What Would Jesus Listen To?

Posted by elev8.com

What song do you think is missing from the playlist?  Why?

For years, people have been running around with bracelets that say: “What would Jesus Do?”

When you think of Jesus Christ, do you think of him as  “the weak, wishy washy, touchy feely Saviour” as he is often portrayed in the media? The Bible reveals the real Jesus—and He is quite different from what many imagine!  Not only was Jesus’ message vastly different from what is commonly supposed; neither did He look anything at all like the traditional portraits in movie portrayals we see!

He was thoroughly masculine, commanding the respect and loyalty of young followers who were both successful and hard-working. On the one hand, He was prepared to walk boldly into the courtyard of the Temple with a plaited whip, drive the animals out and overthrow the tables of the moneychangers. On the other hand, He was moved with compassion for the sick and afflicted. Jesus surprised some of the pushy, aggressive young men who were His closest followers by taking time to hold infants in His arms and invoke God’s blessing on them (Luke 18:15–16).

Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” But beware; appearances can be deceiving. This famous saying of Jesus isn’t telling us not to judge. Here’s the rest of the passage:

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

The problem isn’t judging; it’s failing to judge oneself by the same standard. Jesus calls us to examine ourselves and repent of our own sin before we approach someone who is in error or in sin. He tells us to take the speck out of our brother’s eye – in effect, to judge them after critically judging ourselves. In judging, rebuking, or confronting we must avoid being a wimp, a jerk, or a coward. Wimps sit quietly in the pews, shaking their heads and hoping sin and false teaching will go away by itself. They allow these to destroy lives, families, and churches without lifting a finger. Wimps are strong on love, but weak on justice. Jerks know they’re right and they’re proud of it. They don’t distinguish between real problems and minor disagreements and enjoy pointing out everyone else’s errors and moral failings. These folks are strong on justice, but weak on love. Cowards, unlike wimps, are willing to judge sin and false teaching but, unlike jerks, are unwilling to confront those at fault. They lack the courage to confront the problematic person or group and instead spread dissension and mistrust under the radar. The tragedy of the coward is they end up being just as poisonous as the very thing they oppose. He casts out teachers who prophesy falsely in His name yet gives mercy to the repentant tax collector. This is the way of Jesus. He is suffering servant and glorious king. He was not a wimp who just accepted everything, a jerk who looked down on others, or a coward who was afraid to confront.

Tim Tebow & Matters of Faith

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
-- Psalm 37:4

Believe. Have faith. Trust.

I've heard those words a lot lately, and not just in church or at Bible study. Now, they're as much a part of the discourse of sports as "cover 2," "helmet-to-helmet" and "boo-yah!"

Thanks, Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow's record as a starter has been an illumination to those who predicted he could not succeed in the NFL. As a sports journalist and a Christian, I can appreciate the dual meaning of three phrases that are at the core of the bona fide cultural phenomenon that the Denver Broncos' second-year quarterback has become.

In a season that should be dominated by the excellence of the Green Bay Packers and their quest for perfection, Tebow has snatched the spotlight and become a lightning rod for opinions -- about his skills, and even more, about his faith.

The latter has been largely spurred by his PDFs (public displays of faith), especially the Tebow Bow, in which he drops to one knee in prayer following a touchdown. Of course, now everyone knows it as Tebowing.

By whatever name, it has inspired a full chorus of hallelujahs, hand-wringing and even hatred and ridicule.

From the onset of training camp, when he was the Broncos' fourth-string quarterback, Tebow was almost universally derided by NFL purists (snobs?) who labeled the run-first signal-caller as unfit to play the position. After he finally forced his way past the competitors on the roster, some called him the worst starting quarterback in NFL history.

And yet, Tebow has engineered one of the most extraordinary runs I've ever witnessed. He has guided the once-lame Broncos to seven wins in eight starts, and executed so many dramatic, unlikely late-game finishes that by now even your grandmother pretty much describes the fourth quarter of Broncos games as "Tebow Time." (Has Pat Riley trademarked that phrase yet?)

Before Tebow took over, the Broncos were 1-4 and threatening to join the Andrew Luck Derby. Now they're 8-5, leaders of the AFC West, all but a Stone Cold Lead Pipe Lock to make the playoffs, and must-see television.

Much of the discussion of the Broncos' transformation credits how Tebow has inspired his teammates to pull together for one another and achieve beyond their physical gifts.

In other words, they now believe in each other, have faith in each other, and trust each other -- and are simply playing better because of it.

Christianity teaches us to believe and have faith in God, and to trust that He will not only provide for our needs but also bless us in ways our minds cannot fathom.

And He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Tebow has essentially embodied these tenets, steadfastly, even in the midst of public scorn and mockery.

Sunday, just after Broncos kicker Matt Prater converted a 51-yard field goal in overtime to defeat the Chicago Bears 13-10 and complete yet another Tebow Time comeback, the quarterback pointed toward the sky from the sideline and said with a smile, "Thank you, Lord" before hugging teammates and coaches.

