Black History Month: This Week's Featured Louisville Area Authors

Win These Books This Month on the Jesus Saves Social Network:
Get Out of the Way! Claim God's Will for Your Marriage, Book Two, Hazel and Tony
By: Hazel Parrish

This is a real life story about two people struggling through life's challenges to allow God's will to be done in their lives. Two people from two very different backgrounds come together to prove the institution of marriage works when you trust God... When all of the couseling failed, friend's advice failed, self-help books, retreats, and religious jargon failed, Hazel tried one Godly principle (trust). A supernatural manifestation changed her unhealthy marriage to healthy, her unloveable ways to loveable, her hopeless heart ot hopeful, rejection to acceptance and hatred to love. Ultimately, Hazel learned to Get Out of the Way! Claim God's Will for Your Marriage.
You Are The One You're Looking For: Freedom From the Relationship Drama to an Empowered New You!
BY: Elayne Marchbanks

Have you found your needs, wants, feelings, and desires stifled or put on hold in your efforts to have a "good" relationship, or to find the 'perfect' mate? Our first and foremost love is the love we give ourselves.
You Are the One You're Looking For: Freedom From the Relationship Drama to an Empowered New You! is not a typical how-to-get-your-man book. Rather, it is a practical, holistic, and insightful work written fo the woman who is ready to Become a Woman On Purpose - By Design:...Indentify your gifts and purpose to evaluate who's right for You!
A Day At The Zoo
By: Brenda Harris

The book is about two very young children's excitement on taking a trip to the city's petty zoo. Seeing the visit through their eyes--- what's to do, what animals to see, and the family time together.

The book is a learning book designed for the beginning reader. One syllable words, with no more than the letters per word, are used to make it easier for the beginner reader to sound out each letter to form words making reading enjoyable. The book has bright, colorful illustration; and rhyming, repetitive text to capture and hold the young reader's attention.

View Complete Book List in the Celebrating Black Histroy Group!

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Min. Angela Lee Price

"According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:  If prophecy, use it according to the standard of one's faith; if service, in services; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness" Romans 12: 6-8 (HCSB).

Often on Fridays, I say, "T.G.I.F., Thank God I'm Forgiven and It's Friday!" I teach Spiritual Gifts at church, and often in class, I will use, or my teachers will us, the acronym "TGIF" as an icebreaker by asking members to unscramble it to form new words, phrases, and sentences, sort of like they use to do on Soul Train. This exercise helps each person to understand that they have at least one "GIFT," and they "FIT IT," because they are "GIFT-IT" of God to do the work that He has called them to do (Ephesians 4:7-8).

What type of church worker are you?  Do you like working out front leading in worship, teaching Sunday school or preaching the gospel, or behind the scenes in the kitchen, in children's ministry, or driving the church van?  One thing is for sure.  God has given you at least one spiritual gift, and He doesn't want you to sit on it.  

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have preached so many powerful sermons, lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, nor the Marched On Washington, had he drove the church van. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie would not have become the first female bishop of the AME church had she sang in the choir.  Mahalia Jackson would not have become one of the nation's first nationally recognized gospel artists, nor would she have sang for hundreds of thousands of civil rights supporters at the March on Washington had she simply remained on her pew Sunday after Sunday.  There are some things that are not going to happen until you get busy, and not only  that, but find your proper place in  ministry.  

If you are not sure where you fit in, Take a Spiritual Gifts Test at MinTools.com. This assessment measures for the seven spiritual gifts found in Romans 12: 6-8, prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy.  It is 35 questions. Let me quickly say, that there are longer assessments measuring more gifts, and there is a longer one measuring more gifts on the MinTools.com website, so just use this particular assessment as a starting point to discovering your spiritual gifts.  For example, if your strongest gifts are service, giving, or mercy, you could be a behind the scenes worker.  If your strongest gifts are teaching, leadership, and exhortation, more than likely you are not a behind the scenes worker.  You are probably a take-charge person who loves to teach and encourage.  Again, just use this as a starting point for exploring your gifts.

