Summer Tip - 10 Best Ways to Beat the Summer Heat

Here are 10 of our favourite ways to beat the heat this summer....

1. Turn off your Dishwasher Early - Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher. Open the door before it begins and let your dishes air dry. It can be just as quick and much more energy efficient.

2. Use Power Bars - Mod cons often heat up your home. Leaving the TV on can raise a room temperature by a couple of degrees. Electric appliances like TV’s and computers can emit heat even when not in use. money too! Plugged into a power bar, these devices can be switched off easily and with our Smartstrip surge protector, automatically - saving you money and keeping the temperature down.
3. Crash the Kiddie Pool - When it's hot, kiddie pools aren't just for kids. Fill a pool or tub with cold water and try to keep it in the shade. Dip your toes, legs - or more - in for an immediate cool down!

4. Eat Cool Treats - Cold and frozen foods offer immediate relief from the heat. Make your own frozen treats and you’ll not only avoid copious sugar and artificial ingredients but you’ll save money too! Invest in durable, BPA-free popsicle makers like our stackable molds from Italy. Check out this collection of close to 200 popsicle recipes. Alternatively, munch on frozen grapes - they're a healthy, tasty, cool treat too!

5. Keep Cool Air Inside - Open windows at night and close them in the morning to keep cool air in and the hot air out. Try to keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day. If you do open one, open a second to create a cross breeze. On especially hot days, hang a wet sheet in front of an open window to cool the air down.

6. Protect your Skin - Slather on the sunscreen when you venture outside. Look for one with zinc - it’s the only sunscreen ingredient that protects from the full spectrum of UV light, ie UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Zinc is found in natural sunscreens that are also free of potentially nasty chemicals. Top natural brands include Badger Sunscreen and made in Canada, Heiko Kids Sunscreen.

7. Cover Up - Keep a hat on and you’ll help prevent over heating and sunstroke. Look for a wide brim that points downwards to keep the sun off your face and neck. Tight woven, breathable SPF tested fabric is best. Our adjustable sun hats for kids tick all the boxes - and they grow with your child so they last for years.8. Wet a Bandana - If you're working outside, soak a bandana in cold water, wring it slightly and tie it around your head - even under your sun hat - to keep cool.

9. Stay Hydrated - Drink, drink, drink and drink some more. It's no secret that if you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, you’ll help stop the headaches, etc. that come with dehydration. Having the right water bottle helps. Does it fit in your car drink holder? Your bag? Is it too big? Too heavy? Do you want your water kept icy cold? Filtered? Glass vs. steel or BPA-free plastic? Do you like the colour? Shape? So many questions - good thing there’s loads of options like these reusable water bottles from top brands Camelbak, S'Well, Lifefactory Glass Bottles - all in Canada.

10. Reduce Blow Drying Time - Break the habit of using your blow dryer. Let your hair dry naturally or only blow dry it part way and let the rest dry naturally. Your bathroom won't heat up like an inferno, your head will stay cooler while your hair is drying and you'll also save money on electricity!

Song of the Day - Fantasia He's Done Enough

Our Daily Bread - The Good Life

Philosophers ponder, “What is the good life and who has it?” I instantly think of my good friend Roy.

Roy was a gentle, quiet man who sought no recognition, who left the care of his life to his heavenly Father, and who occupied himself solely with his Father’s will. His was a heavenly perspective. As he often reminded me: “We are but sojourners here.”

Roy passed away last fall. At his memorial service, friends reminisced over his influence on their lives. Many spoke of his kindness, selfless giving, humility, and gentle compassion. He was, for many, a visible expression of God’s unconditional love.

After the service, Roy’s son drove to the assisted-living facility where his father lived out his final days. He gathered up his dad’s belongings: two pairs of shoes, a few shirts and pants, and a few odds and ends—the sum of Roy’s earthly goods—and delivered them to a local charity. Roy never had what some would consider the good life, but he was rich toward God in good deeds.

George MacDonald wrote, “Which one is the possessor of heaven and earth: He who has a thousand houses, or he who, with no house to call his own, has ten at which his knock arouses instant jubilation?”
Roy’s was the good life after all.

Let us be Christ’s true disciplesLooking to another’s need;Making stony pathways smootherBy a gentle word or deed. —Thorson

No one can know the good life without God.

Song of the Day - Fantasia Total Praise Video

This song always comforts me - enjoy and Happy Friday...Be blessed!

