecross.com link. God used you to ignite a fire within me. He used you to remind me of all I learned in the late '80's and early '90's at the University of Louisville. I was tortured then by white images of Jesus deeply rooted in racism and deeply embedded in my mind. I wanted to worship and love God, but I could not because He looked like the progenitors of systemic racism. Above all, God used you to help remind me of the deliverance I received through St. Stephen Church in being taught the truth of the word of God of the subject of Blacks in the Bible.

Additionally, I want to thank the Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition for agreeing to help support getting Color of the Cross shown into movie complexes locally. I also want to thank the Justice Resource Center, St. Stephen Church, and WLOU for supporting me in raising awareness about the movie through Jesus Saves Ministries and on WLOU Radio. Please join me tomorrow on WLOU Radio at 12:00 Noon when I will interview Jean Claude LaMarre, director and star of Color of the Cross.

November 10th Cities and Theatres: http://www.colorofthecross.com/lstweek2.html

Black Portrayals of Jesus and Apostles in Cinema, Literature and Art http://images.stltoday.com/stltoday/resources/timeline.pdf

Springfield Reaction to 'Color' Skipping City: http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/LIFE07/610280313/1093

Prominent Durham Pastor Supports 'Color' http://www.thedurhamnews.com/108/story/8966.html

New Albany, Indiana News Tribune Article - 11/02:
http://www.news-tribune.net/opinion/local_story_306165120.html?keyword=topstory

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

'Color' Commentary Part 1: The Latest on Color of the Cross

By: Angela Lee Price

``The message is that color, a colored Jesus Christ, doesn't matter.... That's why the movie is important. When you have one prevailing image out there, it suggests color does matter.'' Jean Claude LaMarre

My WLOU radio interview with "Jesus," director and star Jean Claude LaMarre (left) of Color of the Cross, originally scheduled for Saturday, November 4th has been rescheduled for this Saturday, November 11th at 12:00 Noon. Thank you for your prayers and patience. Jean Claude was accidently double-booked last week. He actually thought he was interviewing with me, but spoke with another interviewer by mistake.

Color of the Cross, the first epic movie to depict Jesus as a black Messiah opened in select predominately African Amercian markets on Friday, October 27th. It opens nationwide this Friday, November 10th. Please continue to do your part to raise awareness about this historic film, forward e-mails to distributions, contact theatres and request that the movie be shown, and log onto Black Christian Movies, and Color of the Cross and let them know you are working to galvanize support for 'Color.' Color of the Cross is not slated to be shown in Louisville at this time, but you can change that with your prayers and effort.

Read this insightful BlackNews.com article for more 'Color' commentary: http://www.blacknews.com/pr/colorofthecross201.html.

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

Bush Warned About Katrina Beforehand

By: Angela Lee Price

This blacknews.com short news video demonstrates that President Bush knew Hurricane Katrina was going to be deadly before it hit land.

Shortcut to: http://www.blacknews.com/video/bush-katrina.html

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

Color of the Cross Receives 4 Stars!

By: Angela Lee Price

Kam Williams, BlackNewws.com gives Color of the the Cross four stars. Movie Review: Color of the Cross. The first epic movie to depict Jesus as a Black Messiah opened in select markets Friday, October 27th. It opens nationwide on November 10th.

Jesus is going to be on the mainline! Help me call Him up and tell Him what we want to know about the directing, producing, cast, the making of Color of the Cross. Send me your questions today. Don't miss my WLOU interview with Color of the Cross director, producer, and star Jean Claude LaMarre Saturday, November 4th at 12:00 Noon on 1350 WLOU, Louisville's Praise and Worship Station.

(Photo above of Jean Claude LaMarre, Jesus and Debbie Morgan, Mary can be found in the October 30th edition of Jet Magazine with Tara Banks on the cover.)

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

Related Stories on the Jesus Saves Ministries Blog:
Color of the Cross Update, posted 10/25/06
Color of the Cross Portrays Jesus As Black Messiah, posted 10/11/06

Log onto www.jesussavesministries.blogspot.com to post your comments to this and other posts.

