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!