Moments later he began his postgame interview as he always does, by thanking "my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." And he ended it just as he always does, as well, telling the reporter: "God Bless."

Clearly, Tebow's public testimonies make many people uncomfortable and some have lashed out.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer recently expressed admiration for Tebow's success but also disdain for Tebow's PDFs. "Regardless of whether I wish he'd just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates, I think he a winner," Plummer said. "I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I'll like him a little better."

In two widely seen displays of immaturity and disrespect during Detroit's 45-10 rout over Tebow and the Broncos in Week 8, Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch and tight end Tony Scheffler made light of Tebowing. In the first half, Tulloch struck the pose after sacking Tebow, and Scheffler mimicked it after catching a touchdown pass.

Just as he has done throughout the storm of criticism, Tebow did not stoop to their level, saying only that he didn't even see either player and that their actions do not bother him.

The Herd with Colin Cowherd
NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner talks about the discussion about Broncos QB Tim Tebow's faith, Tebow's leadership and more.

Well, I was incensed, though not at all surprised.

Despite the fact that America is widely considered a "Christian" nation that believes in religious freedom and respect for all faiths, attacks on and mockery of religions are as old as the Constitution codifying their protection. But to see it done on such a stage, and in such a fashion, was an embarrassment to Tulloch and Scheffler, the Lions and the league.

Other players were annoyed as well, especially other Christian players.

Larry Fitzgerald, the gifted Arizona Cardinals wide receiver, is one of about 35 teammates who participate in Bible study each week. "It was sad to see," he told me this week. "It was a bit disrespectful. [Tebowing] is a quiet tribute to the Lord and should not be mocked."

Fitzgerald is open about his own faith, though he is not as demonstrative as Tebow. That said, he has no dispute with the quarterback's PDFs.

"From the first time I heard about him at Florida, I never had a problem with him," Fitzgerald said. "I don't wear [my Christianity] on my sleeve but I don't have a problem with anyone who does. I respect him for his boldness and his ability to do that."

Christianity also implores its adherents to "walk" in a way that pleases God so that others may see Him in us.

Tebow's success has indeed transformed many into believers -- if not to his faith, then at least to his abilities as a quarterback. Once "the worst there ever was," he has become the "Mile-High Messiah."

Larry Fitzgerald may not be as demonstrative as Tim Tebow, but he doesn't hide his faith.

ESPN colleague Merril Hoge, who had long been extremely critical of Tebow's skills, said this week on "Mike & Mike in the Morning" that he had finally come around to believing Tebow was indeed a bona fide, if not unique, quarterback. "I've been wrong on a lot of levels with him," he said during the show. "I've lost the ability, or the opportunity, I should say ... to shed light on what an amazing story -- how he has worked, persevered, changed, his diligence, all those things that you try to teach young people [that] sports are really about. Now I'm a huge fan. [He is showing] what you can do with what you've been given."

Later that same morning, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who had derided Tebow for weeks, was now, in his own words, "officially humbled."

"Something about this kid makes special things happen," he conceded. "He got it done [against the Bears] like an NFL quarterback. I sit before you here today a very humble man. I am officially humbled. It's as if he's been touched by a force that says bad things happen to those who go against him. ... The boy has clearly been touched."

Many of us have felt that all along.

"I'm happy for him," Fitzgerald said. "He's had success doing it the right way. He's setting a good example for kids by demonstrating that whatever your religion, if you believe strongly in it, live your life the way you want to live it, don't let society dictate how you live your faith."

Make no mistake: There are still Tebow naysayers, including those who want to "stop the madness" (the newest phrase to crop up when the discussion centers on Tebow). Charles Barkley used it last week during a radio show when he implored the Bears to defeat the Broncos. This week, according to NFL analyst Keyshawn Johnson, "some teams" have called players on the New England Patriots, the Broncos' opponents Sunday, and invoked the phrase as well.

I'm not sure what "madness" they're referring to -- other than working hard to improve, being a leader, winning football games and being a man of faith.

Even should the Patriots, or any team, defeat the Broncos, it won't stop the "madness," if you're referring to the people -- Christians or not -- who are proud of and inspired by Tebow's belief, faith and trust in himself, his teammates, and his God.

Heavy D’s Final Words: “Be Inspired!”

A successful rapper, actor and businessman, what set Heavy D apart was his perpetual light

BE INSPIRED!

There was no way for Heavy D to know that his last words to the world would be such a succinct and sparkling tweet. But even if he had, this entertainer—who used his gift for stringing words into rap to create some of hip-hop’s most beloved classics—could have left us with nothing better.

Like everyone, I was shocked to hear of the 44-year-old rapper/actor’s death from presumed respiratory failure on November 8. I came of age as hip-hop came on the scene and, while I’m no rap aficionado by any stretch, I loved Heavy D.