Color of the Cross Update

By: Angela Lee Price

I felt like the lone voice in Louisville crying in the wildnerness concerning Color of the Cross, the first epic movie to depict Jesus as a black man, so I contacted Nu-Lite Entertainment to learn more about the movie. Color of the Cross stars director Jean-Claude LaMarre (left) as Jesus and will open in select markets next Friday, October 27th at these locations. The movie opens nationwide, including in the Louisville area, on November 10th.

Nu-Lite Entertainment Spokesperson, Gail Gipson suggests that people interested in seeing Color of the Cross may need to contact movie theatres and request that the movie be shown. That is how New-Lite has been able to get it shown in some theatres. Commercials for the movie are running on BET and other cable networks. An article on Color of the Cross (below) is in the October 30th edition of Jet Magazine (with Tyra Banks on the cover) on page 59.

I am working on a radio interview with either Color of the Cross director and star Jean-Claude LaMarre, photo left above with Debbie Morgan who plays Mary, or Gail Gipson. If you have questions you'd like to ask Jesus, please send them to me, and I will do my best to get Him on the line (smile). Seriously, if you have questions you'd like answered, send them to me, and I will put them on my list.

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

Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes Takes Survey On the Black Church

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Below is an excerpt from the transcript of my WLOU interview with Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, Sr. Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Haynes spoke with me by phone on Wednesday, September 27th live from Dallas just after speaking in Louisville at the St. Stephen Church Fall Revival Tuesday evening, September 26, 2006.

Two questions on the Jesus Saves Ministries' Survey of the Black Church were asked of Dr. Haynes: 1) Is there a schism in the Black Church between proponents of the prosperity gospel and the social justice gospel?; 2) Has the Black Church lost her prophetic voice? Here are Dr. Haynes answers.

Angela: Is the church divided today? There is a lot of what I call “hocus pocus” preaching, and my pastor talks about it a lot. Is there a division between those preachers preaching a prosperity gospel and those who are concerned about social justice, helping the poor and the needy?

Dr. Haynes: I think this is something that is not new because you have always had within the church those who have taken different approaches to ministry. With the prosperity gospel, you had Rev. Ike back in the day, Father Divine as oppose to a Martin Luther King, Jr. and an Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. So, this is really nothing new, but it represents, again, the reality that there are different approaches to ministry, different philosophical approaches to ministry. Some, shamefully, even sinfully, do not deal with the harsh realities that our people are facing. So, those of us who have more of a social conscious, prophetic witness, in our gospel ministry, there is a concern on our part that we have a lot of people who are being pimped by this “prosperity gospel” whereby you’re simply saying to people, “Money cometh to me.” Well, money cannot cometh if I can’t get a “jobth” because of racism.

Angela: Say that!

Dr. Haynes: So, until you deal the social realities that the people in the pews are facing when they leave church, then basically, your prosperity gospel is basically a hocus pocus gospel, as you just said. It makes people feel real good for the moment, but as soon as church is over they’ve got to go face those harsh realities that have not been addressed by that hocus pocus homiletic.

Angela: You’ve hit the nail right on the head. That is why our people are spiritually bankrupt.

Dr. Haynes: There is no question. We have divorced our social reality from the spiritual power and the anointing that everybody is jumping on now. Everybody’s talking about the anointing, the anointing! Well, when I read Scripture, Jesus said the Spirit of the God Lord is upon me because He has anointed me, watch this, to preach Good News to the poor, to set the captives free, to heal those who are heartbroken, proclaim the year of economic justice and empowerment. Listen, the anointing was not about you getting some personal car. The anointing was about dealing with social issues, overcoming oppression, and so, whenever you hear somebody talking about the anointing this, the anointing that, if it does not connect to the social realities that people are facing in terms of overcoming oppression, then that anointing is a pseudo anointing, and they are just playing games with the gospel.

Angela: Let’s talk for a minute about being prophetic in the pulpit. Has the church lost her prophetic voice today?