Our Daily Bread - For the God I Love

A couple of years ago in our church we did a sermon series on the Old Testament tabernacle. Leading up to the message on the table of showbread, I did something I had never done before—I fasted from food for several days. I fasted because I wanted to experience the truth that “man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3). I wanted to deny myself something I love, food, for the God I love more. As I fasted, I followed Jesus’ teaching about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18.

Jesus gave a negative command: “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance” (v.16). Then He gave a positive command about putting oil on your head and washing your face (v.17). The two commands taken together meant that they should not draw attention to themselves. Jesus was teaching that this was a private act of sacrificial worship that should not provide any room for religious pride. Finally, He gave a promise: Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you (v.18).

Although fasting isn’t required, in giving up something we love, we may have a deeper experience of the God we love. He rewards us with Himself.

Lord, we desire to walk closely with You every day.Help us to seek You diligently that we mightknow You intimately and follow Youobediently. Amen.

Moving away from the table can bring us closer to the Father.

Obama Pressed on Faith Based Hiring

By Alexander Mooney, CNN

(CNN)–President Obama signaled Friday he has no intention of rescinding a controversial executive order that permits some faith-based organizations that receive federal funding to discriminate against non-believers in their hiring practices.

The president’s comments on the matter came during a town hall event in Maryland, when a questioner who identified herself as an atheist pressed Obama on statements he made as a candidate in 2008 suggesting he was against permitting discriminatory hiring among faith-based organizations backed by taxpayer dollars.

“It’s very straightforward that people shouldn’t be discriminated against for race, gender, sexual orientation, and – or religious affiliation,” Obama said Monday. “What has happened is, is that there has been a carve-out, dating back to President Clinton’s presidency, for religious organizations in their hiring for particular purposes.”

The executive order in question, issued by President Clinton and affirmed by President Bush in 2002, states that while religious organizations that receive federal funds cannot discriminate against beneficiaries of their programs, they “may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's mission statements and other chartering or governing documents.”

Song of the Day- Love Him Like I Do

Love on Him today and enjoy this Song. Be sure to leave a comment on any of our GPCC Daily Blog topics!

Come Support and Enjoy Free Live Recording

Attn: Greater Paradise Members have reserved seating until 8:15pm for the July 29th Live Recording of Minister Isaiah D. Thomas and EOP at Empowerment Temple. The recording is free admission for all and will begin at 7:30pm. Please come out and support our very own, Sis. Erica McCollough as she performs with Minister Thomas.

Should Black Student Sue her School to be the only Valedictorian?

Is this student being forced to share her status as valedictorian of her graduating class because she is African American? She believes the southern school is proposing this solution so that a Black valedictorian does not upset the community. If she has earned the higher grade point average, shouldn't she be solely awarded the honor regardless of race? Read the article below and tell us your thoughts.

Valedictorian sues school: Was she snubbed because of race?

A recent high school graduate from Arkansas is suing her school district, claiming it refused to recognize her as the school's sole valedictorian because she is black.

Kymberly Wimberly, 18, earned the highest grade point average in McGehee Secondary School's 2011 graduating class. She did so as a young mother, according to the complaint she submitted to the U.S. District Court for Arkansas' Eastern District. She was named the school's valedictorian and then later given co-valedictorian status with a white student who had lower grades, her complaint says.

Kymberly Wimberly

No legal response has been filed by lawyers for the school district or any other school or district representatives, according to court officials. Superintendent Thomas Gathen said he has yet to be served with any sort of court documents. Because of this, Gathen said he was unable to comment on several individual issues brought up in Wimberly's complaint.

"The issue that someone’s trying to paint is that this was a racially motivated," Gathen told CNN. "That wasn’t an issue with (the co-valedictorians). This is strictly an academic issue and a policy issue, not a racial issue."

Wimberly is seeking punitive damages of $75,000 and recognition as the sole valedictorian of her class. Wimberly's complaint also argues the McGehee school district, in southeastern Arkansas not too far from the Mississippi River, habitually withheld access to challenging classes from black students.

Wimberly said students were told at a schoolwide assembly that advance placement classes were very rigorous and that only those who really thought they would thrive with intense workloads should elect to take them. Then, individual students were taken aside and told that the classes really weren’t all that bad, she told CNN. The overwhelming majority of those students were white, she said, adding that she was the only black student in her AP literature class and one of two in calculus.

“Black students are meant to stay in regular course levels and mostly play sports,” Wimberly said. “That’s what were good at that that’s what we should stick to - that’s the mentality of McGehee.”

Wimberly said she had one teacher, for AP biology, who encouraged all students to take the class. Its racial makeup was half black, half white, and was more reflective of McGehee's student population, which is 46% black.