We had a few things in common: West Indian heritage and geographic proximity, for starters. I came up in the Bronx, a few miles south of his hometown, Mt. Vernon, NY. So I had a sense of growing up in roughly the same time and place as Heavy (né Dwight Arrington Meyers). We also shared a love of music and of words. We had a respect for how both could help shape and reshape the world; how they could heal, uplift and, without question, inspire.

As hip-hop became increasingly associated with darker forces—ignorance, self-hate, drugs, violence, misogyny—Heavy kept it mostly light, but he somehow managed to keep it real at the same time. He found ways to acknowledge the complexities of life in his music, and to address the harsh conditions in our communities, our homes, and our souls, while still celebrating the good, the promising, and the joy. He managed to call it like he saw it without condemning or demeaning others. When he encouraged fans to “say ho” it was a shout-out to raise the roof, not defile women. When he rapped about losing siblings or friends tragically and too soon, he never let his pain overrun his positivity; he never let his anger crush his charm.

At a time when a lot of his hip-hop peers became invested in posturing, pimping, and perpetrating, the “overweight lover” really did exude love—for himself, his community, his family, his fans, and his art. In a business often criticized for engendering narcissism and divisiveness, Heavy stepped out of the box to explore acting to collaborate with a diverse (and enviable) group that included Michael Jackson, the Notorious B.I.G. and blues great B.B. King. He also spotted and promoted new talent.

A brokenhearted Sean “Diddy” Combs tweeted, “Heavy D gave me my 1st chance in the music industry. He got me my internship at Uptown [Records]. He believed when no one else did.”
When Heavy appeared on the BET Hip Hop Awards a few weeks ago—his first live rap performance in more than a decade—the audience was a mirror for what he gave: They were up on their feet, dancing, every face smiling, every mouth rapping along with him, especially when he diddly-diddly-diddly-deed. Everybody was having a party, feeling nothing but good.

In the last few months, Heavy seemed poised for a comeback. In addition to performing again, he released an album, Love Opus, and he appears in the recent Eddie Murphy film, Tower Heist. But it’s that last tweet of his that has had the most reach so far. Heavy wrote tens of thousands of words in his short life, many of which we’ll all be dancing to and singing with for a long time, but in just two final words he managed to capture the simple power of his positive legacy.

So let’s answer the call and Be Inspired, by his art, his attitude, his authenticity, remembering that what truly set Heavy apart was his perpetual light.

Any fan of hip-hop would appreciate the new coffee table book, Hip Hop, A Cultural Odyssey. To purchase your copy of Hip Hop, A Cultural Odyssey click here and every 10 books sold will result in a copy being donated to a HBCU library.

Mary Mary Kick Off Do Something Big Contest Rules

Encouraging Words for Tough Times

Posted by Faith Forum on elev8.com

My child, don’t give up.  When you feel as if you’ve run the last lap, stop a while and catch your breath.  Come rest in My arms.  You will have those days when body, spirit and emotions cry, “Enough!”  When that happens, turn to Me and wait.  In due time, I will give you new strength.  You will not only run with energy but also mount up on wings and fly across the finish line.  I initiated your race, and I will help you complete it.
*****

My child, never fear when you walk through fiery circumstances.  A wretched failure, a business loss, an unexplained illness– they will come like unwelcome flames in the night.  Don’t be terrified but look closely.  In the middle of that fiery furnace, you’ll see a familiar face.  I’ll walk through the flames with you.

*****

My child, I have chosen earthly vessels like you to hold My most valuable jewels because My light shines best in ordinary people.  Others, full of themselves or with the cares of this world, have stuffed their jars so full, there is no room left for Me.  Use my discretion wisely, My child.  Sacred things are not to be trampled, but preserved.  Share My treasures wisely.  Don’t hoard them, but give them to faithful disciples who appreciate the value.

*****

When I cannot utter the words, God, I know you are with me.  Your presence is a comfort to me even in my deepest pain.  Thank you for being that One who sticks so close that your breath is my breath.  Be my leaning post and hold me up so that I might be strong of mind and body.  Amen

*****

Eternal God, Your ways are not our ways and Your thoughts are not our thoughts.  We often forget this when we find ourselves caught between the rocks and hard places of life.  Thank you for showing me that there are no tight spaces where Your spirit cannot enter and no sore spots that your love cannot soothe.  In those times when what we face seems too difficult, assure us once again that you have a ram in the bush for every situation.

*****

My child, whenever you encounter an obstacle, remember, I have already provided a way around it or through it.  The next time you see a cloud on the horizon, don’t fear the storm.  Look closely, and you will see and feel My presence.

Inspirational Must See Video-”You Matter”

Posted by elev8.com






Have you thought about what you are doing today? How about tomorrow.

Now is the moment to start. Do you need a new diet?
Are you tired of being abused? Do you just feel stuck?