Dr. Haynes: I wouldn’t say it’s lost. I would say that, unfortunately, it’s been muted. Some of the muting is self-inflicted in that some of our gospel preachers are so close to Caesar in Washington, D.C. because they are being funded by Caesar that they cannot challenge Caesar. Then, we have pockets of the prophetic witness. Right there in Louisville, Kentucky, you have Dr. Kevin Cosby. You have persons around the country, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, and so many others who, again, have not divorced the social content of the gospel from their spiritual witness. So, you have pockets here and there, but in too many instances, again, this social witness has been muted.

Angela: I am looking here at an article, No Social Justice, No Spiritual Peace. It references the conference that you had at your church, The National Conference and Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church. It was a two-day conference. Rev. Al Sharpton was in the house. He was here recently for the General Association of Baptist in Kentucky Convention. Referring to Rev. Sharpton’s comment at your church, President Cosby quoted this particular line in the article, “People who are in shackles don’t need people to anoint their shackles.”

Dr. Haynes: The sad reality is that the shackles are manifest in desperate way our public school system is funded. Our children are going to schools that are overcrowded, with under qualified teachers, lack of resources that schools in other districts are blessed to have. The anointing of those shackles is in deed a farce. It’s a sad commentary on where we are now as relates to ministry. You cannot talk about anointing if in my community we are experiencing economic dysfunction, economic apartheid, the redlining of our communities so that we do not have economic development. All of that is going on, and a lot of these churches who are shouting about the anointing, and the shackles are right there, but, again, that oil ain’t releasing me from those shackles.

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Be sure to read this related article Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson Critique Mega Churches, Let the Preachers' War Begin.

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

Color of the Cross Portrays Jesus As Black Messiah

Color of the Cross stars director Jean-Claude LaMarre (left) as Jesus. He has received death threats for creating the first epic movie to depict Jesus as Black.

Make plans now! Save a date, get a date, buy some Milk Duds, and some hot, buttered popcorn. A Black Messiah cometh to the big screen! Color of the Cross, the Nu-Lite Entertainment epic movie opens in theaters October 27th. It is bound to cause at stir as it is the first epic movie to portray Jesus as a Black Messiah. And it's about time! Da Vinci Code and Passion of the Christ, move over. I am sure we're all going to have plenty to say about this one.

From the Color of the Cross website comes this description...

“Color of the Cross,” an independent, biblically charged religious biopic, is based on the last 48 hours of Christ’s life and stands to be the most controversial depiction of Jesus to date. The film is unique in two distinct ways: The first dramatic film in Hollywood history ever to depict Christ as a black man. Secondly, it is the first Christian based film to inject race as a possible factor in the Crucifixion of Christ. This racial perspective to the conventional biblical story is sure to challenge Conservative Christian beliefs. The film places racial issues front and center in this growing religious discourse that is sure to become an additional topic for debate. According to Producer, Kenneth Halsband, “When you see the black man on the cross, you are immediately reminiscent of the 1960’s… Our film hopes to heal those wounds”.

In this gripping, two-hour epic, Jesus is portrayed as a black Jew. This retelling of the biblical story from a black perspective seeks to repair the anti-Semitism that has been associated with the story of Christ. Jean-Claude LaMarre is the screenwriter, director and lead actor of the world’s most controversial religious film, “Color of the Cross.” “The idea of re-imaging is very important to my vision of this story,” says LaMarre “For decades blacks have been the victims of negative imaging, especially in their depiction in Hollywood films. I applaud Fox for taking a step toward rehabilitating this image. Jesus is a great place to start”.

“Color of the Cross,” directed by lead actor Jean Claude LaMarre, stars Debbi Morgan (“Coach Carter,” “Woman Thou Art Loosed”) as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Ananda Lewis (“The Ananda Lewis Show”, “The Insider” Host). “The idea of re-imaging is very important to my vision of this story, says LaMarre “For decades blacks have been the victims of negative imaging, especially in their depiction in Hollywood films. I applaud Fox for taking a step toward rehabilitating this image. Jesus is a great place to start”.