I have used the MinTools.com website previously in teaching spiritual gifts.  It is a great resource.  Be sure to check out the links on the left of the page, especially the FAQ.

If you live in the Louisville area, you are welcome to join us at St. Stephen Church on Saturdays from 12 Noon-2:30 p.m. for our Spiritual Gifts class.  We provide an brief overview to the subject, measure 20 spiritual gifts, and help you make ministry choices.

Related Posts:
To Forgive Or Not To Forgive?  That Is The Question
Are You Sitting On the Premises Or Standing On the Promises?
Clean On the Inside, Clean On the Outside
Turn Your Bad Friday Into Good Friday
Get In Where You Fit In!

Source:  African-American Religious Leaders, by Nathan Aaseng

Jesus Saves Ministries, celebrating Black History Month, and five years of lifting up Jesus Christ!  Join our social network, start a discussion or comment on any post and you will automatically be included in our weekly drawings for books by and about people of color and gospel music CD's by your favorite artists. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:17.

Celebrating Black History: This Week's Featured Authors!

President Barack Obama said in his State Of The Union address that just as we celebrate those going to the SuperBowl, we need to celebrate those going to science fairs. Jesus Saves Ministries is celebrating the mental acumen God has given people of color that is expressed in their creative writing abilities. So, make it a point to stop by this network during Black History Month.

Anytime you comment on any discussion this month, here or on the Jesus Saves Social Network, you will automatically be placed in our drawings to receive books by and about people of color. Louisville area authors have graciously contributed their works to bless God for His gifts, inform, encourage, and inspire a future generation of writers and promote reading among African Americans at large including Julia Royston, Dr. Dewey Clayton, Elayne Marchbanks, Karen O'Bannon, Hazel Parrish, Brenda Harris, Lonnie Clinkscale, and Charlene Hampton Holloway.

This Week's Featured Louisville Area Authors:

Win These Books This Month:
How Hot Is Your Love Life? Return to Your First Love
By: Julia Royston

God wants you to know that He loves you. l"How Hot Is Your Love Life? Return to your First Love?" is a book of 30 attributes and charactteristics of God demonstrating and reminding us of His great love toward each of us. Each devotional, song of the day, and simple prayer is designed to bring you closer to your first Love. Rekindle the flame of love. He's waiting.
The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama
By: Dewey M. Clayton

"Clayton examines how race in American politics has changed over time and offers an explanation for why Obama’s candidacy offers a different roadmap for the future. The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama provides students of politics, inside and outside of the classroom, a unique opportunity to explore the institutional and structural challenges an African American faces in becoming the president of the United States. This guide to major issues in Black politics and the ins and outs of the 2008 campaign provides the necessary contours for understanding how the highest elected African American official won office.”
Get Out of the Way! Claim God's Will for Your Marriage
By:  Hazel Parrish

This is a real life story about two people struggling through life's challenges to allow God's will to be done in their lives. Two people from two very different backgrounds come together to prove the institution of marriage works when you trust God... When all of the couseling failed, friend's advice failed, self-help books, retreats, and religious jargon failed, Hazel tried one Godly principle (trust). A supernatural manifestation changed her unhealthy marriage to healthy, her unloveable ways to loveable, her hopeless heart ot hopeful, rejection to acceptance and hatred to love. Ultimately, Hazel learned to Get Out of the Way! Claim God's Will for Your Marriage.


View Complete Book List in the Celebrating Black Histroy Group!

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

Black History: The Reconciliation of Liberation

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

An esteemed theologian and preeminent scholar, Rev. Dr. J. Deotis Roberts is best known as a founder of Black Theology or the Black Liberation Movement. Black Theology and Black Liberation reached its peak in America at the height of the Black Power Movement in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Its proponents sought to present Jesus Christ and Christian theology through the lenses of black culture and the black religious experience as a means to overcome the effects of slavery and institutional racism in order to liberate the minds and change the dire circumstances of oppressed people of color. Roberts, more so than James Cone, who is known as the father of Black Liberation Theology, offered a more biblical approach to black liberation by including reconciliation, a Biblical mandate, as a necessary component of liberation.