The case has been gaining increasing attention since Courthouse News Service reported on it Monday.

According to the complaint, Wimberly's mother, Molly Bratton, works as the McGehee district's media specialist. On May 10, Bratton learned from the school's counselor that her daughter had earned the top grade point average in her class. After sharing the exciting news with her daughter, she overheard someone in the school's copy room saying the accolade would cause "a big mess," according to the complaint.

Later that day, the complaint says, Bratton confirmed her daughter's status with Superintendent Gathen.

Then things began to unravel, according to Wimberly.

The next day, the school's principal, Darrell Thompson, told Bratton that he had decided to appoint another student, who was white, as a co-valedictorian. CNN was unable to reach Thompson for comment.

The complaint says Thompson attributed the decision to something in the student handbook, though the complaint says he did not list a specific policy.

In regards to recognition of a valedictorian, the McGehee handbook says that "students must be continuously enrolled at McGehee High School the last two semesters without transferring during this time to be considered in class ranking or eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian status."

The handbook says students will be given the same class rank only if their grades are the same, but in deciding class rank, students with lower GPAs who are taking more or harder classes will not be penalized. Gathen said the Wimberly's co-valedictorian had half a credit more than Wimberly and the difference in the students' GPAs was .03 or .05. Gathen said the outcome would have been the same were the situations reversed.

"I would have made the same decision," he said. "I was the one who made the ultimate decision."

Wimberly said she knew of students sharing the valedictorian position in the past, but only if their GPAs were the same, “down to the very last decimal point.”

When she found out that her daughter would have a co-valedictorian, Bratton called Gathen, who told her he had OK'd Thompson's decision, court documents state. The school's counselor had already sent out a news release to the local community about Wimberly's achievement, but the school then sent out an additional one about the co-valedictorian.

Bratton sought to bring up the issue at a school board meeting but was told by Gathen that it would have to wait for a meeting after the school's graduation ceremony because of an error in the form she filled out, according to the documents.

In addition to these details of the case, the complaint also claims that the district places more emphasis on challenging its white students than its black ones.

"African-American students were not encouraged to take Honors or Advanced Placement classes," the complaint says. "Caucasian students had to almost opt out (of advanced classes)."

Wimberly said she was lucky in that she had parents who would support her academic pursuits, even if many of her teachers would not.

“(Other students’) parents aren’t as active as mine,” Wimberly said. “Think about children who don’t have parents who are active in the school."

Easy Summer Recipe: Maryland Crab Cake

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound lump crab meat (picked clean of shells)
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tablespoon sweet onion (very finely minced)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• a pinch of black pepper
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 2 slices white bread (crusts removed, ripped up)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
• canola oil, if frying

Preparation

In a large bowl mix milk and bread together with a fork until it becomes like a paste. Add all ingredients (except cooking oil)and mix well. Form into six patties. (If it doesn't hold together well add a little more mayo.)

Pour oil in a cast iron skillet until it is about 1/4 inch deep. Heat on medium high heat for about 5 minutees. Gently add patties and fry on each side 2-3 minutes until nicely browned. Drain on paper towel.

To broil, refrigerate patties for at least one hour, then place on a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches from broiler. Broil approximately 5 minutes on each side.

Makes 6 crab cakes

Song of the Day To Da River (Music Video from The Fighting Temptations Movie)

Enjoy this Song of the Day, taken from the Motion picture The Fighting Temptations. Be sure to leave a comment on any one of our Daily Blog Topics. Be Blessed today!

Sould We Remove the Cross on the New World Trade Center to Appease Atheists?

So the Issue of Church and State arise again. Members of the American Atheists have filed a lawsuit to remove the cross at the World Trade Center Memorial. Read the article below that was posted on CBNnews.com, and be sure to leave a comment. Should we remove the Cross just to satisfy the Atheists? Is this an issue of combining church and state?

Atheist Group Wants WTC Cross Removed

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

An atheist group has filed a lawsuit to remove the iconic World Trade Center Cross from New York's National September 11th Memorial and Museum.

Members of American Atheists say the cross is an unconstitutional "mingling of church and state," and if it's included in the museum other beliefs should be displayed as well.

"As a public accommodation, the memorial must allow us (and all other religious philosophies) to include our own display of equal size inside the museum, or not include the cross," American Atheists president Dave Silverman said in a statement.

"Equality is an all-or-nothing deal," he added.

Tuesday, the American Center for Law and Justice called the federal lawsuit "deeply flawed and without merit."