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, which released “The Passion of the Christ” on domestic home video, has acquired the domestic home video rights for “Color of the Cross” for seven figures including a P & A commitment for theatrical release.Producer/Theologian Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church (First AME) in Los Angeles, believes this version of Christ’s story is long overdue. “I think that people will welcome this as a fresh perspective, especially as well-researched as this story is,” said Dr. Murray.

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I would like to thank Manual McMillan, Sr., Asst. Director, Financial Aide Administration,the University of Louisville for sending me this link.
Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

A Girl Like Me Tackles Self Hatred

Prepare yourself. You might want to stand and sit for this one. But, then, that would bring too much cognitive dissonance since standing and sitting at the same time is an impossibility. What is impossible to some, but only obvious to many, is that racism still exist in the 21st Century, and that black children and teens are affected by it in how they view themselves.

A Girl Like Me is the much-talked-about, riveting seven-minute film short by 17-year-old New York student Kiri Davis in which black children in a Harlem day care repeatedly picked a white doll over a black doll. What you are about to see is sickening. It is cognitive disonance, self hatred, manifested. Davis got the idea for the documentary from the 1947 Kenneth Clarke (standing left) doll experiment. Clarke's study helped prove the 1954 landmark Supreme Court Brown vs Board of Education case. Davis, who won the Diversity Award for the documentary from Media That Matters, a nonprofit internet and traveling festival that screens film about social issues, told Jet Magazine, "It started out as a school project...I inteviewed black girls and the issue of beauty kept coming up. It's sad in this day and age that people are being put in the position of trying to fit a standard of white beauty."

Louisville writer and Centenniel Olivet Baptist Church member Javacia Harris wrote about A Girl Like Me in Velocity Magazine on October 4th, in the article, The power of beauty myths and teenage insecurities. She interviewed two women, one of whom was 27-year-old dark-skinned Tawanda Lewis who wears dreadlocks, "The people who I thought would judge me, which would be corporate America, white America, were not the people that judged me. It was black America. So what will it take for black women, and all black people to actually believe the '70's slogan 'Black is beautiful'"?

Some of you may have heard me talk about the A Girl Like Me on the WLOU on Friday, October 6th. Well, when I got home, my African dolls, Tosha and Imani, were insulted by it all. They told me to tell my listeners to buy their children black dolls for Christmas (smile)! What I found equally insulting was watching TBN's Jan Crouch hand out white Barbie dolls, and lots of them, to African children in Africa recently one Christmas. Reflecting on the 1947 Clarke experiment myself, all I could say over and over again, as I watched in horror, was why didn't she take black dolls to Africa! Why?! After watching this film, you will come to realize that is it easier said than done to, as Oil Of Olay puts it, love the skin your in.

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

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Pictures from Jet Magazine, September 18, 2006 in article New York Teen 'Doll Test' Film Takes On Race Issues.

Thanks to Rev. Antonio Payne, Corinthian Baptist Church for Javacia Harris' article, and to Javacia Harris for the A Girls Like Me link. Romans 8:28

Meet Your Opponent, The Devil

By: Angela Lee Price

1 Peter 5:8-9 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Make no mistake about it, we all have an opponent in this world. His name is Satan. He is a liar and the father of lies. He is the prince of the power of the air. His only mission is to kill, steal, and destroy. There is no good deed in him. Submit to God, meet your opponent, the devil, and prepare for spiritual warfare ahead, for the race is not to the swift, but to those who endure to the end. And the battle is not yours, but the Lord's.

God's Original Intent:

It was God's intention that man would rule over the earth under God's authority (Gen. 1:26, Ps. 8:4-6, and Heb 2:5-8a). However, because of the fall as recorded in Genesis 3, Satan wrestled the rule away from man (Heb. 2:5 & 2:8b). But as promised in Genesis 3:15, the Lamb of God broke Satan's hold by means of His incarnation, sinless life, death, resurrection, ascension (Heb. 2:9-14) and will one day recover that which was lost through the judgments of the seven seals as described in Revelation 6-9. Satan once held a previledged position in heaven, but pride and sin were found in him and he was casted down to earth with a third of the angels.