It’s pointless to raise your standards and not believe you can achieve them; that’s called self-sabotage. Once you’ve raised your standards and decided on the habits you want to change, you must start to modify your limiting beliefs and remove your doubts by following this process:

1. Have a firm belief.
You need to have a firm belief, without any doubt in the achievement and success of your desires. These beliefs need to be like unquestioned commands. They’ll shape every thought, feeling and action you’ll take. Within the strength of these beliefs lies the “core” to real and everlasting change.

2. Your belief needs to be under control.
If not, no matter what you decide to change, you’ll never have the conviction to achieve your goals or the desire to truly change.

3. Create a strategy.
Once you have the beliefs that will lead to your success ingrained within you, you then need to have a strategy to achieve the results. I’ve provided the example result of getting in shape below; follow this strategy to enhance your belief in your goal.

Untie Your Bonds And Be Free

Written by Faithful Forum
What does Jesus mean when he says “you are not of this world”? The world in scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and opposed to his will. The world rejected Jesus, and his disciples can expect the same treatment. Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the kingdom of darkness. The prophet Isaiah warned that people who separate themselves from God because of their rebellion and spiritual blindness would end up calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

(John 15: 18-210)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”

If we want to live in the light of God’s truth, how can we rightly distinguish good from evil? True love of God and his ways draw us to all that is lovely, truthful and good. If we truly love God then we will submit to his truth and will for our lives. A friend of God cannot expect to be a friend of the world because the world opposes God. Jesus’ demand is unequivocal and without compromise. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We must make a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to please God in all your thoughts, actions, and relationships? Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with the love of God (Romans 5:5).

Affirmation Of The Day: I Have Many Strengths

Written by Faithful Forum on Elev8.com
Oddly enough, many people are unaware of their strengths.  It is important to recognize our inner resources, for until we do, we will fail to use them. A person must identify and focus on his strengths to implement changes and overcome his weaknesses.  A good way to identify personal strengths is for an individual to ask a series of questions relating to the changes that he is about to embark on such as the following.


What Does It Mean To Be Successful?
Do I hunger for success?  Do I set goals and am I eager to take action to realize them? Am I excited by life? Am I curious? Do I love adventure? Do I live courageously? Do I like to support others, lead others, or both? Am I patient? Am I a risk taker?  Do I get along with others? Do I look at the pros and cons before acting? Can I depend on myself? Do I encourage others and offer praise where it is due? Do I respect and learn from others? Do I see the potential in others and in myself? Do I control my emotions or do I allow them to control me?  Do I balance work and recreation? Do I look after my general well-being or do I neglect myself?  Am I organized? Am I a visionary and see what others miss? Do I have a positive outlook? Am I a peacemaker? Do I empathize with others? Am I interested in what works and what doesn’t? Do I embrace change or do I prefer the status quo? Do I love to learn and apply new things? Am I a thinker, planner, and doer? Do I always strive to do my best? Am I gentle and kind? Am I generous? Am I understanding and accepting?
Embrace all that you are. You are a strong person. Tap into your potential.

Psalm 27:1 Gives Us Strength.

 Written by Faithful Forum


Psalm 27:1 gives us strength.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?”

There are times in our lives when our world comes crashing down on us; if anything can go wrong, it will. When life seems to be going in a downward spiral, you’re at the end of your rope and you can’t tie a knot to hold on – fear often takes hold of us. Fear traps us in the belief that nothing will ever improve, that we are ensnared and will never escape. When life gets us down, fear fills the void left by hope.


We fear losing our health, our wealth, our family; our friends. We fear losing the promotion or even the job. We fear growing old, but even more, we fear death.
God has an answer to our problem of fear. The answer to our fears, the solution to our worries lies in the simple understanding of God’s presence.
We can have confidence that God is our light, our salvation and our refuge, for it was His own Son who, while evil men came to take Him to be falsely tried and murdered, spoke and they fell to the ground.

Six Ways to Find Unforgiveness and Remove It

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 12, 2011


Most all of us like getting promoted, and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we fail tests in certain areas that keep us from getting promoted.
Areas like forgiveness.


