Gospel Music Heritage Month

Gospel Music Heritage Month, a celebration of gospel music’s valuable, long-standing contributions to American culture, was first designated by Congress in 2008 as a result of a push spearheaded by GMC, the Gospel Music Association and The Recording Academy®.

“We are incredibly proud and pleased that Gospel Music Heritage Month has established itself as an annual event to recognize the tremendous impact gospel music has had – and is still having – on the music scene in this country,” said Charley Humbard, president, GMC. “As the home for all things gospel, GMC will once again be in the forefront of the month-long celebration.”

GMC will celebrate this year’s Gospel Music Heritage Month with an array of special programming and on-air and online features, including:

· A dedicated website, www.gospelmusicheritage.com, featuring special web-exclusive performances; programming and videos; interviews with legendary artists who have been instrumental in keeping gospel heritage alive; current and up-and-coming artists discussing their musical influences; gospel facts, figures and historical nuggets; and more. Throughout September, visitors will also find calendars of local gospel concerts and events happening in their area as well as web banners and other materials that can be used to spread information on Gospel Music Heritage Month.

· Superfest: All new episodes will air on Sundays at 9 pm ET. DeLeon Sheffield, gospel star, Grammy Award nominee and wife of baseball star Gary Sheffield, will host the series. Founded in 2000, SUPERFEST has become one of the leading TV properties in faith-based inspirational entertainment and the live recording event is a must-stop on the annual gospel events calendar for superstars including Richard Smallwood, J. Moss, Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kiki Sheard, Regina Belle, Trin-i-tee 5:7, The Whispers, Mary Mary, Shirley Murdock, Byron Cage, Dorinda Clarke Cole and many more.

· World premiere music videos from Casting Crowns to premiere before the feature film, Facing the Giants, on Friday, Sept. 3 at 8 pm ET. The superstar group has won 23 Dove Awards and a Grammy, and has had eight chart-topping singles.

· The GMC premiere of The Gospel Live. Anthony Anderson hosts this concert special, a celebration of song in faith. Appearing are Deitrick Haddon, CeCe Winans, Keith Wilson’s Choir, Mary Mary, Martha Munizzi, Hezekah Walker, Kelly Rice, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and Michah Stampley.

· Specially-created Gospel Music Heritage Month interstitials in all dayparts throughout September. More than three dozen artists will be featured, including Amy Grant, Billy Ray Cyrus, Melinda Watts, Byron Cage, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Hezekiah Walker, Toby Mac, J Moss and George Huff. The artists will share stories describing the role gospel music has played in their lives, as well as the music’s broader influence on American culture and the importance of its recognition by Congress.

· The introduction of a new on-air campaign titled “Gospel Musicology,” a fun and interactive series of spots testing the musical knowledge of some of today’s biggest artists, including Warner Brothers recording artist Robert Randolph, as well as GMC viewers.

He Calls Me Beloved

Have you ever felt that you were not worthy of this oh so great salvation?  It might even seem that God would not consider you worthy to call His own and far be it from Him to speak directly to you.  Why would He want to deal with a wretch so undone?

Many times we initiate conversations with God out of desperation or need.  Being plagued with feelings of inadequacy and unrighteousness often cause us to feel very distant from our Lord instead of drawing us nearer to Him.  I can remember a time that I never expected a response at all.  I just assumed the conversations were one way.  I treated our Lord as a sounding board and nothing more.

Author Pamela Marhad candidly shares what she has experienced thus far on this tedious journey in her book, He Calls Me Beloved.   Marhad ,through intimate conversations,shares how our Lord Jesus introduced Himself to her.  Through their conversations readers learn that, as with any successful relationship, trust must be developed and personalities learned. Each conversation gives insight into the character of God and how we should learn to obediently submit and just trust.

Between the covers of He Calls Me Beloved, a true love story unfolds.  Rather than a vengeful, cold and distant Father, Marhad learns of the gentle, patient provider we serve.  Reminded of her futility, Marhad is strengthened and encouraged by a loving and reassuring Father that is confident in what He has poured into His beloved. I could easily identify with many of the exchanges in this narrative.

Even the strongest of believers often fail to realize that God desires for us to long to sup with Him like a deer pants for water as David so eloquently put it.  He desires that we recognize that our hearts were not designed to function without Him.  He continually woos us and reminds us that His love has no expiration date.  He wants to be the one we run to and call on first and not as an afterthought when man has failed us yet again.