"This is another pathetic attempt to rewrite the Constitution and rewrite history by removing a symbol that has deep meaning and serves as a powerful remembrance to that fateful attack nearly ten years ago," said ACLJ chief counsel Jay Sekulow.

The 20-foot, perfectly formed cross was found in the Ground Zero rubble by a construction worker shortly after the 9/11 attacks.

It was officially blessed and placed inside the memorial museum Saturday.

Many New Yorkers say the cross was a beacon of hope for the city and the nation following the tragedy.

"[The cross] is an important part of our commitment to bring back the authentic physical reminders that tell the history of 9/11 in a way nothing else could," 9/11 Memorial president Joe Daniels said.

Last month, American Atheists also demanded that a street sign honoring seven firefighters killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks be removed.

The sign read, "Seven in Heaven Way."

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/July/Atheists-Want-WTC-Cross-Removed/

How Dora The Explorer Helped This Mom To Explain The Devil

Written by Sheeri Mitchell on elev8.com


When my four-year-old asked me about defeating the devil, I was at a loss for words – almost.
 





Luke 12: 11-12  (New International Version)
“‘When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’”

One of my favorite times of the morning is the drive to school with my daughters. After we pray together, we listen to upbeat gospel music and sing our hearts out to God. My favorite artist to play for my children (and myself) is Fred Hammond, because his lyrics are almost always directly lifted right out of scripture. No matter what kind of start the morning has had, singing praise and worship together makes it even better. By the time the girls get to school, whatever problems they have had with each other or with Mommy have been washed away in a torrent of praise.

One morning as we were singing “Let The Praise Begin,” my youngest, who is four years old, stopped us all cold with a question. Over the din of music and voices raised in enthusiastic song, Kit shouted, “How do you utterly destroy the enemy’s chains when the praises ring?” If you are familiar with the song, you may understand the built in reference. For those of you who may be less familiar, in this particular song Fred Hammond proclaims the power of praise. The line to which my daughter was referring, the line of the song we had just sung, reads, “For the chains that come from the enemy are utterly destroyed when the praises ring. Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus. He’s exalted forever. Let the praise begin.”

In an instant I found myself with minutes to go before pulling into the school parking lot, charged with explaining to a four-year-old the potentially complex concept of spiritual warfare. All of my biblical teaching on the identity of the devil, the effectiveness of praise, the battlefield of the mind, went right out the window. I drew a total blank.

I do not believe in postponing answers to honest questions, especially those posed by children. When people ask questions of a spiritual nature, I have come to recognize that the Holy Spirit is at work. I never want to miss an opportunity to share God’s truth. Spiritual warfare, however, can be a frightening concept – especially if improperly explained. As I struggled to come up with something truthful, but not so scary as to frighten my daughter, it came to me. Rather, the Holy Spirit gave the words to me.

Kit is a huge fan of “Dora The Explorer” and is familiar with all of the show’s characters. For those of you who don’t watch the show as regularly as I do, Dora is the protagonist of every episode. Her sidekick and best friend is a talking monkey, named Boots. Every episode begins with Dora and Boots undertaking a quest, which requires the aid of a map and items Dora may have in her backpack, or that she and Boots must find on the way. Swiper, the fox, is the antagonist, who perpetually tails Dora and Boots, attempting to retard their progress by stealing the very items they need in order to complete their quest successfully.

Fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, I said to my daughter, “You know how Swiper is always trying to steal stuff from Dora and Boots?” She nodded that she did. “Well,” I continued, “the devil is just like Swiper. He’s always trying to steal from us the good stuff God wants us to have. When Dora and Boots want to stop Swiper they stand up and shout at him ‘Swiper! No swiping! Swiper! No swiping! Swiper! No swiping!’ right?” Again she nodded, this time even more enthusiastically.

I went on to explain to her that when we sing praises to God, it’s like telling the devil “Swiper! No swiping!,” and that the devil responds the same way Swiper does, by saying “Aw! Man!” and running away.
She responded with a big “Ooooh!” and a smile, then promptly asked me to turn the music back on so she could resume singing. It seemed to me that she had understood. Whew! Theological crisis averted. I love God. I know that my children’s spiritual instruction is even more important to him than it is to me. That morning’s question caught me off guard, but not him. His promise in the scripture above not only applies to our standing before a body of ruling authorities, having to give an account of our faith, but it applies to any situation where people desire an explanation of what we believe.

That morning, the Holy Spirit gave me the exact right words I needed to reach Kit Mitchell with his message on the significance of praise. His explanation was simple, truthful, and age-appropriate. I’m sure that this won’t be the last time my daughter asks about deep, spiritual matters. I am confident that God will continue to give me the right words in whichever situation I find myself with her or with anyone else. I am grateful to know that I don’t need to know all the answers. I just need to know him.