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.

In Isaiah 12, we find the beginning or origin of sin. Iniquity was found in the heart of Satan. Iniquity came by what might be termed a "spontaneous generation" in the heart of this being in whom such magnificence of power and beauty had been combined and to whom such authority and priviledge had been given.

Satan Judged:

First, because of Satan's sin, he was thrust out of his exalted place and position, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" (v12), and further we read, "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit (v15). Satan is described as the one who fell from heaven and was cut down to earth. One third of the angelic host chose to follow Satan, "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth...." (Rev. 12:3-4).

Secondly, the loss of Satan's standing as the anointed cherub is followed by the sentence pronounced against him in the garden of Eden after the temptation, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruse him on the heel" (Gen. 3:14-15).

Finally, Jesus Christ defeats Satan at the cross. The cross is the strategic place and basis for Satan's defeat and judgment.

1. Christ's death provided complete victory over Satan and his evil forces, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" (Heb. 2:14).
   
2. Christ's death provided the perfect sacrifice for sin, "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight" (Col. 1:-21-22).
   
3. Today, Christ's death on the cross provides redemption from sin for those who would believe that Jesus died on the cross and that God raised him from the dead, "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:14-15).

"...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

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This is the first in a series of articles on spiritual warfare, The Full Armour of God: How to Get Dressed for the Battle. Based on the Bible, and books, Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for Life, by Ray C. Stedman, and Spiritual Warfare in a Believer's Life by Charles H. Spurgeon.

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

Keep Your Eyes On the Prize, Hold On!

By: Angela Lee Price

The heralded Civil Rights Movement documentary Eyes On the Prize is back in a major way. It began airing on public television last night and continues this month on KET. Don't miss it!

Be sure to visit the PBS Eyes On the Prize website! In the words of Dr. Freddie Haynes, "It's on like neckbones!" The PBS website chronicles the story of the Civil Rights Movement from 1954-1985 with articles, pictures, and video clips. The "Profiles" section is "off the chain!" The people and events of the movement are listed with background information. Within the "Video and More" section is a "Music" subcategory that displays all the Civil Rights songs' profiles with audio clips including We Shall Overcome and Eyes On the Prize.

From the website,

"The landmark Eyes on the Prize television series spans 14 hours, over three decades of history, and dozens of events across the country. This feature presents 25 of the major events, from Emmett Till's murder in 1955 to the election of Harold Washington as Chicago's first black mayor in 1983. A final section provides an update on civil rights in America today. Screen historic footage of these events, listen to freedom songs, read newspaper headlines, see photo galleries, and more as you follow the story of America's Civil Rights Movement."

Be sure to enter "Jesus" in the search engine and read the transcript that includes Heavyweight Boxing Champion Louisville native Muhammad Ali's comments at an April 1967 event at Howard University:

"See, we have been brainwashed. Everything good and of authority was made white. We look at Jesus, we see a white with blond hair and blue eyes. We look at all the angels, we see white with blond hair and blue eyes. Now, I'm sure if there's a heaven in the sky and the colored folks die and go to heaven, where are the colored angels? They must be in the kitchen preparing the milk and honey. We look at Miss America, we see white. We look at Miss World, we see white. We look at Miss Universe, we see white. Even Tarzan, the king of the jungle in black Africa, he's white!"

Obtaining the television schedule for the Louisville area was a bit tricky. Here are what appears to be the times the Eyes On the Prize documentary will air on KET this month in Louisville. It may air at others times, too, so check your local listing:

Eyes on the Prize: Awakenings - 1954-56/Fighting Back - 1957-1962:
KET 1: 10/03 @ 8:00 p.m.
KET 2: 10/04 @ 1:00 a.m.
KET 2: 10/04 @ 4:00 a.m.
KET 3: 10/08 @ 1:00 a.m.