If someone has hurt you, don't spend the next 10 years of your life hurting yourself by hanging on to that offense. Most likely, that other person isn't even thinking about you, while you dwell on the incident for years. That only hurts one person—you.
You see, when you forgive someone, you are helping yourself.
To help you understand the importance of forgiveness, here are six ways to detect unforgiveness in your own heart. Once exposed, you'll be one step closer to your personal promotion from God.
1) Unforgiveness always keeps score.
In Luke 15:29, the elder brother of the prodigal son said, "Look! These many years I have served you." Peter wanted to know how many times he had to forgive someone. Unforgiveness is always looking at the score. But 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, Love takes no account…. It doesn't count up the evil done to it.
Back in the early days of our marriage, when Dave and I were fussing and fuming at each other, I would bring up stuff that happened years before and Dave would say, "Where do you keep all that stuff?" Well, I had a place, and it was all in there eating at me. And every new thing Dave did wrong would get added to this list, and it kept growing until it became a bitter giant in my heart.
2) Unforgiveness always boasts of its own record.
In Luke 15:29, the older brother of the prodigal son says "These many years I have never done wrong." Judgment always says that I always do good and others do bad. An unforgiving spirit keeps us from God's best for us.
3) Unforgiveness always complains.
"You never do anything for me." Ever catch yourself thinking that about someone? This attitude only sees what others aren't doing and doesn't see what they are doing. God's Word clearly shows that we're not supposed to complain. And if you're continuously using your mouth to complain about some incident of offense, you won't get past it. Don't waste time by complaining.
4) Unforgiveness has a martyr syndrome.
"I do all the work." Workaholics are particularly susceptible to this one. Sometimes people who work all the time and don't know how to enjoy their life get jealous when other people are enjoying life. Is there someone who aggravates you when you see them having a good time? If yes, you could have unforgiveness toward them.
5) Unforgiveness always alienates, divides and separates.
When the kids are acting up, we say "my husband's kids" or maybe something like, "What are you going to do about your son?" Those are divisive statements. Maybe you have a coworker who you stay away from as much as possible or a sibling you don't talk to much…why do you separate yourself from them? Maybe you need to forgive that person.
6) Unforgiveness is always envious and jealous when angry at someone who gets blessed.
If someone who has hurt you gets a blessing, it grates on you…at least it did for me until I learned how to forgive. Forgiveness is a decision—not a feeling.
When you pray for people who have hurt you, it's a choice. But there's healing in that for you. Bless and do not curse them means to speak well and not evil of them when that person is not around. And be good to them in various ways as wisdom allows.
Improve Your Life I want to encourage you today to make a decision to start living a lifestyle of forgiveness and refuse to be offended.
A forgiving lifestyle helps you become more like Christ. As you learn the importance of forgiveness and begin to practice forgiving others, your heart will heal from bitterness, and your personal growth will lead you to the promotions God has planned for you.

Daily Direction

Helping you discover the truth of God's Word

Daily Directions, featuring Dr. Melvin Banks, is the two-minute daily radio program based on the themes found in UMI's annual commentary Precepts for Living.

Melvin Banks Sr., D. Lit.

 

May 31, 2011  |  ROMANS 9:6-12

Do You Remember The Poem “Invictus”?

William Henley wrote the poem "Invictus" in 1875. The last stanza goes like this: "It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." Some quote the poem to express persistence during trials. Others quote it to express their belief that God does not exist to whom we must give account. The Bible makes it clear that while we humans do have freedom of choice, God reserves the right to overrule our choices to carry out His purposes. The Apostle Paul discussed this issue in his letter to the Romans. His critics questioned whether Jesus could be the promised Messiah since so few Jews accepted Him as such. Paul answered his critics this way: God is sovereign and retains the right to do as He pleases. He argues that even though we humans have free will and are indeed responsible for the choices we make, God can still overrule us and fulfill His purpose and plans. Unlike the attitude expressed by the poet, we do not have the last word concerning our fate, nor are we the captain of our souls. Paul asks a sobering question to those who complain about God's absolute rule, "Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God?" The only correct response we should have toward God's sovereign will is this: We should submit to Him and seek to do what pleases Him.

Oprah Says God is Behind Success Of Show

By Steve Almasy, CNN
(CNN) – Oprah Winfrey closed her sentimental final show with the words, "I won’t say goodbye,

I’ll just say until we meet again."
Then, after a subtle pause, she added, "To God be the glory.”

With her work done, she walked through the audience and left the set of her talk show. During the show's 25-year run, she interviewed more than 30,000 people and won more than 40 Emmys. The credits rolled as she walked the hallways of the Harpo complex, saying goodbye to her staff.

She has been one of the most influential people in America, if not the world. Commentators looked at the power she held over her audience, and some people even likened her viewers to members of a cult.

Winfrey professed her faith and her belief in God, but over the course of the show, some observers saw her more as a spiritual person than a Christian.
In her last show, Winfrey took several minutes to speak to her belief that God - and her staff - were behind the show's success.

"People often ask me what is the secret to the success of the show," she said. "How have we lasted 25 years. I non-jokingly say, my team - and Jesus."
It was a remark that drew applause from the studio audience but also may make Christian commentators take notice.

Kathryn Lofton, who has watched more than 2,500 episodes of the show, said she had recorded the finale and would watch it later tonight. But her friends were texting her about the episode. Lofton, a professor of U.S. religious history at Yale University and the author of "Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon," was intrigued that Winfrey had mentioned Jesus, since she had used his name sparingly on air.

"Early on (in her career) she was more comfortable in saying that but over time began to use this more universal language of 'spirit,'" said Lofton, who wrote about Oprah's final show for CNN's Belief Blog. Lofton says Winfrey wants to be viewed as someone who "translates and understands herself as a Christian woman" but reflects a modern attitude about religion and religious institutions. And that has angered a few folks.