I also know that he will do the same for you as you have need!
Be blessed Family!

What The Debt Ceiling Means To You In Plain English

Written by Oretha Winston on elev8.com

 

Debt is a word I’m sure most Americans are well aware of. Whether it’s personal debt or the country’s national debt, it’s something that can’t be avoided. America’s debt is rising so fast that we are currently looking at our debt ceiling cracking. While there is no actual ceiling, these cracks are very real and a danger to the stability of our nation.



The debt ceiling is a cap on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow set by Congress. Imagine if you stopped paying your credit cards bills or your car payments; you would ruin your credit rating and your car would be repossessed. The same thing happens with countries that default on their debt. Put simply, if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling then China, Japan, OPEC, and others will stop giving us low-interest loans. Foreigners will pull money out of the U.S. and the dollar will drop. In the end, this means that our cost of living will rise substantially.


The debt ceiling was first set in 1917 at $11.5 billion. It has been raised 74 times since March 1962 and is currently set at $14.294 trillion. As of May 6, the debt totaled $14.271 trillion; only $23 billion away from hitting the cap. There has been a lot of debate on how we can make sure we don’t reach the debt ceiling and we don’t default on our loans.
It is important to note that Congress has never voted against increasing the limit on the debt ceiling and they will most likely do this again. However, the issues at stake go beyond just raising the ceiling and include reforming the budget and cutting spending.

Here is what The GOP says:
For the 2012 fiscal year would eventually cut federal deficits by about $4.4 trillion over the next decade. They would do this by making major changes to Medicare and Medicaid in which the government wouldn’t directly pay senior citizens’ bills. Instead, recipients would choose a plan from a list of private providers, which the federal government would subsidize. Medicaid, which provides health care for the disabled and the poor, would be transformed into a series of block grants to the states.

Here is what President Obama says:
Cut $4 trillion over the next decade without considerably changing any of the major entitlements, including Medicare and Medicaid. Among other things, he has also called for the creation of a “debt fail-safe” trigger that would impose automatic across-the-board spending cuts and tax changes in coming years if annual deficits are on track to exceed 2.8% of the nation’s gross domestic product. The President  also wants to repeal the Bush-era tax cuts on families making more than $250,000, which is strongly opposed by Republicans.

Hope this makes it a little clearer.

Daily Bread: Joy in the Morning

By Dennis Fisher

Angie could not see through the fogged-up windows in her car. Inadvertently, she pulled out in front of a truck. The accident caused such damage to her brain that she could no longer speak or take care of herself.
Over the years, I have been amazed at the resiliency of Angie’s parents. Recently I asked them, “How have you managed to get through this experience?” Her father thoughtfully responded, “In all honesty, the only way we have been able to do this is by drawing close to God. He gives us the strength we need to help us through.”

Angie’s mother agreed and added that around the time of the accident their grieving was so deep that they wondered if they would ever have joy again. As they both leaned upon God, they experienced countless unexpected provisions for the physical and spiritual care of Angie and their entire family. Although Angie may never regain her ability to speak, she now responds to them with wide smiles and this gives them joy. Her parents’ favorite verse continues to be: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).

Have you experienced extreme sorrow? There is the promise of future joy amid your tears as you lean upon our loving Lord.

New mercies every morning,
Grace for every day,
New hope for every trial,
And courage all the way. —McVeigh

Leave your sorrows with Jesus, the “Man of Sorrows.”

Daily Bible Verse

“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:60 NIV

“Sunday’s Best” Second Group Performances [RECAP]

Post by CoCo Brother in Inspirational on praisedc.com
Sunday’ s Best opened with Smokie Norful opened the show and  a toe tapping and hand clapping tune. Kirk Franklin kicked right into hosting duties introducing the last 10 contestants.


Last week’s show gave us talents by the tons. The second half of the roster was able to show their best . It was a show filled ups and downs. The judges gave everyone a fair shot . There were nicknames created. Mama Sue was born. Donnie McClurkin was in church.