Eyes On the Prize: Ain't Scared of Your Jails - 1960-61/No Easy Walk - 1961-63:
KET 2: 10/09 @ 9:00 p.m.
KET 1: 10/10 @ 8:00 p.m.
KET 2: 10/11 @ 1:00 a.m.
KET 2: 10/11 @ 4:00 a.m.

Eyes On the Prize: Mississippi: Is This America? 1963-64/Bridge to Freedom 1965:
KET 2: 10/16 @ 9:00 p.m.
KET 1: 10/17 @ 9:00 p.m.
KET 2: 10/18 @ 1:00 a.m.
KET 2: 10/18 @ 4:00 a.m.

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!

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

Exploring the Black Presence In the Bible

By: Angela Lee Price

Quick, can you name three black people in the Bible? Exploring the Black presence in the Bible is important today like never before. Many African Americans don’t know the truth of their heritage. They think the Bible is a “white man’s book” due primarily to erroneous all-white depictions of our favorite Bible stories on television, and our failure to counter those errors with the truth of Scripture.

The Bible says my people perish for lack of knowledge. Far too many African Americans are perishing because they do not know who they are and from whence they came. They don’t know that the origins of civilization began in Africa, that Egypt is in Africa, and that science, geometry, and astronomy originated in Africa. Many people believe Jesus was a white man with blue eyes and long, blonde hair. A pervasive lack of knowledge about self, heritage and history, is having an extremely damaging psychological impact upon the psyche of our people.

While the goal should not to romanticize the black presence in the Bible, I believe exploring the Black presence in the Word of God to be of paramount importance to the spiritual well being of people of color. It helps us in our quest to grow in spiritual maturity and learn about Jesus. It helps us to better relate to Africans from the Motherland and become more sensitive to the plight of people of African descent. It helps us explain with dignity our heritage to other cultures of the world. Finally, it gives us life more abundantly.

Joel Osteen On Larry King Live

Do you know what you believe and why you believe it? If so, praise God! Apparently, an overwhelming majority of professing Christians believe all roads lead to heaven. In a September 5, 2005 Newsweek Spirituality in America Special Report, Christians and non-Christians were asked a number of questions pertaining to their spiritual beliefs including "Can a good person who doesn't share your religious beliefs attain salvation or go to heaven?" Approximately 79% of those polled answered "yes."

Respondents by category:
Evangelical Protestants, 68%;
Non-evangelical Protestants, 83%;
Roman Catholics, 91%;
Non-Christians,73%.

It is no wonder then that popular mega church televangelist Joel Osteen can answer "I don't know" when asked this question on Larry King Live, Joel Osteen on Larry King Live, and still continue to pack the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas with congregants, and command a large television audience each week.

Postscript to this story: After getting considerable negative feedback from this interview, Joel Osteen apologized on his website for not defending the faith more strongly. How many people actually saw the apology? No many.

To read my first post on this subject, click on the January archives and read Ease On Down the Roads...to Heaven?

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

The Original Gangsta: Marjoe, the Atheist

Speaking of speaking in tongues, slaying people in the spirit, and prophesying, Marjoe Gortner says in this video,

"If you're going to get into big-time religion, these are the games you gotta play."

This Marjoe Gortner video is must-see material for all who are concerned with protecting the sheep.

Abbreviated Video Description from YouTube.com:

In the 1950's he was known as the youngest ordained minister in the world (officially ordained at just 4 years old). As he grew to manhood, he traveled doing tent revivals, preaching, prophecying and working miracles... but the amazing truth was - Marjoe was a fraud! In fact, he claimed to be an atheist! His general view of "the ministry" was that it was no different than the entertainment business.

In 1972 Marjoe decided to get out of the "ministry" but took one last ride on the tent revival trail... this time with a band of camera men and he exposed his own charade! His self-created documentary ( titled "Marjoe") was made into a feature film and shown all over. Below is a 9 minute clip of him in action, both as a child and as an adult (the file is in Windows Media format).