I conducted a brief radio interview with Dr. Roberts on 1350 WLOU the morning of May 17, 2007 wherein Roberts elaborated on the impact his travels abroad in the early 1960’s had on shaping his theological perspective on the reconciliation of liberation:

Angela: ...So, as you began to experience the diversities within cultures and the peoples that you came in contact with, that helped to shape and mold how you perceived theology…?

Dr. Roberts: Yes,…in the middle 1960’s I had a world tour of the religions in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. So, I knew about cultures other than my own long before the black theology movement emerged. For example, I was moved by my time in Japan. I spent two months in India in the middle ‘60’s and I saw the poverty and need there before I began to address the situation in the U.S.

I was drawn back to this country when I was studying abroad because Martin Luther King was beginning to address the civil rights problems we had, and I wanted to come back and join that movement. So, all that happened prior to the emergence of black power. That led into my position. I wanted to bring the King and Civil Rights Movement experience to the Black Power Movement. That was a dimension that I had because of my age and my involvement prior to the Black Power Movement. Both came together in my thoughts and that’s the reason why liberation and reconciliation were addressed. Cone addressed liberation, and I thought that was not sufficient because of my experience and knowledge, so I began to bring the two together. That’s the genesis of that dialogue.

Dr. J. Deotis Roberts set himself apart from black theologians by advocating reconciliation as a component of black liberation. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:18, “…God…has given us a ministry of reconciliation.” We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:19, “… in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”

Roberts penned his best-known book, Liberation and Reconciliation: A Black Theology in 1971 in response to James Cone’s A Black Theology of Liberation, published in 1970. Roberts asserted that reconciliation was the “balancing” component of liberation. On the reconciliation of liberation, Roberts wrote in the preface of second edition of Liberation and Reconciliation: A Black Theology, page xiii:

"...the balance between liberation and reconciliation remains essential in our pluralistic society....Dr. King's warning, that we either learn to live together as friends or die as fools, is obvious for all thoughtful people. When reconciliation is elevated to its proper ethical level and Christian understanding, it requires serious attention to liberation from social injustices. It cannot be conceived as mere sentimentality or ‘cheap grace.’ Reconciliation requires repentance, forgiveness, and cross-bearing. Thus, I would opt for maintaining a balance between liberation and reconciliation."

Although an advocate for reconciliation, Roberts opposed integration as a goal. In chapter eight of Liberation and Reconciliation, he stated, “The slave-master, servant-boss, inferior-superior mentality underlie all integration schemes in which whites write the agenda. This is why I am against integration.” He advocated reconciliation with co-equal collaboration between races as the goal. On page 94, he wrote:

"Positively, it enables blacks to appreciate their own heritage to the extent that they consider it a worthy commodity to be shared with others. In this manner, liberation leads to reconciliation between equals. This position is productive for the psychological and sociological health of blacks. It is needed for a right perspective for better race relations. It is consistent with an understanding of God as lovingly just, the dignity of all persons, the sinfulness of all, and their reconciliation with God and with one another through Jesus Christ."

Cone, although more outspoken than Roberts, with his “by-any-means-necessary “ approach to Black Theology was a major catalyst for Black Theology’s thrust onto the world stage. He wrote on page 98 of A Black Theology of Liberation, “No black person will ever be good enough in the eyes of whites to merit equality. Therefore, if blacks are to have freedom, they must take it, by any means necessary.” However, he was less thorough and biblical in his critique in omitting the key biblical principle of reconciliation from his writings.