Isaiah Freeman, IV, 28
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Audition City: Atlanta, Georgia
Isaiah Freeman, IV has big shoes to fill because his father is a church bishop, entrepreneur, educator, and an accomplished musician and singer.  Not daunted by the task, Freeman has followed in his father’s footsteps in many ways by attending Central State University, serving as a praise and worship leader and by becoming a successful songwriter.  His signature baritone voice has opened many doors for him, including performances with the Cleveland Orchestra and Dayton Philharmonic, as well as performances throughout the United States and abroad.  Freeman believes that the next “Sunday Best” winner will be a guy filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is for this reason that Freeman auditioned for the show multiple times before.  He is engaged and plans to be married in the spring of 2012.
Song: My Life Is I Your Hands
What the Judges Said:
Donnie McClurkin: You brought it brother.
Erica: It had a Fred Hammond quality
Tina: You showed great quality

Annalisha Robbins, 21
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Audition City:  Los Angeles, California
Annalisha Robbins traveled over 2,000 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, proving that Alaska has more to offer to the world than Sarah Palin.  Robbins’ church family made sure that the world would hear Robbins’ voice as they came together to pay for her travel expenses.  Robbins’ young star has been rising for quite some time, having opened up for Mary Mary when she was just 11 years old.
Song: It’s The Lord’s
What the Judges Said:
Donnie McClurkin: You need to be confident.
Erica: You have to be confident in your anointing.
Tina: I don’t feel like I got the best.



Roosevelt Griffin, 24
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Audition City: Atlanta, Georgia
Roosevelt Griffin hopes that this is truly his season.  Griffin auditioned twice before only to be turned away.  But, that didn’t stop this preacher’s kid from trying again, during which time the judges could not deny him this season.  Griffin has been singing since the tender age of 5, when he started out singing in a group with his family known as the Taylor Family.  It wasn’t long before Roosevelt stepped out into the spotlight as one of the leaders of the group.  Growing up in a home with his mother and siblings, Griffin was very active in church and ultimately became the Minister of Music at the age of 15.  Griffin continues to be active at his church home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Song: You Are
What the Judges Said:
Donnie McClurkin: You gave it the best you had.
Erica: I don’t think you told the story well.
Tina: It was little overwhelming. I felt you threw the climax.

Sue Roseberry, 55
Hometown: Midland, Texas
Audition City: Atlanta, Georgia
A local legend in Texas, Sue Roseberry is a natural born singer and storyteller.  This grandmother of 15 has toured all over the South blessing audiences with her soulful and traditional style of gospel. She considers herself a storyteller and loves regaling the other contestants with stories of her singing the gospel.  A graduate of the College of Santa Fe, Roseberry has a B.F.A. degree in performing arts.  She is employed as a Land Analyst by Energen Resources Corporation and still finds time for her creative pursuits, which includes singing and professional storytelling.
Song: The Lord Will Make The Way Somehow
What the Judges Said:
Donnie McClurkin: This is what happens. You have the favor of God
Erica: I can’t wait to see what you gonna do in the rest of the show.
Tina: Good God Thy Mighty

Eric Drew, 27
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Audition City: Los Angeles, California
Representing for the new school of gospel singers, this laidback singer has a style much like his native Los Angeles.  But, when it comes to his passion for teaching young people, he becomes extremely animated.  As a young schoolteacher in Los Angeles, Drew spends most of his time in the classroom.

Song: The Presence Of The Lord Is Here
Donnie McClurkin: You must always be in control
Erica: It was ok.
Tina: You need control.

Felecia Russell, 41
Hometown:  Dallas, Texas
Audition City:  Dallas, Texas
Nerves almost got the best of Felecia Russell.  While at the Dallas auditions, she nearly left the auditions twice, but her two sons urged her to stay.  It’s a good thing that she listened to her sons because her audition was a hit among the “Sunday Best” judges.  This single mother is determined to make the best of being on “Sunday Best”.
Song: The Presence Of The Lord Is Here
Donnie McClurkin: The fear and terror on your face bothers me.
Erica: That wasn’t your best.
Tina: I believe that you believe, but I don’t think you believe in yourself.

Quentin Bethea, 22
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Audition City: Dallas, Texas
It has been said that one person’s trash can be another’s treasure.  No truer words have been spoken as it relates to Quentin Bethea.  At 8 years old, Bethea found his treasure when he stumbled upon an old piano meant for the city dump.  Bethea pulled the old piano into his garage and began to hammer away until the notes became melodies, the melodies became harmonies, the mixture became chords, and eventually the chords became songs.  Since then, Bethea has been afforded such opportunities as performing live with the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble. He earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music, but had to drop out to support his family.  He now serves as the Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Restoring Place Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Song: Blessed Assurance
Donnie McClurkin: I didn’t feel there was a spiritual connection.
Erica: You got to find a way to be not nervous.
Tina: I think you were a whole key under.