Marhad shares how the enemy attempts to use the sins of our past coupled with lies to defeat us.  Yet, the answers she received in those seemingly dark times serve as encouragement to any believer to delight in the Lord and trust in His strength.

This book, brief and colloquially written at times, was a quick but convicting read. The book flows quite freely with the exception of a few short stories scattered throughout the book.  The end of each chapter offers a unique feature.  “Enter In” encourages the reader to apply what was learned in the proceeding chapter in practical ways-baby steps.  The reader is challenged with some self examination and encouraged to “delve deeper” along with a scripture to encourage.

Overall, I was truly blessed by the exchanges Marhad chose to share. I found He Calls Me Beloved to be a refreshing glimpse into the the walk of one believer that was brave enough to share her most intimate thoughts and fears in order to help others win the war– one battle at a time.

 

Please enjoy this excerpt from He Calls Me Beloved

Beloved, do you have time for Me?
Yes, Lord. Thank You for stopping me from rushing off to get things done without visiting with You. You know how anxious I get when I have several matters that need my attention.
I stopped you because you need Me, daughter. Refresh yourself in My love for you. Let this be a day of creative activity together. The things you must do will never satisfy you unless they are shared with Me.

Lord, My “to do” list is made up of everyday responsibilities.  Are these the kinds of things You want to share with me?  They seem so ordinary and unimportant compared with the serious needs in our world.

Daughter,  most of human life is made up of the ordinary.  If you only allow Me to meet with you in the extraordinary matters, not much is left for us to share!  I delight in living your ordinary life with you.  In fact, it is only in living the ordinary with me that you will be able to enter into the extraordinary.

The routine matters of your day take on new purpose when you share them with Me.  I say this to encourage you to persevere.  Seek Me in your day-to-day, moment-to-moment life.  Talk with Me, laugh with Me, listen to Me.  Become familiar with My voice and My ways.  In doing so, you will bring both of us great pleasure as we share life together.

The things I have called  you to do are all around you each day.  Be faithful in those things and let Me have the responsibility for whatever comes next.

Beloved, the important thing to learn is to follow My lead.  I don’t want to be structured into your day; I want to be your day—all of your life shared with Me, the Lord of Life.  This is not an impossible goal.  This is My will for you.  We will not give up on this goal, because the rewards will be great.

• Publisher: Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing
• ISBN-10: 1414113145
• ISBN-13: 978-1414113142

Walter Hawkins…Goin’ Up Yonder

Gospel music legend Bishop Walter Hawkins has died at age 61. The Grammy Award winning contemporary gospel singer succumbed on Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. During his 30-plus-year career in gospel, which consisted of at least 14 albums since 1975, Hawkins created an extensive catalog of music both as a solo artist and with his family ensemble.

Hawkins, the pastor of Love Center Church, leaves two children to celebrate him– Walter Hawkins, Jr. (aka Jamie Hawkins) and Trystan Hawkins.  His older brother, Edwin Hawkins, shared: “I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend. Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more, and he will be greatly missed.”

 

Vashawn Mitchell:Nobody Greater

Get your Ipods and MP3 players out and put this one on the top of your playlist.  Enjoy!

Created 2 Worship

Sometimes we just need a little reminder of why we are here. This song really ministers to me. Enjoy!

Try Jelly Telly!

In the vast majority of American households PBS, Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel and Cartoon Network get more than their fair share of our children’s time.  Although some of the programming is educational it does not assist us in teaching our children Biblical principles.  But, never fear, once again Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, has come to our rescue with something new as well as innovative.  He calls it Jelly Telly.

Jelly Telly is an internet based television network. It’s updated everyday with new content and shows.  Unlike the computer generated animation that we have become accustomed to seeing with VeggieTales, Jelly Telly offers puppets.  It sort of reminds me of the Muppet Show (only better).

Vischer said, “Kids need to see what God’s love looks like in action.  If they watch a lot of television, they see pop stars, sports stars and celebrities.  They see kids driving around Hollywood in nice cars – recording albums and buying clothes.  They don’t see a whole lot of missionaries or Christian relief workers or, even more vital, kids just like them sacrificing their time to show God’s love to others.  So this sort of thing will be a major focus of JellyTelly.”

Most areas of the website are free however, there is a small monthly subscription fee associated with the site, but its worth it. It’s only $2.99! If you have tried it let us know what you think! If not, take a look at the clips below. You won’t be disappointed.

