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…

MARVIN SAPP’S “HERE I AM” $3.99 TODAY ONLY!

Today only! Download Marvin Sapp’s new album “Here I Am” for $3.99.  Just visit Amazon.com and enjoy! The album is great.   Although, I am a little biased since I am a Marvin Sapp fan. I have to admit that the album is a refreshing blend of contemporary worship songs with tracks that minister to your soul.  Check it out at this great price and share what you think.  

“Are You Listening?: A Love Song for Haiti

Marvin Sapp: The Best in Me

If you were able to catch BET’s Celebration of Gospel 2010 I’m sure your soul was delighted when you heard the incomparable Marvin Sapp debut his latest release. The Best in Me, the first release from Pastor Sapp’s forthcoming album, Here I Am, was released today!  Check out Amazon.com and purchase this single for just $1.29!

James Fortune & FIYA makes an “Encore”

They say you have to go through something in order to tell someone about it. According to James Fortune, he has been through more than a little bit and it taught him how to trust God. That trust definitely translates through his music. I think it is safe to assume most people fell in love with James Fortune & FIYA’s smash hit I’ll Trust You. It certainly ministered to me on many occasions. The group is back to encourage us once more with the first single from their forthcoming album, Encore, which is scheduled to drop January 26th. Check out the video and let us know what you think.

Jay Z Disses Jesus Christ!!!

All I can say is watch this! Please share this with everyone you know.

Check out the lyrics for yourself here:  http://www.elyricsworld.com/empire_state_of_mind_lyrics_jay-z.html

Missed Opporunities: MJ

Humanitarian, philanthropists, singer, dancer,father, brother, son and friend.  These are just some of the titles that the King of Pop had. I never saw MJ in concert.  I never got to meet him in person and most of all, I never went to Neverland Ranch.

Initially, I believed that it was sincere compassion for the soul of the individual that had touched so many peoples lives that prompted me to write the MJ post. Did he have a chance to make it in?

For as many posts that have been written on this site none have garnered more attention than the Michael Jackson post.  We have been rather suprised because the the purpose of this site is to glorify God. Delighted with the “hits” we allowed the dialogue to continue believing that individuals would be drawn to the cross. Yet, we find those that profess to be “believers” are glorifying a broken soul that no one wanted to help heal when he was alive.  So I asked myself, are the comments focused on the man or his soul?

I thought long and hard about this.  I prayed and sought Godly counsel about how to address my concerns. Micheal’s humanitarian works nor his meek and even keeled nature are evidence of being a Christian. As much as MJ may have said or done for people the world over it was not a declaration of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, as being the lover of his soul.

Jesus warned that many people who think that they are saved will be shocked at their judgment.  There will be those who mistakenly trust that their works will merit them salvation.  Yet there will also be those who know well that salvation is received by faith alone, but whose faith is void of the holiness that Jesus said marks every true Christian.  Numerous scriptures indicate that multitudes of people who think they are born again; their ‘assurance of salvation’ is actually deception.

God expects His children to obey His will once they know what he expects.  People who have been truly born again yearn to be holy.  That holiness increases through the process of sanctification or increasing in holiness.  In short, when we know better, we do better.  There is no such thing as justification that is not followed by sanctification.

If you do not have a heart for God you are of no use to the kingdom of heaven. Period.  The ordinary just won’t do.  Good deeds are not good enough.  So the question would be, why would true believers spend so much time in admiration of the life of an individual that did not use his life to glorify God?   If Christ is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle why are we not praying for those ordinary individuals like our neighbors or the doorman in our building just as much as one prays for those of influence that are yet living?

Believers should always be on guard and give no place to the devil.  That includes being distracted by a false sense of mourning.  Many were commenting about how they were so hurt about the speculations and accusations people were making about MJ.  Well, they talked about Jesus so, should we expect any less?

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 NIV

Additionally, let me just clarify that Sisters of the Faith is a vessel inspired by the Holy Spirit to assist believers in living more abundant lives. John 10:10 It is our mission to provide support, information, and resources for believers and their families with our first source being the infallible Word of God. We are dedicated to kingdom building as we are called to present the Gospel to the lost. Matthew 28:18-20

In sports, they call it dropping the ball.  The time spent lamenting over a soul that is already lost could be used to save that one little lamb that maybe only you could reach.  (I am not suggesting that Michael did not make it in.  Besides, none of us will know anyway if our names are not in the Lamb’s Book of Life.)

Beloved, I encourage you to take the passion and zeal with which you so vehemently defended your convictions and redirect them.  Just as you have shared links and videos to comfort one another and sought out information about MJ, delve into the scriptures or share new methods of evangelizing to those that are yet outside the arch of safety.  Dare I say, even read some of the devotionals or explore some of the Bible Study tools available on the site as well.  In short, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.  The break is over.  Its time for some kingdom building.

May the peace and favor of the Lord rest upon you all.

Pray for Tonex

Controversial recording artist Tonex has been on the music scene for over a decade.  According to wikipedia, Anthony Charles Williams II (his legal name), has released several hundred songs on 24 albums over a span of just 14 years, while producing several others for both gospel and secular artists alike. He has won six Stellar Awards, a GMA Award, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Album for his 2004 gold album, Out The Box.