In summary, at the height of the Black Power Movement at a time when strong voices where needed to speak truth to power, the Lord put fire in the bones of black theologians J. Deotis Roberts, James Cone, Albert Cleage, Dwight Hopkins, Delores S. Williams, Gayraud Wilmore, Katie Cannon, Jacqueline Grant, Cornel West, and many other men and women of God. J. Deotis Roberts credits James Cone with the rediscovery of the black man’s religious genius in the late 1960’s on page 147 of his book, A Black Political Theology. And had it not been for the bold, in-your-face style of James Cone and his powerful book, A Black Theology of Liberation, I don’t know if I would have been as interested in the subject as I am. I had to admit to Dr. Roberts in my interview with him that I was not as familiar with his works as I was with those of Cone and others. However, after speaking with him and securing and perusing two of his books at length, I must say that I am blessed to have had corrected in my consciousness the oversight of his tremendous contribution to black theology and black liberation. I highly recommend adding to your library books on black liberation this Christmas season.

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

Jesus Saves Ministries Let's Down The Net

In Luke Chapter 5, Jesus is preaching to a great crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He sees two empty boats left there by the fishermen, and He gets into the one belonging to Simon. At the conclusion of his sermon, he says to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch" (v4). Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets" (v5). They caught so many fish that their nets began to break, and they had to signal for a second boat. Simon Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, his partners "...were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken..." (v9). Jesus replied to Simon, "...Don't be afraid! From now on you will catch men" (v10). So, they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him" ( v11).

The Net Christian E-Newsletter

The Net Christian E-Newsletter is our one-page weekly e-newsletter. By faith, we are letting down our "nets," casting them on the deep waters of the internet, by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world from an African American perspective. We pray that Jesus Christ is gloried, and you are edified, strengthen and encouraged by the sermon excerpts, devotionals, testimonies, articles, people, and the gifts given away in The Net Christian E-Newsletter.  The Net provides the latest news and information in the black church, church world, gospel music industry and features Jesus Saves Ministries promotions. 

Most of "the catch" in The Net will be posted on the Jesus Saves Ministries Blog. Here, you will find "the other boat," full-length articles, video clips, and links to other websites. You can add to "the catch," too, by posting your comments on the blog. It is our hope that as we lift up Jesus Christ on the internet many will come running asking, "What must I do to be saved!"

Selected “catch” from The Net  will be posted on the Jesus Saves Ministries Social Network and discussed on the Jesus Saves Ministries Live Radio Show. 

To subscribe to The Net Christian E-Newsletter, e-mail jesussaves1@insightbb.com.  Place "The Net Subscription" in subject line.

What Does Valentine's Day and Frederick Douglass Have In Common?

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Abolitionist, orator, author, diplomat, politician and polemicist Frederick Douglass was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Maryland in February in either 1817 or 1818. The exact date of his birth is unknown, however, he chose to celebrate his birthday on Valentine's Day, February 14th. Frederick Douglass was a courageous African American intellectual who escaped slavery, and through his life and literary works, provided hope for the future.

In his 1845 autobiographical book entitled Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Douglass eloquently articulated that hope as he reflected on his life as a slave in Maryland. Had Douglass not penned his autobiography, we would have never known the full scope of brutalities, injustices, hypocrisies and humiliations he endured in his quest from slavery to freedom nor would we have understood the level of brilliance, creativity and bravery required of him in order for him to teach himself, and other slaves, to read and write in a system that treated the American Negro as chattel.

Moreover, Douglass’ scathing condemnation of slave-holding Christianity provides hope today to seminarians and Christians currently grappling to understand and explain this nation’s racial divide.

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Here are excerpts from three of Frederick Douglass' speeches:
Church and Prejudice
Fighting Rebels With One Hand
What A Black Man Wants
"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:13.

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

Celebrating Black History: This Week's Featured Louisville Authors

President Barack Obama said in his State Of The Union address that just as we celebrate those going to the SuperBowl, we need to celebrate those going to science fairs. Jesus Saves Ministries is celebrating the mental acumen God has given people of color that is expressed in their creative writing abilities. So, make it a point to stop by this network during Black History Month.

