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.