In a recent interview with Lexi, Tonex confirmed long circulating rumors regarding his sexuality.  He confirmed that he did not “struggle” with his attraction to men.  ‘It wasn’t a struggle. And then people like to blame the struggle on molestation. No. Just say you were attracted to men and be honest and quit blaming it on that experience’, says Tonex.”

Tonex is no stranger to controversy.  In 2007, he released a song titled The Naked Truth where the singer says; “I did it, I made it …[I'm] the genius, the faggot, the weirdo, the hobo, the homo, the magnet.” He later apologized for his use of profanity in the song where he says he was venting about having been molested.

He also said, “before I say ‘this is what I am, this is the only thing I’ll be,’ I’ll say AT THIS STAGE, this is what it is.  So everyone can just breathe and relax on your show and say, Tonex said, ‘yes, he’s attracted to men. Yes, he has experienced gay sex before.  But that’s the least of who this man of God is.”

“I’m saying this is my life, here is my cards, this is where it’s at.  Now you can either pause here, and judge, or you can keep watching to see… Watch.  And pray.”

Of course Tonex’s statements are very disturbing, even more disturbing is the fact that he is a pastor!  Yes, he is the shepard over a flock. It seems this brother has taken a path that scripture clearly tells us leads to certain destruction.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Romans 1:21-28

There is no form of greater slavery than to be given up to one’s own lusts and be so blinded by sin.  As believers it is our duty to pray for Tonex and those that are following him on his downward spiral.  God has not 4got his Word.

It is possible for a man through ignorance to stand against God and to attack the very truth of God, and also defend the devil, and oppose God, unless he has knowledge.           Jesse Penn-Lewis, War on the Saints (1912 Edition)

Check out the Lexi interview below.

Just James: New J. Moss Project

We love music.  We are so excited about this information.  All week long Verity Records is allowing a full album preview of the upcoming release from multiple Stellar Award Winner J. Moss.  The new project Just James is slated for an August 25th release. The first release, Restored, is a stirring ode to God’s unfailing mercy toward us.  Praise teams across the nation will have to add the worship infused track Sweet Jesus to their rotations. God Happens illustrates God’s faithfulness which is encouraging in these uncertain times.  Take a listen for yourself…

Listen Here!l

Are you plugged in?

 

If you are like me, watching television and movies leave me a bit wary. Shows and movies today view little resemblence to the healthy, family oriented shows that once provided a little entertainment for families. Watch movies for the first time have become like Forest Gump and the box of chocolates–you never know what you’re going to get.  Between home, school, church, and sports–I am  not quite up on the latest movies, shows etc. So by the time our family does settle in to purchase or rent a dvd, it can be a bit daunting. Initially my husband and I previewed movies, before watching together with the family.  I would sit on the edge of my seat with my hands at the ready to fast forward some inappropriate word or action  that came on screen. It is amazing some the the material and content the ratings deem appropriate for small children. Previewing the movies worked great–except many times we were so tired we fell asleep on the preview and our kids were anxiously awaiting to see if the movie was going to make it in the dvd for them to see.  We found this gave us the opportunity to become proactive in our movie watching–rather than running damage control after the fact. However, it was a bit time consuming previewing the movies beforehand–and if the movies weren’t appropriate for our smaller children, we could not get that time back. Recently we came upon a great website of Focus on the Family, in which plugged in reviewers phave viewed movies, television shows, cds, video games etc for you. The website is called Plugged In, and the plugged in reviewers preview the movie, cd, video game etc. and gives you the reader the whole scoop. I was delighted to see several reviews of movies that my children were interested in watching, and even more delighted to see the plugged in reviewers covered every angle. I also appreciated that they did not dress the movie up or down–but told it like it was. 

Focus on the family encourages, nurtures, and defends God’s institution of the family and biblical truths of His Word. “We believe that children are a heritage from God and a blessing from His hand. Parents are therefore accountable to Him for raising, shaping and preparing them for a life of service to His Kingdom and to humanity.” Focus on the Family helps equip parents in rearing godly children, and Plugged In is a website that educates parents on exactly what their child will watch for that 1-2 hour movie.  Plugged In also prepares parents for topics and discussions to address that the movie, cd, video game etc. might raise–it is a great teachable moment for parents and children.

The website is www.pluggedinonline.com and their mission….

” to help equip parents, youth leaders, ministers and teens with the essential tools that will enable them to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Entertainment is a potent influence on our culture for both good and evil. Through our reviews and discussions of that entertainment, we hope to spark intellectual thought, family discussion, spiritual growth and a strong desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

The movies are reviewed for positive elements, spiritual content, sexual content, violent content, crude or profane language, drug and alcohol content, other negative elements, other negative elements, and the conclusion or the review.  By the end of the review, parents are fully informed–the only decision left is if your child will watch that particular movie or not. If so, then perhaps it is a great leadway into God’s word. Best of all, there is no need to sit through a bad movie–thanks Plugged In Online!I hope that you take advantage of this resource and the other great links on the site, as a parennt we can never be too informed or too interested in those things that involve our children.

Be blessed!

 

View more movies, television, music, video games and information on the mission of Plugged In at www. pluggedinonline.com.

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