In 2008, Winfrey endorsed the book "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose," helping it sell more than 3.5 million copies after the talk-show host selected it for her book club. Winfrey and the book's author, Eckhart Tolle, took part in a webinar in which she angered some Christians by saying that Jesus didn't come to die on the cross.

"It really was about him coming to show us how to do it, how to be, to show us the Christ-consciousness that he had and that that consciousness abides with all of us," she told the audience.

One viewer even asked the question on the Oprah.com message boards: Is Oprah a Christian? Pistis07 wrote: "I was surprised because I had always thought she was a Christian but after flicking through her website and watching clips of more shows where she seems to be promoting a type of New Age religion and books from 'New Age spiritualists,' I really doubt that she is a Christian in the way Jesus explained and most Christians understand. Or perhaps she's just confused about the nature of God."

It was an issue her critics seized on. They said she wasn't promoting the God of the Bible but instead was indoctrinating her audience into a New Age spiritualism.
Authors Josh McDowell and Dave Sterrett say as much in their book, "'O' God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality." Sterrett told Crosswalk.com in October 2009 that Winfrey "reflects the common American practice of choosing whatever beliefs seem most attractive and leaving the rest."

Her message in the final years of her show was that the truth of life was within the individual, several commentators have said.

"Christians aren't people who have gotten in touch with their inner selves, but those who actually have Christ living inside of them through the Holy Spirit," McDowell told Crosswalk.
What Winfrey tried to get across is her belief that there wasn't just one right way to be connected to God, Lofton argues.

"The only right way is the way that she herself articulates and embodies, which is multiplicity," she said. "You can be many things. There are many paths to God, she says. It's that multiplicity which very much marks contemporary religious life."
Winfrey wanted to make sure that everyone knew she wasn't being ambiguous about her faith. In her final show, she spoke of how God has always been there, a voice whispering. And that her faith, while it might seem different than the one taught in religious institutions, was at its roots the same: It all centers on one thing.

"Nothing but the hand of God has made this possible for me," she said. "For all of you who get riled up when I mention God and you want to know which God I'm talking about, I'm talking about the same one you're talking about. I'm talking about the Alpha and the Omega. The omniscient. The omnipresent. The ultimate consciousness. The source, the force, the all of everything there is.

The one and only, G-O-D. That's the one I'm talkin' about."

Leaving The Past Behind And Moving On

Post from elev8.com

How long do we hold things we shouldn’t? There comes a time in life when we must let go of the past. We must move on. It is the only way that we can become healthy and happy  individuals. When we hold on to the past we block all the blessings  that are marked for us. When we hold on to the past, we never heal.
It is part of human nature to hold grudges and become set in our ways. They say the hardest thing any person does in life is learn to create and embrace change. You are not alone when it comes to holding on to things. We replay the infractions, insults or arguments over and over until we have picked apart every detail.
Part of life is learning when to move on. It’s hard to move on when the hurt and the pain is so deep we cannot think unless we dwell upon it. That is not what we were created for. We wallow in our misery. We wonder what we will do next.

When we label ourselves, we are labeling our future. Why not create something positive?
Our past is not the present, and it is certainly not our future. Let us win in our own imagination and create the possibility of an uplifting future.

To read further about empowering yourself and moving on visit  Uptown Magazine and  begin your voyage. Happy Trails!

Do You Recognize The Truth?

Written by Oretha Winston on Elev8.com

Do you hunger for the true life which God offers through the gift of his Holy Spirit? The Jews understood that God gave a certain portion of his Spirit to his prophets. When Elijah was about to depart for heaven, his servant Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe the words he speaks because God the Father has poured his Spirit on him in full measure, without keeping anything back. The function of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God’s truth to us. When we receive the Holy Spirit he enables us to recognize and understand God’s truth.  Jesus is the Word of God and he gives us his Holy Spirit so that we can recognize his truth and live according to it.

John 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him

God’s truth has consequences and he gives us the freedom to choose how we will respond. The choice he gives us has eternal consequences – everlasting life or everlasting death. God challenged his people in the Old Covenant: “See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. …I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And he issues the same challenge to the people of the New Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do they lead you towards life or towards death? If you choose to obey God’s voice and to do his will, then you will know and experience that life which comes from God himself. If you choose to follow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choose for death – a spiritual death which poisons and then kills the soul until there is nothing left but an empty person devoid of love, truth, goodness, purity, peace, and joy. Do your choices lead you towards God or away from God?

“Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that I may choose life – abundant life in you and with you. And give me the courage and strength to always discern good from evil and to reject everything that is false and contrary to your holy will.”

Affirmation For Today

I Make Conscious, Appropriate And Wise Decision

An affirmation is a great way to start training your mind toward a positive way of thinking.  Coupled with other positive thinking exercises, a positive affirmation will help you overcome any obstacle that is put in front of you.  The object of these positive thinking exercises is to ensure that you train the most powerful muscle in your body: your brain.