Today Marjoe is an actor and also a public speaker for social causes he cares about. Foremost among those causes is informing the public about some of the rhetorical techniques that are being used to manipulate their thoughts and emotions. He is still not a Christian, but he visits about 20 colleges a year teaching them how "faith-healers" do their "tricks". People actually still "fall down under the power" in his lectures as he demonstrates how the masters of religion work their "magic."

Remember, it is not Mohmmad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Ages that saves. Jesus saves!

Post your comments to this video below.

UnityFest 2006 Makes BIG Impact

By: Angela Lee Price


Above: Donald Lawrence and the UnityFest Choir; Below: Tye Tribbett & G.A. perform.

Thousands clapped, sang and praised the Lord mightly for hours Saturday, August 26th at UnityFest 2006. The much-anticipated UnityFest 2006, held at Louisville Slugger Field, featured national gospel artists Donald Lawrence, Israel & New Breed and 500-voice UniftyFest choir. Lawrence ministered beautifully between songs, Healed, You Covered Me, Giants, and Blessings of Abraham. Israel & New Breed traveled from South Africa for the event. Many enjoyed their unique style of praise and worship in songs, Not Forgotten, You Are Good, and Again I Say Rejoice.

VOP, VIPs with Tribbett, fest-goers. The young adult choir backed Tribbett on S.O.S. finale, Victory.

Approximately 75 local churches participated in Big Impact Day, a two-day event that included a PrayerFest, Love Louisville outreach, Do the Right Thing youth expo, UnityFest Gospel concert, and official Save Our Kids from the Streets, S.O.S., after party, sponsored by St. Stephen Church, featuring national gospel artists Tye Tribbett and G.A. Tribbett performed gospel favorites, No Way, Everything, and Victory. Local gospel groups Thee Ensemble and Voices of Praiz, both featuring Jason Clayborn, performed contemporary gospel music.

Fest-goers remained on their feet throughout the concert and weathered early-evening showers to participate in the event.

Angela's Labor Day Comments on WLOU on UnityFest

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

Looters and Finders - In Review

As the nation looked back this week to August 29, 2005 and Hurricane Katrina, many were reminded of just how sickened they were by the events that unfolded before our eyes on national television that terrible week. I don't know about you, but I felt I was personally violated -- so much so that I was moved to send the following e-mail to several Louisville-area media outlets a few days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region. It was picked up by The American Baptist Newspaper and published in their Editorials section on September 12, 2005.

I want to thank The American Baptist Newspaper for allowing a sistah to vent her rage. I also want to thank Rev. Lesa Dae for having me as a guest on her radio talk show, A New Dawning on Saturday, September 3, 2005 to discuss the Katrina tragedy and the federal government's disgustingly slow response to our Gulf Coast citizens.

WLOU listener dedication to Katrina Survivors
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Photo right from the the September 1, 2005 BlackNews.com article by Dante Lee entitled, Black Looters, White Finders- Is the Media Racially Biased About Hurrican Katrina?

There is considerable tension today between the races due primarily to lack of serious dialogue and understanding about race. This is very evident as African Americans express outrage about coverage of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe in mainstream media as the e-mail below demonstrates. Many African Americans, including myself, are very upset about the following:

1. African Americans being referred to as “looters” while white Americans are referred to as “finders.”
2. The citizens of New Orleans being referred to as “refugees.”
3. The continual replaying of old footage of “looting” African Americans as though they were the only ones with sense enough to find food and survival necessities.
4. President Bush’s hostile and inflammatory “shoot-to-kill” rhetoric as victims of the tragedy die in the streets from lack of attention.
5. The military’s pre-General Honore, guns-pointed entrance into New Orleans as though all victims were criminals.
6. The Red Cross’ answer to their late arrival – “It was unsafe to enter the city.”
7. The defensive reply of at least one cable television news host to Congressional Black Caucus and NAACP concerns that race was a factor in the government’s slow response to evacuate the citizens of New Orleans – something to the effect that “New Orleans Major Nagin is African American, and I don’t hear you accusing him of incompetence.”
8. Rita Cosby referring to the five African Americans killed yesterday in the gun battle with the military as “thugs” without presenting proof of their background with arrest records.
9. The continual insistence that poverty and class are issues being uncovered with this disaster and that race has nothing to do with it.
   