Anytime you comment on any discussion this month, here or on the Jesus Saves Social Network, you will automatically be placed in our drawings to receive books by and about people of color. Louisville area authors have graciously contributed their works to bless God for His gifts, inform, encourage, and inspire a future generation of writers and promote reading among African Americans at large including Julia Royston, Dr. Dewey Clayton, Elayne Marchbanks, Karen O'Bannon, Hazel Parrish, Brenda Harris, Lonnie Clinkscale, and Charlene Hampton Holloway.

This Week's Featured Louisville Area Authors:

Everyday Miracles
By: Julia Royston

When you think of a miracle, what comes to mind? Naturally, blinded eyes being opened, deaf ears unstopped and other medically unexplained healing come to mind. Whether you know it or not there are miracles happening all around you. See with your heart as well as your eyes. Open the book and see the miracles unfold every day of your life.

Julia Royston is a singer and songwriter, author, motivational speaker and Louisville, Kentucky native.  To her credity, she has written original music for four music CD and authored three books.  Julia is an editor of a monthly online newsletter, "A Jar In the Potter's Hands" which is designed to encourage, enlighten and empower people to live their destined, abundant life.  Julia is a teacherlibrarian by profession and married to Brian K. Royston. 

The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama
By: Dewey M. Clayton

In the early twenty-first century, race still occupies a dominant role in American politics. Despite this truism, presidential candidate Barack Obama was uniquely poised to transcend both race and party as the first African American to have a realistic chance of winning the presidency. Previous contenders running in the traditional mode of the Civil Rights Movement based their appeal primarily on African American voters. Obama, on the other hand, ran a deracialized campaign in an effort to appeal to voters of different backgrounds and political parties.

Clayton examines how race in American politics has changed over time and offers an explanation for why Obama’s candidacy offers a different roadmap for the future. The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama provides students of politics, inside and outside of the classroom, a unique opportunity to explore the institutional and structural challenges an African American faces in becoming the president of the United States. This guide to major issues in Black politics and the ins and outs of the 2008 campaign provides the necessary contours for understanding how the highest elected African American official won office.”

 

Dewey M. Clayton is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Louisville.  He is author of African Americans and the Politics of Congressional Redistricting and numerous scholarly articles.

A Song For You: Parables and Pearls

By: Karen O'Bannon

Karen O'Bannon is a Dayton, Ohio native who resides in Louisville, Kentucky. In this revised edition biblical and life applicable commentary join the poetry to provide navigation to those who are seeking empowerment over the issues addressed in each story. It is already being said to be a great teaching tool and conversation starter for mothers and daughters.  

This book is divided into the following chapters:

Alter Call, which challenges women to rise to a higher standard

Love Me Knots, which examines the entanglement of love

Just Serious, which focuses on femal social issues

Personal Problems, which is a call to self-examination

Sincerely Yours, which recognizes higher love

View Complete Book List in the Celebrating Black History Group!

E-mail: jesussaves1@insightbb.com

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Twitter: twitter.com/jesussaves838

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

Ochocinco Tweets About Beverly Crawford On Celebration Of Gospel

Min. Angela Lee Price

Many people have this idea that it's okay to walk out of church before it is over.  But it is at the end of worship service where we often receive our blessing.  This was true for me last weekend when I watched Celebrating of Gospel on BET.  Gospel artist Beverly Crawford gave a powerful performance at the end of the show!  I was amazed at how she sang and danced in those high heel shoes with such rhythm and passion.    Apparently Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ochocinco was amazed, too.  Below is a story I picked up from JDI Records on his tweets on Beverly Crawford last weekend.  I agree with JDI's press release.  Beverly Crawford is quickly becoming one of my favorite gospel singers.  I had a Top Five countdown segment on my radio show about three years ago and "He's Done Enough" was constantly at the top of my charts during that time.  When Celebrating Of Gospel comes on BET again, be sure to watch it through to the end.  It's about time for a miracle! Don't miss your blessing!