VeggieTales Legend Releases All New DVD Series

From Chicago-based Jellyfish Labs, Vischer and team open the Bible, Genesis to Revelation, to new generations: how the Bible formed, its major themes and leading figures, even terms such as Vulgate, Septuagint, Canon, and Apocrypha.

“I picture the kid in the back of Sunday school class–with the questions teachers dread. I know that honest answers now help solidify faith long-term,” Vischer said. Select theologians comb every script to accurately present the Bible on ground common to the broadest number of believers. “We work hard to show respect all around,” Vischer said.

VeggieTales has sold more than 50 million DVDs and produced two theatrical films around Bible stories. WITB plugs in the entire Bible. This comes in a groundswell of new concern for Bible literacy and because today’s kids learn visually.

Bestselling author Randy Alcorn emailed Vischer: “[My grandson and I] watched together and again the next day and the next, bonus features and all, until we had to leave. Matthew is now a devoted fan of Buck Denver and the other characters.”

Alcorn also liked, “the depth of biblical background and commentary on God’s great drama of redemption.”

Episodes one, two, and three?

1. In the Beginning — Kids learn God’s big story and how Genesis’s first 11 chapters set up the whole Bible–and life.

2. Let My People Go! — Kids meet Abraham and learn how God used him to start a great nation called Israel.

3. Wanderin’ in the Desert–goes into Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, joining Genesis and Exodus in the Law Books and setting up trials and victories of God’s people.
“We must learn the language of our audience,” said C.S. Lewis, who connected children to God. “For this generation, visual is fundamental to learning,” Cambridge scientist Alister McGrath said. “By the time kids see the final DVD,” Phil Vischer said, “they’ll know the entire Bible.”

www.WhatintheBible.com

Have you watched any of them yet?  Let us know what you think!

McDonald’s Gospelfest 2010

Gospel fever returns to the New York Tri-State area on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Prudential Center (165 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ). The auditions are now complete and competitors are preparing to share the stage with some of the biggest names in Gospel including the legendary Dionne Warwick, Hezekiah Walker, Vickie Winans, Kurt Carr, Regina Belle, J.Moss, Cissy Houston, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, KOHSHI, and superstar Roberta Flack! Special Inspirational message by Bishop T.D. Jakes!

Produced and directed by Emmy Award winning Producer, A. Curtis Farrow, McDonald’s Gospelfest is a talent competition that features choirs, steppers, praise dancers, soloists, rappers and poets. Rising stars of all colors, ages, cultures and faiths will compete in a variety of categories including Soloists, Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Praise Dance, Step, Singing Groups, Gospel Comedians, Gospel Rappers and Gospel Poets.

The official hotel partner of McDonald’s Gospelfest is the Hilton Newark Airport which is located at 1170 Spring Street in Elizabeth, NJ. There is a special rate of $99 per night for the dates June 18th, 19th and 20th. To book your reservation, call 1-800-HILTONS and use the code “MGF”, or go online at www.newarkairport.hilton.com, choose your dates, then enter the code “MGF” in the “Group/Convention Code” box.

McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corporation and the McDonald’s Tri-State Owners’ Association. Over the course of the past 27 years, The association has awarded millions of dollars in scholarship money. The McDonald’s Gospelfest competition has been an important fundraising event which supports education opportunities within local communities.

Tickets can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster by calling 800.745.3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, please call the McDonald’s Gospelfest Hotline at 866.898.7772.

About McDonald’s New York Tri-State Area Restaurants
McDonald’s is the world’s best-known brand and is the global leader in food service. There are more than 600 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by 100 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state area. For more information, please visit www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com

New Music: SIII & the Truth

I don’t know about you but I haven’t heard many great contemporary gospel groups in a while.  Some have been good but, there wasn’t enough that was different about them to provoke me to purchase their album.  So, I chose to stick with what and whom I was familiar.

Well, we all know that first impressions have a huge impact and I was more than impacted this weekend.  I caught this anointed group on Bobby Jones Gospel and I was more than thoroughly impressed.  Their sound was like a fresh wind as they gave praise and honor to Jesus Christ!  They performed a song called Crucified One.  Check out their performance and let me know what you think.  I think we will see more and more of this group!

Heritage Mass Choir

Heritage Mass Choir is a group of young Koreans who have adapted the Afro-American style of contemporary gospel music and have made it there own.  I was amazed when I saw this!  Sometimes we forget the influence, the affect, and wide spread appeal that music has.  Even though I don’t understand Korean, the music and the message shine through.  If these young people live with the power and conviction they sing with, they are a force to reconed with!  Listen and be blessed…

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