Timesha Sampson, 29

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Audition City: Atlanta, Georgia
Timesha Sampson hit the road from Memphis, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia with only $35 in her pocket.  This didn’t bother this pint-sized singer one bit because she had faith that her journey to the “Sunday Best” audition would not be in vain.  Her faith comes from having watched her uncle, who was nearly killed in a car accident, relearn how to do everything from walking to talking.  Sampson’s soft speaking voice is anything but when she opens her mouth to sing.
Song: There Is No Way
Donnie McClurkin: You lost control. It lost me
Erica: I love the energy but it felt all over the way.
Tina: I liked you. I believed you.

Brian Ezra Bates, 40
Hometown:  Huntsville, Alabama
Audition City:  Atlanta, Georgia
Personifying the saying “walk lightly, but carry a big stick,” this Alabama born firefighter has a quiet, yet strong presence.  When he is not putting out fires in Huntsville, Alabama, he is burning up the stage with his fiery vocals.  Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Bates’ earliest childhood memories encompass music.  Music spoke to his heart for years through a broken home, multiple adversities and many failures.  Recently, at his grandfather’s funeral, Bates promised that he would do something with his voice.  He fulfilled that promise by not only auditioning for “Sunday Best”, but in securing a spot as a Top 20 finalist.

Song: When We All Get To Heaven
Donnie McClurkin: I’m not sure where you are going.
Erica: It came off as if you were trying to pull us in.
Tina: Calm down a little.

Monica Smith, 31
Hometown:  Greensboro, Alabama
Audition City: Atlanta, Georgia
She might be shy and soft-spoken, but Monica Smith sings with a big voice. Nicknamed the “baby Shirley Caesar,” the married mother has a down home and soulful style of singing that can be likened to the sound of the great gospel legend.  Smith’s inspiration comes from a long history of being raised by a traveling caravan of gospel singers. Her aunt and mother traveled with her to the Atlanta audition. She hopes being selected as a “Sunday Best” top 20 contestant will help her break out of her shell.
Song: I Rather Have Jesus
Donnie McClurkin: You are a singer.
Erica: I love the gospel preachy that you do.
Tina:  Yea baby. I believe in you.

The final 9 are: Andrea Helms, 37, Amber Bullock, 26,Michael Pugh, 35, Isaiah Freeman, IV, 28, Michael Washington, 30, Sue Roseberry, 55,Monica Smith, 31
Felecia Russell, 41, Carlington Roberts, 34
 
The following 3 will compete next week for the final 10th spot:
LaTrice Smith, 35, Shanandolan Reynolds, 22 and Timesha Sampson, 29

Death Row Inmates Want Pastoral Care

By Christine A. Scheller July 13, 2011 on UrbanFaith.com

 

Where should justice and mercy meet when it comes to the lives of prisoners who are facing the death penalty?

 

Should death row inmates have access to one-on-one pastoral visits? This the question a Kentucky judge is being asked to decide in a class action suit filed by death row inmates against the state prison system. The prisoners claim that pastors have been “illegally and arbitrarily restricted from visiting them” since early summer 2010, the Associated Press reported yesterday.

A couple states down in Alabama, a judge overturned the life sentence imposed by a jury in the murder trial of 26-year-old African American Iraq war veteran Courtney Lockhart, and instead sentenced him to death, even though the defense argued that Lockhart, like 12 other members of his platoon who have been arrested for murder or attempted murder, had suffered psychological damage during his 16-month combat tour in Iraq, the Huffington Post reported yesterday.

In his decision, Judge Jacob Walker wrote that Lockhart deserved death based on evidence of other crimes not presented by prosecutors during his trial, the article said, noting a troubling trend in the state.

Since 1976, when the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty after a four-year ban, Alabama judges have held the power to overturn the sentencing recommendations of juries in capital cases. Since then, state judges have overturned 107 jury decisions in capital cases, and in 92 percent of those cases, jury recommendations of life imprisonment were rejected in favor of death sentences, according to a new report by the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit law firm based in Montgomery.

Meanwhile, Rais Bhuiyan, a victim of post 9/11 racism, is arguing for the life of his would-be killer. While working at a Dallas, Texas, gas station in 2001, Bhuiyan was shot in the face at close range by Mark Ströman. The assault left Bhuiyan blind in one eye and in need of extensive plastic surgery. Ströman had murdered a Pakistani immigrant five days earlier and would go on to kill an Indian immigrant a few weeks later. Each of Ströman’s victims worked at Dallas-area convenience stores. Ströman, who claims he was avenging the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is scheduled to be executed July 20.