"In a tweet to over 1.5 million of his fans, NFL Star Chad Ochocinco raves about inspirational singer Beverly Crawford riveting performance on this year’s BET Celebration of Gospel TV Special. The wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals is the latest in a long line of ardent fans including President Obama, Fantasia, Natalie Cole & Patti LaBelle who count JDI Records artist Beverly Crawford as one of their favorite singers.

Everywhere you turn on TV, radio &; on her 100-city tour, the red-hot Beverly Crawford continues to demonstrate why she is universally regarded as one of the top vocalists in the world and why her new CD Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2 is garnering rave reviews all over the country! “The incomparable Beverly Crawford is one of the truly great voices of our time!” Ebony Magazine The #1 Most Added Song at Radio (Billboard), “It’s About Time For A Miracle!” is the follow-up to Beverly’s #1 chart-topper “He’s Done Enough”, which dominated the Billboard Charts for over 70+ weeks & garnered 7 Stellar Award nods including CD of the Year, Artist of the Year, etc. CD, Songbook, and Sing-Along Performance Tracks."

Jesus Saves Ministries

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

To Forgive Or Not To Forgive?, That Is the Question

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny" (Matthew 5:23-26 NIV).

Often on Fridays, I tweet, "T.G.I.F., Thank God I'm Forgiven (And It's Friday)! I teach Spiritual Gifts at church, and often in Spiritual Gifts class, I will use the acromyn "TGIF" as an icebreaker by asking members to unscramble it to form new words, phrases, and sentences. This exercise helps each person to understand that they have at least one "GIFT," and they "FIT IT," because they are "GIFT-IT" of God to do the work that He has called them to do (Ephesians 4:7-8).

The whole discussion of forgiveness is important because the Bible places forgiveness above or before giftedness, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

It is sad to see gifted people at odds with each other in the church. What is worse is to see bickering parties continue their anomosity for years, even decades. However, the Bible says not only is there a frequency within which we are to forgive, seven times seventy (Matt. 18:21), but that there is a timeframe within which we are to forgive, "quickly" (v 25). We should do everything we can to resolve our differences often and to settle them out of court, Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge (v 25).

To Forgive or not to forgive?, that is the question. Jesus forgave the unfaithful wife of her sin (John 8:7). Will you forgive someone in your life of their sin? Have we truly forgiven white America for 400 years of oppression? Unforgiveness can cause us to be bound when we stand before Judge Hatchett, Judge Mathis, Judge Judy, or Judge Joe Brown! Forgiveness, brothers and sisters, keeps us out of Divorce Court, The People's Court, the court of public opinion, and most importantly, it keeps us out of God's court where the devil and his demons stand ready to accuse.

If you have something against someone, choose to forgive them and then bring your gifts to God or, "the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny" (v26).

Today, I want to share with you an example of what Jesus can do for us when we choose to forgive. The following is a comment left on one of my blogposts, Jesus Saves Gangsters, Too, at http://www.jesussavesministries.blogspot.com/ in December 2009.

Anonymous said...

I would like to share my experience, strength and hope with another person. I was shot point blank in the back of the head by my cousin, AND JESUS SAVED ME. I am able to function normally. I have had no serious side affects as a result of this. I not only over came the injury but after 10 years I am able to say through the help of Jesus I forgave my cousin for trying to kill me.

Monday, 07 December, 2009

Jesus Saves Ministries said...

Your statement is a testimony to the power of Almighty God! Thank you so much for sharing it. It has blessed me and I have sent it on to others to bless them too. Forgiveness takes the offender off your hook and puts him on God's hook where he belongs. Praise be to God for the conviction he gave you to forgive. The world would be a better place if only we could forgive one another.

God bless you!

Thursday, 10 December, 2009

Carter G. Woodson, The Father of Black History

Carter Godwin Woodson Life Chronology

On 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 African Americans have made to this country and to the world? 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 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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Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!

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Celebrating Black History: Don't Miss Your Crowning Moment!

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

"Now, if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may share in his glory” Romans 8:17.