Here is your affirmation for today which can help keep your day in alignment with your desire to make conscious, appropriate and wise decisions.

  

Affirmation For Today:  

I Make Conscious, Appropriate, And Wise Decisions

Write the affirmation down and / or program an alert in your phone /computer to repeat throughout the day for inspiration to your brain.

Rhema Marvanne - My Story - Note To God- (FREE MP3)

Enjoy the clip below of this 8 year old little girl. She is already an amazing gospel recording artist, even at her young age. In the preview of her talent, you will hear how she lost her mother to ovarian cancer. She also shares how she knew that Gospel music is how she would honor her mother's memory. It is a moving clip and she really has a voice to behold. Enjoy and leave a comment.

Word of the Day - JOEL OSTEEN Don't Lose Your joy #371

Gospel Song of The Day: All I Need

Posted by jc in Inspirational on Apr 15, 2011-Praisedc.com

New World Music artist Brian Courtney Wilson “All I  Need ” points at the fact that  all the things in our life are  the simple. We need  prayer. We live in a world that sends confusing messages every day and makes us struggle and fall.   It is when we get up from those falls that  we are stronger. Learning that sometimes we need to step out on faith is usually the hardest thing that any of us must to do.  I know that we all have heard that time and time again. It is our life that makes it the best possible.

The lyrics:No one else can do the things you do/ Take the wrong in my life and make it right/
All I need is a touch from you



How can you not take courage with words like that. Anything is possible
Brian Courtney Wilson is inspirational man who took the jump..” Wilson, a University of Illinois graduate, began singing formally in the university’s black chorus, then continued singing on his own time while working as a pharmaceutical salesman for seven years. Then, in a leap of faith, he walked away from his job and became the music director at St. John’s Downtown Church in Houston, where he was mentored by and became friends with Rudy Rasmus.
All things can be done if you just believe!

3 Lies About Premarital Sex [Opinion]

Post by Cheryl Jackson in Inspirational on Apr 4, 2011-Praisedc.com
Vice and sin are sexy. Character and virtue… not so much. Last week there was an article about sex on the first date: SURVEY: Sex On The First Date; Do You? It started me to thinking and reading all the comments. Have we just given in  to what society has been selling us for the last 40 years. Sorry to say the Sexual Revolution came in and left us with one big mess.  It has let those of us with virtue be scorned. Character  is being erased. But where’s the line between them? What exactly is a virtue? Can it be taught? Are good, and bad, behavior hard-wired in us? Do we naturally need to experiment with every whim that crosses our fancy in order to determine who we are? You see less and less character as  you watch grown women throw themselves away on National television.  It’s become my new crusade to blow the lid off these half truths.   I am no prude but we need to stop selling the lies. They are destroying our communities.  It begins by stopping these three lies  first.


Lie #1- The Scriptures on sexual purity are outdated and archaic. “Those parts of the Bible aren’t relevant to today. Those things were when  the people during that time got married when they were teens; so they didn’t have to struggle with sexual temptation like we do now.” 1 Corinthians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Galatians 5:19, Hebrews 13:4 and Deuteronomy 22:13-28, all which condemn sex before marriage,  If sex before marriage is okay because people supposedly can’t control themselves, then it must be okay to engage in pornography, too, right?. If scriptures in the Bible became untrue because people can’t control their desires, then we’d also have to cut out the commandments on stealing, lying, cheating and having affairs.

Lie # 2- Sex produces intimacy that you need to build a relationship. Dr. Patricia Love, the author of The Truth About Love, writes that a feeling of intimacy is created by a “chemical cocktail” that is produced in the brain during sex and stays with each person for up to 24 hours after intercourse. On the flip side, having sex is no guarantee that the deep emotional intimacy that everyone longs for will develop. “Genital sex is an expression of intimacy, not the means to intimacy. True intimacy springs from verbal and emotional communion. True intimacy is built on a commitment to honesty, love and freedom. True intimacy is not primarily a sexual encounter. Intimacy, in fact, has almost nothing to do with our sex organs. A prostitute may expose her body, but her relationships are hardly intimate.”

Lie # 3-Sex can help you determine compatibility? Many people feel it is unreasonable to expect him to abstain from sex before marriage because no one would buy a car without test driving it; so he couldn’t imagine committing to marriage without taking a “sex test drive.” The  “test drive” mentality could lead you to unreal expectations and the lack of commitment. Many say that is untrue. However, the logic is faulty. Here’s why: If it was true that  a person wouldn’t struggle with comparison, why would you need to “test drive” anything? After all, if you didn’t ever have multiple partners, you would automatically think his wife the best. For example, the man who hasn’t ever seen or driven more than one car doesn’t know what other cars are like; therefore he would be satisfied with his automobile.