According to the Death Penalty News website, Bhuiyan found peace during his long and painful recovery by relying on his Muslim faith, which also led him to forgive Ströman. “I decided that his is a human life, like anyone else’s,” Bhuiyan said. “I decided I wanted to do something about this.”

Zechariah 7:9 instructs us to “administer true justice” and “show mercy and compassion to one another.”
What do you think?

• Should death row inmates have access to one-on-one pastoral care?
• Should they have the right to sue for it?
• Is it just for a judge to overturn a jury verdict in favor of death, especially in light of evidence that the murderer was mentally damaged in service to his country?
• Does a murderer’s humanity require that society show him the mercy he failed to show his victims?
• Where do justice and mercy meet when it comes to the death penalty? What do you think?

Daily Bread

Stay Close

July 24, 2011 — by Anne Cetas

My friend and I were traveling together, and she seemed a bit frazzled. When we got to the airport, she forgot to have her identification readily available and couldn’t find her reservation confirmation number. The ticket agent waited patiently, smiled, and then helped her at the “self” check-in. After receiving her ticket, she asked, “Where do we go next?” The agent smiled again, pointed at me, and said to her, “Stay close to your friend.”

That can be good advice for all of us when our lives get frazzled—stay close to your friends. Although Jesus is our best friend, we also need relationships with fellow believers to help us survive in this life.

In his first epistle, Peter was writing to believers who needed one another because they were suffering for their faith. In a few short sentences in chapter 4, Peter mentioned the need to receive and give “fervent love,” prayer, and hospitality (vv.7-9). He also included the need for believers to use their spiritual gifts to minister to one another (v.10). In other passages, we’re encouraged to comfort each other with the comfort we’ve been given by God (2 Cor. 1:3-4) and to build each other up in love (1 Thess. 5:11).

When life gets difficult and we get frazzled, staying close to our Christian friends will help us to get through.

Song of the Day by Men Of Standard- Victory's Coming

Enjoy this Song of the Day. Be blessed today!

Song of the Day: "Avaylable" by Mali Music Acoustic

Enjoy the Song of the Day by Mali Music. Be sure to leave a comment on any of today's topics. Be Blessed Today!

50 Fun Things To Do This Summer

50 Fun Things To Do This Summer!
By Jillian Bietz

During the summer it is so easy to say, "I have nothing to do!" No more excuses-here is a list of 50 things to do the next time you are bored!

1. Gather up a few friends, and have a picnic in your back .
2. Go on a walk and take pictures of trees, flowers, dogs, etc.
3. Buy some fashion magazines, pick out a couple of really cute outfits, and try to recreate them for less!
4. Bead some bracelets and sell them for charity.
5. Volunteer at the local animal or homeless shelter.
6. Clean your room!
7. Bake some cupcakes and deliver them to friends and family.
8. Play some childhood games like "Sorry", "Candyland", or "Pretty Pretty Princess".
9. Take your dog for a walk.
10. E-mail a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile.
11. Do 25 jumping jacks!
12. Look through old family scrapbooks, photo books, and yearbooks.
13. Make a root beer float.
14. Go to the movies with your siblings.
15. Go window-shopping with a friend.
16. Write a poem.
17. Make fresh, homemade fruit juice.
18. Give your dog a bath.
19. Make dinner for your family.
20. Baby-sit for a neighbor. 21. Have a sleepover party and watch scary movies.
22. Plan a vacation you want to take next summer.
23. Plant flowers in your yard.
24. Sign up for a class.
25. Have a bubble bath.
26. Make a mixed CD of your favorite songs and title it "The soundtrack of my life".
27. Order a pizza.
28. Splash around in a plastic kiddy pool.
29. Buy some crayons and a coloring book.
30. Read a book based on a movie you have seen.
31. Make a scrapbook of your baby pictures.
32. Get a job or an internship.
33. Start a diary and write in it everyday.
34. Spend the day at the library.
35. Draw a self-portrait.
36. Make a collage out of old magazines.
37. Run around in the sprinklers.
38. Go to a museum.
39. Go out for lunch with one of your parents.
40. Jump in the pool with your clothes on.
41. Eat last night's leftovers for breakfast.
42. Learn to sew or knit.
43. Invite friends over and have a tea party.
44. Swing on the swings at the park.
45. Tie-Dye a t-shirt or bed sheets with Kool-Aid!
46. Make a smoothie.
47. Learn how to define and spell 5 new words from the dictionary.
48. Make popsicles in your freezer.
49. Put on the radio and dance.
50. Go camping in your backyard!