All I have is this black and white photo now, and the memories the accompany it, of a time long since past when my name once appeared in lights on the marquee of this Holiday Inn. It was in 1974, 37 years ago to be exact, when I was crowned "Miss Teen Queen," Junior Division, in a beauty pageant held in this very hotel in downtown Louisville. Joetta Thomas was crowned "Miss Teen Queen,” Senior Division, and Gayle Kelcy, her runner-up in a tightly contested competition of African American young women, mostly older than me, who were, as I saw it, poised, sophisticated, and glamorous.

"What in the world am I doing here?," I kept asking myself as the older women tried to teach me to walk, and talk, and turn on the runway. I was not nearly as poised as Joetta and the rest of the contestants. “How could I possibly win?,” I said.

But somehow, something kept edging me forward, a "Yes, you can!" spirit. It took me to that crowning moment, a moment that is forever cemented in my mind. It was the spirit of my middle school counselor, a pretty black woman, and my elementary school teachers, especially Ms. Sexton, my math teacher, who taught me and mentored me and told me I was somebody. It was the spirit of my mother, and my mother's mother before her, queens in their own right, who seriously insisted that you just didn’t leave the house dressed any kind of way.

I think about that picture when I see young girls degrading themselves and living beneath what God has for them. I think about this picture, too, when I see African American girls looking at girls of other hues thinking they don’t measure up. I tell them, “Honey, you measure up. You are a queen fit for a king. You are a royal priesthood.”

And now that I am older, I am able to look back across the pages of time and see that it was the Holy Spirit at work in my life all along, as it was in this same year, 1974, when He saved me, called me into His glorious kingdom, and truly made me a queen, a co-heir with Jesus Christ. Now, that was my crowning moment indeed!

Do not miss your crowning moment!  It is a moment that will go down in history, and be written in the Lambs Book of Life.  If you are not saved, repent of your sins,  accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and be baptized.  He promises to forgive your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38). He will make you, a queen or a king, a royal priesthood, a co-heir in His marvelous Kingdom. 

If you are saved, we invite you to share your crowning moments with us, and help us lift up Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords during Black History Month. Post your comments here, or on the Jesus Saves Social Network. We are giving away books in weekly drawings all month by and about African Americans who have help make this country great. Also, we are showcasing Louisville-area authors who want to honor God, and so they have graciously donated their recently release works to our Celebrating Black History Book Give-Away. If you are not saved, but desire a relationship with Jesus Christ, we invite you to join our network and learn more about Him.

Celebrating Black History: Haste Has No Blessing

By: Rev. Angela Lee Price

(V1) “My child, listen to me and treasure my instruction. (V2) Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. ( V3) Cry out for insight and understanding.


(V4) Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. (V5) Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. (V6) For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.


(V7) He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.” (NLT)  Proverbs 2: 1-7

Our society has become conditioned to want things quick, fast, and in a hurry. We give a little and expect to receive a lot. However, an African proverb says,“Haste has no blessing.” Proverbs chapter 2 makes it clear that the“quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry” and the “give-a-little-receive-a lot” philosophies of life are not the ways of God.

Some things, such as gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding require considerable time, trust, prayer, and effort. In the opening verses of Proverbs chapter 2, we learn to “listen,” “treasure,” “tune,” “concentrate,” “cry out,” and “search,” for insight and understanding (vs. 1-4). We are to apply serious attention and devotion to the task. We are to give our all to knowing who God is. The Bible says when you do this, “then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. (V5)”

Are you giving more of yourself to the God who has given His all for you? Listen and treasure divine instruction. Tune your ears to wisdom. Concentrate on God’s Word. Cry out continually in prayer. Search the scriptures daily. The Lord grants knowledge, wisdom and understanding (V 6-7) to those who diligently search for it, and that is a treasure of good sense (V 7), a treasure worth seeking.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!
Join our Celebrating Black History discussions on the Jesus Saves Social Network, and automatically be included in weekly drawings to win books by and about African and African Americans who have lead in the struggle for freedom and equality to make this country great.  Also, we are showcasing the newly released works of Louisville-area authors.