Many African Americans believe that had the residents of New Orleans been 70% white and poor they would not be depicted on television and in newspapers this way nor addressed and handled in this manner by President Bush and government agencies.

Mainstream media is oftentimes too quick to emphasize stereotypical images of African Americans as savages, beasts, prostitutes, and happy-go-lucky entertainer types, while de-emphasizing efforts to educate and uplift the race. Case in point. On the front page of the August 28th edition of the Courier Journal Newspaper in the article, City Pays Price for Gun Violence, statistics were presented relating to the numbers of gunshot-wounded victims handled at Louisville’s University Hospital between 2003-2004. The article stated that 88% of the gunshot suicides were white males, however, I have yet to see detailed articles, such as the August 28th article, on white male suicide. I have seen more than enough articles about the horrible violence in west Louisville.

My suggestion is that you consider an in-depth story on the issue of race, an issue that is being brought to the national forefront as a result of the Katrina catastrophe. I believe that at the root of the race issue is lack of understanding about African civilization, African American culture, and significant African American contributions for some 400 years to this nation.

Article published in The American Baptist Newspaper, Editorial section, pages 2 & 12, September 12, 2005.

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

Sharpton Speaks Sharply In Louisville

By: Angela Lee Price

Pictures courtesy of George Williams

The Lord certainly knew what He was doing when he gave civil rights activist and 2004 presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton the last name “Sharpton.” On Thursday, August 3rd, he was sharper than a two-edged sword...again! Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the keynote address, Believing An Evil Report on Simmons' Night at the General Association of Baptist in Kentucky’s 138 Joint Session. The event, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Louisville, Kentucky drew an audience estimated at 400.

Preaching from Numbers Chapter 14:36, Sharpton said too many people in the church are believing an evil report. “We’ve built mega churches with miniature missions….We’ve built a generation of people with titles and no function, ministers that don’t minister to nobody, and trustees that can’t be trusted."


Left to Right: Rev. K. L. Moore, Barnetta Cosby, Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Rev. Dr. A. Russell Awkard

The church is believing an evil report, he chimed repeatedly. He told the audience of mostly pastors, preachers, and church leaders that many of our people don’t work, but run from church to church looking for the next fix. “When you don’t work, you become Holy thrill freaks, he said.” We’ve got bigger houses, but we are not speaking to each other; new cars and nowhere to go,” Sharpton said.

Speaking on the final night of the four-day convention, the 52-year-old Sharpton sharply criticized African Americans for believing false stereotypes and not trying hard enough to advance themselves. “Even if you are not responsible for being down, you are responsible for getting up,” he said. Black men who abuse their women believe an evil report. “Ain’t nothing hip about degrading your mama, calling your sister and girlfriend out of her name,” said Sharpton.

Simmons College of Kentucky President and St. Stephen Church Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby gave a glowing report on the state of Simmons, Kentucky’s oldest historically black college, just one and a half years into his presidency.

Cosby told conferees his role as president is to acquire “bucks, buildings, bodies, and brains.” Cosby helped raise $2 million dollars for the school since becoming the 13th president in January 2005; helped Simmons re-acquired its former campus at Eighth and Kentucky; completed major renovations at the Seventh Street campus; hired new staff and professors; and established ties with Campbellsville and Kentucky State Universities. The school expects to enroll more than 200 students this school year, and is in the process of becoming accredited.

Cosby introduced head coach Stan Hughes and unveiled the school’s new basketball team, the Simmons Panthers. The St. Stephen Voices of Praiz performed contemporary and hip hop gospel music. Simmons raised an additional $75,000 for scholarships.

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