Partners can also feel threatened if they think their mate could be comparing them with previous partners.
The reality is that we live in a dangerous damaged world. Each day we are fed more and more lies that allow us to lower are standards. How far are you willing to lower yours to feel like everyone else? It is time we rethought all the things we have been sold as truth.

Why must any more of us suffer from “is she better, or is she great disease”? But it can be hard to truly gauge the potential depth of a sexual connection when there’s uncertainty or pressure involved. Fact is, sex is the place where all the separate parts of us – our bodies and souls, our vulnerabilities and most secret desires, our ability to create physical and spiritual life – come together. And it’s within the freedom of a commitment that these things can best be acknowledged, explored, and given space to run wild. Otherwise we are just falling short of what we could have.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. WE WANT TO KNOW YOUR OPINION ON THIS MATTER.

Filmaker: I found God In Hollywood

Great Story - Let us know what you think.....post your comments!

By Steve Almasy, CNN

(CNN) – It’s not impossible to be a Christian in Hollywood, Lee Stanley will tell you. What it does take is guts - the same guts it takes to be a Christian anywhere, he says. Stanley wasn’t a believer when he moved from New England to California in the 1960s. He was in love with a fantasy – not the idea of making it big on the big screen, but being around the water all the time.

The aspiring baseball player had realized he wasn’t going to make it to the major leagues, so he turned to another passion - diving. He had no idea the trek West would lead him on the road to becoming a filmmaker who tells stories of redemption and faith. Stanley details his life in “Faith in the Land of Make-Believe,” published this month by Zondervan. In a phone interview from his boat, he said he wrote the book to “to encourage people that have wandered away or lost the confidence in the things that have been on their heart for years.”

For years Stanley was lost, he just didn’t know it, he said. He spent his youth caring only about himself. He was raised to never show a weakness. He just wanted to have fun, make a little cash and spend time in the water off Catalina Island. He even thought about taking off on a tramp steamer setting sail for Greece, where he could do some diving. But a friend of a friend knew people in the movie business, and Stanley - then 19 - got a job as an extra on a Frank Sinatra film. He was intrigued by the industry, so he took other bit parts in film and television and soon signed with MGM. In 1966, he was considered for the part of Benjamin Braddock in “The Graduate,” but it went to Dustin Hoffman instead. His last acting role was in 1972’s “The Candidate,” where he appeared alongside Robert Redford. He was beyond bored, though. Too much sitting around and waiting, he says. So he started making documentaries. His distributor was a kind man named Dave Adams. Adams invited Stanley over for brunch with his wife but said they were going to church first. Stanley tried to get out of it, saying he had no jacket or tie and wouldn’t be presentable. Adams told him to come as he was. Stanley agreed - to appease the man with the money. They went to Church on the Way in Van Nuys, where a few hundred eager people were waiting for the first service to let out. He went from blasé to curious. Then the doors opened, and the smiling churchgoers spilled out. Now Stanley really wanted to see what was inside. He says it hit him right away once inside. He calls it The Voice. It said, “Welcome home. We have a lot of things to do together.”

Stanley embraced making faith-based films and documentaries, but he chose not to make them overly Christian. As an example of what he didn’t want to do, he remembered a film he saw shortly after moving to Hollywood. It was a beautiful work that touched all of his emotions, he said, but the one he felt at the end was anger. “It became a 10-minute, finger-pointing altar call,” he says. “I felt trapped and betrayed.” That’s not the way to win over non-believers or people struggling with their faith, he thought, not on screen nor in person. “I don’t lead with scripture any more than I expect people that have their own faith to constantly try to push me into it,” he said. On the other hand, when a studio or distributor pushed back on the themes of his movies, he would not compromise. He remained steadfast and worked with the people who accepted his philosophy. “I’ve been in a lot of good fights,” he says. “Sometimes I was a winner, sometimes I got kicked back where I belonged.”

His commitment led to an award-winning documentary, “Desperate Passage.” After meeting a youth offender at a correctional institution, Stanley found it in his heart to make a documentary about young criminals. In an unusual move, he petitioned the court to release seven juveniles into his custody, so that he could film them during a 10-day sail on his yacht. It took four years to get permission. “Everything I was asking for was illegal,” he says. “You weren’t supposed to take pictures of young offenders. I also asked to have my pick of the kids, and there were no guards [on the trip].” The struggles didn’t end after shooting wrapped. No TV station wanted to air the documentary. Two years later, a Los Angeles station director agreed to show it, and it got tremendous ratings. It won two Emmys and confirmed his mission in life. “We all have a God-ordained purpose in our life, but I have to add to that because I learned … that before he will lead us into each stage of our purpose, drawing us closer and closer, he has to do things in our life so we when we get to that next stage, we won’t misfire, destroy or lose,” he says. “That’s the wonderful thing about God.” Stanley also made "Gridiron Gang," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Stanley’s son, Shane, helped produce it. Stanley and his third wife, Linda, are sailing these days as he writes the screenplay of his next project. It’s a victory story, he says. It appears the same can be said for his.